Sidebar Forever

Originally broadcast in 2012, here is a classic interview from our 'Barchives' with renowned illustrator, the late David Grove (1940 - 2012).
Grove hit the scene in the early 1970s, bringing his illustration to paperback book covers and advertising. His singular style quickly became highly influential and sought after in the industry.
In the early 1980s, Hollywood beckoned Grove and he produced memorable posters and artwork for a slew of films such as ’Never Cry Wolf’, ‘Something Wicked This Way Comes’ and ’The Outsiders’. Grove was inducted into the Society of Illustrators’ Hall of Fame in 2007. 
This episode continues our re-presentation of classic interviews and roundtables from our previous incarnation as SiDEBAR: The Pop Culture Podcast into our podcast feed. We hope that our listeners, both new and old, will enjoy these vintage back episodes and follow us here for new episodes of Sidebar Forever!

In a movie, a death scene is not unlike a dramatic scene, a love scene and even an action scene. They all serve to advance the story and make an impact on the viewer. But sometimes when a despicable character in a film meets a gruesome end, it can also be ... enjoyable?
 
On today's episode, Dwight and Swain discuss the most outrageous, shocking, and in certain cases, meaningful deaths in popular TV and film. We’re talking Hans Gruber falling off the Nakatomi in 'Die Hard', Quint getting gobbled up by the great white in 'Jaws', the off-screen passing of James Evans on 'Good Times', Carrie's abusive mother being telekinetically crucified by her daughter, and a bunch more.
 
We also get into surprise deaths that you didn't see coming like Ned Stark losing his head in season one of 'Game of Thrones' as well as deaths that move a central character forward like the untimely demise of King T'Chaka in Marvel's 'Civil War'. 
 
As always, thanks for listening.

There are jobs, there are careers, and then there are undeniable careers. 
On today's podcast, we get into it as we celebrate three renowned actors with long and studied careers: Sir Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs, Amistad), Robert De Niro (The Godfather II, Raging Bull) and Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, Marvel's The Avengers). 
From their most famous roles, to their versatility and to their staying power; we salute these fine thespians and all that they have accomplished. We also try to determine exactly where in their careers is the threshold point where they crossed over from working actors — to stars.
As always, thanks for tuning in.
 
 
SIDEBAR FOREVER ©2021 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt and Adrian Johnson

Today’s podcast is a review of 'The Fast and the Furious' the 2001 action film about illegal street racing starring Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Paul Walker and Jordana Brewster. With the ninth installment of this series steering its way into theaters soon, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the landmark original. That's right, it's Dom, Letty, Brian, Mia, Vince, and the villainous Johnny Tran and his gang. And Ja Rule, too.
The three of us jumped right in the driver's seat discussing the cast and themes in the movie, obvious comparisons to 1991's 'Point Break', the stunts and set pieces, and how 'Fast 1' birthed what has become a billion dollar franchise. Later, we switch gears and ask the big question: HOW MANY MORE OF THESE CAN THEY MAKE?
All right, all right, pump your brakes ... we're just kidding. Thanks for listening.
 
SIDEBAR FOREVER ©2021 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt and Adrian Johnson

Today's podcast is a throwback to the great 'What If' and 'Elseworlds' comics of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. We're talking alternate reality stories of Batman teaming up with Harry Houdini, Superman as a Soviet agent, Jane Foster finds the hammer of Thor and Iron Man as a traitor.
You see, for fans like us, what blew our minds about these stories wasn’t simply the out-there nature of these ideas. It was the infusion of real consequence and change into familiar characters who often remained in stasis. 
In the conversation, we reminisce about some of our favorite 'What If' and 'Elseworlds' stories and have a few laughs, especially while discussing a classic,  all-star issue of Marvel's 'What If?' (#34 to be exact).
What are some of your favorite 'What If' and 'Elseworlds' stories? Hit us up on our socials and let us know. And as always, thanks for listening.
SIDEBAR FOREVER ©2021 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt and Adrian Johnson

The man in the beskar armor has returned in Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni's epic tale of bounty hunting, double crosses, giant monsters, and galaxy-hopping adventures in season 2 of Disney’s ‘The Mandalorian’. 
All of the familiar faces from season one are back, too: Cara Dune, Greef Karga, Moff Gideon, and of course, Baby Yoda (we find out his true name). But we also get some fresh faces with this new season: Morgan Elsbeth, Cobb Vanth, and from ‘Rebels’ and ‘Clone Wars’, Bo-Katan Kryze and Ahsoka Tano. It's a real hoot!
In the conversation, Dwight and Swain compare the violence and kills from seasons one and two, talk about the casting choices of Rosario Dawson, Katee Sackhoff and Timothy Olyphant, and revel in the return of Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett. Also, RIP to the Razor Crest.
Both seasons of ‘The Mandalorian’ are available on the Disney+ app. Check 'em out ASAP. We have spoken.
As always, thanks for listening to the podcast. And don’t forget to share us on your social media so new listeners can find us as well.
SIDEBAR FOREVER ©2021 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt and Adrian Johnson

As previously announced by Warner Bros, "Wonder Woman 1984" hit theaters and HBO Max on Christmas Day. Stars Gal Gadot and Chris Pine with director Patty Jenkins are back with more adventures of our favorite Amazon, along with Kristen Wiig and Pedro Pascal as the big bads in the movie. Early reviews are lukewarm at best and we understand why. The sequel has problems that the 2017 original film did not. The runtime, pacing, confusing plot points and character motivations – there’s a lot to unpack. 
 
Thus, Dwight and Swain are here with their podcast review. And hey, it ain't all bad. Kristen Wiig is terrific as the brilliant but awkward Dr. Barbara Minerva (aka Cheetah), and there's a mid-credits easter egg that will make you stand up and cheer.
 
Spoilers abound on the episode, so you've been warned. Thanks for listening.
 
SIDEBAR FOREVER ©2021 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt and    Adrian Johnson

Today’s episode is an epic lovefest for two of the greatest science fantasy magazines ever published: Epic Illustrated and Heavy Metal. 
Like an entire generation of readers, Dwight and Swain became huge fans of Epic and ‘Métal Hurlant’ back in the mid 80s. The most revered science fiction, fantasy and comic book storytellers of all time were featured in their hallowed pages: Moebius, Michael Moorcock, Jim Starlin, Wendy Pini, Boris Vallejo, Luis Royo, Jon J. Muth, Richard Corben, Jo Duffy, Enki Bilal, Marie Severin, Jeffrey Catherine Jones, H.R. Giger, Simon Bisley, Pepe Moreno, Harlan Ellison, the Hildebrandt Brothers and many, many more.
In the conversation, Dwight and Swain give their first impressions of the magazines, namecheck their favorite artists from that era, and of course, discuss the 1981 ‘Heavy Metal’ movie as well as a one-time rumored David Fincher/James Cameron produced sequel.
The hosts of Sidebar Forever are of the opinion that Epic Illustrated and Heavy Metal closed the gap between amazing book cover paintings and amazing comic book art. They were tastemakers and showed the world what great fantasy stories could, and should be. 
By the way, four decades later, Heavy Metal magazine is still being published. 
As always, thanks for listening to the podcast. For more episodes of the show, visit us at sidebarforever.com or wherever you get your podcasts.
 
SIDEBAR FOREVER ©2020 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt and Adrian Johnson

‘Wonder Woman 1984’ was among several blockbuster films scheduled for release in early 2020 that ended up delayed due to low theater attendance. 
Over the last few weeks, its parent studio Warner Brothers announced that not only would it be releasing ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ on Christmas Day via theaters and HBO Max, but it would do the same thing with its entire slate of 2021 releases. 
So starting on December 25th, you can see movies like ‘The Matrix 4’, ‘The Suicide Squad’ and ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ in your local cinema as well as from the comfort of your own home. 
This struck us as a real game changer for the moviegoing experience and worthy of discussion. Will other studios like Universal and Disney follow the Warner Bros. model? Will megaplex theater chains like AMC and Regal become relics of the past? And what does a move like this mean for the kinds of films filmmakers can and want to make? 
For more episodes, subscribe to us at sidebarforever.com or wherever you get your podcasts.
SIDEBAR FOREVER ©2020 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt and Adrian Johnson

On December 10, 2020, we, just as legions of fans across the world, were devastated by the news of the passing of Richard Corben. Corben was stated to have passed following heart surgery a week prior on December 2.
In tribute to this monumental creator, we wanted to re-present an episode dedicated to Corben from our archives.
Originally broadcast on April 17, 2015, this episode was for a segment that we called ‘Shine On’ spotlighting artists who may not have been widely appreciated and unsung as ‘household names’ so to speak.
And Corben was obviously beyond worthy.
Please enjoy our humble retrospective on Corben’s career and art that broadened, titillated and ultimately inspired the imaginations of generations of fans and artists worldwide.
For more episodes, be sure to subscribe to sidebarforever.com or wherever you get your podcasts.
 
SIDEBAR FOREVER ©2020 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt and Adrian Johnson