Hall of Justice – Details, episodes & analysis

Marc Bernardin is the co-host of a popular podcast with filmmaker Kevin Smith entitled “Fatman Beyond.” He spent 13 years as a journalist for Entertainment Weekly and worked for other publications before and after. He then boldly transitioned from covering the entertainment industry to being part of it. He is now a TV/film/comic book writer who has written on shows such as Castle Rock, Treadstone, Masters of the Universe: Revelation, and many more. In 2023, he released his first short film, Splinter. His appearance on the Hall of Justice coincides with a new fundraising project to raise money to make a feature-length film entitled “Deepest, Darkest,” which takes place in the “Splinter-Universe.” In this episode, Bernardin explains the evolution of his entertainment career, and how he got connected with Smith to do their podcast. He also discussed some key topics in the superhero genre including superhero fatigue, criticizing story, and when political issues intercede with superhero content. Bernardin has launched a Kickstarter to raise funds for Deepest, Darkest. That link can be found here: http://kck.st/3YZVeaO.

Acclaimed television and film writer Ken Levine has had a successful writing career that consisted of Cheers, Frasier, M*A*S*H, Everybody Loves Raymond, and countless others. He is also an accomplished Major League baseball announcer. He shared an Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy award in 1983 for his work on Cheers. He recently stopped producing his own podcast, Hollywood and Levine, and his own blog. In this episode, Levine talks about getting his start in a golden age of television. He discussed at length his work on Cheers and Frasier. Furthermore, he comments on the transition from network television to streaming services and how smaller episode totals are a challenge for writers. As for his baseball experience, that conversation will be continued on a future episode of a podcast called Sports with Friends.

WARNING: Do not listen to this episode unless you have seen the 2023 Amazon Prime release “Gen V” or do not mind hearing key plot points. The hit TV series “The Boys” has its Season 4 premiere on the day this podcast is released, June 13, 2024. In October 2023, Amazon Prime Video released a spin-off series, entitled “Gen V.” This episode reviews Gen V while previewing season 4 of The Boys. Gen V tells the story based on The Boys comic book story arc "We Gotta Go Now" by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Ennis was featured on this podcast in Episode 375. It takes place in The Boys universe and deals with a superhero school and its students. Veteran sportscaster and Hall of Justice regular Marshall Harris rejoins the show to discuss Gen V and give his thoughts on what to expect in The Boys Season 4. They also discuss the recent news that Season 5 will be the end of the Boys, while spinoffs may continue. Use code HALLOFJUSTICE at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/HALLOFJUSTICE.

Warning: Do not listen to this episode unless you have seen the Warner Bros. Animation/DC Universe 2022 film, “Green Lantern: Beware My Power” or do not mind hearing key plot points. Green Lantern: Beware My Power is the next film in the continuity known as the “Tomorrow-Verse.” It includes Superman: Man of Tomorrow, Justice Society: World War II, and Batman: The Long Halloween. It is an origin story for John Stewart, who receives a power ring. The film was co-written by John Semper and Ernie Altbacker. Semper discussed the movie in Episode 291 of the show. Altbacker rejoined the podcast after his initial appearance in Episode 261 to review the film. In this episode, Altbacker discusses various key plot decisions and the fan reaction to the film in the early days of its release. They also discuss the future of DC animated projects and the comparisons between this continuity and the “Tucker-verse” which preceded it. They also reference various DC live-action shows and movies.

Peacemaker was a breakout hit in 2022 for HBO Max, its parent company, and the DC Extended Universe. Steve Agee plays John Economos. Agee played John in 2021's The Suicide Squad and then reprised the role in Peacemaker. Since debuting on The Sarah Silverman Program in 2007, Agee has been on countless TV shows and movies. He met James Gunn, who put him in Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2, and subsequently in the DC properties when Gunn wrote and directed. In this episode, Agee talks about his evolving career and then gives a detailed recount of how he met Gunn. He then explains how he thought the Suicide Squad would be it for him and DC, and he explains how he learned about Peacemaker. He talked glowingly about the cast of Peacemaker, and how they made that incredible opening sequence. He also tells great stories from the set, including that famous finale scene in Peacemaker with John Cena, Jason Momoa (Aquaman), and Ezra Miller (Flash). Follow Steve on social media @steveagee.

Warning: Do not listen to this episode unless you have seen the Disney+ Marvel Studios 2022 series, “Ms. Marvel.” or do not mind hearing key plot points. Ms. Marvel is the 7th Marvel Studios series to premiere on Disney+ since the streaming service began. It introduces high school student Kamala Khan, who soon finds she has unique powers. She is of Pakistani descent and is the first Muslim superhero in the MCU. Swara Salih, a writer for IO9 and Nerds of Color, joins the show. His Iraqi background gives him a unique perspective on this character. Like the podcast did with Black Panther and Shang-Chi, the question is raised on how this character makes a Muslim person feel to see that representation in a superhero series. In addition to the cultural impact, this episode discusses the audience reaction and the show's place in the overarching Marvel Cinematic Universe. Salih is a host of 2 podcasts, The Middle Geeks and Into the Spider-Cast. Follow him on social media @spiderswarz. This episode is sponsored by Pristine Auction! Register at https://www.pristineauction.com/register and get $10 off your first item won when you use code: Justice

Warning: Do not listen to this episode unless you have seen the Marvel Studio 2022 film “Thor: Love and Thunder,” or do not mind hearing key plot points. The 4th installment of the Thor franchise, and the 29th film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Thor: Love and Thunder” stars Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman. Broadcaster and comic enthusiast Brian Tong returns to the podcast to offer his insight into what worked, what didn't, and how this movie stands in the MCU. The guys discuss the plot that involves Jane Foster returning to Thor's life, and Gorr the God Hunter providing the great threat. Thor was traveling the cosmos with the Guardians of the Galaxy. This movie is part of the MCU's Phase Four and includes characters from earlier films and series. Follow Brian Tong on social media @briantong. See his content on tech at patreon.com/briantong.

This is Part 2 of a conversation with writer/producer John Semper. While last week's show focused on his entire career, including the upcoming Green Lantern: Beware My Power, his definitive work is the 1990s animated series based on Spider-Man. In this conversation, Semper details how the show came about, including Marvel's bankruptcy at the time. He discusses how starting with Season 2, he had very little restraints on what stories he could do and used so many Marvel characters it is considered the predecessor to the current Marvel Cinematic Universe. Semper discussed the “fate” of Mary Jane in the show, his decision to crossover with the X-Men, and the introduction of the “Spider-Verse” in the finale. He also praised the incredible voice cast for the show. Follow John Semper on social media @johnsemper.

Acclaimed animation writer/producer John Semper joins the podcast in anticipation of the new Warner Bros. Animation / DC Universe upcoming release “Green Lantern: Beware My Power,” which is released on Blu-Ray/Digital on 7/26, which he co-wrote with Ernie Altbacker (HOJ Ep 261). Semper is the creator and executive producer of the classic 90's Spider-Man: The Animated Series and has been requested for this podcast since the very beginning. In this episode, Semper explains why he thinks the new Green Lantern film is his best work since Spider-Man. He also discusses his 40-year career in animation, including his work on the Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians (the final season of Super Friends) and the last two seasons of Static Shock. He also discusses the impact of being a pioneer for African-Americans in the animation field. Finally, he is passionate about giving comic creators credit for their creations, especially as more superhero projects are made into shows and films. Note: This episode is Part 1 of 2 with John Semper. Next week will focus solely on Spider-Man: The Animated Series, with an in-depth discussion on the creation and impact of that classic show.

Warning: Do not listen to this episode unless you have seen the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi, or do not mind hearing key plot points. Star Wars insider JC Reifenberg, owner of the Scum and Villainy Cantina in Hollywood, CA, and the producer of Fatman Beyond with Kevin Smith and Marc Bernardin rejoins the show to discuss the latest series from Lucasfilm and Disney+. Obi-Wan Kenobi is set 10 years after the events of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and 8 years before Episode IV: A New Hope. Ewan McGregor reprises his role from the prequels as the titular character. Hayden Christensen returns to the franchise as well. This episode focuses on the tie-ins to the overall franchise timeline and its impact on the saga. They also discuss in great detail the role of Darth Vader, played by Christensen and voiced by James Earl Jones (or was he?). They also talk about the plot twists and turns, the story, and the production value. For more information on the Scum and Villainy Cantina, visit https://scumandvillainycantina.com/.