This week we're talking about the 96th annual Academy Awards, the first Oscars Derek has watched in over a decade! And he picked a good one to return to, as the night had surprisingly deserving winners, big fun moments and also Godzilla. 

Find out our thoughts on who deserved what they won and which losers should have been winners. Hear us discuss "I'm Just Ken" and also get into an argument about celluloid! This one has it all. 

By the way, join our Patreon at the $5 or above level to get our lengthy podcast about Dune Part Two, which is hitting later today!

This week we're doing something a little different. We're pulling an episode of Watch Men out from behind the paywall and letting you get a listen to it - free! The episode is about The Marvels, a much-maligned MCU film that we quite liked and that is now on Disney+ and finally picking up some appreciation. What better time to get this back in front of your ear canals?

But don't worry - if you've already heard this we have a solid hours of news and putzing around, so you've got plenty to listen to this week.

If you like what you hear and want to get more of our longform movie discussions, join the Patreon at www.patreon.com/cinemasangha. You get Watch Men at the $5 and above levels! The next episode will break format as we discuss Dune Part II.

The Dynamic Duo is born... and right off the bat there's something a little odd about their relationship. Now, we're not taking Wertham's side on this one but it is really strange for a rich guy to simply abscond with a recently orphaned little boy. 

It's Detective Comics #38, the first appearance of Robin the Boy Wonder, the multi-murdering sidekick to the Dark Knight Detective. And there are backup stories galore, a few of which contain racism!

Before that: the news! The Fantastic Four are cast. Should the movie open in such close proximity to Superman: Legacy? Or can movie theaters support both films?

Next week: we're taking a break. In the meantime, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/cinemasangha at the $5 level so you can get our upcoming podcast where we will discuss Madame Web!

When Captain America throws his mighty shield.... well, he's not throwing his shield yet, but he's already got a 9 year old sidekick who sleeps in bed with him? Yes, this is just one of the revelations coming out of Captain America Comics #1, where Joe Simon and Jack Kirby introduce the Star-Spangled Avenger and his nemesis The Red Skull. 

And there are backup stories, and get this - they're first appearances of major Marvel mythological concepts as well! Pretty impressive for 1941.

Next week: Detective Comics #38, the first appearance of Robin, the Boy Wonder!

Comics are for kids. We all know that. But don't kids deserve a little bit more respect? This is the question that hangs over the two stories in The Flash #110, which sees the introduction of Wally West, aka Kid Flash, aka a future Flash. 

Before we get to the origin of this scarlet speedster we got ourselves some news, including pondering about whether they'll keep Israeli superhero Sabra in the new Captain America, which seems like it's going to do a complete reshoot in the coming months. 

Next week: join us as we revisit the first appearance of Captain America himself in Captain America Comics #1! Lets knock out some Ratzis in this comic you can find on the Marvel app and likely for free on a bunch of other services.

Want more? Join us on the Patreon at www.patreon.com/cinemasangha and get more podcasts and hang out on our Discord!

“Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor.”

We all know the Mighty Thor today, thanks to the MCU and of course his appearance with the Incredible Hulk on TV, but how did he start? The latest entry in our Secret Origins series has shown us that many of the most famous comic book characters were born with their fundamental DNA intact. Not so much with the Mighty Thor. 

In fact, in his first appearance Thor is visually recognizable... but that's about it! And maybe his first appearance isn't actually all that good, believe it or not. 

Plus: some Marvel and DC news. Plus: a mysterious piece of bread ends up on my windshield. 

Next week: The Flash #110 (1959), the first appearance of Kid Flash. Available on the DC Universe app, and likely easy to find elsewhere online. 

Thanks for listening!

The finale of Echo is here, and the show was better than we expected - but how much better? We do not agree on this particular point, but we do find ourselves in agreement on a lot of elements that we actually did like quite a bit.

And then there is the news - a lot going on in the world of comic book movies, including the groundbreaking news that Superman will have a sense of humor in the upcoming James Gunn film, and if you think that sent a certain segment of fandom into a rage spiral... well, you may be a prophet!

By the way, did you know we have a store, and there is merch in that store? Come visit at this link and get yourself some confusingly branded mugs, shirts, hoodies and more!

Also: join us at the Cinema Sangha Patreon by becoming a $5 a month member and gain access to our monthly superhero deep dive podcast, Watch Men. This month rather than do a movie based on a comic book, we're doing a movie that launched a comic book - Planet of the Apes, which spawned long-lived Marvel and Boom comic runs. That episode should be out this week at some point!

Thanks for listening. See you next week as we discuss Journey Into Mystery #83, the first appearance of The Mighty Thor!

This week I finally come clean about my serious case of John Krasinski Derangement Syndrome,  and we speculate about Pedro Pascal's schedule. Then it's on to the first three episodes of Echo, which showed up on Disney+ and Hulu this week. The whole series was released at once, but we're splitting it up because it would be a very, very long episode indeed if we did it all. 

The big takeaway? Neither of us hated this show the way we expected we would. Maybe the most shocking thing - we both agree the show could have used more episodes. When's the last time you heard that about a binge show?

Next week: the last two episodes of Echo season one!

You asked, we answer. This week we interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to bring you a special Q&A episode. We asked your for your questions and you came through - so much so that we couldn't answer everyone! The questions range from the silly to the sublime, and if you listen you can find out why I would marry the Red Skull, who Derek's least favorite Flash is and whether we ever intend to do more podcasts on different subjects.

Next week we will be talking about the first two or three episodes of Echo, so don't miss that mature audiences conversation!

This week we are talking about all the episodes of What If...? season two all at once. That's partially because Disney+ dropped em one day after another and partially because I had COVID and we couldn't do this in two parts like we intended. 

Was this a bad season? One of us thinks so! Was this a 'whatever' season with a few good eps and one great episode? One of us thinks so! Is What If...? wasting the entire concept by just doing rehashes and being afraid of killing any characters? Everybody agrees!

Next week: your questions! Come join us on the Discord to leave your questions that we will answer. To join the Discord just become a subscriber at www.patreon.com/cinemasangha. Even a buck a month gets you in!