Leon ◦ The Pop Culture Studio
@pop-culture-studio.bsky.social
Freelance writer & artist | Film, TV, comics & games | By-lines: Polygon (Vox Media), Popverse, The Escapist, Dexerto, Screen Rant, CBR, PanelxPanel, Cultured Vultures, and more.
https://www.thepopculturestudio.com
https://www.thepopculturestudio.com
Reposted by Leon ◦ The Pop Culture Studio
I've long wondered why Nintendo gets special treatment from gamers. After reading a fantastic new book from @mackeza.bsky.social, I understand.
Fresh blog about it:
Fresh blog about it:
Fans treat Nintendo differently
Nintendo finally gets the history book it deserves
postgame.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:41 PM
I've long wondered why Nintendo gets special treatment from gamers. After reading a fantastic new book from @mackeza.bsky.social, I understand.
Fresh blog about it:
Fresh blog about it:
Reposted by Leon ◦ The Pop Culture Studio
@nicoleclark.bsky.social writes beautifully on Hornet and how her decisions show her compassion.
www.mothership.blog/hollow-knigh...
www.mothership.blog/hollow-knigh...
Hornet’s compassion is the heart of Silksong
Hollow Knight’s Ghost was never given the chance
www.mothership.blog
January 26, 2026 at 3:29 PM
@nicoleclark.bsky.social writes beautifully on Hornet and how her decisions show her compassion.
www.mothership.blog/hollow-knigh...
www.mothership.blog/hollow-knigh...
Reposted by Leon ◦ The Pop Culture Studio
Sal Buscema, a comic artist best known for legendary runs on Marvel's Incredible Hulk and Spectacular Spider-Man, reportedly passed away last Friday, just short of his 90th birthday.
Sal Buscema, Comic Book Legend, Reportedly Dead At 89
The legend would have turned 90 today.
comicbookclublive.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Sal Buscema, a comic artist best known for legendary runs on Marvel's Incredible Hulk and Spectacular Spider-Man, reportedly passed away last Friday, just short of his 90th birthday.
Reposted by Leon ◦ The Pop Culture Studio
New from me on PW! I chatted with @charlessoule.bsky.social about Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell, Lucky Devils, morality, good and evil, and rules lawyering. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Charles Soule Is Dancing with Devils
In his two forthcoming trade releases, Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell (Marvel, Feb.) and The Lucky Devils (Image, July), Charles Soule explores morality and ethical conundrums.
www.publishersweekly.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:46 PM
New from me on PW! I chatted with @charlessoule.bsky.social about Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell, Lucky Devils, morality, good and evil, and rules lawyering. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Reposted by Leon ◦ The Pop Culture Studio
Journalist @susanapolo.bsky.social joined Off Panel to discuss post-Polygon living and comic topics we wished we could have written about/seen more discussion of, like: Reversed comic movie energies! The muted comics conversation! Worldcon! Crossover mania! Expanding genres! More!
Off Panel #536: Damned If You Doom with Susana Polo - SKTCHD
Journalist Susana Polo joins the show to talk about her interesting year and a bevy of subjects we didn’t get to highlight from the wider world of comics in 2025. Polo discusses post-Polygon living, t...
sktchd.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Journalist @susanapolo.bsky.social joined Off Panel to discuss post-Polygon living and comic topics we wished we could have written about/seen more discussion of, like: Reversed comic movie energies! The muted comics conversation! Worldcon! Crossover mania! Expanding genres! More!
Reposted by Leon ◦ The Pop Culture Studio
After almost 9 hours of GOTY coverage, it's time for a lighter episode of the Crewcast! Frank's back on his racing game grind, Danny's Fortnite-pilled, and the J-Dogs are jumping for joy in Big Hops and Eternity Egg.
youtu.be/YuuZdharhiY
youtu.be/YuuZdharhiY
January 23, 2026 at 6:29 PM
After almost 9 hours of GOTY coverage, it's time for a lighter episode of the Crewcast! Frank's back on his racing game grind, Danny's Fortnite-pilled, and the J-Dogs are jumping for joy in Big Hops and Eternity Egg.
youtu.be/YuuZdharhiY
youtu.be/YuuZdharhiY
Reposted by Leon ◦ The Pop Culture Studio
We dug up an old Capcom newsletter making fun of SNK's Art of Fighting.
When Capcom called out SNK in a fan club comic
The Spring 1993 issue of the Capcom Craze Club took a few swings at SNK's Art of Fighting, while Ryu took a few literal swings at Ryo.
www.designroom.site
January 22, 2026 at 4:42 PM
We dug up an old Capcom newsletter making fun of SNK's Art of Fighting.
Reposted by Leon ◦ The Pop Culture Studio
How did Wednesday Comics, one of the most unique comics from DC's history, come together? Find out in this retrospective featuring the man behind it, Mark Chiarello, and a whole bunch of the creators who worked on the project.
This piece from 2019 is open to non-subscribers.
This piece from 2019 is open to non-subscribers.
"The World's Greatest Heroes! The World's Greatest Comics!": How Wednesday Comics Went from a Wild Idea to an All-Time Great - SKTCHD
When you look back through comic book history, the most iconic works often have one key characteristic in common, and that’s that they strived to do something different. Whether you’re talking The Dar...
sktchd.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:39 PM
How did Wednesday Comics, one of the most unique comics from DC's history, come together? Find out in this retrospective featuring the man behind it, Mark Chiarello, and a whole bunch of the creators who worked on the project.
This piece from 2019 is open to non-subscribers.
This piece from 2019 is open to non-subscribers.
Reposted by Leon ◦ The Pop Culture Studio
New trailer for ‘Invincible’ S4 📺
Premiering on Prime Video March 18
Premiering on Prime Video March 18
January 22, 2026 at 5:34 PM
New trailer for ‘Invincible’ S4 📺
Premiering on Prime Video March 18
Premiering on Prime Video March 18
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Oscar nominations for Best Picture
"Bugonia"
"F1"
"Frankenstein"
"Hamnet"
"Marty Supreme"
"One Battle After Another"
"The Secret Agent"
"Sentimental Value"
"Sinners"
"Train Dreams"
"Bugonia"
"F1"
"Frankenstein"
"Hamnet"
"Marty Supreme"
"One Battle After Another"
"The Secret Agent"
"Sentimental Value"
"Sinners"
"Train Dreams"
'Sinners' and 'One Battle After Another' Lead 2026 Oscar Nominations
The nominees for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced today, with 'One Battle After Another' and 'Hamnet' among the favorites.
www.rollingstone.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Oscar nominations for Best Picture
"Bugonia"
"F1"
"Frankenstein"
"Hamnet"
"Marty Supreme"
"One Battle After Another"
"The Secret Agent"
"Sentimental Value"
"Sinners"
"Train Dreams"
"Bugonia"
"F1"
"Frankenstein"
"Hamnet"
"Marty Supreme"
"One Battle After Another"
"The Secret Agent"
"Sentimental Value"
"Sinners"
"Train Dreams"
This week I'm...
🎞️Watching: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
📺Streaming: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
🎮Playing: Superhot: Mind Control Delete
📖Reading: Absolute Power
🎞️Watching: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
📺Streaming: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
🎮Playing: Superhot: Mind Control Delete
📖Reading: Absolute Power
January 21, 2026 at 4:05 PM
This week I'm...
🎞️Watching: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
📺Streaming: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
🎮Playing: Superhot: Mind Control Delete
📖Reading: Absolute Power
🎞️Watching: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
📺Streaming: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
🎮Playing: Superhot: Mind Control Delete
📖Reading: Absolute Power
Reposted by Leon ◦ The Pop Culture Studio
One Hundred and One Dalmatians is a gorgeous film. After 65 years, its design is still fresh.
Disney's artists went for a new, adventurous look -- one that Walt Disney himself opposed. We explore how they did it: animationobsessive.substack.com/p/designing-...
Disney's artists went for a new, adventurous look -- one that Walt Disney himself opposed. We explore how they did it: animationobsessive.substack.com/p/designing-...
January 19, 2026 at 9:30 PM
One Hundred and One Dalmatians is a gorgeous film. After 65 years, its design is still fresh.
Disney's artists went for a new, adventurous look -- one that Walt Disney himself opposed. We explore how they did it: animationobsessive.substack.com/p/designing-...
Disney's artists went for a new, adventurous look -- one that Walt Disney himself opposed. We explore how they did it: animationobsessive.substack.com/p/designing-...
Reposted by Leon ◦ The Pop Culture Studio
This week, you'll finally be able to play the magnificent Perfect Tides: Station to Station.
But first, you should listen to this interview with the game's creator @meredithgran.com about the rise of memoir games, recreating the lost NYC of 2003, and, of course, Ecks vs. Sever.
Spoiler-free!
But first, you should listen to this interview with the game's creator @meredithgran.com about the rise of memoir games, recreating the lost NYC of 2003, and, of course, Ecks vs. Sever.
Spoiler-free!
Adapting Life into a Video Game (Meredith Gran)
Perfect Tides: Station to Station recaptures life in New York in 2003
postgame.substack.com
January 19, 2026 at 6:55 PM
This week, you'll finally be able to play the magnificent Perfect Tides: Station to Station.
But first, you should listen to this interview with the game's creator @meredithgran.com about the rise of memoir games, recreating the lost NYC of 2003, and, of course, Ecks vs. Sever.
Spoiler-free!
But first, you should listen to this interview with the game's creator @meredithgran.com about the rise of memoir games, recreating the lost NYC of 2003, and, of course, Ecks vs. Sever.
Spoiler-free!
Reposted by Leon ◦ The Pop Culture Studio
This week on Off Panel, @ssnyder1835.bsky.social joins the show to talk about the story and drive behind Absolute Batman and Absolute DC, collaborating with @nickdragotta.bsky.social, embracing fear as a writer, what's fueling this moment for DC, his hype man nature, and more.
Off Panel #535: Go Big or Go Home with Scott Snyder - SKTCHD
Writer Scott Snyder joins the show to talk about Absolute Batman and his past few years at DC and beyond. Snyder discusses his initial uncertainty about Absolute, his journey to Absolute Batman, the p...
sktchd.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:36 PM
This week on Off Panel, @ssnyder1835.bsky.social joins the show to talk about the story and drive behind Absolute Batman and Absolute DC, collaborating with @nickdragotta.bsky.social, embracing fear as a writer, what's fueling this moment for DC, his hype man nature, and more.
The poop scene in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' premiere is more than mere toilet humour — it's a statement of intent setting this Game of Thrones show apart from the rest 👇🏼 bit.ly/49ZZPyS #AKnightoftheSevenKingdoms #GameofThrones #HBO
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Dunk dump is the Game of Thrones spinoff’s unique hook in a poop-covered nutshell
HBO’s latest addition to the Game of Thrones franchise kicks things off with a shocking nugget of toilet humour – and makes a strong case for its existence in the process.
bit.ly
January 19, 2026 at 5:53 PM
The poop scene in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' premiere is more than mere toilet humour — it's a statement of intent setting this Game of Thrones show apart from the rest 👇🏼 bit.ly/49ZZPyS #AKnightoftheSevenKingdoms #GameofThrones #HBO
Spent the last few days revisiting the 28 Days Later franchise and it might be one of the most low-key consistent franchises we have. Seriously: There's not a bad one in the bunch. 28 Years Later in particular floored me; a disarmingly lyrical, artistically experimental mainstream horror movie.
January 18, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Spent the last few days revisiting the 28 Days Later franchise and it might be one of the most low-key consistent franchises we have. Seriously: There's not a bad one in the bunch. 28 Years Later in particular floored me; a disarmingly lyrical, artistically experimental mainstream horror movie.
Reposted by Leon ◦ The Pop Culture Studio
THE NOCLIP CREW'S TOP 10 GAMES OF 2025
/noclip's GOTY Podcasts are going live all weekend, and we start by naming our favorite 10 Games of 2025.
youtu.be/LbVq82Sq8EA
/noclip's GOTY Podcasts are going live all weekend, and we start by naming our favorite 10 Games of 2025.
youtu.be/LbVq82Sq8EA
Noclip's Games of 2025 - Episode 1: Picking Our Top Ten | Noclip Crewcast #261
YouTube video by /noclip Podcasts
youtu.be
January 16, 2026 at 5:58 PM
THE NOCLIP CREW'S TOP 10 GAMES OF 2025
/noclip's GOTY Podcasts are going live all weekend, and we start by naming our favorite 10 Games of 2025.
youtu.be/LbVq82Sq8EA
/noclip's GOTY Podcasts are going live all weekend, and we start by naming our favorite 10 Games of 2025.
youtu.be/LbVq82Sq8EA
Reposted by Leon ◦ The Pop Culture Studio
"Directing The Beatles: Rock Band is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life."
"That looks stupid." How Harmonix made The Beatles: Rock Band
A new book excerpt reveals how Harmonix, MTV Games, and Electronic Arts teamed up with The Beatles for a rare video game collaboration.
www.designroom.site
January 15, 2026 at 6:24 PM
"Directing The Beatles: Rock Band is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life."
This is a great new video series from @sktchd.bsky.social, with a smart hook that sets it apart from other interview-centric series; check it out! #ComicSky
In the latest episode of The Moment, my new video series on SKTCHD, I talked with the great @brianmbendis.bsky.social about the moment he knew four of his biggest projects — Powers, Ultimate Spider-Man, Alias, and his larger Avengers run — would work, and a whole lot more.
The Moment with Brian Michael Bendis
YouTube video by SKTCHD
www.youtube.com
January 15, 2026 at 9:52 AM
This is a great new video series from @sktchd.bsky.social, with a smart hook that sets it apart from other interview-centric series; check it out! #ComicSky
Reposted by Leon ◦ The Pop Culture Studio
🚨NEW DOC ALERT🕹️
Our Disco Elysium series continues with a 72 minute deep dive into Writing. From how characters were created, to the tech the team used, the collaborations between writers and editors, and the struggles they had along the way.
youtu.be/fpjHZc9bbFk
Our Disco Elysium series continues with a 72 minute deep dive into Writing. From how characters were created, to the tech the team used, the collaborations between writers and editors, and the struggles they had along the way.
youtu.be/fpjHZc9bbFk
The Making of Disco Elysium - Part Three: Writing
YouTube video by /noclip
youtu.be
January 13, 2026 at 5:30 PM
🚨NEW DOC ALERT🕹️
Our Disco Elysium series continues with a 72 minute deep dive into Writing. From how characters were created, to the tech the team used, the collaborations between writers and editors, and the struggles they had along the way.
youtu.be/fpjHZc9bbFk
Our Disco Elysium series continues with a 72 minute deep dive into Writing. From how characters were created, to the tech the team used, the collaborations between writers and editors, and the struggles they had along the way.
youtu.be/fpjHZc9bbFk
Reposted by Leon ◦ The Pop Culture Studio
Our next big project is live! @lewisgordon.bsky.social spent the past few months tracking down nine people who worked on DICE's innovative 2008 parkour runner.
Mirror's Edge: An oral history
17 years on from its release, DICE's first-person parkour thriller is a cult classic. We spoke to nine people who worked on it about how the revelatory game came to be.
www.designroom.site
January 13, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Our next big project is live! @lewisgordon.bsky.social spent the past few months tracking down nine people who worked on DICE's innovative 2008 parkour runner.
Reposted by Leon ◦ The Pop Culture Studio
Sherlock Hound is a gem. Hayao Miyazaki built an idea from an Italian studio into a brilliant adventure series.
It was a turning point in his career, and his last TV show. Behind it were clashing visions, young talent and lots of money, as we explore:
animationobsessive.substack.com/p/miyazakis-...
It was a turning point in his career, and his last TV show. Behind it were clashing visions, young talent and lots of money, as we explore:
animationobsessive.substack.com/p/miyazakis-...
January 12, 2026 at 10:59 PM
Sherlock Hound is a gem. Hayao Miyazaki built an idea from an Italian studio into a brilliant adventure series.
It was a turning point in his career, and his last TV show. Behind it were clashing visions, young talent and lots of money, as we explore:
animationobsessive.substack.com/p/miyazakis-...
It was a turning point in his career, and his last TV show. Behind it were clashing visions, young talent and lots of money, as we explore:
animationobsessive.substack.com/p/miyazakis-...
Reposted by Leon ◦ The Pop Culture Studio
This week on Off Panel, I talked with @bigclutch.bsky.social of Big Clutch Comics about an incendiary moment for the secondary comics market, how it's different than the pandemic boom, how it can guide readers, blind bag insanity, his view of 2026 in comics, and more.
Off Panel #534: Elysium with Shawn Kirkham - SKTCHD
Big Clutch Comics’ Shawn Kirkham joins the show to talk about the collectible side of the comics world. Kirkham discusses his stray cat adventures, Kirkham’s background, what Big Clutch Comics is, how...
sktchd.com
January 12, 2026 at 5:58 PM
This week on Off Panel, I talked with @bigclutch.bsky.social of Big Clutch Comics about an incendiary moment for the secondary comics market, how it's different than the pandemic boom, how it can guide readers, blind bag insanity, his view of 2026 in comics, and more.
Marvel Studios will debut the MCU incarnation of Wonder Man this month, nearly a decade after James Gunn axed the character (portrayed by Gunn's pal Nathan Fillion) from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 ⬇️ bit.ly/3Lbc2r9 #WonderMan #Marvel #MCU
Long before the Wonder Man Disney+ series, James Gunn came THIS close to giving us his take on Simon Williams
While Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is now the MCU’s Wonder Man, one-time Guardians of the Galaxy franchise steward James Gunn previously earmarked another actor for the role.
bit.ly
January 12, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Marvel Studios will debut the MCU incarnation of Wonder Man this month, nearly a decade after James Gunn axed the character (portrayed by Gunn's pal Nathan Fillion) from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 ⬇️ bit.ly/3Lbc2r9 #WonderMan #Marvel #MCU
Reposted by Leon ◦ The Pop Culture Studio
In 1998, the (bad) Italian movie Cucciolo somehow managed to do something important: they shot quite a long sequence in the now-defunct SegaWorld London, located inside the London Trocadero. The park opened in 1996 and closed in 1999.
Here is the entire sequence.
Here is the entire sequence.
January 9, 2026 at 10:08 AM
In 1998, the (bad) Italian movie Cucciolo somehow managed to do something important: they shot quite a long sequence in the now-defunct SegaWorld London, located inside the London Trocadero. The park opened in 1996 and closed in 1999.
Here is the entire sequence.
Here is the entire sequence.