Forty years later, Transformers: The Movie is still an animated gut punch. We revisit the 1986 cult classic to unpack why it hit so hard, why it still hits, and how a toy-driven cash grab accidentally became one of the boldest kids' movies ever made. What starts as a nostalgic celebration quickly turns into a deeper conversation about childhood, shock, and what the franchise means to us and so many others.

We dig into the movie's stacked cast, its unforgettable soundtrack, and the wild choices that made it feel bigger, darker, and way more emotional than anyone expected from a cartoon based on selling toys.

If you grew up with Transformers, love 80s animation, or just want to hear three fans argue passionately about why a robot movie can feel like childhood trauma and triumph at the same time, hit play and roll out!

Links:

• Transformers episode of The Toys That Made Us
• Energon Universe from Skybound/Image Comics
• Watch the movie here
• Transformers Action Figures
• IMDB

In this episode of our X-Men “Let’s Read” series, we revisit God Loves, Man Kills, the landmark Chris Claremont story that pits the X-Men and Magneto against Reverend William Stryker’s violent crusade. We break down the book’s themes of religious extremism, prejudice, and marginalized identity, while debating its art, its most iconic moments, and whether the story still holds up today. A thoughtful, high-energy discussion for X-Men fans looking for a deeper take on one of Marvel’s most influential stories.

Links:

• Marvel.com
• GoodReads
• Kitty Pryde
• Read God Loves Man Kills

Summary:

Is Spiderman Brand New Day the MCU at its best, or its absolute worst? Opinions are divided, and strong, in this discussion about the 38th (!!!) MCU film. We also go through box office stats, character consistency, and the movie's connection to the broader MCU.

Resources:

• Box Office Mojo
• IMDB
• Rotten Tomatoes
• Common Sense Media

It's time for another Let's Read!

Join us as we explore the chaos and brilliance of X-Men: Mutant Genesis by Chris Claremont and Jim Lee. Discover the genius behind Jim Lee’s art — from his jaw-dropping Magneto splash pages to his contributions as a co-plotter — and why that visual storytelling still resonates today. You'll learn how this period’s intense dialogue, despite being dense and sometimes overwhelming, created a visceral reading experience that helped define the '90s mutant era.

We also dig into the cultural impact of this run — from the heavily stylized artwork to its nostalgic influence on everything from cartoons to video games. Hear why the complex storytelling and convoluted timelines might be a barrier or an entry point depending on your perspective. Whether you’re a die-hard X-Men collector, a newcomer overwhelmed by the chaos, or a casual fan wanting to understand the roots of your favorite characters, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most pivotal chapters in X-Men history.

Resources:

X-Men Mutant Genesis on Amazon

Jim Lee on Instagram

Jim Lee's Marvel Work

Chris Claremont's Marvel Work

Summary

In this episode we explore the depths of DC's animated movies, focusing on Justice League Dark, its themes, animation quality, and characters. We share critic and audience reviews to kick off, with our personal ratings coming at the end.

We also have some comic talk in this episode, with a farewell to an LCS near and dear to our hearts and some props to DC for what they've been doing right (while Marvel just been getting it all wrong).

Resources

• Hellblazer vol 1
• Justice League Dark Comics
• Swamp Thing Comics
• Justice League Dark IMDB
• DCAMU Watch Order
• Books Galore (RIP)

Summary

In this episode we kick off our X-Men Let's Read with a discussion of Old Man Logan by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven. We cover the comic’s alternate-future setting, major plot points, and the creative choices that shape its tone and pacing. Like all Let's Read episodes, the conversation is split into The Good and The Bad but we also discuss our favorite and least favorite characters (like we did with The Boys). New for this Let's Read series - we also rate out of 5 stars at the end to compare to GoodReads scores and each other.

Resources

• Old Man Logan by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven on Amazon
• Marvel Unlimited official streaming comics service
• Old Man Logan Reading Order from How To Love Comics
• GoodReads Best of the X-Men list
• Old Man Logan story summary on Marvel Fandom wiki

Summary

In this episode we reveal the results of the Let's Read X-Men poll. Our discord and IG/Tiktok followers voted our top 6 and we'll be reading them monthly until the end of 2026!

Here's the list we started with:

• Dark Phoenix Saga
• Days of Future Past
• Astonishing X-Men vol 1
• God Loves Man Kills
• Mutant Massacre
• Wolverine: Weapon X
• X-tinction Agenda
• X-cutioner’s Song
• House of X/Power of X
• Wolverine: Origins
• Old Man Logan
• X-Men: Mutant Genesis
• The Phalanx Covenant
• Legion Quest

Resources

• Best of the X-Men on Goodreads
• Marvel Comics
• X-Men Fandom Wiki
• Magneto's Sexual Past
• Read/Buy X-Men Comics On Global Comix

Summary:

Join us for an honest discussion about the film’s high and low points, as well as a little trivia. We talk about the overuse of CGI, the absence of lightsabers, and the strange shift in tone that makes this feel more like a TV show stretched into a movie. We touch on Easter eggs hidden in the arena battle, insights into the visual style choices, and why the film's low stakes could actually be a good thing.

Are there glimmers of hope on the horizon with upcoming projects like Starfighter, or is Star Wars cooked? We discuss the shift in audience expectations and the challenge of balancing nostalgia with fresh content.

Things to check out:

1. Official Star Wars Website

StarWars.com - Explore official news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content.

1. IMAX Theaters

IMAX.com - Find out more about the IMAX experience and locate theaters near you.

1. Disney+ Streaming Service

DisneyPlus.com - Stream Star Wars movies and series, including exclusive content.

1. Star Wars Fan Community

TheForce.net - Join discussions and connect with other Star Wars fans.

1. Visual Effects Society

VisualEffectsSociety.com - Learn about the art and science of visual effects in film.

1. Star Wars Easter Eggs

ScreenRant.com - Discover hidden Easter eggs and references in the latest film.