Best Readalong Podcasts (2024)

1
There Will Always Be a Place for Dystopias Like “Silo” (2023 TV Series) Eps. 1-5 1:19:30

6h ago1:19:30

1:19:30

Rebecca Ferguson stars in this Graham Yost high-concept dystopian sci-fi series that was based on WOOL by Hugh Howey, but how does it compare to the book? In episode 320, Join Luke & James as they hunt for relics, learn about the power of cranking it at the right time, play numbers games with Tim Robbins, and try not to get too attached to any one …

1
Ride or Diana - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 33 15:06

1h ago15:06

15:06

Episode 355 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 33 The girls attempt a daring escape as things start to fall apart. Anita is fascinated with the Whistler's whole attitude, while Scott calls out Diana for a rookie mistake. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalong, and join our Goodreads Group to get y…

1
Daredevil: Yellow 1:32:25

6h ago1:32:25

1:32:25

Send us a Text Message. "I had promised my dad I would never ben an 'uneducated pug' like him. He wanted me to be a lawyer and I made good on that. But it wasn't enough. I had seen how the law- which I still steadfastly believed in- wasn't always the same as justice." Mike and Alex are back diving deep into the selected works of Jeph Loeb and Tim S…

1
No One Is Sherlock Holmes - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 32 16:56

2h ago16:56

16:56

Episode 354 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 32 At last, face-to-face with the Whistler. Was Scott correct in his accusation? Anita is still curious what his end-game is. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalong, and join our Goodreads Group to get your discussion on! You can also follow Scott @sc…

1
From the Vault: Return to Oz (1985 film) 37:03

5d ago37:03

37:03

Is it worth seeking out this largely forgotten sequel to one of the most famous films of all time? To find out, Luke & James ride the river back to Oz with Walter Murch’s directorial debut. This overlooked 80s dark fantasy Disney film has lots of surprises, including a talking chicken, the terrifying Wheelers, Tik-Tok the wind up robot army, and a …

1
Superman For All Seasons 1:44:34

1h ago1:44:34

1:44:34

Send us a Text Message. "Folks tend to call him 'The Man of Steel' nowadays. I guess that he's the most famous person in the world... not that he was ever interested in being famous in the first place." Welcome to another week of the Storied Arcs podcast as Mike and Alex continue their look into the works of Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, this time diving…

1
No Poker Face - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 31 16:02

5d ago16:02

16:02

Episode 353 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 31 Mallory and Cornelia have a last minute heart-to-heart. Scott is glad we're finally at the climax, while Anita loves the rapport between the characters. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalong, and join our Goodreads Group to get your discussion on!…

1
Dystopian Storytelling with a Purpose in “Wool” (2011 Novel) 52:49

5d ago52:49

52:49

Before “Silo” hit Apple TV it began as a short story, and that story became the novel WOOL, which author Hugh Howey went on to self-publish to great success even before having it optioned for the screen. In episode 319, join Luke & James as they discuss the value of dystopian storytelling, authors as a class destroyed, a different sort of tragic ro…

1
Batman: The Long Halloween w/ guest Drew Hood 2:04:50

5d ago2:04:50

2:04:50

Send us a Text Message. "I made a promise to my parents that I would rid the city of the evil that took their lives. No matter what that evil looks like or becomes. I believe someday I will make good on that promise. I have to. I believe in Batman." In this very special (and very long) episode, Mike and Alex are pleased to welcome their good friend…

1
A Gauntlet of Challenging Rooms - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 30 13:05

14d ago13:05

13:05

Episode 352 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 30 Mallory meets a ghost, and faces her fears, as she races to catch a killer. Anita thinks Mallory is particularly good at compartmentalizing, while Scott wonders if Theodore is an unusually well-socialized ghost. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalo…

1
From the Vault: Guillermo Del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities (2022 TV Series) eps. 1, 7, & 8 40:10

12d ago40:10

40:10

After covering most of Guillermo Del Toro's horror anthology series, Luke & James return for the other three episodes they skipped over in this former Patreon-exclusive. There were some extremely interesting entries to discuss, with stories told by some talented directors with notable past hits that might surprise you. Vote on Quarterly Polls! http…

1
Creator Spotlight: Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale 1:34:58

12d ago1:34:58

1:34:58

Send us a Text Message. And now for something (not entirely) completely different. For this season of Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex are taking a detour away from creator-owned, independent comics and stepping into the caped and cowled world of mainstream, Big Two (that's Marvel and DC) superhero comics. But with a twist. The through line of the seaso…

1
Storied Arcs Live at Manga Manga Meet-Up Night 1:17:30

26d ago1:17:30

1:17:30

Send us a Text Message. This is a very special one-off episode. Alex and Mike were asked to host a meet-up night at a local Cincinnati Manga shop (Manga Manga.) We recorded the entire discussion and you can hear us discuss western comics, manga, and more! Keep your notes app open since there are a ton of great recommendations we gathered from peopl…

1
Did Not Expect a Giant Mantis - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 29 15:39

29d ago15:39

15:39

Episode 351 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 29 Mallory and Diana face off against an unexpected sentry. Anita explains why knife-shoes are so funny, while Scott wonders why a giant mantis came out of nowhere. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalong, and join our Goodreads Group to get your discu…

1
Alex + Ada Volume 03 1:16:29

20d ago1:16:29

1:16:29

Send us a Text Message. "I... I want purpose. To contribute. I want to be accepted by society... live in a world I don't have to hide in... make choices without being in constant fear of them destroying me or the ones I care about." Mike and Alex are here to dive deep into the final arc of Alex + Ada (issues #11-15) and they do so by hitting on wha…

1
Under a "Shhh" Spell - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 28 16:38

27d ago16:38

16:38

Episode 350 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 28 Mallory finds out her lead suspect is innocent because he's dead. Scott only gloats a little that he figured out the killer chapters ago, while Anita likes the pep-talk Diana gives. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalong, and join our Goodreads Gro…

1
Ghost World: Death… or Rebirth? (2001 Film) ft. Jasmine Amiri | Book vs Movie 1:29:48

26d ago1:29:48

1:29:48

Comics editor Jasmine Amiri joins the show to compare Terry Zwigoff’s adaptation to the original comic by Daniel Clowes. In episode 318 Luke, James, and Jasmine discuss the value of supposedly “empty” entertainment vs what’s deemed as “important," find out what studio meddling would have ruined the movie, celebrate Steve Buscemi’s selfless actions …

1
Alex + Ada Volume 02 1:16:52

1M ago1:16:52

1:16:52

Send us a Text Message. "Technology will always advance. But we need to be careful as we advance that we have humans always at the center of our best interests." Mike and Alex are back to dive into right into Alex + Ada Volume 2 (issues #6-10) from Sarah Vaughn and Jonathan Luna. The guys discuss how much they enjoyed this story arc versus the open…

1
Confirmation Bias - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 27 14:16

1M ago14:16

14:16

Episode 349 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 27 Mallory and Diana prepare for a showdown. Anita and Scott discuss parking lights, and whether or not Mallory is in for a surprise if the Whistler turns out to be someone she didn't expect. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalong, and join our Goodre…

1
Haunted by Our Childhood Selves in “Ghost World” (1997 Graphic Novel) ft. Jasmine Amiri 1:07:58

1M ago1:07:58

1:07:58

Editor Jasmine Amiri (School Library Journal) joins the show to revisit an influential comic by Daniel Clowes from the 90s that spawned the cult classic film. In episode 317 Luke, James, and Jasmine revisit gen X cynicism, try to understand Clowes dislike of the term “graphic novel,” explore how rubylith is used for the color design, and debate the…

1
Alex + Ada Volume 01 1:13:15

1M ago1:13:15

1:13:15

Send us a Text Message. "It's complicated, what makes a person. I think... part of it is experiences- whether you seek them out or they come to you- and your reactions to them." In this new season of Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex jump back into the world of robots and androids and artificial intelligence as they begin their deep dive into Sarah Vaugh…

1
“Solaris” (1972 film) Book vs Movie | Which One’s Better? 1:46:32

1M ago1:46:32

1:46:32

Andrei Tarkovsky is a legendary filmmaker whose seven feature films changed the medium, but how does his vision stack up to the brilliant novel by Stanislaw Lem that he’s adapting? In episode 316, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they explore classical symbolism, experience time through cinema, debate whether great adaptations must be faithful, …

1
A Lot of "Aha's" Lately - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 26 13:58

1M ago13:58

13:58

Episode 348 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 26 Cornelia goes missing, but Mallory may have cracked the case. Scott was worried Mallory may have accidentally sacrificed her friend, while Anita wonders why they group was posed with a problem they immediately solve. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @there…

1
Intro to Alex + Ada & Creator Spotlight: Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn 46:17

1M ago46:17

46:17

Send us a Text Message. For the next season of Stored Arcs, Mike and Alex are jumping back into the world of androids and A.I. as they dive into Alex + Ada by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn from Image Comics. The guys talk about what drew them to this book (and why it maybe took a little longer for them to start reading it than some other books) an…

1
Your Most Difficult Self - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 25 18:34

2M ago18:34

18:34

Episode 347 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 25 Mallory descends into her grief, but the team has a major "a-ha" moment. Anita wonders why the girls don't just cut and run, while Scott worries Mallory may have made a rash decision to summon a ghost. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalong, and jo…

1
Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 05 1:40:55

2M ago1:40:55

1:40:55

Send us a Text Message. "He's always got some eminently pragmatic blanket solution for a world that's complex and irrational and... and human." We've come to the end of another season of Storied Arcs, but before we move on, we have to discuss the final part of Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris' political-slash-superhero tale, Ex Machina Deluxe Volum…

1
All the Way Gone - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 24 15:26

2M ago15:26

15:26

Episode 346 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 24 The detectives deal with the immediate aftermath of another personal loss. Anita and Scott discuss the seemingly lax and hypocritical system of justice in Occult society. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalong, and join our Goodreads Group to get y…

1
Meaning Is Futile in “Solaris” (1962 Novel by Stanislaw Lem) 1:20:54

2M ago1:20:54

1:20:54

Stanislaw Lem was one of the world’s most widely read science fiction writers, so why don't people talk about him more? In episode 315, Join Luke Elliott and James Bailey as they take their first visit the truly alien world of the novel, see the differences in translations first hand, learn about Lem’s attitude towards American SciFi of the time, c…

1
Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 04 1:42:17

2M ago1:42:17

1:42:17

Send us a Text Message. "The 'Great Machine' was nothing but a burdened White paternalist who thought he could swoop down out of the heavens to save the helpless people of the ghetto." We're into the home stretch as this week, Mike and Alex dive right into Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 4 (issues #30-40) by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. The guys work…

1
Ghost Is One of the Flavours - ”The Undetectables” Perimortem IV 14:31

2M ago14:31

14:31

Episode 345 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Perimortem IV Can you kill something that's already dead? Anita revisits some of the mystery around the killer's targets, while Scott wonders if Theodore's murder years earlier is linked to the current mystery. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalong, and join…

1
Is “Forrest Gump” Still Apolitical Today? Was It Ever? (1994 Film) | Book vs Movie 1:21:22

2M ago1:21:22

1:21:22

The filmmakers behind the adaptation of Winston Groom’s novel all contend that Forrest Gump is “apolitical,” but watching it today puts that claim into serious question. Besides, was it ever really true? Join Luke Elliott & James Bailey in episode 314 as they discuss Tom Hanks running his way into American hearts with a more wholesome version of th…

1
Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 03 1:17:32

2M ago1:17:32

1:17:32

Send us a Text Message. "If the city gets too comfortable in the belief I'm going to personally fix everything, they'll stop striving to solve problems on their own." In this week's episode, Mike and Alex are here to discuss Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 3 (issues #21-29 plus Special #3) from Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. The guys dive into how the …

1
An Apparent Parent - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 23 14:13

2M ago14:13

14:13

Episode 344 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 23 A recap of clues turns into deadly danger! Scott considers that one suspect hasn't necessarily been honest about their background, while Anita think Cornelia is starting to resent her privilege. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalong, and join our …

1
Forrest Gump’s Nasty Heart (In the 1986 Novel) 1:05:31

3M ago1:05:31

1:05:31

Winston Groom’s original character is markedly different from the Tom Hanks version that won over the world. In episode 313, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as the wonder what drew Robert Zemeckis to this version of Gump, wrestle with an orangutan named “Sue,” break down what makes satire effective, and try to understand the purpose of the off-put…

1
Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 02 1:35:48

2M ago1:35:48

1:35:48

Send us a Text Message. "I don't know when I went from hero to villain in this town, but it sure as s*** happened fast." In this week's episode of Storied Arcs, Mike and Alex tackle Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 2 (issues #12-29 plus Specials #1-2) from Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. The guys jump right into the various storylines presented in this v…

1
It's Very Suspicious - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 22 17:59

3M ago17:59

17:59

Episode 343 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 22 Theodore is released from jail, just in time to find himself in more peril. Scott and Anita discuss the very suspicious behavior of a very suspicious suspect. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thereadalong, and join our Goodreads Group to get your discussi…

1
Ex Machina Deluxe Volume 01 1:35:03

3M ago1:35:03

1:35:03

Send us a Text Message. "Everyone was scared back then, and when folks are scared, they want to be surrounded by heroes. But real heroes are just a fiction we create. They don't exist outside of comic books." Welcome to the new season of Storied Arcs, where Mike and Alex are diving deep into Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris' Ex Machina, originally …

1
Adaptation Magic | Is “The Prestige” Christopher Nolan’s Best? (2006 film) 1:18:51

3M ago1:18:51

1:18:51

Christopher and Jonathan Nolan pulled off one of the greatest magic tricks in film history with their ambitious adaptation of Christopher Priest’s novel. In episode 312, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they try to crack the code, get philosophical about duplication, let Christian Bale teach them about sacrifice, marvel at Hugh Jackman’s showman…

1
A Halloween Vampire Castle - ”The Undetectables” Chapter 21 21:14

3M ago21:14

21:14

Episode 342 "The Undetectables" by Courtney Smyth, Chapter 21 The girls crash a vampire funeral, and uncover some disturbing historical information. Scott wonders if the Whistler has some lofty vengeance in mind, while Anita considers if the killer's magic is contaminating some suspects. You can follow The Read-Along on Twitter, Instagram and Faceb…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Readalong Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide