Who is writing really good stuff about geekery?

[Reynard]

What blogs, books, newsletters, zines or similar are out there doing great writing about geek subjects (gaming, comics, fandom, etc)? Who are the writers leading the current geek culture? I am talking about analysis, reviews, theory and retrospectives.

NOTE: I know a lot of this stuff is in video format these days, but I am specifically interested in written material.

 

[Deset Gled]

The first name that comes to mind is Randall Munroe. He's the guy that does XKCD. He's done a number of books like "What If" and "Things Explainer". He also regularly does blogs/articles on his site. He's more science geek than game geek, though.

 

[soviet]

So I know this sounds crazy but if you're interested in comics from sort of early 80s to early 90s (broadly, the Copper Age) then Rob Liefeld - yes, that Rob Liefeld - has a really good podcast called Robservations.

It's very interesting, a mixture of genuine fanboy enthusiasm for other creators' work of that era and his own insight as to what it was like inside the industry at that time.

 

[Autumnal]

It wouldn’t have occurred to me to connect Liefeld and introspection. But I like being happily surprised!

 

[Reynard]

So I know this sounds crazy but if you're interested in comics from sort of early 80s to early 90s (broadly, the Copper Age) then Rob Liefeld - yes, that Rob Liefeld - has a really good podcast called Robservations.

It's very interesting, a mixture of genuine fanboy enthusiasm for other creators' work of that era and his own insight as to what it was like inside the industry at that time.

There is a lot there. Can you recommend a couple episodes to get a taste?

 

[soviet]

There is a lot there. Can you recommend a couple episodes to get a taste?

I've only listened to half a dozen or so, but the ones I liked were older episodes about Frank Miller, Secret Wars, Claremont X-men, and crossovers in general

 

[Mannahnin]

When you said written, my mind immediately leapt to Knock! by the Merry Mushmen, which is a multi-installment thick, artsy magazine full of articles about OSR-style gaming. Much of it is directly gameable content, but a lot of it is also philosophy, theory and analysis.

I know you DON'T want video, but I found this channel last year which does EXCELLENT long form video essays on comics , and it's too good not to mention. Apologies for the tangent.

matttt - comic & manga history

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[Reynard]

I know you DON'T want video, but I found this channel last year which does EXCELLENT long form video essays on comics , and it's too good not to mention. Apologies for the tangent.

matttt - comic & manga history

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People keep suggesting this channel but I have not been able to get past the clickbait headlines.

What is a good, representative video?

 

[Mannahnin]

People keep suggesting this channel but I have not been able to get past the clickbait headlines.

What is a good, representative video?

This one about a groundbreaking Argentinian comic creator had me by the heartstrings.

I also really liked his videos on Todd McFarland, on ElfQuest, and on The Crow.

Pick your preferred subject matter, I guess?

Ooh, this one too.

 

[MoonSong]

I don't think I follow any blog nowadays, but some good stuff about comics is in Tales from the Database from Mile High Comics Tales From the Database - Mile High Comics, Chuck Rozanski It is a good source for comic history. Some highlights, the story behind the near bankruptcy of Marvel and its aftermath, how Rozanski found two of the largest vintage comic collections, and the development of the comics direct market.

I also used to read Dial C for Comics, but that blog is now defunct and gone.

And well, not exactly pop culture related, but I like A collection of unmitigated Pedantry A Collection of Unmitigated Pedantry It is mostly about life in the Ancient and Middle Ages, but there is the occasional nitpicking on pop culture depictions of the Ancient and Middle ages.