The Middle of Culture

This week, we dive headfirst into Absolute Wonder Woman — a reimagining of Diana raised in hell by Circe — and we can’t stop talking about how good this book is. We break down why this version finally captures the heart of Wonder Woman, why compassion is her real superpower, and why this heavy-metal redesign absolutely works. Along the way, we detour through Conan, grindhouse cinema, crocodile cult horror, and Peter’s descent into AI-powered app building. It’s a wild one — but mostly, we’re here to say: go read this comic.Show NotesOpening Catch-Up🌦 Weather & Fire SeasonIdaho dryness vs East Coast snow extremesBrush fire near town, melted vinyl fences “like a Salvador Dalí painting”The looming dread of wildfire seasonWhat We’ve Been Checking Out🎵 Peter’s Music PicksNew album The New Flesh from Sylosis — melodic death metal with thrashy energyRevisiting Wrath and Ruin from WarbringerWhy thrash metal continues to be politically and socially consciousVocalists that require an “acquired taste”📚 Dungeon Crawler CarlPeter finally reads Dungeon Crawler CarlWhy it’s perfect “palate cleanser” reading after heavier sci-fiAudiobook praise — standout voice actingThe joy of litRPG that “goes down smooth”🤖 Peter’s AI Dashboard & App Rabbit HoleFrustration with task management tools fot creative projectsBuilding a custom creative dashboard using Claude Code, GitHub, Vercel, SupabaseCreating a personal album art app (“Cover Hunter”) to replace Windows-only toolsEden’s extremely justified skepticism about giving LLMs terminal accessWhy all AI logos look like buttholes🎬 Movie Nights & Schlock Adventures🎥 Grindhouse PlansSeeing The Thing at late-night cinemaUpcoming screening of Red Sonja🗡 Conan Double FeatureHosting Conan the Barbarian and Conan the DestroyerDivisive reactions from friends and spousesThe eternal question: Is Conan high art or just schlock perfection?🐊 The Most Unhinged Double Feature EverThe Devil’s SwordThe Boxer’s OmenCrocodile goddesses, tantric monks, cursed boxersPossibly the grossest wizard ritual ever filmed“I’m not recommending it… but what a show.”🦸 Main Event: Absolute Wonder WomanContext: The Absolute UniverseDarkseid infects a parallel DC universeCore heroes reimagined from the ground upWorking-class BatmanKrypton-raised SupermanA more mythic, more brutal, but emotionally sharper universeThis Diana Is DifferentRaised in Hell by CirceNot shaped by Themyscira — shaped by survival and magicStill fundamentally compassionateThree lassosHeavy metal redesignAquiline nose stays consistent (important!)The robot arm forged by HephaestusBig Buster Sword energyWhat Makes This Version Work❤️ Compassion as Core“Do not harm who you can disarm.”Diana constantly tries mercy firstLabyrinth arc: befriending the MinotaurOffering enemies a chance before destroying them🔁 Flashback StructureFlashbacks to her upbringing used elegantlyNot cheap exposition — emotionally earned contextCirce’s influence woven into present-day decisions💀 The Tetracide & The LabyrinthMuting an entire city to stop mass hysteriaSacrificing her arm to save Steve TrevorPunching holes through reality to send enemies homeGaia acknowledging the world is already brokenArt & DesignHayden Sherman’s definitive redesignArmor that feels functional, not fetishizedSize and presence emphasized — she’s physically imposingStrong character consistency across rotating artistsPainterly and sketch-heavy guest styles that still fit toneWhy This MattersThis is why Wonder Woman belongs in the TrinityA corrective to bad portrayals (looking at you, Injustice)A great entry point for new comic readersAbsolute line is bringing new readers into shops

This week, we did something a little different — we built our own tier list website just so we could rank 80s sitcoms without fighting pop-ups and autoplay ads. Totally normal behavior.But here’s the twist: we’re not ranking them based on how “important” they were at the time. We’re asking a much more dangerous question:Would we actually rewatch this in 2026?That framework leads to some very strong opinions.🏆 The S-Tier Is EarnedA handful of shows prove they’re more than nostalgia. The writing still lands. The characters still feel alive. The cultural relevance hasn’t completely evaporated.We talk about why certain series:Hold up surprisingly wellFeel sharper now than they did thenOr still manage to feel relevant without being preachyThere’s one in particular that we both immediately elevate without debate.🚫 The Hall of ShameThere’s one show we don’t even rank.We talk about:When “separating the art from the artist” stops being possibleHow cultural legacy changes over timeAnd why historical importance doesn’t automatically equal rewatchabilityIt’s a sobering but necessary conversation.🤔 The Middle Tier DilemmasThis is where things get interesting.We wrestle with:Working-class representation vs. caricature“Very Special Episode” overloadSitcom dads getting infinite second chances while sitcom moms don’tWhen a breakout character slowly destroys their own showWe also revisit the strange cultural phenomenon of:Every sitcom family in the 80s somehow living in a house they absolutely could not afford.🔻 The Ones That Don’t Survive RewatchSome shows are huge in memory… and rough in reality.We talk about:Nostalgia for actors vs. nostalgia for writingHow certain catchphrases aged like milkBoomer sentimentality as a genreAnd why some “beloved” shows just don’t work outside their original era🎧 What Else We’ve Been IntoBefore the tier list chaos:Eden talks about a wildly violent light novel series featuring a sociopathic child adventurer who refuses to follow the script of her own destiny.Peter shares recent music discoveries, a disappointing Tool take, and why The Dark Forest might require an emotional recovery period.There’s also a brief detour into why everyone in Cheers looks 20 years older than we do right now.🖥️ Bonus: DIY Internet EnergyPeter casually mentions:Taking a screenshot of a tier list siteFeeding it to ClaudeCoding a cleaner versionAnd deploying it live via GitHub PagesBecause apparently that’s what we do now.

In our 100th real episode, we did something intentionally unserious: we gave ourselves 15 seconds at a time to talk about things we love. What started as a goofy structural constraint quickly turned into a revealing conversation about taste, memory, comfort, obsession, and why certain art, habits, and rituals stick with us. Along the way, we touched on music, books, games, food, family, creative work, and the quiet joy of finding things that feel like home — especially in a world that’s been exhausting lately. It's a bit messy, but it's also genuinely us.Episode NotesThis episode marks our 100th regular, full-length episode, so instead of a standard format, we leaned into something playful and deliberately constrained: 100 things we like, 15 seconds at a time.A recurring theme is comfort versus depth: comfort movies, comfort albums, comfort routines — but also art that challenges us, wrecks us emotionally, or reshapes how we think.We talked about taste as biography — how the things we love are often tied to specific eras of our lives, relationships, or moments of becoming.There’s a strong undercurrent of making space for joy without justification, whether that’s bad movies, heavy music, silly rituals, or deeply personal creative practices.The episode also works as a quiet statement about community — family, friends, partners, collaborators — and how shared enthusiasm keeps us connected.Shows to check out:Devo-teasGenerations

This week, we wandered through a grab-bag of games, music, and reading before settling into a long-overdue cultural reckoning with This Is Spinal Tap. We talked Sonic games and cursed Sonic-sonas, gacha updates that somehow turn into cyberpunk motorbike fantasies, cheerful amnesia manga, extreme metal singles that absolutely rip, and a handful of games that ranged from surprisingly delightful to instantly forgettable. But the heart of the episode was finally sitting down with Spinal Tap itself—an enormously influential mockumentary that, forty years on, felt quieter, subtler, and stranger than its reputation. We landed somewhere between “mid” and “actually pretty good,” unpacking where it still works, where it shows its age, and why its legacy looms so much larger than the movie itself.  Episode NotesWhat We’ve Been IntoGamesEden dives into Sonic Forces, embracing the chaos of creating a cursed Sonic-sona (a dog with a grapple gun).A return to Wuthering Waves with the 3.0 update: underground cyberpunk cities, summonable motorcycles, and Sega crossover bike liveries.Peter spends real time with the Playdate handheld and unexpectedly loves Dig Dig Dino—dogs, dinosaurs, and eldritch horror.Mixed feelings on Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: clunky combat, nonstop chatter, and controller prompts that can’t decide what console they’re on.Dispatch lands as enjoyable but oddly forgettable—pure popcorn gaming that evaporates once it’s done.ReadingCheerful Amnesia delivers wholesome, funny yuri romance built on anime-logic memory loss.A shout-out to Adachi and Shimamura short stories, still reigning supreme.Peter continues through The Dark Forest, the second book in Remembrance of Earth’s Past, digging into Wallfacers, Wallbreakers, and long-term cosmic dread.MusicNew doom EP from The Eternal—short, tight, and surprisingly restrained.Reliance by Soen: less adventurous, more consistent, and maybe better for it.Absolute hype for Archspire’s new single “Limb of Leviticus”—blisteringly fast with just enough groove to breathe.Main Topic: This Is Spinal TapPrompted by renewed discussion of Rob Reiner and his legacy, we finally sat down with his directorial debut.Initial reaction: not nearly as laugh-out-loud funny as its reputation suggests.Over time, appreciation grew for:Its subtlety and deadpan delivery.The improvised dialogue paired with surprisingly tight plotting and long-payoff jokes.Iconic moments (“these go to eleven,” the cocoon stage prop, mysteriously exploding drummers).Nigel Tufnel emerges as the emotional and comedic core, hinting at the future of Christopher Guest’s mockumentary career.We talked about how much of Spinal Tap’s impact comes from being first—laying the groundwork for an entire genre that others would later perfect.Final verdict: historically essential, quietly funny, better on reflection than on first watch—and a reminder that movies used to trust audiences more.Big Picture TakeawaysCultural influence doesn’t always match immediate enjoyment.Subtlety and restraint are skills we’ve mostly lost in modern filmmaking.Maybe we should make smaller, cheaper movies again—and let weird ideas breathe.

This week, we kick off 2026 by talking about Ambrosia Sky, a short, atmospheric sci-fi game that quietly wrecked us more than we expected. What starts as a PowerWash-adjacent cleanup sim turns into a meditation on grief, abandonment, and the emotional cost of leaving home. We talk about why smaller, constrained games are thriving right now, how Ambrosia Sky uses limitation as a strength, and why finishing Act One left us with far more questions than answers — in the best possible way.  Episode Notes We open the first episode of 2026 in full post-holiday time confusion: strange schedules, too much work, and no reliable sense of what day it is.Eden talks about covering extra shifts at the comic shop, double-dipping PTO, and the unfortunate result of biking home in brutal weather and bruising their ribs.A digression on sleep rituals follows, including Peter’s famously corpse-like sleeping position and Eden’s highly specific side-switching requirements.With it being January 1st, we reflect on 2025 as a pop-culture year — broadly rough, but not without meaningful discoveries.We note a shared shift toward shorter, more focused media, especially in games.🎮 Why We Played Ambrosia SkyWe wanted something short, contained, and emotionally grounded.The “PowerWash Simulator with a story” pitch undersells what the game actually does.We appreciated the decision to release this explicitly as Act One, rather than early access.🌌 Setting & PremiseYou play as Dalia, a “Scarab” who cleans exofungus and reclaims bodies for the Ambrosia Project.She returns to the asteroid colony she fled 15 years earlier — built inside a dead Leviathan.The colony is effectively empty; the story unfolds through terminals, logs, and environmental details.There are no live conversations, reinforcing isolation and loss.🧠 ThemesGrief, abandonment, and the emotional cost of leaving home.Labor as mourning: cleaning and reclamation as acts of reckoning.Unresolved relationships, especially between Dahlia and Maeve.Absence as a storytelling tool.🛠️ Gameplay & StructureCore loop centers on spraying substances to remove fungal growth.Light Metroidvania structure with optional backtracking.Grappling hook works well, with occasional jank.Specialized sprays exist but feel lightly used.Puzzles focus on power routing and environmental access.The game benefits from being short; it would not sustain a longer runtime.🎧 AtmosphereStrong, understated soundtrack that reinforces loneliness.Art direction does heavy emotional lifting despite a small budget.Exterior space sequences are a standout moment.The game consistently favors mood over exposition.⚠️ Act One EndingThe story ends abruptly and deliberately, offering few answers.Maeve is alive, but clearly changed.Major concepts — the Ambrosia Project, the Leviathan — remain unexplained.We found the ambiguity compelling rather than frustrating.🧾 Closing ThoughtsWe’re glad we stuck with the game past early hesitation.The Act-based release feels honest and respectful of the player.Both of us plan to play the remaining acts at launch.Ambrosia Sky is a strong example of how small games can carry real emotional weight.

This week we keep things intentionally low-effort and high-chaos by drafting the Billboard year-end #1 songs from 1980 through 1999. We each build a ten-song playlist from a shared pool, knowing that once a song is picked, it’s gone forever. Along the way we uncover timeless masterpieces, generational blind spots, slow-dance trauma, and more than a few baffling chart decisions. By the end, it’s less about “best songs of all time” and more about what pop culture we survived — and what it says about the decades that made us.Cold Open & Life UpdatesEden survives Iowa weather whiplash, including snowmelt, wind advisories, and dogs who refuse to come inside.We check in on end-of-year fatigue, weddings on the horizon, and the general desire to just get to January.What We’ve Been Checking OutEden scores a surprise manga haul via Reddit, including:Kase-san and… — a quiet, funny, wholesome romance that desperately wants its characters to communicate.Chainsmoker Cat — gross, chaotic, and deeply committed to depicting the world’s worst anthropomorphic cat girl.Continued time in Where Winds Meet, including discovering that joining the “hot evil people” sect requires in-game marriage… followed by divorce.Peter continues slowly working through The Three-Body Problem and Gödel, Escher, Bach.A brief dive into habit-building via the new Atomic Habits workbook.Music check-in includes Archspire’s new single “Carrion Ladder” and the eternal joy of Apple Music Replay actually getting things right.Gaming includes Ball Pit, Megabonk, and the looming temptation of finally committing to Baldur’s Gate 3.The Main Event: Billboard #1 Draft (1980–1999)We draft songs snake-style, locking each other out as we go.Early rounds are stacked with undeniable classics:Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”Prince’s “When Doves Cry”Blondie’s “Call Me”Cher’s “Believe”George Michael emerges as an ’80s powerhouse with multiple entries.The generational divide shows up fast:Peter leans heavily ’80s.Eden lives firmly in the ’90s (for better and worse).We acknowledge slow-dance staples that were emotionally formative whether we liked them or not.The middle rounds reveal just how strange pop history can be when viewed year-by-year.By the later picks, we’re openly throwing ourselves on grenades:The Macarena is drafted out of mercy.Multiple songs are chosen purely because something has to be.We question how certain cultural touchstones (My Heart Will Go On, Aaliyah, Bone Thugs) somehow missed the top spot in their years.Big TakeawaysBillboard #1 does not mean “best song.”The ’80s age better than the ’90s in pop memory (and fashion).Nostalgia is selective, and pop charts are cruel.Drafting music is a great way to discover what you genuinely love — and what you merely survived.

This week, we come in hot — starting with wuxia vibes, holiday chaos, and cursed Christmas remixes of “September” — before diving into music stats, Taskmaster binges, Eden’s Wuxia/Baihe adventures, and Peter’s latest reading spree (including Gödel, Escher, Bach). Eventually, we embark on the Most Important Cultural Work of Our Time: a fast-food and fast-casual tier list. Along the way, we crown unexpected champions, bury some long-held myths (looking directly at you, In-N-Out), and declare Waffle House the beating heart of American civilization. It’s unhinged, joyful, occasionally shameful, and fully definitive.Opening ShenanigansEden opens with an incredible wuxia monologue introducing Beauty’s Blade, the Baihe novel they’ve been reading.Peter tries (and fails) to match the energy.Thanksgiving recaps: delayed flights, Target wandering, and the absolute war crime that is “Do You Remember…the 21st Night of December” playing over store speakers.Life Updates & MediaEnd-of-year malaise, work overload, and winter dread.Apple Music Replay breakdowns:Peter: another year, another Slow Forever domination.Eden: a deeply chaotic top-albums list featuring Rebecca Black, Japanese jazz fusion, KPM library music, and Tron: Legacy.Taskmaster binges continue.Peter’s current reading includes Three-Body Problem and the 900-page Gödel, Escher, Bach.Eden is deep into Where Winds Meet (“What if Assassin’s Creed but Wuxia and optionally an MMO?”), and fully living in Jianghu.Manga corner: Kaiju Girl Caramelise is adorable and unhinged in equal measure.🎖️ The Great Fast-Food Tier ListCertified THE BESTDomino’s – the undisputed king of delivery pizza.Five Guys – elite burgers, elite fries, elite price tag.Portillo’s – Italian beef nirvana.Schlotzky’s – elevated to divinity thanks to Peter and Alyssa’s first date.Taco Bell – delicious, shameful, transcendent.Waffle House – an American institution and FEMA-indexed miracle.Strong Contenders (B-Tier)Dairy Queen – chicken strip baskets, Texas toast, and blizzards: a holy trinity.Long John Silver’s – Eden’s forbidden love.McDonald’s – the fries that define civilization.Panda Express – orange chicken supremacy.Skyline Chili – Eden-approved, Cassie-reviled.Wendy’s – consistently solid.White Castle – cheesy sliders hit just right.Perfectly Fine (C-Tier)Places we’d go to with zero enthusiasm and zero complaint:A&W, Bojangles, Burger King, Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s, Firehouse Subs, Jersey Mike’s, Jimmy John’s (fast only), KFC, Little Caesars, Noodles & Co., Panera, Quiznos, Whataburger, Wienerschnitzel.Ehhh (D-Tier)Arby’s wet paper towel meat, Culver’s overrated custard, Del Taco’s value plays, Denny’s at 2am, Papa John’s overpriced cardboard, Pizza Hut nostalgia only, Popeye’s here-but-not-here, Qdoba mid-Mex, Sbarro mall sadness, Sonic for drinks only.Absolutely Not (F-Tier)Chick-fil-A (for reasons both ethical and culinary)Chipotle (poop-from-a-butt energy)In-N-Out (the most overrated chain in America; fries taste like unwashed ass)IHOP (international house of poop)Stake & Shake (weird political tallow energy)Subway (fell from grace when they stopped cutting the V in the bread)Wingstop (wings overrated; nuggets forever)Closing ThoughtsWe discover we are not fast-food people…except for when we are.

This week, we finally dive into the cultural behemoth that is K-Pop Demon Hunters—six months late and fully confused. We talk through how this extremely catchy, hyper-animated, wildly popular kids’ movie managed to conquer 2025, even though it’s… fine? We break down what works (the faces, the music, that glorious fat tiger), what doesn’t (the pacing, the unearned romance, the baffling reconciliation), and why we’re still not convinced it deserves the cultural chokehold it has. Plus, we catch up on everything we’ve been checking out lately—from doom metal to City Pop to WOJIA novels—and wonder how we went from Spider-Verse to this.Episode NotesWe kick things off with hard root beer, ingredient confusion, and the audacity of “beer, sugar, caramel color” as an ingredients list.Thanksgiving rant: we complain about Christmas invading everything earlier each year, praise gratitude as a practice, and call out the consumerist creep of “Black November.”Eden shares the saga of the family WhatsApp gratitude initiative and why performative gratefulness ain’t it.New Year’s resolutions? Terrible. A system designed to fail—except for gyms and planner companies.What We’ve Been Up ToEdenNot much… exhaustion + scrolling + arguing with Reddit.Reading more Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady.Secretly going full Wuxia-pilled but not ready to talk yet.Deep in digital accessibility at work (contrast ratios forever).Listening almost exclusively to City Pop to summon 80s vibes.PeterHeavy music roundup:Shores of Null / Convocation split.A Sun of the Dying – Throne of Ashes.The Reticent – Please (mental-illness-theme concept album).1914 – Viribus Unitis, a blackened death metal concept album about WWI.Bell Witch & Aerial Ruin – Stygian Bough Vol. 2, the lightest album of the three (which says something).Finished all seven Murderbot books and reflects on the genuinely human core beneath the action.Game updates:PowerWash Simulator 2 — massive improvements, more forgiving completion, soap freedom.Ball Pit (Ball×Pit) — breakout + roguelike + city builder; surprisingly great, Devolver-approved.🎤 Main Event: K-Pop Demon HuntersInitial ReactionWe both expected very little.It was… more fun than expected, but nowhere near deserving the cultural omnipresence it has.Every song starts, and we both go: “Oh shit, that’s from this movie?!”What We LikedThe animation: hyper-expressive faces, Sony flair, Spider-Verse DNA.The music: genuinely catchy, culturally unavoidable.The creatures: the fat tiger + the crow with the tiny hat = peak cinema.The fights: lively weapon-specific choreography.Bright, colorful aesthetic in a world obsessed with desaturated grimdark.What Didn’t WorkPacing is viciously fast (95 minutes, no room to breathe).The Rumi–Ginu romance is unearned.The group breakup & reconciliation happens with whiplash speed.Entire subplots (Celine, Rumi’s origin) feel missing — likely sequel fodder.The climax ultimately hinges on the boy saving the girl, which undercuts the “girl group as heroes” core.Why Is It So Popular?We genuinely don’t know, but we explore possibilities:The Frozen effect: young girls finally seeing themselves as the heroes.K-pop’s massive global footprint and built-in fandom infrastructure.Ubiquitous, TikTok-optimized songs.A kids’ movie that’s actually watchable for adults (a miracle compared to Shimmer & Shine).The novelty of a musical-action hybrid that doesn’t completely suck.Final ThoughtsWe’re glad we watched it—mostly to understand why our nieces and the entire world dressed as Rumi for Halloween.It’s fun, cute, fast, and catchy.But it’s also feather-light and will evaporate from our brains shortly after recording.Definitely not staying on the Plex server.

This week on The Middle of Culture, we close out our dive into Transformers with Transformers One, last year’s animated prequel that tells the origin story of Optimus and Megatron. We rave about how shockingly good it is—beautiful animation, heartfelt storytelling, and voice performances that actually make you care about robots punching each other. Along the way, we talk about Sanderson’s declining prose, the “YA-ification” of modern fiction, the decline of mass-market paperbacks, and why we’ll always have a soft spot for dumb robot movies done well.Episode NotesOpening BanterPeter returns from travel (Boise and Napa), happy to be home.Eden vents about a rough week and hostile engineers during digital accessibility training, complete with an on-campus shooting alert mid-meeting.Peter describes an incredible dinner at Bistro Jeanty in Napa (truffle deviled eggs, beef bourguignon, and chocolate croissant bread pudding).Books & ReadingPeter finishes Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes (yes, the “Piña Colada Song” guy)—a darkly funny and satisfying story about the McMaster’s School of Homicide.Reads Artificial Condition, the second Murderbot novella, and starts Write Your Novel from the Middle.Discussion on how story structure midpoints define theme and cohesion.Critique of Brandon Sanderson’s Wind and Truth: great worldbuilding, but noticeably weaker prose since losing his longtime editor.Eden speculates that the issue might extend to the whole fantasy industry—less editing, more aesthetic consumerism, and the death of the mass-market paperback.Broader talk on the “dumbing down” of fiction and the rise of YA and “New Adult” markets catering to comfort rather than challenge.Music & Games CornerPeter dives into rediscovering Psychotic Waltz, Psychonaut, and Oramet—bands that balance progressive creativity with restraint.New release highlight: PowerWash Simulator 2.Eden tests two disappointing gacha games (Duet Night Abyss and Resonance Solstice) and finally uninstalls all HoyoVerse titles.Back to Final Fantasy XIV, excited about the new patch allowing full cross-class glamours.Main Feature – Transformers One (2024)Both agree: it’s the best Transformers movie ever made—heartfelt, gorgeously animated, and genuinely emotional.Plot rundown: Orion Pax (Optimus) and D16 (Megatron) rise from the oppressed underclass of “Cogless” robots, uncover Sentinel Prime’s corruption, and witness the birth of Autobot vs. Decepticon ideology.Core theme: friendship, betrayal, and revolution—the tragedy of two friends who believe in justice but choose different paths.Voice acting highlights:Brian Tyree Henry’s nuanced Megatron is phenomenal.John Hamm nails the duplicitous Sentinel Prime.Scarlett Johansson and Chris Hemsworth have real chemistry, even if Hemsworth is the weakest link.Laurence Fishburne brings gravitas as Alpha Trion.Keegan-Michael Key’s Bumblebee is purposefully annoying but fits the tone.Praise for the movie’s subtle callbacks to the 1986 film (“You don’t have the touch or the power”), strong emotional beats, and sense of earned tragedy.Both lament how poorly it performed at the box office—“we are part of the problem”—and hope it gets a sequel.Brief detour comparing the animated film’s depth to the shallow chaos of the Michael Bay series.Closing ThoughtsTransformers One feels like the first time the franchise truly understood its own heart.Recommendation: watch it—it’s smart, emotional, and fun as hell.

In this week’s Middle of Culture, we dive deep into our usual blend of media obsession and existential humor — from the strange delights of villainess light novels and the chaos of gacha games to Tron Ares, which Eden declares “not a good movie… but maybe the best Tron movie.” Peter shares his thoughts on new music from Conjurer and Author & Punisher, reviews Wind and Truth with mixed feelings, and outlines a possible new nonfiction project exploring the moral dehumanization of healthcare. We close by revisiting the bizarre early UK Transformers comics — where Optimus is kind of a jerk, Starscream becomes the original “catty traitor,” and Brawn looks like he escaped a Dollar Tree toy aisle.Episode Notes:Opening Banter:Eden introduces themselves as “so eeppy,” prompting Peter to admit defeat against internet slang.The two reflect on “functional depression,” aging, and surviving the current “hellscape.Eden’s Media Fixation:Revisits I’m in Love with the Villainess and praises it as one of the best isekai series ever.Explains Prison Life is Easy for a Villainess, a meta comedy about a villainess treating dungeon time as a spa retreat.Attends a PowerPoint Party and presents “Villainess as Protagonist: A Meta-Analysis of Current Media Trends.”Gacha Game Roundup:Stella Sora: “What if Hades was slower and shittier?” Deleted after 45 minutes.Chaos Zero Nightmare: Required two launchers — instant nope.Duet Night Abyss: Promising Warframe-style action without predatory gacha.Tron Ares Review:Eden: “Not a good movie… but maybe the best Tron movie.”Praises its Nine Inch Nails soundtrack and stunning action; mocks Jared Leto’s acting.Peter admits he’d watch all three Tron films once they’re streaming.Peter’s Media Corner:Music: Revisits Testament’s Parabellum, discovers Author & Punisher, and praises Conjurer’s Unself.Reading: Finishes Wind and Truth, critiques Sanderson’s editing, starts Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes, and begins Work Won’t Love You Back by Sarah Jaffe.Discusses a new nonfiction concept: “Connecting to Purpose: The Moral Dehumanization of Healthcare in America.”Ideological Detour:Eden: “If you’re not the owner, you’re being exploited.”Peter admits he’s “becoming radicalized.”Transformers (UK Comics):Recap of the lost “Man of Iron” episode and this week’s The Enemy Within.Discovery: This is possibly where “catty, traitorous Starscream” was born.Braun’s design roasted as “the Dollar Tree Transformer.”Optimus Prime called “a dick” for sending Brawn and Starscream into gladiator combat.Praise for Ravage and nostalgia for our childhood toys.Closing:Eden confesses to spending $100 on the new Missing Link R.C. figure — “worth every penny.”Episode ends with a reminder to subscribe, share, and leave a review.

This week, we dive headfirst into emotional ruin — courtesy of Look Back, the devastatingly beautiful anime film by Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto. Before we get our hearts ripped out, we unpack a flood of new music releases — including Testament’s Para Bellum and Fayle's haunting Heretics and Lullabies — rail against Microsoft’s Game Pass price hike, and talk streaming fatigue and piracy. Peter also shares his new plan to train like a writer-athlete with a three-month learning sprint, while Eden reviews Nine Inch Nails’ Tron: Ares soundtrack, gushes about Apothecary Diaries, and explains why a Regency “choose your own adventure” romance might be the most fun book they’ve read all month. It all ends with tears, cello music, and a haunting meditation on why we create art in the first place.📝 Episode NotesIntroThe “lost” episode vanished into the ether — maybe because it was too powerful for the far right to handle.Both hosts are feeling post-busy-season burnout and existential malaise.Music Corner 🚨 Rush Reunion Tour: With Neil Peart’s family’s blessing, Rush returns with drummer Anika Nilles.Eden: “Neil was never the fastest.”Peter: Debates whether to travel for the tour or keep his memories intact.🎻 Raphael Weinroth-Browne – Lifeblood: Beautiful, emotive cello-driven prog from the Leprous collaborator.⚡️ Testament – Parabellum: Experimental thrash with black, death, and groove elements.🕯 Frayle – Heretics and Lullabies: October-perfect doom — haunting vocals and atmosphere. Peter’s album of the month.Gaming & Streaming RantMicrosoft’s Game Pass price jump to $30/month = cancellation time.Broader discussion: streaming bloat, rising costs, and the rise of “ethical piracy.”Quote of the section: “You wouldn’t scrape all the art ever made to create an anime titty generator.”Writing & Learning SprintPeter’s “Three-Month Learning Sprint” inspired by Dave Perell’s athlete model of skill-building.October–December: studying the craft of novel writing before starting Book #4 in January.Reading Save the Cat! Writes a Novel (Jessica Brody) and joining Writing Mastery Academy.Reflections on learning structure, story beats, and wanting to finally write a novel he’d let others read.Eden debates joining NaNoWriMo again… maybe.Eden’s Media & Reading Corner🎬 Tron: Ares (2024): “No one’s seeing it — and for good reason.”Weak Nine Inch Nails soundtrack, but still better than most.📚 Apothecary Diaries — finished all 15 volumes.🐀 Though I Am an Inept Villainess — courtly fantasy with body-swap hijinks and fried potatoes.❤️ My Lady’s Choosing — a hilarious, Regency-era, choose-your-own-romance adventure.🕹 Doll’s Nest — “What if Armored Core, Dark Souls, and Frame Arms Girls had a baby?”Main Event — Look Back58-minute emotional gut punch about art, friendship, and loss.Recap: child prodigies Fujino and Kyomoto become artistic partners, drift apart, tragedy strikes, and grief reignites creation.Themes: rivalry, purpose, creative identity, and the way art bridges life and death.Peter: “The moment that cello started playing, I knew this was going to fuck me up.”Discussion on Fujimoto’s tone shifts, showing vs. telling, and the balance of subtlety and brutality.Shared conclusion: gorgeous, devastating, and they’ll never watch it again.Wrap-UpLook Back is available on Amazon Prime.Next episode in a couple of weeks.Sign-off reminder: leave a review and email feedback@themiddleofculture.com

Peter and Eden cover a whirlwind couple of weeks—family milestones, stressful schedules, and the search for meaning outside of work—before diving into media updates like Escaflone, In Mourning’s crushing new album, and the delightfully cursed Ice Cube–starring War of the Worlds (2025). From there, things spiral into chaos with a marathon of “Would You Rather?” questions that range from the silly to the philosophical, including fart announcements, glitter burps, pinky-finger super strength, and whether you’d rather have a South Park wedding or a Family Guy funeral. It’s the most chaotic fun you’ll have all week.Episode NotesLife updates:Peter’s son Alex returns from his mission and prepares for a wedding.The challenge of balancing work, family, and downtime.Reflections on identity outside of your career.Media check-ins:Peter on Tiny Experiments and the joy of learning Final Cut Pro.New music: The Immortal by In Mourning, and “End of You” with Amy Lee, Poppy, and Courtney LaPlante.Eden’s anime binge: Azumanga Daioh (finished), Escaflone (technical mishaps + stationary bike viewing).Bad Movie Bros watch: War of the Worlds (2025) starring Ice Cube—possibly the worst movie ever made.Manga spotlight: Yoritama: From Third Wheel to Trifecta (romantic chaos).Main Event: Would You Rather?Pajamas vs. tuxedos, freakishly big mouths vs. tiny noses.Public fart announcements vs. peeing your pants.Superpowers you don’t want: invisibility only when sneezing, pinky-only super strength, screaming flight.Food fiascos: pizza hands vs. donut feet, glitter burps vs. bubble hiccups.Social nightmares: every text to mom vs. marching band of lies.Philosophical turns: 20 years with no regrets vs. 100 with many.The ultimate cursed choice: South Park wedding or Family Guy funeral.

This week Eden and Peter dive into William Friedkin’s gritty 1977 thriller Sorcerer, a tense and sweat-soaked remake of The Wages of Fear. They talk through the film’s nihilistic worldview, Friedkin’s unrelenting direction, and Tangerine Dream’s eerie score that pushes the movie into fever-dream territory. Along the way, they share personal stories of how the film lingered in memory for decades, debate whether Sorcerer deserved its original flop status, and marvel at the sheer intensity of the bridge sequence. They also connect the film to broader cultural legacies—from the shadow of Star Wars to the way cult classics find redemption years later.Show NotesOpening catch-upSummer weather updates and life events.Peter finishes Donkey Kong Bonanza and shares thoughts on Taskmaster series 7 vs 8.Music chat: new Deftones (Private Music), Testament’s upcoming Parabellum, and the death of Mastodon’s Brett Hinds.Work & reading tangents Eden’s deep dive into accessibility struggles with LaTeX, Pandoc, and PDFs (“the world’s worst file format”).Reading The Apothecary Diaries and Azumanga Daioh; comparisons with Nichijo and City.Listening to Tangerine Dream’s catalog and soundtrack prep for the film.Imperfect Practice launch Peter introduces his new blog and YouTube channel, “Imperfect Practice,” focused on experiments with productivity, journaling, and workflows.Main Event: SorcererEden’s blind pick, Peter’s buried childhood memory of the Tangerine Dream LP, and initial impressions.Full plot breakdown with detailed discussion of:The four opening vignettes.Building the trucks and loading unstable dynamite.The infamous 12-minute bridge sequence.The brutal downer ending and themes of fate and nihilism.Discussion of the title Sorcerer (why it’s terrible, Friedkin’s explanation).Behind-the-scenes misery, budget overruns, and authenticity (actors did most of their own stunts).The soundtrack’s role in creating alienation and tension.Release woes: arriving weeks after Star Wars and being critically panned before decades-later reevaluation into cult-classic canon.Wrap-up Reflections on its heavy but unforgettable impact.LinksImperfect PracticeImperfect Practice on YouTube

What starts as a simple dive into media tracking apps quickly spirals into tangents about puzzles from hell, glamping with bison and mustangs, fistfights with Satan in Pittsburgh, and the glory days of scrobbling music. Along the way, Peter and Eden hash out their very different relationships with games, books, music, and movies—and why, at the end of the day, “the juice is not worth the squeeze” when it comes to tracking everything we consume.Opening catch-up: Eden returns from travel and vents about the oppressive Midwestern humidity.Eden recounts a cursed puzzle vacation and a surreal HipCamp adventure that included glamping in a bus, staying at a mustang ranch, and hearing a wild coma story involving battling Satan.A detour into mobile gaming: Eden introduces the absurd yet addictive horse girl racing game Uma Musume.Peter shares his ongoing love for Taskmaster, Donkey Kong Bonanza on the Switch 2, and recent reading progress (Wind and Truth, Tiny Experiments).Music talk:New releases from Carbomb, Abigail Williams, and Blackbraid.Remembering Eric Wunder of Cobalt, with Peter realizing Slow Forever might be his true desert island album.Main Topic: Media tracking apps and services.Video games: Eden dabbled with Backloggd but finds it too much work; Peter doesn’t see the appeal beyond Steam’s built-in history.Books: Eden logs reads in a notebook; Peter wrestles with StoryGraph, Hardcover, and Goodreads but finds the friction too high. Notion experiments fail; AI-summarized notes for nonfiction survive.Music: Nostalgia for scrobbling and Last.fm; frustrations with Spotify, Apple Music, and Plex setups. Peter praises Plexamp and Rune; Eden experiments with Cloud Beats and dreams of a NAS.Movies/TV: Eden dislikes fragmented platforms; Peter mentions using Sequel lightly but relies most on Call Sheet, an IMDb alternative. Eden uses League of Comic Geeks only to track physical comics in his collection.Closing thoughts: both agree that while tracking can be tempting, talking to people and communities is a far more rewarding way to discover new media.

In this episode, Eden and Peter dive into Fantastic Four: First Steps, a surprisingly hopeful and aesthetically stunning addition to the MCU. They unpack the film’s utopian vision, its fresh take on superhero storytelling, and why it might be one of Marvel’s most emotionally resonant efforts to date. From retrofuturist aesthetics to character depth and non-violent resolutions, they explore how this movie dares to imagine a better world—and why that makes it so special.Episode Show Notes:Catching up: Peter’s travel chaos, shaving disasters, and reading Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le CunffReflections on creativity, late-stage capitalism, and the need for exploration and failureEden breaks down the odd digital logic of Japanese fantasy novels and the legacy of Dragon QuestA detour into Star Wars Galaxies Restoration and its refreshing take on MMO life and Jedi originsMain topic: Fantastic Four: First StepsBoth hosts loved the movie and were surprised by how well it workedThe mid-century retrofuturist aesthetic is a standout successThe characters feel fully-formed and lived-in—no drawn-out origin storySue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) emerges as the true heart and leader of the teamEmphasis on creativity and intelligence over brute forceA rare example of superheroes making the world better, not just protecting the status quoThe story’s utopian tone sets it apart from typical superhero narrativesFranklin Richards’ birth and future teased with major power implicationsGalactus and the Silver Surfer are compelling and visually stunning additionsA shared sense of optimism and trust among the characters and the worldSome minor nitpicks (Ben Grimm’s beard?) but overall glowing praisePost-credits Doom tease? Who cares.Nervousness about Avengers: Doomsday expectationsFinal thoughts: a hopeful, human, and character-driven superhero film that stands out

Episode SummaryThis week on The Middle of Culture, Peter and Eden dive into Superman 2025—a movie they both expected to disappoint, but ultimately left them grinning. They discuss why this version of Superman finally understands the character, their favorite portrayals (hello, Nicholas Hoult’s Lex), and the messy charm of a movie that somehow pulls off being packed without tipping over. Along the way, they touch on camping with CPAPs, ADHD and habit formation, cello-driven metal, and why The Office still sucks. It’s a jam-packed, joyful takedown and celebration of what might be DC’s best swing in years.Episode NotesPeter and Eden open with summer updates, including swim meets and car camping (aka “carmping”)Eden reviews the anime adaptation of City, praising Kyoto Animation’s hand-drawn excellenceDiscussion on ADHD and the reality of habit formation—Peter shares how journaling became a daily routine, while Eden relies on yelling reminder appsPeter recommends cello virtuoso Raphael Weinroth-Browne and shares excitement over new music from Paradise LostA shared hatred of The Office and a love for TaskmasterPeter recounts his guest appearance on The Incomparable’s “Random Pursuit” episodeMain discussion: Superman 2025Initial low expectations gave way to genuine enjoymentBoth agree: it finally gets Superman right—his compassion, moral compass, and fallibilityHighlights include Nicholas Hoult’s intense, bitter Lex Luthor and Brosnahan’s sharp Lois LaneCritiques: missing Clark Kent moments, underused Daily Planet characters, weak soundtrackPraise for standout moments like the Kansas farm scene and Mr. Terrific’s mysterious coolFun digs into comics lore with Guy Gardner, Hawk Girl, and Jimmy Olsen’s inexplicable ladykiller statusComparison to Thunderbolts (still the best superhero movie of the year so far) and some worry over Fantastic FourWrap-up with Eden ready to rewatch Superman 1978 and wishing this one had a better nameLinks:Uncanny Magazine Year 12 KickstarterRandom Pursuit on The Incomparable Game Show

Episode Summary:This week, Peter and Eden dive headfirst into the high-octane world of Daniel Warren Johnson’s Transformers comic run, exploring its explosive art, emotional beats, and G1 nostalgia. Along the way, they unpack the pains of modern TV consumption, vent about doomed adaptations, and gush over goth rock albums and short-form sci-fi. It’s a heartfelt mix of media love, mild despair, and giant robots punching each other in the face—with feeling.Show Notes:Peter kicks things off with a July 4th check-in and a quick rundown of what he’s been reading and listening to, including Atomic Habits and the debut album by High Parasite, a side project involving My Dying Bride’s Aaron Stainthorpe.Murderbot adaptation on Apple TV+ gets a thoughtful breakdown: Peter shares his appreciation for its tone, visuals, and how closely it mirrors Martha Wells’ novella All Systems Red, especially its deadpan view of humanity and delightful Sanctuary Moon cutaways.Discussion veers into TV trust issues—how shows like Paper Girls and Wheel of Time were abandoned too early by streamers like Amazon and Netflix, and why Apple TV+’s longer-term faith in its properties (Slow Horses) earns praise.Eden questions the fractured nature of modern TV popularity, riffing on Yellowstone’s massive reach despite their total ignorance of anyone watching it.A segment on Eden’s short-lived journey into the glitchy, chaotic world of gacha game Re Memento: White Shadow, complete with mistranslations and catastrophic layoffs.Peter shares exciting news about planning a trip to Japan for his 27th wedding anniversary—and the hurdles of learning Japanese through Duolingo.For our main topic, we dive into the first arc of Daniel Warren Johnson’s Transformers comic:Eden provides background on the series and its creative team, praising Johnson’s gritty, wrestling-inspired action sequences and nuanced character work.Peter offers perspective as a lifelong fan reconnecting with the property, reflecting on the emotional impact of Optimus Prime, especially how the comic echoes the trauma of Transformers: The Movie (1986).Highlights include gruesome Starscream moments, human character development (especially Sparky’s sacrifice), and Optimus wielding Megatron’s blaster arm.Both hosts discuss the comic’s balance between fresh storytelling and homage to classic G1 design and lore.Closing thoughts touch on the excitement (and dread) around Robert Kirkman taking over the series soon, and how this arc was a rewarding, if nostalgia-heavy, entry point for fans old and new.

In this lively and irreverent episode of The Middle of Culture, Peter and Eden build a tier list ranking 29 DC movies, from the highs of Christopher Reeve's iconic Superman to the lows of Black Adam, which earns a new category all its own: "F*** You Forever." Along the way, they debate the merits of Nolan's Batman trilogy, praise Margot Robbie while trashing her material, and wax poetic about Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman and the ridiculous joy of Catwoman (2004). The episode also dives into recent reads, including the emotionally devastating Adachi and Shimamura 99.9, with Eden delivering an impassioned recounting that might just wreck you. Add in some heat-dome weather talk, tech-death music recs, and plenty of hot takes, and you've got one of the most entertaining episodes yet.Episode Notes:Welcome BackEden shares weather misery and emotional tales of crying over Adachi and ShimamuraPeter updates on his son's relentless swim meet schedule and praises the dedication of teen athletesWhat We're IntoEden continues to love The Apothecary Diaries, now reading it aloud with CassiDeep emotional dive into Adachi and Shimamura 99.9, including:Cozy slice-of-life momentsPost-apocalyptic existentialismA bittersweet afterlife reunion that left Eden in tearsPeter shares his current reading on behavior change and playing Mario Kart with the kidsMetal music recs from Peter:Fallujah and Exocrine (tech-death highlights)Sigh's re-recording of Hangman's Hymn (2007 → 2025 edition)The Tier List Begins29 DC movies ranked from S-tier to a newly invented bottom tierImmediate praise for Superman: The Movie -- the only true S-tier filmBatman Begins and The Batman hold strong in A-tierThe Dark Knight lands at a controversial B, Dark Knight Rises flops to DSurprising affection for Catwoman bumps it up to C, while Suicide Squad, Justice League, and Black Adam are rightfully trashedEden passionately defends the joyfully chaotic Batman & Robin, despite its executionZack Snyder's Justice League makes it to B solely for its absurdityLego Batman wins hearts, even from Eden who has a Lego movie vendettaNew Tier Created: "F*** You Forever"Reserved exclusively for Black Adam, a film so despised that Peter stopped watching anything with The Rock afterwardWrap-UpOne clear conclusion: 1978's Superman stands unmatchedRichard Donner hailed as the god-tier director James Gunn can't touchGentle roast of MCU's decline vs DC's chaotic legacyCall to action: listeners encouraged to weigh in via feedback@themiddleofculture.com

Show Notes:Life Updates & Pencil Parties- Eden recounts a surreal Minneapolis trip to witness the "sharpening" of a 20-foot neighborhood pencil statue.- Attendees included 1,500+ people, costumes, DJs, and a fake giant pencil sharpener hoisted into place.- Cassi already has cosplay plans for next year.Dollhouses, Gundams & DIY Projects- Eden builds a full miniature room box to pose model kits like Gundams in.- Explores the satisfying craft process of assembling furniture, windows, and baseboards in a modular design.Music Corner- New Katatonia album: promising with fresh energy, but Peter reserves judgment.- Rivers of Nihil: cool influence from Black Crown Initiate, but repeated saxophone use is a dealbreaker for Peter.- Vildhjarta: heavy, adventurous, and rewards deep listening.Gaming Talk- Peter's impressions of the Switch 2: improved Mario Kart experience with 24-player chaos, but still not a travel must-have.- Thoughts on the cult of Nintendo vs. more versatile handheld platforms like the Steam Deck.- Eden's attempt to play Synduality: Echo of Ada ends in a refund due to game-breaking texture issues.Cult & Camp Cinema- Eden attends a VHS screening of the awful-but-fun 1970s exploitation film White Fire with a themed drinking game.- Peter is tempted by the trailer but is firmly advised: "Don't watch White Fire."Reading Recommendations- Eden finishes all 11 published volumes of Adachi and Shimomura, including volume 99.9 (sci-fi time-jump bonus stories).- Enthusiastic recommendation of The Apothecary Diaries, a mystery series set in a fictionalized ancient China full of intrigue and clever deduction.What We're Watching- Peter enjoys Taskmaster Season 19 with Jason Mantzoukas, calling it chaotic, hilarious, and worth the YouTube binge.Main Topic: The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)- Eden loved it: tense, stylish, electric; Peter found it frustratingly flat in tension and offensively dated.- Discussion touches on 70s NYC despair, racism and misogyny in period pieces, Walter Matthau's charisma, and how modern remakes miss the gritty charm of the original.- Fun fact: Robert Shaw (Mr. Blue) also played Quint in Jaws.- Finale: Walter Matthau's "Gesundheit" stare is iconic.

Episode Notes:- The episode opens with Eden reading a Tumblr post that hilariously and bleakly explains modern burnout as a result of living in a crumbling world. Peter and Eden relate strongly, setting the tone for a cathartic conversation.- Eden checks in with the ongoing Adachi and Shimamura manga journey. Volume 8 features a flash-forward to adulthood and two momentous forehead kisses.- Gaming fatigue takes center stage as Eden recounts failed attempts to get into Sunhaven, Paradise Killer, and even the stylish-but-demanding Shenmue. Nothing sticks.- Eden shares a new afternoon ritual: practicing Gong Fu tea ceremonies. A color-changing fox teapet becomes a symbol of small joys amid burnout.- Music talk includes Pelican's new album, which fell flat in comparison to a recent live show from Russian Circles, with Pelican being described as "bargain-basement Russian Circles."- Peter introduces Bleed's debut album, which feels like a time capsule from the early 2000s alt-rock scene. It's not groundbreaking, but the nostalgia hits just right.- Avowed patch 1.4 discussion highlights fun new features: spiders replaced with spheres, better loot drops, and the return of everyone's favorite character, the raunchy and hilarious Yatzli.- Main topic: What Remains of Edith Finch. Peter and Eden break down their impressions of the game: - It's emotionally heavy, occasionally to a fault. - Some vignettes (like Lewis's cannery sequence and Barbara's horror comic) are standout. - Others, like Molly's transformation or Gregory's bathtub scene, fall flat or feel manipulative. - Both hosts agree it's visually and structurally ambitious, but uneven. - Eden calls it the "death knell" of the walking simulator genre.- Final thoughts reflect on the evolution of indie storytelling and how walking sims have largely given way to more interactive, mechanic-rich narratives.- The episode wraps with a discussion of the flawed 7-to-9 scoring scale used in video game reviews and how many games get overhyped despite major issues.