Frantic Nerdcast

We hit Episode 110! This week on the Frantic Nerdcast, the boys are celebrating two and a half years of broadcasting by diving headfirst into a massive week of tabletop, book, and screen media.
First up, Brock accepts a challenge and begins the notorious name-dumping slog of the Warhammer 40k Horus Heresy books, while simultaneously tearing through the back half of Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 8.
Then, it's screen time. We share our thoughts on the premiere of Spider-Man Noir on Prime Video—explaining why it's gorgeous for cinema nerds but potentially a total snooze-fest for comic book fans. We also chat about our recent watch of Ready or Not 2, check in on a mid-2000s rewatch of Smallville, and discuss Jon Bernthal's return in The Punisher.
On the tabletop front, we preview the massive Wheel of Time: War of the Dragon board game on Kickstarter, talk about a custom push-your-luck dice game called Biscuits, and highlight our upcoming gameplay video for the highly thematic Godzilla TCG.
Finally, we run through the recent Crunchyroll Anime Awards triumphs (did My Hero Academia deserve the win over DanDaDan?) and lose our minds over the insane 2026 theatrical release calendar.
Don't forget to check out our YouTube channel for our brand new Diddy Kong Racing playthrough starting this Monday!

Welcome back to another frantic episode! In Episode 109 of the Frantic Nerdcast, we are diving deep into the massive television finales, upcoming gaming news, and the latest drops in the Trading Card Game (TCG) world.
First up, we are breaking down the action-packed release of Devil May Cry Season 2 from Adi Shankar. From the jaw-dropping Virgil vs. Dante fights to that incredible, heavy-hitting soundtrack featuring Papa Roach and Korn, we talk about why this show absolutely slaps (and our few gripes with the demon forms).
Next, we shift gears to the chaotic and controversial series finale of The Boys Season 5. We look at how Homelander's ultimate showdown compared to the original comic book ending, Black Noir's fate, and what Butcher’s crowbar moment means for the franchise. Finally, we’re talking all things TCG and board games!
We cover the launch of Pokémon: Chaos Rising and its wild pull rates, give our thoughts on the upcoming Cataclysm RK single-booster TCG, check out the free-to-play digital port of Altered TCG, and review a hidden $15 Kmart find: Catan on the Road.
Plus, updates on our massive $500 Pokémon Card Giveaway ending soon!
If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to Like, Share, and Subscribe to help get our numbers up!
Drop a comment below letting AJ know what Pokémon he should paint next!
Timestamps:
00:00 - Welcome back to Ep. 109 & Ocarina of Time Jump Scares
02:00 - Catan on the Road Review ($15 Kmart Board Game)
04:45 - Warhammer Horus Heresy Audiobooks Challenge
08:15 - PAX Australia News: World of Warcraft Executive Producer Holly Longdale
11:00 - New TCGs: Cataclysm RK Kickstarter & Altered TCG goes Free-To-Play
15:35 - Sydney Comic-Con & Carl Urban Rumors
20:00 - Pokemon Chaos Rising Pull Rates & Quality Control Drama
25:27 - Devil May Cry Season 2 Review (Adi Shankar, Dante vs Virgil)
37:00 - The Boys Season 5 Finale Spoilers & Comic Book Comparison
55:30 - AJ's Gengar Painting & Diddy Kong Racing vs Mario Kart 64
01:01:00 - Batman: Gotham City Crimes Board Game & Nerd News Rumors
#DevilMayCrySeason2 #TheBoysFinale #PokemonChaosRising #CataclysmRK #BoardGames #AnimeReview #FranticNerdcast #TCG Support the Show:
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Listen to the podcast on Spotify & Apple
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Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/frantic-nerdcast/id1717767605

In this weeks Episode, the team talks 2 Player Boardgames and which ones you should get.
Aj Chats the new HBO Show Rooster, starring Steve Carrell and also the new Prime show Young Sherlock.
Aj Shows of his latest Pokémon painting, which is part of his 151 Pokémon painting challenge.
Support the Show:
🛒 Grab a copy of Monsters at War by emailing: franticnerdcast@gmail.com.
🌐 Visit our website for game dev blogs: franticnerdcast.com.
💬 Join the conversation on Discord (link below)!
Follow us on social media!
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553617388296
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/franticnerdcast/
Ajs Insta - https://www.instagram.com/weirdartbyaj/
Brocks Insta - https://www.instagram.com/franticbrock/
Zac's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/franticcaz
Discord - https://discord.gg/ajkTjBPRR2
Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/franticnerdcast
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thefranticnerdcast

Welcome back to the Frantic Nerdcast! In episode 107, the crew dives deep into the addictive world of audiobooks (or "audio plays"), a massive new art project, and the latest from the MCU on Disney+.
We start with a heavy discussion on Dungeon Crawler Carl and the unmatched voice acting of Jeff Hayes. We also explore the difference between standard audiobooks and full-scale audio dramas like The Sandman.
AJ reveals his ambitious new creative goal: painting the original 151 Pokemon on individual canvases, starting with Charmander and Diglett. Plus, we give our honest, mixed reviews on Daredevil: Born Again, discussing whether it lived up to the hype and that "weird" bromance ending.
In this episode:
00:00 - Welcome back to the Nerdcast!
00:31 - Dungeon Crawler Carl: The "Audio Crack" Addiction
03:00 - Audiobooks vs. Audio Plays: The Sandman & Horus Heresy
12:44 - The 151 Pokemon Painting Challenge: Charmander & Diglett
26:27 - Monsters at War: Our Original Card Game
27:13 - Development Update: Escape from Mars Solo Game
31:30 - Movie Review: Sinners (Vampires & Cinematography)
41:20 - Smallville Retrospective: Checking in on Season 3
50:50 - Solo Storytelling Games: Be Like a Crow & Castle Games
1:06:30 - Daredevil: Born Again & The Defenders Future

Welcome back to the Frantic Nerdcast! In episode 102, the crew returns after a short break to dive deep into everything nerdy. We kick things off with an exclusive look at a brand-new solo survival board game prototype set on Mars—featuring astronauts, monoliths, and oxygen hazards.
If you're an anime fan, we’ve got you covered with deep dives into Hell’s Paradise Season 2, the world-building of Jujutsu Kaisen, and a look at the new Digimon Liberator. We also revisit the nostalgia of the Scrubs revival and discuss why it still holds the original magic.
For the TCG collectors, we recap the highlights from Collector Con Newcastle. Hear the journey of completing a Pokemon Surging Sparks Master Set, the struggles of "infinite ant" snipers, and a discussion on the current state of One Piece TCG scalping. Plus, we touch on Gundam TCG Phantom Aria pulls and the latest drama in the tabletop world, including the discontinuation of Descent: Legends of the Dark.
In this episode:
00:00 - Welcome & Life Updates
02:20 - New Game Reveal: Solo Mars Survival Prototype
04:40 - Anime Round-up: Hell's Paradise, JJK, Frieren, and Digimon
08:15 - TV Talk: The Scrubs Revival & Malcolm in the Middle Rumours
14:10 - Invincible Season 3 Discussion (Spoilers!)
18:40 - The Incredible Voice Cast of Invincible
25:20 - Collector Con Newcastle Recap: Pokemon Master Sets
33:00 - Gundam TCG & One Piece Market Drama
42:30 - EB Games Australia Big Announcement Speculation
48:00 - PAX Australia 2026 Plans & Cosplay Land
55:30 - Board Game News: Descent Discontinued & Warhammer 40k 2nd Ed Revival
1:01:45 - Nerd News: Three Body Problem, Avatar Leaks, and Star Wars Rumours
 
Support the Show:
🛒 Grab a copy of Monsters at War by emailing: franticnerdcast@gmail.com.
🌐 Visit our website for game dev blogs: franticnerdcast.com.
💬 Join the conversation on Discord (link below)!
 
Follow us on social media!
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553617388296
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/franticnerdcast/
Ajs Insta - https://www.instagram.com/weirdartbyaj/
Brocks Insta - https://www.instagram.com/franticbrock/
Zac's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/franticcaz
Discord - https://discord.gg/ajkTjBPRR2
Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/franticnerdcast
 
Listen to the podcast on Spotify & Apple
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0PcOw5lrrZrkFE1psICsqd?si=e7effe3496374408
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/frantic-nerdcast/id1717767605

Welcome back to the Frantic Nerd Cast! In Episode 105, the boys are back from their chaotic golf trip to recap all the action, injuries, and hilarious punishments. From back spasms to walking par-fives backwards, find out who actually took home the trophy (and who just got their KFC first). 
In this episode, we dive deep into:The Golf Trip Recap: A look at the "punishment rounds," including mango jalapeño tequila shots and skipping vigorously across the green. 
Anime’s Bad Rap: We discuss why some people "poo-poo" anime as just "cartoons for kids" and share our favorite gateway shows like Vinland Saga and Neon Genesis Evangelion.
The $30M Cyberpunk Kickstarter: Breaking down the massive success of the latest TCG and what it means for crowdfunding. Dungeon Crawler Carl RPG: Everything you need to know about the new 5.4 million dollar Kickstarter, including pre-painted minis and the new d20 system.
 Pop Culture Debates: Why we enjoy "bad" movies like Sharknado and Transformers, plus our thoughts on the Invincible season finale and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. 
Support the Show:🛒 Grab a copy of Monsters at War by emailing: franticnerdcast@gmail.com.🌐 Visit our website for game dev blogs: franticnerdcast.com.💬 Join the conversation on Discord (link below)!
Follow us on social media! Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553617388296
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/franticnerdcast/
Ajs Insta - https://www.instagram.com/weirdartbyaj/
Brocks Insta - https://www.instagram.com/franticbrock/
Zac's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/franticcaz
Discord -  https://discord.gg/ajkTjBPRR2
Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/franticnerdcast
Listen to the podcast on Spotify & AppleSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0PcOw5lrrZrkFE1psICsqd?si=e7effe3496374408
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/frantic-nerdcast/id1717767605

Welcome to Episode 104 of the Frantic Nerdcast! This week, the crew is fresh (or maybe not so fresh) from their bi-annual golf trip and ready to tackle the complicated legacy of the "Reboot".
In this episode:
The Golf Trip Recap: We talk about the "Trophy of Destiny," 72-hole charity marathons, and the creative punishments waiting for Brock on the course.
Reboots That Worked: A deep dive into why Battlestar Galactica is a gold standard for reboots, plus our thoughts on the Star Trek movie trilogy and the Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
The Ones That Failed: Why the Charmed remake and How I Met Your Father missed the mark, and our frustration with the Resident Evil Netflix series.
News & Rumors: Updates on the Alita: Battle Angel sequel, Fallout season plans, and the upcoming Harry Potter HBO series.
Game Development: We have officially launched our card game, Monsters at War! Learn how you can get your copy of this multiversal monster-shedding game.
Support the Show:
🛒 Grab a copy of Monsters at War by emailing: franticnerdcast@gmail.com.
🌐 Visit our website for game dev blogs: franticnerdcast.com.
💬 Join the conversation on Discord (link below)!
 
Follow us on social media!
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553617388296
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/franticnerdcast/
Ajs Insta - https://www.instagram.com/weirdartbyaj/
Brocks Insta - https://www.instagram.com/franticbrock/
Zac's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/franticcaz
Discord - https://discord.gg/ajkTjBPRR2
Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/franticnerdcast
Listen to the podcast on Spotify & Apple
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0PcOw5lrrZrkFE1psICsqd?si=e7effe3496374408
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/frantic-nerdcast/id1717767605

Welcome to Episode 103 of the Frantic Nerdcast! This week, we are tackling a massive topic:
Anime Adaptations. We break down the hits, the misses, and the reboots that should have stayed in the vault.
In this episode:
The Best Adaptations: We discuss why Alice in Borderland is a masterpiece of game-to-screen storytelling and explore the high-tier action of the Rurouni Kenshin films.
The Controversial Hits: Is the live-action Cowboy Bebop actually better than the anime? We get into a heated debate over Netflix’s recent attempts at classic IPs.
Wishlist Adaptations: From the sports intensity of Blue Lock to the mechanical chaos of Gundam and Robotech, we list the shows we want to see turned into live-action movies.
Pokemon & TCG News: We dive into Pokemon history (is Cubone actually a Charmander?) and discuss the "Pokemon vs. Petrol" price war.
Support the Show:
🛒 Grab a copy of Monsters at War by emailing: franticnerdcast@gmail.com.
🌐 Visit our website for game dev blogs: franticnerdcast.com.
💬 Join the conversation on Discord (link below)!
Follow us on social media!
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553617388296
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/franticnerdcast/
Ajs Insta - https://www.instagram.com/weirdartbyaj/
Brocks Insta - https://www.instagram.com/franticbrock/
Zac's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/franticcaz
Discord - https://discord.gg/ajkTjBPRR2
Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/franticnerdcast
Listen to the podcast on Spotify & Apple
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0PcOw5lrrZrkFE1psICsqd?si=e7effe3496374408
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/frantic-nerdcast/id1717767605

Welcome back to the Frantic Nerdcast! In Episode 102, the boys are back from Bali and diving straight into the biggest news in nerd culture.
We kick things off with the massive announcement of a new Firefly animated series set between the original show and Serenity, plus the news that Wheel of Time is getting the animation treatment. We also break down the staggering success of the Cyberpunk TCG on Kickstarter, which has already cleared $19 million Aussie dollars.In this episode:
TV & Film: Our deep-dive reviews of One Piece Season 2, Invincible Season 4, and Peaky Blinders: Immortal Man.
Gaming: Updates on our very own card-shedding game, Monsters at War, now available for $25! Plus, a look at upcoming projects like Armoured Skies and Chaos Rift. Conventions: We’re officially heading to PAX Australia 2026! We talk tickets, travel, and what we're looking forward to on the show floor.
Anime & TCG: Thoughts on the new Pokémon Perfect Order set and the latest Gundam TCG news.
Support the Show: 🛒 Grab a copy of Monsters at War by emailing: franticnerdcast@gmail.com.
🌐 Visit our website for game dev blogs: franticnerdcast.com
💬 Join the conversation on Discord (link below)!
Follow us on social media!
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553617388296
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/franticnerdcast/
Ajs Insta - https://www.instagram.com/weirdartbyaj/
Brocks Insta - https://www.instagram.com/franticbrock/
Zac's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/franticcaz
Discord - https://discord.gg/ajkTjBPRR2
Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/franticnerdcast
Listen to the podcast on Spotify & Apple
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0PcOw5lrrZrkFE1psICsqd?si=e7effe3496374408
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/frantic-nerdcast/id1717767605

In this episode we chat TV shows that went for a long time, but got better with age, we chat the amazingness that is Dungeon Crawler Carl, Upcoming Kickstarters and much more.
 
Follow us on social media!
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553617388296
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/franticnerdcast/
Ajs Insta - https://www.instagram.com/weirdartbyaj/
Brocks Insta - https://www.instagram.com/franticbrock/
Zac's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/franticcaz
Discord - https://discord.gg/ajkTjBPRR2
Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/franticnerdcast
Listen to the podcast on Spotify & Apple
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0PcOw5lrrZrkFE1psICsqd?si=e7effe3496374408
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/sk/podcast/frantic-nerdcast/id1717767605