Trade School cover art

Trade School

Trade School

By: Case Aiken
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About this listen

Do you have a comic book you just can't stop thinking about? One that stuck with you—years later? On Trade School, guests get the mic to tell us about a graphic novel that changed the way they see the world—or just made them fall in love with comics all over again. In just 5 to 15 minutes, you'll hear stories about the stories we love most. Trade School2025 Art Literary History & Criticism
Episodes
  • Avengers Under Siege with Case Aiken
    Jan 28 2026

    We're back with another episode of Trade School! This time, we're talking about Avengers Under Siege! Our host this week is Case Aiken!

    Support us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/CertainPOVMedia

    Edited by Case Aiken

    Scored by Bret Eagleston

    Certain Point Of View is a podcast network brining you all sorts of nerdy goodness! From Star Wars role playing, to Disney day dreaming, to video game love, we've got the show for you! Learn more on our website: https://www.certainpov.com

    Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/wcHHer4

    FOLLOW US: ▶ Instagram: @certainpovmedia

    Outline

    Introduction to Trade School & Host (00:00 - 00:30)

    • Case Aiken welcomes listeners to the Certain Point of View's Trade School podcast.

    • Announces discussion of the comic trade paperback Avengers: Under Siege.

    • Overview of Avengers: Under Siege Story and Characters (00:30 - 02:25)

    • Trade collects Avengers issues #270-271 and #273-277 from the 1980s.

    • Focuses on the Masters of Evil's renewed threat to the Avengers.

    Masters of Evil & Villain Roster Expansion (02:25 - 03:50)

    • Led by Helmut Zemo, son of Heinrich Zemo, aiming to outsmart the Avengers.

    • Villains recruited: Moonstone, Blackout, Wrecking Crew, and others.

    Conflict Dynamics & Key Battles (03:50 - 05:30)

    • Sub-Mariner temporarily absent due to Atlantis issues.

    • Showcases especially powerful Goliath's fight and Hercules' near death experience.

    Wasp's Leadership & Team Counterattack (05:30 - 07:10)

    • Wasp gathers remaining Avengers for a counteroffensive.

    • Scene depicting Captain America's grief over Zemo destroying his late mother's photo.

    Significance & Influence on Marvel Lore (07:10 - 08:30)

    • Story sets a turning point for the Masters of Evil.

    • Direct precursor to the Thunderbolts series; many villains reinvented as Thunderbolts.

    Availability & Format Considerations (08:30 - 08:38)

    • Available on Marvel Unlimited platform.

    • Trade paperback includes an insightful foreword detailing villain choices and cameos.

    Character Highlights & Narrative Style (08:38 - 11:50)

    • Moonstone praised as a standout villain—manipulative and complex.

    • Emphasis on the Avengers being outpowered and outnumbered despite strong roster.

    Personal and Storytelling Commentary (11:50 - 13:45)

    • Appreciates fight sequences, especially Hercules's.

    • Acknowledge story aging but still fun and important.

    Host's Engagement & Call for Listener Interaction (13:45 - 15:40)

    • Encourages subscribing, reviews, and listener submissions for the series.

    • Promotes Certain Point of View's Patreon and Discord server for community interaction.

    Upcoming Shows & Abschluss (15:40 - 16:20)

    • Mentions potential new show about Superman called Men of Steel.

    • Sign-off invitation for continued engagement.

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    16 mins
  • House of X / Powers of X with Derek Van Dyke
    Jan 21 2026

    We're back with another episode of Trade School! This time, we're talking about House of X / Powers of X! Our host is Derek Van Dyke from the Castle Bravo podcast!

    Support us on Patreon! patreon.com/CertainPOVMedia

    Edited by Case Aiken

    Scored by Bret Eagleston

    Certain Point Of View is a podcast network brining you all sorts of nerdy goodness! From Star Wars role playing, to Disney day dreaming, to video game love, we've got the show for you! Learn more on our website: https://www.certainpov.com

    Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/wcHHer4

    Outline

    Introduction to Certain Point of View's Trade School and host Derek Van Dyke (00:00 - 00:30)
    • Derek's credentials: editor, co-host of Godzilla series 'Castle,' and frequent collaborator with the network.
    Background on writer Jonathan Hickman and his impact on Marvel Comics (00:30 - 01:09)
    • Highlighted Hickman's notable runs on Fantastic Four (2010-2012) and Avengers up to 2016's Secret Wars.
    • Compared Hickman to Brian Michael Bendis, emphasizing Hickman's bold and intricate storytelling style.
    Introduction to the 'House of X' and 'Powers of X' miniseries launching the Krakoan Age (01:09 - 02:18)
    • Launched late 2019, rewriting the decades-long X-Men status quo.
    • Described as a timeline-dividing moment: before and after Krakoan Age.
    Detailed synopsis of 'House of X' (02:18 - 03:00)
    • Story of Professor X forming a mutant sovereign nation on Krakoa.
    • Mutants unite as a nation with peace through trade, death dealt with differently.
    • Synopsis of 'Powers of X' (03:00 - 04:25)
    • Complex narrative structured around four timeline points spanning from a universal origin to distant future epochs.
    • Explores recurring extinction events of mutantkind by machine singularity, including alliances with alien Phalanx.
    Combined impact of both series (04:25 - 05:08)
    • Presents a paradoxical scenario of mutants having a utopia but also looming existential threats.
    • The story provides hope along with paranoia, changing the X-Men narrative from ongoing struggle to a new phase.
    Recommendation and closing thoughts (05:08 - 06:08)
    • Encourages listeners to read the trade paperback for full story clarity and emotional payoff.
    • Cautions against reading the out-of-order version on Marvel Unlimited.
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    6 mins
  • Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth with Jim Fetters
    Jan 14 2026

    We're back with another episode of Trade School! This time, we're talking about Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth! Our host is Jim Fetters from the Long Live the Legion podcast!

    Find him at https://www.certainpov.com/long-live-the-legion

    Support us on Patreon! patreon.com/CertainPOVMedia

    Edited by Case Aiken

    Scored by Bret Eagleston

    Certain Point Of View is a podcast network brining you all sorts of nerdy goodness! From Star Wars role playing, to Disney day dreaming, to video game love, we've got the show for you! Learn more on our website: https://www.certainpov.com

    Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/wcHHer4

    FOLLOW US:

    ▶ Instagram: @certainpovmedia

    ▶ Website: https://www.certainpov.com

    Outline ️

    Introduction to Certain Point of View's Trade School & Speaker Introduction (00:00 - 00:00)

    Jim Fetters introduces himself and the series, explaining the focus on discussing favorite comic book trade paperbacks. Background Story and Personal Connection to Arkham Asylum (00:00 - 01:23)

    Jim shares his first encounter with Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth during college post-Batman '89 movie craze. Explaining how he invested limited funds into purchasing this landmark book and how it changed his perception of comics. Plot Overview of Arkham Asylum (01:23 - 02:39)

    Explanation of the storyline where Batman must escape Arkham Asylum within an hour after inmates take over on April Fool's Day. Including the rogues' gallery of Batman villains like Joker, Two-Face, Black Mask, and others. Parallel origin story of Amadeus Arkham is introduced. Artistic and Symbolic Depth of the Book (02:39 - 05:32)

    Description of Dave McKean's intricate art combining hand-drawn elements, paint, and photography. Alongside Grant Morrison's deep writing filled with symbolism, including paganism, tarot, Hebrew and Greek elements, occult references, and the significance of salt circles as binding spells. Influence of Historical Figures and Psychological Themes (05:32 - 06:57)

    Appearance of characters such as Aleister Crowley and Carl Jung, emphasizing the book's psychological and occult layers. Highlights Gaspar Saladino's unique lettering for each character, enhancing the storytelling. Importance of Reading and Editions (06:57 - 08:15)

    Recommendation to read the annotated edition for better comprehension of the myriad symbols and complex meanings embedded in the text and artwork. Cultural Impact and Legacy (08:15 - 09:49)

    How the book influenced modern Batman writers and the narrative foundation it provided for the Rocksteady Arkham Asylum video game. Jim stresses its importance both for comic book and video game fans. Closing Remarks and Contact Info (09:49 - 11:23)

    Jim invites listeners to reach out via Blue Sky or Discord to discuss the book and plugs the Long Live the Legion podcast as well.

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    11 mins
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