Undertowers Podcast

Episode 9: an interview with Scott Christian Sava

In this episode we interview Scott Christian Sava and delve into his history with art, design, and scifi/fantasy works, especially in comics. We talk about his affinity for Spider-man and Conan the Barbarian especially and his years spent seeking work at the early Comicons. We cover his work animating video games for the Sega Genesis and Atari arcade machines and later work in the Casper films. He would later go on to direct Animal Crackers and create the animated graphic novel series The Dreamland Chronicles. We talk about his current artwork and development and the Hobbit hole he works in currently. We talk about his desire to see more hope and heroism in current works of fiction. 
 
A big thank you to our sponsor, Black Sword Coffee Company. Black Sword Coffee Company’s views are their own and do not reflect the views, standards, or platform of the Undertowers Podcast. We just want their money. 
 
The music you heard was Greener Pastures by Hole Dweller from the album Crossroads.

Episode 8: World Building and 5 items for a Hobbit adventure

World building is a foundational aspect of fantasy and science fiction and in truth, all fiction. We discuss our preferences in the world, especially examining Tolkien in Lord of the Rings and the Silmarillion, Gene Wolfe in the Book of the New Sun and Wizard Knight, Robert E Howard’s Conan series set in the Hyborian Age, Glen Cook’s The Black Company, Red Rising by Pierce Brown, John Gwynne’s Faithful and the Fallen, and JB Jackon’s Shagduk. We talk about how world building is key even in non-fantastical settings but is paramount in worlds real or imagined. 
 
Then we select five items, three that we remembered to grab, and two that Gandalf brings that we forgot before embarking on the adventure to the Lonely Mountain. 
 
The episode starts with Takes from Dragonstone Island and a first installment of thoughts about House of the Dragon and Fire & Blood. Are dragons nukes?
 
The song you heard on was Greener Pastures by Hole Dweller from his great Crossroads EP.

Episode 7: Pages vs Pacing & Sword & Sorcery Draft-a-Fellowship

Can books be too short or long? Or is pacing more important than pages? In this episode we discuss the importance and our preference for story length and focus. Is there a right answer? Listen to find out. 
 
Then, we draft a Lord of the Rings-style Fellowship, using a maximum of two characters from the Sword & Sorcery–Heroic Fantasy series that we are currently completing consisting of: Conan, Elric, Fafhrd & Gray Mouser, Broken Sword, Drenai Saga, Witcher, Wizard Knights, and the Faithful & the Fallen. We are selecting a party using a modified template from the Brothers Gwynne selecting a Ringbearer, Champion, Swordsman, Axeman, Mage, Counselor, Archer, Animal Companion, and Wild Card. We will post our selections on Instagram and X/Twitter where you can let us know which Fellowship was likeliest to succeed and also share your Fellowship with us. We’d love to hear from you. 
 
The song you heard was Greener Pastures by Hole Dweller from his album Crossroads. Check out Hole Dweller at his Bandcamp here. 
 
We are currently reading Shagduk by JB Jackson in anticipation of his upcoming sequel Urusula of Ulm releasing in the near future.

Episode 6: Tropes We Love & Hate

Fantasy and Sci-fi for the most part are a series of interlinking tropes and overtures that combine and interplay to make an unique whole. In this episode we discuss those tropes that move us and exicte us each time they present themselves. We also dive into those that have us rolling our eyes when they appear. 
 
Thanks again to our wonderful sponsor Damsel Distressing. 
 
The music you heard was Crossroads by Hole Dweller which can be found here. 
Connect with us at undertowerpodcast@gmail.com, @undertowerspod on X/twitter, and @undertowerspodcast on Instagram.

Episode 5: Robert E Howard & Gene Wolfe

What is there to say about Robert E Howard and Gene Wolfe? Well, in fact, quite a lot. In this episode we discuss the legendary Robert E Howard focusing on Conan, his most iconic creation and one of the pinnacles of fiction. Who is Conan and what does he represent? 
 
Then we discuss our feelings on Gene Wolfe through the lens of Book of the New Sun and Wizard Knight especially. We talk about his uniqueness as a writer and attempt to delve spoiler-free into these two incredible works and the impressions they’ve left on us. 
 
Finally we ask the hard, the impossible questions, who would win in a fight, Conan or Sir Able? 
 
We are also pleased to announce our first sponsor! Listen for more details!
You can access our theme song Greener Pastures by Hole Dweller at his bandcamp here. Hole Dweller can also be listened to on all major streaming services.

Episode 4: Manga, Anime, and our Book Club Itinerary

In this episode we discuss our histories with anime and our recent foray into reading manga. We talk about our impressions and general love form the form and go into a bit of detail on Berserk and Fullmetal Alchemist which we’ve read as a group and Hunter x Hunter which we are reading now. 
 
We also invite everyone to hop along for our book club which looks like this over the next two months:

Episode 3: Talking 'The Hunt for Gollum,' Adaptations, and the Forbes Best 30 Book Series List

Episode 3: Talking 'The Hunt for Gollum,' Adaptations, and the Forbes Best 30 Book Series List
In this episode, we discuss the recently announced *The Hunt for Gollum*, sorting through both trepidation and excitement at the announcement. This leads to a broader discussion of film adaptations and the state of big media in general. We finish with a rundown of Forbes' wild list of the 30 best book series of all time.
News!
JB Jackson has launched a Kickstarter for Ursula of Ulm, the sequel to his debut novel *Shagduk*. Both books center around a librarian getting wrapped up in occult activities in 1977's Fort Worth, Texas. You can find the Kickstarter for Ursula of Ulm here and purchase Shagduk here Shagduk is also available on Amazon, but it's always best to support publishers and authors directly.
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Undertowers Podcast Episode 2

Talking Genre and Fantasy, Plus Our Top 10 Video Games
In this episode, we discuss the concept of genre, exploring where it's helpful and where it's just marketing. Is fantasy a setting or a genre? How should books be categorized in a bookshop? Does it even matter all that much? We delve into when genre is useful and when it becomes a crutch. 
Afterward, we share our personal top 10 video games.