Page Chewing

This week on the Page Chewing Weekly Update, I share one of my biggest surprises of the year as The Bonehunters delivers what may be my favorite chapter in the series so far, without diving into spoilers. I also talk about revisiting The Darkness That Comes Before, why rereading continues to reveal new layers, and my thoughts on Lone Wolf and Cub and Carpentry in the Elven Forest.

Beyond the books, I reveal some exciting changes co...

This week on Panel Chewing's Pick of the Week, Steve and Jarrod dive into the latest comics they've been reading and tackle some of the biggest headlines in comic book news.

We discuss Marvel's newly announced Midnight Universe, debate the future of the Ultimate line, question whether the world really needs more Spawn books, and share our thoughts on DC's expanding Next Level initiative.

Then it's time for our weekly stack of comics,...

This week on Page Chewing, I'm talking about the books currently on my nightstand and a question every reader eventually faces: why do we reread books we've already finished?

I share my ongoing rereads of The Bonehunters and The Darkness That Comes Before, discuss why some stories become comfort reads while others are one-and-done experiences, and explore how our relationship with books changes as we grow older. Are rereads a waste ...

The march continues as Page Burners dives into Chapters 5 and 6 of The Bonehunters, and Steven Erikson wastes no time raising new questions while deepening old mysteries.

This week we discuss the ever-enigmatic Adjunct Tavore and what her soldiers do—and don’t—know about her plans. We explore themes of civilization, slavery, and torture, unpack the unsettling philosophy of truth at any cost, and debate whether prog...

In this week's update, I talk about everything that's been occupying my reading life lately—from continuing my journey through The Bonehunters with the Page Burners group to revisiting The Darkness That Comes Before in a full-spoiler reread of The Second Apocalypse. I share some thoughts on balancing multiple projects, the surprising impact of Lone Wolf and Cub, and ideas for future reads outside of fantasy.

I also spend some ...

This week on Panel Chewing Pick of the Week #134, Steve and Jarrod dive into a lighter comic week packed with interesting discussions and unexpected surprises. Before getting into the week's books, they take a look at DC's Absolute Universe and discuss whether the experiment has been a success, which titles have stood out, and why Absolute Superman continues to exceed expectations.

The comics discussion includes thoughts on Astral Q...

After a long break, the weekly update returns.

This week I talk about getting back into a regular reading and podcasting routine, catching up on projects, and what’s currently on my reading list. We discuss finishing Night of Knives and continuing the Malazan journey with The Bonehunters, revisiting The Darkness That Comes Before for a full-spoiler reread series, and reading Lone Wolf and Cub alongside Jarrod on Panel Chewing.

...

In this episode of Page Burners, the crew continues their journey through The Bonehunters by Steven Erikson, covering Chapters 3 and 4. The discussion explores one of the biggest questions surrounding the Malazan series: what exactly makes its storytelling feel so different from other fantasy epics? The panel dives into the series’ sprawling structure, massive cast, thematic throughlines, and whether Malazan even has a true &...

This week on Panel Chewing Pick of the Week, Steve and Jarrod dive into another packed week of comics, graphic novels, and manga. They discuss the disappointing return of Capes #7, the intriguing mystery behind The Fury of Firestorm #2, and whether Honor and Curse Eternal #3 continues to build momentum. Jarrod shares his thoughts on Megalith: The Olympus Saga #1 and revisits Ender's Game through its graphic novel adaptation, while ...

After a short break, Panel Chewing is back—and we’ve got a stacked episode to make up for lost time. This week, we’re diving into a massive haul of comics, breaking down everything we’ve been reading lately, from standout hits to a few disappointing misses.

We kick things off with Absolute Superman #19, discussing its balance of spectacle and character development, before moving into the surreal and visually ...

In this episode, we dive into the opening chapters of The Bonehunters, the sixth installment in Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson. Covering the prologue through Chapter 2, we unpack a dense and chaotic start that reminds us just how wild this series can get.

From the eerie, spider-infested streets of Kartool to the unsettling rituals of the Nameless Ones, the episode explores the darker tone and shifting stakes that defin...

In this episode of Page Burners, we wrap up our discussion of Night of Knives by Ian C. Esslemont, covering Chapters 4, 5, and the epilogue—and there’s a lot to unpack.

From the mysterious Stormriders to the shadowy aftermath of Kellenved and Dancer’s ascension, we dive into what wasn’t shown just as much as what was. Does the book’s decision to keep major events off-page strengthen its mythic tone, or ...

This week on Page Burners, the group continues their journey through Night of Knives with a deep dive into Chapters 3–5. The discussion explores the book’s slower, more atmospheric middle section, the confusion and chaos of Malaz Island during Shadow Moon, and the increasingly tangled loyalties surrounding Dancer, Kellanved, Surly, and the Claw.

The crew debates whether Chapter 3 drags or intentionally leans into disorie...

This week on Panel Chewing, Steve and Jarrod dive into another round of weekly comic reads—with a candid conversation to kick things off about something most podcasts don’t always say out loud: we pay for every book we review.

No review copies, no publisher influence—just honest takes from readers spending their own money each week. That reality shapes what we stick with, what we drop, and why our pull list leans h...

We’re back in the world of Malazan—this time stepping into new territory with Night of Knives by Ian C. Esslemont.

In this episode, the crew begins their first-ever discussion of Esslemont’s work, breaking down the prologue and first two chapters of this gothic, atmospheric entry into the Malazan universe. While we planned to go further, there’s already plenty to unpack—from eerie tone-setting to early ...

This week on Panel Chewing: Pick of the Week, we’re back with another stacked lineup of comics—from indie standouts to big publisher swings—as we break down everything we read this week and crown our top pick.

We kick things off with a preview of our upcoming group read, diving into the legendary Lone Wolf and Cub—a classic manga rooted in Edo-period Japan, blending historical drama, political intrigue, and b...

In this episode, we dive into The Healthy Dead, the second Bauchelain and Korbal Broach novella in the Malazan universe — and one of the most sharply satirical entries in the series.

What starts as a darkly comedic side story quickly reveals itself as something more pointed: a critique of extremism disguised as virtue.

We break down the novella’s central ideas, including:

•  The satire of “health fascism&rdquo...

It’s a rollercoaster week on Panel Chewing: Pick of the Week—and not always in a good way.

Steve and Jarrod break down a mixed bag of comics, featuring everything from disappointing reads (yes… multiple trombones 👀) to standout surprises that kept the stack from falling apart completely. From the eerie return of Ice Cream Man to the wild swings of Absolute Batman and Dead Teenagers, this week proves not every pul...

We’ve finished Midnight Tides—and now it’s time to zoom out.

In this full series-spoiler discussion, the crew breaks down how this turning-point book reshapes the Malazan story, especially when it comes to the Crippled God. Is he still the big bad… or something else entirely?

We also dig into reread insights, how we each discovered Malazan, and which storylines we’re most excited to follow as the series...