The Blasters and Blades Podcast

The Blasters & Blades PodcastAnother World, Another Time: Revisiting The Dark CrystalLong before CGI dominated the big screen, Jim Henson and Frank Oz dared to dream up an entire high-fantasy world brought to life exclusively through revolutionary puppetry, animatronics, and sheer artistic ambition. In this retro movie review episode, we’re hopping into the way-back machine to heal the Crystal of Truth and revisit the 1982 cult classic, The Dark Crystal. Join us as we break down the terrifying horror of the Skeksis, the quiet grace of the Mystics, Brian Froud’s legendary visual design, and why this dark, unapologetically eerie fantasy traumatized—and enchanted—an entire generation of kids.Co-Hosts:JR HandleyJana S BrownWe work for free, so if you wanna throw a few pennies our way there is a linked Buy Me A Coffee site where you can do so. Just mention the podcast in the comments when you donate, and I'll keep the sacred bean water boiling!Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AuthorJRHandleyOur LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/blastersandbladespodcastToday's SponsorOpal Kingdom Press: https://opalkingdompress.com/Check out the Movie!Movie Link: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Crystal-Limited-Steelbook-Blu-ray/dp/B0FJMRV72P/Movie Trailer Link: https://youtu.be/eaH6cOR8NKc?si=pv0dteBLCTtm1oJ3Follow Aaron of Big-Water Outdoors on social mediaMr Bigs Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587334632868Mr Bigs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigwater_outdoorsMr Bigs YouTube: https://youtube.com/@bigwater_outdoorsMr Bigs TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bigwaheh76cFollow Bill McUisdean on social mediaBill’s Website: https://zorne.substack.com/ Bill’s Substack: https://substack.com/@wylder396 Bill’s Twitter: https://x.com/Wylder396 Follow Jarret Keene on social mediaJarret’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jarret-Keene/author/B001JOTUPW Jarret’s Website: https://www.jarretkeene.net/ Jarret’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJarretKeene/ Follow Melanie Deer on social mediaMelanie’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Melanie-Deer/author/B0FCRHZ148Melanie’s Website: https://melaniedeer.wordpress.com/Melanie’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelanieDeerOfficialMelanie’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/melaniecdeer#scifishenanigans #scifishenaniganspodcast #bbp #blastersandblades #blastersandbladespodcast #podcast #scifipodcast #fantasypodcast #scifi #fantasy #books #rpg #fandom #literature #comedy #veteran #army #armyranger #ranger #scififan #redshirts #scifiworld #sciencefiction #scifidaily #scificoncept #podcastersofinstagram #scificons #podcastlife #podcastsofinstagram #scifibooks #awardwinningscifi #newepisode #podcastersofinstagram #podcastaddict #podcast #scifigeek #scifibook #sfv #scifivisionaries #panel #fireside #religionquestion #coffee #tea #coffeeortea #JRHandley #NickGarber #MadamStabby #MovieReview #Review #RetroMovieReview #OpalKingdomPress #JenaRey #JanaSBrown #TheDarkCrystal #JimHenson #FrankOz #AaronBigWaterOutdoors #BillMcUisdean #JarretKeene #MelanieDeer #DarkCrystal #FilmReview #DarkFantasy #FantasyFilm #80sMovies #CultClassic #PuppetMovie #Henson #CrystalOfTruth #MoviePodcast #FilmPodcast #PodcastRecommendation #NowPlaying #WhatImWatching #MoviePodcast #FilmReview #FantasyFilm #StephenGarlick #JerryNelson #KathrynMullen #LisaMaxwell #BillieWhitelaw #BarryDennen #DaveGoelz #PercyEdwards #MichaelKilgarriff #SteveWhitmire #LouiseGold #Gourmand #ThickWilson #BrianMuehl #Ornamentalist #urZah #SeánBarrett #BobPayne #JohnBaddeley #MikeQuinn #DavidBuck #TimRose #CharlesCollingwood #JeanPierreAmiel #HughSpight #RobbyBarnettCopyright @ Universal Pictures Associated Film Distribution & United International Pictures LLC 1983. Any illegal reproduction of this content will result in immediate legal action by the rights holder. The clips used in this movie review were utilized under the Fair Use Doctrine and are transformative in nature.

The Blasters & Blades PodcastWhat happens when your everyday life collides with unpredictable, highly inconvenient magic? In this episode, we sit down with acclaimed fantasy author Melissa McShane to talk about her delightful novel, Warts and All. Packed with witty banter, relatable struggles, and a fresh twist on contemporary fantasy, McShane’s story takes readers on a wild ride where solving magical problems is rarely clean—and usually hilarious. We’ll discuss her inspiration for the book, how she blends cozy slice-of-life humor with high-stakes supernatural mischief, and her secrets to crafting characters you can't help but root for “warts and all.” This was a fun interview, so go check out this episode. Co-Hosts: JR Handley (Author) (Grunt)Nick Garber (Comic Book Artist) (Super Grunt)Madam Stabby Stab (Uber Fan) (Horror Nerd)Jana S Brown (Author) (Chief Shenanigator)We work for free, so if you wanna throw a few pennies our way there is a linked Buy Me A Coffee site where you can do so. Just mention the podcast in the comments when you donate, and I'll keep the sacred bean water boiling!Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AuthorJRHandley Our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/blastersandbladespodcast Today's SponsorThe Warts and All Collection by Melissa McShane: https://books2read.com/u/bzBQlD The Warts and All Coloring Book by Melissa McShane: https://bookhip.com/HAQMALR Follow Melissa McShane on social mediaMelissa’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Melissa-McShane/author/B00TON8E1Q Melissa’s Website: www.melissamcshanewrites.com Melissa’s Twitter: www.twitter.com/melissamcshanewrites Melissa’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/melissamcshanewrites Melissa’s Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mcshaneminions Melissa’s Discord: https://discord.gg/wKXUe89Kh7 Melissa's Store: http://www.nightharborpress.com/ Follow Jana S Brown on social mediaJana’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jana-S.-Brown/author/B015VJV7JW Jana’s Website: www.opalkingdompress.com Jana’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/janastocks Jana’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/janasbrownwrites Jana’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janasbrownwrites/ Jana’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/opalkingdompress Follow Jena Rey on social mediaJena’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jena-Rey/author/B08XSCHXYX Jena’s Website: www.opalkingdompress.com Jena’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/jenarey Caitlin Walsh, Artist: http://www.deviantart.com/caitlinwonder-girl Episode 719: Reimagining Fairy Tales in Speculative FictionYouTube Link: https://youtu.be/3mS84Wl9qg8 Rumble Link: https://rumble.com/v77wmei-episode-719-reimagining-fairy-tales-in-speculative-fiction.html BitChute Link: https://www.bitchute.com/video/n3XH67vcgp6s Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4D7oFUhdosej87IzpSVnwI?si=nB1FVWGVQ7SuwC6zk_95qw #scifishenanigans #scifishenaniganspodcast #bbp #blastersandblades #blastersandbladespodcast #podcast #scifipodcast #fantasypodcast #scifi #fantasy #books #rpg #comics #fandom #literature #comedy #veteran #army #armyranger #ranger #scififan #redshirts #scifiworld #sciencefiction #scifidaily #scificoncept #podcastersofinstagram #scificons #podcastlife #podcastsofinstagram #scifibooks #awardwinningscifi #newepisode #podcastersofinstagram #podcastaddict #podcast #scifigeek #scifibook #sfv #scifivisionaries #firesidechat #chat #panel #fireside #religionquestion #coffee #tea #coffeeortea #CoffeeBrandCoffee #JRHandley #NickGarber #MadamStabby #JenaRey #JanaSBrown #OpalKingdomPress #MelissaMcShane #Warmaster #WarHamster #WarMistress #BrothersGrimm #HansChristianAnderson #Thumbelina #fairytale #TheBremenTownMusicians #WartsAndAll #MelissaMcShane #UrbanFantasy #CozyFantasy #FantasyBooks #MagicalMischief #ContemporaryFantasy #HumorousFantasy #RomantasyVibes #SpeculativeFiction #AuthorInterview #WritingCommunity #FantasyAuthor #CharacterDesign #BookTok #Bookstagram #FantasyReads #MustReadFantasy

The Blasters & Blades PodcastClash of Elements: Inside the Fae Wars: Fire and Ice with Charli CoxWhen opposing forces collide, entire realms hang in the balance. In this episode, we sit down with fantasy author Charli Cox to explore his thrilling book, The Fae Wars: Fire and Ice. Plunging readers into a world of fierce elemental magic, realm-shattering rivalries, and high-stakes intrigue, Cox delivers an action-packed addition to The Fae Wars universe. We discuss the inspiration behind his elemental magic systems, his process for pacing explosive battle sequences, and how he balances sweeping fantasy politics with deeply personal character arcs. This was a fun interview, so go check out this episode. Join us for a fun show! We're just a couple of nerdy Army veterans geeking out on things that go "abracadabra," "pew," "zoom," "boop-beep" and rhyme with Science Fiction & Fantasy. Co-Hosts: JR Handley (Author) (Grunt)Nick Garber (Comic Book Artist) (Super Grunt)Madam Stabby Stab (Uber Fan) (Horror Nerd)Jana S Brown (Author) (Chief Shenanigator)We work for free, so if you wanna throw a few pennies our way there is a linked Buy Me A Coffee site where you can do so. Just mention the podcast in the comments when you donate, and I'll keep the sacred bean water boiling!Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AuthorJRHandley Our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/blastersandbladespodcast Today's SponsorWARP Marines by CJ Carella: https://a.co/d/0gGMGlfW Fae Wars: Fire and Ice by Charli Cox: https://a.co/d/04ogsPGI Follow Charli Cox on social mediaCharli’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Charli-Cox/author/B0C8BX33XL Charli’s Website: https://www.charlicox.net/ Charli’s Substack: substack.com/@charlicox1121Charli’s Twitter: https://x.com/sharlyn1121 Charli’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CharliCoxAuthor/ Charli’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlicox1121/ Charli’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@charlicoxwrites Charli’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charlicox1121?lang=en Charli’s Merch Store: https://charlicoxwrites.creator-spring.com/ Charli’s Dot Page: https://dot.cards/charlicox #scifishenanigans #scifishenaniganspodcast #bbp #blastersandblades #blastersandbladespodcast #podcast #scifipodcast #fantasypodcast #scifi #fantasy #books #rpg #comics #fandom #literature #comedy #veteran #army #armyranger #ranger #scififan #redshirts #scifiworld #sciencefiction #scifidaily #scificoncept #podcastersofinstagram #scificons #podcastlife #podcastsofinstagram #scifibooks #awardwinningscifi #newepisode #podcastersofinstagram #podcastaddict #podcast #scifigeek #scifibook #sfv #scifivisionaries #firesidechat #chat #panel #fireside #religionquestion #coffee #tea #coffeeortea #CoffeeBrandCoffee #JRHandley #NickGarber #MadamStabby #JenaRey #JanaSBrown #OpalKingdomPress #FaeWarsFireAndIce #CharliCox #FaeWars #TheFaeWars #FireAndIce #FaeWarsFireAndIce #CannonPublishing #TheLordOfTheRings #LotR #JRRTolkien #Warhammer40K #orc #elf #elves #Apocalypto #DantesInferno #RickRiordan #NeilGaiman #AmericanGods #Stargate #StargateSG1 #StargateAtlantis #StargateSGU #StargateUniverse #ElementalMagic #FaeFantasy #EpicFantasy #HighFantasy #FantasyReads #ActionFantasy #AuthorInterview #FantasyAuthor #WritingCommunity #Worldbuilding #BookTok #Bookstagram #FantasyBookTok #MustReadFantasy #BookRecommendation

The Blasters & Blades PodcastIn this episode, we sit down with military sci-fi author and Air Force veteran Tyler Burnworth to talk about his pulse-pounding new novel, Portal Raiders. What starts as a gritty counterinsurgency operation on Mars rapidly spirals into a secret, galaxy-spanning struggle for survival when a team of elite Marine Raiders uncovers an extraterrestrial conspiracy. For fans of military grit mixed with stargate exploration, Tyler pulls back the curtain on how he crafts elite expeditionary combat units, translates his real-world military background into tactical space warfare, and builds an unforgiving universe where the greatest threat might be wearing the face of an ally. This was a fun interview, so go check out this episode. Join us for a fun show! We're just a couple of nerdy Army veterans geeking out on things that go "abracadabra," "pew," "zoom," "boop-beep" and rhyme with Science Fiction & Fantasy. Co-Hosts: JR Handley (Author) (Grunt)Nick Garber (Comic Book Artist) (Super Grunt)Madam Stabby Stab (Uber Fan) (Horror Nerd)Jana S Brown (Author) (Chief Shenanigator)We work for free, so if you wanna throw a few pennies our way there is a linked Buy Me A Coffee site where you can do so. Just mention the podcast in the comments when you donate, and I'll keep the sacred bean water boiling!Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AuthorJRHandley Our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/blastersandbladespodcast Today's SponsorThe Reservist by JR Handley: https://a.co/d/00K0HRDa Portal Raiders by Tyler Burnworth: https://a.co/d/0i9MUqz4 Follow Tyler Burnworth on social mediaTyler’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B09MV7XHDQ Tyler’s Website: https://www.templedarkbooks.com/tyler-e-c-burnworth Tyler’s Website: https://lost-legacy.com/ Tyler’s Twitter: https://x.com/tylerwriting Tyler’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyler.burnworth.39/ Tyler’s Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TylerWriting/ Tyler’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler_burnworth_ Tyler’s Publisher: https://variantpublications.com/ Tyler’s Newsletter: http://lost-legacy.com/ Free Portal Raiders Short Story: https://x.com/tylerwriting/status/2069601583265202248?s=20 Warfish by Terry Mixon: https://legacy.drivethrurpg.com/product/419725/Blaster-Bolts-Science-Fiction-Anthology #scifishenanigans #scifishenaniganspodcast #bbp #blastersandblades #blastersandbladespodcast #podcast #scifipodcast #fantasypodcast #scifi #fantasy #books #rpg #comics #fandom #literature #comedy #veteran #army #armyranger #ranger #scififan #redshirts #scifiworld #sciencefiction #scifidaily #scificoncept #podcastersofinstagram #scificons #podcastlife #podcastsofinstagram #scifibooks #awardwinningscifi #newepisode #podcastersofinstagram #podcastaddict #podcast #scifigeek #scifibook #sfv #scifivisionaries #firesidechat #chat #panel #fireside #religionquestion #coffee #tea #coffeeortea #CoffeeBrandCoffee #JRHandley #NickGarber #MadamStabby #JenaRey #JanaSBrown #OpalKingdomPress #PortalRaiders #TylerBurnworth #JNChaney #starwars #jedi #georgelucas #lucasfilms #startrek #trekkie #firefly #serenity #browncoat #wheeloftime #wot #robertjordan #brandonsanderson #gameofthrones #got #grrm #georgerrmartin #ChroniclesofNarnia #CSLewis #VariantPublications #USAF #USAFR #FalloutNewVegas #postapocalypse #Chronosaurus #Kronosaurus #Stargate #StargateSG1 #StargateAtlantis #StargateUniverse #JNChaney #PortalRaiders #TylerBurnworth #StargateVibes #FirstContact #AlienConspiracy #MilitarySciFi #MilSciFi #SpaceOpera #SciFiAction #GalaxysEdge #SciFiBooks #VeteranAuthor #VeteeranWriter #WritingCommunity #AuthorInterview #SciFiWorldbuilding #BookTok #Bookstagram #SciFiReads #MustReadSciFi #KindleUnlimited

The Blasters & Blades PodcastPiecing Together a Cosmos: Inside Jordan Campbell’s Guardians of Glory UniverseSometimes, the most vast and captivating speculative fiction universes don’t begin with a thousand-page doorstopper novel… they’re born in the compact, high-stakes arena of short fiction. In this episode, we sit down with author Jordan Campbell to explore his expanding Guardians of Glory universe. Scattered across a series of gripping short stories, this intricate world blends rich lore, high-stakes conflict, and deep character development. We're diving into Jordan’s unique approach to mosaic worldbuilding, how he drops readers headfirst into an established mythos without overwhelming them, and whether these short stories are laying the groundwork for a massive, full-length epic. This was a fun interview, so go check out this episode. Join us for a fun show! We're just a couple of nerdy Army veterans geeking out on things that go "abracadabra," "pew," "zoom," "boop-beep" and rhyme with Science Fiction & Fantasy. Co-Hosts: JR Handley (Author) (Grunt)Nick Garber (Comic Book Artist) (Super Grunt)Madam Stabby Stab (Uber Fan) (Horror Nerd)Jana S Brown (Author) (Chief Shenanigator)We work for free, so if you wanna throw a few pennies our way there is a linked Buy Me A Coffee site where you can do so. Just mention the podcast in the comments when you donate, and I'll keep the sacred bean water boiling!Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AuthorJRHandley Our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/blastersandbladespodcast Today's SponsorA Bayonet Books Anthology Series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZQN7FL7 Follow Jordon Campbell on social mediaJordon’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jordan-Campbell/author/B0CNZXNJY9 Jordon’s Website: https://jordancampbell2.substack.com Jordon’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61592472673581 Flames of Salvation Anthology: https://a.co/d/09uXEq3K Chaos Theory: Biological Bedlam Anthology: https://a.co/d/08Or5xXH Episode 224: John McNichol, Steam Punk Baron!: https://youtu.be/aU7mHAY5v48?si=6EIK5PIy07EJ02p9 #scifishenanigans #scifishenaniganspodcast #bbp #blastersandblades #blastersandbladespodcast #podcast #scifipodcast #fantasypodcast #scifi #fantasy #books #rpg #comics #fandom #literature #comedy #veteran #army #armyranger #ranger #scififan #redshirts #scifiworld #sciencefiction #scifidaily #scificoncept #podcastersofinstagram #scificons #podcastlife #podcastsofinstagram #scifibooks #awardwinningscifi #newepisode #podcastersofinstagram #podcastaddict #podcast #scifigeek #scifibook #sfv #scifivisionaries #firesidechat #chat #panel #fireside #religionquestion #coffee #tea #coffeeortea #CoffeeBrandCoffee #JRHandley #NickGarber #MadamStabby #JenaRey #JanaSBrown #OpalKingdomPress #JordonCampbell #starwars #jedi #georgelucas #lucasfilms #startrek #trekkie #firefly #serenity #browncoat #wheeloftime #wot #robertjordan #brandonsanderson #gameofthrones #got #grrm #georgerrmartin #ChroniclesofNarnia #CSLewis #Behemoth #Leviathan #giganotosaurus #IceAge #MesozoicEra #DireWolf #Milk #cocoa #HotChocolate #Smilodon #Paraceratherium #GiantHornlessRhino #BigFoot #Sasquatch #MothMan #Chupacabra #Cryptids #TheLochNessMonster #Nessy #KingSolomon #MonsterHunterInternational #LarryCorreia #KnightsoftheCross #DresdenFiles #JimButcher #JohnMcNichol #Chesterton #GilbertKeithChesterton #GKChesterton