The Ringer-Verse

The X-Men meet 'Star Wars,' and Ben Lindbergh meets Matt James as Button Mash sets the stage for two of late summer's highest-profile video games, 'Marvel's Wolverine' and 'Star Wars Zero Company.' First, Matt describes his visit to Insomniac Games and his spoiler-free impressions of the narrative, combat, and visual design of 'Wolverine.' Then, he shares interviews with Wolverine actor Liam McIntyre and Insomniac art and animation directors Grant Hollis and Brian Wyser, which Matt and Ben discuss. Finally, Ben lays out what to expect from the turn-based tactical combat, 'Star Wars' storytelling, and replayability of 'Zero Company' based on his time with the game.(00:00) Intro(02:47) 'Marvel's Wolverine'(24:43) Liam McIntyre(41:12) Grant Hollis and Brian Wyser(62:43) 'Star Wars Zero Company'Host: Ben LindberghGuests: Matt James, Liam McIntyre, Grant Hollis, and Brian WyserSenior Producer: Steve Ahlman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back to chat about all things 'X-Men ’97'! In the first half of this jumbo-sized episode, they share their thoughts on the 'X-Men ’97' Season 2 finale and the season as a whole before discussing the upcoming D23 expo and what they’re hoping to see revealed this weekend. Finally, the Boys are joined by none other than Rob Liefeld, who’s responsible for so many iconic X-Men characters. Rob shares his inspiration for Cable, his thoughts on Feige and Marvel, and so much more in this epic sit-down. (0:00) Intro (14:00) Spoilers ahead (15:22) 'X-Men ’97' Season 2 finale instant reactions (57:38) Midnight Meter: 'X-Men ’97' Season 2 (59:15) D23 predictions (1:29:04) Interview with Rob Liefeld (2:49:36) Outro Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve AhlmanGuest: Rob LiefeldProducers: Devon Baroldi and Jamie YukichAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back, blond, and excited to give you all of their thoughts on the ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 finale! They wrap up an exceptional summer of ‘House of the Dragon’ by diving into Rhaenyra’s transformation throughout the season, the humor among some of the saddest moments in the show, and how Ulf might just be a fan favorite now. (0:00) Intro (4:30) Spoilers ahead (6:54) ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 finale reactions (1:14:58) Midnight Meter: ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 (1:26:56) Outro Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Devon Baroldi, and Jamie Yukich Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell SUPER TROOPERS 3, only in theaters August 7. Get tickets MEOW! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back with more content from SDCC 2026! Van and Charles sit down with the senior curator of the upcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, Ryan Linkof. They discuss what the definition of “narrative art” is and what Linkof is excited to exhibit at the new museum. Hosts: Van Lathan and Charles Holmes Guest: Ryan Linkof Producers: Jamie Yukich, Aleya Zenieris, and Carlos Chiriboga Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell SUPER TROOPERS 3, only in theaters August 7. Get tickets MEOW! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fresh off their exhilarating cooperative playthrough of 'Big Walk,' Ben, Matt James, and Steve Ahlman hit the highlights of a busy week in gaming. (Is there any other kind?) First, a slightly self-loathing Ben comes clean about his purchase of a PS5 Pro. Then they share their impressions and reviews of 'Big Walk,' a co-op puzzler and potential Game of the Year candidate, as well as the long-awaited return of 2D tag-team Marvel fighting in 'Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls' and Pokémon maker Game Freak's new action-RPG, 'Beast of Reincarnation.' Finally, in honor of the 10th anniversary of 'No Man's Sky,' they share their all-time top five games that made major improvements after release, as well as the five games they wish had gotten glow-ups but never did. Intro (0:00)'Big Walk' (9:00)'Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls' (37:39'Beast of Reincarnation' reactions (57:31)Greatest gaming glow-ups (1:13:51)Outro (1:45:27) Host: Ben LindberghGuests: Matt James and Steve AhlmanProducer: Devon RenaldoAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back with more content from SDCC 2026! Our very own Steve Ahlman sits down with the cast of ‘My Adventures With Superman’ (Ishmel Sahid, Kiana Madeira, Jack Quaid, and Alice Lee) and asks them about the upcoming season. Then Jomi and Steve talk to the showrunners of ‘My Adventures With Superman’ (Jake Wyatt and Brendan Clogher) to hear about what’s next in the 'My Adventures' series! (1:50) Interview with the ‘My Adventures With Superman’ cast (12:25) Interview with the ‘My Adventures With Superman’ showrunners Hosts: Jomi Adeniran and Steve Ahlman Guests: Ishmel Sahid, Kiana Madeira, Jack Quaid, Alice Lee, Jake Wyatt, and Brendan Clogher Producers: Jamie Yukich, Aleya Zenieris, and Carlos Chiriboga Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell SUPER TROOPERS 3, only in theaters August 7. Get tickets MEOW! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back, and they’re giving you some San Diego Comic-Con 2026 exclusive content! They first sit down with ‘The Walking Dead’ and ‘Invincible’ creator, Robert Kirkman. Then they speak to writer Cody Ziglar, who worked on projects like ‘Futurama’, ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’, and on the Miles Morales: Spider-Man comic books. (1:45) Interview with Robert Kirkman (30:36) Interview Cody Ziglar Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes Guests: Robert Kirkman and Cody Ziglar Producers: Jamie Yukich, Aleya Zenieris, and Carlos Chiriboga Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell SUPER TROOPERS 3, only in theaters August 7. Get tickets MEOW! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back, and they’re starting off on a tangent! They eventually give you all of their thoughts on ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 7, diving into the math behind the incest in the show and weighing who, if anyone, is fit to rule Westeros. But first, they give you their thoughts on San Diego Comic-Con 2026! (0:00) Intro (24:48) Spoilers ahead (26:52) ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 7 reactions (1:26:49) Outro Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Devon Baroldi, and Jamie Yukich Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell SUPER TROOPERS 3, only in theaters August 7. Get tickets MEOW! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back, and they’re reuniting with Peter Parker and giving you their thoughts on one of the most anticipated movies of the year: ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day.’ They dive into the main plot points of the film (spoiler warning!), Spider-Man’s transformations, Tom Holland’s performance executing them, and the cameos from other Marvel characters in this film. (0:00) Intro (3:59) Spoilers ahead (6:55) ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ instant reactions (1:44:51) Midnight Meter: ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ (1:49:16) Outro Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Devon Baroldi, and Jamie Yukich Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Yip yip! Ben Lindbergh recruits the Ringer-Verse's Team Avatar (Jomi Adeniran and Daniel Chin) to talk about a busy time for the beloved franchise. First, they discuss the new animated movie 'Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender.' Then, they give their impressions of another new release, 'Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game,' before reacting to the trailer for the forthcoming series 'Avatar: Seven Havens.' After that, Ben brings on Ringer colleagues and fellow parents Lindsay Jones and Katie Baker to talk about 'Toy Story 5,' 'Minions & Monsters,' 'Moana,' and other recent and upcoming kids' movies, along with thoughts on restricting screen time, Pixar sequels, live-action Disney adaptations, and more. (00:00) Intro (04:15) Avatar discussion (63:00) The Summer Kids' Blockbuster Battle Host:Ben Lindbergh Guests: Jomi Adeniran, Daniel Chin, Lindsay Jones, and Katie Baker Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back, and they’re starting off in the Riverlands! They give you all of their thoughts on ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 6, diving into the decisive battle between Tully, Cole, and Stark; Baela and Alyn’s changing relationship; and the mechanics of ancient dragon eggs. (0:00) Intro (10:05) Spoilers ahead (12:01) ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 6 reactions (55:51) Outro Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Devon Baroldi, and Jamie Yukich Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Nintendo: Power up your play with Nintendo Switch 2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back and they are at San Diego Comic-Con 2026! They’re fresh off of the Hall H Marvel panel and here to give you all of the juicy footage drops and announcements! Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Carlos Chiriboga, and Jon Jones Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Master Chief said in 2001 and 2026: "I think we're just getting started." Ben brings on Matt James for a wide-ranging discussion of recent releases. First, inspired by Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey,' they examine why games aren't typically made, marketed, and analyzed through an auteurist lens like other media and whether that could ever change. Then they break down their experiences with two big-name shooters, original 'Halo' remake 'Halo: Campaign Evolved' and 'Splatoon Raiders,' before sharing their impressions of indie games 'Denshattack!,' 'The Incident at Galley House,' 'Zero Parades: For Dead Spies,' 'Esoteric Ebb,' and 'Tears of Metal,' as well as Netflix's new interactive experiment, 'Unhinged.' Finally, Steve Ahlman joins to describe his experience with Valve's Steam Machine so far.Intro (0:00)Directors discussion (3:27)'Halo: Campaign Evolved' (23:20)'Splatoon Raiders' (44:27)'Denshattack!' and indie game impressions (59:37)Steam Machine reactions (1:31:14:)Outro (1:49:51)Host: Ben LindberghGuests: Matt James and Steve AhlmanProducer: Devon RenaldoAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back, and they’re bringing you a special pod to go over the latest news in the MCU: the drop of the official ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ trailer! Plus, they give you all of the info on when and where the Midnight Boys will be at San Diego Comic-Con! (0:00) Intro (6:16) ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ trailer instant reactions (57:46) Outro Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Devon Baroldi, and Jamie Yukich Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back, and they’re starting off with the gold cloaks! They give you all of their thoughts on ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 5, diving into Criston Cole’s monologue, Helaena’s role in the show right now, and Aegon's and Aemond’s parallel crises. (0:00) Intro (14:38) Spoilers ahead (16:21) ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 5 reactions (1:02:42) Outro Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Nintendo: Power up your play with Nintendo Switch 2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back, and today, they’re traveling to Ithaca! They give you all of their thoughts on one of the most anticipated movies of the year, diving into the difficulties in retelling one of the oldest stories, how this was uniquely a Nolan film, and the acting performances in this star-studded film. Then they give you a little Nerd News on ‘The Batman Part II.’ (0:00) Intro (11:35) Spoilers ahead (15:01) ‘The Odyssey’ instant reactions (1:20:15) Midnight Meter: ‘The Odyssey’ (1:22:41) Outro (1:23:31) ‘The Batman Part II’ Nerd News Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Devon Baroldi, and Jacob Cornett Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back, and they’re starting off in Tumbleton! They give you all of their thoughts on ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 4, diving into Daemon and Rhaena’s relationship, Rhaenyra’s waning patience, and Ormund Hightower’s schemes with Daeron. (0:00) Intro (19:15) Spoilers ahead (21:02) ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 4 reactions (1:21:17) Outro Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell New 2k+ doorbells, coming to your front door Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben brings on Polygon's Giovanni Colantonio and Oli Welsh to sum up the first half of 2026 in gaming and preview the remainder of the year. First, they discuss the odd dynamic of dire industry news coinciding with a glut of great games. Then, they each share their top 10 games of the first half of the year, and break down the differences and similarities among their respective lists. Finally, they assess the up-in-the-air race for Game of the Year, how the timing and rollout of 'Grand Theft Auto VI' could affect its fortunes, the late-summer pileup of pre-'GTA' releases, and their biggest questions about the upcoming calendar. Intro (0:00)Industry news (3:00)Game of the Year picks (16:53)Outro (1:28:20) Host: Ben LindberghGuests: Giovanni Colantonio and Oli WelshProducer: Devon RenaldoAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back, and they have a special pod for you today! They’re giving you their immediate reactions to the official ‘Dune: Part 3’ trailer and assess what may come from this epic conclusion of the saga. Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell New 2k+ doorbells, coming to your front door Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben brings on Sean Fennessey, host of The Big Picture and champion of physical media, to discuss Sony's announcement that it's ending production of physical discs for new PlayStation games in 2028. They get into what led to this point; the ramifications for consumers, developers, and publishers; and how the decline of physical media affects cinephiles and gamers alike. Then Matt James joins Ben to analyze Microsoft's Xbox layoff news; review the new 'Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag' remake, 'Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced'; and pick their all-time top five pirate games. Intro (0:00)Sony's big announcement (4:42) 'Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced' review (58:56) Outro (1:57:30) Host: Ben LindberghGuests: Sean Fennessey and Matt JamesProducer: Devon RenaldoAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices