DC Comics, Interview, TelevisionLeave a comment

Nicole Kang on Stepping into the Role of Poison Ivy in ‘Batwoman’

January 12, 2022January 13, 2022 Swara Ahmed

Batwoman fans were shocked, yet excited, when the beloved Mary Hamilton, heart of the Bat-team, found herself transformed into the newest version of Poison Ivy. Before the season hiatus, Mary went Thelma and Louise with her step-sister Alice to evade the rest of the Bat-Team, but now as the season has returned, she’s stepping back into Gotham with bolder intentions to assert her power and never feel vulnerable again.

Comics, Interview, Marvel

Samira Ahmed Talks about Writing ‘Ms. Marvel: Beyond the Limit’

December 27, 2021December 29, 2021 Swara Ahmed

Ms. Marvel has a new comic series out! In the five-issue Beyond the Limit, Kamala must deal with unexpected multiverse shenanigans as she visits her cousin Razia in Chicago. Writing her in this series is author Samira Ahmed, who is the first Desi Muslim to write Ms. Marvel!

Movies, Podcasts

The Middle Geeks Episode 33: ‘Gaza Mon Amour’ Review and Holiday Edition

December 23, 2021December 26, 2021 Swara Ahmed

Even though there’s not a lot to be merry about, we count our blessings and make it merry! We also discuss the wonderful 2020 film Gaza Mon Amour by director brothers Tarzan and Arab Nasser, which shows old love in the middle of Gaza, starring our fave Hiam Abbass. We also discuss the exciting news of We Are Lady Parts Season 2 renewal, Mena Massoud’s new Netflix rom-com coming out soon, and much more!

Continue reading “The Middle Geeks Episode 33: ‘Gaza Mon Amour’ Review and Holiday Edition”

Interview, Star Trek

‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Director and Executive Producer Olatunde Osunsanmi Discusses Season 4

December 17, 2021December 17, 2021 Swara Ahmed

Star Trek: Discovery has returned to our streaming screens for another spectacular season as the Discovery crew and the Federation of the future must deal with a galaxy-threatening anomaly. It’s unlike anything the Discovery crew has faced before, and resultingly Captain Burnham and her crew and loved ones are pushed to the brink in so many ways. What goes into making such a spectacular adventure that we watch every week?

Anime, Podcasts, Star Wars

The Middle Geeks Episode 32: The Promise of ‘Star Wars: Visions’

November 18, 2021November 18, 2021 Swara Ahmed

We’re excited to have Meg Humphrey of Rogue Podron on to discuss Star Wars: Visions, the new anime anthology on Disney+ that breathes fresh life into this franchise with Japanese creators, crafting stories in a universe that was *heavily* inspired by their own culture.

DC Comics, Interview, Television1 Comment

NOC Interview: Showrunner Eric Wallace Discusses the Return of ‘The Flash’

November 12, 2021November 12, 2021 Swara Ahmed

“Armageddon,” the five-part special event that will see Barry Allen/The Flash, and his wife Iris and their friends face a threat unlike any they’ve faced before, one that will put them even more strenuously through the wringer. But they have help with heroes coming to their aid from across the Arrowverse! But will that be enough?

Comics, Podcasts, Streaming

The Middle Geeks Interview: Abubakr Ali of Netflix’s ‘Grendel’

November 10, 2021November 12, 2021 Swara Ahmed

We are delighted to welcome Abubakr Ali on the podcast, who will be playing the titular role in Netflix’s Grendel, making him the FIRST Arab and Muslim actor to headline a comic adaptation in TV/Film! We discuss what got him into acting, his career so far, what his favorite superhero and other media are, and much more. Enjoy the conversation!

Animation, DC Comics, Interview

‘Young Justice’ Creators Greg Weisman and Brandon Vietti Discuss the New Season

November 8, 2021November 9, 2021 Swara Ahmed

After the long wait since the conclusion of its third season, Outsiders, the critically acclaimed series Young Justice is back streaming on HBO Max with Phantoms. Praised for its writing, deep characterizations, diversity, action, and thrilling storytelling, Young Justice is one of the best DC onscreen projects that has retained a cherished place with numerous fans. Five episodes into the new season, so much has already happened, and the Team will have to deal with unforeseen threats at every turn.

Movies, News, Podcasts1 Comment

The Middle Geeks Episode 31: ‘Dune’ Review

October 25, 2021October 25, 2021 Swara Ahmed

Denis Villeneuve’s Dune adaptation, based on a book that was explicitly and heavily influenced by Middle East and North African (MENA) and Islamic cultures, is out, and we are joined by our friends and fellow MENA critics Hanna Flint and Roxana Hadadi to review it.

DC Comics, Interview, Television1 Comment

Showrunner Keto Shimizu Discusses Season 7 of ‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’

October 7, 2021November 8, 2021 Swara Ahmed

Slight setup spoilers for DC’s Legends of Tomorrow Season 7 follow below:

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow is coming back already! After closing Season 6 last month! In the Season 6 finale, just as our time-traveling superheroes celebrated their victory over alien invaders in 1925 Texas, their time-travel ship, the Waverider, was blown up by another Waverider that just came and left! This is where we see them at the beginning of Season 7, and there’s going to be no easy way for them to get out of this one.

Marvel, Podcasts, Streaming

The Middle Geeks 30: ‘AlRawabi School for Girls’ Makes ‘Mean Girls’ Look Like Cotton Candy

September 30, 2021September 30, 2021 Swara Ahmed

Created by Jordanian creator Tima Shomali, AlRawabi School for Girls is a devastatingly excellent series on Netflix exploring the dynamics of a Jordanian high school. What causes these girls to escalate their psychological wars on each other? How does this series do at exploring some of the systemic patriarchal problems in Middle Eastern societies? We discuss all of that and why we love this series.

DC Comics, Television

‘The Flash’ Returns This November with Five-Part “Armageddon” Premiere

August 25, 2021August 25, 2021 Swara Ahmed

Even though The Flash only ended this July with a wonderfully splendid renewal of the WestAllen vows and a family team-up against an army of Godspeeds, fans won’t have to wait long for the Season 8 premiere! And it’s going to be an action-packed doozy.

Marvel, Podcasts, Streaming

The Middle Geeks Episode 29: ‘Lift Like a Girl’ and an MCU Assessment

August 25, 2021August 25, 2021 Swara Ahmed

Ferdosa joins us to discuss the Netflix documentary Lift Like a Girl! How well did this documentary do at showcasing the weightlifting journey of Asmaa and her team, and the depiction of everyday Egyptians? What could it have done better? We also discuss the exciting news that Black Palestinian writer and actor Yassir Lester will be the head writer of the upcoming MCU series Armor Wars, and speculate on what that might mean for the MCU’s penchant for military propaganda. Enjoy listening!

DC Comics, Interview, Television3 Comments

NOC Interview: Azie Tesfai Steps into Her Power on ‘Supergirl

August 20, 2021December 28, 2021 Swara Ahmed

Since her debut in Season 4 of Supergirl, Kelly Olsen has been an invaluable friend, sister, and beloved partner of Supergirl and her close friends and family. Her relationship with Kara’s sister, Alex, has been one of the best highlights of queer relationships in superhero TV. Even though Supergirl is ending this season, Kelly still has more moments to shine, especially as she takes up the mantle of Guardian left by her brother Jimmy, who has left the hero life behind.

Animation, Interview, Star Trek

Dawnn Lewis, aka Captain Carol Freeman, on the Return of ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’

August 11, 2021August 11, 2021 Swara Ahmed

Dawnn Lewis does it all. Acting, voice acting, musicals, and more. And she can add Starfleet Captain to the list with her role as Captain Carol Freeman of the USS Cerritos. She’s a no nonsense captain who unfortunately has a lot of nonsense to deal with from her crew, including her own daughter Beckett, who may cause the most trouble of the bunch. Ahead of the Season 2 Premiere this Thursday, August 12, we at The Nerds of Color were able to speak with Lewis on how she approaches the role of Captain Freeman, her voice-acting career, what we can expect for her and Beckett’s mother-daughter dynamic, and the prospect of returning to Broadway for the musical Tina.

DC Comics, Interview, Television

John Wesley Shipp on His Return to ‘The Flash’ and the Season 7 Finale

July 20, 2021July 21, 2021 Swara Ahmed

The Flash is a superhero mantle of legacy, with several speedsters taking up the role. The Flash series on The CW has been successful at incorporating numerous elements of this line of legacy, particularly in its Season 7 finale “The Heart of the Matter, Part 2,” in which Barry must gather speedsters of past and future to defeat the villainous army of Godspeeds. This includes the original Flash of the Arrowverse Multiverse, the one and only Jay Garrick, played by John Wesley Shipp who originated the role Barry Allen in the Flash show of the 1990s.

Marvel, Podcasts, Streaming

The Middle Geeks Episode 28: Palestine in Pop Culture and ‘Loki’

July 19, 2021July 19, 2021 Swara Ahmed

Palestinian historian and scholar N.A. Mansour joins us to discuss the situation in Palestine, where the situation stands now, how pop culture plays into the dehumanization of Palestinians, and what you can do to help and learn more about Palestinian people and their struggles. We also discuss all of Loki Season 1! What did we like about the series, and what themes resonated with us? Where could it have done better in areas? We also give our recommendations, and much more!

DC Comics, Podcasts, Television

The Middle Geeks: Shayan Sobhian of ‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’

July 9, 2021July 9, 2021 Swara Ahmed

Shayan Sobhian, aka Behrad Tarazi of Legends of Tomorrow, joins Swara to discuss his upcoming episode, “This is Gus!” They talk about how Shayan relates to his character, the importance and impact of representation, and how Behrad may be developing this season. Enjoy listening!

This is a podcast form of the interview published here for The Nerds of Color.

Continue reading “The Middle Geeks: Shayan Sobhian of ‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’”

DC Comics, Interview, Television1 Comment

NOC Interview: Shayan Sobhian of ‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’

July 9, 2021July 9, 2021 Swara Ahmed

Since coming onto the Legends team in a revamped timeline in the Season 4 finale, Behrad Tarazi, younger brother of Zari Tarazi, has been a fixture on Legends of Tomorrow. But it was only this season that his actor, the mult-talented Shayan Sobhian, was promoted to a series regular. He’s the chillest member of the Waverider crew, always looking to defuse tension and make sure that he and his friends have a good time.

DC Comics, Interview, Television

NOC Interview: David Ramsey’s Arrowverse Journey Continues

June 25, 2021June 25, 2021 Swara Ahmed

John Diggle has been a beloved fixture in the Arrowverse since his inception. Played by David Ramsey, he’s often a favorite character for many fans of DCTV. Even though Arrow has ended, Diggle endures as he embarks on a new journey in the Arrowverse, appearing on the various shows that Ramsey himself directs. We were fortunate enough to speak with David Ramsey in anticipation of his directed episode of Legends of Tomorrow debuting this Sunday, finding out what exactly is going on with Diggle going forward, his previous appearance on Batwoman, and the experience of directing.

Movies, Podcasts, Streaming

The Middle Geeks Interview: Amin El Gamal of ‘Breaking Fast’

June 23, 2021June 23, 2021 Swara Ahmed

For Pride Month, we are so excited to have on Amin El Gamal, who plays Sam on the amazing queer Ramadan rom-com Breaking Fast, which is now on Hulu! We dig into what drew Amin to acting, the experience of filming Breaking Fast and working with Mike Mosallam, their thoughts on the current landscape of MENA and queer stories in film and, what he’d love to see more of in the industry, and much more!

Continue reading “The Middle Geeks Interview: Amin El Gamal of ‘Breaking Fast’”

DC Comics, Interview, Television

Danielle Nicolet Takes Center Stage on ‘The Flash’

June 15, 2021June 22, 2021 Swara Ahmed

The Flash has, since its inception, put a large focus on its supporting cast, many of whom have become part of “Team Flash,” aiding Barry Allen in his various adventures. Cecile Horton, played by the talented Danielle Nicolet, has increasingly become part of Team Flash, stepping far up from when she was on the outside looking in. In perhaps one of the most marked changes for a character on the show, it was eventually revealed that Cecile was also a metahuman, gifted with empathic powers and making her a strong asset to the team.

Streaming, Television

NOC Interview: Faith Omole of ‘We Are Lady Parts’

June 10, 2021June 10, 2021 Swara Ahmed

Nida Manzoor’s We Are Lady Parts, a British series featuring a punk rock band of all Muslim women of color, premiered here in the US on NBC’s Peacock streaming service! It’s a landmark in Muslim representation for so many viewers worldwide, who haven’t been able to see themselves represented on screen like this in such a subversive, yet bold, way like this before.

Continue reading “NOC Interview: Faith Omole of ‘We Are Lady Parts’”