Episode 205: Did Marvel Fall Off After Endgame? w/ Craig Liggeons

Talking with Craig Liggeons is like talking to the guy at the convention who has seen everything, read everything, and somehow remembers every lineup change and post-credit scene along the way. Craig is a Philadelphia pop culture personality, comic book expert, and host of Comic Book Gurus, a show that dives into comic book movies, comics themselves, and fan culture from a Philly perspective. In this episode of Everything is Awesome, we dig into comic books, the MCU, X-Men, Philadelphia sports heartbreak, and how fandom has changed over the last two decades.We kick things off by talking about being an Eagles fan, especially during postseason runs. There is a particular kind of sports trauma that Philadelphia fans carry, and Craig captures it perfectly. From there, we slide directly into the MCU and how Marvel has shifted since the end of the Infinity Saga. Craig has thoughts on the highs, the lows, and the “what do they even do now?” era Marvel finds itself in as it looks toward its next big crossover. One of the best parts of the conversation is hearing Craig talk about seeing X-Men (2000) in theaters for the first time, and how surreal it was to see a serious comic book movie with a real budget and real actors. For a lot of fans, that movie was the proof-of-concept that made the modern MCU possible.We also talk about Comic Book Gurus, how it started, and how Craig became known within the Preston & Steve orbit. There’s a charm in hearing how radio, comedy, and comic book culture intersect in Philadelphia, and how fandoms build community in unexpected ways. Craig is the kind of guest who brings strong opinions, deep history, and a storyteller’s brain, which makes the conversation move in every direction in the best way possible.If you’re into comic book culture, Marvel movies, X-Men nostalgia, Philadelphia sports, or the evolution of fandom from the 90s to today, this is a great episode to check out. It’s loose, it’s funny, it’s passionate, and it’s exactly the kind of geeked-out conversation that defines Everything is Awesome.Topics Mentioned:Marvel Cinematic UniverseX-MenComic Book GurusPreston & StevePhiladelphia EaglesComic book movies and fandomMCU post-Endgame eraPhilly pop cultureSUPPORT CRAIG LIGGEONSFacebook | Instagram | Twitter | Threads | Comic Book Gurus on YouTubeTHE SHOWEverything is Awesome is produced by Starbird Media and edited by Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. The Everything is Awesome logo is by Francois Jooste & Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr. For advertising rates, guest inquiries, or press coverage, email us at [email protected] Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everything-is-awesome/id1080785725Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6P4LLWBQD5DUFBCykh9admYouTube: Coming Soon!Kev: TikTok, BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and Threads, all at @ThatNerdyKev. | ThatNerdyKev.com | MayorOfLevittown.com | AvatarStateRadio.com | GetEmNextYear.com.SUPPORT THE SHOWPlease consider supporting The HEADstrong Foundation (https://headstrong.org). They are based in the Philadelphia area, minutes from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. They assist families dealing with cancer with everything from meals to travel and housing. I've been working with them for nearly nine years now, and they are good people.Listen, rate, and subscribe! Find Everything is Awesome on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and AwesomePodcast.com.Please support Everything is Awesome by leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. They have some math that gets us in front of more awesome people! Or tell a friend, word of mouth keeps the good vibes going.Organizations & Causes We Support:Make 5 Calls | HEADstrong Foundation | The Trevor Project | Black Lives Matter | Need to Talk? Dial 9-8-8