Coolest Alive

On this episode of Coolest Alive.... We said it all already: Ted Lasso! White Privilege!! Lanterns!!! The Culture War RAGES ON!! LOL. If you ain't watching LASSO, you're missing out on "WOKE" done RIGHT! We've always said it's possible to make "woke entertainment" WITHOUT pissing everyone off! PROOF!

On this episode of Coolest Alive, host Jesse Blaze Snider says "PHA-QUE!" And this episode reveals the "new Format" the show will be taking. Thanks for listening. Please like and subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts.

On episode #384 of Coolest Alive: What the hell happened to comic books? For years, the comics industry has been caught in a growing cultural war known as ComicsGate, splitting creators, fans, publishers, and the fandom itself straight down the middle. On this episode of COOLEST ALIVE, Jesse Blaze Snider takes a hard look at the controversy, the personalities, the politics, and the growing divide that changed the comic book community. And Jesse isn’t coming at this from the sidelines. He’s worked with, and knows, people on both sides of the ComicsGate divide, giving him a perspective that few others can claim. So what actually happened? Who was right? Who was wrong? And, more importantly, what the hell happened to the fandom we all loved? This is THE COMICSGATE WAR.

On this episode of Coolest Alive, Jesse Blaze Snider's "All Your Favorite Bands Suck" featuring Rage Against The Machine. From their explosive debut to their uncompromising fusion of rock, hip-hop, punk, and political fury, Jesse Blaze Snider takes a deep dive into one of the most influential and unforgettable bands in modern rock: Rage Against the Machine. In this episode of Coolest Alive, Jesse shares his personal journey with the band, revisits their studio albums, breaks down their biggest songs and hidden gems, and explores what made Tom Morello, Zack de la Rocha, Tim Commerford, and Brad Wilk such a uniquely powerful combination. From “Killing in the Name” and “Bulls on Parade” to the band’s evolution, controversies, activism, and enormous influence on rock and popular culture, discover why Rage Against the Machine became far more than just a band, and why their music still hits just as hard decades later.

The final chapter of my Jesse Blaze Snider origin story! After years of working as a writer in comics and entertainment, I decided it was time to try something completely different: becoming an independent publisher. I went after licenses from Disney and The Muppets, built projects of my own, but I was reinventing Evil Ernie for Dynamite, the character created by my personal friend and teenage mentor Brian Pulido, the straw that finally BROKE the camel's back and launched me into the independent world in the first place? Find out inside. This is the story of taking everything I’d learned as a writer and trying to build something that was entirely my own. The final chapter of the journey, from working for the industry to trying to begin a NEW industry.

On this episode of Coolest Alive, the story continues. In Part 3 of my origin series, I take you behind the scenes of my career as a professional writer, working with Marvel, DC, Disney, Pixar, The Muppets, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, and just about every major publisher under the sun. I share how these opportunities came together, fell apart, and what it was really like working on some of the world’s biggest characters, and why the comic book industry that helped build my career also nearly broke me. This is the next chapter of the journey; the victories, the lessons, and the reality behind the dream.

On this episode of Coolest Alive, the story continues! In Part 2 of my origin series, I dive into how I discovered my passion for writing, the high school class that gave me the confidence to pursue it, and the winding road that led me into the comic book industry. From writing for Marvel’s Deadpool and Hulk to DC, creating Dead Romeo, penning a Batman inventory story, and working on Toy Story, The Muppets, and more, this is the behind-the-scenes story of how a lifelong fan became a professional writer. If you’ve ever wondered how careers in comics really begin, this chapter is for you.

Today’s episode is a special one. Years ago, when Coolest Alive was just getting started, I recorded the first chapter of my origin story, but almost nobody heard it. After a dentist appointment left my voice sounding a little off, I figured this was the perfect time to dust it off, revisit it, and finally give it the audience it deserves. In Part 1, I take you back to the beginning, sharing the people, experiences, triumphs, and challenges that shaped who I am long before the podcasts, comics, music, and everything else you’ve come to know me for. If you’ve ever wondered how I became the Coolest Alive, this is where the story begins.

From Smash to Supercharged, Jesse Blaze Snider takes a deep dive into one of the most consistently great bands in rock: The Offspring. In this episode of Coolest Alive, Jesse shares his personal journey with the band, revisits every studio album, highlights the biggest hits and hidden gems, and explores what makes Dexter Holland and company so special. From their unmistakable soaring vocals and razor-sharp sense of humor to decades of unforgettable hooks, discover why The Offspring have remained one of punk rock’s most reliable and entertaining bands for over 40 years.

Want to get into comic books but have no idea where to start? This episode of Coolest Alive is your complete roadmap. Host Jesse Blaze Snider shares more than 101 hand-picked recommendations covering Marvel, DC, Image, independent comics, graphic novels, and the greatest jumping-on points for legendary characters like Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, the X-Men, the Avengers, and countless others. Drawing from years of helping new readers through his “I Don’t Know Shit About Comics” convention program, Jesse breaks down exactly where beginners should start, how longtime fans can discover new favorites, and what makes comics one of the most rewarding storytelling mediums ever created. Whether you’re buying your very first comic or looking to rekindle your love of the hobby, this episode is the ultimate guide to falling in love with comic books.  

Most people think the Multiverse began with Marvel movies, Spider-Verse, or modern science fiction, but the truth is far stranger. This week on Coolest Alive, Jesse Blaze Snider takes a deep dive into the real history of alternate realities, parallel worlds, and infinite universes. From DC Comics’ landmark “Flash of Two Worlds” and classic stories like The Man in the High Castle, to ancient religious texts, mystical traditions, psychological theories, and modern pop culture phenomena, we trace the evolution of one of humanity’s most fascinating ideas. Whether you see the Multiverse as science fiction, spiritual truth, philosophical thought experiment, or all three, this episode explores where the concept came from, how it evolved, and why we’re more obsessed with it today than ever before.

On episode #375 of Coolest Alive, host Jesse Blaze Snider takes you deep into the extraordinary musical journey of his father, the legendary Dee Snider of TWISTED SISTER! From the anthems that defined a generation with TS to the heavier, darker edge of Widowmaker and even the unexpected corners of his songwriting career, including writing for artists like Celine Dion, this episode explores the full scope of a career built on fearless creativity, storytelling, and pure rock energy. But this isn’t just a biography; it’s a firsthand perspective. Jesse grew up inside the world of one of rock’s most iconic voices, and brings a personal, behind-the-scenes lens to the music, the moments, and the mindset that shaped it all. If you think you know Dee Snider, this episode shows you the full picture, and if you don’t, this is the perfect place to start.

On episode #374 of Coolest Alive, Finally, the MOTU has RETURNED...to the BIG SCREEN! And it is MOSTLY GLORIOUS! Host Jesse Blaze Snider brings you a franchise retrospective on the "Coolest Franchise Alive" as he calls it, highlighting the various HIGHS & LOWS of one of his earliest geek loves! From the Filmation Cartoon & the original toy line that started it all, to more modern takes on the Masters of the Universe characters across, TOYS! COLLECTIBLES! FILM! And TELEVISION! Giving you a full & robust view of WHY this property has stood the test of time and finishing it all off with a crescendo, as he non-spoiler REVIEWS the LATEST offering into the mythology, the 2026 "Masters of the Universe" film that releases THIS very weekend! So, what are you waiting for, fanboy? Click inside and LISTEN UP!

On episode #373 of COOLEST ALIVE, Jesse Blaze Snider recounts the 52 most important geek culture films ever made, the legendary classics that didn’t just entertain audiences… they created fandom itself. From sci-fi epics and fantasy adventures to cult horror, anime, comic book milestones, and genre-defining blockbusters, these are the movies that built conventions, inspired cosplay, launched obsessions, and shaped generations of fans long before geek culture became mainstream. With only a couple of early-2000s exceptions, every film on this list has stood up to over 25 years of scrutiny and still stand as some of the greatest mythologies ever built! Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering these worlds for the first time, this is the ultimate celebration of the movies that made being a geek cool.

Rotten Tomatoes...is BULL$#!+ (What "Certified Fresh" Actually Means!) Oh, boy! We got a great one for you today! Episode 372 is a conversation that NEEDS TO BE HAD EVERYWHERE by EVERYONE who truly LOVES entertainment, because NO ONE should be using Rotten Tomatoes as a metric to determine whether or not something is worth watching, and the Coolest Geek Alive, Jesse Blaze Snider, is here to break down EXACTLY WHY...a "Certified Fresh" Rotten Tomatoes' score IS absolute total NONSENSE.

On this episode of COOLEST ALIVE, host Jesse Blaze Snider is going warp speed through ALL 13 Star Trek films and ranks them from worst to greatest, with some VERY controversial choices along the way. From the operatic ambition of The Motion Picture…to the naval warfare brilliance of Wrath of Khan…to the emotional perfection of The Undiscovered Country…to the wildly underrated INSURRECTION sitting proudly at #1…this is NOT a "safe list". This is a LOVE LETTER to the Star Trek FILM franchise itself. ENGAGE.

On this episode of Coolest Alive, host Jesse Blaze Snider's absolute favorite new recording artist: "grandson" (stylized lowercase, all impact). Jordan Benjamin (grandson) fuses blistering hard rock guitars, trap-influenced beats, EDM production, rap-rock energy, and politically charged lyrics that hit like a sledgehammer. From his breakthrough anthems like “Blood // Water” to his latest work on albums like I Love You, I’m Trying (2023) and the explosive 2025 release Inertia, which critics call thirty minutes of pure fury, revolution, and unapologetic rage,e this guy is redefining alternative music with messages on addiction, systemic issues, and resistance that actually matter. Toronto-raised, LA-based, and genre-bending as hell, grandson isn’t just making tracks; he’s starting movements. In this episode of Coolest Alive, we break down why he’s the best new artist out there, period, his favorite songs, his evolution, his live energy, and why he stands head and shoulders above the rest. If you’re ready for music that punches back, this is your episode. Let’s go!

This is it! The final countdown. In Part 3 of Coolest Alive’s definitive ranking of Disney’s greatest animated films, Jesse Blaze Snider reveals the Top 15 absolute masterpieces that didn’t just succeed, but reshaped animation forever. These are the films that built the Disney legacy, launched revolutions, and set the gold standard for storytelling, music, and emotional impact across generations. From groundbreaking firsts to untouchable classics, this episode delivers the ultimate payoff to a massive journey through nearly 60 legendary films. If you care about animation at all, this is the list that matters most.