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Time marches on with Jared and Shawn on a new episode of Figure It Out!Jared and Shawn discuss getting older and reconsidering goals and dreams as the realities of life evolve with time. Fun stuff!Also, Shawn discusses upcoming comic work and Jared got a dash cam!Thanks for tuning in this week! Come back next time as Shawn and Jared keep trying to Figure It Out!

Shawn and Jared are back with another episode of Figure It Out!This week the fellas examine Shawn's migration habits during his life here in Pittsburgh.Shawn presents his Top Ten Short Films (plus some honorary mentions).10. Tripping the Rift - There's a whole YouTube channel full of these but here is the pilot.9. Pyrat8. Power/Ranger7. The Tell-Tale Heart6. ZZZ Top by Aesop Rock5. Kung Fury4. Penelope Pitstop GT3. Aloe Blacc "Femme Fatale"2. Metroid: The Sky Calls1. Work In ProgressAnd rounding out the Honorable Mentions...Gorillaz - Clint EastwoodHong Kong PhooeyThe Little Match GirlThere you go! Thanks for checking in this week! Come back next time as Jared and Shawn keep trying to Figure It Out!

Shawn and Jared are back with a brand new episode of Figure It Out!This week, Jared and Shawn discuss the Super Bowl commercials they liked and the ones they thought were just odd.They also have a big ole's discussion on DC's current TV shows, namely Flash and Legends of Tomorrow.Thanks for tuning in this week! Check back next time as Jared and Shawn keep trying to Figure It Out!

Jared and Shawn stumble their way through another episode of Figure It Out!This week the guys find themselves rather unprepared to host a podcast. After some scrambling Shawn recalls a story he heard about a sudden rash of YouTube users having their videos being taken due to copyright infringement. They try to make something out of that...It turns out Shawn had discovered this story while trying to hone his abilities as a story teller by watching some educational videos on YouTube. The fellas then end up discussing honing one's story telling skills and once again discuss their approach to storytelling in comics.The layout for the page on Jared's drawing board right now.The Iowa Caucasus results came in during the recording of this episode. Shawn could care less, but Jared keeps tabs on the results as they were coming in. Jared attended an exhibition opening at the Toonseum in Pittsburgh this weekend. He relates the tale of his trip to Shawn and recounts meeting local TV personality, Rick Sebak.Jared's girlfriend, Susan, with Rick Sebak.Jared tries to understand the point behind Hourly Comic Day and 24 Hour Comic Book Day.Plus, do other cities have signature foods a la Pittsburgh and pierogies? All of this...and more!Thanks for checking in this time! Come back next time as Shawn and Jared keep trying to Figure It Out!

Shawn and Jared blaze a trail on a brand new episode of Figure It Out!This week, Jared learns the importance of proof reading when ordering from a touch screen menu.Shawn discovers the story of the militia that took over that wild life refuge in Oregon.Jared's cousin recently brought an article on the recent trend of artists from the indie comics world migrating to animation for Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. This launches the guys into a discussion on whether or not they have a preference between making comics and making cartoons.Shawn actually studied animation back in the day and the guys unearthed one of his animation tests.From that same article, the guys examine the relationship between SPX and Nickelodeon and try to figure out where the line is on "selling out".Finally, Jared is wrapping up his one page strip for the upcoming PIX Publication. Shawn is still unsure what he will do, if anything, for it. Jared workshops an idea that Shawn will or will not use.Thanks for checking in this week! Come back next time as Jared and Shawn keep trying to Figure It Out!

Shawn and Jared tackle the issues of the day on a brand new episode of Figure It Out!Shawn is hard at work on his contribution for a horror anthology. Jared prods and pulls as much detail about this project out of Shawn as he can.The guys discuss Pittsburgh deli meats, with a special guest appearance from Susan.Jared read an article detailing the recent decline of DC Comics. They guys take a look at the article and offer their thoughts on how they would improve the line.Thanks for checking in this week! Come back next time as Jared and Shawn keep trying to Figure It Out!

Jared and Shawn are back with a Hall of Fame worthy episode of Figure It Out!This week, Jared introduces Shawn to the cultural phenomenon that was Pro-Stars. A short lived 1991 cartoon series starring Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky and Bo Jackson.Jared shares his progress on his one-page strip for the upcoming PIX publication. The guys discuss the proportions at which they draw their comics and share their preferences in art supply stores.Jared posed for a new Artist Bio photo for his upcoming convention appearances. He shares the story behind posing for this gem with Shawn. The guys then fall down a Shawn Atkins related rabbit hole when they discover the list of the Top 25 Shawn Atkins on LinkedIn.Eventually the guys get to their topic of the week. They read an opinion piece by an Artist Alley artist who railed against other artists doing "fan-art" prints. Shawn and Jared both have fairly strong opinions on the subject, neither of which coincide with the author of the this piece.Thanks for checking in this week! Come back next time as Shawn and Jared continue to Figure It Out!

Shawn and Jared (with a special cameo by Susan!) ring out 2015 with a brand new episode of Figure It Out!This week the fellas kick off the conversation by musing on whether or not it's fair to call Stan Lee the "Father of Modern Comics".Then a conversation regarding some Fantagraphic comic books leads to a slightly in-depth look at early 20th century criminal Ma Barker.Then Jared leads an almost academic look into the Hostess Fruit Pie ads of the 1970's that featured various comic book super heroes. Jared has been studying the ads in preparation for an upcoming Incrediman strip and cracked the code on their formula.And finally the guys offer up their thoughts on the recent cultural phenomenon that is Star Wars: The Force Awakens.Then guys then discect the light saber battle from The Phantom Menace.And Jared is surprised that Shawn has never seen the Star Wars Kid. Thanks for checking in this week! Tune in next time as Jared and Shawn keep trying to Figure It Out!

Tis the season for Jared and Shawn to hit the mics for another episode of Figure It Out!This week Shawn and Jared discuss their earliest experiences with going to the movies.The first film Shawn went to see by himself. Really.Then the guys check out the latest promotional posters to be released for the upcoming movie Ghostbusters.This leads the guys into a conversation on continuity in relation to story telling as Jared tries to figure out if it might become a hindrance to creativity.Thanks for checking in this week! Come back next time as Jared and Shawn keep trying to Figure It Out!

Believe it or not Jared and Shawn are back again with another episode of Figure It Out!This week the guys reflect on this past weekend's season finale of Doctor Who.They also take a minute to discuss some old timey-movies that can be found on Netflix.Such as Nosferatu.and Metropolis.Then Jared discusses his online web comic, Incrediman Web Comix. When he started the strip he boasted of the impressive buffer he had built up, but not that's over and he's facing the reality of placing the strip on a hiatus.Thanks for checking in this week! Come back next time as Shawn and Jared keep trying to Figure It Out!

Jared and Shawn return to the airwaves with a brand new episode of Figure It Out!This week, Jared and Shawn are debating whether or not they want to exhibit at next springs 3 Rivers Comicon. Shawn is gung-ho while Jared is wishy-washy on the whole deal.The guys also throw in their two cents on the latest trailer to be released for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and debate whether or not we saw the first appearance of Parademons n the DCCU.The guys also take a look at the life of Batman co-creator Bill Finger.And even though Comic Book Pitt is still on hiatus the guys are still reading comic books. Shawn read the first issue of Thor from last year and shares his thoughts on that one. This leads into some conversation regarding "realism" in super hero comics.And finally, with the Steel City Con going on this weekend the guys dish a little dirt on the show and some of the more shady practices it is engaging in.A scene from the time Jared exhibited at the Steel City Con. Six years ago this weekend.Thanks for tuning in this week! Come back next time as Jared and Shawn keep trying to Figure It Out!

Shawn and Jared kick-off the holiday season with a festive new episode of Figure It Out!With the holiday season upon us Jared and Shawn have decided to pretty much ignore it completely this week. In fact there were all sorts of ideas for this week's episode that were pretty much abandoned this week.Instead, this week, the guys hearkened back to the spirit of this program's intent and just shoot-the-shit while working on their comics.The bottom panel is the one Jared was working on during the recording of this episode.Jared and Shawn have started watching Jessica Jones on Netflix this week. Neither of them are very far into it since they've both abandoned binge-watching stuff.No idea yet if this scene appears in the Netflix series. Fingers crossed.The guys also manage to fall down a Sally Field rabbit hole and discover the entire first season of Gidget is available for purchase on YouTube. Meanwhile, episodes of The Flying Nun are out there for free!Feel free to check it out if you feel so inclined.The guys also speculate blindly on copyright law. If you have any idea how that stuff actually works, please let the guys know. They also watched the trailer for the upcoming DC series Legends of Tomorrow.This one you should feel inclined to check out!Thanks for checking in this week! Enjoy your holiday! Come back next time as Jared and Shawn keep on trying to Figure It Out!

Shawn and Jared are back in the saddle again with a brand new episode of Figure It Out!This week Jared and Shawn discuss why they no longer watch the NFL, they address Comic Book Pitt's recently announced hiatus and decide to keep talking about comics and TV shows on this podcast as well. Because, why not?The guys throw out their two cents on Doctor Strange and Squirrel Girl which turn out to be almost the only books from Marvel that they're checking out these days. Jared also discusses two Street Angel mini-comics by Jim Rugg that he recently read.The guys also hit on Doctor Who, Sylvester Stallone, The Flash, Double Dragon II and  a fan-film on-line that captured Shawn's imagination; Metroid: The Sky Calls.Thanks for tuning in this week! Come back next time for as Jared and Shawn continue to Figure It Out!

Shawn Atkins and Jared Catherine return from the ether with a brand new episode of Figure It Out!!This week Jared is grumpy after the Pittsburgh Pirates got bounced from the playoffs after one game yet again.Jared exhibited at the Pittsburgh Zine Fair this past weekend and shares his experience with Shawn. Meanwhile, Shawn attended the Pittsburgh Comics Salon this week and shares his experience with Jared. The guys also discuss Frank Santoro's IndieGoGo campaign to fund the Comics Workbook Rowhouse Residency which you can check out here.The guys also discuss some recently released artwork by Frank Miller for the upcoming Dark Knight III: The Master Race.All this and much, much more!!Thanks for tuning in this week! Join us here next time (whenever that may be) as Jared and Shawn keep trying to Figure It Out!

Shawn and Jared are joined once again by Brian John Mitchell on a brand new episode of Figure It Out!This week, the guys mix things up and talk about making comics!Jared is going to be appearing at SPACE next month, an indie comics show in Columbus, OH that Shawn and Brian has appeared at in the past. They swap memories and give Jared an idea of what to expect.Brian (left) and Shawn (right) at SPACE. Photos "courtesy" of SPACE.Brian recently stumbled upon an old Atlas comics from the mid-70's, Phoenix...the Protector, which has inspired an idea for a comic collaboration with Jared and Shawn. The gang convene this week to break the story.You can read the comic that inspired Brian here.Thanks for tuning in this week! Come back next time as Jared and Shawn keep trying to Figure It Out!

Jared and Shawn are surfing the online airwaves on a brand new episode of the Figure It Out podcast!Shawn is going to be appearing at Wizard World Pittsburgh this fall and Jared will be appearing at SPACE next month. Jared tries to get Shawn to tell the story about how his Wizard World appearance came about but he's not too keen on sharing the juicy details.And Jared pretty much reveals why he never gets invited to do anything...Jared tells Shawn about a hashtag he created for his hometown's minor league baseball team, The Willamsport Crosscutters.All this and as usual, the fellas ramble on about some other non-sense.Thanks for checking in this week! Come back next time as Shawn and Jared keep on trying to Figure It Out!

Jared and Shawn are back with a bold new episode of Figure It Out!This week the guys find themselves enthralled with the breaking story of Rachel Dolezal. Which leads the guys to question; is trans-racial really a thing? Despite what you may think they guys have a genuine discussion on personal identity.After that, Shawn and Jared discuss making comics some more. Shawn has an issue with recent on-line articles discouraging indie creators from making their own superhero comics. Shawn discusses his plans for his own superhero comic; Thundergirl.And finally, Jared finally got his hands on some of Freemont, Ohio's world famous Roots Chicken and let's us know what he thinks of it!Thanks for checking in this week! Come back next time as Shawn and Jared continue to Figure It Out!

Jared and Shawn Millie are back with a brand new episode of Figure It Out! Now on Periscope!Jared's been playing with the new Periscope app on his phone trying to find fun things to broadcast on-line.Shawn celebrates 5-years of being in the podcast game so the guys take a quick look at the first podcast he was ever a part of; The Back Issue Binge.The guys discuss the merits of putting a short lived job on a resume.Jared is stupefied by some upcoming promotions happening this summer at games of his home town minor league baseball team the Williamsport Crosscutters. Particularly the night when Mr. Belding from televisions Saved By the Bell, Dennis Haskins, will be appearing.All of this plus fun with Periscope!Thanks for checking in this week! Be sure to check back next time when Shawn and Jared (and maybe Millie) continue to Figure It Out!

Shawn Atkins and Jared Catherine return with a brand new episode of Figure It Out!This episode was recorded last week, but due to scheduling issues we didn't have the chance to post it until now.The guys kick off the conservation by touching on the recent kerfuffle surrounding human cartoon character Bill O'Reilly.The guys swap stories of dealing with the un-seasonal humidity that had been afflicting them that week.Jared's Incrediman Web Comix recently reached its 100th installment. The guys discuss hitting milestones in web comics and how to go about noting those milestones.And because it wouldn't be an episode of the Figure It Out podcast otherwise, the guys discuss comic book conventions and whether a cartoonist can only be successful drawing licensed characters or can they get by with just drawing their own comics.Crystal by Shawn AtkinsThe fellas then take a look at comic artists on Patreon and Jared loses his shit finds what people are asking for rather unreasonable. The guys then check out the Patreon page of fellow local cartoonist Barry Linck, who Jared feels is doing it right. Go check it out!Thanks for tuning in this week! Join us back here next time as Jared and Shawn continue to Figure It Out!

Jared and Shawn are back with another consciousness elevating episode of Figure It Out!This week, Shawn gives us an inside look at the workings of everyone's favorite home of cheddar biscuits, Red Lobster.Jared and Shawn discuss trying to make comics they're not embarrassed sharing with their families.The guys briefly revisit the 90's, this time in the form of Seven Mary Three's Cumbersome and discuss when exactly does pop culture catch up to the decade it's in.Upon some further examination the guys question the efficiency of the Foot's recruiting methods in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. And upon ever more examination realize The Shredder was a pretty good manipulator...or was he?The guys also discuss their personal hero Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and his recent suspension.Thanks for tuning in this week! Come back next time as Shawn and Jared continue to Figure It Out!