Podcast Wednesday: "Wolverine: The Long Night"

It's been a while, but Podcast Wednesday is back this week. Why? Because a major new podcast is available, and I listened to the two available episodes. This is Podcast Wednesday.

Some time ago, in an attempt to get people to subscribe to their premium service, Podcast platform Stitcher launched an exclusive limited run podcast in association with Marvel Comics: Wolvering: The Long Night. This was Marvel's first ever podcast, and it was a big production. Starring Richard Armitage as Logan, a mysterious vagabond who may be a murderer, the podcast is a mystery show with a large cast and excellent production values.

Listeners know, of course, that Logan is Wolverine. We also know he's probably going to turn out to be the good guy. Because, well, he's Wolverine. After being a Stitcher Premium exclusive for a while, it is now available for all podcatchers.

The first two episodes mostly work around him. He's an absence, a man investigated and talked about. The episodes focus more on the two government agents sent to investigate a mass murder. A mass murder in which Logan may be the main suspect. It is unclear what agency the two are from, or what their goals are. They show up hours after the murders were discovered, which wouldn't have been surprising if the murders hadn't taken place in a distant location in Alaska.

The show shifts viewpoints a lot, which is very interesting. We're thrown into memories as scenes. Sometimes, when we think we're just listening to another scene play out, there's more happening.

Apart from Armitage, most of the cast isn't very well known. However, consumate character actor Bob Balaban makes an appearance, as does comedian and noted voice actor Scott Adsit. The podcast was written by author and comicbook writer Benjamin Percy.

With all of this talent, I am glad to report the show itself was not a dissapointment. It's really well done, and the mystery is mysterious.

The decision to put the podcast out in the open is an interesting one. I wonder if it didn't do as well as expected. The new version has ads for Stitcher premium, now highlighting being able to binge the entire show, as well as an aftershow podcast for each episode.