The Ringer-Verse

Latest Episodes:

‘Hades II,’ ‘Silent Hill f,’ and ‘Wolverine’ Trailer Reactions | Button Mash Sep 26, 2025

Show notes

Ben and Rob Mahoney head back to the House of Hades for an in-depth (but spoiler-free) discussion of ‘Hades II,’ in which they explain how Supergiant’s sequel to ‘Hades’ somehow improves upon its near-perfect predecessor. Then Steve Ahlman arrives to react to ‘Silent Hill f,’ the recent ‘Silent Hill’ series resurgence, and the first trailer for ‘Spider-Man’ maker Insomniac’s next Marvel game, ‘Wolverine.’
Intro (0:00)
First Thoughts on 'Hades II' (2:54)
'Silent Hill f' Reactions (50:46)
Marvel’s 'Wolverine' Trailer (1:19:14)
Outro (1:31:35)
Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guest: Rob Mahoney and Steve Ahlman
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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The 'Mandalorian and Grogu’ Trailer and 'Alien: Earth’ Finale Reactions Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

The Boys unite in a galaxy far, far away to react to the first ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu' trailer. Later, the guys discuss the finale of ‘Alien: Earth,’ including what the future of the show holds, before giving their Midnight Meter.

(00:00) Intro

(4:20) ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’

(50:39) ‘Alien: Earth’

(1:27:20) Outro

Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman
Producers: Chris Thomas, Jon Jones and Isaiah Blakely
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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Big Game Adaptations, 'Borderlands 4,' and 'Silksong' Revisited | Button Mash Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

Ben, Steve Ahlman, and Matt James enter the vault to round up recent news on game adaptations (including 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,' big-screen 'Call of Duty,' and live-action TV series 'Tomb Raider') and share their spoiler-free reviews of Gearbox's 'Borderlands' comeback, 'Borderlands 4.' They close by delivering their final verdicts on the difficulty and quality of 'Hollow Knight: Silksong.'

Intro (0:00)
'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' and adaptation news (5:37)
'Borderlands 4' reactions (23:23)
'Hollow Knight: Silksong' follow-up (57:39)
Outro (1:15:54)

Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guests: Steve Ahlman and Matt James
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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'Gen V' Season 2 Premiere Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

The boys are back in school at Godolkin University to discuss the brand-new season premiere of 'Gen V.' They discuss why they loved the show last season and what it gets right in these first three new episodes (00:00). They also talk about how the show adapts to the passing of one of its stars, Chance Perdomo. Then they get into the show's new villain and how this story may relate to the final season of 'The Boys.'

(0:00) Intro

(09:24) Reactions to ‘Gen V’ Season 2 Premiere

(1:05:46) Outro

Hosts: Van Lathan, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Jade Whaley

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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Here Comes the Pitch: Award Show Bait | Mint Edition Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

Steve and Jomi join forces with Rob Mahoney to laugh, rant, and reflect on this year’s Emmy Awards. They break down the winners and losers, explore why fan favorites like 'The White Lotus' and 'The Bear' may have lost their edge, and predict what might win big next year. Later, they play a round of Here Comes the Pitch, where they share their own ideas for hypothetical shows, movies, and beloved fandom favorites that could earn prestige acclaim.

Intro (0:00)
Emmys Takeaways (4:00)
Here Comes the Pitch (17:00)
Outro (1:21:00)

Hosts: Jomi Adeniran and Steve Ahlman
Guest: Rob Mahoney
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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'Peacemaker' Season 2, Episode 4 and 'Alien: Earth' Episodes 5 and 6 Reactions | The Midnight Boys Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

The boys are back to talk about the newest episodes of ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 and ‘Alien: Earth’! They dive into the humanizing of Peacemaker and the different varieties of Xenomorphs we’re seeing in ‘Alien: Earth.’

(0:00) Intro

(11:49) Reactions to ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2, Episode 4

(45:33) Reactions to ‘Alien: Earth’ Episodes 5 and 6

(1:25:32) Outro

Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Jade Whaley

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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'Hollow Knight: Silksong' In-Progress Impressions | Button Mash Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

There's a (silk)song in Ben's heart as he brings on Matt James to share their reactions to one of the most anticipated games of the past several years: 'Hollow Knight: Silksong.' In a largely spoiler-free discussion after roughly 60 combined hours spent exploring the land of Pharloom, they consider what made 'Hollow Knight' and its sequel such sensations, how the hype for 'Silksong' grew, how the new game retains and tweaks the original's formula, whether 'Silksong' is too hard, and whether it lives up to unrestrained expectations.

Intro (0:00)
'Hollow Knight: Silksong' Reactions (3:00)
Outro (1:13:04)

Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guest: Matt James
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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Big Comics Catch-Up: ‘Spider-Man '94‘ Comic Release, ‘Absolute Batman,’ and More Sep 06, 2025

Show notes

Steve and Jomi return for a long-awaited comics catch-up! They dive into ‘Spider-Man ’94’ and share what makes new releases like ‘Exquisite Corpses' and ‘Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum’ stand out. The duo also revisit ‘Absolute Batman’ and other must-reads before closing with their reactions to Amazon’s announcement of a ‘Life Is Strange’ adaptation.
Intro (0:00)
‘Spider-Man ’94’ + Comic Book Roundup (6:49)
‘Life Is Strange‘ Adaptation Reactions (54:54)
Outro (1:00:45)
Hosts: Jomi Adeniran and Steve Ahlman
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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Mantle Wars, James Gunn Nerd News, and ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 Episode 3 | The Midnight Boys Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

The boys are back to give you the long-awaited Mantle Wars! But first, they talk about the latest Nerd News in the James Gunn universe, and ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 Episode 3.

(0:00) Intro

(7:55) Nerd News: James Gunn

(30:26) Reactions to ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 Episode 3

(47:26) Mantle Wars

(2:13:08) Outro

(2:14:09) Post Credits

Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Producers: Chris Thomas, Jade Whaley, and Aleya Zenieris

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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Ringer-Verse Recommends: August 2025 (Featuring 'Foundation') Aug 31, 2025

Show notes

After a brief break, 'Recommends' returns with a revamped format, featuring a conversation between Ben and a guest about one of the month's recommendations! This time, Ben brings on Rany Jazayerli for a spoiler-free focus on sci-fi streaming series 'Foundation,' with an emphasis on the series' strengths, adaptation decisions, latest season, and future. After that, other Ringer-Verse hosts, friends, and listeners salute unsung nerd culture content to complete this expanded installment of the monthly roundup of fandom favorites from TV, anime, movies, video games, books, comics, and beyond that were released recently but not yet covered in-depth on a full-length episode.

(04:35) Foundation Talk

(38:21) Weapons

(41:35) The Rogue Prince of Persia

(42:32) Ruri Rocks

(43:12) Dan Da Dan Season 2

(44:08) Herdling

(46:11) Listener Recommends with Ben

Host: Ben Lindbergh

Guests: Rany Jazayerli, Jomi Adeniran, Steve Ahlman, Charles Holmes, and Daniel Chin

Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman

Social: Jomi Adeniran

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