These are the things I know. Really know. The kind of knowledge that comes not from research but from a lifetime of obsession, devotion and probably an unhealthy amount of VHS tape.
Core Franchises
DC Comics & The Batman Universe
Some of my earliest memories are watching re-runs of Adam West’s Batman as a small child — the camp, the colour, the absolute conviction of every scene. On my fourth birthday I unwrapped my first Batman action figure and Batmobile and something clicked permanently into place.
I’ve been reading DC Comics since before I can properly remember and actively collecting since 2006. I finally conquered the notoriously brutal final level of the Batman ’89 NES game at the age of 38. Some victories take time.
DC is where my deepest knowledge lives — from the Christopher Reeve Superman era through every iteration of film, television and comics to the present day. My particular specialism is Batman and the Bat-family; the characters, the mythology, the history, the rogues gallery, the endless reinventions. Ask me anything. I’ll be there for a while.
Star Trek
I saw my first episode of Star Trek at the age of seven and was immediately captivated by Gene Roddenberry’s vision of an idealised future — a humanity that had figured itself out, that had set aside its worst impulses in pursuit of something greater. It felt radical then. In the era of social media it feels more radical than ever.
I recorded every episode of The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine on VHS, building my own personal library that I rewatched until the tapes wore out. I’ve seen every episode of every series, every film multiple times, read the comics and worked my way through a significant portion of the novels. My deepest knowledge sits with The Next Generation and the modern Paramount+ era, but the whole universe is home territory.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer & Angel
It started with a re-run of a season two episode — “Killed by Death” — on Sky One in 1998. I had no idea what I was watching but I knew immediately I needed more of it. I went back to the beginning and haven’t really left since.
I’ve watched every episode more times than is probably advisable. I wore out the VHS box sets, burned through the DVDs, and remain an enthusiastic critic of the show’s much-maligned HD remaster — a conversation I will have at length with anyone willing to listen. I’ve read every comic book published in the Buffyverse and worked through most of the 1990s novelisations. Angel gets equal attention. This is a complete obsession and I make no apologies for it.
Broader Expertise
Comic Books & The Industry
Beyond DC, I have a broad working knowledge of the comic book industry built over thirteen years of active publishing relationships. I work regularly with DC, IDW, Dark Horse, BOOM! Studios, Image Comics, Oni Press and Mad Cave Studios among others. I understand the publishing landscape, the culture, the readership, and the direction the industry is heading. I don’t read every book from every publisher — nobody does — but I know the world they operate in.
Film & Television
A lifelong fan of comic book adaptations, sci-fi, horror and action. Over thirteen years covering the industry I’ve attended press screenings, red carpet premieres, virtual and in-person junkets, Q&As, press conferences, immersive studio events and comic cons. I cover film and television at every level and have built relationships across the industry that keep me close to what’s coming before it arrives.
Neil Vagg 