To close out the IGGPPC Year in Review, co-founders Leslie ‘Stewie’ Hunsinger and Emily Farquharson-Hall discuss their year!What a year 2015 has been and to close out the year we are doing a series of 4 blogs where we discuss what we have loved and loathed through 2015. From films and tv to games, movies, books and things we’ve shopped and places we’ve visited 2015 has been quite exciting! Not all the things we have loved and discovered have been released this year but just because they are new to us doesn’t make them any less fun!

Tell us about some of the movies and TV shows you have enjoyed (or hated) this year

Farquharson: I have been terrible with TV shows this year, I have started many and then abandoned them. The ones I did make time for though were Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (can you say obsessed?) Bojack Horseman, Rick and Morty and Scream Queens. My favourite films of the year were Mad Max Fury Road and Kingsmen.
Stewie: Scream Queens, as Farquharson said, is obviously fantastic. Ryan Murphy really knows how to make an awesome show. Chanel #3 (the one with the earmuffs) is such a role model, and the actor who plays Chad Radwell is hysterical. I also caught up on the newest seasons of The Walking Dead< Bates Motel, and American Horror Story: Hotel. Evan Peters is fantastic in AHS. These shows are highly recommended, but they’re all obviously great enough to be beyond just their first season. As far as movies go, I enjoyed the new Poltergeist, and Cinderella was a thrill to see come to life, as a long-time Disnerd.

How about comics?

Stewie: That ginger-haired hunk has my heart – Archie! The All-new Archie is such a thrill to read. Highly recommended.

Farquharson: Hnnnnnnng this year has been so, SO good for comics – where do I even begin? I will try keep it brief, I have LOVED: Nailbiter, Bitch Planet, Colder, Lumberjanes, Wayward, Wytches, The Wicked + The Divine and Chew. I will read pretty much anything that Image comics puts out.

What literature have you had your nose in through 2015?

Farquharson: I really enjoyed The Girl At Midnight by Melissa Grey, Coraline by Neil Gaiman and The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes

Stewie: The Martian by Andy Weir, and The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins both sucked me right in. Totally addictive and thrilling! You’re Never Weird on the Internet by Felicia Day was like listening to a woman after my own heart, and spoke to the geek girl within my soul. Definitely a must read for geeks!

Now games, both tabletop and videogames…what have you loved? Any you wish you had avoided?

Stewie: I played Superfight for the first time this year, which was hilarious and an awesome party game, but I think it’s been out longer than just 2015. I also love playing Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, either with 1 person or among a roomful of friends. It’s fast-paced and a true test of teamwork and friendship. And who would I be if I didn’t give a plug to one of my favorite weird-o universes of all times, Five Nights at Freddy’s! Both 3 and 4 came out in 2015.

Farquharson: FALLOUT 4!!!! Any of you who follow me on social media will know I am a rabid beast for this game and it is totally justified. The only other VG I have clocked is Arkham Knight which is…adequate. I have many issues with the game which I could probably write a whole blog about on its own (seriously if you wanna bitch about it tweet me!)! Also 2015 was the year I finally bought Cards Against Humanity and played it so much the cards aren’t that funny anymore

Lets get audible, what artists and/or albums have you been jamming out to this year?

Farquharson: How long have you got? As my spotify year in review showed me 2015 has been a year where I spent the majority of my time listening to the hauntingly beautiful Agnes Obel and Sleater-Kinney’s 10 year hiatus breaking album ‘No Cities to Love‘. My album of the year has got to be Clutch’s ‘Psychic Warfare‘ – it is rock n’ roll perfection. As an added bonus this year I got to see live two of my all time favourite bands, both of which I never thought I would get to see live: Dog Fashion Disco and Jack off Jill. JoJ’s gig was especially important as it fufilled a dream I have been carrying around with me for over 15 years.

Stewie: I loved Elle King’s Exes and Ohs when it first came out, but now it’s so over-played and driving me insane. The Gorillaz are working on a new album this year, but it’s yet to be released! I think most of the music I’ve been digging is pre-2015… things like Cibo Matto and Telepopmusik, hehe.

And podcasts?

Stewie: Honestly I’m not much for podcasts, but I have Night Vale on my “to listen to” list thanks to Farquharson.

Farquharson: EOS 10 – I know I keep banging on about it, but if you aren’t already listening you are missing an absolute treat! Of course my love affair with Welcome to Night Vale continues (and I got to see it live AGAIN this year – I am so lucky!)

Favourite IGGPPC activity this year?

Farquharson: I love the watch a longs, I always try and jump in on them where I can! Mainly though I just like observing the club grow and expand and change. Seeing friendships blossom has always been the best part of IGGPPC

Stewie: IGGPPCamp went fabulously this year! The team really pulled together and did an amazing job of it. I think the Iggles had so much fun! I also loved attending C2E2 with Joanna, Sumsy, and Val. It was epic to host an Iggle Brunch at Geek Bar, meet Katie Cook, and hang out with my besties. I met so many Iggles in real life – I thank my lucky stars every day for the IGGPPC! And if you’re going to C2E2 next year, look for us in 2016!

Are there any other notable things from 2015 you want to mention?

Stewie: I was honored to represent the IGGPPC again at the Geekie Awards, but this time as a judge behind the scenes. I helped to determine who the Best Website/Blog would be – and perhaps we’ll run again in 2016!

Farquharson: I was very lucky to meet not one, not two, not three but FOUR iggles this year and it was an absolute joy. In May the lovely Emma (aka @lickmycupcakes) who was one of the original staff members stopped by for a flying visit with her husband on their way to Scotland We touched butts, laughed and ate a lot of food – it was swell. Then in June I had the pleasure of hosting Geek Girl Brunch co-founder Yissel (aka @TheDesignerGeek) for 2 nights and we had magical adventures in York and Leeds with bubbling rooftop cocktails wrapped in furs and she was a terrible (terribly great) influence on my comic book purchases for the month! Then in August I met up with local iggle Lauren and our lovely French iggle friend Mathilde in Leeds where we feasted on Japanese food! All round this year was a good year for iggles!

Finally what are you looking forward to in 2016?

Farquharson: World domination.

Stewie: …in which Farquharson, the IGGPPC, and I take over the world using nothing but Frozen songs. Farq will be lead vocalist.

Farquharson: There will be no Frozen songs, do NOT listen to the Stewbleton’s lies