EPISODE 256 - LEGENDS...30 YEARS LATER PART 4

Episode 256 - Legends...30 Years Later Part 4

This is it, folks!  The final chapter of my four part series about the DC Comics crossover event...Legends!  Legends turns 30 this year and I thought it deserved some coverage.  But not just any coverage...oh no...I decided to not only cover the six issue main series but each and every crossover chapter as well.  This time out my guests and I cover the epic conclusion to Darkseid's evil plan to wipe out the very concept of heroism on Earth.  In addition to the conclusion to Superman's trip to Apokolips, the "final" Justice League adventure, a battle with the Time Trapper and an origin for a certain team of villains that form some sort of squad.  

Comics covered in this episode include..

• Chapter 19: Action Comics #586 (with Andy Leyland from the Keep 'Em Flyin': A Firefly Podcast)
• Legends #5 (with Chris Franklin of the Batman: Knightcast podcast)
• Chapter 20: Cosmic Boy #4 (with Siskoid of First Strike: The Invasion Podcast!)
• Chapter 21: Justice League of America #261 (with Rob Kelly of The Power Records Podcast)
• Chapter 22: Secret Origins #14 (with Chad Bokelman of The Action Comics Weekly Podcast)
• Legends #6 (with The Irredeemable Shag and Rob Kelly of The Fire and Water Podcast)

Once again I want to thank all of the guests I had on over the last four episodes.  This series would not have been as epic as it was without them.  I cannot recommend each and every one of their shows enough.

I have gotten a good bit of feedback on social media about this series and the one aspect that has gotten the most attention is the music drops I put before and after each segment.  Here is the full list of songs I used during the course of Legends...30 Years Later.

• Main Episode Theme - Main Title from the Masters of the Universe score by Bill Conti
• Batman #401 - Been Caught Stealing by Jane's Addiction
• Detective Comics #568 - Birdhouse in Your Soul by They Might Be Giants
• Legends #1 - Holding Out For a Hero by Bonnie Tyler
• Green Lantern Corps #207 - Bad Attitude by Meat Loaf
• Legends #2 - Because of You by Kelly Clarkson
• Cosmic Boy #1 - Once in a Lifetime by The Talking Heads
• Justice League of America #258 - A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall by Bob Dylan
• Secret Origins #10 - The Stranger by Billy Joel
• Firestorm #55 - Let's Hang On by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
• Legends #3 - Suicide is Painless by Johnny Mandel from the MASH soundtrack
• Cosmic Boy #2 - Saturday Night's All Right For Fightin' by Elton John
• Justice League of America #259 - Gypsy Lou by Bob Dylan
• Firestorm #56 - Breaking Up Is Hard To Do by Neil Sedaka
• Blue Beetle #9 - Time of the Season by The Zombies
• Legends #4 - Spiraling Shape by They Might Be Giants
• Warlord #114 - The Great Pretender by The Platters
• Cosmic Boy #3 - Back In Time by Huey Lewis and the News
• Justice League of America #260 - Everything is Broken by Bob Dylan
• Blue Beetle #10 - Time Is On My Side by The Rolling Stones
• Warlord #115 - My Evil Twin by They Might Be Giants
• Superman #3 - On The Dark Side by Eddie and the Cruisers (aka John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band)
• Adventures of Superman #426 - Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye
• Action Comics #586 - Champion by RuPAUL
• Legends #5 - Join Together by The Who
• Cosmic Boy #4 - I Want It All by Queen
• Justice League of America #261 - Never Say Goodbye by Bob Dylan
• Secret Origins #14 - Carry On by Fun
• Legends #6 - You're The Voice by John Farnham
• Wrap Up - The End of the Tour by They Might Be Giants
• End Theme - End Credits from the Masters of the Universe score by Bill Conti

And that's pretty much it.  As I said in at the end of the episode this series was so much fun to put together and I am a bit bummed out that it's over.  Someday I hope to get back to covering Crisis on Infinite Earths but beyond that I don't think any of the other crossovers have my love and devotion like Legends does outside of Invasion!  Siskoid and Bass are doing such an amazing job covering Invasion! over at The Fire and Water Podcast Network I wouldn't even think of touching of that series.  So for now this is it for me and DC crossovers.

In my end piece thing I mentioned that The Irredeemable Shag (the Diet Coke of Evil) hosted Justice League International: The Bwa-Ha-Ha Podcast and that Aaron Head Moss hosted The Task Force X Podcast.  Give those a listen.  I think you'll like them.  

Next Time: Nothing next week as I need a break but the week after that I'll have the Views 2017 Christmas Special!

EPISODE 255 - LEGENDS...30 YEARS LATER PART 3

Episode 255 - Legends...30 Years Later Part 3

Welcome to the third part of my epic coverage of the DC Comics event Legends!  Legends turns 30 this year and as it is one of my favorite crossovers ever I wanted to give it some love and that turned into a four part series of episodes where I talk about the six issue main series plus ALL of the comics that crossed over into the event with some of the best and brightest in the comic book podcasting world.  This time out we journey to Skartaris, Chicago, the Time Stream, New York City and even Apokolips as we look through seven of the crossover issues that tied into Legends.

Comics covered in this episode include...

• Chapter 12: Warlord #114 (with Ruth and Darrin Sutherland of the Warlord Worlds Podcast)
• Chapter 13: Cosmic Boy #3 (with Siskoid of The Lonely Hearts Romance Comics Podcast)
• Chapter 14: Justice League of America #260 (with Rob Kelly of The TreasuryCast)
• Chapter 15: Blue Beetle #10 (with Joe Crowe of The RevCast)
• Chapter 16: Warlord #115 (with Ruth and Darrin Sutherland of Xenozoic Xenophiles)
• Chapter 17: Superman #3 (with Andy Leyland of Hey Kids Comics)
• Chapter 18: Adventures of Superman #426 (with Andy Leyland of Listen to the Prophets: A Deep Space Nine Podcast)

Please...for the love of God...and all that is holy...check out the shows I linked to above.  They are all awesome and you will enjoy them.

I mention during the coverage of the Superman issues that I have talked about two of the comics covered on this episode on other shows.  Way back in June of 2009 Jeffrey Taylor and I talked about Superman #3 and Adventures of Superman #426 on Episode 5 of From Crisis to Crisis:  A Superman Podcast.  I also talked about Superman #3 with Andy Leyland and Dave Weter on Episode 159 of Back to the Bins over at the Two True Freaks Network.  

Once again I'd like to thank all of my guests for this series.  I am not being humble when I write that these episodes would not be as awesome as it has been without their contributions.  

Next Time: Legends...30 Years Later concludes!

EPISODE 254 - LEGENDS...30 YEARS LATER PART 2

Episode 254 - Legends...30 Years Later Part 2

Welcome to the second part of my epic look at the DC Comics crossover event Legends.  Legends turns 30 this year and I thought it deserved a four alarm, full court press celebration and I really mean the four part because now this series will have FOUR parts not three!  This time out I kick things off with Legends #3 (a.k.a. the book that used to fetch maybe a dollar or two in the back issue bins but because of the Suicide Squad movie it's now a lot more expensive which confuses the crap out of me) and then continue to work my way through the various crossovers and main issues.  There's some Cosmic Boy in there plus more Firestorm and Justice League of America and joining the party is Blue Beetle!  Just like last time I have a fellow podcaster on for each issue and also like last time they include some returning guests and one brand new to the show. 

The comics covered on this episode includes...

• Legends #3 (with Chris Franklin of The Super Mates Podcast)
• Chapter 8: Cosmic Boy #2 (with Siskoid of the oHOTmu OR NOT podcast)
• Chapter 9: Justice League of America #259 (with Rob Kelly of the Film and Water Podcast)
• Chapter 10: Firestorm #56 (with The Irredeemable Shag of Aquaman and Firestorm: The Fire and Water Podcast)
• Chapter 11: Blue Beetle #9 (with Joe Crowe of The RevCast)
• Legends #4 (with Ryan Daly of The Power of Fishnets: The Black Canary and Zatana Podcast)

Once again I suggest checking out each and every one of the shows mentioned above.  They are all hosted by amazing podcasters and are well worth your time and attention.

This is another long one, folks.  Not as long as last time but as you'll hear in the show I had some reservations about three episodes in a row that run about four hours apiece.  Plus as I write this and as this episode is coming out we are prepping for the American holiday Thanksgiving here at the Bailey house so time is a little tighter this week.  So it's a longer than normal episode but not as long as last time.

(And there was much rejoicing)

Also once again a HUGE thank you to my guests for taking time out of their summers to record their segments.  The only reason this series is so epic is that they were part of it.

Next Time: Legends...30 Years Later continues!

EPISODE 253 - LEGENDS...30 YEARS LATER PART 1

Episode 253 - Legends...30 Years Later Part 1

Welcome, one and all, to a Views From The Longbox event!  Starting with this episode and going for at least two more I will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the DC Comics crossover...Legends.  Legends is one of my favorite DC crossovers and I thought it would be fun to cover it here on the show but I wanted to do it right.  I wanted to do it justice.  So instead of simply covering the main series and paying lip service to the crossover issues I got together with the best and the brightest in the comic book podcasting realm to cover each and every main issue and crossover associated with Legends. 

Some may call this insane or mad or a colossal waste of time but for me it was the only way to go.   

This time out I cover...

• Chapter One: Batman #401 (with Andrew Leyland of The Fantasticast)
• Chapter Two: Detective Comics #568 (also with Andrew Leyland of Palace of Glittering Delights)
• Legends #1 (with Rob Kelly and The Irredeemable Shag of Who's Who: The Definitive Podcast of the DC Universe)
• Chapter Three: Green Lantern Corps #207 (with Chad Bokelmen of The Lantern Cast)
• Legends #2 (with Ryan Daly of Gimmie Those Star Wars)
• Chapter Four: Cosmic Boy #1 (with Siskoid of First Strike: The Invasion Podcast)
• Chapter Five: Justice League of America #258 (with Rob Kelly of Pod Dylan)
• Chapter Six: Secret Origins #10 (with Joe Crow of The RevCast)
• Chapter Seven: Firestorm #55 (with The Irredeemable Shag of the Justice League International: Bwa-Ha-Ha Podcast)

Be sure to check out the links next to the names of my guests for this episode.  They all host or co-host fantastic shows that are well worth your time and attention.

Speaking of links I mentioned during my talk with Andy that he and I discussed Batman #400 on an episode of Bailey's Batman Podcast.  Click on this link to check that out if you are so inclined.

A HUGE thank you to the people that took time out of their busy schedules to talk about Legends with me.  The only reason these episodes are as epic as they are is because I had a great group of  knowledgeable podcasters to talk to.  

Next Time: Legends...30 Years Later Part 2!

EPISODE 252 - SUPERMAN: PRESIDENT LEX

Episode 252 - Superman: President Lex

It's Election Day here in the United States and after what feels like fifty years of candidates yelling at each other it all comes down to today.  In a very obvious attempt to tie in an episode to current events I sat down with Andrew Leyland to talk about the Superman: President Lex trade paperback.

Actually we begin by spending 30 to 40 minutes of the episode talking about the first two episodes of the second season of the Supegirl television series.  Tyler Hoechlin guest starred as Superman and Clark Kent in those episodes and the two of us had some thoughts on how he played those characters.  If you are looking for two people that hated his take you are going to be disappointed.  If you are looking for two people who do nothing but insult the current movie version of the character you will be disappointed because it is possible to like one, not like the other and at the same time not be a complete asshat about it.

After that we move into the Superman: President Lex trade which reprints...well, it reprints a lot of the comics that had to do with Lex Luthor getting elected President but it does so in such a wonky way that looking at the trade is a bit weird.  Despite this Andy and I soldier and talk about the writing, the art, why I love Jeph Loeb's Superman so much, the English pronunciation of the the word "Head" and other fun stuff.  Towards the end I do get on a bit of a political soap box but it's fairly brief so if that isn't your thing there isn't much to suffer through.

Andy can be found at a variety of podcasts including Hey Kids Comics, The Palace of Glittering Delights, The Fantasticast, Listen to the Prophets: A Deep Space Nine Podcast and the recently wrapped up Keep Em' Flying: A Firefly Podcast.

Next Time:  My epic, star studded look at the DC Comics Legends events begins!  Finally!

EPISODE 251 - X-FORCE: 25 YEARS LATER

Episode 251 - X-Force: 25 Years Later

Another episode...another anniversary. 

A few months back Jon M. Wilson and J. David Weter joined me to talk about the 25th anniversary of the adjectiveless X-Men series being published and the mega story X-Cutioner's Song.  We had a lot of fun talking about '90s era X-books and that conversation continues in this episode as Jon stops by to talk about the other big X-release from the summer of 1991.

That's right.  We talk about X-Force.

Actually we talk about the last three issues of New Mutants and then the first four issues of X-Force as well as the Spider-Man crossover issue.  Along the way we discuss the transition the team went through from one series to the other as well as the particulars of the issues themselves.  We also discuss the fact that part of this story takes place at a location that no longer exists.  It was a fun conversation and I found myself enjoying the books a lot more than I thought I would.

At one point during the episode I talk about the trading cards that were polybagged with issue one.  Below is a graphic showing what they looked like.

Because I care.

I'd like to thank Jon for coming out to play.  Jon hosts or co-hosts such shows as Avengers Inspiration, New 52 Adventures of Superman, Amazing Spider-Man Classics and The Giant Superman Podcast.  Be sure to check those shows out because they are all well worth your time and attention.

Next Time: President Lex!  With Andy Leyland!  Be there!

EPISODE 250 - FANTASTIC FOUR: HEROES REBORN

Episode 250 - Fantastic Four: Heroes Reborn

And lo there came an ending...to my series of episodes about the 20th anniversary of Heroes Reborn!  This time out I close things out on that four part flashback by going back to the first series that was put out under the Heroes Reborn initiative.  The Fantastic Four was one of the Marvel properties taken over by Jim Lee and it seems (if Internet chatter is to be believed) that it is the one book that tends to looked back on fondly or at the very least gets a free pass.  To help me examine why this is I have roped in Andrew Leyland and Stephen Lacey, who just so happen to host a Fantastic Four podcast called The Fantasticast.  Their mandate is to read every issue or appearance of the FF in chronological order.  Currently they are in the 1970's but I managed to convince them to hop on to Doom's Time Platform and read the first six issues of the Heroes Reborn Fantastic Four series.  Together we look at the 1990's take on the team's origins and their new first encounters with The Mole Man, Namor, The Black Panther, the Silver Surfer and  of course Doctor Doom.  We also discuss the series and Heroes Reborn in general.  

I wanted to thank Andy and Stephen for getting together on a Sunday to talk about this series.  Be sure to use the link above to check out their site and show if you haven't already and if you like it consider contributing to their Patreon page.  You get some neat bonuses and would be supporting a wonderful show that just shot past its 200th episode.  While you're at it check out Andy's other shows which include Hey Kids Comics, The Palace of Glittering Delights, Listen to the Prophets: A Deep Space Nine Podcast and Keep Em' Flying: A Firefly Podcast.  

And if you are a fan of the Fantasticast you'll enjoy this awesome image made by Samuel Savage, who does their episode graphics!

Next Time: 25 years ago a series called X-Force came out.  Jon M Wilson and I talk about it.  

EPISODE 249 - AVENGERS: HEROES REBORN

Episode 249 - Avengers: Heroes Reborn

Quick warning right from the top; I usually have a PG-13 attitude towards language on this show.  Certain words are okay and certain words I will bleep out.  Because of how this conversation flowed there are a number of F-bombs that get dropped that I didn't bleep out.  Those F-bombs were not due to the quality of the comics that are covered.  They just happened and I felt that bleeping them took away from the point that was being made.

So...headphones if you're at work and you may not want to play them in front of the kids if you are sensitive to such things.

Anyway, my series of episodes marking the 20th anniversary of Marvel's Heroes Reborn initiative continues this time out with what is considered by many to be the worst of the four books of the line.  The Avengers have traditionally been Marvel's varsity super-hero team but by 1996 they, like the other characters and teams that were handed over to Jim Lee and Rob Liefeld, not doing too well.  Rob Liefeld and crew were given the keys to the mansion and the results were...mixed.   Joining me to discuss this roller coaster ride of a book is Jon M Wilson and we have one of those conversations that starts out one way and in the end becomes something else.  Along the way there are flashbacks, movie clips and even a classic television theme song thrown in for good measure.

Jon M Wilson is the host or co-host of a bunch of other shows such as The Giant Superman Podcast, Avengers Inspirations and the New 52 Adventures of Superman.  He has also resurrected Amazing Spider-Man Classics and in the next few months episodes featuring me and Andrew Leyland should be hitting the feed, which were a lot of fun to record and it's neat to be part of that show.  In a few weeks Jon will be back to discuss another Marvel anniversary for this year.

Next Time: The Heroes Reborn series comes to an end with the Fantastic Four!

EPISODE 248: SUICIDE SQUAD ISSUES 1-8

Episode 248: Suicide Squad Issues 1-8

After far too many delays I finally present an episode that was meant to come out in August but life had other plans.  Thomas Deja returns to Views to talk about something we've been planning to discuss for years.  

The Suicide Squad.

Specifically the John Ostrander/Luke McDonnell series that started in 1987.  I've been a fan of this book since discovering it around 2000 and the fact that I get to talk about it with a good friend helps.  Tom and I go through the first eight issues of Suicide Squad and discuss the team's first encounter with The Jihad, their loss against the Female Furies, a slight diversion with a guy named William Hell and then their Mission to Moscow.  Rounding this octagon of awesome is a look into what makes the members of the Squad tick.

You might notice that Tom sounds like he is on a land line.  That's because he was on a land line.  I'm really not supposed to talk about it but Tom has been on the run from the government for most of the year.  We had to have this conversation on a burn phone (as opposed to a Byrne phone) and I appreciate him taking a chance by talking to me.  I don't know where Tom is now but I'm pretty sure he's in a small town helping people out because he's awesome.

Next Time: Heroes Reborn Avengers with Jon Wilson!

EPISODE 247 - DRAGONCON 2016 PART 3: WONDER WOMAN THE 75th ANNIVERSARY

Episode 247 - DragonCon 2016 Part 3: Wonder Woman The 75th Anniversary

I have a real treat for you this week, folks!  On Sunday, September 4, 2016 I and some of the other Classics Track Irregulars had the honor of sharing the stage with the one, the only George Perez!  Our subject?  Wonder Woman: The 75th Anniversary!  During the panel you'll hear us talking about Diana's history but mainly you'll hear about how George started working on the character and some of the highs and lows of his run.  He also gives an insight on what he brought to the character and the ways he changed her for a new generation.

Seriously...it was so awesome.  I cannot express how grateful I am to Joe Crowe and Gary Mitchel for letting me be a part of it.  Speaking of being a part of it, my fellow panelists were;

• Jessa Phillips: Editor In Chief over at Good To Be a Geek, home of the Comic Book Heroines podcast
• Kevin Eldridge: One of the hosts of the Flopcast
• Elizabeth Keethley: She writes stuff and is just awesome.  

Towards the end of the episode I mentioned that another panel I was on had been released over at the Needless Things podcast.  You can check out the GI Joe panel by clicking on this link.  Give the Phantom Troublemaker some love.

Next Time: Suicide Squad with Thomas Deja!

EPISODE 246 - DRAGONCON 2016 PART 2: THE SUPERHERO-VERSARY

Episode 246 - DragonCon 2016 Part 2: 2016 Superhero-Versary

This time out I present the second week of my DragonCon 2016 coverage with the Superhero-Versary Panel that took place on September 5, 2016 at 8:30 in the morning.  The panel was well attended for 8:30 on the final day of the con and I had a lot of fun talking super-hero birthdays.  Like last year we talked about a bunch of super-heroes celebrating their 75th anniversaries in 2016.  I was once again blessed to be joined by a great group of people.  They were:

• Geena Phillips: Writes and blogs about social justice issues and can be found on Twitter @geenacanblowme.
• Philip Schweier: Writer for Comicbookbin.com and one of the organizers of Gnomecon.
• Kevin Eldridge: Is a host on the Flopcast. 
• Joe Crowe: Co-director of the American Sci-Fi Classics Track and one of the grand pooh bahs over at RevolutionsSF.

If you want to follow along with the discussion feel free to download the Powerpoint Presentation I Put Together For This Panel.  

Also I wanted to give Rebecca Raymer of Creators.Co for writing about this panel.  She reached out to me through Twitter and here is a link to the article she wrote.  I cannot express how much it means to me that someone liked this panel enough to write about it. 

Next Time: WONDER WOMAN PANEL FROM DRAGONCON WITH GEORGE PEREZ!!!! 

EPISODE 245 - DRAGONCON 2016 PART 1: WATCHMEN 30 YEAR, 35 MINUTES AGO

Episode 245 - DragonCon 2016 Part 1: Watchmen 30 Years, 35 Minutes Ago

DragonCon 2016 is over but the fun hasn't ended.  I was fortunate enough to be on a bunch (12 in all plus a few I got pulled up on) of the panels on the American Sci-Fi Classics track this year and while not all of them have to do with comics some of them did.  One of those was the Watchmen: 30 Years, 35 Minutes Ago, which took place on September 5, 2016. This was a fantastic conversation where we talked about Alan Moore as a writer, the themes of the story, the amazing art by Dave Gibbons and we even touch on the prequels that were a published a few years back.

We also take a few shots at the Zach Synder movie.

If you liked what you heard on this panel and want to check out the various podcasts my fellow panelists host they are...

• Gary Mitchel - (yes, that is his real name) is one of the hosts of the RevNews and RevCast shows over at RevolutionsSF.
• The Rad Ranger - host of the Rad Ranger Radical Radcast and also appears on the Needless Things Podcast from time to time.
• Will Price - Doesn't host anything but you can find him on Facebook.  
• Kevin Eldridge - is on the Flopcast.

I do apologize for the sometimes spotty audio.  I recorded this with my phone and sometimes it was hard to hear people but I think you can get the gist of what was said.

I also apologize for not getting the name of the young lady in the Silk Spectre costume.  She was very nice and even posed for a picture with us.

Thanks again to Gary Mitchel and Joe Crowe for putting up with me again this year.

Next Time: Get out your favorite paper hats because it's time to celebrate some super-hero birthdays with the 2016 Superhero-versary Panel!

EPISODE 244 - THE KILLING JOKE

Episode 244 - The Killing Joke

In the first installment of Views From a Superstitious and Cowardly Lot (the series within a series where I talk about Batman) Andy Leyland and I talk about Batman: The Killing Joke.  To say that this is a controversial story is an understatement.  For years The Killing Joke was considered a seminal Batman story.  A must read.  A violent look at the relationship between Batman and the Joker.  A game changer.  Now the worm has turned and The Killing Joke isn't seen as a bastion for mature comic book storytelling.  It's an unnecessary story that damaged Barbara Gordon as a character and furthers the trope of killing or maiming a female character to further a male character's story.

For nearly two hours Andy and I talk about all of these issues and more.  We look at the story as a story and then look at how this story treats its characters.  Barbara Gordon is brought up more than once and the two of us get to vent about how we're sick of rape being used as a gimmick.  I'm not going to lie.  This episode has some fun points but Andy and I go to some pretty dark areas and we don't shy away from it.  We ask a lot of questions and try to judge this story fairly.  What are our final thoughts?  Listen and find out.

As I mentioned Andy and I talk about some pretty serious issues in this episode.  Normally I keep this a pretty light affair but for this story things get real.  Because of that I wanted to warn everyone because I know there are people out there that, for a variety of reasons, get very upset when they hear about sexual assault and violence towards women.  Because of that I am issuing Views' first ever trigger warning.  Some people think that trigger warnings are silly and that people should just suck up and get over whatever is bothering them.  To those people I say, "Too bad."  I have seen the effects of PTSD and if giving out a trigger warning spares someone an episode then it is totally worth it.

Besides...my show, my rules.  Don't like it?  I really don't care.

Andy Leyland was nice enough to stop by.  Be sure to check out his other shows, which include: Hey Kids Comics, The Palace of Glittering Delights, Listen to the Prophets: A Deep Space Nine Podcast, The Fantasticast and Keep 'Em Flying: A Firefly Podcast.

Next Time: I will finally release the awesome Suicide Squad episode Thomas Deja and I recorded.  It's keen.  

EPISODE 243 - KINGDOM COME 20 YEARS LATER

Episode 243 - Kingdom Come 20 Years Later

Kingdom Come turns 20 this year.  Alan and Emily Middleton help me talk about it.  

...

What?  You want more than that?  I mean what else can I say outside of the fact that Kingdom Come is now 20 and that the wonderful daughter/father team of Emily and Alan Middleton were nice enough to stop by to spend about three hours talking about this epic story?

...

Okay.  I'll put a little more effort into these show notes.

This time out I am joined by the previously mentioned Alan and Emily Middleton (hosts of Shortbox Showcase and Dorkness to Light) to discusses the already mentioned Kingdom Come.  There are many different ways we could have tackled this subject.  The art alone merits its own episode.  We chose to tackle the story from the standpoint of the characters so after a short history lesson and a somewhat entertaining synopsis the three of us dive into the main players of this story.  Superman.  Batman.  Wonder Woman.  Captain Marvel.  The now badly named Mankind Liberation Front.  All of them get thrown under the microscope as we talk about what the stories means to those characters, what those characters mean to us and where things went right or wrong.  I also go over the merchandise, the adaptations and the legal problems that crop up when you publish a companion book to a series put out by a large corporation.

I'd like to thank Alan and Emily for coming out to play and the fun isn't over.  This is actually part one of a two part podcasting crossover event and the second part should be up in a few days over at the Dorkness to Light podcast.  There Alan and Emily were nice enough to have me on to talk about the biblical and spiritual aspects of this story.  Be sure to listen to that episode and everything else these two produce podcasting and blog wise because they're awesome and deserve your support.

Next Time: Thomas Deja stops by to talk about the first eight issues of John Ostrander's Suicide Squad! 

EPISODE 242: VIEWS ON REBIRTH MONTH ONE

Episode 242: Views on Rebirth Month One

DC Comics has once again revamped their line.  You might have heard about this.  It's been in the papers.  After five years of creative upheavals and weird directions and just bone headed decisions the powers that be decided that something was missing in the DCU and so they tapped Geoff Johns to craft a course correction for the line.  The result?  DC Rebirth.  

I usually shy away from covering newer comics for a variety of reasons but this is a pretty big deal and...shockingly some might say...I've really liked what DC has been laying down.  So I thought it might be fun to talk about the first month worth of books and I brought a friend along for the ride.  Joining me to this time out is Kevin Cushing, formerly of the Spider-Man Crawlspace Podcast and other fine shows.  Kevin has not been podcasting at all over the past year or so.  Some say he's been on the run from the mob.  Others say that he was framed for a crime he didn't commit and disappeared into the Los Angeles underground.  There's this rumor that he wasn't all that hot on new comics so he's stayed away from the microphone.  No matter the case he's back on Views and I was glad he decided to join me.

After a brief discussion about the DC Univerese: Rebirth one shot we dive into all of the Rebirth comics from June.  We spend a lot of time on the Superman books because it's my show and I am so in love with the new creative regimes on Action Comics and Superman that it just felt right to talk about them for so long.  We also go over Batman, Detective Comics, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lanterns, Aquaman and Green Arrow in that order, which just so happens to be the order I read the books when I pick them up at the shop.  It's a fun two hours worth of comic talk.  What titles did we like?  Did we have any problems with them?  Has Rebirth been worth it?  Listen and find out.  

Thanks again to Kevin for coming out to play.  Hopefully we'll get together to record another one of these next month!

Next Time: The father/daughter team of Alan and Emily Middleton stop by to start a two part crossover with one of their shows  that is all about the 20th anniversary of Kingdom Come!

EPISODE 241 - TOTAL JUSTICE

Episode 241 - Total Justice

Continuing the three month non-series The 2016 Views Summer of Absolute Awesomeness!  Every episode in June, July and August will be in some, way, shape, form or fashion remind me of reading comics in the summer!  Big events!  Books I read during the summer!  Stuff that's just a lot of fun!  That's what this non-series is all about!

The calendar says it's June so that means it's time for Views' annual anniversary episode!  As usual The Irredeemable Shag (host of the Justice League International: Bwah-Ha-Ha Podcast and co-host of The Fire and Water Podcast) is with me and our topic this year is total team work, total tech...TOTAL JUSTICE!  Twenty years ago Kenner Toys put out a line of action figures based on the DC heroes with the added hook of FRACTAL ARMOR!  What is FRACTAL ARMOR?  You'll have to listen to the episode to find out.  You'll also hear Shag and I go through EACH AND EVERY FIGURE of the line as well as EACH AND EVERY FIGURE of the follow up JLA line.  

But that's not all!  Between each segment you'll get to hear all of the songs from the Total Justice: The Ultimate Weapon audio drama that came out as part of the merchandise associated with this line.  Maybe audio drama isn't the best way to describe it.  Maybe pseudo rock opera is a better description because this thing is your typical JLA vs Darkseid story mixed with a bunch of songs that were mostly nineties rock but there was some hip hop mixed in there as well.  These songs are insane and because of that I have to share them with you.

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL!  For one of the talky talk segments Shag and I are joined by Tom Panarese (host of Pop Culture Affidavit and In Country) and Stella (host of Batgirl to Oracle: A Barbara Gordon Podcast and co-host on several of The Batman Universe shows) to talk specifically about the audio drama.  Stella and Tom are an added bonus for this anniversary episode with no increase in the cover price of the show!

During the episode Shag mentioned he had 12 Aquaman figures from this line.  Here's a picture of those figures which can also double as a snap shot into the mind of an addict.

I'd like to thank Shag, Stella and Tom for joining me on this episode and as usual for these anniversary shows I'd like to thank all of you for listening to Views.  I have been extremely blessed with a very loyal audience that has stuck with me through multiple weeks and months with no episodes and I hope you've been enjoying 2016 because I've managed to get new episodes out on a regular basis.  It means a lot that people want to hear me and my friends ramble on about funny books.

Next Time: Haven't decided yet but it is bound to be a lot of fun.

EPISODE 240 - IRON MAN REBORN

Episode 240 - Iron Man Reborn

Continuing the three month non-series The 2016 Views Summer of Absolute Awesomeness!  Every episode in June, July and August will in some way, shape, form or fashion remind me of reading comics in the summer!  Big events!  Books I read during the summer!  Stuff that's just a lot of fun!  That what this kind of, but not really connected series of episodes is all about!

Welcome to another installment in my series of episodes marking the 20th anniversary of Marvel's Heroes Reborn initiative.  This time out the Armored Avenger gets the spotlight and since I know very little about Iron Man in general I have a special guest to pick up that slack.  Joining me is Luke Jaconetti (host of Earth Destruction Directive and co-host of Vault of Startling Monster Horror Tales of Terror, both available through the Two True Freaks Network) who is quite the fan of the cool exec with a heart of steel.  Together we take a close look at the first six issues of the Heroes Reborn Iron Man series and discuss the new origin, the inclusion of the Hulk characters into said origin, the team-ups with the other Heroes Reborn heroes and our opinions on the villains that this "new" Iron Man faces.  Other topics include the similarities between this initiative and the Ultimate brand that Marvel would begin less than ten years later, how the Mandarin in this books has a lot in common with the Mandarin from Iron Man 3, how weird it is that a series of stories can feel like they are moving forward and still marking time until the next creative team comes on the book and even some movie talk right there at the end.

Be sure to check out Luke's show via the links in the previous paragraph.  This episode was a lot of fun to do and we had so much extra audio that at some point I am going to put out a "shoot the breeze" type episode where we talk about fandom and a whole bunch of other random topics.  I don't know when I will be getting to that but I'll have it out before the end of the year.

Next Time:  It's the 9th Anniversary show, which means that the Irredeemable Shag will be dropping by as well as a few other surprise guests.  Our subject?  TOTAL JUSTICE!

EPISODE 239 - DC VS MARVEL

Episode 239 - DC vs Marvel

Beginning the three month non-series The 2016 Views Summer of Absolute Awesomeness!  Every episode in June, July and August will in some way, shape form or fashion remind me of reading comics in the summer!  Big events!  Books I read during the summer!  Stuff that's just a lot of fun!  That's what this kind of but not really connected series of episode is all about!

Since fan first met fan the question of, "Who would win in a fight? (Insert hero name here) or (Insert other hero name here)?" has been asked again and again.  In 1995 DC and Marvel threw that question out to their readers and the result was part crossover, part high school election and all slugfest.  DC vs Marvel/Marvel vs DC pitted hero against hero with the audience picking most of the winners.  It was a mega-brawl with the fate of both universes at stake.  

Joining me to discuss this series is Donovan Morgan Grant.  Together we talk about the plot (such as it was) but mostly we gush about the fights.  Thor vs. Captain Marvel.  Aquaman vs. Namor.  Flash vs. Quicksilver. Jubilee vs. Robin.  Green Lantern vs. Silver Surfer.  Catwoman vs. Electra.  Wolverine vs. Lobo.  Spider-Man vs. Superboy.  Wonder Woman vs. Storm.  Superman vs. Hulk.  Captain America vs. Batman.  Don and I go through all of the fights as well as the other fun crossovers and meetings that made this series the epic time capsule it was.  We even talk about the Dr. Strangefate Amalgam Comic just for grins and because it was in the trade paperback.  Who did we think should have won?  What lessons did we learn from this crossover?  Was it all worth it?  Don and I ask and answer those questions and more.

I'd like to thank Don for coming on this episode.  He was my one and only choice for this topic because anyone that refers to DC vs. Marvel as "My Secret Wars" (the original one, not the more recent version) has obviously got some things to say about this event.  Don is the co-host of The Comic Revue Podcast and the now done and dusted The Next Dimension: A DragonBall Z Podcast so be sure to check those shows out and give them some love.

Unless you already are in which case...carry on.

One more thing before I sign off for the week.  The folks that make up the DCTV Podcasts network of shows are coming together for an event that supports a very worthy cause.  I'd tell you all about it but they have a fancy press release so I'll let that do the talking.

DC TV PODCASTS: SPINAL CORD RESEARCH FUNDRAISER ON JUNE 11! Podcasters assemble to help cure spinal injuries in a live marathon event.  

Tuesday, May 31, 2016 - The DC TV Podcasting Network is teaming up with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to help cure spinal cord ailments on Saturday, June 11, 2016.  

Founded by the late Man of Steel himself, the mission of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation is to discover and fund innovative research as well as improving the quality of life for people who live with paralysis. We here at DC TV Podcasts couldn’t be more proud to be partnering up with the Foundation for this important cause in advancing research for spinal cord injuries.   

Here is how you as a listener can help and participate on Saturday, June 11, 2016, while also enjoying your favorite DC television podcasts for Arrow, The Flash, Gotham, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow as well as DC Movies.  

The podcasting fundraising event will be hosted via Mixlr at mixlr.com/dctvpodcasts and will begin at 11 AM PST/2 PM EST. The event will feature the great minds of DC TV Podcasts with hosts from Quiver: The Green Arrow Podcast, The Flash Podcast, Legends of Gotham, Supergirl Radio, Legends of Tomorrow Podcast and DC Movies Podcast. 

The event will continue from 11 AM PST/2 PM EST into the evening with all six individual shows. The marathon will then conclude with a special DC TV Podcasts Assemble show featuring hosts from all six podcasts.  

Here is the following schedule for when all the live shows will begin:  

• Quiver: The Green Arrow Podcast at 11 AM PST (2 PM EST) with Michael Cohen and Amanda Konkin.  
• DC Movies Podcast at 12 PM PST (3 PM EST) with Chris Doucher and Ashley Robinson.  
• Supergirl Radio at 1 PM PST (4 PM EST) with Rebecca Johnson, Carly Lane and Morgan Glennon.  
• The Flash Podcast at 2 PM PST (5 PM EST) with Andy Behbakht, Lauren Gallaway and guest host Jason Inman.  
• Legends of Tomorrow Podcast at 3 PM PST (6 PM EST) with Morgan Glennon and TBA hosts  
• Legends of Gotham at 4 PM PST (7 PM EST) with Bill Meeks and Anne Marie DeSimone  
• DC TV Podcasts: Assemble Show at 5 PM PST (8 PM EST) with multiple hosts of DC TV Podcasts TBA.  

Starting today, as well as during the marathon, head over to DCTVPodcasts.com/Fundraiser to find out how you can make a donation to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. 

We at DC TV Podcasts hope to see you in the live chat and enjoy all the exciting programming we have in store for you! Nothing would make us happier than our listeners donating to this significant cause and joining us at DC TV Podcasts in helping the Foundation in funding cures and research for paralysis.  

DISCLAIMER: Any podcasts that are represented on DC TV Podcasts are fan podcasts and are not affiliated with DC Comics, Warner Bros. TV, Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Entertainment, The CW, and FOX.  

About the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation:  

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for individuals living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. For more information, please visit https://www.christopherreeve.org/   

About DC Television Podcasts:  

DC TV Podcasts is a podcast network that features a collection of high-quality and popular podcasts devoted to DC Comics television series, such as The CW’s Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, FOX’s Gotham, as well as the DC Movies in the DC Extended Universe! Join the hosts of Quiver Podcast, The Flash Podcast, Legends of Gotham, Supergirl Radio, Legends of Tomorrow Podcast and DC Movies Podcast every week for news, commentary and opinions about these comic book shows as well as DC Comics films. 

Be sure to check out the main site and give if you can. 

Next Time: Another installment of the Heroes Reborn series I'm running this year.  Come back next week for a 1996 updating of the cool exec with the heart  of steel.