EPISODE 263 - JL MAY 2017 PART 4: JUSTICE #4

Episode 263 - JL May 2017 Part 4: Justice #4

Once again I find myself part of an epic podcasting crossover and once again it involves the Justice League.  JL MAY 2017 is all about the 12 issue maxi-series Justice and I am lucky enough to be part of it.  This leg of the crossover covers the fourth issue, where things go very wrong for the heroes of the Justice League while the Legion of Doom makes their case to humanity.  Superman getting a beat down...the role of villains in the DCU...Wonder Woman's mission...creepy stuff happening in Ollie's bedroom...all this and more is covered in this episode.  I also go over the DC Direct figures that sprang out of this series because what is more exciting than an audio medium talking about visual items?

During the course of the episode I reference a past episode of this show and the seventh episode of Dorkness to Light.  On those episodes Alan Middleton, Em Middleton and I talk about Kingdom Come.

And here is a full list of of the shows taking part in this year's JL May 2017!

• Part 1: Aquaman and Firestrom: The Fire and Water Podcast
• Part 2: Super Mates
• Part 3: Idol Head of Diabolu
• Part 4: Views From The Longbox (That's me!)
• Part 5: Pulp 2 Pixel
• Part 6: Lanterncast
• Part 7: Shazamcast
• Part 8: Comic Reflections
• Part 9: Silver N Gold Podcast
• Part 10: Power of Fishnets
• Part 11: Waiting For Doom
• Part 12: Justice's First Dawn

Next Episode: No idea, but it will be swell!

EPISODE 262 - GOLDEN AGE

Episode 262 - Golden Age

This time out Ryan Daly stops by to talk about the DC Comics mini-series Golden Age or, as it is commonly called now, JSA: The Golden Age.  This was a four issue Elseworlds story that took place after World War II and showed what happened to the members of the Justice Society and the All-Star Squadron in a post war America.  One of those heroes, Tex Thompson, becomes a major mover and shaker but what is his ultimate goal?  Listen in and find out what Ryan and I thought about the characters in this story and the story itself.

Ryan hosts or co-hosts a number of shows over at The Fire and Water Podcast Network.  There's Gimmie Those Star Wars, Batman: Knightcast, Power of Fishnets: The Black Canary and Zatanna Podcast, It's Midnight...The Podcasting Hour and the ended but still awesome Secret Origins Podcast.  Check out all of those shows because they are the awesome.

During the feedback section I mentioned Tom Panarese and the podcasts he produces.  Pop Culture Affidavit can be found at it's home base or over on the Two True Freaks site.  You can also find In Country at both of those sites as well.  Be sure to listen to Tom's Origin Story series because it's really good.

Next Time: No idea.  I'll have something but at the moment I am not quite sure what it is.

EPISODE 261: 1987 - THE GREATEST YEAR IN COMICS!

Episode 261: 1987 - The Greatest Year In Comics!

This time out I am joined by my first semi-regular co-host The Irredeemable Shag to talk about the greatest year in comics.  Now your mileage may vary but for my money and Shag's money you really can't beat 1987 in terms of the sheer awesome that came out during that year.  From Airboy to Firestorm to the Justice League to Peter David on the Hulk to Young All-Stars to the Longbow Hunters '87 was packed to the rafters with amazing four colored fun.  Shag and I discuss all of those series and stories plus others and even have a lightning round that goes beyond the five main choices we...chose.

It's always fun to talk with Shag.  Be sure to head over to The Fire and Water Podcast Network and listen to Justice League International: The Bwa-Ha-Ha Podcast, The DigestCast and Aquaman and Firestorm: The Fire and Water Podcast because Shag is amazing on all of those shows.

Don't tell him I said that.  He'll think I like him.

Next Time: Ryan Daly stops by to talk about James Robinson and Paul Smith's The Golden Age!

EPISODE 260 - BAT VILLAINS YEAR ONE PART 2

Episode 260 - Bat Villains Year One Part 2

This time out I present the second part of my Bat Villains Year One two-parter, which is really just me finally putting out audio from the now ended Bailey's Batman Podcast.  Andy is still with me and we finish the series by looking at Batman: Shadow of the Bat Annual #3 (which has the origin of Poison Ivy), Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Annual #5 (which has the origin of Man-Bat), and Detective Comics Annual #8 (which has the origin of the Riddler).  We also shake things up a bit and talk about Robin Annual #4 (which has the origin of...well, it has the origin of Robin).  The show turns into the Chuck Dixon Appreciation Society for a bit, which is not a bad thing because Dixon's writing is awesome.  Andy and I also discuss why the '90s was such a good decade for Batman and other fun stuff pops up along the way.

I also announce the new podcast Andy and I are putting out, which begins its run in May!

During the episode I read an email from Ryan Daly and mentioned the awesome show he co-hosts with Chris Franklin called Knightcast.  You can find that over on the Fire and Water Podcast Network site by clicking here.  On the same network you can find Ryan's amazing Secret Origins Podcast, which you can get to by clicking here.  

While I'm pimping stuff check out Robert Meyer's podcast Robin: Everyone Loves the Drake over at The Batman Universe.

And be sure to subscribe to Andy's various podcasts, which include The Fantasticast, Hey Kids Comics, The Palace of Glittering Delights and Listen to the Prophets: A Deep Space Nine Podcast.

Next Time: The Irredeemable Shag stops by to discuss the greatest year in comics...1987!

EPISODE 259 - BAT VILLAINS YEAR ONE PART 1

Episode 259 - Bat Villains Year One Part 1

From the vaults of the Fortress of Baileytude comes a lost episode of a show that is now done and dusted.  Back in 2015 Andrew Leyland and I sat down to record a two part episode of Bailey's Batman Podcast that was supposed to be part of a larger series of episodes focusing on Year One stories.  The first part of that series that didn't involve Andy never happened for various reasons and the audio just sat there until I could figure out what to do with it.  I figured that the time to release this audio is now since I am gearing up for a relaunch of sorts later this year.

There was a theme to the annuals DC Comics published in 1995 and that theme was Year One.  The idea was to tell stories set in the character in question's early days.  Batman already had a Year One, Two and Three so instead of rehashing his early days the powers that were decided to focus on the villains.  Andy and I thought it would be fun to dig into those stories (with two exceptions) but before we dug into those we hopped back to 1990 and read Batman Annual #14.  That annual told was all about the origin of Two-Face and had a narrative style very similar to Batman Year One.  More than anything it was a damn good story so we wanted to talk about it.  From there we discussed Batman Annual #19, which detailed the origin of the Scarecrow!

Be sure to tune in next time for the official announcement of the new podcast Andy and I are starting up in May!

Speaking of Andy and podcasts be sure to check out his other shows including Hey Kids Comics, The Palace of Glittering Delights, Listen to the Prophets: A Deep Space Nine Podcast and The Fantasticast!

Also, if you want to hear the episode of the Lonely Hearts Romance Comics Podcast that my wife Rachel and I appeared on just follow this link!

Next Time: More origins of the Bat Villains and possibly a sidekick as well!

EPISODE 258 - SHAZAM: THE NEW BEGINNING

Episode 258 - Shazam: The New Beginning

This time out I deliver an epilogue, of sorts, to my Legends series by looking at the four issue mini-series, Shazam: The New Beginning.  Once again I am not alone.  Joining me to talk about Roy and Dann Thomas' Post Crisis revamp of the Big Red Cheese is J David Weter, but we can call him Dave.  After going over our histories with the character we dive into all four issues and discuss the writing, the art, why Billy would have been a fan of the Transformers, Black Adam's ears and I throw in some Johnny Cash music for good measure.  

Many thanks to Dave for coming on the show!  Be sure to check out his podcasting goodness over on Two True Freaks.  Also keep an ear out for The Dave Cave, his upcoming Silver Age Batman podcast!

Next Time: I haven't decided yet.  It might be a lost episode or I might throw something together based on the Patreon suggestions!

EPISODE 257 - FEEDBACK 2017

Episode 257 - Feedback 2017

This time out I have an all feedback episode where I read your emails and iTunes reviews!  Past episodes are touched upon and question are asked and answered.  More than anything I wanted to dedicate an episode to everyone that took the time to write and email and leave an iTunes review.

There are some major announcements about the future of Views on this episode.  There is also information about the Patreon thing that I set up and for more information on that please check out this link to see what that's all about.  

I mean I go over it all in the episode but I like to give people options.  

During the episode I mentioned a few podcasts or rather people did the sensible thing and mentioned their podcasts.  Be sure to check out Gene Hendrick's various web stuff over at The Hammer Strikes.  Chris and Cindy Franklin are up to no good over at the Fire and Water Podcast Network.  Patrick Corcoran teams up with his father on Make Dad Read Comics.  Shawn Merek and his wife Jen talk about comics from the '70s, '80s and '90s over at Worst Collection Ever.  Tom Panarese has a bunch of shows over at Two True Freaks.  Professor Alan Middleton and Em Middleton are also up to no good over at the Relatively Geeky Network.

That should cover it.  If I have forgotten anyone I apologize.

Finally, here is the bit of art that Michel Fiffe did for Copra Vs. #2.  I was touched that the thing people use to wind me up could end up in a comic.  Be sure to check out Michel's site and his comics because he is awesome.

Next Time: Dave Weter drops by to do a follow up episode to my Legends coverage.  

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.