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 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 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 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 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.