Episode 111: Earth Numbering Systems in DC and Marvel

You may have heard of Earth 1, Earth 2, and possibly even Earth 616.  But, how did all these names come to be, and who decides which is which? Wouldn’t they all want to be Earth 1? That’s what listener Joel L. asks, and Kurt answers for both the Marvel and DC Universes this episode.

The first time multiple Earths show up.

And the first time they get named.

The DC Multiverse as it (sort of) stands today.

The first use of 616 to refer to the regular Marvel Universe.

Episode 110: Some Card Game Mechanics

Following up on last episode’s discussion of board game mechanics, we move into some game mechanics and other terms that are specific to games with cards.  We define some of the more common terms and mechanics, using examples from some of the more popular card games.

The most commonly known deck, but nowhere near the only one.

Just a few of the many, many, many Magic cards that have been created.

I choose you! (That’s about all I know about Pokemon)

With an H.P. Lovecraft themed deck, I’m not sure “Living Card Game” was the best name, but it is what it is.

A few cards from one procedurally generated Keyforge deck.

All this makes sense as soon as you play. (The catchphrase of many a game teacher.)

Comics and card games combined! Cool!

Be more careful, Speedball!

Episode 109: Some Board Game Mechanics

Resource Management, Worker Placement, Area Control. You may have heard some of these terms and others as people discuss their favorite board games. But what do they mean? Using some of the most popular games around, we discuss these terms and others to help you learn more about how many board games are played.

Just a few of the many, many options out there. Knowing how each game is played will help you decide which one you want to play next.

Episode 108: The Why-Men (Lesser Known X-Men; Vulcan, Petra, Sway, and Darwin)

Continuing this recurring series on the lesser known members of the X-Men, Kurt dives into the history of the mutant team to find the lesser-known characters that deserve some additional attention.  This time we focus on the retconned “second team” introduced in the “Deadly Genesis” mini-series: Vulcan, Petra, Sway, and Darwin.

Soooo…many…X-Men.

Group shot. If you reverse the middle two, they’re in the order I talk about them in the episode.

I adapt my body so that nothing can harm me…

…except the one thing I actually get attacked by.

Episode 107: Dragonlance in Comics

For readers of fantasy, especially those with a history of role-playing “Dragonlance” is a well-known property.  But, did you know that it was also available to readers of comic books? Thanks to a listener question, we go through the various incarnations of comics tied to the World of Krynn, including both adaptations and original stories.

A very familiar site for 80s and 90s fantasy readers.

“Book Two” is actually the second half of the first book. It makes sense when you read it.

A more recent adaptation. Of course I chose the one with Raistlin on the cover…

Guess who the main character is. I’m guessing you’re wrong.

As promised, here’s me as Raistlin (with some Photoshop, but not as much as you might think).

Episode 106: Santa Claus in Comics - Marvel Edition

Happy Holidays, everyone!  Like last year’s episode, I thought it fitting (considering the timing) to go over some of Santa’s appearances in various comic books, this time focusing on Marvel Comics (other companies may be featured in future years), as he meets the X-Men, Spider-Man, and Howard the Duck (twice!), among other appearances.  Warning: Ironically and unfortunately, this episode may not be suitable for kids.  (Mostly due to the topic.  Language-wise, it’s safe)

🎶I saw Hitler shooting…Santa Claus…🎶

We never do find out when/how they got turned back from action figures…

Back when Howard was always an angry duck. He’s mellowed over the years…

Ho Ho Ho, now I have a handgun.

No, Shulkie, we’re not kidding.

This cover is misleading, but what we do get is equally (if not more) disturbing…

Episode 105: Who Has Been in the Sinister Six?

Not just a list, because that would be boring. Instead, we go through the team’s history, starting with their very first appearance all the way up to the recent “Sinister War,” to find out how the various versions formed, and who was on each team.  It appears we’ll be seeing them in “No Way Home” coming out soon, so this should get you caught up.

I don’t know about you, but I’m glad the multi-colored logo didn’t stick…

No, Spider-Man doesn’t get shrunken down…in this story.

Spider-Man joins the 90s!

Yeah, good luck with that…

Episode 104: Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Who’s the Fastest of them All?

I don’t usually go for “Who Would Win” type questions, but I think this one has a more definitive answer, so we make as many direct comparisons as possible using the given evidence to find out who truly is the speediest of the speedsters.

This never happened, but if it did, there’s a clear winner.

Or, D: None of the Above?

Ouch, that’s just mean, Wally…

Well, Superman has bad starters form, so that gives Flash an early advantage…

Episode 103: Villains of the Batman Arkham Video Games

With 10 different games in the series out, the Batman: Arkham video games have pulled from all over the history of the character for their villains.  One player of the series was curious to find out if any of them were original to the game, or if they all come from the past comics somewhere, and why weren’t they used in the animated series.  We discuss all that and more in this episode, so take a listen!

Whoops! You missed this one (but it’s understandable, as the episode was fairly forgettable)

Calendar Man as he was originally portrayed…

And his current incarnation. One is just a little creepier than the other.

The video game Arkham Knight (aka Spoiler provided in the episode)

vs. the comic book version of the Arkham Knight (a later addition).

Episode 102: Horror Comics (and the Comics Code)

With Halloween just days away, it seemed like the perfect time to answer a question about the history of Horror comics.  From the very first, all the way up to a current favorite, we discuss the ups and downs this particular genre has experienced, especially as it was affected by the Comics Code Authority.

Even back then, they knew what sold…

The Crypt-Keeper underwent a makeover (or perhaps “morgue-over”) before his appearance on TV.

Blade also underwent some cosmetic changes before he first appeared on the screen…

Hi Mike! (I have a friend who is as much a fan of Swamp Thing as I am of Speedball, so he’ll probably see this eventually)

(Most of) The Midnight Sons, gathered together on a triple gatefold page (it was the 90s).

The true villain of the piece, Dr. Frederick Wertham.

Episode 101: Swordsman and Sword Master - Who Are They?

A young listener caught the name of a character I mentioned briefly in Episode 85, and asked me to follow up with his history.  This made me realize I had messed up in that episode, so I go over the history of the character I did name, plus dive into the backstory of the similarly named character I actually meant.

Apparently, if you have a French name, you also get an upturned mustache. I don’t write the rules, I just report them.

Marry a tree? (I’d make a “slippery slope” joke here, but I’m afraid someone might think I mean it)

See that upturned mustache? French tree…

Sequoia. He mostly takes after his dad…

Swordsman…Sword Master…You know, Potato/Potaster.

Episode 100: A Look Back

In this milestone episode, I look back to some earlier episodes, including the very first, to see what stories need updating.  In addition, I talk about questions I’ve received that, while appreciated, will not be the basis for a future episode.

Okay, we might be taking the title of “Death Metal” a little too literally…

Physician, feed thyself.

Wakanda Forev…wait a second.

Episode 99: Who Are The Eternals?

Started as their own separate story, the Eternals are now completely ingrained into the origins of the Marvel Universe.  With the Chloe Zhao-directed movie on its way in less than two months, now seems like a good time to give a primer on these characters, their powers, and what their introduction means for the MCU going forward.

You may recognize one of these “faces” from the trailer above.

When Kirby was on his own, he really liked go out there.

Episode 98: The Replacements - Spider-Man

Continuing our occasional look into the characters that have taken on the identity of an already established hero, this installment covers those who have become the hero that was literally the face of Marvel for many years, Spider-Man, including one of his arch-nemeses.  Take a listen to get all the details.

The original.

The less original. (Ben’s “Scarlet Spider” costume)

And the first costume Ben wore as Spider-Man. (Sewing those fingers must have taken forever…)

The newest Spider-Ben.

Yes, this happened.

If only there was some clue this was actually Doc Ock… Stares in tentacles

Yeah you are.

Episode 97: DC Defined (The Return of Barry Allen)

Also available as part of a YouTube Playlist featuring many different creators, this episode discusses the story that really brought Kurt into the DC Comics Universe, and defined Wally West’s version of The Flash for years to come.  Written by Mark Waid with art by Greg LaRocque, it’s “The Return of Barry Allen.”

Episode 96: Book to Movie Adaptations - Why Are They So Hard?

If you’re a longtime fan of a book and you hear it’s being made into a movie, you may have a mix of joy and dread, as so many of the adaptations over the years have not met up to the book fans’ approvals.  This episode, we look at some of the common follies that adapters will run into that cause fans to cry foul, then Kurt picks out a couple of films he think got it just right.

As promised in the show, you can find the study showing movie runtimes getting longer right here.

A standard book page (about 300 words) vs…

a typical film script page (250 words on average). How do you squeeze one into the other?

Episode 95: Loki - A Deep Dive (Episode 6)

Kurt and Anne wrap up their conversation on the first season of Loki (Season 2 has already been announced!), including the mysterious power behind the TVA, and how this all feeds in to what is coming up in the next year or two in the MCU.

Other than the hat, you can see a lot of this in “He Who Remains”’s outfit.

I really hope we get the “floating invisible chair” at some point in Kang’s MCU appearances.

Episode 94: Loki - A Deep Dive (Episode 5)

Continuing the discussion of "Loki" with special guest Anne V., we dive in and talk all about the show, the comics that inspired it, and the relationships and growth of all the characters involved. 

The source for the strangest Easter Egg in MCU history (and that’s saying something…)

Episode 93: Loki - A Deep Dive (Episode 4)

Continuing the discussion of "Loki" with special guest Anne V., we dive in and talk all about what makes this show so great, and how it connects to the comics.  And yes, we definitely talk about that mid-credits scene and who all those characters are.

I’ll take “Things I never thought I’d see in the MCU” for $1000.

Episode 92: Loki - A Deep Dive (Episode 3)

Continuing the discussion of the Loki show with special guest Anne V., we dive in deep on all the details we can find, especially as they relate to “Sylvie,” including her comic book connections, and what her actions reveal about the character.  And we talk about the big reveal regarding the TVA and what that means.

Not an exact duplicate, but certainly has some similarities to our Sylvie.