Episode 171: The Replacements - Green Lantern (Pt. 4; Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz)

January 28, 2024 by Kurt Onstad

Finally finishing up the Green Lantern “Replacements” episodes with the New 52 recruits of Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz. But, before we get to those, one last bit of business from the Loki Season 2 Deep Dive, thanks to a listener comment.

The gun was an identifying feature for a little while.

And in her (much happier) Green Lantern outfit. She kept the eye tattoo, however.

Episode 170: The Replacements - Green Lantern (Pt. 3; Kyle Rayner and Jade)

January 07, 2024 by Kurt Onstad

After a bit of a hiatus, we continue the discussion of Green Lantern “Replacements,” getting into the 90s with one of the longest running replacements, Kyle Rayner, as well as the woman who briefly took his place, daughter of original Green Lantern Alan Scott, Jade. (If you haven’t listened already, I suggest checking Episode 71 for discussion of Kyle’s first girlfriend, Alex DeWitt).

Don’t make her angry. You wouldn’t like her when she’s angry. Wait a second…

Better than your boyfriend…at least in my opinion.

Episode 162: The Replacements - Green Lantern (Pt. 2; John Stewart)

September 24, 2023 by Kurt Onstad

Continuing the Green Lantern “Replacements” from last episode, we move on to the one that actually replaced Hal first, despite appearing after Guy Gardner. The Lantern so well loved, he was actually chosen over Hal for the Justice League cartoon in the DCAU, it’s John Stewart!

This is one of many cases where the cover image does not at all happen in the story.

Can you tell this costume was created in the 1990s?

After the show aired, the comics adapted John to fit this version even more.

Episode 162: The Replacements - Green Lantern (Pt. 1; Guy Gardner)

September 10, 2023 by Kurt Onstad

Continuing our ongoing “Replacements” feature, this is the first part of the Green Lantern franchise. Even with only covering those that directly replaced Hal Jordan, we’re still going to need multiple shows to discuss all the successors to the mantle, and what happened to them when Hal inevitably returned. We start with the first of those, Guy Gardner, a polarizing figure to say the least.

Ironically, he’s actually very nice in his first appearance, despite this cover.

Any man who dares walk the streets with that haircut has to be tough…

…or, in one case, a hybrid Green/Red (wouldn’t that be brown?).

My personal favorite Guy Gardner moment.

Episode 160: Neurodivergent Superheroes

August 13, 2023 by Kurt Onstad

Based on his portrayal in the recent movie bearing his name, a listener is curious about The Flash ever having been shown on the autism spectrum before this, as well as the presence of other neurodivergent characters in the superhero realm, which is what we discuss this episode.

Link to the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network for more information on autism and other neurodiverse conditions.

Yeah, I can see it…

Yes, we’ve had white suit…but what about second white suit? And third…and fourth…

Sniff any hair lately, Ed? (Listen to Gothamites, you’ll get it…)

Episode 153: Unusual Superhero Vehicles (2 of 2) - The SuperMobile

June 11, 2023 by Kurt Onstad

Finishing up our look at a couple of unusual vehicles driven by famous superheroes, we land over at DC Comics, where the Supermobile is under the magnifying glass. How does it do all the things it can do? Why was it brought into the comics in the first place? We talk all that and more this episode.

Of course that’s the title of this story…

The Supermobile (literally) crashes onto the scene!

And of course, the Supermobile toy itself…Here’s the original…

And the currently available McFarlane Toys version straight out of the comics.

Episode 151: Who is Kamandi?

May 14, 2023 by Kurt Onstad

The Last Boy on Earth! This Jack Kirby creation is probably not known to many outside hardcore comic book fans, but thanks to an animated short, one listener discovered his existence and asked Kurt to explain more about the world of Kamandi.

Planet of the Apes…and Rats…and Wolves…and…

The story plays a little bit with “The Mighty One” being a mystery, but the cover does not.

Still going with the ripped jorts look, huh? Talk about a Great Disaster!

Episode 6 (Remastered): Marvel vs. DC - A History

March 12, 2023 by Kurt Onstad

A re-mastered version of Episode 6 with greatly improved audio, thanks to AI. The history of Marvel and DC’s rivalry, as well as some general differences between the companies over the years, is discussed in this classic episode.

Kind of a shame that Thor costume was what was current, as this very much dates it to the 90s.

Even after a hardcover reprint for charity, you’re still looking at paying a pretty penny for this story, but it’s worth it.

Episode 144: Who Are The Legion of Super-Heroes?

February 05, 2023 by Kurt Onstad

Inspired by a question from a co-worker during a regular (albeit off-topic from work) conversation, this week we’re looking at the history of the 30th/31st Century team known as The Legion of Super-Heroes! From their first appearance, to the “Reboot,” “Threeboot” and beyond, why does this team have such a hardcore fanbase?

Cosmic Boy eventually lost the fishbowl helmet as well, thankfully.

The Five Years Later Legion. They’ve grown up a little…except maybe Shrinking Violet.

Just a few of the members of the Post Zero-Hour Legion.

Jim Shooter returns to the Legion, although not the same one he wrote years earlier.

Some classic George Perez “get every member in there” shots for the Legion of Three Worlds mini.

The latest Legion being introduced to Superboy.

Episode 143: Whatever Happened to The Legion of Super-Pets

January 22, 2023 by Kurt Onstad

Watching the DC League of Super-Pets movie inspired this look at the original members of the first super-animal team, the Legion of Super-Pets. After discussing each of their origins, we see what happened with each of them after Crisis wiped them out of history, and how they were brought back.

As mentioned at the end of the episode, writer Peter David could use help from his fans funding the recovery from a series of mini-strokes. If you can, please donate to his GoFundMe.

Why do I read Streaky’s “Gee” as being sarcastic? Perhaps because I know cats.

I would not be surprised if Flexi was just Plastic Man moonlighting.

Episode 1 (Re-Mastered): The Starts and Restarts of the DC Universe

January 01, 2023 by Kurt Onstad

A remastered version of the premiere episode with vastly improved audio! Learn the history of the various reboots of the DC Universe, both hard and soft. From Action Comics #1 in 1938 all the way to 2016's Rebirth, find out about the big continuity shake-ups that have changed the history of some of your favorite characters.

These things never go well for The Flash

A major crossover with no Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman?

High collars and low cut tops. Thanks, Jim Lee!

Episode 139: Who is John Constantine (aka The Hellblazer)?

November 27, 2022 by Kurt Onstad

One of our listeners just discovered the character of John Constantine, and wants to learn more about him before diving in on his own. So, we look at a bit of the history behind this DC/Vertigo staple, and answer some important questions, like “How do you pronounce Constantine?”

You say Tine, I say Teen. Let’s call the whole thing off…

One of my personal favorite renditions of the character, by artist Darick Robertson.

One live-action adaptation of the character…

…and another. One slightly more comic accurate than the other. At least they both got the drinking right.

He’s crazy, but he’s not that crazy…

Episode 138: The Replacements - The Flash

November 13, 2022 by Kurt Onstad

More so than most episodes, you’ll want to be sure you’re familiar with all the DC Universe eras in order to fully understand what I’m talking about, so here’s my first episode where I go through them in detail, as a YouTube video.

The original…but not the one who’s replaced.

Wally in his various outfits, while Barry watches over.

The Flash of China, and now the multiversal Flash!

You can see why they refer to this version as “Dark Flash.”

John! You forgot the rule: Flashes before lasses!

Bart looks more and more like his grandpa every day.

Episode 123: The Revolving Death Door (Why all the Resurrections in Comics?)

July 03, 2022 by Kurt Onstad

The saying the listener asking this week’s question references used to be: “No one stays dead but Bucky, Jason Todd and Uncle Ben,” but two of those three have also returned from the grave. So, why are so many characters brought back to life after being given a “permanent” end to their story?

This is…not how lightning works. Except the “you dying” part.

Episode 122: The Emotional Spectrum and Lantern Corps (Colors in the DCU Pt. 2)

June 19, 2022 by Kurt Onstad

Following up on last episode, instead of the elemental planes for animals, plants, and other forms of life associated with colors, this time we go over the emotional forces associated with colors in the DC Universe, and how entire Corps of heroes and villains have been built around them.

Can you guess which one comes from the Golden Age and was originally unrelated to the rest?

Cyborg Superman has become more of a Green Lantern villain than a Superman villain. Go figure…

Yes, that is a cat behind Atrocitus’ left shoulder pad. No, it is not an alien. Just a regular Earth housecat. As a cat owner I say, “Yeah, that fits.”

Apparently, the seagulls from Finding Nemo are potential Orange Lanterns.

Yes, every Corp gets their own rhyme, with one exception.

The exception. (“Nok” is the only thing most Indigo Lanterns ever say.)

Based on that outfit, I’m thinking they’re powered by Lust more than Love.

It’s not hard to find heroes who are currently dead to join the Black Lantern Corps…

But it’s even easier to find ones who died and came back for the White Lanterns.

Episode 121: The Green, The Red, and The Rest (Colors in the DCU Pt. 1)

June 05, 2022 by Kurt Onstad

While many superheroes and villains have colors in their name (Green Arrow, Scarlet Witch, Blue Beetle, etc.), in the DC Universe there are two ways that colors influence some characters powers, and vice versa. This episode, we discuss the elemental forces that are associated with a few different colors in the first of this two part look.

Well, that covers The Red, The Black, and The Green (despite his costume, Animal Man doesn’t represent The Blue)

Swamp Thing travels through The Grey. When he works at it, he can be a real Fungi!

Aquaman communes with his dead adopted dolphin mother. And this is the least weird story involving these forces.

Episode 111: Earth Numbering Systems in DC and Marvel

March 03, 2022 by Kurt Onstad

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 DC Multiverse as it (sort of) stands today.

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

Episode 107: Dragonlance in Comics

January 06, 2022 by Kurt Onstad

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

November 25, 2021 by Kurt Onstad

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.

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

Episode 103: Villains of the Batman Arkham Video Games

November 11, 2021 by Kurt Onstad

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!