Month: July 2020

FCTC EPISODE 238: LOIS AND CLARK SEASON 3 – DON’T TUG ON SUPERMAN’S CAPE TO SUPERMANN

Episode 238: Lois and Clark Season 3 – Don’t Tug on Superman’s Cape to SuperMann

Welcome to the two hundredth and thirty-eighth episode of From Crisis to Crisis: A Superman Podcast!  This podcast has a simple premise; examine just about every Superman comic published between Man of Steel #1 in 1986 to Adventures of Superman #649 in 2006 in an informative and hopefully entertaining format.

It’s time for another Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman episode!  Before Mike and Jeff get into the four Season 3 episodes that aired in October of 1995, they talk about what they’ve been doing since the pandemic started.

That’s right.  This episode was recorded in June of 2020.  Less than two months ago.  This is kind of a record for the guys.

Anyway, after going through how they’re holding up they dive into the episodes.  In Don’t Tug on Superman’s Cape, a rich couple wants to add Superman to their collection while Lois and Clark start having weird dreams about their upcoming wedding.  Then, in Ultra Woman, a woman and her scientist sister try to make Superman apathetic with Red Kryptonite, but it ends up giving Clark’s super-powers to Lois.  Not content to sit around she takes the identity of Ultra Woman and hilarity, along with some genuine heart-warming moments, ensue.  Chip Off the Old Clark is next and somehow a little boy has Superman’s powers, which leads the mother to claim that she had Superman’s love child.  An assassin tries to use the kid to his own ends, leading to one of the worst villain identity reveals of the entire series.  Finally, SuperMann features three genuine Nazis coming out of deep freeze to aid a secret group of other Nazis in their goal of taking over the United States.  They even expose Superman to radiation to keep him away.

You can subscribe or listen to the show in a variety of ways. First there is the RSS Feed and then there is the Apple Podcasts link.  You can also find the show on Spotify and the Google Play Store.  Are you on Facebook? Be sure to “like” the official FCTC page, which you can find by clicking on this link.  You can email the show by clicking this link. All questions, concerns, fears, trepidations and cheap shots are welcome.  Also be sure to give us a review over on iTunes and feel free to comment on the show here at the site!

Next Time: The boys dive into the first part of cover date February 1996 with Action Comics #718, Superman: The Man of Steel #53, and the newly renamed and revamped Hey, Wha’ Happened: Real World segment.

OVERLOOKED DARK KNIGHT EPISODE 43 – STARLIN’S BATMAN PART 5: THE CULT PART 1

Episode 43 – Starlin’s Batman Part 5: The Cult Part 1

Welcome to the forty-third episode of The Overlooked Dark Knight. The is a non-index index show where the hosts, Andrew Leyland and Michael Bailey, look at Batman comics that rarely, if ever, get talked about.  Back in episode 39 they started a series covering Jim Starlin’s run of Batman and they are going to continue with that until they get through all of his issues, up to and including Batman: The Cult.

Speaking of Batman: The Cult…

This time out Andy and Mike discuss the first two issues of the Prestige Format series Batman: The Cult.  Because of the subject matter, this episode is different from other episodes the guys have done.  The themes and events of this story resonated with Andy and Mike in a way they never have before given current events.  As such, topics that the guys would normally stay away from are dealt with head on.

This is a long winded way of saying there is about twenty or so minutes of heavy political talk at the beginning of this episode.

So…content warning; EXTREME POLITICAL DISCUSSION AHEAD.

After getting some things off their chests, Andy and Mike talk about the first two issues of The Cult.  They discuss the art by Bernie Wrightson and they talk about the way Jim Starlin crafted the story.  They also go into how certain events of the story have a weird kind of “now” feeling despite being published thirty years ago, how Robin is pretty dang awesome in this story, and how Andy and Mike both remember the trade paperback of this series being available in 1989 even though it wasn’t put out until 1991.

Below are the covers and select pages of the comics discussed in this episode.

Andy and Mike want your feedback on this episode so they can read it on an upcoming show!  You even have options in how you leave your feedback.  The most direct way is to leave a comment right here on the site.  You can also send all questions, concerns, fears and trepidations to overlookeddarkknight@gmail.com.  Then there’ the Facebook page, where you can also leave a Batman related question for Andy and Mike to answer at the beginning of the show.  If you talk about this show on the social medias please include a #overlookeddk so the guys know where to find it.

If you want to subscribe to the show here’s the RSS Feed and the Apple Podcast link.  If you use iTunes please leave us a review.  Not only will we read that on the air like the other feedback but it really helps the show out.  The show is also available on the Google Play Store and Spotify.

Next time: Andy and Mike’s coverage of the Jim Starlin run continues with the final two issues of Batman: The Cult!

FCTC EPISODE 237: THE TRIAL OF SUPERMAN PART 6

Episode 237: The Trial of Superman Part 6

Welcome to the two hundredth and thirty-seventh episode of From Crisis to Crisis: A Superman Podcast!  This podcast has a simple premise; examine just about every Superman comic published between Man of Steel #1 in 1986 to Adventures of Superman #649 in 2006 in an informative and hopefully entertaining format.

This time out Mike and Jeff finish up their coverage of the Superman books published with a January 1996 cover date.  They also finish up their coverage of The Trial of Superman, which has been one of the more interesting rides the boys have been on.  In Superman #108, the Man of Steel and Team Superman stand up to the Tribunal in a really awesome scene.  Unfortunately, Team Superman suffers a bit of a set back and by the end of the issue it appears that Superman has once again been killed.  This turns out not to be the case and in Adventures of Superman #531 the heroes return home after Superman receives his final sentencing.

Then Mike and Jeff introduce revamped Meanwhile at the Daily Planet and Elseworlds segments under the umbrella of Hey…Wha’ Happened? Normally the real world portions of this will be done at the beginning of a month’s coverage, but things got weird around the time the boys recorded this so you get both in this episode.  First, they look at the other Superman related books published with the January 1996 cover date.  Books discussed include Superman/Toyman #1, Superboy #23, Steel #23, and Showcase ’96 #1.  After that they look at the headlines during the month these comics were published in addition to the usual movie talk.

Below are the covers and selected pages from the books discussed in this episode.

And here are scans of the comic that came with the Hunter/Prey Superman/Doomsday two-pack.

You can subscribe or listen to the show in a variety of ways. First there is the RSS Feed and then there is the Apple Podcasts link.  You can also find the show on Spotify and the Google Play Store.  Are you on Facebook? Be sure to “like” the official FCTC page, which you can find by clicking on this link.  You can email the show by clicking this link. All questions, concerns, fears, trepidations and cheap shots are welcome.  Also be sure to give us a review over on iTunes and feel free to comment on the show here at the site!

Next Time: It’s another Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman episode!  The boys discuss the third season episodes, Don’t Tug on Superman’s Cape, Chip off the Old Clark, Ultra Woman, and SuperMann.

FCTC EPISODE 236: THE TRIAL OF SUPERMAN PART 5

 

Episode 236: The Trial of Superman Part 5

Welcome to the two hundredth and thirty-sixth episode of From Crisis to Crisis: A Superman Podcast!  This podcast has a simple premise; examine just about every Superman comic published between Man of Steel #1 in 1986 to Adventures of Superman #649 in 2006 in an informative and hopefully entertaining format.

At last…it’s 1996!

That’s right, folks!  Mike and Jeff have finally…after several years…and several hiatuses…gotten to cover date 1996.  And since calendars are a thing they start with January 1996.  They also continue their examination of The Trial of Superman.  First up is Action Comics #717, where Superman and the Cyborg go at it for most of the issue, but that’s not a bad thing because the fight is cool.  Then, in Superman: The Man of Steel #52, Superman is once again brought before The Tribunal, but this is short lived as Superman busts loose, fights the Cyborg again, and Team Superman gets in on the action.

After that is…well, that’s pretty much it.  Normally Jeff would lead us through the Meanwhile, At The Daily Planet segment, but with Mike shaking up the format (buckle in, because he’s not done yet) things got jumbled.  So, you’ll get the revamped and renamed Wha’ Happened? Segment next time.  In its place, Jeff turns the Final Thought segment over to Michael and he talks about why he liked the CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earths better than the MCU’s Avengers: Endgame.

Things go smoother with the February 1996 books.  Promise.

Below are the covers and selected pages from the books discussed in this episode.

You can subscribe or listen to the show in a variety of ways. First there is the RSS Feed and then there is the Apple Podcasts link.  You can also find the show on Spotify and the Google Play Store.  Are you on Facebook? Be sure to “like” the official FCTC page, which you can find by clicking on this link.  You can email the show by clicking this link. All questions, concerns, fears, trepidations and cheap shots are welcome.  Also be sure to give us a review over on iTunes and feel free to comment on the show here at the site!

Next Time: The Trial of Superman concludes with Superman #108 and Adventures of Superman #531.  Plus, the previously mentioned Wha’ Happened? segment and the Elsewhere in the DCU segment, where the boys talk about the Superman family titles that came out this cover month and the DCU as a whole!

OVERLOOKED DARK KNIGHT EPISODE 42: STARLIN’S BATMAN PART 4

Episode 42: Starlin’s Batman Part 4

Welcome to the forty-second episode of The Overlooked Dark Knight. The is a non-index index show where the hosts, Andrew Leyland and Michael Bailey, look at Batman comics that rarely, if ever, get talked about.  Back in episode 39 they started a series covering Jim Starlin’s run of Batman and they are going to continue with that until they get through all of his issues, up to and including Batman: The Cult.

This time out Andy and Mike go over three…count them…THREE issues of Batman.  In Batman #421, the guys get back to the Dumpster Killer storyline and we actually find out who the killer is.  Along the way Batman does some really cool detective work, things get creepy when one of Batman’s sources gets “married”, and the issue ends on a frustrating note.  Then, in Batman #422, the Dumpster Killer is finally brought to justice, but it gets muddy when he’s freed on a technicality.  Don’t fret, though.  The killers gets his in the end.  Also, Robin has a run in with a pimp that sets up things involving Jason’s temper and where that is going to get him.  Finally, Batman #423 features a Todd McFarlane cover and a story about how Batman impacted three Gotham City Police officers.  All of this and some of your feedback too!

Also…listen to see if Andy and Mike find the question to life, the universe, and everything.

Below are the covers and selected pages from the comics discussed in this episode.

Andy and Mike want your feedback on this episode so they can read it on an upcoming show!  You even have options in how you leave your feedback.  The most direct way is to leave a comment right here on the site.  You can also send all questions, concerns, fears and trepidations to overlookeddarkknight@gmail.com.  Then there’ the Facebook page, where you can also leave a Batman related question for Andy and Mike to answer at the beginning of the show.  If you talk about this show on the social medias please include a #overlookeddk so the guys know where to find it.

If you want to subscribe to the show here’s the RSS Feed and the Apple Podcast link.  If you use iTunes please leave us a review.  Not only will we read that on the air like the other feedback but it really helps the show out.  The show is also available on the Google Play Store and Spotify.

Next time: Andy and Mike’s coverage of the Jim Starlin run continues with the first two issues of Batman: The Cult!

FCTC EPISODE 235: LOIS AND CLARK SEASON 3 – CONTACT TO JUST SAY NOAH

Episode 235: Lois and Clark Season 3 – Contact to Just Say Noah

Welcome to the two hundredth and thirty-fifth episode of From Crisis to Crisis: A Superman Podcast!  This podcast has a simple premise; examine just about every Superman comic published between Man of Steel #1 in 1986 to Adventures of Superman #649 in 2006 in an informative and hopefully entertaining format.

Mike and Jeff get back to the third season of Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman this time out with three episodes that are just…terrible.

Seriously.  This is not a good Lois and Clark episode.  It’s so not good that the boys start talking about the CW super-hero shows and what they thought of the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover instead of the first episode they were supposed to be discussing.

Anyway, they start their Lois and Clark talk with the episode titled Contact, which mixes the very nineties tropes of an evil computer software developer and alien abductions as well as introducing Star, Lois’ clairvoyant, next-door neighbor.  It’s actually the best of the three episodes, and that isn’t saying a whole lot.  Oh, and Clark breaks up with Lois at the end of the episode.

Because drama.

Next is When Irish Eyes Are Killing, where an old friend of Lois’ comes to town and he’s not only trying to seduce Lois but he’s also stealing relics to become a super powered druid.

Oh, and Superman kills him at the end of the episode.

Seriously.  He does.

Finally, we have Just Say Noah, where a relationship counselor/cult leader starts kidnapping people that have great relationships so he can put them suspended animation.  Why?  Because he’s going to flood the Earth.  Or, God is going to.  Because the cult leader talks to him on a phone that looks like the Bat Phone.  This episode is really just an excuse to get Lois and Clark back together again.

You get all of this and some fun, retro commercials with John Cleese selling Compaq computers.

You can subscribe or listen to the show in a variety of ways. First there is the RSS Feed and then there is the Apple Podcasts link.  You can also find the show on Spotify and the Google Play Store.  Are you on Facebook? Be sure to “like” the official FCTC page, which you can find by clicking on this link.  You can email the show by clicking this link. All questions, concerns, fears, trepidations and cheap shots are welcome.  Also be sure to give us a review over on iTunes and feel free to comment on the show here at the site!

Next Time: The boys finally get to cover date 1996 with the first part of the January books.  Comics covered are Action Comics #717 and Superman: The Man of Steel #52!

FCTC EPISODE 234: THE DEATH AND RETURN OF SUPERMAN COMMENTARY

Episode 234: The Death and Return of Superman Commentary

Welcome to the two hundredth and thirty-fourth episode of From Crisis to Crisis: A Superman Podcast!  This podcast has a simple premise; examine just about every Superman comic published between Man of Steel #1 in 1986 to Adventures of Superman #649 in 2006 in an informative and hopefully entertaining format.

This time out Mike and Jeff present a commentary for the 2019 animated film The Death and Return of Superman.  Clocking in at over two and a half hours, this film is actually two movies in one.  In late 2018, Warner Brothers Animation and DC Entertainment released The Death of Superman and in the spring of 2019, they released Reign of the Supermen.  Then, later in 2019, they released both films together (because cash grab and the boys are here for it) and after a number of attempts to get a commentary recorded the boys finally sat down and got it done.

The commentary begins right at the beginning of the episode, so if you are going to watch the movie along with the commentary, they both start at the same time.  In addition to talking about the film, Mike and Jeff discuss Easter eggs, comparisons between this movie and the previous direct-to-home-entertainment animated Superman: Doomsday, the characters, and the cast.  The commentary can be watched with the film or by itself.  It’s up to you how you want to listen to the episode.

Below are images of the characters as well as posters of the various films.

You can subscribe or listen to the show in a variety of ways. First there is the RSS Feed and then there is the Apple Podcasts link.  You can also find the show on Spotify and the Google Play Store.  Are you on Facebook? Be sure to “like” the official FCTC page, which you can find by clicking on this link.  You can email the show by clicking this link. All questions, concerns, fears, trepidations and cheap shots are welcome.  Also be sure to give us a review over on iTunes and feel free to comment on the show here at the site!

Next Time: Some Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Season 3 talk.  Specifically, the episodes Contact, When Irish Eyes Are Killing and Just Say Noah.