Author Archive

March 1st, 2011  Posted at   The Stack

So, this idea of keeping track of what I read may end up being pretty pointless if there are many more months like this one. I’m not sure what happened, but my reading time got cut way back in February, so this month’s list is considerably shorter than normal.

Here’s February:

Action Comics #896
Adventure Comics #522
All New Batman: Brave and the Bold #3
Brightest Day #17-18
Fallen Angel: Return of the Son #1
Flash (Vol. 3) #8
Green Lantern (Vol. 4) #61
Green Lantern Corps (Vol. 2) #56
Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #6
Justice League of America/The 99 #3
R.E.B.E.L.S. #24
Steel Annual #2
Steel #18-20
Superboy (Vol. 3) #18-20
Superboy Annual (Vol. 2) #2
Supergirl (Vol. 5) #60
Superman #707
Superman/Batman #80
Tiny Titans #35-36
Young Justice (Vol. 2) #0

Total: 26 comics (Year total: 76 comics, 1 trade)

In February, I also continued reading through the BATMAN CHRONICLES Vol. 3 trade paperback. I’m nearly done with it, so, barring any calamities, it should be on next month’s list.

On the reading project front, I’m still working though the re-read of the Superman Family titles from the 90s. Assuming I keep pace in March, I’ll be starting on the earliest issues of SUPERBOY AND THE RAVERS and SUPERGIRL (Vol. 4) in March. I’m looking forward to starting on those SUPERGIRL issues again, and seeing if I enjoy them as much this time around.

The new books I read regularly will be shrinking it number soon. I’ve decided to drop FLASH, rather than invest in the whole “Flashpoint” event. That’s not commentary on the story… it sounds interesting. But it’s hard for me to justify spending the money on all the tie-ins and such, when I firmly believe shorter, stronger stories are what the industry needs. So, I’m walking away from it.

But moreover, it seems R.E.B.E.L.S. will come to an end with issue #28 in May. It should be no surprise to those who keep an eye on sales numbers. But, still, I was disappointed because it has been a consistently fun read for me month-in-and-out. And that says something coming from a guy who’s very picky about the comics he reads that don’t involve characters with ‘S’s on their chests. Unless something steps up to take its place, it will also mark the end of the DC’s loose “space epic,” which started all the way back in 2004 with ADAM STRANGE by Andy Diggle and Pascual Ferry.

March 1st, 2011  Posted at   The Thrilling Adventures of Superman

The Thrilling Adventures of Superman

Welcome to episode nine of The Thrilling Adventures of Superman. The show’s mission is to explore the history and development of the Superman in his formative years by chronicling the Man of Steel’s Golden Age adventures in comics, radio and film.

Superman: Wanted as a criminal? That’s the situation in this hijinks-filled episode when Michael takes a look at ACTION COMICS #9, which follows up on Superman’s actions from last issue. A bounty is put on Superman’s cape and two detectives set their sights on getting the money in their pocket and the Man of Steel behind bars. And as if that wasn’t enough to keep our hero busy, Clark Kent also has to deal with the most off-her-rocker Lois Lane yet. Also in this episode, Michael reads another email from a listener and offers the worst impression of a 50s TV star ever!

QUOTABLE:
Clark Kent — I DESPISE YOU!
Lois Lane

Action Comics #9

The cover to ACTION COMICS #9 by Fred Guardineer


Shrieks of laughter

Hilarious


Pseudo-flight

Flight? Not quite, but almost!


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Questions or comments? Additions or corrections? Drop a line! Share your thoughts on the episode and the issue.

February 22nd, 2011  Posted at   The Thrilling Adventures of Superman

The Thrilling Adventures of Superman

Welcome to episode eight of The Thrilling Adventures of Superman. The show’s mission is to explore the history and development of the Superman in his formative years by chronicling the Man of Steel’s Golden Age adventures in comics, radio and film.

This episode, Michael takes a look at the Superman story from ACTION COMICS #8. A group of troubled youths draw the attention of Clark Kent, leading Superman to not only confront the man responsible for luring the boys into his web of crime, but to also take on the larger problem driving these boys to the wrong side of the tracks. Superman’s actions are a defining moment in the history of the Golden Age of Superman and leave the character in a place you might not expect — the most-wanted list! Plus, Michael also reads a couple iTunes reviews and talks about an overall improvement in the podcast.

QUOTABLE:
Thanks! — What I want right now is another poke at you!
Superman

Action Comics #8

The cover to ACTION COMICS #8 by Fred Guardineer


Barrel of tar

Thankfully, the tar was nearby.


Gimpy's fate?

Is this the final fate of Gimpy?


Run!

Run, Superman! Run!

Download the episode directly. Or, you can subscribe to the show via iTunes or the RSS feed! The show has its very own Facebook page, as well, where you can get updates! The Thrilling Adventures of Superman is also a proud member of the Superman Podcast Network.

Questions or comments? Additions or corrections? Drop a line! Share your thoughts on the episode and the issue.

February 15th, 2011  Posted at   The Thrilling Adventures of Superman

The Thrilling Adventures of Superman

Welcome to episode seven of The Thrilling Adventures of Superman. The show’s mission is to explore the history and development of the Superman in his formative years by chronicling the Man of Steel’s Golden Age adventures in comics, radio and film.

It’s three rings of excitement, adventure and thrills this time out, when Michael takes a look at ACTION COMICS #7. The issue finds Superman setting out to do a good turn for a down-on-his luck circus owner and taking on a roughneck who tries to bully the owner. Meanwhile, Clark Kent confronts a challenge of his own in the form of a co-worker named Curly. Also in this episode, Michael reads an email from a listener and discusses yet another little-known side project bearing a Siegel-Shuster byline.

QUOTABLE:
Superman! — working for me! Oh baby, I’m dreaming — this is too good to be true!
Jordan, owner of Jordan Circus

Action Comics #7

The cover to ACTION COMICS #7 by Joe Shuster


Curly

Curly: The obnoxious jerk


Dream lover

'I want a dream lover, so I don't have to dream alone'


Noir stylings

Joe Shuster experiments the visual stylings of film noir

Links mentioned in the episode:
ACTION COMICS WEEKLY #630 cover by John Severin, at the Grand Comic Book Database
Wayne and Shuster biography at the Museum of Broadcast Communications
Wayne and Shuster Wikipedia entry

Download the episode directly. Or, you can subscribe to the show via iTunes or the RSS feed! The show has its very own Facebook page, as well, where you can get updates! The Thrilling Adventures of Superman is also a proud member of the Superman Podcast Network.

Questions or comments? Additions or corrections? Drop a line! Share your thoughts on the episode and the issue.

February 8th, 2011  Posted at   The Thrilling Adventures of Superman

The Thrilling Adventures of Superman

Welcome to episode six of The Thrilling Adventures of Superman. The show’s mission is to explore the history and development of the Superman in his formative years by chronicling the Man of Steel’s Golden Age adventures in comics, radio and film.

With a Superman story that returns to its regular page count, Michael takes a look at ACTION COMICS #6, which finds Superman taking on… copyright infringement! (Ironic, no?) Find out what happens when a shyster tries to make a quick buck off the name of the Man of Steel. Don’t miss out on this historic tale which also features the debut of a new face on the book… and, no, it’s not Jimmy Olsen.

QUOTABLE:
Did I hear you correctly? Did you speak to me?
Clark Kent

Action Comics #6

The cover to ACTION COMICS #6 by Leo O'Mealia


Details detail

An additional inker brings more detail in the art this issue


(Not) Jimmy Olsen

Is this Jimmy Olsen?


Pseudo-Superman

Pseudo-Superman: Man of Steal

Links mentioned in the episode:
Billy Hogan’s Superman Fan Podcast Episode #17 (Paul Cassidy biography)
Paul Lauretta biography
Superman marketing concepts by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, circa 1936

Download the episode directly. Or, you can subscribe to the show via iTunes or the RSS feed! The Thrilling Adventures of Superman is also a proud member of the Superman Podcast Network.

Questions or comments? Additions or corrections? Drop a line! Share your thoughts on the episode and the issue.