Author Archive

February 1st, 2011  Posted at   The Stack

I had an idea in late December to keep track of what comics I read throughout the year, because I’m curious exactly how many books I read in a year’s time. To that end, I will be posting here, on a monthly basis, lists of what I’ve read in the preceding month. I will include any comics I’ve read, whether single issue or collection, and regardless of whether it is a first-read or a re-read. The only thing I won’t be including is those books I use for preparation for the podcast, since that is normally separate from my regular reading.

Here’s January:

Action Comics #895
Action Comics Annual #13
Adventure Comics #520-521
All New Batman: Brave and the Bold #1-2
Brightest Day #13-16
Flash (Vol. 3) #6-7
Green Lantern (Vol. 4) #59-60
Green Lantern Corps (Vol. 2) #54-55
Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #4-5
Justice League of America/The 99 #2
R.E.B.E.L.S. #22-23
Steel #9-17
Superboy (Vol. 3) #9-17
Superboy (Vol. 4) #1
Supergirl (Vol. 5) #58-59
Superman #705-706
Superman/Batman #78-79
Time Masters: Vanishing Point #5
Tiny Titans #34
Tiny Titans/Little Archie #2-3
Superman Chronicles Vol. 6 trade paperback

Total: 50 comics, 1 trade

I also started reading the BATMAN CHRONICLES Vol. 3 trade paperback just yesterday. I got a bit behind on my reading over the holidays, which accounts for why there are, essentially, two month’s worth of new comics on the list this time.

I enjoy reading handfuls of older material in between the new stuff to help keep perspective. Plus, since I’m reading less new books these days, something’s got to fill the gaps! The STEEL and SUPERBOY (Vol. 3) issues are part of a mega re-read project I embarked on in December. I am reading (re-reading) the series in chronological order and the project that will eventually include SUPERGIRL (Vol. 4) and YOUNG JUSTICE as well. It has been interesting comparing the development and progression of these two series that both spun off from the same event.

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

The Thrilling Adventures of Superman

Welcome to episode five 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.

In this installment, Michael takes a look at the Superman story from ACTION COMICS #5. The story might be shorter than the norm, but the excitement is still full-throttle as Superman takes on the very forces of nature itself in a story that bears strange similarities to one of the most well-known Superman stories of all time! Plus, things go to a whole new level between Superman and Lois, kicking off a historic relationship that will become the stuff of legend.

And don’t miss the “Meanwhile” portion of the show where Michael takes a look at the debut of a brand new character over in the pages of DETECTIVE COMICS and how the character’s modern age legacy ultimately ties back to Superman.

QUOTABLE:
You mean… you’re actually glad to see me?
Clark Kent

Click here to see the post at GreatKrypton.com, the site’s home base, for a handful of images from the issue, additional notes and links.

Action Comics #5

The cover to ACTION COMICS #5 by Leo E. O'Mealia


No job for a girl!

Yeah, Lois... go do someting safe, like covering a war.


Mild-mannered excitement

Calm down, Clark. It's just a story.


The first kiss

A 'super' first kiss

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.

January 28th, 2011  Posted at   News of Interest
,    |   Comments Off on Remembering Jerry Siegel

With today being the 15th anniversary of Jerry Siegel’s death, Cleveland.com has republished a 1996 article about Siegel, originally published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer just a few days after his death.

Unlike many of the modern comics whose heroes are as violent as the villains, Superman still fights for “truth, justice and the American way.”

“You can’t change him much,” said Michael Carlin, editor of the Superman comics line for DC. “Jerry got it right the first time.”

As they were kind enough to link to this site, specifically the Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster biography by Jamie Coville that I have hosted (with Coville’s generous permission) since I first launched the site several years ago, I thought it not only appropriate to not only bring attention to the article, but to also take a moment to remember one of Superman’s two creators.

Click over to Cleveland.com for the whole article.

January 25th, 2011  Posted at   The Thrilling Adventures of Superman

The Thrilling Adventures of Superman

Welcome to episode four 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.

Are you ready for some football? This episode, Michael takes a look at ACTION COMICS #4, which finds Superman hitting the gridiron in an adventure that involves assault, kidnapping, identity theft and dubious ethical decisions! And don’t worry, the villains engage in their own villainous hijinks, as well. So grab your leather helmet and suit up… it’s time for kickoff!

QUOTABLE:
Well, here goes! — Wonder if I’ll get away with it?
Superman

Action Comics #4

The cover to ACTION COMICS #4 by Leo E. O'Mealia


Mary, the crazy girlfriend

So cute... but so cruel


The sting of a needle

Did Superman just stab a guy?!


Man of Stealth

Superman: Man of Stealth

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.

January 18th, 2011  Posted at   The Thrilling Adventures of Superman

The Thrilling Adventures of Superman

Welcome to episode three 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 time out, Michael examines the Superman story from ACTION COMICS #3, which finds our favorite hero leaping into action to save a miner after a cave-in; then Superman takes on The Man by giving him a taste of his own medicine. As well, Michael gives some of history on the practice of comic book ashcans, talks briefly about comic book reprints and introduces you to what may be the most under-appreciated character in comic book history: Sandwich Guy!

QUOTABLE:
I’ve half a notion to ‘crash’ this party… to bits!
Superman

Action Comics #3

The cover to ACTION COMICS #3 by Leo E. O'Mealia


Thornton Blakely

The many faces of Thornton Blakely


Sandwich Guy

Never party in a mine without first making sandwiches

Links mentioned in the episode:
ACTION FUNNIES aschan
ACTION COMICS aschan
SUPERMAN COMICS aschan
SUPERBOY aschan
SUPERWOMAN aschan
SUPERGIRL aschan

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.