Episode 140: S.H.I.E.L.D., H.A.M.M.E.R., S.W.O.R.D., and Other Marvel Acronym Agencies

Sure, S.W.O.R.D. and S.H.I.E.L.D. make sense together.  But, where did H.A.M.M.E.R. come from?  S.T.R.I.K.E.? W.A.N.D.? And what the heck does U.L.T.I.M.A.T.U.M. stand for? This episode, we go through various groups in the Marvel Universe that use acronyms and go through some of their history.

Total Recall totally ripped the “gun in the x-ray” off!

SHIELD’s first Director after 40 years of Fury…Maria Hill.

Tony doing his best to get in on that sweet Bond action.

Norman Osborn was going through a bit of a “What if I was played by Tommy Lee Jones” phase.

Until they gave her the gauntlets, I had a hard time telling Daisy and Maria apart. How about you?

If by “markedly different,” you mean “treasonous,” then you’re spot on!

Abigail Brand, Director of SWORD. With her sometime boyfriend Beast behind her (to her right, our left).

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

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

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.

It happens a lot…

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 137: Werewolf By Night - A Deep Dive

Longtime horror fan (of both movies and comics) Michael Vee joins me in this Deep Dive of the Disney+ Special Presentation of “Werewolf By Night,” inspired by the comics and films on which my guest is quite knowledgable.  Just in time for Halloween, take a listen after you’ve watched the show, because Spooky Spoilers Abound!

You probably should have planned ahead on this, Jack.

Yes, he’s Giant-Sized.

Wait, that’s Elsa Bloodstone? Well, not for long…

Yeah, that’s what she looks like usually (as opposed to her first appearance above).

Episode 136: She-Hulk Deep Dive Addendum - Incels, MRAs, and Misogynists

Personal friend and long-time comic book retailer Carla Hoffman joined me for this episode, as I felt the need to read and respond to an email regarding words used in the final She-Hulk Deep Dive by myself and my guests.  Carla helped clarify some terms and focus my thoughts on why I used the words I did, and whether or not that was the right thing to do.

I mention in this episode that “Incels” are a known hate group, according to the Southern Povery Law Center. Here is my source for that.

This is what I was referring to when I spoke of “cartoons about ‘tolerating the intolerant.’”

Episode 135: She-Hulk - A Deep Dive (Episode 9)

Andy Wilson from the Kiss Your Franchise Goodbye podcast and Kristin Scalisi both return to discuss the final episode of (this season of?) She-Hulk, and its themes, ideas, and of course, K.E.V.I.N.  We also take tangents on “clip shows” and embarrassing bedroom posters.

There’s only one new character that I would show their comic book picture of this episode, and they don’t show up until the final scene, so I’ll leave that spoiler out.

Episode 134: She-Hulk - A Deep Dive (Episode 8)

Andy Wilson from the Kiss Your Franchise Goodbye podcast and Kristin Scalisi both return to discuss the latest episode of She-Hulk. Of course we talk Daredevil, but also the history of Leapfrog, the Sokovia Accords, and secret identities in general.  

He actually makes a “Sproing!” sound when he jumps in the comics, thanks to those springs.

A modern rendering of Daredevil’s original suit, which as you can see, was the basis for this episode’s version.

Episode 133: She-Hulk - A Deep Dive (Episode 7)

Brooke Heyn and Andy Wilson from the Kiss Your Franchise Goodbye podcast both return to Dive Deep into the latest episode of She-Hulk. In addition to learning a lot about Jen’s dating life, you also get to hear some of the personal history of the podcasters themselves, as various moments from the show bring up memories. 

Hello! My name is El Aguila. Prepare…to cry.

Man-Bull has ranged from the mannish side of things…

to quite Bullish. Do you have a preference?

Porcupine as he appeared on the cover of his first appearance. As I said in the show, you couldn’t get much more accurate than this.

So, was Saracen supposed to be this guy?

or this one? (Believe it or not, I think they meant to reference the latter)

Episode 132: She-Hulk - A Deep Dive (Episode 6)

Kristin Scalisi returns to join me and Andy Wilson from the Kiss Your Franchise Goodbye podcast to Dive Deep into the latest episode of She-Hulk.  There’s a whole lot of wedding talk, and we learn (and reiterate) two very important lessons. Find out what they are by listening to this week’s Welcome to Geektown!  

Mr. Immortal is the blond in the middle. As you can see, he’s been changed slightly for the show…

One potential Leader of The Intelligencia. In his original comic book look…

and the later “Jiffy Pop head” appearance.

Episode 131: She-Hulk - A Deep Dive (Episode 5)

It’s just me and Andy Wilson from the Kiss Your Franchise Goodbye podcast this time to Dive Deep into the latest episode of She-Hulk, in which Titania finally returns, as she and Jen fight (in the legal sense) over the name “She-Hulk.”  In addition, we get the MCU’s equivalent of Edna Mode, and a tease for a certain blind lawyer. We break it all down for you in this episode!

How does this non-superhero book from Marvel tie in to this week’s episode of She-Hulk? Take a listen and find out!

Episode 130: She-Hulk - A Deep Dive (Episode 4)

As Brooke was unavailable this week, Kristin Scalisi joined me and Andy Wilson from the Kiss Your Franchise Goodbye podcast to Dive Deep into the latest episode of She-Hulk.  Wong returns, along with our new favorite, Madisynn (thankfully, she spells it out for us, so I know I got that right), and their antics inspire us to discuss the copyright of magic, various premium TV shows, and yak milk. 

Two of the new characters introduced this episode. Donny Blaze and Madisynn. And I do mean new. They have never appeared in Marvel Comics, but is one a relation to a famous hero? Maybe…

Episode 129: She-Hulk - A Deep Dive (Episode 3)

Brooke Heyn and Andy Wilson, both from the Kiss Your Franchise Goodbye podcast return again for a look at the She-Hulk show.  We’re finally past all the set up, and we have what feels like what should be a “typical episode,” if such a beast exists.  We break down the show, as each of us ends up revealing our own personal trauma brought up by specific moments in this sitcom.  

Mallory Book enters the show, albeit briefly.

As do the Wrecking Crew, albeit embarrassingly.

Episode 128: She-Hulk - A Deep Dive (Episode 2)

Continuing the Deep Dive into the She-Hulk show, I get a much needed female perspective in the form of Brooke Heyn along with the returning Andy Wilson, both from the Kiss Your Franchise Goodbye podcast.  In addition to breaking down the show, we veer into other subjects both serious and frivolous, including issues of mental control and consent to comics as case law.

As I noted, pretty darn close to the show, with one key reversal.

Pug. If you don’t love him already, I’m sure you will soon.

But only Marvel Comics…Sorry DC.

Episode 127: She-Hulk - A Deep Dive (Episode 1)

As should be obvious by now, I love the character of She-Hulk, so I’m going to be diving into her “fun lawyer show” on Disney+, along with guest Andy Wilson from the Kiss Your Franchise Goodbye podcast.  In this first episode, we get Jen’s super heroic origin story, and we learn more about Captain America than we may have wanted…

Episode 126: Who Is Jennifer Walters (aka She-Hulk) Addendum

In preparation for the She-Hulk show, we go back and revisit an older episode, going over She-Hulk’s origin and major events, as well as what makes her different from her cousin Bruce.  Then fill in the gaps in her comic book history that happened between that episode’s release and now.

It’s a trap!

Jen, you’ve um…got something on your face.

A little Winter Soldier, a little Omega Red, and a whole lot of Hulk.

My favorite lady lawyer is back!

Episode 125: The Alternates (Spider-Man/Into the Spider-Verse)

Inspired by the animated movie, “Into the Spider-Verse,” a listener asks about the various characters in the Spider-Family that differ from the Spider-Man we all know and love.  There are too many to go through in one episode, but we’ll start this series of “The Alternates” by looking at those featured in the movie that inspired the question.

According to the movie, he’s put on some weight since then.

As promised, here’s what he looks like when he shows up in the mainstream continuity. You’re welcome/I’m sorry.

I did say he was the darkest…

A little different from the anime girl we saw in the movie, but not as much as you’d think.

No, she’s never called “Spider-Gwen” within the story itself.

Episode 124: A History of Events (Why Some Succeed and others Fail)

Since the advent of the Direct Market, event comics have been a staple of Marvel and DCs sales strategy.  But, while some are huge successes still fondly remembered, others are mocked or completely forgotten.  We go back to the start of the Event Era and look at some of the most famous and infamous to see if we can figure out what is the winning strategy.

When Heroes Gather…Sales Follow.

Without Secret Wars, there would be no Venom. You’re welcome, Tom Hardy.

Worlds live…worlds die. Well, mostly, worlds die.

Of course there was a foil cover. Sigh

Is he though? (Insert Thor meme here)

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

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?

Yes, I see where this is going…

Yes, that makes sense…

Wait. What?

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

This will work out fine, I’m sure.

Or…not.

He got better.

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

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)

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.