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!
In this special 150th episode, I take a couple of questions that I’ve had for a little while that I didn’t feel fit a full episode, and answer both, as well as returning to an old feature, identifying the source of a pop culture touchstone that’s been used so many times, you may not know the origin!
Follow along as I find as many references as I can.
The last of the remastered episodes, as after this, I bought a new, better microphone. Although the show is long gone, Cloak & Dagger was a fairly faithful adaptation while it lasted. The major similarities and difference are discussed here.
From (the now defunct) Marvel television. At this point, I’m doubting they’ll return, but you never know!
Law and Order: Special Mutants Unit.
Dagger’s outfit was never going to be translated directly, especially played by a teenager.
Duran Duran and Kate Bush get call outs in the graffiti, in case you weren’t aware that this was written in the 80s.
The first Cloak & Dagger I ever saw. And yes, that’s Elliot from E.T. (aka Henry Thomas) as the kid.
Continuing our look at some of the less-famous X-Men roster, we’ve reached the Giant-Sized issue that reinvented the team, and the three members who never quite reached the fame of their compatriots like Nightcrawler, Colossus, Storm, and Wolverine.
Only one of the three we discuss even makes the cover. That’s got to hurt.
Banshee in one of his early villainous appearances.
…and what he looks like after joining the good guys. Amazing how much more attractive heroes are.
Sean in his “Horseman of Death” aspect.
And now as “Vox Ignis.”
Welcome to the team!
Well, that was quick…
The always pleasant to be around John Proudstar…
Welcome to the X-Men, John! Hope you survive the…Oh. Never mind.
45 years later…finally back!
A Re-mastered version of Episode 8 with improved audio. This episode provides first a definition of, then a few prime examples from (mostly) comics of breaking the fourth wall. This was originally released way before the She-Hulk TV show, but she still gets some representation here!
I never watched the new show. Did we ever get a “Time Out” there?
I wonder if Betty White actually signed off on that quote.
Deadpool…in…spaaaaaaaace! (Take a listen to the episode for the full effect)
Gwenpool…in…gutterspace! (The white space between panels is called “the gutter.”)
Animal Man…in…Okay, I’ve probably played out the joke now.
Quantum, Woody, and Bat-Man. (Read the book)
Celebrating five years of Welcoming people to Geektown, Kurt continues his anniversary tradition of going over the history of his favorite character Speedball and his teammates on The New Warriors, this year reaching the short-lived Volume 3, leading into the epic event, Civil War.
Microbe usually isn’t front and center of combat. Usually, he looks more like…
this. Note the flies buzzing. He doesn’t shower, as to avoid losing his germ “friends.”
A bunch of debris, thanks to Debrii.
A promotional image of the TV show roster. Can you see why I believe the reality show was part of the concept?
A Re-mastered version of Episode 7 with improved audio. The first in a recurring series where we look at the characters that have taken on a classic heroic identity, and what happened to them after the original returned. In this original installment, we looked at the various Captains America.
You wouldn’t know it at first glance, but there are two Captains America on this cover.
The “white eyes” is not a good look for Cap.
I hope he didn’t actually toss his shield aside while people were shooting at him…
They can do this all day.
Two people who call themselves Captain America at one time or another, and neither one is Steve…
Unsurprisingly, Sam has gotten back in the costume in the comics, to match his MCU counterpart.
Steve doing his best Harvey Dent impersonation.
You saw him briefly in “Falcon & Winter Soldier,” but he never wore the costume.
We conclude the conversation with writer J.M. DeMatteis, starting with his fantasy graphic novel, Moonshadow, then working our way through his career, including the Justice League, some animation, music, and others all the way up to his current projects.
If you’d like to take a look and possibly purchase any of the books in the DeMultiverse, you can do so here.
Pay no attention to the moon behind the curtain…
The cover that launched a seminal run…and inspired many, many other covers.
One of very few adaptations to credit Alan Moore with his permission.
A small sample of J.M.’s music.
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.
Hope you had time to prepare, Batman!
Kind of a shame that Thor costume was what was current, as this very much dates it to the 90s.
It was a very short “age.”
Even after a hardcover reprint for charity, you’re still looking at paying a pretty penny for this story, but it’s worth it.
We welcome the talented writer of TV, novels, and of course, comic books: J.M. DeMatteis in the first part of this two-part interview. Starting from his childhood love of comics to the seminal work: Kraven's Last Hunt.
The man, the myth, the legend…J.M.
Some of J.M.’s earliest work. Classic horror monsters beating up Nazis! You know you want to read it!
Kraven’s Last Hunt…at least until Marvel brought him back 25 years later.
Recognizing when the best writing is nothing at all.
A re-mastered version of Episode 5 with AI enhanced audio, where discuss one of my favorite types of games, Legacy games. Then we go on a brief comparison of various “crossed arm” gestures seen in recent comic book films of the time.
The originator (although I’d love to see the “Clue: Legacy” that Rob originally came up with.
Having played more Legacy games since this episode’s release, this one is on the weaker side, game-wise, although it tells an interesting story.
Season 1 is very similar to the original Pandemic in many ways…
…while Season 2 starts off very differently.
Still fun to play after the campaign is over.
Impossible to play after the campaign is over, but a fun, creepy campaign.
At this point, it’s likely we won’t see her crossing her arms like this again…
…and sadly, we know we won’t be seeing him do so (R.I.P.)…
but this could still happen again in Deadpool 3!
Over 23 years now, and counting (again, when Deadpool 3 releases…).
Kang the Conqueror makes his first full appearance in the MCU with Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania, which came out earlier this weekend. But who is Kang, and what makes him so threatening that he’ll be the next Big Bad after Thanos? Learn his comic book history, including his many aliases by listening to this episode.
Damn, early 60s Janet is thirsty! Also, thank you Marvel Studios for adapting the Kang Lounge Chair.
Narrator voice: No, he is not.
Why you hittin’ yourself? Why you hittin’ yourself?
Okay. Maybe early 60s Janet had a point…
Just a few of the Avengers seen in “Avengers Forever.” Go read it!
A Re-mastered version of Episode 4 with improved audio. Mutants are "hated and feared" by many humans in the Marvel Universe, but listener Aaron L. wants to know why they're treated so differently from the other super-powered beings. (Note, the contest mentioned here is long over)
Jean’s funky dance moves are sure to defeat Magneto!
There have been many “X” puns over the years…
I always appreciate how this logo has rotational symmetry (i.e. turn the comic upside-down and it reads the same)
Probably the most-referenced Marvel story so far in the podcast (as of this typing).
You’re starting to reach for those X-references, Marvel…
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.
A re-mastered version of Episode 3, dedicated to the history of Thanos. If you're a newbie to the MCU and want to learn about the comic book history of its first big bad, this is the place.
I swear this is Thanos’ first appearance. Sadly, he did not get cover status originally.
This is closer to Avengers: Infinity War than…
Infinity War itself.
A lot of these people seem to be thinking “Ahh! We’re floating heads!” based on their expression.
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.
Romance between Supergirl and Comet?
Well, it’s not unprecedented…
Remastered with improved audio! Where should one begin reading when they take their first foray into the Marvel Universe? That's the question asked today by listener Justin B., and Kurt offers a few different options with pros and cons for each.
Turning invisible still isn’t helping, Sue.
Crayons not included.
With great something, comes great something. If only I could remember the missing words.
This storyline gets referenced a lot in future episodes, so I stand by this as a potential starting point.
I’ve discussed a lot about American comics and cartoons, but what about from the other side of the world? Thanks to a question from Joel (listener and also guest on the Wandavision Deep Dives), I go into an overview of Manga, Anime, and what distinguishes them from their western counterparts.
Don’t forget if you have a question, you can ask anonymously by clicking the “Submit a Question” link above, or email me at welcometogeektown@gmail.com!
Just a few options out there available to you.
Some of the oldest anime imported to the U.S.
…and some of the newest (as of this recording).
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.
In the beginning…(again)
The Silver Age Starts in a Flash
Flash meets Flash
It’s called Crisis for a reason
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!
The oddest game of tag ever.
Having discussed Santa showing up in Marvel and DC the last couple of years around this time, we finally branch out of the Big 2 and start looking at some of Old Saint Nick’s appearances in other comic books. This year the focus falls on Savage Dragon, where Father Christmas is an important part of three issues. Warning: Not for younger listeners.
Dragons roasting on an open fire…(Actually, his origin story)
The cover does not lie, other than him wearing the outfit and the beard.