Episode 177: Non-Powered Superheroes

Inspired by a new listener question, Kurt goes through his definition of a “Non-Powered Superhero” (or Supervillain in one case), to see who qualifies in the Big 2 comic book universes.  The answer may or may not surprise you, but you’ll have to listen to find out!

Well, he definitely doesn’t count…

but what about him?

Just a bow and arrow. No powers here…right?

Well, that’s got to hurt.

Being able to fight in something that skintight has to be a superpower, doesn’t it?

Doctor Octopus’s final days (well, sort of…).

Episode 176: Why-Men (Lesser Known X-Men; Dazzler and Forge)

Continuing our focus on the “Almost Famous” members of the X-Men, we wrap up the members who joined in the 80s with the Disco Queen known as Dazzler, and the Indigenous American inventor who goes by Forge.  But, before that, an important announcement about the future of the show.

Oh yeah, and she’s an expert roller skater. Just in case she wasn’t “Disco” enough for you.

Her first (but nowhere near her last) costume change.

Forge working on some Krakoan tech, showing off his cybernetic leg.

Episode 174: Why-Men (Lesser Known X-Men; Rachel Summers, Longshot, Psylocke)

Our fourth in a recurring series on the less famous members of the X-Men roster, we reach the 80s, with a alternate future child, a mullet-wearing alien clone, and a body swapped telepathic ninja.  Yes, the X-Men are weird.  Take a listen to find out exactly how weird it can get!

Rachel’s had a few different looks over the years, as she went from Hound to just Rachel, to Phoenix, to Marvel Girl, to Prestige to Askani. See if you can guess which costumes apply to which code name.

Business in the front, party in the back, pouches on the belt (a trendsetter both in hair and superhero costumes).

Betsy’s also gone through many looks. I’m grateful for the cover that shows them all in one image.

Episode 170: The Replacements - Green Lantern (Pt. 3; Kyle Rayner and Jade)

After a bit of a hiatus, we continue the discussion of Green Lantern “Replacements,” getting into the 90s with one of the longest running replacements, Kyle Rayner, as well as the woman who briefly took his place, daughter of original Green Lantern Alan Scott, Jade.  (If you haven’t listened already, I suggest checking Episode 71 for discussion of Kyle’s first girlfriend, Alex DeWitt).

Ladies and gentlemen…Crab-Faced Guy!

One of Kyle’s different looks as “Ion.”

Don’t make her angry. You wouldn’t like her when she’s angry. Wait a second…

Better than your boyfriend…at least in my opinion.

Episode 162: The Replacements - Green Lantern (Pt. 1; Guy Gardner)

Continuing our ongoing “Replacements” feature, this is the first part of the Green Lantern franchise.  Even with only covering those that directly replaced Hal Jordan, we’re still going to need multiple shows to discuss all the successors to the mantle, and what happened to them when Hal inevitably returned.  We start with the first of those, Guy Gardner, a polarizing figure to say the least.

Ironically, he’s actually very nice in his first appearance, despite this cover.

Any man who dares walk the streets with that haircut has to be tough…

One of (a few) stints as a Red Lantern…

…or, in one case, a hybrid Green/Red (wouldn’t that be brown?).

My personal favorite Guy Gardner moment.

Episode 160: Neurodivergent Superheroes

Based on his portrayal in the recent movie bearing his name, a listener is curious about The Flash ever having been shown on the autism spectrum before this, as well as the presence of other neurodivergent characters in the superhero realm, which is what we discuss this episode.

Link to the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network for more information on autism and other neurodiverse conditions.

Yeah, I can see it…

Oh, Reed, no…

Yes, we’ve had white suit…but what about second white suit? And third…and fourth…

He is the one that delivers…

Sniff any hair lately, Ed? (Listen to Gothamites, you’ll get it…)

Episode 153: Unusual Superhero Vehicles (2 of 2) - The SuperMobile

Finishing up our look at a couple of unusual vehicles driven by famous superheroes, we land over at DC Comics, where the Supermobile is under the magnifying glass. How does it do all the things it can do?  Why was it brought into the comics in the first place? We talk all that and more this episode.

Of course that’s the title of this story…

The Supermobile (literally) crashes onto the scene!

And of course, the Supermobile toy itself…Here’s the original…

The “Krypton Action Ram” version…

And the currently available McFarlane Toys version straight out of the comics.

Episode 151: Who is Kamandi?

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!

Episode 7 (Remastered): The Replacements - Captain America

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.

Episode 2 (Remastered): Where to Start - Marvel Edition

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.

Episode 142: Anime & Manga Definitions & Characteristics

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).

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 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 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 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.

Episode 113: Who Are The New Warriors? (Volume 2)

Continuing the anniversary tradition, Kurt moves forward in his chronological look at Speedball and the New Warriors team.  Having finished up the 75 issue Volume 1 last year, we now move on to the short lived Volume 2, focusing on how they got back together and on the new members that joined, mutant teen Bolt, and the inner city youth turned mythological champion, Aegis!

New volume, new costumes for everyone!

Well, for a little while, anyways.

The fight actually went much better for the team than this cover suggests.

Episode 112: Who is Moon Knight (aka Marc Spector aka Steven Grant aka Jake Lockley aka…)?

In anticipation of the upcoming Disney+ show (and the Deep Dive I’ll be doing with author John Mulhall), it’s time to take a look at the origins of Moon Knight, why some call him “Marvel’s Batman,” and most importantly what makes him completely unique.

If he was really clad in solid silver, do you think he’d be able to move?

Leaning into the multiple identities idea from the very start.

Like having Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Captain America guest-star in every issue!

Khonshu is Khreepy.

Episode 111: Earth Numbering Systems in DC and Marvel

You may have heard of Earth 1, Earth 2, and possibly even Earth 616.  But, how did all these names come to be, and who decides which is which? Wouldn’t they all want to be Earth 1? That’s what listener Joel L. asks, and Kurt answers for both the Marvel and DC Universes this episode.

The first time multiple Earths show up.

And the first time they get named.

The DC Multiverse as it (sort of) stands today.

The first use of 616 to refer to the regular Marvel Universe.

Episode 107: Dragonlance in Comics

For readers of fantasy, especially those with a history of role-playing “Dragonlance” is a well-known property.  But, did you know that it was also available to readers of comic books? Thanks to a listener question, we go through the various incarnations of comics tied to the World of Krynn, including both adaptations and original stories.

A very familiar site for 80s and 90s fantasy readers.

“Book Two” is actually the second half of the first book. It makes sense when you read it.

A more recent adaptation. Of course I chose the one with Raistlin on the cover…

Guess who the main character is. I’m guessing you’re wrong.

As promised, here’s me as Raistlin (with some Photoshop, but not as much as you might think).