I could not let October slip by without recording another annual episode of Happy Halloween, Dr. Thirteen! This time out, however, you'll be getting not a single serving, but a DOUBLE DOSE of THIRTEEN THRILLERS! I'll be recapping & commenting on two of the Scholar of Skepticism's original adventures from the tail end of the golden age, 'The Dolls of Doom' & 'The Suicide Tower' from issue #s 123 & 124 of Star Spangled Comics! Download this episode HERE! Scroll down to see images from these issues, and please be sure to check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play! Also, I'd love to hear from you! Email me at: imthegun@gmail.com, or hit me up on Twitter: @itgblogcast Thanks for listening! Music in this episode: Star Collector by The Monkees/The Tower that Ate People by Peter Gabriel Breaking & entering: a couple of Dr. 13's many skills Terrence ups the stakes, forcing the bad guy's hand (and confession) The curse of Oaxa claims its 1st victima Mesmerized at the top of Suicide Tower, Dr. 13's force of will (& cigarette lighter) bring him back to full alert
ITG is back with another participatory episode in this year's #BestEventEver blog/podcast team-up! For the past 3 years, a loose confederation of comics bloggers & podcasters has gotten together to jam on one of DC Comics' annual x-over events - and this year, we've decided to dig deep into 1995's Underworld Unleashed! The UU story, which shined a light on the villains of the DCU, ran through a 3 issue core mini series & over 40 tie-ins throughout the DC line. On this episode, I'll be recapping issue #2 of Underworld Unleashed, in which Neron momentarily turns his gaze away from the villains, and instead focuses on DC's greatest heroes! Download this episode HERE! And please be sure to check out further Underworld Unleashed coverage at these fine sites: Relatively Geeky Podcast Network Resurrections: An Adam Warlock/Thanos Podcast The Retroist ChrisIsOnInfiniteEarths Cosmic Treadmill The Pop Culture Palace Rolled Spine's Diana Prince: Wonder Woman Podcast The Idol-Head of Diabolu Justice's First Dawn Comic Reviews by Walt Justice Trek: The Podcast Scroll down to see a few images from these issues below, and check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play! Thanks for listening! Music used in this episode: (Every Day Is) Halloween by Ministry; Hell by Squirrel Nut Zippers Leave it to the Joker to sell his soul for a box of cigars . . . Neron tempts Superboy . . . with a red herring This sort of wide-screen epic violence would prefigure Howard Porter's upcoming run on JLA This scan really doesn't do justice to the neon green of the captured 'soul stuff' Some big names . . . and some crowd-scene fillers. Hey, I think I see Argus! The shadow of Neron's true form flickering platonically on a cave wall
I'm thrilled to once again participate in what's become a fun annual tradition, the #BestEventEver blog/podcast team-up! For the past 3 years, a loose confederation of comics bloggers & podcasters has gotten together to jam on one of DC Comics' annual x-over events - and this year, we've decided to dig deep into 1995's Underworld Unleashed! The villains of the DCU got a chance to shine during this event, and some pretty interesting match-ups came about between the villains & some unfamiliar opponents throughout the DC line. Case in point, on of the 2 stories I'll be recapping & commenting on: retired Golden Age hero, Ted Knight (formerly Starman) takes on infrequent Batman foe, Dr. Phosphorus in Starman #13. And in one of the stories in the 12th issue of the anthology, Showcase '95, Starman-cast member, The Shade, is confronted by the primary antagonist of Underworld Unleashed, Neron! If you're interested in taking the plunge with us, I encourage you to: Download this episode HERE! And please be sure to check out further Underworld Unleashed coverage at these fine sites: Relatively Geeky Podcast Network Resurrections: An Adam Warlock/Thanos Podcast The Retroist ChrisIsOnInfiniteEarths Cosmic Treadmill The Pop Culture Palace Rolled Spine's Diana Prince: Wonder Woman Podcast The Idol-Head of Diabolu Justice's First Dawn Comic Reviews by Walt Justice Trek: The Podcast Scroll down to see a few images from these issues below, and check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play! Thanks for listening! Music used in this episode: (Every Day Is) Halloween by Ministry; Starman from the 'Walk Hard' soundtrack; My Shadow in Vain by Tubeway Army Good look here at Dr. Phosphorus' transparent skin, as he blasts Ted Knight The Starman trophy room - and fateful contact with Dr. Phosphorus With the flick of a switch, color floods back into Ted Knight's world - I'd get that wound looked at, though, Ted The nasty side to The Shade's powers The Shade, channeling his best Oscar Wilde, delivers one the more memorable lines in my collection
Ms. Tree Theatre is back to bask in the dying glow of late summer! To celebrate a great season, join Max Allan Collins' & Terry Beatty's iconic indie comics private eye on a Carribbean cruise -- I know, I know, this is Ms. Tree we're talking about: sharp wit, lots of violence, great hairstyle -- why don't we call it what it is -- a 'Murder Cruise!' 25-ish minutes of recap & commentary await, if you: Download this episode HERE! Scroll down to see images from these issues, and please be sure to check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play! Also, I'd love to hear from you! Email me at: imthegun@gmail.com, or check out more content on Instagram: @itgblogcast Thanks for listening! Music used in this episode: 'Sea Cruise' by Herman's Hermits/'Theme From Ms. Tree' by Cruisin' An idyllic St. Lucia scene - if not for that dead body, there . . . Ms. Tree gets right to the point Masquerade dance party - with guests like Tintin & Wild Dog getting down The third color used effectively to depict flashback The top of Blackbeard's tower - literally breathtaking!
In this episode of ITG's ABCs (which is short for Anthology & Back-up Comics Stories), I'm having a look back at a 5-part story running through the fantastic Huntress back-up feature in Wonder Woman #s 309-313! Join me as I recap and comment on this story featuring the Dark Knight Daughter & the debut of a sinister, but obscure villain with an unusual power over the vermin of Gotham City! Download this episode HERE! Scroll down to see images from these issues, and please be sure to check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play! Also, I'd love to hear from you! Email me at: imthegun@gmail.com, or hit me up on Twitter: @itgblogcast Thanks for listening! Music this episode: 'The Lonely Bull' by Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass Hey, Earthworm -- Bob Cratchit called, he wants his wardrobe back Sneaking a peak at Dan Spiegle's Huntress Fending off the vermin of Gotham City The Earthworm gets, literally, the last laugh
On this episode of ITG, we're celebrating the United States' birthday by taking a look the 1st story from Tomahawk #51 - 'General Tomahawk,' featuring a cameo appearance by father of the United States George Washington, and an unlikely set of disguises for DC Comics' premier frontier hero, Tomahawk & his teenage side kick, Dan Hunter, who attempt to infiltrate an enemy camp as practicing minstrels! I honestly tried to keep the singing to a minimum on my recording, but if you're brave enough: Download this episode HERE! Scroll down to see images from these issues, and please be sure to check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play! Also, I'd love to hear from you! Email me at: imthegun@gmail.com, or hit me up on Twitter: @itgblogcast Thanks for listening! Music in this episode is from 'Spirit of '76: Music for Fifes and Drums' Bob Brown's homage to Emanuel Leutze's 'Washington Crossing the Delaware,' with Tomahawk standing in for the General Tomahawk receives a temporary appointment as Continental General from Washington, himself You're a mean one, Dan Hunter; Grinch-like, Tomahawk's teen sidekick 'relieves' the British storehouse of a few supplies Sailing across the frozen river - the wind was cooperative
My favorite Coluan is by far the Legion of Super-Heroes' Brainiac 5 - and I love reading stories about his adventures in the far future. But if there's anything better than reading about 1 Brainiac, it's reading about 2 -- sort of . . . ! In this episode, I'll be recapping & commenting on Brainy & his teammates' animated-style adventure from Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st Century #9! Download this episode HERE! Scroll down to see a few images from these issues below, and check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play! Thanks for listening! Interesting new look for Brainiac 5 & not-so-hot new look for Sun Boy Even stranded on prehistoric Krypton, Bouncing Boy can't get Triplicate Girl off his mind Reassuring Brainy & Bouncing Boy-shaped time bubble
This episode of Shanna Showcase sees Marvel Comics' greatest jungle queen out of the 90s & into the 'Aughts!' So, you 'ought' to check out recap & commentary of Shanna's co-starring role with Wolverine in the lead story of X-Men Unlimited #48 with good looking painted art by Richard Isanove & script by old friend of Shanna & Ka-Zar the Savage alum, Bruce Jones! Download this episode HERE! Scroll down to see images from these issues, and please be sure to check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play! Also, I'd love to hear from you! Email me at: imthegun@gmail.com, or hit me up on Twitter: @ITGBlogCast Thanks for listening! Music in this episode: 'Love Dance' by Martin Denny Shanna introduces herself with her own particular brand of 'Sweet Chin Music' Richard Isanove's expressive faces remind me more than a little bit of Shawn McManus' work Wolverine cracks the case 'Old?' Well, Shanna has been slapping around punks like Logan since 1972
In this episode of ITGs ABCs, I'll be having a look at a 3-part back-up story from Star-Spangled War Stories #s 181-183 featuring the 1st confrontation between 2 of DC Comics' WWI battle stars, Hans Von Hammer, the Enemy Ace & Steve Savage the Balloon Buster! I covered the 3 chapters of this serial in blog format HERE, HERE & HERE, but I like to circle back to the inspirations for this project from time to time, so I hope you enjoy the audioblog version &: Download this episode HERE! Scroll down to see images from these issues, and please be sure to check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play! Thanks for listening! Music in this episode: 'I Ain't Got Weary Yet!' by Arthur Fields A decidedly Kubert-esque look to Von Hammer, I think, as he pulls down his goggles Von Hammer, straight as a rod; Savage, a bit more relaxed Renowned house guest Steve Savage's break w/ decorum - the ultimate insult to someone like Hans Von Hammer The falling, flaming carcass of a zeppelin becomes the setting of a showdown
Mid-October means it's time for another annual episode of Happy Halloween, Dr. Thirteen! In this installment, I'll be recapping & commenting on one of the Surgeon of Skepticism's original adventures from the tail end of the golden age, 'The Human Orchids,' in issue #129 of Star Spangled Comics! Download this episode HERE! Scroll down to see images from these issues, and please be sure to check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play! Also, I'd love to hear from you! Email me at: imthegun@gmail.com, or hit me up on Twitter: @imthegun Thanks for listening! Music in this episode: 'Gardenia' by Iggy Pop The magnificence of the Human Orchid sends Marie to the couch - attended by Doc Will Magnus (?) Caught unaware by Senor Garitza The Incredible Hulk - in desperate need of a sandwich Senor Garitza complies with the Octopus Cactus' request: 'FEED ME!'
On this episode, I resurrect the Air Fighters feature to recap & comment on one of my favorite Blackhawk stories! Issue #242 was as close as you can come to a reboot for the legendary team of aviator adventurers without actually rebooting. Editor Dick Giordano, writers Bob Haney & Marv Wolfman and artist Pat Boyette blow-up the unsuccessful 'Junk Heap Heroes' era of the Blackhawks, dispose of the atrocious 'hero names' & appalling outfits and bring the Black Knights back to basics! Download this episode HERE! Scroll down to see images from these issues, and please be sure to check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play! Also, I'd love to hear from you! Email me at: imthegun@gmail.com, or hit me up on Twitter: @imthegun Thanks for listening! Theme created using a sample of 'Shotgun' by Duran Duran Nazi Negative Man, from the Earth-X Doom patrol? G.E.O.R.G.E. headquarters (and those ridiculous 'super hero' outfits) - no more! Zinda, the Hawk Kite, and a gauntlet thrown Origin of the Winter Soldi-- I mean Black Mask! Frozen in mid-air as the War Wheel crashes in silence
On this episode, I rhetorically as the question 'Where's the Trade?' of writer Karl Kesel's run on Daredevil from the mid-90s. In my mind, this run was a 'back to basics' approach to a character who was at the time in desperate need of it. In addition to speaking generally about the run, I'll be recapping & commenting on my favorite issue from this run, Daredevil #360 in which our hero takes on the menace of the Absorbing Man! Download this episode HERE! Karl Kesel interview on manwithoutfear.com Scroll down to see images from these issues, and please be sure to check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play! Also, I'd love to hear from you! Email me at: imthegun@gmail.com, or hit me up on Twitter: @imthegun Thanks for listening! Theme created using a sample of 'Shotgun' by Duran Duran DD's senses perceive Creel's switch from brick to cold metal A refreshingly understated revelation tucked at the bottom of the page Love the way Nord/Ryan's cowl hugs DD's face Is this an artistic tribute? I sense a Hulk/Thor battle referenced here Crusher Creel, ancient statue
An oddball story this time on Shanna Showcase - I'll be recapping & commenting on the Marvel/World Wildlife Fund co-production, Wolverine: Global Jeopardy! Shanna shares panel space in this adventure with Wolverine (of course), Ka-Zar, Namor the Submariner & perhaps a surprise guest stomping through the proceedings! Download this episode HERE! Scroll down to see images from these issues, and please be sure to check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play! Also, I'd love to hear from you! Email me at: imthegun@gmail.com, or hit me up on Twitter: @imthegun Thanks for listening! Theme created using a sample of 'Shotgun' by Duran Duran Shanna & Ka-Zar eat poachers like this for breakfast Namor & Co. play a game of 'Spot the Platypus' The force of nature that is Devil Dinosaur foil the plans of the Conservator Shanna's logic & tongue-lashing win the day Awwww . . .
My favorite Coluan is by far the Legion of Super-Heroes' Brainiac 5 - and I love reading stories about his adventures in the far future. But if there's anything better than reading about 1 Brainiac, it's reading about 3! In this 2-part story from Showcase '96, Brainiac 5 encounters his most infamous descendants, Superman's great enemy, Brainiac & Vril Dox II, founder of the interstellar peacekeeping organization, L.E.G.I.O.N. Please join me as I recap and comment on this most important chapter in the adventures of the Legion of Super-Heroes' resident super genius! Download this episode HERE! Scroll down to see a few images from these issues below, and check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play! Thanks for listening! Brainiac 5 - oblivious & nose deep in his smart device A dandy Captain Comet calls Vril Dox to action Saturn Girl's telepathy points the way to the biggest brains on the planet Priceless subversion of the Brainiac legacy - matter over mind
On this episode of I'm the Gun, we're celebrating the United States' birthday by taking a look the middle story from Tomahawk #70 - 'The Midnight Ride of Tomahawk,' featuring the meeting of 2 titans from American History & folklore - DC Comics' frontier super-star Tomahawk & founding father and chief cheerleader of the Continental Army, Thomas Paine! Download this episode HERE! Scroll down to see images from these issues, and please be sure to check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play! Also, I'd love to hear from you! Email me at: imthegun@gmail.com, or hit me up on Twitter: @imthegun Thanks for listening! Theme created using a sample of 'Shotgun' by Duran Duran Passable portraits of Paine & Gen. Nathaniel Greene, as Paine puts pen to paper Tomahawk & Paine's mutual admiration society The Midnight Ride Paine's writing does its work
The Eclipso: The Darkness Within coverage continues with this look at the DC Comics' event finale! Helping me shed some light on the Darkness Within is Chris Sheehan of the excellent blog, chrisisoninfiniteearths and co-host of the Cosmic Treadmill podcast! Download this episode HERE! And please be sure to check out further Eclipso: TDW coverage at these fine sites: Relatively Geeky Podcast Network Coffee and Comics Podcast Resurrections: An Adam Warlock/Thanos Podcast The Retroist ChrisIsOnInfiniteEarths Cosmic Treadmill For the Non-Discerning Reader The Pop Culture Palace Rolled Spine's Diana Prince: Wonder Woman Podcast DC Bloodlines Scroll down to see a few images from these issues below, and check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play! Podcast promo: Pop Culture Palace Thanks for listening! Intro/outro music: 'L'Eclisse Twist' by Mina' Creepiness in what you don't see; plus, great reaction shots Eclipso revealed; plus great reaction shots Disgusting Awesome double-page spread and bit of contrasting dialogue A claustrophobic spread of inexplicable Keith Giffen art
Last year, a loose collection of brave bloggers & podcasters attempted the impossible and covered bits & pieces of the much-maligned 1993 DC Comics x-over event, Bloodlines! This year, that same group, plus a few new friends, will shine a light on another DC event, Eclipso: The Darkness Within! Hard to believe, but it's been 25 years since the heroes of the DC Universe faced the Darkness Within, and on this episode, I'll be having a look at one chapter of the event which ran through DC's summer line of 1992 Annuals - L.E.G.I.O.N. '92 Annual #3 Download this episode HERE! And please be sure to check out further Eclipso: TDW coverage at these fine sites: Relatively Geeky Podcast Network Coffee and Comics Podcast Resurrections: An Adam Warlock/Thanos Podcast The Retroist ChrisIsOnInfiniteEarths Cosmic Treadmill For the Non-Discerning Reader The Pop Culture Palace Rolled Spine's Diana Prince: Wonder Woman Podcast DC Bloodlines Scroll down to see a few images from these issues below, and check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play! Podcast promo: Best Event Ever: Eclipso the Darkness Within Thanks for listening! Intro/outro music: 'L'Eclisse Twist' by Mina' Vril Dox, punished for that ridiculous 'private eye' get-up Mike McKone doesn't skimp on the backgrounds Eclipso takes a shining to his new body 2 pages of an extended knock down/drag out slugfest Now, I dialed JLA a long time ago - see how late they're reactin' (apologies to Public Enemy)
Just in time for Wonder Woman's blockbuster turn on the silver screen, this episode of ITG's ABCs (which is short for Anthology & Back-up Comics Stories), looks back at a WW Battle Classic from the pages of World's Finest Comics #s 246-247! Join me as I recap and comment on this story featuring the debut of a sinister villain fated to continually plague DC's wartime heroes & Diana's meeting with a familiar fellow female freedom fighter! Download this episode HERE! Scroll down to see images from these issues, and please be sure to check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play! This episode's promo: Comics with Normies Also, I'd love to hear from you! Email me at: imthegun@gmail.com, or hit me up on Twitter: @imthegun Thanks for listening! Theme created using a sample of 'Shotgun' by Duran Duran Perhaps the purest Don Heck panel in the story Churchill, obviously drawn from a photograph makes contact with the 'camera' Diana's awesome physical feat Marie's bullets are no match for Diana's bracelets, but WW is easily felled by a rifle butt Blitzkrieg loses a battle of face lasers & bracelets
On this episode of ITG's ABCs (which is short for Anthology & Back-up Comics Stories), I'll be taking a look at a Supergirl short story from Superman Family #189! Just in time for the Supergirl Season 2 finale, I'll be recapping this story, in which Kara gets into some legal trouble & receives some unlikely help in the form of Phantom Zone testimony from her once & future comrade in the Legion of Super-Heroes (and TV show co-star), Mon-El! Download this episode HERE! Scroll down to see images from these issues, and please be sure to check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play! This episode's promo: Comics for Courage (Thank you, Pat & Jarrod!) Also, I'd love to hear from you! Email me at: imthegun@gmail.com, or hit me up on Twitter: @imthegun Thanks for listening! Theme created using a sample of 'Shotgun' by Duran Duran Surrendered to the Phantom Zone What IS Snapper Carr up to? Mon-El's memories to the rescue Emergence from the PZ & threats
This episode, I'll be finishing up the recap & commentary on 'Eye for an Eye,' the story arc running through Eclipse Magazine that introduced Max Allan Collins' & Terry Beatty's iconic private investigator, Ms. Michael Tree! Download this episode HERE! Scroll down to see a few images from these issues below, and check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes & Google Play! Podcast promo: Batbooks for Beginners Thanks for listening! Intro/outro music: 'Theme From Ms. Tree' by Cruisin' Michael Tree - meet Mike Tree?! The awkward pause triggers my inner groan Odd face-hiding word balloons Pulling the needle out - like a boss