Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode #32: Superman & Me / Me & Superman

Hey Gang... got something a little bit different this week.

Instead of discussing a single issue, I've decided to go "off the cuff" and share my life and times as a Superman Fan!  From my humble and wide-eyed speculatory beginnings, through times wherein I walked away from the character completely... to my many returns.  We're talkin' Death & Return, Electric Blue, City of Tomorrow, the post-Infinite Crisis "nebulous interim", Secret Origin, New Krypton... and yes, even Grounded, the New-52!... through Rebirth and back again!

Are you a Superman fan?  I'd love to hear all about your fandom!  When/how you started... times you left... what brought you back, and how it all turned out!

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode 31: Ghost World - A Tale of Two Enids

"And now for something completely different..."

Today I bring to you a discussion regarding adaptations between comics and film, and read from a piece I had written for a Humanities class nearing on a decade ago (consider this my preemptive apology).  We will be addressing Pascal Lefevre's "Four Main Problems in the Adaptation of Comics into Film" from his essay, Incompatible Visual Ontologies? which appeared in Film and Comic Books (University Press of Mississippi, 2007).  Here we will examine the portrayals of the cast of Daniel Clowes' Ghost World (Enid in particular), both in comic book and film.  Think inch-deep, mile-wide... it wasn't too long a paper.

If you are unfamiliar with Ghost World, much of this will likely make very little sense.  This episode does not include a synopsis of either the film or the comic... though, Enid and Company will likely be taking a trip on a certain Treadmill in the not-too-distant future.

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode 30: Legion of Super-Heroes (vol.4) #28 (1992)

Today Chris (@acecomics) talks about something very near and dear to his... err, no, actually he talks about one of his intentional comic book "blind spots" in the Legion of Super-Heroes.  We also discuss the concept and currency of "information"... why we want it, how we get it... and how not having it might lead to unpleasant and embarrassing situations!

Do you have any intentional comic book "blind spots"?  Daunting families of titles you've long ignored rather than digging your heels in and learning about?  Let me know!

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode #29: Lois Lane : When it Rains, God is Crying (1986)

It's "Tales from the Undergrad" when Chris (@acecomics) shares some stories regarding a couple of the cornerstones of his earlier studies... social media addiction and forensic psychology (with a focus on missing children), the latter of which parlays into a discussion about the sorta-kinda obscure Lois Lane mini-series from 1986... a pre-Crisis story in a post-Crisis world (or something)!

It's a sobering and sad tale, wonderfully crafted by Mindy Newell and Gray Morrow... the comic that is.  The rest of the show is still a babbling idiot... and you can listen to him babble on about his love/hate relationship with the "media of social" for the better part of an hour!

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode #28: New Teen Titans Drug Awareness Special - The Second One (1983)

Heyyy Gang!

In today's very special episode, Chris shares a very special issue sorta-kinda featuring the New Teen Titans.  Also, your host shares the story of a long-lingering addiction he once battled with... and no, we're not talking about comics!  That addiction he still can't kick!

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode 27: Adventures of Jerry Lewis #105 (1968)

It's Labor Day in America... and while a lotta folks might think of barbecues and getting the day off from work, your host's mind goes immediately to the man who hosted the annual MDA Telethon every year, Jerry Lewis!  Year after year, the sight of Jerry Lewis' face would signify to many children that Summer vacation was over... and it was now time to go back to school.  We'll discuss a little bit of that here today.

Also, we'll touch on the part of the comics hobby I (for whatever reason) always equate with Summer vacation: the trading cards!  I'll teach you all where in the box those sneaky distributors always put the holograms!*

*If you don't get a hologram, that only means the retailer mixed up the packs.  The Cosmic Treadmill assumes no liability for misspent monies.

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode 26: Resurrection Man #1's (1997/2011) #SuperBlogTeamUp

Who ever said there can only be one?  For today, we are ALL immortal.  Join your host, Chris (@acecomics) for stories of how hypochondria, an overactive imagination, and a tiny directionly-challenged bird made him recently question his own mortality... as well as an exercise in comparing and contrasting two takes on the weird DC Comics character, Resurrection Man!

Where else but during Super-Blog Team-Up: Immortal will you hear anyone talk about both versions of Resurrection Man?

All that, and details for my top secret Cheerios Diet... which, admittedly isn't too hard to crack the code on.  Remember, before starting any diet or exercise program to confer with an idiot who babbles into your ears for an hour and change on Wednesdays.

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode 25: Action Comics Weekly #601 (1988)

Greetings Weekly Warriors!  This time out, we discuss a book that, if you've been following along at the blog, is long overdue: Action Comics Weekly #601!  We look at, and break down all six features... but only after discussing everything that led up to the Chris is on Infinite Earths blog's change in direction as of February, 2019.  It's the story of missing diplomas, hungry ATM Machines, and crippling anxiety.  A super-fun time as always... so, check it out!

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode 24: Justice League: Generation Lost (2010) + Strikeforce: Morituri

This week, in a weirdly Marvel-centric outing... Chris (@acecomics) takes you back to the Spring of 2010, during a time when two comic book teams took over much of his reading: the Brightest Day-era JLI... and a book he finally found at a most apropos time, Strikeforce: Morituri.  Join him as he makes many poor comparisons between agreeing to undergo the "Morituri Process" and accepting a temp job!

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode 23: Adventures of Superman #549 (1997)

Hey Everybody, today Chris (@acecomics) checks in on the "Electric Blue" era for the Man of Steel, while catching up with some 1st Issue Special alumni (in both the Dingbats on Danger Street and the Green Team) and sharing an overlong personal story of his own teen-age preciosity.  If you're just interested in the comics content and not the rambling idiot telling you about his inability to cope with a cross-country move... you're fast-forward finger is in for quite the workout!

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode #22: Superman #281 (1974) #VartoxWeek

Blessings and Riches, my friends... for today is a day like no other.  Ladies and Gentlemen, it's Vartox Week!

Today Chris (@acecomics) shares the story of how a hairy-chested mustachioed alien stranger saved his blog from terminal burn-out!  It's a discussion about the frustrations associated with the creation of content, getting into one's own head, and attempts at side-stepping writer's block.

All that and a Bronze-Age issue of Superman to boot!

Celebrate Vartox Week responsibly... and remember, this is the one week a year where we're all Valerians!

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode 21: 1st Issue Special #4 (1975) Lady Cop!

Greetings fellow comic-hunters!  Today Chris (@acecomics) will take you on a collector's journey when he shares the story of a white whale that had eluded him for over a decade!  It's the story of the hunt for... Lady Cop!

After giving the low-down on just what "1st Issue Special" was, and the very titled resonated with a man who grew up during the comics speculator craze, he prescribes his own Curmudgeonly Collect-mandments... which might just (though, hopefully won't) ruffle a feather or two.  It's the story of a babbling Luddite... you won't wanna miss it!

Oh yeah, we also actually read the thing... and, learn all about inner-city crime, first-aid, venereal disease, and answer the question of: What's stronger, a live grenade... or a garbage can?

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode #20: Justice League of America #224 (1984)

Hello Conventioneers!  This time out your paragon of curmudgeon-ing Chris (@acecomics) shares his experiences attending and even volunteering at various comic book conventions during his fandom-career.  From humble beginnings rifling through bins at the Sun-Vet Mall, to getting the opportunity to wear a Media badge, interviewing Kurt Busiek and having a picture taken with Dan Jurgens... it's a story of anxiety, agoraphobia, preciosity and heat-exhaustion. 

Also, we take a look at Justice League of America #224 (March, 1984) by the aforementioned Mr. Busiek - With an audio clip of my 2016 interview with him where we discuss this very issue!

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode #19: Flashpoint #1 (2011)

Greetings Fellow Butterfly-Effect Victims!

Today we're going to take a look at the first-issue of the Universe-Altering DC Comics event, Flashpoint... without too much complaining about what came afterwards!  This book hit the stands on the very day the direction of my own life was unexpectedly and profoundly altered... for the better... and you'll hear probably wayyy too much about that once you hit PLAY!  (Please hit PLAY anyway).

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode 18: Brightest Day #0 (2010)

It's a New Day... Yes it is!

Join Chris (@acecomics) for the return of the Chris is on Infinite Earths program when he discusses the book that launched the crossovent that finally made him take notice of DC Comics after an extended bout of unemployment... Brightest Day #0!  He'll also tell you far more than you'd ever care to know about how that bout of unemployment began!  I, er... Heapologizes for that ahead of time.

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode 17: ElfQuest 25th Anniversary Special (2003)

Shade and Sweet Water, Everybody! 

This time out I share my extended comic book "secret origin", which started with a peek at two particular pages of the ElfQuest Gatherum!  This will be an especially "Christory-heavy" installment, with stories of my time with ElfQuest, my first visit to a comic book specialty store and subsequent first trip to the back-issue bins... also: the revelation that trade paperbacks were very expensive!

Had a great time reliving "The memories that made a Fan out of Chris"!  I hope you'll enjoy hearing all about 'em!

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode 16: Laurel & Hardy #1 (1972)

Well, here's another nice mess we've gotten ourselves into!

This time out, Chris (@acecomics) discusses a strange little offering from DC Comics in the early-70's... the one-and-only issue of (Larry Harmon's) LAUREL & HARDY.  Before getting into the comic itself, I share with you my affection for the old comedy team, how I first "met" them, and my many (mostly failed) attempts to record as many of their shorts and films as possible during my youth.  "The Boys" have always been important to me, and despite the issue being a bit "ehh", I'm so pleased to get the opportunity to chat about this topic.

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode 15: The Man of Steel #1 (1986)

Hello Heroes!

This time out we discuss The Man of Steel #1... the first, The Man of Steel #1, that is... written and drawn by John Byrne.  Before getting into the book itself, we take a quick peek into that strange time where Superman, and many of DC's top books, were very nearly published by... Marvel Comics?!

From there, we jump into the book... and compare the finished product (of the first issue) to what's known about John Byrne's original "Marvel Comics' Superman" pitch.  Is what we wound up getting: better, worse, or exactly the same?  Gonna have to listen to find out!

Sticking with the Byrne-Superman theme, this week's HOT TAKE Segment will feature a USENET post from October, 1985... right around the time that Byrne's pending arrival at DC Comics was no longer a rumor!  It's a fun time as always, if ya got a minute (or 40), give it a listen!

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode 14: DC Comics Presents #85 (1985)

Good Day, Fellow Professors of Extra-Dimensional Studies!  This time out, Chris is joined by his good pal, Dave Schultz (@SellingOutShow) to discuss a very special issue of DC Comics Presents featuring a team-up (of sorts) between Superman and Swamp Thing!

From there, Dave shares his comics "Secret Origin" and gives Chris a guided tour of his Swamp Thing fandom!  It's quite the education for your humble host!

HOT TAKE: A Reaction to "The Anatomy Lesson" from a November, 1983 USENET post (as discussed at DCinthe80s.com

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode 13: Gon, Volume I of IV (1996)

This week's episode is a little bit different from our usual superhero fare... actually, it's a whole lot different.  Today we're going to meet a tiny dinosaur named Gon (created by Masashi Tanaka), and take a look at his first tankōbon volume, which contains three stories... and zero words!

Ya see, Chris picked this book to review before heading out on vacation, thinking its lack of words would make for a quick and easy synopsis.  Let's just say, he learned a lesson in "cutting corners" that day.