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 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 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 #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 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

Cosmic Treadmill ep. 111 - Vartox Week! The Life and Times of Vartox the Valerian

Greetings, Eternals! In this episode, Brutal Exterminators Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) examine one of the weirdest characters in DC Comics' pantheon: it's Vartox Week! A discussion of every appearance of Vartox, with special concentration on Superman #281 by Cary Bates and Curt Swan, and Power Girl vol. 2 #7 by Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, and Amanda Conner! Without skimping on the requisite creator bios, our swoon-proof mortals detail every issue in which Vartox appears, even if only for a panel. Plus, they detail the mysterious film origins of this character–both the origins and the film being mysterious! This episode is so chock full, you'll need a Hyper-Ear to listen to it!

Reggie's Comics Stories ep. 1 - Mort Weisinger: The Man Who Wouldn't Be Superman (1975)

Hello, comics enthusiasts! Welcome to the debut episode of a new show hosted by Reggie (@reggiereggie), wherein he'll be telling stories about comic books–the history, the industry, and pretty much anything interesting that didn't happen within the comic book pages themselves. In this episode, he'll read an interview with Mort Weisinger from The Amazing World of DC Comics (1987), conducted by Guy H. Lillian III, titled "Mort Weisinger: The Man Who Wouldn't Be Superman." It's a rare look into the mind of this famous...some might say infamous DC Comics editor. Enjoy!

Chris and Reggie "Box Set", Volume 4: The Death and Return of Superman

Welcome to our fourth "Box Set" Collection, where you can find our four-part long-form coverage of the 1992-1993 Death and Return of Superman story arc.

Part One: Doomsday

Part Two: Funeral For a Friend

Part Three: Reign of the Supermen, Part One

Part Four: Reign of the Supermen, Part Two & The Return

Total Run Time

6 Hours, 33 Minutes, 56 Seconds 

Cosmic Treadmill, Episode 63: The Death of Superman

Cosmic Treadmill, Episode 63:
The Death of Superman (1992)
Greetings, comics enthusiasts! To celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the landmark event, our pallbearers Chris (@AceComics) and Reggie (@reggiereggie) dive deep into DC Comics' Death of Superman from 1992! After providing some context for the series by describing its contributing factors, and an exhaustive look at the many creators involved in this story, they break down every comic book leading up to Superman's demise in the landmark issue Superman vol. 2 #75, which gets their special attention. Then our grief-stricken duo get down to brass tacks and talk about the dollar values of these comics today, and discuss several other times Superman has departed this mortal coil throughout his existence. It's an action-packed adventure that ends with tragedy, a deal you won't get this side of Shakespeare!



New York Newsday Articles:

The Goodies included in the "Black Bag" (now you never have to open yours!  You're welcome, by the way):

Superman: Doomsday - Requiem and Rebirth Documentary:

BREAK: Headline News on the Death of Superman (CNN, 1992)

Chris is on Infinite Earths Coverage (click a cover):