Insert Journal Title Here

VIEWS FROM THE LONGBOX CHRISTMAS 2009

2009-12-23T04:08:56Z

Originally published at VIEWS FROM THE LONGBOX. You can comment here or there.

Views From The Lonbox Christmas 2009 Special

Here it is, folks! The 2009 Christmas episode of Views. While it wasn’t the epic special I wanted it to be I think it turned out pretty good. The year I chose three stories from the DC Universe Christmas trade paperback from 2000 to discuss and have some fun with. First we go to the 30th Century and see how Superboy pushes his own agenda on the Legion of Super-Heroes. Then we travel to the Old West and see how Bat Lash doesn’t miss a detail. Finally we go to the Golden Age of comic books and witness Superman’s Christmas Adventure. During all of this we have Christmas music from Frank Sinatra, John Denver, Mannheim Steamroller, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and the Muppets! Finally I have a special surprise…a Christmas classic that was a lot of fun to record.

I hope you like what I have produced and more importantly I hope you have a very Merry Christmas or whichever holiday you choose to celebrate!

Take care!

FROM CRISIS TO CRISIS EPISODE 31

2009-12-22T18:02:16Z

Originally published at FORTRESS OF BAILEYTUDE. You can comment here or there.

Episode 31: December 1988

Welcome to the thirty-first episode of From Crisis to Crisis: A Superman Podcast! This podcast has a simple premise; examine just about every Superman comic published between Man of Steel #1 in 1986 to Adventures of Superman #649 in 2006 in an informative and hopefully entertaining format.

Part index. Part commentary. Part history lesson. All podcast.

This time out Jeffrey and Michael tackle the Superman books that came out with the cover date of December 1988. In Superman #24 we see the return of Rampage and why Superman steers clear of the political arena. In Adventures of Superman #447 Superman and Clark Kent both get to play hero and there is yet another appearance of the new Gangbuster. The guys also tackle Swamp Thing #79 as Superman makes a healthy guest appearance in that issue before reading some more of your e-mails.

You can subscribe to the show in two ways. First there is the RSS Feed and there is also theiTunes link .

If you want to comment on the show or contact the hosts you can always private message Mike and Jeff, at the Superman Homepage, leave comments here or at the Homepage or here or email them by clicking this link. All questions, concerns, fears, trepidations and cheap shots are welcome. The guys will try to incorporate e-mails into the episodes once the show gets rolling.

Seriously, let us know what you think.

TALES OF THE JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA EPISODE 5

2009-12-21T17:23:26Z

Originally published at FORTRESS OF BAILEYTUDE. You can comment here or there.

Episode 5: All-Star Comics #61

This time ’round, hosts Michael Bailey and Scott H. Gardner read a heap o’ listener feedback, try to make some sense of the Spectre’s wacky adventures from All-Star Comics #3 (the JSA’s very first adventure), wrap-up the saga of Vulcan with a review of All-Star Comics issue #61, drool over the awesome early art of Keith Giffen, and make Dr. Fate turn his head and cough in their Character Spotlight section.

Also — BECAUSE YOU DEMANDED IT! — more zany comic book ads!! This issue — Amish Aliens think we suck!! Can the Man of Steel’s brilliant plan change their freakish antennaed minds before it’s too late??! Find out in the story with the give-away title — “Superman Saves The Earth!”

Simply The Bestest Podcast You’ve Ever Heard… or my name isn’t William Howard Taft!!

We hope you enjoy our show and will join us each and every Friday for more Tales of the Justice Society of America!!

Be sure to check out Scott’s other podcasts; Two True Freaks and Back to the Bins!

For America and Podcasting!

GLASSICS

2009-12-15T04:37:13Z

Originally published at FORTRESS OF BAILEYTUDE. You can comment here or there.

The title for this post was originally a mistake when I was creating the folder to hold the pictures I took, but I think it’s a catchy term.

The thing that I have long known about my wife is that her family has a history of two things; collecting things and never throwing anything away. In the attic in the house we live in are boatloads of G.I. Joe and Star Wars guys that her brother owned when they were younger. It is just their way.

Tonight I off-handed said, “I wonder if you guys have those Burger King DC super-hero glasses.” One step ladder later Rachel was digging through cabinets and sadly we did not find any super-hero glasses.

But we did find these.

Empire Strikes Back glasses from Burger King.

Read the rest of this entry »

EPISODE 1997 PART 2: 1997 or “THE SINGLE LIFE”

2009-12-15T01:42:11Z

Originally published at VIEWS FROM THE LONGBOX. You can comment here or there.

Episode 97 Part 2: 1997 or “The Single Life”

The end is nigh…at least of this thirteen part series looking back at my misspent youth leading up to the epic, epic, EPIC episode 100. This week Shag and I wrap up (if talking for two hours can be called “wrapping it up”) the year 1997. We kick things off with talking up the films Men in Black, Batman and Robin, Spawn and Steel. If you can make it through that then the comic talk and personal reminisces starts in earnest as we discuss such things as Heroes Return, Faces of the DCU, New Year’s Evil, Superman Red/Superman Blue, how my sister messed things up for me and this girl I really like, how I screwed things up for myself with a rather attractive lady, the return of Lex Luthor: Bad Ass Villain, why Superman Secret Files and Origins #1 was so damn important (at least to me) and much, much more.

As usual you can check out Shag’s Internet content at Once Upon a Geek and Firestorm Fan. If you haven’t checked these blogs out yet do so now.

Next week: The Christmas Episode. I hope. It is going to be kind of low key but I that’s the sort of mood I’m in this year.

FROM CRISIS TO CRISIS EPISODE 30: NOVEMBER 1988

2009-12-10T01:53:20Z

Originally published at FORTRESS OF BAILEYTUDE. You can comment here or there.

Episode 30: November 1988

Welcome to the thirtieth episode of From Crisis to Crisis: A Superman Podcast! This podcast has a simple premise; examine just about every Superman comic published between Man of Steel #1 in 1986 to Adventures of Superman #649 in 2006 in an informative and hopefully entertaining format.

Part index. Part commentary. Part history lesson. All podcast.

This week Jeffrey and Michael discuss the books that came out with a November 1988 cover date. These included Superman #23 (which was Roger Stern’s first issue on the title and saw the temporary conclusion to the Silver Banshee storyline) and Adventures of Superman #447 (where Luthor’s armor returns as well as Gangbuster). But who is this new Gangbuster? Mike and Jeff aren’t telling so you’ll have to stick around for this one. The guys also discuss what else was happening the DC Universe, the depressing events of the “real world” and more listener e-mails.

You can subscribe to the show in two ways. First there is the RSS Feed and there is also theiTunes link .

Seriously, let us know what you think.

EPISODE 97 PART 1: 1997 or “THE SINGLE LIFE”

2009-12-08T13:16:06Z

Originally published at VIEWS FROM THE LONGBOX. You can comment here or there.

Episode 97 Part 1: 1997 or “The Single Life”

We’re nearing the end folks and this week I am joined once again by my semi-regular co-host The Irredeemable Shag and because we can’t get together without running our mouths for at least three hours I am splitting this one up into two easier to digest segments. In this first part I break down how I spent most of my nights and weekends in 1997, which includes a run in with a madame…yes, that sort of madame. In addition Shag and I talk Electro-Blue Superman, how my comic collection got horribly out of control, how I got the Peter David run of the Hulk, the vomit room, the Pulp Heroes (DC’s 1997 Annual event), The Kents, Secret Files and Origins, the death of Wonder Woman, the new Golden Age Wonder Woman, how Shag didn’t like Superboy and the Ravers and the first appearance of Arrowette.

Come back on Friday for the exciting and maybe even dramatic conclusion.

As usual you can check out Shag’s Internet content at Once Upon a Geek and Firestorm Fan. If you haven’t checked these blogs out yet do so now.

See you on Friday.

EPISODE 96: 1996 or YEAR ONE IN GEORGIA

2009-12-01T06:37:40Z

Originally published at VIEWS FROM THE LONGBOX. You can comment here or there.

Episode 96: 1996 or Year One in Georgia

Continuing the 13 part series leading up the to the epic, epic, EPIC episode 100 I tackle yet another year in the life of my collecting life. 1996 was my first full year in Georgia and not only was it an interesting year for me personally there were a lot of good comics as well. Clark and Lois break up and then get back together again, Gotham is hit by a plague, the rematch between Batman and Bane went down, hero fought hero in Kingdom Come, Onslaught wreaks havoc on the Marvel Universe, Heroes Reborn launches a supposedly new era in Marvel history and the Wedding of the Century happens…twice. All of this and boatloads of personal anecdotes too.

I have been on a couple of podcasts recently. Check out Better in the Dark, hosted by Thomas and Derrick. I was on two episodes of their show to talk Superman. Also I was on two episodes of Two True Freaks. One episode was a comic related show and the other was all about Indiana Jones. I had a great time on both of these shows and hope that you check them out.

Come back next week for 1997 and hopefully the Irredeemable Shag.

THANKSGIVING 2009

2009-11-26T04:21:00Z

Originally published at VIEWS FROM THE LONGBOX. You can comment here or there.

Thanksgiving 2009

Hey, all! Since Thanksgiving is here I thought it might be fun to sit down and record a little something or other to tell what I am thankful for this year. 2009 has been bad in certain spots, but as far as Views goes and my podcasting life in general I have much to be appreciative about.

I hope you enjoy this and I hope you all (those that celebrate it at any rate) have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Oh, the sound is a little off. I have a new headset and there seems to be an issue somewhere. Just a heads up.

Thank you all for listening to the show.

FROM CRISIS TO CRISIS EPISODE 28: OCTOBER 1988

2009-11-26T02:20:55Z

Originally published at FORTRESS OF BAILEYTUDE. You can comment here or there.

Episode 28: October 1988

Welcome to the twenty-eighth episode of From Crisis to Crisis: A Superman Podcast! This podcast has a simple premise; examine just about every Superman comic published between Man of Steel #1 in 1986 to Adventures of Superman #649 in 2006 in an informative and hopefully entertaining format.

Part index. Part commentary. Part history lesson. All podcast.

Michael and Jeffrey wrap up the Supergirl Saga this month and discuss one of the most controversial moments in the Post Crisis Superman era, which happened during the cover date of October 1988. In Superman #22 the Man of Steel makes the most difficult decision of his life. In Adventures of Superman #445 the amazing Brainiac returns and this time he is not taking prisoners. Actually he does take prisoners, but he is definitely more powerful and more dangerous. Jeff and Mike end the show with four listener e-mails.

Michael might be speaking out of turn, but the hosts of From Crisis to Crisis hope you have a happy, safe and satisfying Thanksgiving.

You can subscribe to the show in two ways. First there is the RSS Feed and there is also theiTunes link .

Seriously, let us know what you think.

TALES OF THE JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA EPISODE 2

2009-11-22T04:55:18Z

Originally published at FORTRESS OF BAILEYTUDE. You can comment here or there.

Episode 2: All-Star Comics #58

In this episode, hosts Michael Bailey and Scott H. Gardner take an in-depth look at the 1976 return of the Justice Society of America in the pages of their original title — All-Star Comics!! Specifically, they review issue #58, also deliver a bit of JSA news, character spotlight Power Girl, and wrap the whole thing up with a hilarious discussion of the classic comic book ads found in this issue — such as Hostess Fruit Pies, The Six Million Dollar Man Action Figure, and the Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle!!

Comic Book Nostalgia Galore!!

We hope you enjoy our show and will join us each and every Friday for more Tales of the Justice Society of America!!

Be sure to check out Scott’s other podcasts; Two True Freaks and Back to the Bins!

For America and Podcasting!

EPISODE 95: 1995 or “LEAVIN’ IS A PRETTY GOOD WAY TO GO”

2009-11-17T16:07:14Z

Originally published at VIEWS FROM THE LONGBOX. You can comment here or there.

Episode 95: 1995 or Leavin’ Is A Pretty Good Way To Go

Against all odds I managed to get another episode out less than two weeks after the last one. Views has moved to Monday (or there abouts) just in time for the 1995 leg of the 13 part series leading up to the epic, epic episode 100. This time out I go through my last year in Pennsylvania, which made me a little sad really. Despite this I talk about a fair amount of comics including The Death of Clark Kent, the Year One annuals, a couple of Elseworld stories and the phenomenon that was Batman Forever. All of this and boatloads of personal stuff too including a break up and a move to another state.

I have started another podcast with my buddy Scott Gardner. It is called Tales of the Justice Society of America and the first episode is out and ready for you to listen to. You can check out the Fortress of Baileytude post about it or you can head over to the Two True Freaks Libsyn page and get it there. Either way it has been a lot of fun talking the JSA with Scott. As a matter of fact check out the Two True Freaks Libsyn page anyway to check out the other podcasts Scott does; Two True Freaks (which I have been on quite a bit lately) and Back to the Bins. I was on and will be on both now and soon, so check those out.

Speaking of podcasts I have appeared on lately check out Better in the Dark, hosted by Thomas and Derrick as this is the big Superman episode that they asked me to be on. The second part should be out any minute now so keep an eye from that. Until then check out Better in the Dark and DJ’s Comics Cavalcade, also hosted by Thomas, as both are great shows that deserve the attention.

Next week: 1996. The first full year in Georgia.

This one might take a while.

FROM CRISIS TO CRISIS EPISODE 26: AUGUST 1988

2009-11-13T13:17:24Z

Originally published at FORTRESS OF BAILEYTUDE. You can comment here or there.

Episode 26: August 1988

Welcome to the twenty-sixth episode of From Crisis to Crisis: A Superman Podcast! This podcast has a simple premise; examine just about every Superman comic published between Man of Steel #1 in 1986 to Adventures of Superman #649 in 2006 in an informative and hopefully entertaining format.

Part index. Part commentary. Part history lesson. All podcast.

It is a packed episode this week as Jeffrey and Mike talk about four different comics featuring the Post-Crisis Superman that took place on or around the cover date of August 1988. First up is Superman #20, which crosses over in the most bizarre fashion with Doom Patrol #10. This crossover actually takes place between two panels of Superman #20, so that was kind of weird. After covering those books the boys take on Adventures of Superman #443, which Jeffrey liked a lot more than he thought he would and Michael didn’t really like it at all. Finally, Superman Annual #2 came out this month and much love is given to that story.

All of this and Michael’s snoring dog too. This episode has everything.

You can subscribe to the show in two ways. First there is the RSS Feed and there is also theiTunes link .

Seriously, let us know what you think.

A VIEWS SPECIAL: CATHARSIS or HAVING SOME PROBLEMS HERE

2009-11-09T23:46:16Z

Originally published at VIEWS FROM THE LONGBOX. You can comment here or there.

Views From The Longbox Special: Catharsis or Having Some Problems Here

As promised here is that special episode of Views I was talking about in episode 94 and frankly I am a little nervous. This is probably the most negative I have ever gotten on an episode of Views, even a special one, but this has been building for some time now and this is my attempt to get all of my thoughts out there and hopefully move on in some way, form or fashion. The sad thing is the bulk of the complaining involves my favorite character of all time; Superman. I have a lot of problems…I mean a lot of problems with the current direction the Superman books are taking. That is not to say that the people working on these books are not talented or are not working hard or are producing inferior work. I just plain don’t like where things seem to be going and I spend a little over an hour and a half going over why.

Joining me is my good friend Scott Gardner. Scott is the co-host on Two True Freaks and Back to the Bins and over the past several months he and I have had numerous conversations about Superman, so it seemed like a good idea to have him on this special episode to talk it out and essentially have someone that is on my side so to speak. I think the conversation went pretty well and I am glad we were able to do this. Check out both of Scott’s podcasts and stay tuned to the end of the episode where Scott and I make a big announcement about something we are working on.

Yes, folks. I am doing yet another podcast, but this one is going to be really cool.

EPISODE 94: 1994 or “GRADUATION”

2009-11-08T04:33:13Z

Originally published at VIEWS FROM THE LONGBOX. You can comment here or there.

Episode 94: 1994 or “Graduation”

And…we’re back!

Or I guess I’m back since this is another solo episode. Sorry I haven’t posted one of these in a month. I caught a really nasty flu that took me out for over a week and then I just got buried in work and real life and such. Hopefully…hopefully I will be on track for the rest of the month.

This week I continue my thirteen part series where I reveal all of the juicy details of my early years of life and comic book collecting by looking at 1994. 1994 was another one of those pivotal years as that was the year I graduated from high school. The episode runs about two hours and is just as heavy with the personal stuff as it is with the comic stuff. The comic stuff is indeed there, though and I go through the Superman books of 1994 and all of the books I got into after Zero Hour. So lots of Batman, Flash and Green Lantern talk in addition to my love for the Worlds Collide crossover. Plus I have some e-mails to go through as well. All of that plus color-forms covers as well.

Oh, quick heads up. The music clip is a little odd for this year. All of it is explained, but I just wanted you to be prepared for a departure from the last batch of episodes.

Come back on Monday (again, hopefully) as I am joined by Scott Gardner of Two True Freaks as we talk about the current state of Superman books and when I write “talk” I really mean we complain. A lot. So if you don’t want to hear people saying bad things about the Superman books you might want to skip this one. If all works out the third installment of will come out on Wednesday. Thomas Deja joins me again as does Shag and much fun was had by all.

Next week; 1995. The last year in Pennsylvania.

Sigh.

Movie Reviews

2009-11-03T22:06:21Z

For the first time since Watchmen Rachel and I actually went to the movies yesterday and it was rather nice. Rachel and I haven't been out much lately due to a lack of funds and/or Rachel not feeling well, so the fact that we actually got to see two movies and grab some dinner was kind of keen and because they were early showings we only spent around $30 or so, which was a bonus.

Rachel's movie was This Is It. Rachel has always liked Michael Jackson and she was very intent on seeing this movie. I was...less so. It isn't that I dislike Michael Jackson or his music. I'm just not that into the guy. Having said that I was very impressed with the film. It was a mixture of the film footage that they filmed for the This Is It concert and rehearsals. So while it wasn't an out and out concert you got to hear the songs and see the dancing and the spectacle. It was also interesting to see the man work. I like seeing the behind the scenes stuff and seeing the creative process in action. Rachel loved the movie, which was the important thing for me.

After some Xaby's (mmmmm) we caught Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant. My friend foxsyd recommended that I check out the trailer a month or so back based on our mutual admiration for My Best Friend is a Vampire. She thought that Freak had the same vibe and based on the trailer and I agreed. The film itself was quite good. I was impressed actually. The special effects were quite good, especially for the different freaks, but the film had a good heart to it. It did remind me in places of My Best Friend is a Vampire but overall my impression is that this movie was meant to be a Twilight type movie that teenage guys could enjoy without feeling a deep sense of shame and self-loathing. The cast was rather good as well, especially John C. Reilly, who pulled off the reluctant mentor role to near perfection. It had moments that you saw coming a mile away but it was written for a younger audience. And scholars could have a field day talking about the hero's journey with this film, though I don't go for that sort of thing too much.

So yeah, two fun/good movies and a day out with my wife. What else could I ask for?

JSA WEEK EPILOGUE: RANDOM FUN

2009-10-26T12:32:02Z

Originally published at FORTRESS OF BAILEYTUDE. You can comment here or there.

Hey, all! Justice Society of America Week might be over but I am not done yet. I have scans to share. Lots of scans. I have a whole mess of magazines and books and such related to the Justice Society and I thought it might be fun to post a bunch of them here.

First up, something that probably flew under the radar because the series these images appeared in did not get a lot of press. In 1990 DC revamped their Who’s Who in the DC Universe concept by switching from a comic book type affair to a loose leaf binder format. The initial sixteen issues were rather popular and I snapped most of them up at the time but I was totally unaware that there was a two issue Update ‘93 until a few years back when I found them on eBay. Imagine my surprise that the Justice Society actually got an entry.

Read the rest of this entry »

JSA WEEK DAY FIVE: CONFESSIONS

2009-10-24T20:40:05Z

Originally published at FORTRESS OF BAILEYTUDE. You can comment here or there.

Welcome to the very late fifth and somewhat final day of Justice Society of America week. This week has been a lot of fun for me. So much fun that if you come back tomorrow there will be something a little extra for you but for now I wanted to close out the week by going into how I became such a fan of the Justice Society and the many reasons why I like the team so much.

If you wanted to play fanboy anthropologist and track down the “origins” so to speak of why I read the kind of books that I read you can trace it back to two things; Superman and Roy Thomas. Superman because it was John Byrne’s revamp of the character that got me buying comics on a regular basis. Superman is patient zero in a way. Without him I would more than likely be doing something else with my time right now besides sitting in front of a computer writing about comics and comic related items.

Read the rest of this entry »

JSA WEEK DAY FOUR: BEST JSA ARTIST EVER

2009-10-22T11:42:01Z

Originally published at FORTRESS OF BAILEYTUDE. You can comment here or there.

Welcome to the fourth day of Justice Society of America Week here at the Fortress of Baileytude. Today I wanted to reveal the person I consider to be the Justice Society artist. There have been a lot of great artists that have worked on the JSA over the years. I talked about Mike Parobeck two days ago. There’s also George Perez, who drew the team in numerous JLA/JSA crossovers. More recently Leonard Kirk did a bang up job drawing the team and I liked what Dale Eaglesham did with the group. And that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the Golden and Silver Age artists that worked on the JSA. They are all talented artists, but there is one guy that does it best.

Jerry Ordway.

Read the rest of this entry »

JSA WEEK DAY THREE: “REQUIRED” READING

2009-10-21T16:16:18Z

Originally published at FORTRESS OF BAILEYTUDE. You can comment here or there.

Welcome to the third day of Justice Society of America Week here at the Fortress of Baileytude. So far I have been getting some good feedback on these posts and that makes me feel good because not only does it feed into my massively out of control ego but it also proves that there are other fans out there that like and respect the Justice Society as much as I do.

Today I have a list of books that I would call “required” reading. “Required” with quotes because while I think these are books and comics you should read and own opinions may vary. I think they’re pretty cool though and believe that you would benefit from checking them out.

Read the rest of this entry »

JSA WEEK DAY TWO: TRADING CARDS AND PAROBECK

2009-10-20T14:24:03Z

Originally published at FORTRESS OF BAILEYTUDE. You can comment here or there.

Justice Society of America Week continues here at the Fortress of Baileytude by jumping into the Way Back Machine and traveling to 1993 when the Justice Society had their own title and non-sports trading cards reigned supreme. Also I clue you in on why the late Mike Parobeck was and is my second favorite Justice Society artists ever.

Yesterday I mentioned in passing that the Justice Society had a short lived series back in 1992/93 and that I dug on this series. It was light hearted and fun but at the same time it explored how the members of the JSA dealt with getting older and in returning to the real world after being trapped in another dimension. Some characters were happily reunited with their loved ones. Others became afflicted with debilitating medical conditions. Some had to deal with the death of their spouses.

Read the rest of this entry »

JSA WEEK DAY ONE: JAY GARRICK IS THE MAN

2009-10-19T09:23:43Z

Originally published at FORTRESS OF BAILEYTUDE. You can comment here or there.

Welcome to the first day of Justice Society of America Week here at the Fortress of Baileytude! All week long I’ll be celebrating the first and greatest super-hero team ever!

To kick things off I thought it might be keen to discuss my favorite member of the Justice Society. The team has had some legendary heroes (male and female) as part of their numbers over the years but one stands above them all for me. He was a founding member and the first fastest man alive. I’m talking about Jay Garrick, the Flash.

Read the rest of this entry »

THE JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA = AWESOME

2009-10-17T19:32:01Z

Originally published at FORTRESS OF BAILEYTUDE. You can comment here or there.

The Justice Society of America is my favorite super-hero team.

Ever.

Sure I like the Justice League. I like the Teen Titans. I like the Avengers and the X-Men the Defenders and the Invaders I have a certain amount of affection for the Legion of Super-Heroes as well and even some of the more obscure teams like the Outsiders or the Global Guardians. Super-hero teams appeal to me because I like the group dynamic and the whole getting a bunch of heroes together to fight the good fight thing is just plain cool.

The Justice Society were the first and to me they are the best.

I need to do something about the fan energy I have for the JSA.

And the All-Star Squadron.

And Infinity, Inc.

And the Jack Knight Starman series.

I really do.

More to follow…

ELECTRO-BLUE SUPERMAN: THE POSTERS

2009-10-16T15:46:29Z

Originally published at FORTRESS OF BAILEYTUDE. You can comment here or there.

Electro-Blue Superman.

Say the words and a certain contingent of Superman fans will either start laughing, cracking jokes or hit the ground and cover their head like a Vietnam Vet hearing a car backfire.

For those of you who have blocked it out of your minds or have only heard about it in hushed whispers I cast your memory back to 1997 when DC decided that the Man of Steel needed a change and the best way to change the character is to give him new powers and a new costume. It looked a little like this.

Was it the best idea ever? Not really. As a matter of face for a long time this was my gold standard of when the Superman books went off the rails. Now I’m not so sure because there have been a couple of years after that where the books were a true chore to read and this era looks pretty good in comparison.

In any case I didn’t bring you here today to talk about the pros and cons of that storyline. I am re-reading itso I may do that at some point in the future but for right now I want to show off what four bucks can get you on eBay these days.

This is a packet that was sent to comic shops back in January 1997 to prep for the big change over. No matter what anyone thinks of the actual story there is no denying that it was a big deal. I will admit that the text on this packet, “Who says things never change?” is kind of amusing in retrospect but I can’t fault DC’s marketing department for doing their job.

So what came inside this packet?

I am a big fan of comic book promotional posters so these were a real treat. While I thought the idea of changing Superman’s powers and costumes was wrong headed I did like the costume itself. Twelve years later I look at these posters as a piece of Superman’s history so instead of being a reminder of a bad story they now serve as reminders of a particular era, so getting these posters makes me smile and yes at some point both of them are going up on the wall. Don’t know when but they will be there.

These are neat. They are rack cards for the five Superman titles that were coming out at the time. A shop owner would put them on the rack behind the particular issues to draw attention to them. I have no idea what I am going to do with these. Hanging them on the wall springs to mind but I may just put them behind the several versions of the Superman Red and Superman Blue figures that I have. In any case I think they’re cool.

So that’s what four bucks will get you on eBay. In a few weeks I will be covering 1997 on my podcast, Views From The Longbox, so this storyline will be discussed. I am hoping to have the issues re-read by that point so that I can have a firmer opinion of the Electro-Blue era beyond my memories of what happened at the time. Maybe I’ll look more favorably on it.

Or maybe I’ll just shake my head and wonder what the hell those people were thinking. Time will tell.

More to follow…

FROM CRISIS TO CRISIS EPISODE 22: MAY 1988

2009-10-15T13:28:12Z

Originally published at FORTRESS OF BAILEYTUDE. You can comment here or there.

Episode 22: May 1988 or Superman’s Golden Anniversary

Welcome to the twenty-first episode of From Crisis to Crisis: A Superman Podcast! This podcast has a simple premise; examine just about every Superman comic published between Man of Steel #1 in 1986 to Adventures of Superman #649 in 2006 in an informative and hopefully entertaining format.

Part index. Part commentary. Part history lesson. All podcast.

After a week’s absence due to Mike coming down with what was either Kryptonian Leprosy or a really bad flu the boys are back in town to discuss the Superman books that came out with the cover date of May 1988. This was a big one too as not only was it the month where DC celebrated Superman’s fiftieth anniversary in the comics but also because Action Comics hit the big 6-0-0. Before getting into that 80 Page Giant Jeff and Mike discuss the return of the Silver Banshee in Superman #17 and the giddiness of Superman as he flies to his date with Wonder Woman in Adventures of Superman #440, which led into the main story of Action #600. That epic anniversary issue had a number of stories in it, all of which get some kind of commentary. The boys even talk about the pin-ups included in Action 600, so that book gets a top to bottom examination. Also Mike clues you in on some of the ways the real world was celebrating Superman’s fiftieth anniversary including the exhibit from the Smithsonian Institute. It’s a long one, but Superman’s golden anniversary deserved it.

You can subscribe to the show in two ways. First there is the RSS Feed and there is also theiTunes link .

Seriously, let us know what you think.