13 comments on “Tape #19: Crisis – Interlude the First”

1. Frank says:

   July 30, 2026 at 3:10 am

   I’ve previously discussed my difficulties with commenting on this show, and I skipped the Supergirl one entirely, because by the time I finished the episode, I couldn’t think of anything to add to another Kara in Crisis discussion. One thing that did occur to me during the listener feedback section was that we were robbed of the opportunity to see Kara Zor-El mourning Kal-El during The Death of Superman. The Matrix was an other-dimensional blob mostly concerned with taking on some of Superman’s responsibilities, which is a far cry from seeing your last living family member and final fellow survivor of your species beaten to death. It was one of the best possible opportunities to explore Kara Zor-El’s emotional depths, and sharpen her role within the DC Universe, while also offering her one of the largest audiences in comic book history, and they whiffed it on Lex Luthor Junior’s blow-up doll.

   I’mma hafta call B.S. on Perez referencing any other cover but Byrne’s Uncanny X-Men #136. They’re the exact same vantage point and scale, with nigh-identical body posture and musculature. You could pretty much trace over Byrne to get to Perez. Now, COIE #7 is better rendered, vastly more detailed, and the most iconic, but it’s also a direct lift. That’s Vanilla Ice-level dun-dun-dun-da-da-denial there.

   I should get my copy of the Absolute Edition in a week or so, and it ran me about $77. It’ll be the first time I’ve ever owned a COIE collected edition, as I waved off or was priced out of all prior editions. The new scans and companion book went a long way toward finally winning me over, but I’m also at an age where it had become unseemly to not have a quality larger scale reference for that Perez art. The story? Whatever. I’m also not a huge fan of JLA/Avengers, but I once checked out that Absolute Edition from the library, and I long for that companion hardcover with all the unfinished 1983 pages. That’s the book I wanted, not the overstuffed ’00s take. Anyway, I’ve also got The Crisis Companion on order, but I won’t get mine until September. I “tossed” through the digital preview at the Twomorrows site and, well, I guess we’ll see.

   It was great meeting up with Doug in Edinburgh! It was a whole odyssey to get there, involving hours-long tarmac traps, delayed/cancelled flights, a Home Alone-style sprint through O’Hare to make a connecting flight, and lengthy phone calls finagling replacement arrangements from the airlines. The plan was a day each for Doug and Billy Hines, plus some castles and a trip to Nottingham. It became cramming the boys into one evening in our hotel room during a heat wave with a/c facing the wrong direction, no castles, and Robin Hood escaping our pursuit. Plus, even more expensive alternative locomotion, as the heat knocked out rail and attraction services. But we still had a great vacation, assisted by Doug! Pleased to get the Twin Peaks board game back home, only slightly worse for wear, mostly down to rubbing/tearing of the cellophane while moving from place to place. I also accidentally bought way more UK comics than I’d intended, including a complete set of The Titans (weird 1970s “widescreen” horizontal black & white Marvel reprints with new covers and 22 inch ((imperial!)) centerfold spreads.) But back on the Twin Peaks tip– also a multiverse, or at least parallel dimensions/timelines.

   Reply
   1. DC Dave says:

      July 30, 2026 at 9:28 pm

      Frank, I can’t believe I’ve never heard that take before, but it’s so obvious, and you’re right – we’ve never gotten Kara’s reaction to Kal’s death. What’s shame.

      Glad to know you’ve picked up the Absolute Edition and The Crisis Companion! Enjoy them. The Absolute Edition is as close a Treasure Edition I think we’ll ever get.

      Reply
2. Doug Prime says:

   July 30, 2026 at 9:52 am

   Thanks for the kind words there Frank it was great to finally put a face (even if a disguise) to your voice!

   Reply
   1. Doug Alpha says:

      July 30, 2026 at 9:52 am

      Wait a minute you met Frank? Why didn’t you tell me he was in town?

      Reply
      1. Doug Prime says:

         July 30, 2026 at 9:55 am

         I did tell you, but you said you were on Monitor Duty or something. So Don’t blame me!

         Reply
         1. Alpha Doug says:

            July 30, 2026 at 9:57 am

            When I get back from holiday I’m going to have words with Dave about this. At least I have a lovely copy of the DC Style Guide to look at while on vacay! Thanks to Frank it seems!

            Reply
            1. Bucky749 says:

               July 31, 2026 at 7:53 am

               Some one get this Doug his avatar I know he loves same blue beetle but couldn’t he use the laughing blue beetle just a idea

      2. Martin Gray says:

         July 31, 2026 at 3:39 am

         Hasn’t everyone met Frank? The man is a prince!

         Reply
3. Frank says:

   July 31, 2026 at 3:18 am

   It was probably better to have a spare Doug in reserve for a meeting with me, just in case.

   Reply
4. Bucky749 says:

   July 31, 2026 at 7:50 am

   Great episode .
   I can name one characters that will never get a spot light episode “ Peter cannon the thunder bolt “ he appears in one panel and has the wrong powers he has the same abilities as mr terrific but some one thought he was super speedster .
   Also is the crimson avenger and wing in the infinite crises ?
   I feel he does get mentioned also Dave you said you daughter did cosplay but you didn’t say as who .
   Also dough if do go to hero’s con are you going as blue blue beetle and make Dave be booster gold ?
   And my brother Jeremy’ the ice-man Imai wants to know if haggis is bad tasting as it looks and is there Scottish hero dc ‘s ww2 hero’s and are hawk and dove in the infinite crisis I told my bro I don’t think they are but I’m not sure so I said I’d ask Dave

   Reply
   1. Martin Gray says:

      August 1, 2026 at 1:46 pm

      Haggis is gorgeous, whether original or veggie. It doesn’t look any worse than the likes of grits, Tato Tot casserole or (lordy!) Jello salad!

      Reply
5. Martin Gray says:

   August 3, 2026 at 5:26 pm

   Thanks for a fun change of pace show, I enjoyed all the general chat and the fun phone calls. Just to let you know I’m not free until at least the second week of September if you need someone to contradict your every word.

   Reply
   1. Martin Gray says:

      August 3, 2026 at 5:27 pm

      Not ‘not’, now! I’m now free. Oh so very free. I’m more available than Pariah at a Singles night.

      Reply