If I can point the true origin of my comic book collecting career to one point in time, and especially one character, it’s the spring of 1990 and the character is Batman. For this episode, I’m going to take you through “My Batman Phase,” starting with how I first got to know the character, and walking through my experience with some of the biggest Bat-related events of the 1990s.
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When you start reading comic books decades into a character or even an entire publisher’s existence, how do you go back and find out all of the stories that got them to that point, especially when it’s 1991, you’re fourteen, and you don’t have money, a car, or the Internet at your disposal? Well, join me as I talk about how I learned about Marvel and DC’s histories through their “official” history accounts: The History of the DC Universe, Marvel Saga, The History of the Marvel Universe, and The Other History of the DC Universe. Plus: listener feedback!
We came. We saw. We read Wizard. We bought what Wizard recommended. Thirty years later, we can get what Wizard recommended for a quarter.
We have regrets.
This episode, I celebrate 30 years since the dawn of the Nineties with a look at the decade of comic excess via Wizard: The Guide to Comics #29 and I confess whether or not I actually got sucked into the speculation boom’s vortex.
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And just for fun, here’s the cover of Wizard #29
This is it! The big finale!
After 14 months, I have finally reached the end of my comic book origin story, having covered the books from 1986 and 1987 that I bought, read, and enjoyed. And for this final episode, I will be taking a look at G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #69, which features the return of Destro in a new, gold uniform. Plus, I take the time to wrap everything up and reflect on my past and future as a geek.
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It’s the penultimate episode of Origin Story! This time around, a huge storyline ends in G.I. Joe #66 and Captain America’s new look get profiled in Marvel Age #57.
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When an American computer engineer seems to have gone rogue and started working with the Soviets in Southeast Asia, a select team of Joes have to go in to take care of him. It’s a kinda/sorta crossover with “In Country” in G.I. Joe Special Missions #8. Plus, I … well, I not so much reminisce as complain about the 1987 Mets and Terry F—ing Pendelton.
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In this episode, we say goodbye to Spider-Man and The Transformers as I begin wrapping up this series. First, I look at Peter Parker The Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #7, which is the honeymoon of Peter and Mary Jane. Then, I wrap up “Kraven’s Last Hunt” with Peter Parker The Spectacular Spider Man #132. Finally we head back to England for the second part of “Man of Iron” in The Transformers #34.
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The Joes and Cobras fight high above the Earth in G.I. Joe #65, Frank Castle takes on a cult leader in The Punisher #4 and I look at what’s going on the Marvel Universe with Marvel Age #56. Plus … MEAT LOAF!!!
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And here are some covers and scans from these issues …
I dip my toes into the independent comics waters with Robotech: The Macross Saga #21. Join me as I spend time with Rick Hunter and Lisa Hayes as they get stuck in the depths of the SDF-1 for a few hours (bottle epsidoe, anyone?). Then, I talk about teaching podcasting and past summer enrichment program experiences.
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Kraven meets his end in the penultimate chapter of Kraven’s Last Hunt as I take a look at “Thunder” from The Amazing Spider-Man #294. Plus, I spend 15 minutes talking about ice cream.
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Oh, and as a bonus, here’s the Carvel commercial from the second half of the episode:
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