Wayne Manor Memoirs (Joe & Kendall)

Time to go bananas Bat-Fanatics! Spinning out of our Harley Quinn: Angry Bird episode, Joe and Kendall keep their promise and cover the Gorilla Gang. Buckle in folks, theirs is a long and storied history mired in complexity and depth. Just kidding. They’ve made two appearances and those appearances were about 50 years apart. So prepare for lots of low ape/monkey/banana jokes, full body Gorilla costumes, the almost death of Harley Quinn, and a surprisingly good footnote in the Bat-Mythos!

Infinite Origins: Batman vol. 1 #156 and #185

Continuity Crisis: Harley Quinn vol. 3 #38

Gather close Bat-Fanatics while Uncles Joe & Kendall share with you a story of death, rebirth, judgement, and… penises. That’s right, this time we delve into the unreasonably infamous Batman: Damned. Written as a loose sequel to Azzarello & Bermejo’s Joker, this title was the flagship that launched DC’s Black Label imprint. It asked a simple question: What would happen if Batman killed the Joker? The imprint was supposed to open up flagship DC characters to stranger, darker, more mature themes. Then you show Batman’s penis and the whole thing goes into a tailspin. Does this story deserve infamy? Probably not, but it did deserve a whole new segment: Cataclysmic Controversy! Is it good? We don’t know, but we certainly give you our opinions. Is the art phenomenal? Oh yeah. So dive into a supernatural mystery of life and death, rap-battle with the demonic J-Blood, and get judged by vagrant Spectre!

Bat-Radar
Plot Pandemonium: Batman: Damned #1-3
A.C.E. Chemical Reactions
Cataclysmic Controversy
Crisis of Infinite Interpretations

Well, Bat-Fanatics, it isn’t Batman, but he does make an appearance . . . so it counts! This time Joe and Kendall dedicate a whole episode to a Wonder Woman comic, specifically Wonder Woman: Dead Earth. Daniel Warren Johnson is both writer and artist on this wild, monster-filled ride. BEWARE! Spoilers abound if you haven’t read this, and man, you should read it! Wonder Woman in the post apocalypse? Check. Survival of humanity pushed to the brink? Check. Shocking appearances from the other members of the Trinity? Abso-freakin-lutely. This is a strange but extremely satisfying take on Wonder Woman, Bat-Fanatics! So strap on your Amazonian utility belt, turn your lasso of truth into a weapon of war, and prepare to battle your way through the apocalypse Wonder Woman style!

Plot Pandemonium: Wonder Woman: Dead Earth 1-4

Welcome Bat-Fanatics to our first attempt at covering an influential Batman creator, and what a creator we’ve chosen! Back in one of our very first emails, Jose mentioned that Jim Aparo was his Batman artist. So, Joe and Kendall hit the books to learn all they could about Mr. Aparo! Turns out, there is a lot to learn. From the origins of a newspaper ad designer, to starting comics at Charlton, to finally an entire career at DC drawing a myriad of characters: Aparo is an artistic pillar from an era largely unknown to your hosts. And how do they capitalize on this opportunity? By using it to cover Aparo’s self-admitted favorite book, the Brave and the Bold. That’s right, we’re talking more Bat team-ups than you can shake a batarang at! So prepare to hear some of the zaniest Batman stories we’ve ever talked about, drawn with some of the most engaging and dramatic art we’ve never seen. And best yet? The Origami Man!

Background Bat-File: Jim Aparo
Inside the Panel: The Brave & the Bold vol. 1 #98, 111, 120, 124, 178, 200

Welcome Bat-Fanatics to the second episode of Bat-Radar. Those of you familiar with the show are used to the episodic musings of Joe & Kendall, but here is a full hour dedicated to their most interesting reads from June 2021. If that weren't enough, they also do their best to catalogue and review every Bat-Book currently on the market. Do they get them all? No. Do they try really hard? Maybe. So sit down and listen to more unscripted nonsense from J&K and they talk comics, television, and video games.

Content: Boom's Whendon-Verse, God of War, Omega Men, Teen Titan's Rebirth, Invincible, Checkmate, Vagabond

Bat-Book Roundup: Batman, Detective Comics, Nightwing, Robin, Batman: Urban Legends, Batman/Catwoman, The Joker, Legends of the Dark Knight, Batman: Reptilian, Future State: Gotham

Welcome back Bat-Fanatics! Megan joins Joe for a very special episode dedicated to the first women to make their mark on Batman comics. Our suite of writers starts way back in the Golden Age with Ruth Lyons Kaufman. Then we visit the bronze age with Barbara Kesel before returning to the modern era with Devin Grayson. For artists, we start in the 80s with Mary Mitchell before revisiting New 52's Becky Cloonan. 

Don't fret Bat-Fanatic if your favorite female creative isn't on this list! We tried to keep the list focused on big milestones this time. We're definitely interested in expanding our knowledge of the women who've shaped Batman. Feel free to reach out if you have a particular female bat-creator you want us to cover!

Comics: Batman vol. 1 #16, Batman vol. 1 #401, Gotham Knights vol. 1 #1, Batman: Gotham Nights vol. 1 #1, Batman vol. 2 #12

It’s time for another installment of Talkin’ Tom King! I mean… Wayne Manor Memoirs. This time Joe and Kendall revisit some of the one-shot (single issue) stories from Tom King’s run on Batman. There are some great books in this selection, including two of their FAVORITE COMICS from King. Why? How?! What is the role of a one-shot in an ongoing story arc? Why are these single issues so effective when they are essentially comic book short stories? Joe & Kendall do their best to answer these questions while expounding on the virtues of character driven storytelling. If that wasn’t enough, we get the best team-ups that NO ONE asked for… Batman & Elmer Fudd. Take back that eye roll Bat-Fanatics, this book is SHOCKINGLY good.

So give a “Hell Yeah” as you strap on your body-kite, make sure your butler/father has the best equipment for cleaning up swamp detritus, and prepare for bountiful (possibly biased) praise to be heaped upon Tom King.

Plot Pandemonium - Batman vol. 3 #23, 24, 38, 54, Annuals 2 & 4; Batman/Elmer Fudd Special

Ever wonder what would happen if the Caped Crusader were as fast as a speeding bullet and could leap tall buildings in a single bound? No? Well, too bad because we are answering those questions this week! Joe and Kendall are joined by special guest Megan to review and discuss how the dark knight handles having actual super powers in Superman: Speeding Bullets and Superman/Batman: Super-Bat. To be fair, being insanely rich is a super power in its own right, but not nearly as visually exciting as heat vision or flying. Can the Bat carry the burden of the Boy Scout in Blue or will the Dark Knight deviate from his devotion to justice? We try to answer these quandaries and more while Joe does his best to keep Kendall and Megan focused.

Plot Pandemonium: Superman: Speeding Bullets & Superman/Batman vol. 1: #53-56

Welcome back Bat-Fanatics to Season 2 of Wayne Manor Memoirs! Boy have we got some sweet plans to share with you!

However, before we dive into all the juicy Season 2 goodness, Joe & Kendall revisit Season 1, their fandom, and share news about the upcoming season. Continue the self indulgence! What's new in Season 2? What was their favorite episode in Season 1? Did they learn ANYTHING?! They also revisit the most pressing question: who is their favorite Batman?

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The Hugo Strange quadrology continues with Matt Wagner's Batman and the Monster Men! Can you really take 12 pages of Golden age content and transform it into a 6 issue mini-series? Joe and Kendall aim to find out. Set in the "modern" origin of Batman, this story falls between Year One and The Man Who Laughs and features an updated version of Professor Hugo Strange. This Strange is the pinnacle of diminutive physique and aspires to perfect human genes. Too bad he ends up with Monster Men . . . again.

So prepare yourself for a story of monsters, mad science, loan sharks, gambling dens, obligatory romance, and vigilante justice as Joe and Kendall continue their adventure through the multiverse!

Plot Pandemonium: Batman and the Monster Men #1-6

Happy Holidays, Bat-Fanatics! You know, as we always say on this podcast, there is nothing that prepares you for this festive season more than taking a closer look at another psychopathic member of Batman’s rogues gallery. This holiday season, the Calendar Man has stuffed your proverbial stocking with bits and pieces of Lord Death Man. But don’t fret! He’s gonna be fine! He survived a volcano! That might be getting ahead of ourselves, though… Joe & Kendall put the menace of Bat-Manga under the microscope to find out just how Lord Death Man… lords…over… death? That’s right, Bat-Fanatics. Joe read manga. FOR YOU! And he even liked it. What is the world coming to?

So don your dramatic capes, pull out that skeleton Halloween costume from a few years ago, prepare your best Han Solo in carbonite impression, and get ready to contemplate the harsh realities of insanity and immortality as we cover ALMOST EVERY SINGLE APPEARANCE OF LORD DEATH MAN EVER. That’s right. Almost all of them. Watch out for the volcano.

Infinite Origins: Batman vol. 1 #180, Bat-Manga #1-3

Continuity Crisis: Batman Inc vol. 1 #1-2, Batman Inc: Leviathan Strikes! #1, Batman Inc vol. 2 #13, Talon vol.1 #16-17, Batman Eternal vol. 1 #46, Harley Quinn vol. 3 #48-49, Batman: Gotham Nights #16

We're back for another B-Side! This time we take a left turn (or several left turns?) to discuss a film that offers some really high highs and some really low lows. Hot on the heels of The Suicide Squad, Joe & Kendall decided to discuss 2016's Suicide Squad.

Part of the early attempt to establish a DC Cinematic Universe, Suicide Squad suffers from myriad problems: trying to be Guardians of the Galaxy, WB meddling, and a bizarre script to name a few. However, it's not all bad! We are introduced to Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn and Viola Davis' TERRIFYING Amanda Waller. 

Listen in Bat-Fanatics as we dissect why Joe likes this movie, why it disappoints Kendall, and whatever the hell Jared Leto was doing here.

Welcome to another B-Side Bat-Fanatics! Joe is joined by special guest (and friend of the podcast) Chris to discuss 11 unpopular opinions about Batman. Well, we think they're unpopular. If you agree with most of them, you're probably listening to the right Batman podcast! If you don't agree, send us a strongly worded letter and tell us!

We discuss Batman: The Animated Series, it's sucessor the Batman, Zatanna, Greg Rucka, Batman '66 (of course!), and much more. Plus, we briefly discuss the late, great Kevin Conroy. So buckle in Bat-Fanatics for a show so click-baity you'll be surprised it wasn't downloaded already.

Rocking a major rogue can only mean one thing Bat-Fanatics! The end of Season 2 has arrived. This time we shine our light on the prince of the puzzlers, the king of conundrums: The Riddler! After Kendall’s frigid fight with Mr. Freeze (formerly Mr. Zero) in Season 1, it’s Joe’s turn to resist the Riddler’s ruse. We explore the 2 golden age issues of the Riddler before he disappears for 17 years only to reappear right before the release of Batman 66. Once Bat-Mania takes hold, we get rapid-fire appearances throughout the rest of the 60s. Does Frank Gorshin play a major role in the Riddler’s revival? Even within these 8 issues we see the Riddler rise as a master of deceit and cunning only to crumble into a corny criminal with a compulsion for riddles. So much squandered potential! So settle in Bat-Fanatics and prepare to have the following dastardly riddles answered for you!

Why is a honeysuckle like the letter A?

Which city never runs out of food?

Where do you find a heavy wagon and a furnace?

Infinite Origins: Detective Comics vol. 1 #140 & #142

Silver Age Shenanigans: Batman vol.1 #171 and #179; Detective Comics vol.1 #362, #364, #373, & #377

Outside The Panel: Batman ‘66 (S1 Ep 1-2, 11-12, 23-24, 31-32; S2 Ep 45-46; S3 Ep 2); Batman: The Movie

Welcome back to another OUTRAGEOUS episode of "Being Brave & Staying Bold," a bonus show from Wayne Manor Memoirs!

As Joe & Kendall approach the end of season 1, we get to some of the most Kirby influenced episodes of Batman: The Brave and the Bold. This time we visit a Mongul's Fourth World influenced  War World with Jonah Hex. Then, we take a trip to post-Great Disaster to experience the world of Kamandi! Yes! Finally!

This episode covers season 1, episodes 21 & 22: Duel of the Double Crossers! & The Last Bat on Earth!

We know you’ve seen Batman ‘89, Bat-Fanatics, but fear not because Joe and Kendall barely focus on the plot! Instead they dive into the film’s pop culture significance. Did you know this movie spawned one of the greatest cartoon series of all time? Of course. But did you know it also single handedly created the comic industry boon that might have also been the reason for its bust? Yeah, this movie was that influential. So, attach your grapple gun to your utility belt and prepare to get nuts as we ascend through the smoke into the most jarring third act in Bat-History!

Plot Pandemonium: Batman (1989)

Joe & Kendall return, after an unexpected hiatus, to discuss the single appearances of Bookworm, False Face, and Zelda the Great in Season 1 of Batman ‘66. Plus, they’re joined by Megan! Can the Terrific Trio remember how to record a podcast? Not really. Can Joe successfully edit the episode? No (Sorry Bat-Fanatics, this one is a little rough!). Is the episode chock full of Bat-goodness and fun? Definitely. So listen away, Bat-Fanatics, as we discuss such lurid topics as: would polar repulsion actually break a clocktower? Should Robin be more concerned about Asbestos book covers? Is False Face scary under different contexts? Is Zelda really even a villain? FOR WHOM DOES THE BELL TOLL, BAT-FANATICS?! IT TOLLS FOR THEE!

Another month, another new episode of Being Brave and Staying Bold!, a bonus show from Wayne Manor Memoirs!

The Gentleman and Demon
Bound by ritual in Blood
Seek council with the Batman
Who halts evil with a thud
To stem the chaos just begun
Before it cannot be undone

You guessed it, Bat-Fanatics, this week Joe and Kendall cover another Etrigan episode! This time in 19th century London. Plus, Jaime becomes utterly distracted by the Huntress.

This episode covers season 1, episodes 15 & 16: Trials of the Demon! & Night of the Huntress!

Welcome, Bat-Fanatics, to another Booster-ific episode of the Booster Gold Gazette! I mean . . . uh . . . Wayne Manor Memoirs. This time Joe and Kendall delve into the (definitely not corporately sponsored) exploits of Booster Gold, the greatest hero you’ve never heard of! Oh, you’ve heard of him? Well . . . you aren’t supposed to. His incompetence is merely a mask for foes to underestimate him, for Booster Gold is the one true protector of the timesteam and multiverse! No, really . . . he is! This episode focuses specifically on Booster Gold’s time as champion of the time stream in the late 2000s. So prepare yourself for paradoxical shenanigans, sassy security robots, and the return of Ted Kord Blue Beetle (kind of) as we go back to the past to talk about DC’s future!?

Background Bat-File: Michael Jon Carter
Infinite Origins: Booster Gold vol. 1 #1
Continuity Crisis: Booster Gold vol. 2 #1-6

After much delay, Wayne Manor Memoirs brings you the flagship episode of our Hugo Strange Quadrology: Strange Apparitions. This run of comics, largely written by Steve Englehart with pencils by Marshall Rogers, spans Detective Comics #469 - 479 and includes: the introduction of Silver St. Cloud & Rupert Thorne, a reimagining of Deadshot, the return of Hugo Strange, and one of the most iconic Joker stories ever told. This story arc heavily influenced Batman ‘89 and several episodes of Batman: The Animated Series. 

Are you enticed yet, Bat-Fanatics? If that weren’t enough, Joe and Kendall read this for the FIRST TIME in preparation for this episode. Look at your little Bat-Hosts growing up. So join them as they discuss this quintessential run on Batman with only a token attempt to contextualize the status of Batman in 70s comics. Gotta love hindsight!

Oh! And Chris Schrader (Hey Do You Remember?, Rogue’s Gallery, Strange Case of Lucy Chandler) joins us next time to help discuss the impact of Strange Apparitions on the Bat-Mythos overall!

Plot Pandemonium: Detective Comics vol. 1 #469 - 479

Chris Sims: https://comicsalliance.com/ask-chris-277-where-does-strange-apparitions-sit-in-the-batman-canon/

We pulled an audible (+ more Football references)! Tom King’s run on Batman has ended, but our love for it has not. This week, Joe and Kendall take some time to reflect on the run as a whole, and try to determine why Tom King’s work resonates so well with both of them, but this one might not be for everyone. In their review, they cover their favorite arc as well as their top 2 favorite issues of the entire run. Lots of opinions here, Bat-Fanatics! So, prepare for character driven story, wild ramblings about the makings of “good” comics, and an unexpected investment in Kite-Man--HELL YEAH! They also discuss some upcoming Tom King projects for those looking for their next fix.

We’ll be back with Fortunate Son next time.

Infinite Origins - Tom King
Crisis of Infinite Interpretations: Batman vol. 3: #36, 37, 56, 58, 59, 66, 79 & Annual #4

The Bat-Radar returns! This time Joe & Kendall dedicate an hour to a bevy of topics, including: new jobs, their most interesting reads from Feb 2022, and some killer TV. If that weren't enough, they also do their best to review every Bat-Book they are currently reading. Do they get them all? No. Do they try really hard? Maybe. So sit down and listen to more unscripted nonsense from J&K and they talk comics, television, and video games.

Content: Spider-Man, Jeff Lemire's Moon Knight, classic Cloak & Dagger, One-Star Squadron, Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries, Superman: Up in the Sky, Human Target, Peacemaker

Bat-Book Roundup: Batman, Detective Comics, Nightwing, Robin, Batman/Catwoman, The Joker, Catwoman: Lonely City, Action Comics

Joe & Kendall open the chapter on… themselves! How self indulgent! Learn why they started this show, how they came to comics, their favorite villains, and what you can expect from future episodes. They also answer the most pressing question: Who is their favorite Batman?!

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Welcome to the inaugural episode of Wayne Manor Memoirs. Kendall and Joe kick it off right by opening the chapter on Kite-Man. Hell Yeah! They explore the humble origins of the Kite-Man and watch him develop into a (shockingly) important character from Tom King’s The War of Jokes and Riddles. Did you know Kite-Man was on TV?! Watch out Bat-Fanatics, this is our first episode and the audio quality shows! Don’t forget to check out Episode 0 for some background info on your hosts.

Infinite Origins: Batman vol. 1 #133 & 315, Hawkman vol. 2 #4, and Young Justice #50

Continuity Crisis: Batman vol. 3 #25-32

Outside the Panel: Batman: Brave & the Bold and Lego:Batman

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Joe & Kendall delve into a treasure trove of time puns as they discuss the Clock King! Who knew such an obscure character could be so complicated? There are only 3 different versions of the character. How hard can that be? Follow the Clock King from his humble origins in World's Finest, to Justice League International, to DC Rebirth, to Batman: The Animated Series. This is a dense one Bat-Fanatics! We're made some changes for future chapters.

Infinite Origins: Star Spangled Comics #70, World's Finest #111, World's Finest #257, JLI #23, Suicide Squad vol. 2 #1, Teen Titans vol. 3 #56

Continuity Crisis: Green Arrow vol. 5 #22-34, Harley Quinn vol. 2 #11-13, Deathstroke: Rebirth, Batman vol. 3 #14

Outside the Panel: Batman: The Animated Series (S01E14, S02E10), Justice League Unlimited (S02E04), Batman '66 (S02E11, S01E12), Arrowverse

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This week, Kendall and Joe explore the complex history of Thomas Wayne and how it ultimately lead to him becoming the Batman. From Flashpoint to Earth-2, witness how a father’s unconditional love for his son transforms him from sinner into superhero. Look, Bat-Fanatics, up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s . . . Thomas Wayne?

Infinite Origins: Flashpoint, Flashpoint: Batman: Knight of Vengeance

Continuity Crisis: Earth 2 Annual #2, Convergence #2-3, The Button (Batman vol. 3 #21-22, Flash vol. 5 #21-22), Batman vol. 3 #50.

Outside the Panel: Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox

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Holy format change Batman! Instead of a character, Joe and Kendall dive into Grant Morrison’s & Frank Quitely’s JLA: Earth 2. What do you do when a Crisis destroys your multiverse? You bring it back 20 years later and populate it with opposite versions of all your favorite characters. Get the basic plot, meet the Crime Syndicate of Amerika (CSA), and listen to Joe’s & Kendall’s unsolicited opinions. Bat-Fanatics, find out what happens when matter and antimatter collide!

Plot Pandemonium: JLA: Earth 2

A.C.E. Chemical Reactions

Crisis of Infinite Interpretations

Outside the Panel: Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths

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Holy continued format change, Batman! This week, Joe & Kendall go to the movies! And then come back to their comic roots to finish up the tale of the Phantasm from Batman & Robin Adventures to Batman Beyond. From humble and meager beginnings to cult classic, watch as Mask of the Phantasm becomes the story its inspiration tried to be. The movie really is better than the book.

Plot Pandemonium: Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

A.C.E. Chemical Reactions

Crisis of Infinite Interpretations

Inside the Panel: Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (comic adaptation), Batman & Robin Adventures Annual #1, Justice League Unlimited: Epilogue, Batman Beyond 2.0 #25-31

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This time Joe & Kendall (foolishly) try to explain (the Cliff’s notes of) all of DC continuity to you. This is a long one Bat-Fanatics! Learn how DC’s shared universe formed during the Golden Age, developed and multiplied, and was eventually reset to “simplify” 50 years of stories. Watch the multiverse’s complicated existence unfold, refold, and unfold again!

Infinite Origins: All-Star Comics #3, Showcase #4, Flash vol. 1 #123, Justice League of America vol. 1 #21, Crisis on Infinite Earths, Zero Hour

Continuity Crisis: Infinite Crisis, 52, Final Crisis, Flashpoint, New 52, Convergence, Rebirth

Outside the Panel: DC Animated Universe

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After having crept up in the last two episodes, Joe & Kendall decided it was time and dedicated an entire episode to Batman: Year two, the mysterious story that has been effectively purged from DC conscious, though not from DC history. Did you ever want to see Batman wield a pistol with malicious intent, engage in the world’s most awkward and forced relationship, and team up with Joe Chill all while trying to stop a Pirates of the Caribbean reject with the world’s most eye-rolling catchphrase? Yeah, us neither. Buckle up, Bat-Fanatics, this is a bumpy one.

Plot Pandemonium: Batman: Year Two

A.C.E. Chemical Reactions

Crisis of Infinite Interpretations

Outside the Panel: Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

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Bat-Fanatics rejoice! It’s our first Batman ‘66 episode! We also have our first guest host! Holy Milestones, Batman! Joe & Kendall are joined by Megan, Joe’s Wife, to discuss Vincent Price and his portrayal of the world’s smartest man, Egghead. We discuss all of his appearances in the ‘66 series (even the bad ones!), his influences from the Mental Giant in Detective #217, and his recent addition into real DC continuity (kind of)! Whoo boy! The egg puns are eggs-cruciating Bat-Fanatics, but we know you’re egg-cited to eggs-perience them

Infinite Origins: Vincent Price

Outside the Panel: Batman ‘66 (S2 Ep. 13&14; S3 Ep. 8,9,&15); Batman:The Brave & the Bold

Inside the Panel: Detective Comics vol. 1 #217, Batman:Shadow of the Bat vol.1 #3, Harley Quinn vol. 3 #38 & #40, Batman:The Brave and the Bold vol.1 #16, Batman ‘66 vol. 1 + Tie-Ins

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Move over God of Thunder and rejoice, Bat-Fanatics, as you are in the presence of the almighty Maxie Zeus! You’ll laugh, you’ll . . . well, mostly laugh, as Joe and Kendall explore the complex history of one of the best themed Batman crime bosses. Witness Maxie’s descent from intelligent threat to joke villain--who is only in the story to justify a Greek/Roman element--in only a few issues. From a villain who Batman calls a genius to a guy who can’t even successfully avoid running into a tree as he tries to escape Arkham, weep with Joe and Kendall for what could have been and laugh at what is.

Infinite Origins: Detective Comics vol. 1 #483, #484, #491, & #514; Batman & the Outsiders vol. 1 #14 & #15; Batman vol.1  #470; Knightfall: Detective #659; Robin vol. 4 #20, #29, & #30; No Man’s Land: Catwoman Vol 2 #74; Wonder Woman vol. 2 #164-167; Batman: Cacophony #1 & #2

Continuity Crisis: Robin vol. 4 #172; Batman: Eternal; Batman vol.3 #19; Batman/The Shadow vol. 1 #1; Doomsday Clock #4

Outside the Panel: Batman: The Animated Series: ”Fire From Olympus;” The Batman: “Thunder;” Arkham-Verse

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The Joker goes SANE! That’s right Bat-Fanatics, Joe & Kendall are covering the newly released Batman:White Knight. Jack Napier (formerly the Joker) goes up against a loose cannon Batman for the fate of Gotham. Plus, there are two Harley Quinns (so we know Joe is all in). Is Batman really a foil for the 1%? Is the GCPD complicit in Batman’s crimes because they house the Bat-Signal? Are we seriously going to root for the Joker to beat Batman? You’ll be surprised at the answers. Sean Murphy (Joe the Barbarian & Punk Rock Jesus) wrote the script and penciled (and inked) the art. You’re in for a real treat Bat-Fanatics. There are major spoilers for this story, so please, do yourself a favor, READ THE BOOK FIRST! You won’t be disappointed. Oh, and we adjusted our format for collected stories just a bit. Outrageous!

Plot Pandemonium: Batman: White Knight

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Grab your easel and brushes, it’s time to get colorful! This week Joe & Kendall “paint a picture” of the infamous Crazy Quilt. Did you know he was created by Jack Kirby? Neither did we! Following Crazy Quilt throughout Batman history turned into a very enjoyable romp through comics. Crazy Quilt really likes to menace kids though, whether it be Robin or the Boy Commandos. So prepare to be blinded, doused in luminescent paint, blinded again, bleached, blinded a 3rd time, and finally retrofitted with electronic helmet eyes as we colorfully hypnotize you with everything you could ever want to know about the Crazy Quilt!

Infinite Origins: Boy Commandos vol. 1 #15, Boy Commandos vol. 1 #18, Star-Spangled Comics vol. 1 #123, Batman vol. 1 #255, Batman vol. 1 #316, Batman vol. 1 #368, Detective #535, JLA 80-Page Giant #1, JLA vol. 1 #34

Continuity Crisis: Villains United #2, Secret Six vol. 3 #2-4, Batman vol. 2 #38, Batman vol. 3 #54

Outside the Panel: Batman: The Brave & the Bold: “Trials of the Demon” and “The Color of Revenger,” Scooby-Doo meets Batman: The Brave and the Bold, DC Super Hero Girls, Lego Batman Movie

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Joe & Kendall jump in with a super secret year end special! They countdown their favorite comic series of 2018, generally chat comics, and wish the Bat-Fanatics Happy Holidays! We’ll see you in 2019 with the Crime Syndicate of America. Be Brave & Stay Bold!

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What happens when Joe & Kendall try to cover everything Crime Syndicate? You end up with a LONG episode. Fear not Bat-Fanatics, we’re sensible people. We split it in half! This week we cover the original Crime Syndicate of America and the anti-matter Crime Syndicate of Amerika. Watch the Crime Syndicate “Volthoom” themselves out of some nonsense, steal missiles from the Cuban Missile Crisis, get a dark and gritty reboot, and finally get phased out of existence… TWICE! Put on your goatees Bat-Fanatics, it’s time to get… Evil.

Original CSA: Justice League of America vol. 1 #29 & 30; 207 - 209, All-Star Squadron vol. 1 #14 & 15, Crisis on Infinite Earths #1, Convergence: Crime Syndicate #1 & 2

Anti-Matter CSA: Earth-2, JLA vol. 1 #107-114, Trinity vol.1 #9 - 13, Justice League of America vol. 2 #50 - 53

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Joe & Kendall continue their discussion on the Crime Syndicate. This time they cover the short-lived Crime Society of America, focusing on the heroes of old Earth-2 and the Forever Evil Crime Syndicate. Finally, a Crime Syndicate that’s scary! Holy expanded evil rosters, Batman! Evil Supergirl? Evil Atom? Evil Firestorm? Evil CYBORG? It’s all here Bat-Fanatics. So, return to the evil mirror realm one more time as we (finally) finish the Crime Syndicate of America.

Crime Society: Countdown to Final Crisis, The Search for Ray Palmer: Crime Society #1
New 52 CSA: Trinity War, Forever Evil, Justice League vol. 2 #24 - 29, Darkseid War
Outside the Panel: Crisis on Two Earths, Batman: The Brave and the Bold (S1, Ep 13 & 14)

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This week Joe & Kendall are joined by special guest Chris, host of the podcast Hey, Do You Remember…?, and discuss the first volume in the Batman Earth One line. What happens when DC Comics decides to shake things up and forgo continuity in the hopes of bringing on new readers? Well, it’s akin to adding lime to a coconut: a new twist on a familiar taste.

Witness the new, yet older, Detective Jim Gordon (still rocking the sweet ‘stache); the handsome, Hollywood Detective Harvey Bullock; the grizzled, war vet Alfred Pennyworth; and the non-monstrous looking Mayor Penguin. Oh, and there’s Batman. Close your eyes and blow out your birthday candles before the Birthday Boy closes them for you.

Plot Pandemonium: Batman: Earth One vol 1

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In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Joe & Kendall decided to turn back the page on Bruce’s love life. There are more relationships than you can shake a bat at, so we ended up choosing our favorite 10. Grab your box of chocolates, light some candles, and snuggle up with your partner for this lovely episode.

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Well, it took 14 episodes, but Joe and Kendall FINALLY decided to dedicate an entire episode to discussing Batman: The Brave and the Bold! Did you know they liked this show? They start by discussing the creative team and premise behind the show, then dive into the first EIGHT (!!!) episodes. Bat-Fanatics, prepare for the epic tale of Jaime Reyes (the 3rd Blue Beetle), hear the awesome adventures of the BEST Aquaman (sorry Jason), journey to exciting outlandish locales with Gorilla Grodd, and discover the lapse in Joe-knowledge that is B’wana Beast! Look forward to more episodes in this series Bat-Fanatics. They plan to cover the WHOLE series… just not back to back...

Plot Pandemonium: Batman: The Brave and the Bold Season 1 Episodes: “Rise of the Blue Beetle!”; “Terror on Dinosaur Island!”; “Evil Under the Sea!”; “Invasion of the Secret Santas!”; “Day of the Dark Knight!”; “Enter the Outsiders!”; “Dawn of the Deadman!”; and “Fall of the Blue Beetle!”

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Straying from their formula of focusing (almost) exclusively on the more obscure aspects of the Batmythos, Joe and Kendall jump headlong into the beloved The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale. If you had ever hoped for a proper Year One follow up, Bat-Fanatics, this is it! Be sure to pack a windbreaker because Joe and Kendall race the Flash through the plot as they make their way back to the Batcave. Why the Batcave, you ask? Because they’ll need the finest Batmicroscope to complete their (far too) in-depth analysis! Pull out your copy of The Long Halloween and listen to the results . . . you won’t want to miss it!

Plot Pandemonium: Batman: The Long Halloween

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Hot on the heels of Hey Do You Remember…?’s coverage of the 1994 movie “The Mask,” Joe & Kendall cover that one time The Mask crossed paths with Batman. Oh you didn’t know that happened? Great! That’s what we’re here for! Find out what happens when the Joker takes possession of the mythical Mask and becomes a (somewhat more) maniacal villain with limitless powers in the last Mask story ever written! Sound too good to be true? It might be. So, put on your yellow zoot suit, paint your head green, and prepare to live out all your cartoon fantasies in this bombastic episode of Wayne Manor Memoirs

Plot Pandemonium: Joker/Mask 1-4

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With what one might called “electric” excitement for the new SHAZAM! movie, Joe and Kendall decided to look at the complex history of one of their favorite characters: Captain Marvel. From his humble beginnings at Fawcett Comics, to the decade of litigation, to new beginnings at DC, to even newer beginnings at DC, and finally even newer newer beginnings at DC, find out everything you need to know about Captain Marvel aka Shazam! before (or after) you see the movie.

Infinite Origins: Whiz Comics vol 1 #2, Marvel Family vol 1 #1, Shazam!: The New Beginning

Continuity Crisis: Justice League #7-11, 0, 14-16 and 18-21

Extras: Captain Marvel Adventures #1 - 150 (1941), Shazam!: The Original Captain Marvel #1 - 35 (1973), Legends 1-6 (1986), Justice League vol. 1 1 - 6 (1987), War of the Gods (1991), Power of Shazam! 1-4 mini (1994), Power of Shazam! 1 - 49 (1995), Kingdom Come (1996)  1 - 4, Shazam! Power of Hope (2000), JSA vol 1 #26 - 78 (2001), Superman/Shazam: First Thunder 1 - 4 (2005), Day of Vengeance 1 - 6 (2005), Trials of Shazam! 1- 12 (2006), Shazam!: The Monster Society of Evil 1 - 4 (2007), Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam! 1 - 21 (2008) - all age stories, The Multiversity: Thunderworld #1 (2015), Convergence: Shazam! 1 - 2 (2015)

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Joe and Kendall welcome Kristen (of the Sunnydale Stacks) as they tackle the Batgirl soft reboot known as “The Batgirl of Burnside”. Babs gets a new practical purple (!!!) costume to kick baddie butt in the trendy Gotham burb of Burnside! Watch her start with hero-ing back at square one , build a super heroic social media presence, and go brain-to-brain with a villain you’ll never expect. The redesign is a lot of fun and we’re excited that we were able to share our enjoyment with Kristen. Secure your data Bat-Fanatics, we’re about to fight crime Millennial style!

Plot Pandemonium: Batgirl: Batgirl of Burnside (Batgirl vol 4 #35-40)

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Brace yourselves Bat-Fanatics, never before have we laughed so much during a recording… too bad Joe jacked the sound quality…

Kendall and Joe visit the post-apocalypse in Jack “the King” Kirby's longest running DC comic, “Kamandi: the Last Boy on Earth.” Roman Tigers? Check. Ape Town, USA? Check. Captured shirtless blond kid? Check. Seriously this comic is nuts, but in all the best ways. So protect your supplies from the Rats, herd your humans, and set your cyclo-heart to fission as we examine life after the Great Disaster.

Infinite Origins: Kamandi: the Last Boy on Earth #1 - 6

Outside the Panel: Batman: The Brave and the Bold

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This week, Joe and Kendall plumb the seedy, vaguely pasta smelling underbelly of Carmine “The Roman” Falcone’s Gotham City. For as influential as both Joe and Kendall believed Carmine to be, they were surprised to find they could count the number of times he’s appeared in the Batmythos on one hand. So let's get the freaks out of Gotham as we follow the rise, fall, and return (possibly negating the fall entirely) of the original crime boss of Gotham City, Bat-Fanatics!

Infinite Origins: Batman #405 - 408 (Batman: Year One), The Long Halloween

Continuity Crisis: Batman: Eternal

Outside the Panel: Batman Begins, Gotham, Batman: The Telltale Series

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Chris (from the Hey, Do You Remember…? podcast) and Joe get together during a January blizzard in Chicago to discuss the slew of unmade Batman films that existed between Batman & Robin and Batman Begins. A 3rd Joel Schumacher film? Check. Frank Miller’s own script for Batman: Year One? Check. Get ready for a wild ride, Bat-Fanatics!

This episode was originally released as a HDYR: Off the Clock Patreon exclusive, so a special thank you to Chris and the HDYR crew for sharing the episode with us. If you haven’t given Hey, Do You Remember…? a listen, go do it! Now! Thanks Chris!

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Welcome back Bat-Fanatics to this long delayed, but definitely worthwhile episode! Joe is in Virginia! Kendall has a Stanley Cup winning team! We’re back in business!

As a parting gift to Joe, Kendall agreed to watch Batman:The Movie for the very FIRST TIME. That’s right Bat-Fanatics, Joe got to experience all of Kendall’s reactions first hand! Adam West (Batman) and Burt Ward (Robin) star against a quartet of villains played by Frank Gorshin (The Riddler), Cesar Romaro (The Joker), Lee Meriwether (Catwoman), and Burgess Meredith (Penguin). Have you ever wondered “What sits in a tree, weighs six ounces, and is very dangerous?” or how an egg and applesauce represent the United World Organization’s Security Council? We have the answers! So, dehydrate your henchmen, pack your shark-repellent bat-spray, and prime your aquatic animals to explode as we delve into the original Batman movie!

Plot Pandemonium - Batman: The Movie

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Hello Bat-Fanatics and welcome to our first video game review! This time Joe and Kendall cover the award winning, game changing, record winning, Batman: Arkham Asylum. This is new territory Bat-Fanatics, so we tackle a few new things in this episode. Relive your childhood as Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, and Arleen Sorkin reprise their Batman: The Animated Series roles. Experience all of the best aspects of Batman: the detective, the combatant, and the predator. Pummelling henchmen with batarangs never felt so rewarding. So, strap on those headphones and we revisit the Batman game that changed the game, the birth of the Arkham series, Batman: Arkham Asylum. Also, did you know this had a comic book tie in?! Good luck findinging it… Also, I guess... spoilers? But it’s been out for 10 years now. Seriously, how have you not played this?

Infinite Origins: Batman: Arkham Asylum

Plot Pandemonium: Batman: Arkham Asylum

Inside the Panel: Batman: Arkham Asylum: Return to Arkham

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This week, Joe and Kendall discuss the second part of their Kevin Conroy trilogy: this time, covering the man behind the voice of Batman for almost three decades. Kevin Conroy helped redefine the character for a new generation and his presence is still felt today in the animated movies, video games, and consciousness of pop culture. From his fraught childhood beginnings, to finding his “voice” on stage, to the role that would define his career, join us as we cover everything you’ll need to know about the man who IS Batman. 

Infinite Origins: All about Kevin Conroy

Continuity Crisis: Roles as Batman; DC, but not Batman; Not DC at all; and Awards

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Welcome Bat-Fanatics to a highly anticipated topic in the Batman Mythos. Batman: The Animated Series (aka BTAS) defined Batman for many a 90s child. The series was so successful that several aspects of the show were incorporated into mainstream Batman comics continuity. Needless to say, this show is a pretty big deal for a lot of Batman fans. So, Joe and Kendall begin their descent into the “Dark Deco” of Gotham to revisit their childhoods through BTAS. Cartoons were in a pretty bad place before the early 90s and Batman had a major role in redefining what cartoons could do.  Load your bat-grapple, attack some innocent thugs walking past a bank explosion, and prepare to be illuminated by dramatic lighting as we examine this sacred cow of the Bat-Mythos!

Infinite Origins: Setting the Scene; Development

Episode Extravaganza: S1 E1: On Leather Wings; S1 E2: Christmas with the Joker; S1 E3: Nothing to Fear; S1 E4: The Last Laugh

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Welcome to the final episode of season one, Bat-Fanatics! Prepare yourselves for the chilly history of Mr. Freeze. If your personal history with the character stems from the Animated show, fear not! because the Golden and Silver age versions of Freeze are nothing like his 90s incarnation! So, put on your rocket skates, don your super thermal long-underwear, take your anti-freeze pills, and fill your beaker with freezing solution as we take the polar plunge into Kendall’s favorite Bat-Villain! (But, seriously, put a lid on your beaker. Those things have a habit of spilling.)

Golden Origins: Character Breakdown; Batman vol. 1 #121: The Ice Crimes of Mr. Zero

Silver Crisis: Batman ‘66: S1 E7 & 8: Instant Freeze/Rats Like Cheese; Batman ‘66: S2 E19 & 20: Green Ice/Deep Freeze; Batman ‘66: S2 E59 & 60: Ice Spy/The Duo Defy; Detective Comics vol. 1 #373: Mr. Freeze’s Chilling Deathtrap!

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Welcome Bat-Fanatics to the first part of our Hugo Strange Quadrology! This episode will focus on the Golden Age origins of Dr. Hugo Strange. We’ll follow this with a modern retelling of one of these classic tales then dive into the fan-lauded Englehart & Marshall run on Detective Comics from the 70s. We’ll finish by talking specifically about Englehart & Marshall’s impact on the Bat-Mythos.

Seriously though, Kendall jokes that Joe might be Hugo’s doppelganger. Let’s check. Bald? Yep. Round glasses? Usually. Thick chinstrap beard? Yep. Evil scientist bent on dominating the will of the weak? Definitely. They’re the same person! What’s even crazier? Hugo Strange is the first recurring villain in the Bat-Mythos. That’s right. Before Joker! What’s even more wild? We’re going to cover Batman #1 and talk about the LEAST popular story in the whole issue! That’s how we do things here Bat-Fanatics. Enjoy some classic Golden Age stories from the earliest year of the Batman!

Infinite Origins: Detective Comics Vol. 1 #36; Batman vol. 1 #1; Detective Comics Vol. 1 #46

We hope you’re ready for Rev. Roman Sionis, Bat-Fanatic, because he’s got a sermon prepared for you! This time Joe and Kendall dissect the Iron Age appearances of the Black Mask. If you love Batman from the 80s and 90s, this episode is for you! Can someone truly be crazier than the Joker AND deadlier than Ra’s Al Ghul? No, but we’ll still let you decide, Bat-Fanatics. So prepare for philosophical mask discussions, pre-Crisis factoids about all your favorite villains, and reusable plot points on parade as we are constantly reminded that Roman Sionis “lost face” to become the Black Mask. 

Character Breakdown

Infinite Origins: Batman vol. 1 #386; Detective vol. 1 #553; Batman vol. 1 #387; Detective vol. 1 #566

Continuity Crisis: Batman vol. 1 #484 & 485; Batman vol. 1 #518 & 519; Batman vol. 1 #565; Detective vol. 1 #732

Outside the Panel: Batman: The Brave and the Bold: Plague of the Prototypes!; Shadow of the Bat!; and Mitefall!

Well, we said we’d cover all the crevasses of the Bat-Mythos...looks like we found the deepest, darkest, slightly damp, yet crusty corner of the Batcave. This time Joe and Kendall delve into Batman: Fortunate Son, widely considered one of the worst Batman stories ever written. Does it live up to the hype? Yes. Listen, painfully, as Batman and Robin argue about the corrupting influence of rock music. Feel nothing as Batman reveals that every time he’s listened to rock music, people have died. Watch the downward spiral of a rock artist confronted with the ghost of a blonde Elvis. And, if that’s not enough, wait for one of the strangest plot motivations to ever grace the panelled page. This is a wild ride, Bat-Fanatics, and not in a good way! So prepare for a battle of the generations 30 years too late, a lesson in speed reading music, and all the music puns you can shake a guitar at. Bat-God help us all...

Plot Pandemonium: Batman: Fortunate Son
A.C.E Chemical Reactions
Crisis of Infinite Interpretations

Welcome to the inaugural episode of "Being Brave & Staying Bold" a bonus show from Wayne Manor Memoirs!

Join Joe & Kendall as they continue the discussion of their favorite Batman animated show, Batman: The Brave and the Bold. This show picks up right where Being Brave & Staying Bold Part 1 (Ep 14) of Wayne Manor Memoirs left off. Take a listen! It's one of the best from Season 1.

This episode covers season 1, episodes 9 & 10: Journey to the Center of the Bat! & The Eyes of Despero!

What the shock? More Batman Beyond content? Oh yeah, Bat-Fanatics. We’ll keep serving it as long as you keep eating it up. This time Joe & Kendall look at the direct to home video Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker. This was another blind spot for Joe and it did NOT disappoint. I mean, the inclusion of Mark Hamill makes everything better.

Originally released after Season 1, Return of the Joker aimed to bridge the gap between Batman:The Animated Series and the rest of the Batman Beyond Universe. Boy, does this get dark! So dark that the original film was edited for initial release and eventually restored a few years later. Chief among them? The ultimate fate of the Joker. So prep a bag of popcorn, don your futuristic bat-suit, and discover why no-one in Batman Beyond really likes any of their former friends!

** This episode was recorded before Batman ‘66 volume 2, so the ongoing “plot” of Season 3 will be slightly out of order. Don’t let your back get Bane’d! It’s bad for podcast continuity **

Plot Pandemonium: Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
Inside the Panel: Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker Vol 1 #1

Happy New Year Bat-Fanatics! Welcome to another OUTRAGEOUS (and long overdue) episode of "Being Brave & Staying Bold," a bonus show from Wayne Manor Memoirs!

It's finally time for Joe and Kendall to discuss the musical masterpiece that is Mayhem of the Music Meister! Neil Patrick Harris joins as the Music Meister with Grey DeLisle as the Black Canary. Joe even added samples of all of the songs. Holy production value Bat-Fanatics! We hope you enjoy.

Next up? The final episode of Season 1 and our Season 1 Wrap-Up

Welcome, Bat-Fanatics, to another episode where Joe & Kendall pretend to be a video game podcast! This time they continue their discussion of the highly influential Arkham series. If Arkham Asylum revolutionized what a Batman game could be, Arkham City refined it to near perfection. Add in a compelling, slightly convoluted, RISKY story and you get, arguably, the best game in the Arkham series to date. This game even showcases some of the BEST versions of Batman’s Rogues Gallery (We’re looking at you cockney Penguin! We see you modern Harley Quinn!) So, plug in those bat-earbuds and learn why Joe and Kendall think this might be the most compelling Bat-Verse of the modern era!

Plot Pandemonium: Batman: Arkham City
Outside the Panel: Batman: Arkham City #1 - 5

Welcome back Bat-Fanatics for an episode of particularly weird proclivities! This time Joe & Kendall discuss the unofficial DC/Marvel Meta Crossover from the early 70s. This crossover, orchestrated by Steve Englehart, Len Wein, and Gerry Conway, takes place during the Rutland, Vermont annual Halloween Parade and features said writers (plus Glynis Oliver) as characters within their comics interacting with comic characters. Oh yeah. It’s one of THOSE. So buckle-up because we’re about to cover our first Marvel comics EVER on this podcast! Find answers to all of life’s questions: does Marvel pay Steve Englehart? Who is Tom Fagan and how many rooms does his mansion have? How many hamburgers can Len eat? What keeps happening to Glynis? And (most importantly) why is Steve Engleharts car so crappy? 

Oh! And your emails. So many emails!

Plot Pandemonium: Amazing Adventures vol. 2 #16, Justice League vol. 1 #103, Thor vol. 1 #207

Best believe we don’t shiv, Bat-Fanatics! You heard the pod licken chegs? You billy! The pod for big slicer dicers!

Well, all of . . . that . . . aside, this week we continue with our Wrong Earth trilogy. We’re diving into the dark and gritty Gotham of Frank Miller’s 1984 The Dark Knight Returns! DKR is one of the books responsible for ushering in the intense, story rich, drag-your-heroes-through-the-mud-until-they-cry Iron Age era of comics. The DKR’s Batman is older, past his prime, but is he really as dark and gritty as everyone says he is? Is he truly a major deviation from the character’s origins? That’s what we aim to find out! So refuel your Bat-Tank, rekindle your relationship with the Joker, and learn a whole new weird sub-language as we settle in for a long one Bat-Fanatics. Joe and Kendall have a lot (and I do mean A LOT) to talk about!

Plot Pandemonium: The Dark Knight Returns
Outside the Panel: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Pt 1 & 2

Prepare your bat-thermal B long underwear Bat-Fanatics, it’s time to lower that thermostat as Joe and Kendall go arctic with their discussion of Batman & Mr. Freeze: Subzero. This film, if it’s long enough to call it that, is the second (of three) to take place in the Batman: The Animated Series universe. What does Mr. Freeze do when Nora needs a transplant? He trains a couple polar bears, teams up with Frank Sinatra, and kidnaps Barbra Gordon! Well… kinda. So prep your freeze gun, stock your abandoned oil rig with tons of flammable oil, and prepare to revisit the “glory” of 90s CGI as we get chill with Mr. Freeze again!

Plot Pandemonium: Batman & Mr. Freeze: Subzero

Welcome back to another OUTRAGEOUS episode of "Being Brave & Staying Bold" a bonus show from Wayne Manor Memoirs!

Joe & Kendall continue to move through season 1 of their favorite Batman animated show, Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Prepare for a blast from the future with the introduction of Booster Gold, then follow that up with a near perfect episode showcasing the future of the Batman '66 show. The result? You get an incredible set up for a podcast!

This episode covers season 1, episodes 17 & 18: The Conqueror Caveman! & The Color of Revenge!

Join Joe and Kendall for the first part of the Wrong Earth Trilogy. This week we visit the comic book adaptation of Joe’s favorite Batman: Batman ‘66! Originally released as digital comics, they were printed into 30 individual comic issues and then collected into 6 trades. We dive into Batman ‘66 Volume 1 to discover what tropes of the show are needed to make this new material feel like the TV show. Limitless budget, reverence for the source material, and a single writer makes all the difference, that’s for sure! So prepare yourself for the sound effects of physicality, divert your ears from the seduction of the Siren, and denounce stimulants in your search for the Sandman as we brazenly brave the beleaguered Gotham of Batman ‘66 for our bewitching Bat-Fanatics! Plus, a short segment from Megan!

Plot Pandemonium - Batman ‘66 vol. 1 #1 - 5

In light of recent events, Joe and Kendall pull an audible to discuss Superman Smashes the Klan. This started as a 16-episode story in the 1946 Adventures of Superman radio show titled “Clan of the Fiery Cross.” The radio show used the story to bring the KKK’s behavior out into the open and showcase them as anti-democratic and un-American. And it worked!  

Superman Smashes the Klan is the first time that story has been adapted into a comic book--nearly 75 years later--and is designed for a younger audience. Even more surprising is how infuriatingly relevant this story still is. Join us, Bat-Fanatics, as we follow the Lees' experience with racism in Metropolis, get a little humanitarian, and (best of all) watch Superman man-handle some hooded racists. 

Plus?! A contest for YOU to win a copy of Superman Smashes the Klan.

Plot Pandemonium: Superman Smashes the Klan 1-3

We return to 1980 to discuss the much beloved Untold Legends of the Batman! An adamant favorite amongst some of our more vocal Bat-Fanatics, this summary of Batman’s Pre-Crisis origin has never been seen by Joe & Kendall . . . until now! What an amazing time capsule this book is! Written by Len Wein with art by John Byrne (Issue 1) and Jim Aparo (Issues 2 & 3), this book served as a much needed jumping on point for new readers. It also happens to be the 2nd mini series ever published by DC. Joe & Kendall even include a “reader’s guide” for folks looking to find the original stories references within. So dust off your dad’s Batman Halloween costume, seek your long desired vengeance against Joe Chill, and join us in this defunct but wildly entertaining Batman origin.

Plot Pandemonium: The Untold Legend of the Batman #1-3
Crisis of Infinite Interpretations: ULotB Reader’s Guide

YouTube Recordings of the Audio Cassettes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K92KciDNWoY&ab_channel=DarthPaul83

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCsOzSR6hn8&ab_channel=DarthPaul83

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49rP-NVtNaU&ab_channel=DarthPaul83

Welcome, Bat-Fanatics, to 1961, a transitionary period where the morality of the 50s is beginning to mingle with the sexual revolution. This is the setting of Howard Chaykin & Dan Brereton’s Batgirl & Robin: Thrillkiller,  a noir tale of corruption and murder in the dark heart of Gotham City. In the middle of it all is detective Bruce Wayne. Holy Twisted Continuity! Joe and Kendall dive into this Elseworld’s story lauded for its art and atmosphere to find out what happens when Barbra becomes the only bat-game in town and the Joker becomes… a woman?! So carefully manicure your 5 o’clock shadow, seductively unbutton your blouse until you’ve made everyone uncomfortable, and earn your reputation as a madcap heiress because this one had some potential, Bat-Fanatics, but boy does it fall apart quick!

Plot Pandemonium: Batgirl and Robin: Thrillkiller #1-3

Welcome Bat-Fanatics to the inaugural episode of Meetings at the Manor, our interview show! Each episode we invite a creator from nerd culture to Stately Wayne Manor to discuss their projects, career, and... anything else!

This episode welcomes Sophie Campbell, current writer and artist on IDW's ongoing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic. We discuss her creator owned series (Wet Moon & Shadoweyes), her career, her time at Image, her experience with the turtles, and finally how the comics industry might become more inclusive. Thank you Sophie for being our first guest!

Since this was our first attempt, the audio quality is a little rough but hopefully it will improve with practice! 

You can find Sophie Campbell's work:

• Twitter - https://twitter.com/mooncalfe1
• Deviant Art - https://www.deviantart.com/mooncalfe
• Shadoweyes Tumblr - https://shadoweyescomic.tumblr.com/

We’re back, Bat-Fanatics, and rapidly (for us) approaching the culmination of Season 3! This time Joe and Kendall pull a fast one by picking a comic so recent it was only collected in trade a month ago, Batman: The Imposter. Those of you who loved The Batman will find several similarities within this book. He is a Bruce Wayne imagined in the real world. He battles crime with simplistic gadgets, minimal support infrastructure, and near suicidal tendencies. What happens when someone poses as Batman and begins killing criminals? Gorgeously illustrated by Andrea Sorrentino, Mattson Tomlin’s script is clearly influenced by his time working on The Batman’s script. There are definitely some great ideas here. The real question Bat-Fanatics must ask themselves is: which Batman do you prefer, one rooted in realism or one rooted in traditional comic book storytelling? We can’t answer that for you, but we sure give you our opinions!

Plot Pandemonium: Batman: The Imposter #1-3

Welcome back to another OUTRAGEOUS episode of "Being Brave & Staying Bold" a bonus show from Wayne Manor Memoirs!

Joe & Kendall continue to move through season 1 of their favorite Batman animated show, Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Do you want to hear Kendall do a cowboy voice? Do you want Joe to sing parts from the Ballad of Batman? Do you LOVE the Red Hood? Well this episode might be for you! Oh... and we cover one of the best episodes of the entire series!

This episode covers season 1, episodes 11 & 12:Return of the Fearsome Fangs! & Deep Cover for Batman!

We hope you’re ready for some ‘66 shenanigans Bat-Fanatics! This week Joe & Kendal are joined by special guest Megan to delve into the second volume of the Batman ‘66 comic series. They covered the first volume way back in episode 29! 

The second volume focuses on many of the one-arc villains from the series, plus two VERY unexpected returns: Eggbert & Lisa Carson (Lisa was part of our King Tut discussion in Episode 46). Do these stories hold up to the first volume? Do they still capture the “vibe” of Batman ‘66? More importantly… will Bookworm discover the secret identity of Batman? How many women will try to marry Batman/Bruce Wayne? How do identical cousins work? Listen in and find out!

** This episode was recorded after Return of the Joker, so the ongoing “plot” of Season 3 will be slightly out of order. Don’t let your back get Bane’d! It’s bad for podcast continuity **

Plot Pandemonium - Batman ‘66 vol. 2: Physical Issues #6 - 10, Digital Issues #16 - 30

Holy historically relevant comic Batman! Joe and Kendall are back to talk about Denny O’Neil’s & Neal Adams’ Batman #251: The Joker’s Five-Way Revenge. The early 70s saw many attempts by Batman comics to distance themselves from Batman ‘66. This included omitting many of Batman’s costumed criminals in favor of foes rooted in reality or the supernatural. Batman #251 marked the return of the Joker after a nearly 4-year hiatus from comics. Wow! This newly returned Joker casts off the mantle of irritating prankster and reclaims his role as jovial murderer. In addition to his darker tone, Adams gives the Joker a redesign that will influence his appearance for the next 20 years. If that wasn’t enough, this comic opened the floodgates for the return of darker versions of Batman’s other rogues. Does this comic successfully distance itself from Batman ‘66? How dark is this comic in the light of the modern era? Can Joe and Kendall successfully evaluate the impact of this comic without historical context? How much nitroglycerin is needed to have an exploding cigar take out an apartment? Tune in, Bat-Fanatics, and find out!

Plot Pandemonium: Batman vol.1 # 251

Look, Bat-Fanatics! It's our first character episode of Season 3 and we choose… Dr. Trap? You know, the guy with the metal jaw who tried to kill Harley, Ivy, Selina, and Kite-Man in that one episode of the second season of the Harley Quinn TV show? THAT guy? Oh yeah, Bat-Fanatics. That guy. This is easily the weirdest character progression Joe and Kendall have seen to date. In fact, Dr. Trap doesn’t appear as a “real” character until almost 3 years after his original design. That design? A methodical serial killer of supers, both heroic and villainous. Great premise right?! So join us as we read, perhaps, the most eclectic batch of DC comics that we’ve ever read to figure out where this mysterious metal-mouthed menace starts, and where he ends up!

Infinite Origins: Chase vol. 1 #3 & #6
Continuity Crisis: Martian Manhunter vol. 2 #20 & #36, Harley Quinn vol. 1 #23, Manhunter vol. 1 #26-30, Batwoman vol. 2 #19
Outside the Panel: Harley Quinn S2 E3 - Catwoman

What the shock?! Yes, Bat-Fanatics, we return to the fan beloved animated series: Batman Beyond. This time Joe and Kendall review episodes 5-8, including the final fate of Mr. Freeze in the DCAU. These episodes really rip! And if the Bat-Fanatics need a reminder, while this is a delightful nostalgia trip for Kendall, Joe has NEVER seen these episodes before. Holy new Bat-Mythos! Within these 4 episodes are: the birth of Blight, the emergence of Shriek, the first DCAU Royal Flush Gang appearance, and an episode chocked full of Marvel homage. If that’s not enough, Joe and Kendall discuss the rumors surrounding a possible Batman Beyond Movie involving Michael Keaton!

Episode Extravaganza: Batman Beyond S1: E5 - Meltdown, E6 - Heroes, E7 - Shriek, & E8 - Dead Man’s Hand

Welcome back to another OUTRAGEOUS episode of "Being Brave & Staying Bold," a bonus show from Wayne Manor Memoirs!

As Joe & Kendall approach the end of season 1, we cover the final Kirby-esque episode of season 1, When OMAC Attacks! Then we follow it with some Batman Inception as Psycho Pirate feeds on the emotions of the captured Outsiders in Inside the Outsiders!

Next up? A whole episode dedicated to the Mayhem of the Music Meister!

This episode covers season 1, episodes 23 & 25: When OMAC Attacks! & Insider the Outsiders!

This episode Joe and Kendall explore the many seasons of Calendar Man, going all the way back to the autumn of his inception. Gone is the cool, cerebral, Hannibal Lecter type character you probably know, but worry not, Bat-Fanatics, because you’ll get to experience the Liberace type Calendar Man instead! Did you ever wonder what villains did with the money they steal? Well, in Calendar Man’s case, Joe and Kendall are pretty sure he spends it all on his costume for the next heist. So, prepare for every colorful costume, eccentric escape, and absurd appearance of the Golden and Silver ages of The Calendar Man.

Character Breakdown
Infinite Origins: Detective Comics vol. 1 #259; Batman vol. 1 # 312
Continuity Crisis: Batman vol. 1 #384; Detective vol. 1 #551; Batman vol. 1 # 385
Outside the Panel: Batman: The Brave and the Bold: Legends of the Dark Mite; Batman: The Brave and the Bold: A Bat Divided!; Batman: The Brave and the Bold vol. 1 #12; All New Batman: The Brave and the Bold vol. 1 # 6; Batman the Animated Series: Mean Season; The Lego Batman Movie & Lego DC Super Villains

After 4 months in editing Hell, Joe and Kendall finally release the inaugural episode of the B-Side! What is the B-Side? Well, Bat-Fanatics, this is the comics opinion show from Wayne Manor Memoirs for topics that: A) we don’t really want to cover for the main show, B) come from way outside the Bat-Mythos (like maybe other companies), C) deserve more time than a Bat-Radar can offer, or D) are justified with “because we said so.” This episode we’re covering James Tynion IV’s pre-Future State run on Batman… with a major emphasis on the Joker War storyline.

We hope you enjoy, Bat-Fanatics!

Content - Batman vol. 2 #86 - 105

Mentions - Batman: Gotham City Chronicles Board Game, Batman: War Games

Welcome back to our second B-Side, Bat-Fanatics! What is the B-Side? This is the comics opinion show from Wayne Manor Memoirs for topics that: A) we don’t really want to cover for the main show, B) come from way outside the Bat-Mythos (like maybe other companies), C) deserve more time than a Bat-Radar can offer, or D) are justified with “because we said so!” This time we cover Brubaker & Phillip's self contained story, PULP! Westerns, Nazis, heists, and (of course) Pulps!

We hope you enjoy, Bat-Fanatics!

Content - Pulp

Mentions - Ruthless, Fatale, Mr. Miracle, Watchmen, Omega Men, Stray Bullets

Welcome back to another OUTRAGEOUS episode of "Being Brave & Staying Bold," a bonus show from Wayne Manor Memoirs!

Joe & Kendall have arrived at the end of season 1! It's time for the final showdown with Equinox! Can Batman & his allies defeat a man in perfect balance between order and chaos? Season 2 says yes. Plus, we pick our highs and lows for Season 1.

This episode covers season 1, episodes 26: The Fate of Equinox! 

Once again the delightful Megan joins Joe & Kendall to delve into Batman ‘66. Our focus? Victor Buono & his portrayal of King Tut! Easily the most successful of the “made for TV villains,” King Tut is the only villain outside the Big Four to appear in every season of the show. In fact, King Tut might be a shining ray of outstanding in the otherwise mediocre Season 3. We discuss Buono and his career, then give you a quick overview of ALL of Tut’s appearances in Batman ‘66… except “pretend Tut” in Dr. Cassandra. Those villains don’t count…

If that wasn’t enough, we also cover all of Tut’s in-continuity comic appearances to date. And holy surprise quality, they turn out to be really enjoyable reads! So, Bat-Fanatics, get your royal apothecary to prepare some abu raubu simbu tu, ask Ms. Cleo Patrick for your daily lazy-susan of vitamins, and convince Batman to do some outrageous dancing for you as we delve into the majesty of Victor Buono. 

Background Bat-File: King Tut; Victor Buono
Outside the Panel: Batman ‘66 (S1 Ep 27-28; S2 Ep 7-8,53-54; S3 Ep 6 & 23); Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders, Batman vs. Two-Face; Batman:The Brave & the Bold
Inside the Panel: Batman Confidential vol. 1 #26-28; Harley Quinn vol. 3 #38-39; Year of the Villain: The Riddler; Batman ‘66 vol. 1 + Tie-Ins

Our Quadrology is over, which means it’s time to return to our regularly scheduled, seemingly random, programming. This time Joe & Kendall take a crack at Superman: The Animated Series (STAS)! Turns out, this was another (unintentional) blind spot for Joe. Of course this is a Batman podcast (at least we say it is…), so we’ll be discussing their first team up in the Timm-verse, World’s Finest! This TV movie, with a meager runtime of ~66 minutes, is incredible. Joker/Lex “team up?” Check. Hamfisted but surprisingly satisfying romance between Bruce and Lois? Check. A sense of growth within our titular characters from working with each other? Check. If you’ve never watched this, Bat-Fanatics, stop reading and go do it. Seriously. We’ll wait. Back? Great! Let’s talk Batman & Superman!

Episode Extravaganza: Superman the Animated Series S2: E16, 17, & 18 - World’s Finest

Thanks to our listener Thomas Egan for being the single needed request to bring back Kamandi. Honestly, what’s not to love?! Joe and Kendall continue their surprising investment in this comic by covering the next six issues. Remember the audio issues from the first part? Gone. Remember the over the top insanity of the stories? Still here! The absolute unabashed fun of the series? Still here! The requited love of Joe and Kendall? Bigger and better than ever. Did you get that we like this series?

If COVID-19 has you feeling down and looking for something to do, Joe and Kendall cannot recommend this book more: fun, wacky, and generally light. Maybe even a good candidate for the kiddos. Bat-Fanatics set your cyclo-hearts to fission, prepare for the menace of the Misfit, and hope that Sacker’s still has some toilet paper left as we return to a post-apocalyptic future in our seeming apocalyptic world.

Plot Pandemonium: Kamandi: the Last Boy on Earth #7-12

Welcome back to another OUTRAGEOUS episode of "Being Brave & Staying Bold" a bonus show from Wayne Manor Memoirs!

Joe & Kendall continue to move through season 1 of their favorite Batman animated show, Batman: The Brave and the Bold. This time they cover the first series appearance of the Joker (it doesn't disappoint) and adventure with sad Aquaman. All this plus: Grant Morrison, whale noises, and actual clips from the show!

This episode covers season 1, episodes 13 & 14: Game Over for Owlman! & Mystery in Space!

Bat-Fanatics, and welcome to the inaugural episode of Season 3! Another 50 episodes of Batman (or Batman adjacent) content is heading your way. And to start it off? A divisive Batman film for Joe & Kendall: Batman Returns! OF COURSE Joe and Kendall disagree about this film. Besides, they were agreeing too much anyway. This sort of deep emotional conflict really sells premium podcasts, so, you know, we gotta ape that every once in a while. 

Anyway, it’s time to shine the bat-flashlight on this corner of the Bat-Mythos to discover its monstrous penguins, vinyl clad catwomen, and pinstriped evil businessmen. Oh boy, do your hosts have A LOT to say about this holiday themed film, plus a smattering of critical reviews and a utility belt full of comparisons to Batman ‘66. So spew some gross black bile, install new batteries in your remote control batarang, and load those penguin missile launchers for we stand on a great threshold… of Season 3!

Plot Pandemonium: Batman Returns

Welcome to the club, Bat-Fanatics. Why don’t you come on in and take a seat while Joe and Kendall play you a tune of dark knights, heroin, hallucinogens, and jazz. That’s right, this episode we’re looking at Batman: Jazz. Originally a special edition of Legends of the Dark Knight, Batman: Jazz is another attempt to mingle the Dark Knight and music. This story has us tracking down the Brothers of the Bop after they try to murder Blue Byrd, a presumed dead legend of the Gotham jazz scene. What follows is a trippy tale showcasing that people project what they want their heroes to be. Can this story, written by two white guys, actually showcase an African American experience in Gotham? Can Joe and Kendall (also two white guys) successfully discuss it? Probably not, but we try our darndest! So polish your saxophones, prepare your hallucinogenic gas, and get ready to discuss the “wonders” of 90s comics as we  tackle Batman & music… again.

Plot Pandemonium: Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight - Jazz 1-3

Holy Tom King, Bat-Fanatic. As often as we worship at the altar of Tom King, this particular series has been largely overlooked by Joe & Kendall (mostly Kendall). Joe read the first volume a few years ago, but Kendall had never read any of it! As the title implies, Dick Grayson leaves the life of vigilantism behind to take a role as a (sexy) spy for Spyral. This series is co-written by King & Tim Seeley with art by Mikal Janin. Needless to say, this Dick looks great! Can Dick keep his ethos intact in the life of espionage? Can Helena Bertinelli REALLY be a compelling love interest when Babs is still on the table? Is the Midnighter actually cool? These are some of the topics we delve into as we cover the first part of Grayson! Prep your ID concealing hypnos, track down the latest super-power granting organ, and settle in to learn the secrets of supers across the globe!  

Plot Pandemonium: Grayson vol. 1 #1-6 + Annual 1

We welcome back beloved Batman fan, and fan-favorite guest, Chris Schrader (Rogue’s Gallery, Hey Do You Remember?, Strange Case of Lucy Chandler) to the podcast for the show stopping finale of the Hugo Strange Quadrology! It only took us 4 to 72 months to finish four REAL episodes of the podcast. That’s quality, right? What are we discussing? Why Steve Englehart and Marshall Rogers of course! Didn’t we kinda do that last time? Sure, but this time we’ve invited a guest and given ourselves some REAL breathing room to discuss their creative works in detail. What else did they work on? What are the highlights of their careers? Is there anything else you should look at? ABSOLUTELY! 

So dive in, Bat-Fanatics! Joe and Kendall are great fun, but Chris always gets them thinking outside their comfort zone! 

Background Bat-File: Steve Englehart & Marshall Rogers

It’s time to end our first trilogy of Season 2 by discussing Tom Peyer’s and Jamal Igle’s The Wrong Earth. What’s that? That’s not a Batman comic? You bet your Batcave it is! This time Joe, Kendall, and special guest Megan delve into the worlds of Dragonflyman and Dragonfly, the same hero from two vastly different Earths! On Earth Alpha, Dragonflyman and his youthful ward, Stinger, protect the status quo of Fortune City from narcissistic near-do-wells. On Earth Omega, the Dragonfly brings savage (and lethal!) justice to those who break the law. So what happens when the two accidentally swap Earths? We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

We originally billed this as Batman ‘66 meets the Dark Knight Returns, which it sort of is. However, more importantly, this is a cross sectional view of the history of comics. Can the fun heroics of the Silver Age still exist side by side with the dark and gritty realism of the Iron Age? Malign the maleficent malcontents, dose those dastardly deviants with deadly poison, transcend the treacherous trivia of Triviac, and find out Bat-Fanatics!

Plot Pandemonium: The Wrong Earth #1 - 6

It’s time for a word-class education, Bat-Fanatics. This time Joe and Kendall delve deep into the origins of Joe’s favorite character: the Question. Born from the mind of Spider-Man artist Steve Ditko, the Question takes all of Ditko’s Objectivism and splays him across the back-matter comic book pages of Charlton Comics’ Blue Beetle vol. 5. Do you think sycophants are the leeches of a capitalist society? Do you think that only those capable of critical and independent thought are worthy of idolatry? Are you “on the fence” about saving the lives of criminals? Do you think modern art is abhorrent to the sensibilities of a well adjusted society?  Well, this version of the Question might just be the perfect hero for you. So chemically bond your pseudoderm face, alter the colors of your clothes, and clearly expound the ideals of your philosophy as we discuss a character most only recognize through Rorschach!

Infinite Origins: Blue Beetle vol. 5 #1-5, Mysterious Suspense vol. 1 #1, Charlton Bullseye vol. 1 #5, Charlton Bullseye vol. 2 #1
Outside the Panel: JLU: Fearful Symmetry, Question Authority, Double Date, and Grudge Match; Batman: The Brave and the Bold: Mystery in Space!, The Knights of Tomorrow!, Darkseid Descending!; Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold; Lego Batman 3

Something seems off here, Bat-Fanatics, . . . apparently shenanigans are afoot on Earth-11! This time “Joe & Kendall” (really Megan & Chloe) meet-up to discuss Harleen, Stjepan Sejic’s retelling of Harley Quinn’s origin. This book has everything: sexy Harleen, sexy Joker, sexy nightmare sequences, sexy Hugo Strange (. . . I’m sensing a theme . . .). Harleen served as one of the tent poles of DC’s Black Label launch and is (generally) considered one of the best titles in the brand to date. So prepare for a romance story of epic proportions where Harleen >>> Harley, where the Joker has abs upon his abs, and where Batman (and Two-Face?) are almost inconsequential!

Plot Pandemonium: Harleen #1-3

The Devil, Watergate, Molemen, and MORE!!!

Joe & Kendall return for their seasonal coverage of Jack Kirby’s Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth! And as usual, they have a blast experiencing these banana pants stories. This time Kamandi must compete in a deadly Kentucky Derby, find the missing Watergate Tapes, learn the secrets that possibly elevated animals to human intellect, meet the molemen, and KO a killer giant worm. Seriously, Bat-Fanatic, what more could you possibly be looking for in your comic entertainment?! So, prepare your giant cricket for battle, do your best impression of a retired linebacker in a blonde wig, crank your emotions up to 11, and get ready for more gorilla violence than you can shake a banana at. THIS…IS…KAMANDI!

Plot Pandemonium: Kamandi Vol. 1 #13 - 18

Joe and Kendall dive into the (oft requested) cyberpunk future of Gotham City to hang out with Terry McGinnis! Bat-Fanatics, you might be surprised to learn that Joe has NEVER watched this show! This episode is his first experience with the Batman Beyond Universe! They start off with a brief overview of the fan-favorite series before diving into the first four episodes in all their late 90s/early 2000s glory. So get ready for some cartoon physics to slag some science equipment, the crankiest and grumpiest Batman to date, and the proper way to handle Batman & guns in this week’s ripping episode of Wayne Manor Memoirs!

Infinite Origins: Our Experience; Development
Episode Extravaganza: S1 E1: Rebirth Pt 1; S1 E2: Rebirth Pt 2; S1 E3: Black Out; S1 E4: Golem

Welcome Bat-Fanatics to our inaugural episode of Bat-Radar. Those of you familiar with the show are used to the episodic musings of Joe & Kendall, but here is a full hour dedicated to their most interesting reads from May 2021. If that weren't enough, they also do their best to catalogue and review every Bat-Book currently on the market. Do they get them all? No. Do they try really hard? Maybe. So sit down and listen to more unscripted nonsense from J&K and they talk comics and enjoy beer during a thunderstorm.

Content: Reckless, Fatale, Heroes Reborn (2021), Brubaker Captain America, Coates Captain America, DCeased

Bat-Book Roundup: Batman, Detective Comics, Batman: The Detective, Nightwing, Robin, Batman: Urban Legends, Batman/Catwoman, Catwoman, The Joker, Batman: Black & White, Superman/Batman

It’s been a long time Bat-Fanatics, how have you been? Joe and Kendall have switched jobs, fought plagues, enjoyed holidays, and generally taken an unexpected break from podcasting. One month later, they release an episode recorded before CHRISTMAS. Ah well, that’s quality right? We continue to show zero viability for a Patreon. Anyway! This time Joe and Kendall hit you with the “hidden” Batman: Year X story by looking at Marv Wolfman’s Batman: Year Three. Never heard of it? Never read it? Well, they didn’t collect it until 2019! You can read it on DCUI though… Year Three focuses on Robin’s origin and history with notorious gangster Tony Zucco while simultaneously dealing with the fallout of Jason Todd’s death in the present. It’s a book overloaded with potential, that unfortunately fails to deliver. It’s not all bad though! Get ready for helicopter gang slayings, a Batman on the brink that is still more tame than modern Batman, some delightful Dick zingers, and SO MANY opportunities for “PHRASING!”. Plus, at the rate we’re going, who knows when you’ll get another episode!

Plot Pandemonium: Batman Vol. 1 #436 - 439

Joe and Kendall are back for the first official episode of Season 2! This time they discuss the buffet of villains that appear in Harley Quinn: Angry Bird. This story comes right on the heels of Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti’s run and features more bat-villains than you can shake a stick at! Experience the inconvenience of the Condiment King, be over a barrel for the Gorilla Gang, and see several Batman ‘66 villains join DC continuity… maybe? We also talk about the common pitfalls of ensemble books, including the “dumbing down” of villains so they can make cameo appearances. We had a blast with this one Bat-Fanatics, we hope you do too!

Plot Pandemonium: Harley Quinn vol. 3 #37 - 41

Welcome to the penultimate episode of Season 2, Bat-Fanatics, and thank you for hanging out with us for another rotation around the sun. To celebrate our galactic trek, Joe & Kendall dive into one of the oddest crossovers in comic history: Batman vs Predator. Penned by Dave Gibbons (of Watchmen art fame) and pencilled by Andy Kubert, Batman vs Predator proves to be a shockingly competent crossover. Not interested in the simple cash grab of combining two properties, Gibbons has taken the time to craft a story that feels true to the Bat-Mythos and the lineage of Predator 1 & 2. Even better, the dichotomy of humans vs predator makes it easy to root for Batman while still enjoying the Predator’s rule of cool. Buckle-in, Bat-Fanatics, for some beautifully illustrated boxing, the Predator’s own war on Gotham crime, and a special Bat-suit only the 90s could love in this crossover that’s well worth the read.

Plot Pandemonium: Batman vs. Predator vol.1  #1 - 3

Holy (possible) resurrection Batman! After nearly a year of inactivity, Joe and Megan return to try their hand at a different format. This is a trial run Bat-Fanatics! Your feedback is welcome (and needed!).

This... year... Joe & Megan tackle the historic first crossover between DC and Marvel, Superman vs the Amazing Spider-Man! This highly successful marketing ploy, err... comic... was released in 1976 as part of a collaberation between Marvel and DC, with both companies taking an active roll in plotting and art direction. Does this landmark issue deliver it's value? Do Superman and Spider-Man fight? Is it even a contest? Does Lex Luthor work well with others? How do red suns work? Can Joe and Megan still work their equipment? Does Joe have to relearn how to edit? Tune in Bat-Fanatics to discover all the answers!

Special thanks to Rogue's Gallery, Hey Do You Remember, and Checkered Past for convincing us to alter the format and try again.

Welcome back to another OUTRAGEOUS episode of "Being Brave & Staying Bold," a bonus show from Wayne Manor Memoirs!

Joe & Kendall continue to move through season 1 of their favorite Batman animated show, Batman: The Brave and the Bold. This time we're introduced to the 5th dimensional imp, Bat-Mite! That can only mean 5th dimensional shenanigans coupled with meta commentary. Then Red Tornado makes the ultimate mistake by trying to create a robot son. Do we like these episodes? Kinda. Listen and learn, Bat-Fanatics!

This episode covers season 1, episodes 19 & 20: Legends of the Dark Mite! & Hail the Tornado Tyrant!