Episode 19: September 1940

Posted on March 1, 2012 by kaiserthegreat

Welcome to episode 19 of Legends of the Batman, the show covering everything Batman — from the beginning! The show’s premise is a simple one. Each episode, we cover a month (or so) of Batman, be it comic books, television, movies, whatever, starting with his first appearance in 1939.

“Guess who just got back today… them wild-eyed boys that had been away. Haven’t changed, haven’t much to say. But man, I still think them cats are crazy.” That’s right, folks! Michael Kaiser and Michael Bradley are back with a brand new episode! After catching up on why they left, where they’ve been and all the news that’s happened in the interim, the guys dive into DETECTIVE COMICS #44, which find the Batman and Robin crossing paths with giants and elves as they enter “The Land Behind the Light!”

Things We Learned:

  • Robin doesn’t have a bedtime.
  • Dick always addresses Bruce as the Batman.
  • Bob Kane had perspective issues.
  • We took our hiatus one story too soon.
  • Sometimes, stories don’t teach you five things.

Images from Coverage:

Reference Links:

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Promo: Legends of the Batman

Posted on February 23, 2012 by kaiserthegreat

We can only ignore the Bat-Signal for so long!

That’s right, folks. You’ve heard the whispers. You’ve heard the rumors. And now, the truth can be unveiled! Legends of the Batman is returning!

Take a listen to the new promo for the podcast covering everything Batman from the beginning! Hosted by the Dynamic Duo of Michael Kaiser and Michael Bradley.

Legends of the Batman returns on March 1.

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Discontinuity

Posted on August 1, 2011 by kaiserthegreat

Sorry to have to announce this, but circumstances have dictated that Legends of the Batman be put on indefinite hiatus. Right now it just isn’t in the cards. Thank you to everyone who listened, emailed, posted or left an iTunes review, plugged the show or recommended it to friends. The support has been simply awesome. Thank you, everyone!

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Episode 18: August 1940

Posted on July 28, 2011 by kaiserthegreat

Welcome to episode 18 of Legends of the Batman, the show covering everything Batman — from the beginning! The show’s premise is a simple one. Each episode, we cover a month of Batman, be it comic books, television, movies, whatever, starting with his first appearance in 1939.

This episode Michael Kaiser and Michael Bradley take on all Batman material released in August of 1940, where they find Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson attempting to take a much needed vacation, but instead are forced to rescue a town from corruption in DETECTIVE COMICS #43.

Things We Learned:

  • It’s easy to figure out who the most respected man in town is, just ask.
  • Bat-in-the-Box is a more effective calling card than Dead-Dart-Bat.
  • Bad guys often live next door to each other.
  • Robin doesn’t gamble, so neither should you!
  • Batman’s menace is far less effective when preceded by bad puns.

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Episode 17: July 1940

Posted on July 21, 2011 by kaiserthegreat

Welcome to episode 17 of Legends of the Batman, the show covering everything Batman — from the beginning! The show’s premise is a simple one. Each episode, we cover a month of Batman, be it comic books, television, movies, whatever, starting with his first appearance in 1939.

This episode Michael Kaiser and Michael Bradley join the Batman and Robin as they encounter a cornucopia of villainy! First up is DETECTIVE COMICS #42 where our heroes unravel a mystery presented when owners of paintings by an upcoming artist wind up dead. Then it’s over to BATMAN #2, which sees Batman and Robin squaring off against the Joker, the Cat, unwitting masters of crime, gangsters, neanderthal giants and more!

Things We Learned:

  • Is your life in danger? Take a cruise.
  • Always have a wearable, lifelike, to-scale dummy of yourself on hand, just in case.
  • Sometimes, random ladies selling gum are important.
  • Police in New York have very poor memory.
  • African Pygmies walking on top of a railroad car means something queer is going on.

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Episode 16: June 1940

Posted on July 14, 2011 by kaiserthegreat

Welcome to episode 16 of Legends of the Batman, the show covering everything Batman — from the beginning! The show’s premise is a simple one. Each episode, we cover a month of Batman, be it comic books, television, movies, whatever, starting with his first appearance in 1939.

Michael Bradley and Michael Kaiser return to cover all Batman material released in June of 1940, which drops back down to one comic again, DETECTIVE COMICS #41, where Robin must go undercover to solve a kidnapping, a murder and the mystery of the Masked Man!

Things We Learned:

  • The escaped maniac isn’t always the villain.
  • Bruce is always in the right place at the wrong time.
  • Batman’s costume apparently attracts way more attention than Robin’s.
  • Verizon Wireless ain’t got nothing on utility belt buckles.
  • Do not enroll your children into Blake’s School for Boys.

Images from Coverage:

Reference Links:

  • Michael B. referenced THE ALL-NEW BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #7, containing a flashback to the first meeting between Alan Scott and a brand new Batman, who very much resembles the Batman from 1939.
  • Michael K. used to have to cover his school books with paper bags.  Here’s a how-to for those who want to try it.

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Episode 15: May 1940

Posted on July 7, 2011 by kaiserthegreat

Welcome to episode 15 of Legends of the Batman, the show covering everything Batman — from the beginning! The show’s premise is a simple one. Each episode, we cover a month of Batman, be it comic books, television, movies, whatever, starting with his first appearance in 1939.

Michael Kaiser and Michael Bradley are back with a double-hit of awesomeness starring Batman and Robin! First up is DETECTIVE COMICS #40 where Batman and Robin attempt to stop a vicious killer who’s target is Julie Madison (aspiring actress) and learn to beware of Clayface! (Yes, we said actress.) Then it’s a bit of a lighter story, but the threat is no less dangerous, in NEW YORK WORLD’S FAIR COMICS as “Batman and Robin Visit the 1940 New York World’s Fair”! You’ll never believe what happens in that one!

Things We Learned:

  • Becoming an actress is very easy.
  • Bruce Wayne is way too busy for petty crimes like murder.
  • Robin is not as cool as he wants you to think.
  • Nobody can destroy a bridge.
  • The World’s Fair educates and has (well, had) as many thrills as one of Batman and Robin’s adventures.

Images from Coverage:

Reference Links:

  • Towards the end of the episode, Michael B. references THE BIG ALL-AMERICAN COMIC BOOK as the third book in the DC RARITIES ARCHIVE EDITION. And, yes, he said it included a Green Arrow story, when he meant the much cooler Green Lantern. But, he talks about Green Lantern a little later, so it’s all good.
  • Michael K. referenced a two-part story called, “Made of Wood” that involved the original Green Lantern, Alan Scott, teaming up with Batman to solve a murder from the past in DETECTIVE COMICS #784 and #785. In the story, it is revealed that Bruce Wayne’s father, Thomas was a member of the Green Lantern fan club.

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Episode 14: April 1940

Posted on June 30, 2011 by kaiserthegreat

Welcome to episode 14 of Legends of the Batman, the show covering everything Batman — from the beginning! The show’s premise is a simple one. Each episode, we cover a month of Batman, be it comic books, television, movies, whatever, starting with his first appearance in 1939.

This episode, your hosts Michael Bradley and Michael Kaiser take on the first issue of Batman’s very own book, as they examine Batman material released in April of 1940. And to help celebrate this important “first” in bat-history, the guys do a “first” for the show and  bring in some guest hosts, Joshua Bertone, Donovan Grant and Jon Wilson, from Amazing Spider-Man Classics, to help then discuss DETECTIVE COMICS #39 and BATMAN #1!

Things We Learned:

  • Hatchet shenanigans are way too dangerous for Robin.
  • The Joker likes to collect pretty shiny things.
  • The Kill Count went out with a hang.
  • Batman wages war on all criminals, except girls.
  • Jazzercise is a great way to stay in superhero shape.

 

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Reference Links:

About the Guests

Thanks again to Jon, Donovan and Josh for coming on for this special episode. Be sure to catch the guys on Amazing Spider-Man Classics! You can also find Jon solo on Golden Age Superman as well as on The Mighty Shield: A Captain America Podcast with Legends of the Batman co-host Michael Kaiser and Teenage Wasteland: An Ultimate Spider-Man Podcast. You can find Donovan and Josh regularly on The Batman Universe podcast as well as Clone Saga Chronicles. And don’t miss Donovan’s reviews at the Spider-Man Crawlspace and Josh’s podcasts, Marvel Star Wars and Bertone Beatle Bonanza!

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Episode 13: March 1940

Posted on June 23, 2011 by kaiserthegreat

Welcome to episode 13 of Legends of the Batman, the show covering everything Batman — from the beginning! The show’s premise is a simple one. Each episode, we cover a month of Batman, be it comic books, television, movies, whatever, starting with his first appearance in 1939.

Ever say to yourself, “Hey… you know what Batman needs? A kid sidekick!” If so, you’re in luck, because this episode Michael Kaiser and Michael Bradley look at DETECTIVE COMICS #38, which features the historic debut of the sensational character find of 1940… “Robin, the Boy Wonder!” Hear… of the tragedy that strikes a young man! Cheer… as the laughing young dare-devil is born! Thrill to his amazing exploits! Realize… the Batman will never be the same again!

Things We Learned:

  • Sometimes a paper-covered hoop is just a paper-covered hoop.
  • Who Robin the Boy Wonder is and how he became an ally of the Batman.
  • Gangers, see. They have weird speech patterns, see. Anyone that talks like this, see, has to be a gangster, see.
  • Robin is unusually strong for a kid.
  • Always bring a camera, “just in case.”

Images from Coverage:

Reference Links:

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Episode 12: February 1940

Posted on June 16, 2011 by kaiserthegreat

Welcome to episode 12 of Legends of the Batman, the show covering everything Batman — from the beginning! The show’s premise is a simple one. Each episode, we cover a month of Batman, be it comic books, television, movies, whatever, starting with his first appearance in 1939.

This episode, your hosts Michael Bradley and Michael Kaiser take on DETECTIVE COMICS #37 where Batman takes a left when he should have went right, and ends up cowl deep in a foreign spy plot to frame the United States and start an international crisis. Prepare for hijinks and one ticked-off Batman.

Things We Learned:

  • Batman’s specially built high-powered auto does not include GPS.
  • Joking with a guy who’s been stabbed by a hot poker isn’t cool.
  • Bruce Wayne likes sugar by the pound.
  • Batman can see in the dark, just like real bats (which can’t).
  • Elias Turg is really…who cares?

Images from Coverage:

Reference Links:

  • Michael K. reminisced about a novel he read as a kid consisting of Batman short stories, and after some research, we’re pretty sure he was referring to THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF BATMAN anthology. Couldn’t find any references to a guy with heads for feet, but the story “Subway Jack” by Joe Lansdale involves Batman going up against a demon from another world, so maybe that’s what he’s thinking of (or he just has a bad memory).
  • Here’s a look at the climactic scene from “Batman Forever” which Michael B. was reminded of during a scene from this episode’s story.
  • The official web site of Batman artist Jerry Robinson.

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