Checkered Past

Say, who's that big green fella wreaking havoc throughout the city? Whoever it is, he's got a sporty sleeveless jumpsuit that fits to a tee! Too bad his dress sense didn't filter out to the rest of the criminal marauding community...catch all the action with Challengers of the Unknown #50!

Hendrickson isn't the only one with a secret life...today we disclose not only our least favorite Looney Tunes characters but also my fetishization of people with planets for heads. Not masks, mind you, but actual planets. It's a very specific fetish. Jpoin us for Blackhawk #221!

The Atom's in a pickle, a Playboy Bunny on one arm and an ionized super-villain on the other! Not to mention his important work against the adversaries of America who are planning to use the very foundation of our capitalist system of government against us! What's a little fella to do? All you have to do is tune in to find out!

If you're here for a thorough exploration of Bob Hope's comic persona, or perhaps the stifling conformity of mid-century America as represented by the uptight Tadwallader Frutejuce, I'm sorry to disappoint. What I do have on offer, however, is a Zoom conference with my sisters, discussing the new normal, embarrassing parents, avocado tuna toast, and so much more! (Plus a little bit about Bob Hope...

Superbaby am look for him a pet like him had on Krypton! Am Superbaby from Bizarro World? Nope, Superbaby am just a mewling idiot and him get too much freedom to fly around space and cause trouble! PLUS Superboy teams up a foreign Prince to overcome the toxic masculinity endemic to the developing world! Sound exciting? YOU BET IT IS

Hey there, you battle-weary Joes, didja ever wonder who's buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? Well wonder no longer cause Big Daddy Rock has the answer. Just steal yourself for some good ol' fashioned mid-century bigotry. PLUS a new radio drama!

A human Starfish! A man-baby! Fingerhut catalogues! PLUS the world premiere of my original composition, The Dial H For Hero song! Join us for House of Mystery #159!

Sissy, who wouldn't know a comic book from a giant robotic Centaur, joins us to discuss Metal Men #19, one of the craziest comics we've ever seen (and that's saying something for mid-60s Robert Kanigher!) BTW don't panic, the Centaur is only robotic on the cover, turns out it's actually just your run-of-the-mill giant Centaur.

Ron from my work drops by to talk about Army stuff, and get a taste of the podcasting life, COMPLETE with squeaky chairs, dog noises, and an amateurish low sound level for Dr. Husband. PLUS a story that manages to be simultaneously racist AND misogynistic, a tutorial on Vietnamese folk religion, and all about my dream date with Mayor Pete!

You'll have a Ding-Dong-Dandy Time watching our goodnik Teen Dream Team battle the scourge of DELINQUENCY...and winning! But not without a few good-natured near-escapes from a A-Ha music video along the way. It's Teen Titans #3, today on a very special episode of Checkered Past!

It's Checkered Past's second anniversary! We celebrate with a Romance-themed episode, featuring episode 3 of "Reach for Happiness", dramatized by the Girls' Young Romance True Love Story Players. PLUS beauty tips from Liza Roundalot, Withers Larue, and Heidi Park-Chester - AND the return of Time Machine Mail Bag!

It's my and Dr. Husband's Anniversary, so we're celebrating with a look at two other star-crossed lovers, Elasti-Girl and Mento. Not a hoax, not a dream, they really ARE getting married, but not before their best friends try to [checks notes] trick them into NOT getting married. Not really up on straight culture these days, is that still a thing?

Superman brings much-needed attention to the dual scourges of wealth inequality and cultural appropriation! Supergirl tests out spaceworthy feminine hygiene products, and then uses science to escape a scientifically-impossible world! All this, plus Lois Lane sticks her nose in where it doesn't belong!

We didn't mean to take a 2 week break - just like Metamorpho didn't mean to (checks notes) turn the Eiffel Tower into acid and haul it away in a milk truck. But them's the breaks, kid. PLUS I reveal my secret weakness for shirtless industrialists with bushy eyebrows!

Blockade Boy! Plant Lad! Fake Superboy! Just a few of the heroic names you shouldn't get too used to in the classic Legion of Super-Heroes tale "Super-Stalag of Space". It's got action, it's got drama, plus all the mid-century misogyny you've come to know and love. Join us!

Superman's dead! But that won't stop him from taking some time out to cruelly play on Lois and Lana's emotions! PLUS a new radio drama by The Girls' Young Romance True Love Story Players!

Cluemaster makes his debut, Aunt Harriet crosses wits with Dick and Bruce, and Elongated Man loses his old costume. PLUS the debut of my all-new, all-different ELONGATED MAN SONG. As E-M himself would say, "Talk is cheap! It's action that counts!"

Listen, I like mid-century misogyny as much as the next guy, but I can't remember when a comic has enraged me as much as this issue of Wonder Woman. Not even Ross Andru's imitative art can save it. C'Mon, men, WE CAN BE BETTER THAN THIS

The Inferior Five make their Checkered Past debut! Dr. Bobb does a deep nerd dive into the brilliance of E. Nelson Bridwell, and Dr. Husband bemoans the continued existence of Nazis. All while enjoying the MAD-infused adventures of our new favorite underdogs!

Great Scott! A b-boy...flying! With Super-Powers *gulp* j-just like Superboy's! Well, don't panic, folks, just a little goodf-natured teenage tomfoolery and/or aliens visiting from other worlds POSSIBLY the long dead planet Krypton! Join as we meet a couple of Superboy's would-be brothers in Superboy #129, PLUS the debut of the fully orchestrated 80-Page Giant song!

Something different this week - I give Dr. Husband a modern-ish comic or two to read, influenced by Silver Age themes and characters. First up - Darwyn Cooke's monumental and much-beloved New Frontier! What did Dr. Husband, well-known hater of cartoony art, think? You'll just have to listen to find out!

Lost Civilizations! Giant Robots! Sea Monsters! Sounds exciting, don't it? Well get ready to lower your expectations as we take a look at Sea Devils #29!

Superman and Batman have a couple of big problems - THEIR SONS. What do you do with a misbehaving youth when said youth has super-powers, short of locking him in a room with deadly radiation? (Or, you know, you could make that your plan A like Superman does) Join us for a discussion of World's Finest #157!

Ultra the Multi-Alien...Ultra the MULTIPLE Aliens is more like it, as Ultra finds himself scattered to the four winds! Can even pretty Bonnie Blake help him now? Find out as we discuss Mystery in Space #107! PLUS - from Strange Adventures #188, an all-new audio drama brought to you by The My Greatest Strange Mystery Tale Adventure Players!

Aqualad flounders (haha see what I did there?), Mera kicks ass, and Aquaman? Well say hello to the mothra forking Justice League of AQUAMAN, BEEYOTCHES. Work friend Chuck stops by to discuss all things Aqua!