Digging for Kryptonite: A Superman Fan Journey

Host Anthony Desiato digs into the classic KINGDOM COME miniseries by Mark Waid and Alex Ross with guest Bernie Gerstmayr. Also, in an epilogue to the podcast's recent Donnerverse event, they discuss Brandon Routh's turn as the Kingdom Come/Donner Superman on television's "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover event. Support the show and receive exclusive podcast content at Patreon.com/AnthonyDesia...

Host Anthony Desiato digs into the Brandon Routh-starring SUPERMAN RETURNS (2006) with guest Bernie Gerstmayr. They explore how the film—Initially a critical and commercial disappointment—has aged and whether it serves as a fitting coda to the Richard Donner vision of the character. This is the conclusion to a 5-episode event examining the works and influence of Richard Donner across film and comi...

Host Anthony Desiato digs into the notorious 1984 SUPERGIRL movie starring Helent Slater with fellow Superman podcaster Tyler Patrick (host of THE KRYPTON REPORT). This is Part 4 of a 5-episode event examining the works and influence of filmmaker Richard Donner across film and comics. Support the show and receive exclusive podcast content at Patreon.com/AnthonyDesiato , including the spinoff podca...

Host Anthony Desiato digs into the fabled "Donner Cut" of SUPERMAN II with fellow Superman podcaster Zach Moore (host of ALWAYS HOLD ON TO SMALLVILLE). This is Part 3 of a 5-episode event examining the works and influence of Donner across film and comics. Support the show and receive exclusive podcast content at Patreon.com/AnthonyDesiato , including the spinoff podcasts BEYOND METROPOLIS and DIGG...

Host Anthony Desiato presents a double feature digging into director Richard Donner's impact on the world of Superman comics. In the first half of the episode, Anthony welcomes 13th Dimension editor-in-chief Dan Greenfield to discuss the 2021 SUPERMAN '78 miniseries by Robert Venditti & Wilfredo Torres, which features an all-new story set within the universe and continuity of SUPERMAN: THE MOV...

Host Anthony Desiato celebrates the podcast's 50th episode and digs into director Richard Donner's quintessential superhero film—1978's SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE starring Christopher Reeve—with comic book artist V Ken Marion. This is Part 1 of a 5-episode event examining the works and influence of Donner across film and comics. Support the show and receive exclusive podcast content at Patreon.com/Anthon...

Host Anthony Desiato digs into a pair of works by writer Grant Morrison, the 1997 JLA arc "Rock of Ages" and the 2008 event FINAL CRISIS, with guest Ralph Puma. They examine the parallels between these two tales of Darkseid subjugating Earth with the Anti-Life Equation, the ways in which they inspired Zack Snyder's cinematic vision, and whether Morrison's work is overly convoluted or worth the rea...

Host Anthony Desiato digs into the infamous unmade SUPERMAN LIVES movie with guest V Ken Marion. Originally intended to be released in 1998, Warner Bros. ultimately cancelled the film shortly before the start of production—and following a lengthy development process, which saw an earlier screenplay by CLERKS' Kevin Smith, the controversial attachment of director Tim Burton and Nicolas Cage, and a...

Host Anthony Desiato continues digging into the "Rebirth" era with a look at the SUPERMAN run by Peter Tomasi & Patrick Gleason. In Part 2 of 2, Anthony and guest Bernie Gerstmayr discuss SUPERMAN (2016) #1-45, depicting the Kent family adventures in Hamilton County and beyond, with trips to Dinosaur Island, the Multiverse, Apokolips, and Bizarro World. Support the show and receive exclusive p...

Host Anthony Desiato digs into the "Rebirth" era of the Superman titles from 2016-2018, which saw pre-FLASHPOINT elements restored across the DC Universe. In Part 1, Anthony and guest Scott Honig discuss the ACTION COMICS run (issues #957-999) by veteran Superman writer Dan Jurgens, featuring the return of Doomsday, the merging of the Post-Crisis and New 52 versions of Superman, an all-new Superma...

Host Anthony Desiato shares his SMALLVILLE wishlist with fellow Superman podcaster Zach Moore (host of ALWAYS HOLD ON TO SMALLVILLE). What characters, story arcs, twists on the mythology, and specific episodes would have benefited from a do-over crystal from the Fortress of Solitude? Anthony and Zach take a long view of the WB/CW series starring Tom Welling as they compare lists in this episode no...

Host Anthony Desiato digs into Season 1 of the CW television series SUPERMAN AND LOIS with returning guest V Ken Marion. They discuss the shows arcs, themes, casting, and more. NOTE: This episode contains spoilers for Season 1 but NO spoilers for the currently-airing Season 2. Support the show and receive exclusive podcast content at Patreon.com/AnthonyDesiato , including the spinoff podcasts BEYO...

Host Anthony Desiato assembles the final SUPERMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES "mixtape" in the epic conclusion to 2022's kickoff event. In Vol. 5, Anthony and guest Jeremy Frutkin revisit a collection of episodes featuring Jack Kirby's New Gods. Episodes discussed include: "Tools of the Trade," "Father's Day," "Apokolips...Now!" Parts 1-2, "Little Girl Lost" Parts 1-2, and "Legacy" Parts 1-2 (the series...

Host Anthony Desiato assembles the next SUPERMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES "mixtape" in the continuation of 2022's kickoff event. In Vol. 4, Anthony and guest Jeremy Frutkin revisit a collection of episodes featuring Superman's rogues gallery. Episodes discussed include: "Identity Crisis," "Mxyzpixilated," "Bizarro's World," & "Little Big Head Man" (Bizarro and Mxyzptlk); "Main Main" Parts 1-2 (Lob...

Host Anthony Desiato assembles the next SUPERMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES "mixtape" in the continuation of 2022's kickoff event. In Vol. 3, Anthony and guest Jeremy Frutkin revisit a collection of episodes featuring Superman's first meeting with other heroes in the DC Animated Universe. Episodes discussed include: "World's Finest" Parts 1-3, "Knight Time," & "The Demon Reborn" (Batman); "Speed Dem...

Host Anthony Desiato assembles the next SUPERMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES "mixtape" in the second installment of 2022's kickoff event. In Vol. 2, Anthony and guest Jeremy Frutkin revisit a collection of episodes dealing with Superman's Metropolis supporting cast, including Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and Lex Luthor. Episodes discussed include: "The Last Son of Krypton" Part 3, "A Little Piece of Home," "T...

Host Anthony Desiato kicks off 2022 and the new WEEKLY era of Digging for Kryptonite with "The Animated Series Mixtapes," a 5-part event examining the classic Bruce Timm cartoon that ran for 54 episodes between 1996 and 2000. In Vol. 1, Anthony and guest Jeremy Frutkin revisit a collection of episodes dealing with Superman's Kryptonian heritage, including Brainiac, the Phantom Zone villains, and m...

Host Anthony Desiato returns to the early 2000s Superman titles, shining a light on writer Joe Kelly's 50-issue run on ACTION COMICS. Anthony and guest Mike Sangregorio dig into the landmark issues Action 775 ("What's So Funny 'Bout Truth, Justice, and the American Way?") and Action 800, the sagas of Manchester Black and General "Zod," and Kelly's heartfelt human interest stories. This is the last...

Host Anthony Desiato teams up with fellow Superman podcaster Tyler Patrick (Krypton Report) to dig into SUPERMAN: REDEEMED, a fan edit (by "A Digital Man") weaving the best elements of the Christopher Reeve films SUPERMAN III and SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE into one cohesive narrative. Visit Patreon.com/AnthonyDesiato to support the show and get exclusive bonus episodes. OFFER: Visit BCW Supp...

Host Anthony Desiato digs into the world of DC's INJUSTICE with returning guest Justin De Voe (@reallifelobo). Anthony and Justin focus primarily on the 2021 animated adaptation and its treatment of Superman, which served as Anthony's introduction to the franchise, while Justin adds his insight as an avid player of the Injustice games and reader of the comic book adaptations. Visit Patreon.com/Ant...

Host Anthony Desiato proudly presents SCALING THE BATCAVE, a Digging for Kryptonite special shining a spotlight on Batman. Anthony and guest Bill Maio dig into the "Long Halloween" saga by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, including BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN, BATMAN: DARK VICTORY, CATWOMAN: WHEN IN ROME, and the 2021 LONG HALLOWEEN SPECIAL just published by DC Comics. Visit Patreon.com/AnthonyDesiato to su...

Host Anthony Desiato and comic book artist V Ken Marion dig into the overlooked 1997 feature film STEEL (starring Shaq), unearthing a very cheesy, but ultimately faithful, take on John Henry Irons. Also: Anthony and Ken spend the first segment of the episode discussing the visual evolution and style of Superman! Visit Patreon.com/AnthonyDesiato to support the show and get exclusive bonus episodes....

Host Anthony Desiato finishes digging into the story that got him into comics and made him a lifelong Superman fan as "Crisis 'Til Death" concludes! In the finale, Anthony and guest Bernie Gerstmayr discuss the legendary 90s storyline "Reign of the Supermen," featuring Superboy, Steel, Cyborg Superman, and Eradicator—and the return of the one, true Superman. This episode covers SUPERMAN #78-83, AC...

Host Anthony Desiato finally digs into the story that got him into comics and made him a lifelong Superman fan as "Crisis 'Til Death" continues! In Part VII, Anthony and guest Bernie Gerstmayr discuss the legendary 90s storylines "The Death of Superman" and "Funeral for a Friend," featuring Superman's fight to the finish against Doomsday and a world without a Superman. This episode covers SUPERMAN...

Host Anthony Desiato digs into the stories leading up to "The Death of Superman" as "Crisis 'Til Death" continues! In Part VI, Anthony and guest Scott Honig discuss the storylines "Blackout," "Panic in the Sky," "Crisis at Hand," and more. This episode covers SUPERMAN #60-73, ACTION #670-683, ADVENTURES #483-496, and MAN OF STEEL #4-17, featuring the work of Jerry Ordway, Dan Jurgens, Roger Stern,...