Digging for Kryptonite: A Superman Fan Journey

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Shawn Eastridge ( Missing Frames podcast) dig into John Byrne's seminal 1986 miniseries THE MAN OF STEEL, which rebooted Superman for the Post-Crisis era. Anthony and Shawn break down all six issues and the changes they brought to Superman's origin, mythology, characterization, and supporting cast. On the verge of its 40th anniversary, how does THE MAN OF STEEL hold...

Host Anthony Desiato begins digging into John Byrne's 1986-1988 tenure on the Superman titles — which redefined the character for the Post-Crisis era — by interviewing one of the people who was there: longtime DC Comics editor and returning podcast guest MIKE CARLIN. But FIRST! In the prologue, Anthony welcomes back Sweet-Sweet Bernie Gerstmayr ( Aw Yeah Comics - Skokie ) to discuss the road to By...

Host Anthony Desiato presents a special interview with writer JOSHUA WILLIAMSON all about his current run on the ongoing SUPERMAN title, which has rebuilt the Metropolis supporting cast and explored new — potentially redemptive — avenues for Lex Luthor, Parasite, Silver Banshee, Doomsday, and Superboy Prime. Joshua discusses his Triangle Era influences, balancing continuity and story, and much mor...

Host Anthony Desiato presents a special interview with writer JEPH LOEB about his iconic work featuring the Man of Steel, including the seminal miniseries FOR ALL SEASONS with Tim Sale, 30-issue run on the SUPERMAN title with Ed McGuinness, quartet of arcs on SUPERMAN/BATMAN, and time as a Supervising Producer (after starting as a Consulting Producer) on the SMALLVILLE television series. Support t...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Zach Moore ( Always Hold On To Smallville ) dig into the announcement of James Gunn's 2027 film MAN OF TOMORROW — the next chapter in his "Superman Saga" — and survey the status of the DCU slate that Gunn announced back in January 2023. Support the show and receive exclusive podcast content at Patreon.com/AnthonyDesiato , including the spinoff podcasts BEYOND METROPO...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Perry Constantine ( Superhero Cinephiles ) conclude their look back at writer Geoff Johns's tenure on ACTION COMICS during the Post-Infinite Crisis era! In Part 2 of a special 2-part event, Anthony and Perry cover the storylines "Superman & the Legion of Super-Heroes" and "Brainiac" — along with the SECRET ORIGIN miniseries — all drawn by Gary Frank. They also ex...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Perry Constantine ( Superhero Cinephiles ) dig into acclaimed writer Geoff Johns's tenure on ACTION COMICS during the Post-Infinite Crisis era! In Part 1 of a special 2-part event, Anthony and Perry cover the storylines "Up, Up and Away" (with co-writer Kurt Busiek & artist Pete Woods), "Last Son" (with co-writer Richard Donner & artist Adam Kubert), and "Esc...

Host Anthony Desiato presents a special episode examining the various ways in which Lois Lane has gained superpowers across time & media! First, in the opening segment, Anthony welcomes back the in-studio duo of Sweet-Sweet Bernie Gerstmayr ( Aw Yeah Comics - Skokie ) and Justin De Voe ( @reallifelobo ) to dig into the 2025 storyline "Rise of the Superwoman" in SUPERMAN by Joshua Williamson &a...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Mike Sangregorio dig into the Superman bibliography of notorious writer Chuck Austen, including his 2004-2005 run on ACTION COMICS with Ivan Reis — which resurrected the decades-old romantic rivalry between Lois Lane & Lana Lang, introduced a new Gog, and infused Clark with a Spidey-esque sensibility. Anthony and Mike also unpack a pair of fill-in issues (on SUPE...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Martin Gray ( Too Dangerous... Review Blog ) make good on a longtime podcast promise and deliver justice at last for Pete Ross — the oft-neglected (at best) childhood best friend of one Clark Kent. Since his Silver Age debut, Pete has served many roles: noble, silent protector of Clark's secret; off-panel victim of Toyman & Prankster; husband to Lana & father...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Ed Gross dig into SUPERMAN #330 from the Bronze Age — aka the comic book origin of the hypno-glasses that inspired their use in James Gunn's Superman. Anthony and Ed also offer up a wider survey of the Clark/Superman identity across time and media, from the traditional Pre-Crisis depiction to its Post-Crisis inversion, and the exceptions and nuances along the way. PL...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Zach Moore ( Always Hold On To Smallville ) rank all theatrical, live-action, Superman feature films — including the just-released movie from James Gunn. Discussion contains SPOILERS! "James Gunning for Superman" has now concluded. THANK YOU to all guests and listeners for joining the podcast's multiple-day coverage of the new film. Digging for Kryptonite resumes its...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Mike Sangregorio relive their recent theater experience, pinpoint the comic book stories — including All-Star Superman, Superman: Birthright, Action Comics #775, and more — that seemingly influenced JAMES GUNN'S SUPERMAN, and address more audience reactions to the film. SPOILER WARNING! PLUS: Anthony and Mike share their thoughts on the recent audiobook adaptation of...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Sweet-Sweet Bernie Gerstmayr ( Aw Yeah Comics - Skokie ) dig deeper into James Gunn's SUPERMAN after their SECOND viewings of the new film. They compare notes on the score, Superman's characterization and relationship with the Kents, and more. Plus: audience submissions! SPOILER WARNING. "James Gunning for Superman" continues TOMORROW (7/14/25) with a discussion of t...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Justin De Voe ( @reallifelobo ) share their initial reactions to James Gunn's SUPERMAN, the first new big screen incarnation of Superman in more than a decade. The time for speculation is over! Discussion contains SPOILERS for the film. "James Gunning for Superman" continues over the weekend with more movie talk, so keep tuning in! Support the show and receive exclus...

Host Anthony Desiato kicks off the podcast's epic, multi-day coverage of James Gunn's SUPERMAN with the beloved in-studio duo of Sweet-Sweet Bernie Gerstmayr ( Aw Yeah Comics - Skokie ) and Justin De Voe ( @reallifelobo ). In a fun "pregame" installment, the guys share their viewing plans, final thoughts & predictions, favorite movie snacks, and more. NO SPOILERS beyond what has already been s...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Daniel Sanchez ( @wearingthecape ) celebrate KRYPTO by counting down their Top 10 Superdog moments across time & media — including standout scenes in ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, SUPERMAN & LOIS, the New 52, "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?", and much more. Catch Krypto on the big screen when he makes his theatrical debut in JAMES GUNN'S SUPERMAN. And DON'T M...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Josh Marowitz dig into the state of DC Comics' collected editions practices as they pertain to Superman — comparing notes on preferred formats and collecting habits; sharing their individual wishlists; commiserating over abandoned lines, uncollected material, and unpredictable release schedules; and highlighting recent wins, including the DC Finest and DC Compact Com...

Host Anthony Desiato welcomes back writer MARK WAID to discuss his new ACTION COMICS run starring Clark Kent as Superboy! They also touch on the legendary writer's recently completed LAST DAYS OF LEX LUTHOR miniseries and "Phantoms" arc, forthcoming NEW HISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE, and more. PLUS: Anthony enlists guest Josh Marowitz for a pair of segments to bookend the interview. First, Josh share...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Tyler Patrick ( Krypton Report ) dig into the long-delayed Black Label miniseries SUPERMAN: THE LAST DAYS OF LEX LUTHOR by Mark Waid & Bryan Hitch — a sequel (or is it?) to BIRTHRIGHT in which Superman strives to save the life of his dying enemy. SPOILER WARNING! Support the show and receive exclusive podcast content at Patreon.com/AnthonyDesiato , including the...

Host Anthony Desiato presents a special BONUS episode to celebrate "Joe Kelly Week" on Digging for Kryptonite! Anthony and guest Mike Sangregorio discuss Joe Kelly's 30-issue run on JLA with artist Doug Mahnke — including the arcs "Golden Perfect," "The Obsidian Age," and "Trial by Fire" — as well as their JUSTICE LEAGUE ELITE maxiseries. Support the show and receive exclusive podcast content at P...

Host Anthony Desiato presents a special interview with writer JOE KELLY about his classic early 2000s ACTION COMICS run! They discuss the challenge of writing the finale to every crossover storyline; collaborating with artists German Garcia, Kano, Duncan Rouleau, & Pasqual Ferry; pitching a different version of Pokolistan's Zod; mining the humanity of Clark and Lex; and crafting a modern maste...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Mike Sangregorio dig into the various incarnations of "Superman's Pal," Jimmy Olsen, across time and media — examining the evolution of Jimmy's characterization, backstory, and friendships with both Clark & Superman. They discuss his wild Silver Age transformations, the impact of Jack Larson's portrayal in the George Reeves TV series, the Henry James debacle on S...

Host Anthony Desiato celebrates the milestone 200TH EPISODE of Digging for Kryptonite with a pair of fan-favorite guests! First, it's the grand return of comic book artist V Ken Marion , who joins Anthony to begin addressing YOUR comments and questions. Then, Sweet-Sweet Bernie Gerstmayr ( Aw Yeah Comics - Skokie ) tags in for a long-overdue segment on the many varieties of Kryptonite, from classi...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Justin De Voe ( @reallifelobo ) dig into the just-released full trailer for James Gunn's SUPERMAN, the July 2025 film starring David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult. Support the show and receive exclusive podcast content at Patreon.com/AnthonyDesiato , including the spinoff podcasts BEYOND METROPOLIS and DIGGING FOR JUSTICE! Visit BCW Supplies and use...