Digging for Kryptonite: A Superman Fan Journey

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Jeremy Frutkin ( Cartridges with Care ) dig into the 2003 blockbuster storyline "Public Enemies" — from the SUPERMAN/BATMAN series by Jeph Loeb & Ed McGuinness — in which President Luthor puts a billion-dollar bounty on the Man of Steel's head when a Kryptonite asteroid approaches Earth. They also discuss the 2009 animated adaption that reunited the iconic vocal...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Adam Daltorio dig into the aftermath of "Our Worlds at War" — including the very final issues on the SUPERMAN title by Jeph Loeb & Ed McGuinness — in a special epilogue edition of the podcast's recent Loeb/Kelly event. Anthony and Adam discuss the month's worth of stories immediately after OWAW, in which Superman reunites with Ma (SUPERMAN #174), keeps a distance...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Perry Constantine ( Superhero Cinephiles ) discuss the climactic "Our Worlds at War" crossover in the finale of the podcast's Loeb/Kelly event. They discuss the core storyline and key tie-in issues — which featured cosmic villain Imperiex making his play for Earth, an unlikely alien alliance, the fateful return of Brainiac 13, catastrophic losses, and Superman pushed...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Michael Bailey ( Fortress of Baileytude ) dig into the "Return to Krypton" storyline from the Loeb/Kelly era — which teased a move away from the cold, sterile world depicted by John Byrne in the Post-Crisis landscape and a return to the warm & wondrous Krypton of the Silver Age. This episode covers: SUPERMAN #166-167 by Jeph Loeb & Ed McGuinness ADVENTURES OF...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Chris Clow ( The Comic Binge ) dig into the modern classic "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice, & the American Way?" from 2001's ACTION COMICS #775 — by writer Joe Kelly and artists Doug Mahnke & Lee Bermejo — which famously pits Superman's sense of heroism against Manchester Black and his ruthless Elite. Anthony and Chris also discuss the 2012 animated ada...

Host Anthony Desiato celebrates Superman Day 2025 with a special bonus episode featuring guest Bernie Gerstmayr ( Aw Yeah Comics - Skokie ) as they count down their top 10 Superman moments across all media. Also featuring submissions from YOU, the audience! Support the show and receive exclusive podcast content at Patreon.com/AnthonyDesiato , including the spinoff podcasts BEYOND METROPOLIS and DI...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Bernie Gerstmayr ( Aw Yeah Comics - Skokie ) dig into Lex Luthor's rise to the presidency of the United States during the Loeb/Kelly era of the Superman titles. They discuss Lex's campaign, choice of running mate (Pete Ross!), shooting by the long-lost Jenny Hubbard, dealings with Atlantis, standoff with Batman over the Kryptonite ring, and more. They also discuss th...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Justin De Voe ( @reallifelobo ) dig into the "Emperor Joker" storyline from the Loeb/Kelly era of the Superman titles. When Joker tricks Mr. Mxyzptlk out of his own power, he rewrites reality in his twisted image — turning Superman's world on its head, introducing a new version of Bizarro, and torturing Batman past his breaking point. This episode covers SUPERMAN: EM...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Javi Trujillo ( The Comic Binge ) dig into Lois & Clark's apparent marital troubles during the Loeb/Kelly era of the Superman titles. They discuss Clark's difficult home life, a mature and realistic take on Ma & Pa, that Parasite reveal, Superman's desperate search for Lois, and the "Critical Condition" arc — in which the miniaturized Superman Family enters S...

Host Anthony Desiato revisits a pivotal chapter in his Superman fan journey: the early 2000s era of the Superman titles led by writers Jeph Loeb and Joe Kelly! In the first part of a new multi-episode event, Anthony and guest Josh Marowitz dig into the beginning of this run — which featured the return of the Daily Planet, an unlikely team-up with the son of Mongul, new villainess La Encantadora, a...

Host Anthony Desiato digs into the current Superman titles in a special interview with group editor Paul Kaminski. They discuss Paul's career path, editorial duties, collaborating with such creators as Mark Waid, Joshua Williamson, & Dan Mora, drawing inspiration from the famed Triangle Era of the 90s and early 00s, and what's in store from DC Comics during the upcoming "Summer of Superman" —...

Host Anthony Desiato presents another double feature as the "All-Star Superboy" event draws to an epic conclusion! First, Anthony and guest Scott Honig dig into Geoff Johns' legendary run on TEEN TITANS with artist Mike McKone and others — which revealed that half of Superboy's DNA came from Lex Luthor, introduced the now-iconic t-shirt & jeans look, and established the Conner Kent civilian id...

Host Anthony Desiato and veteran Superman podcaster Michael Bailey ( Fortress of Baileytude ) dig into the YOUNG JUSTICE event "Sins of Youth" by Peter David & Todd Nauck, in which the team swaps ages with their adult counterparts. Also, they don't forget that OTHER team Superboy was briefly a part of before Young Justice — SUPERBOY AND THE RAVERS! PLUS: In a special bonus segment, Anthony and...

Host Anthony Desiato presents a special Superboy double-header! First, Anthony and guest Ralph Puma dig into Karl Kesel & Tom Grummett's Kirby-infused return to the SUPERBOY title (#50-79), which features the arcs "The Last Boy on Earth," "Hyper-Tension," and the climactic "The Evil Factory," featuring the death of Tana Moon. THEN! Mike Sangregorio returns to unpack the last portion of that se...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Bernie Gerstmayr ( Aw Yeah Comics - Skokie ) dig into Karl Kesel & Tom Grummett's first run on the 90s SUPERBOY solo series. They discuss issues #0-30, which established Superboy's Hawaii setting, supporting cast (Tana Moon, Rex & Roxy Leech, Dubbilex, and Agent Makoa), and rogues gallery (including Knockout, Scavenger, King Shark, Silver Sword, and Sidearm)....

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Jeremy Frutkin ( Cartridges with Care ) dig into the debut of Superboy in the iconic 1993 storyline "Reign of the Supermen," particularly as depicted in THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN by Karl Kesel and Tom Grummett. They discuss the future Conner Kent's origins (behind the scenes and in-story), characterization, supporting cast, and growth across his initial appearances....

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Mike Sangregorio dig once more into writer Grant Morrison's New 52-era ACTION COMICS run with artists Rags Morales, Brad Walker, and others. They unpack the stripped-down, unrestrained version of the character, Vyndktvx's time-bending assault across Superman's timeline, the role the Kents (and their deaths) serve, and why — as with all Morrison works — this one benef...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Bernie Gerstmayr ( Aw Yeah Comics - Skokie ) dig into YOUR Superman fan confessions and hot takes! They say confession is good for the soul, and with that in mind, the Digging for Kryptonite confessional booth is open to hear what you think about Superman's origin, costume, and villains, the Christopher Reeve film series, Superman Returns, the Snyderverse, Jon Kent,...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Zach Moore ( Always Hold On To Smallville ) dig into the many adaptations of the comic book storyline THE DEATH AND RETURN OF SUPERMAN across time and media. They discuss how the iconic event — or aspects of it — have been adapted in novels (Roger Stern's THE DEATH AND LIFE OF SUPERMAN), radio (BBC Radio 1's SUPERMAN: DOOMSDAY & BEYOND), video games (THE DEATH AN...

Host Anthony Desiato and Superman historian Ed Gross dig into SUPERMAN REBORN, the unmade fifth Christopher Reeve film written by Cary Bates and Mark Jones (based on a story by Bates, Jones, and producer Ilya Salkind). This episode covers the long-unseen FIRST draft of the screenplay, which was performed live at The Broadwater Theater in Los Angeles on November 12, 2024, and is now available to vi...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Bernie Gerstmayr ( Aw Yeah Comics - Skokie ) dig into the just-released teaser trailer for SUPERMAN, the July 2025 film from director James Gunn and 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 JUST...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Bernie Gerstmayr ( Aw Yeah Comics - Skokie ) dig into the fourth and final season of the CW television series SUPERMAN & LOIS starring Tyler Hoechlin and Bitsie Tulloch. SPOILER WARNING! They discuss the show's interpretation of Doomsday and The Death & Return of Superman, depiction of Lex Luthor, secret identity reveal, final moments, and more. Did Anthony c...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Nick Farina dig into the 1987 film SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE, the oft-maligned and infamously low-budget effort from producer The Cannon Group and director Sidney J. Furie. In Christopher Reeve's final outing as Superman, our hero seeks to rid the world of its nuclear arsenal and faces opposition from Lex Luthor and his creation, Nuclear Man. View Aaron Price'...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Zach Moore ( Always Hold On To Smallville ) dig into the 1983 film SUPERMAN III from director Richard Lester, which featured comedian Richard Pryor as Gus Gorman, brought Christopher Reeve's Clark back to Smallville for a reunion with Lana Lang (Annette O'Toole), and saw our hero's good and evil sides battle it out in one of the franchise's most iconic scenes. Suppor...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Dan Greenfield ( 13th Dimension ) dig into the 1980 film SUPERMAN II, a beloved entry in the franchise despite — or perhaps because of? — being the product of two directors' visions. A combination of original director Richard Donner's more grounded, earnest approach and replacement Richard Lester's campier leanings, the movie follows Christopher Reeve's Superman as h...