Digging for Kryptonite: A Superman Fan Journey

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Bernie Gerstmayr ( Aw Yeah Comics ) dig into what is generally regarded as one of the very best — if not THE best — superhero films of all time: 1978's SUPERMAN from director Richard Donner, which prioritized verisimilitude in its earnest, reverent approach and introduced audiences to Christopher Reeve as the Man of Steel. Anthony and Bernie discuss the four major ac...

Host Anthony Desiato presents a special "Red Skies" bonus edition! Anthony and guest Bernie Gerstmayr ( Aw Yeah Comics - Skokie ) dig into the JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS animated trilogy, which released across 2024 and brought the "Tomorrowverse" line of films to a close. Support the show and receive exclusive podcast content at Patreon.com/AnthonyDesiato , including the spinoff pod...

Host Anthony Desiato and author Ed Gross ( SUPERMAN: THE DEFINITIVE HISTORY , available 11/26/24) present the conversation that was REJECTED as a panel at 2024's New York Comic Con! They discuss Ed's new, officially sanctioned book; what it really means to "follow the S" as a Superman fan; and what elements from the 86-year mythology deserve a new day in the sun in James Gunn's 2025 movie and beyo...

Host Anthony Desiato brings his 32-year fan journey full-circle by interviewing two of the architects of the famed Triangle Era: longtime Superman group editor MIKE CARLIN and veteran comics creator DAN JURGENS, who wrote and drew SUPERMAN #75 — aka the finale to THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN. In the first half of the double feature, Anthony speaks with Mike Carlin about the recently released Triangle Era...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Zach Moore ( Always Hold On To Smallville ) bring "The Trials of Smallville" to a close by counting down their TOP 10 episodes of the entire series! With well over 200 episodes to choose from, some difficult decisions had to be made! Did YOUR favorites make the cut? "A Superboy Fan Journey" Chapter XXIII, aka the finale! This concludes the podcast's months-long cover...

Host Anthony Desiato presents a special BONUS episode featuring even more SMALLVILLE villains talk! Spinning out of the 10/15/24 episode of Digging for Kryptonite, Anthony and guest Tyler Patrick ( Krypton Report ) dig into the young Superman show's interpretation of Mr. Mxyzptlk, Toyman, Metallo, Silver Banshee, Maxima, and Ultraman. Support the show and receive exclusive podcast content at Patre...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Tyler Patrick ( Krypton Report ) dig into SMALLVILLE's television adaptations of the major villains from the Superman mythology: recurring/season-long antagonists Brainiac, Zod, Bizarro, Doomsday, and Darkseid. They discuss how the series brought each villain to life in terms of characterization, backstory, comic book fidelity, and role in Clark's larger journey. PLU...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest V Ken Marion ( BATTLE CHRONICLE SOL-STRYKER ) dig into SMALLVILLE's television adaptations of iconic DC superheroes: Flash (Impulse here), Aquaman, Cyborg, Green Arrow, Martian Manhunter, Black Canary, the Legion of Super-Heroes, Zatanna, the Wonder Twins, the Justice Society of America, and Booster Gold. They discuss how the series brought each character to life, wh...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Lance Laster ( Always Hold On To Arrow ) dig into Lex Luthor's (Michael Rosenbaum) tragic descent across the decade-long television series SMALLVILLE. They relive the defining moments in Lex's journey and broken friendship with Clark, from their fateful meeting on the bridge in the pilot to their long-awaited reunion in the series finale — with stops along the way at...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Craig Byrne ( KryptonSite/KSiteTV ) dig into the "ships" of SMALLVILLE — aka its various romantic pairings — including Clana, Clois, Chlark, Lexana, and more. They discuss the critical role that the relationship drama played in SMALLVILLE's success; defining moments between Clark and Lana, Lois, Chloe, and Alicia; ships that never sailed (and that sadly did!); the fa...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Zach Moore ( Always Hold On To Smallville ) pick up right where they left off last week as they continue charting Clark's personal journey across the decade-long television series SMALLVILLE. This week, they follow Clark into the so-called "Dropout Years," when he left college to run the farm after Jonathan's death and shied away from the destiny that awaited — even...

Host Anthony Desiato kicks off a podcast event years in the making — "The Trials of SMALLVILLE" — with guest Zach Moore ( Always Hold On To Smallville ) and a conversation too big for one episode! This week, Anthony and Zach share their journeys as SMALLVILLE fans, including viewing routines, why the show resonated with them so much, and what it inspired in their personal lives. Then, they chart C...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Daniel Sanchez ( @wearingthecape ) dig into THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY — the complete series! — aka the rare Superboy cartoon segments from Filmation that aired on CBS from 1966-1969. Anthony and Daniel compare notes after watching ALL 34 segments, which reflected the comics of the day and featured a mix of alien invaders, creatures run amok, gangsters, evil scientis...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Jermaine "Lord Retail" Exum ( Acme Comics ) dig into the 2009-2010 miniseries SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank, which retold Superman's origin story in the Post-Infinite Crisis era and confirmed Clark Kent's history as Superboy and a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes. They also revisit DOOMSDAY CLOCK by the same creative team, which reinstated...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Chris Clow ( The Comic Binge ) dig into the unofficial Legion of Super-Heroes trilogy from writer Geoff Johns during the Post-Infinite Crisis era, including: "The Lightning Saga," a crossover between JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA (by Brad Meltzer & Ed Benes) and JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA (with artist Dale Eaglesham) that revealed a time-displaced team of Legionnaire...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Nathan MacKenzie ( Superman: The Animated Podcast ) dig into the overlooked LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES animated series from 2006-2008 that teamed a "young Superman" (aka Superboy) with the futuristic team for 2 seasons and 26 episodes. They discuss how Clark's tenure with the Legion imparts key lessons that will serve him upon his return to the present day, the show's ef...

Host Anthony Desiato and guests Bernie Gerstmayr ( Aw Yeah Comics ) & Justin De Voe ( @reallifelobo ) dig into the crossover event "Superman: House of Brainiac" by Joshua Williamson & Rafa Sandoval as well as the larger Williamson-written era of the SUPERMAN title. They have a lively (mostly profanity-free!) in-studio discussion about Brainiac's true objective, Williamson's clear love for...

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Josh Marowitz dig into Season 2 of the animated series MY ADVENTURES WITH SUPERMAN, which airs on Adult Swim and streams on MAX. They discuss Lois & Clark's communication issues, the show's interpretations Kara Zor-El (Supergirl), Brainiac, & Lex Luthor, and whether Season 2 lived up to the show's potential. SPOILER WARNING! This is the first interlude in the...

Host Anthony Desiato presents a very special coda to the podcast's recent coverage of the 1988-1992 SUPERBOY television series: a rare interview with Season 1 star JOHN HAYMES NEWTON! John discusses his experience with comic books, booking the role, cast camaraderie, the show's improvement over that first year, leaving the show, and much more. Explore John's current work here: https://healthbeyond...

Host Anthony Desiato presents the final "mixtape" digging into the 1988-1992 SUPERBOY television series starring John Newton (Season 1) and Gerard Christopher (Seasons 2-4). In Vol. IV, Anthony and guests Tom Gallagher & Chris Jacobsen ( Superboy Beyond ) count down their top 10 favorite episodes of the entire four-season series. Did YOUR picks make the list? Reach out and share yours! "A Supe...

Host Anthony Desiato presents the third in a quartet of "mixtape"-style discussions digging into the 1988-1992 SUPERBOY television series starring John Newton (Season 1) and Gerard Christopher (Seasons 2-4). In Vol. III, Anthony and guest Michael Bailey ( From Crisis to Crisis - The Married Years (A Superman and Lois Podcast) ) discuss the evolution of Lex Luthor on the series. Originally played b...

Host Anthony Desiato presents the second in a quartet of "mixtape"-style discussions digging into the 1988-1992 SUPERBOY television series starring John Newton (Season 1) and Gerard Christopher (Seasons 2-4). In Vol. II, Anthony and guest Rob O'Connor ( All Star Superfan Podcast ) discuss perhaps the series' greatest strength: its tragically beautiful depiction of Bizarro (Douglas B. Meyers) and h...

Host Anthony Desiato launches a quartet of "mixtape"-style discussions digging into the 1988-1992 SUPERBOY television series starring John Newton (Season 1) and Gerard Christopher (Seasons 2-4). In Vol. I, Anthony welcomes Superman historian Ed Gross ( Voices from Krypton , the forthcoming Superman: The Definitive History ) to discuss the show's conception, production, and evolution — particularly...

Host Anthony Desiato presents a very special interview with actor GERARD CHRISTOPHER, who portrayed Clark Kent/Superboy in Season 2-4 of the classic SUPERBOY television series! They discuss standout episodes, Gerard's fandom of the George Reeves series, whether he'd reprise his role in a multiversal cameo (and what he'd want his Clark Kent to be up to today), writing for the show, and much more. "...

Host Anthony Desiato digs into the final days of Pre-Crisis Superboy — before the skies turned red and Clark Kent's past as Superboy was stripped from continuity in John Byrne's MAN OF STEEL reboot. First, Anthony and guest Rob O'Connor ( All Star Superfan Podcast ) shine a light on an overlooked gem: the 1984-1985 miniseries SUPERMAN: THE SECRET YEARS by Bob Rozakis, Curt Swan, and Kurt Schaffenb...