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Nick Fury started out as a square-jawed white Sergeant with adventures taking place in World War II. So, how did he go from that to the Samuel L. Jackson look-alike we see today, running a super-spy agency? That’s the question that gets asked and answered in this week’s episode.

How much back reading is required to get into comic books today? Elyse (of the OHotMU or Not? podcast) wrote in to ask this question among others. We look at how comic story lengths have changed over time, and how continuity has become a more important factor in the tales of today.

A continuation of last episode, where we discussed Marvel characters based outside the United States, this time we turn our attention to DC, and what heroes they have created who originate from a (non-fictional) foreign country. I apologize in advance if I get any of the pronunciations wrong. I did my best, but I’m not perfect!

Although most Marvel comic book stories are based in United States (and even more specifically New York), there are heroes in many other countries in the Marvel Universe. We take a look at a few of them, trying to avoid the ones completely based around a stereotype of that country (except maybe Kangaroo). Let’s romp around the world and check out the international heroes of Marvel!

Being non-comic readers (for the most part), but having to deal with things in the comic book world, I was curious to find out if the ladies from the OHotMU or Not podcast had questions they needed answered about comics. And they delivered! Two questions were answered last episode and now we finish them off with questions from Shotgun and Emelie!

Being non-comic readers (for the most part), but having to deal with things in the comic book world, I was curious to find out if the ladies from the OHotMU or Not podcast had questions they needed answered about comics. And they delivered! Two questions were answered last episode and now we finish them off with questions from Shotgun and Emelie!

Being non-comic readers (for the most part), but having to deal with things in the comic book world, I was curious to find out if the ladies from the OHotMU or Not podcast had questions they needed answered about comics. And they delivered! Two questions coming this week, and two more next episode!

We’re comparing two giants of pop culture again, but not in the comics or sci-fi realm. This time, we’re looking at musical theater. Stephen Sondheim fans often disparage Andrew Lloyd Webber. Why the vitriol, and how different are the two composers anyways?

Another in the recurring feature, where we look at other characters who have taken on the superheroic identity from another, both how that occurred and what happened to them after the original comes back. The Smashing character known as The Hulk is under the spotlight this time.

Vin Diesel has a new movie coming out next February titled Bloodshot, based on the Valiant Comics character. But, what is Valiant Comics, and what makes it any different from Marvel or DC? From the early 90s up to the current stable of titles, we look at the history of Valiant Comics/Entertainment.

After hearing a little about Batwoman from last episode, a listener has a question on the various Bat-ladies, and how to tell them apart. We dive into the history of Batgirl and Batwoman from the 1950s all the way to the present.

In anticipation of this year’s massive Crisis on Infinite Earths TV event, we get caught up on the main characters of all of the Arrowverse shows, so that you’ll be ready even if you don’t normally watch all of them.

We look at some of the more bizarre tussles between heroes and villains. That includes when Superman fought an ultra-powerful Joker, and Acts of Vengeance, including the “Cosmic Spider-Man” story.

Inspired by a Twitter conversation, Kurt dives into the strange and twisted history of Donald Blake, the original secret identity of Thor. Who was he, and where did he go?

Marvel/Disney just announced that She-Hulk will be getting her own show on Disney+. But, who is She-Hulk, and what would such a show be about? Kurt dives into the distaff counterpart of Bruce Banner, and what makes her so compelling a character in her own right.

Green Kryptonite, Red Kryptonite, Blue, White, Jewel? How many varieties of Kryptonite are there, and how does each of them effect the Man of Steel and the other Kryptonians in the DC Universe? Kurt goes through every single published version of Kryptonite so you’ll now know.

Superheroes have been and continue to dominate the sales charts of American comics, but that doesn’t mean that’s all there is. Thanks to a question from a Reddit user, Kurt goes into non-spoiler details about some of his favorites that he recommends you try out, if you haven’t already.

A new recurring feature begins, where we’ll look deeper into some of the more unusual deaths that have happened in comics, beginning with an out-of-continuity tale called “Spider-Man: Reign” and the untimely demise of Spider-Man’s wife, Mary Jane Watson-Parker. (Content warning: Mature themes, though handled non-explicitly.)

If the word "Shiny" means something special to you, or you know about the "special hell" that Mal could be going to, then you're probably already a fan of Firefly. If not, take a listen to learn all about the Joss Whedon-created sci-fi/western show, and find out why its fanbase endures after all these years.

Now that Tony’s gone from the MCU, let’s look at some of his possible replacements, specifically those who have already done so in the comics. It’s the third installment of “The Replacements,” which previously covered those who have replaced Captain America and Superman. This time, we look at the history of those who have taken up the Armored Avenger’s mantle.

What if you want to kill some monsters, but don’t want to get bogged down in all that pesky role-playing? Well, these games, past and present, may just be what you’re looking for. Kurt covers the highlights of the history of dungeon crawler board games this episode.

A comparison of time travel rules in a few well-known movies that feature it extensively, from Back to the Future, up to Avengers: Endgame. SPOILER WARNING: Details of Endgame will be from 11:24 to 15:43, if you want to avoid that still.

First, a note from a listener about the Star Trek Economy. Then, from Batman: The Animated Series to Justice League Unlimited; a brief look at the history of one of the greatest TV and movie universes created.

Kurt concludes his discussion with economy professor Matt Dobra on the supposedly money-less economy of the Federation from the world of Star Trek. Discussion includes the Universal Basic Income, interstellar trade, and the Rules of Acquisition.

Kurt calls up economy professor Matt Dobra again, this time to discuss the economy of the Federation from the world of Star Trek. They famously say they do not use money in the future, and we dive into whether or not that would work. Learn about post-scarcity, the hedonic treadmill, and other economic terms through the lens of one of the most famous science fiction franchises of all time!