Earth-2.net: The Show

In Batman & Robin: The Case of the Laughing Sphinx and Superman: From Krypton to Metropolis, two Fisher-Price storybooks, you'll hear the amazing origins of Robin and Superman!

May 1984 saw the release of Secret War #1, the first chapter in what would become the 12-part series that defined comic book events. Now, 25 years later, Dan Toland and Michael Sims discuss the impact the limited series had on superhero comic books. (Oh, and they also discuss the less successful and totally abysmal follow-up, Secret War II.)

Eventually death catches up with everyone, even superheroes. But in comic books, death isn't always permanent. Today, Des and Mike discuss the impact death has on comic book characters and the superhero genre.

Mike has a thing or two to say about a play he recently suffered through, then he and Jenny read through the May Previews catalog. After that, Ian Wilson pops by with his thoughts about X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Dan and Mike present another installment of Waiting for the Trade, and this time they discuss world-destroying monsters (Hulk: World War Hulk), vampire-slaying vampire slayers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Time of Your Life) and Nazi-punching robots (Atomic Robo: Dogs of War).

Today you'll hear the last two episodes of the Fantastic Four radio show: "In the Clutches of Doctor Doom" and "A Super-Skrull Walks Among Us."

This week Dan and Mike discuss garishly colored mutants (Gambit Classics), whether kids will be grabbed by certain comics (Marvel Adventures Spider-Man: Jumping to Conclusions) and demons punching other demons in the face (Hellboy: Seed of Destruction).

After Jenny recaps her recent trip, she and Mike make an announcement, then they read through the April Previews catalog.

First Dan and Mike lament two of the three trades they read this week (Superman: The Coming of Atlas, The Perhapanauts: Triangle and The Middleman: The Trade Paperback Imperative), then Ian Wilson pops in to talk about Watchmen.

It's running a tad later than normal this year, but nevertheless, James and Mike announce the winners of the Third Annual Earth-2.net Mainpage Awards!

Two more episodes of the Fantastic Four radio program are coming your way! This time you'll hear "The Spell of the Hate-Monger" and "The Return of Doctor Doom."

Seeing as how the 20th anniversary of Quantum Leap just passed, Dan and Mike decided to discuss the series - which is very near and dear to their hearts. From the great acting to the cheesy moments to the botched final seconds, the guys leave no stone unturned. Specifically, however, they're here to look at their favorite cliffhanger (or "Oh boy!") moments.

This time around Dan and Mike examine two hardcovers collecting classic Marvel stories from the early 1980s (Cloak & Dagger: Child of Darkness, Child of Light and Avengers: Hawkeye), then they take a look at a hit from the 1990s (Starman: Sins of the Father).

Last time we heard from the Fantastic Four radio show, the titular quartet had just finished a skirmish with the Sub-Mariner. In this episode they'll face Doctor Doom ("The Dreaded Doctor Doom"), the Puppet Master ("Prisoners of the Puppet Master") and the Hulk ("The Fantastic Four Meet the Incredible Hulk")!

Tweaking the origins of superheroes is nothing new, but in 1985 DC rebooted their entire line of comics - allowing a handful of creative masterminds the opportunity to reshape classic characters. The three biggest, of course, were comprised of DC's Trinity: Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. In this edition of Waiting for the Trade, Dan and Mike take a look at those stories (Batman: Year One, The Man of Steel and Wonder Woman: Gods and Mortals) to see how well they did their job, and if they withstood the test of time.

Without batting an eyelash, most comic book readers will decry the 1990s - claiming the decade to be a creative cesspool for the industry. However, in this episode of Earth-2.net: The Show, Des and Mike do the exact opposite; they're here to tell you all about the greatness that came out of the decade, and why we should be thankful for the 10-year span.

A killer worm in a giant robot fights a little boy in a man's body (Shazam!: The Monster Society of Evil). A scruffy mutant fights his lover's dishonorable father (Wolverine). And a so-so comic fights uncomfortable coloring (Sandman Mystery Theatre: The Face and the Brute).

Today we present the first three episodes from the long-forgotten Fantastic Four radio program: "The Fantastic Four Meet the Mole Man," "The Menace of the Miracle Man" and "The Coming of Sub-Mariner."

This episode might be a tad shorter than normal, but Dan and Mike have plenty to say about Hulk: Red Hulk, Marvel Illustrated: Treasure Island and 100 Bullets: First Shot, Last Call.

With a movie that's grossed nearly $350 million worldwide, and all four books topping best seller lists, Twilight is very clearly a global phenomenon. But is it any good?