Dear Watchers: an omniversal comic book podcast

In this week's multiverse, we return to the pages of What If to see the post-apocalyptic world ruled over by Charles Xavier as the Juggernaut. It's Professor X with brain and brawn as he battles Magneto, Cyclops, Jean Grey and a non-powered Cain Marko. We also explore the Juggernaut's first appearance in 1965 and discuss how Charles and Cain's relationship has evolved over time with special guest James Enstall of Geek to Me Radio.

Ep. 90 What if Professor X (Charles Xavier of the X-Men) had become the Juggernaut?
With Special Guest James Enstall of Geek To Me Radio
Earth-905 as seen in What If Vol. 2, #13

It's a post-apocalyptic dictatorship where mutants rule and humans are hunted down. Who rules over this dark timeline? It's Professor Charles Xavier but with the powers of the Juggernaut! Possessing both mind and body supremacy, this twisted Professor X battles his former X-Men, Magneto and his step-brother Cain Marko for control over the planet in this week's alternate universe from the mind of comics legend Kurt Busiek! We also go back to 1965 to revisit the Juggernaut's first appearance courtesy Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Alex Toth and explore how Cain and Charles' relationship has evolved over time with X-Men Legacy from Mike Carey and Philippe Briones. We also discuss what makes Juggernaut such a great character, whether we like him as a villain or an anti-hero and what we'd like to see from a future film version.

We were thrilled to be joined by special guest James Enstall from Geek To Me Radio for this trip. Follow James & Geek To Me Radio via their website. 

Reading List:

• X-Men #12 (1965 Marvel Comics)
• What If #13 (1990 Marvel Comics)
• X-Men Legacy #219 (2009 Marvel Comics)

Learn more about Dear Watchers:
Find us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers
Email [email protected]

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A rocket with the last son of Krypton lands on Earth and the child inside becomes...Batman? Join us and extra special guest and super-fan Lance from Comic Book Keepers as we  cover Superman: Speeding Bullets. Kal-El is adopted by Thomas and Martha Wayne and becomes Bruce Wayne but after a fateful trip down a dark alley, a vengeful "Bruce" becomes Batman, falls in love with Lois and battles a Lex Luthor / Joker amalgam!

Ep. 89 What if Superman’s rocket from Krypton landed in Gotham and he became Bruce Wayne aka Batman?
Earth of an unknown designation (DC Comics) as seen in Superman: Speeding Bullets #1

We return to the world of DC Comic's Elseworld's by covering the first ever Superman centered Elseworlds, Superman: Speeding Bullets by J.M. DeMatteis and Eduardo Barreto. In this alternate reality, Kal-El's rocket lands in Gotham and he becomes Bruce Wayne. After a tragic meeting with Joe Chill, Bruce emerges as Batman but with the powers of Superman. Our hero tangles with a Lex Luthor / Joker hybrid, falls in love with Lois and rediscovers his humanity. We also go back to 1964 to cover World's Finest that seems Superman and Batman battle Composite Superman in an extra silly issue that includes diamond thrones, giant statues and Batman wrapped in Superman's cape. Finally, we go back to the 1990s with Superman: The Animated Series that sees Clark disguising himself as Batman in Bruce's absence and partnering with Robin. We also ponder the possibilities of what Superman and Batman crossovers we could see on the big screen.

We were thrilled to be joined by special guest and  super fan, Lance from the Comic Book Keepers podcast for this trip to Gotham City and beyond. Follow Lance & Comic Book Keepers on Twitter, Instagram, and subscribe to their Podcast. 

Reading List:

• World's Finest #142 (1964 DC Comics)
• Superman: Speeding Bullets #1 (1993 DC Comics)
• Superman the Animated Series: Knight Time (1998 television show)

Learn more about Dear Watchers:
Find us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers
Email [email protected]

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Bang! Or should we say, Shazam! In this pseudo-alternate earth, Fawcett's Captain Marvel (aka Shazam) accidentally destroys the world by furthering a nuclear war, oops! On this episode, we discuss the history of Fawcett Publications and Captain Marvel, from creation to lawsuits to the long road of being part of the DC Comics family.

Ep. 88 What if Shazam (aka Captain Marvel) caused a nuclear holocaust destroying all of Earth & was the last living being, but actually THE star of an anti-war PSA?
Earth-S (DC Comics) and a televised alternate earth, as seen in Captain Marvel Adventures #66

We walk through the history of Fawcett Comics and their most famous creation, Captain Marvel aka Billy Batson aka Shazam! We discuss Bill Parker and CC Beck's creation (including Beck's amazing artwork) starting with his origin in 1940 and walk through how at one time, Captain Marvel was the most popular comic in the world, the publisher's legal battles with DC over The Captain's similarities with Superman, the character's changing name, how he became part of the DC universe and what lies ahead for Billy, including a new (old?) name change. We also read Captain Marvel's 1973 introduction into DC continuity and of course, that one time where Captain Marvel / Shazam kind of ended the world in a nuclear blaze (or does he?). 

Reading List:

• Whiz Comics #2 (Fawcett Comics 1940)
• Captain Marvel Adventures #66 (Fawcett Comics 1946)
• Shazam: The Original Captain Marvel #1 (DC Comics 1973)

Learn more about Dear Watchers:
Find us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers
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When the 1980s run of Marvel's Ka-Zar is canceled, our hero finds himself the king of the Land of Canceled Heroes! This multiverse is home to heroes who have had their comics canceled and believe it or not, we return to this earth again in issues of Silver Sable and the Wild Pack AND Deadpool. We discuss these visits, other meta comics, Mike Carlin's wedding proposal and more.

Ep. 87 What if there was a Land of Canceled Comics / Heroes?
Earth of a temporary designation 709 (Marvel Comics), as seen in Ka-Zar #34

After previously covering Ka-Zar, Shanna and Zabu on episode 42 in an excellent What If, we return to the Savage Land to review the final issue in Ka-Zar's 1984 run involving aliens, adrenaline and a space zoo. But is this issue actual code for something bigger? As the issue closes, we seen in an epilogue that Ka-Zar is a comic book character and his cancelation brings him to the magical land of Canceled Comics! There he reigns over other (then) canceled titles/characters such as Nova, Spider-Woman, Man-Thing, Brother Voodoo, Howard the Duck, Deathlock and more. We actually return to this earth two more times, first in Silver Sable and the Wild Pack in 1995 where Silver Sable meets Luke Cage and a bevy of female heroes like She-Hulk and Ms. Marvel and again in 1999 with Deadpool when he ends up in a card game with Iron Fist, Moon Knight, DC Heroes and tons of Christopher Priest in jokes. All this plus a Marvel bullpen photo comic collage that doubles as a wedding proposal!

Listen to our previous episodes discussing some other meta comics moments on our website. (We suggest Episodes 33, 45, 46, 51, and 72.)

Reading List:

• Ka-Zar the Savage #34 (1984 Marvel Comics)
• Silver Sable and the Wild Pack #35 (1995 Marvel Comics)
• Deadpool #34 (1999 Marvel Comics)
• Plus Animal Man #25, Grimjack #27, and more!

Learn more about Dear Watchers:
Find us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers
Email [email protected]

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We were thrilled to talk to the multitalented Luciano Vecchio about transitioning from fan to creator, how constraints can fuel creativity, on being both a writer and an artist, his passion for championing queer and Latinx creators and his work for Marvel, DC plus his creator owned work Sereno.

Ep. 86 CREATOR INTERVIEW: Luciano Vecchio (artist, writer, creator)

Highlights of Luciano's works include art for DC Comics' Multiversity: Teen Justice, Young Justice, Beware The Batman, and DC Pride; Marvel Comics' Iceman (also writer), X-Men / Avengers Judgment Day, Ironheart, Champions, Wiccan & Hulkling, and Marvel Pride; and for CEX Publishing's Sereno. Order Sereno from CEX Publishing here.

View Luciano's art here and his Twitter or follow Luciano on the internet everywhere here.

Learn more about Dear Watchers:
Find us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers
Email [email protected]

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Join us for quite the MILESTONE episode! In a birthday tribute to the late comic ICON Dwayne McDuffie, we are taking our first exploration of Milestone Comics and their mega event with DC Comics, Worlds Collide. We are joined by Milestone mega fan Ethan from MakeMineAmalgam  for the origins of Hardware, Blood Syndicate, Icon & Rocket and Static and the time they teamed up with Superman, Superboy, and Steel.

Plus we share EXCLUSIVE behind the scenes insights from Worlds Collide and DC editor and past guest Frank Pittarese on the making of this event.

Ep. 85 What if the Milestone comic universe collided with the DC universe?
Earth of an unknown designation (DC & Milestone Comics), as seen in Worlds Collide 1994

In honor of what would have been legendary creator Dwayne McDuffie's 61st birthday, we are taking our first exploration of the groundbreaking Milestone Comics. We start with some backstory behind this revolutionary brand before diving into the debut issues for Milestone's first heroes (or anti-heroes): the tough as nails techie Hardware, the alien Icon and his partner Rocket, the wise cracking teenage Static and the fascinating, ultra violent and very queer Blood Syndicate. We then discuss the ultra mega 14 issue event, 1994's Worlds Collide, that saw our Milestone heroes and their home of Dakota colliding (literally) with Metropolis and Superman, Superboy and Steel, all thanks to a disturbed postal worker. We wrap up by talking about the recent evolution of Milestone and why we want to see these characters on screen. All this plus insights from our special guest Ethan from MakeMineAmalgam on Twitter and special behind the scenes facts from DC and Worlds Collide editor (and past guest) Frank Pittarese.

Listen to our original interview with editor Frank Pittarese from Ep 17. 

Reading List:

• Hardware #1 (1993 Milestone Media Comics)
• Blood Syndicate #1 (1993 Milestone Media Comics)
• Icon #1 (1993 Milestone Media Comics)
• Static #1 (1993 Milestone Media Comics)
• Worlds Collide event crossover:
• Superman Man of Steel 34-36 (1994 DC Comics)
• Superboy 6-7 (1994 DC Comics)
• Steel 5-7 (1994 DC Comics)
• Hardware 17-18 (1994 Milestone Media Comics)
• Icon 15-16 (1994 Milestone Media Comics)
• Static 13-14 (1994 Milestone Media Comics)
• Worlds Collide 1 (1994 DC & Milestone Comics)

Learn more about Dear Watchers:
Find us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers
Email [email protected]

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We are continuing our exploration of Kang the Conqueror via his teen incarnation Iron Lad by discussing two youthful superhero teams: The Young Avengers and The Runaways and that time they merged (sort of). We explore the origins of each team, discuss The Runaways TV show, and why we might see the Young Avengers in the MCU sooner than you think.

Ep. 84 What if the Runaways became the Young Avengers?
Earth-2912 (Marvel Comics), as seen in What If One-Shots 2008

It's that time again! In the lead up to Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Jonathan Majors portrayal, we are continuing our exploration of Kang the Conqueror in comic books. This time, we are exploring Kang's armor clad teen version Iron Lad, leader of The Young Avengers as he battles his older counterpart. But the Young Avengers are not the only youthful superhero team in this episode! We also explore the origins of The Runaways plus the What If storyline where the two teams merged (kind of). We discuss The Runaways television show (and whether we will see them in the MCU) and share our predictions around the onscreen introduction of the Young Avengers. So join Nathaniel Richards, Alex Wilder, Nico Minoru, Karolina Dean, Chase Stein, Gert Yorkes, Molly Hernandez, Old Lace, Eli Bradley aka Patriot, Teddy Altman aka Hulkling, Billy Kaplan aka Wiccan, Kate Bishop aka Hawkeye, Cassie Lang aka Stature and so many more on this episode. 

Reading List:

• Runaways #1-6 (2003 Marvel Comics)
• Runaways #1-6 (2005 Marvel Comics)
• Young Avengers #1-6 (2005 Marvel Comics)
• What If The Runaways Became The Young Avengers back-up from (2008 Marvel Comics):
• What If House of M #1, What If Fallen Son #1, What If Newer Fantastic Four #1, What If Spider Man Back In Black #1, What If Secret Wars #1
• Runaways (2017 Marvel Hulu TV Series)
• Plus a whole bunch of MCU including Hawkeye, Falcom & Winter Soldier, WandaVision, and Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania

Learn more about Dear Watchers:
Find us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers
Email [email protected]

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In this timely & time-filled episode, we explore the complicated history of Kang the Conqueror, from his first appearance in 1964 to the Council of Kangs' war on each other (and the Avengers) in the 1980s to his recent and upcoming depiction by Jonathan Majors in the MCU.

Ep. 83 What if Kang the Conqueror tried to kill himself over and over again?
Earth-267 & 616 (Marvel Comics), as seen in Avengers #267-269

It's the man of the hour! (Hour, time, get it?) In preparation for his appearance in the MCU's Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, we are exploring the complicated history of Kang the Conqueror (and Rama-Tut, Scarlet Centurion, Immortus, etc). We start with Kang's first appearance back in Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's Avengers #8 before visiting (for the first time) Mark Gruenwald's zine Omniverse. We time travel to 1986 for our first "multiverse" that's really the 616 (with a brief stop in Earth 267) as we are introduced to a Council of Kangs bent on destroying each other (and the Avengers). We wrap up by discussing Jonathan Major's performance on the Loki television show and what lies ahead for the character in the MCU. We also chat Kang vs. Doctor Doom, the brief time Storm and Colossus were on the Avengers (kind of), and more. 

Reading List:

• Avengers #8 (1964 Marvel Comics)
• Omniverse: The Journal of Fiction Reality #2 (1979 Alternity Publishing)
• Avengers #267-269 (1986 Marvel Comics)
• Loki (TV shows 2021 MCU / Disney Plus)

Learn more about Dear Watchers:
Find us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers
Email [email protected]

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Ep. 82 What if the Doom Patrol was re-created in name only, on a tangent?
Earth-9 (DC Comics), as seen in Tangent Comics: Doom Patrol #1

Reading List:

• My Greatest Adventure #80 (1963 DC Comics)
• Tangent Comics: Doom Patrol #1 (1997 DC Comics)
• Doom Patrol (TV series 2019)

Learn more about Dear Watchers:
Find us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers
Email [email protected]

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Ep. 81 What if Buffy was the last vampire slayer in 30 years aka Old Woman Buffy?
Earth of an unknown designation (Boom Studios / Buffyverse), as seen in Buffy The Last Vampire Slayer Vol. 1

Reading List:

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997 TV series)
• Buffy the Last Vampire Slayer #1-4 (2022 Boom Studios comics)
• Multiversal Buffies

Learn more about Dear Watchers:
Find us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers
Email [email protected]

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