Earth-2.net Presents...

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.

In Green Lantern #8, Green Lantern is snatched away from battling a sea monster to the 58th century, given a new identity, and fights giant Gila monsters who shrink people with their eyes. I have no idea what John Broome was smoking, either.

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.

In this slashertastic episode of Dread Media, Desmond Reddick sits down with Darryll to review the downbeat and dark Dead Man's Shoes before going solo on three more slasher films: Laid to Rest, Spiker and Secrets of the Clown. Then he reviews the long-awaited graphic novel adaptation of Clive Barker's short story Age of Desire from Desperado Publishing. There's feedback and more as we start the countdown to episode 100! Tunes included: "Afterlight" by Clayhill, "Dead Man" by M. Ward, "We Call This Mutha Revenge" by Suicidal Tendencies, "The Spike" by Moistboyz, "Clown" by Korn, "Desire" by Life of Agony, and "How Will I Laugh Tomorrow?" by Suicidal Tendencies. Send feedback to: [email protected], or 206.203.1213.

Great characterization, wonderful pacing, solid acting, the painful deaths of not one but three companions, the awesomeness of the Daleks and the unexpected return of an old foe come together to make "The Dalek's Master Plan" one of the best Doctor Who stories to date.

This week, Agent West nearly redeems himself ("Westbound"), Ro attempts to impress her first foster family ("Hicksburg"), Zeta has to fend off Infiltration Unit 7 and Batman ("Shadows"), the duo gets mixed up in a kidnapping ("Crime Waves") and then they have to escape both the NSA and a bounty hunter ("Taffy Time").

In an episode of Dread Media that is as confused about itself as the films it covers, Desmond Reddick praises his new favorite film JCVD before sitting down with Darryll to analyze David Fincher's Zodiac. Then he champions the independent supernatural Native American thriller Imprint. Check out these three reviews and listen to the following tunes: "I'm Gonna Kick Your Ass" by The Moistboyz, "Zodiac Lung" by Monster Magnet, "Zodiac" by The Melvins, "Ghost Dance" by Tomahawk and "Kickin'" by Mike Patton. Send feedback to: [email protected], or 206.203.1213.

Tales of Suspense #68 ends the first Captain America three-part story, where The Red Skull abandons his plan to assassinate the allied commander by, well, telling some nameless Nazi thug to steal a vanishing ray. Please be sure to visit Michael J. Bailey's Views from the Longbox at http://fortressofbaileytude.com/viewsfromthelongbox.

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).