In Episode 271 of The Batman Universe Podcast, cohosts Scott and BJ take a trip back in time to Batman’s FIRST live-action debut. No, we’re not talking Adam West. We’re going back further, talking about Batman and Robin as portrayed by Lewis Wilson and Douglas Croft in the 1943 Columbia Pictures’ 15-part serial simply known as Batman.

Along with covering how this 1943 serial changed Batman comics forever, Scott and BJ explore:

Drop us a line at [email protected].  As always, if you like this episode, please rate, share, and subscribe on the streaming platform of your preference. It’s a great way to show your support, and it’s quick and easy! Thank you, loyal Bat-fans!

Find past episodes of The Batman Universe Podcast right here. For more from your hosts, you can find Scott on Bluesky (@writerscott.bsky.social) or at ScottWaldynWrites.com and BJ on Twitter (@BJShea33).

The post Episode 271: Batman’s Live-Action Debut: Pulp & Propaganda appeared first on The Batman Universe.

Hosts BJ and Scott return to The Batman Universe Podcast after the holidays, primed and ready to talk about this year’s upcoming major Bat-events, including the arrival of Hush 2 from superstars Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee, Alex Sinclair, Scott Williams, and Richard Starkings.

For those who haven’t heard, the creative team behind the original Batman: Hush storyline are returning to the main Batman title for a follow-up story that will begin in Batman #158. Fans can plan to pick up this new 12-issue storyline on March 26, 2025.

But has it really been since 2004, when the original Hush storyline ended, since we’ve seen the titular Batman villain? Of course not! For those who remember DC Comics back when Batman #609 first introduced readers to this character, Hush became an instant hit, and for years afterward, he was constantly gracing the pages of Batman books, including Detective Comics, Gotham Knights, and Streets of Gotham.

In episode #270 of The Batman Universe Podcast, BJ and Scott go through Hush’s history, from his origin and introduction through subsequent storylines and appearances to get you up to speed. And if you want to listen to our episode where we revisited Batman: Hush for its 20th anniversary, you can find it here: https://thebatmanuniverse.net/episode-219-5/

Join our Discord, and share your thoughts. Prefer email? No problem. Drop us a line at [email protected].  As always, if you like this episode, please rate, share, and subscribe on the streaming platform of your preference. It’s a great way to show your support, and it’s quick and easy! Thank you, loyal Bat-fans!

Find past episodes of The Batman Universe Podcast right here. For more from your hosts, you can find Scott on Bluesky (@writerscott.bsky.social) or at ScottWaldynWrites.com and BJ on Twitter (@BJShea33).

The post Episode 270: Everything You Need to Know About Hush appeared first on The Batman Universe.

In this episode of The Batman Universe Podcast, hosts Scott and BJ talk about their favorite Batman moments from 2024, as well as new Bat-related books and media to look forward to in 2025.

It’s a celebration of the best of Batman, along with a few nods to other comic books and video games that came out this past year. Along with the annual recap, the two discuss the announcement of the new Mike Flanagan-helmed Clayface movie, which you can read more about here. They also make mention of the Athena Finger-helmed campaign to get Bill Finger’s name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In one segment, Scott mentions our sister site, TheComicBookSpot.com. Site editor Theo interviewed Space Ghost comic book scribe David Pepose, which you can listen to here. Theo also interviewed Jeremy Adams, writer of the current Flash Gordon comic from Mad Cave Studios. That interview is forthcoming.

Join our Discord, and share your thoughts. Prefer email? No problem. Drop us a line at [email protected].  As always, if you like this episode, please rate, share, and subscribe on the streaming platform of your preference. It’s a great way to show your support, and it’s quick and easy! Thank you, loyal Bat-fans!

Find past episodes of The Batman Universe Podcast right here. For more from your hosts, you can find Scott on Threads (@Writer_Scott) or at ScottWaldynWrites.com and BJ on Twitter (@BJShea33).

The post Episode 269: Best of Batman in 2024 (And More) appeared first on The Batman Universe.

In episode 268 of The Batman Universe Podcast, hosts Scott and BJ wrap up their discussion of The Penguin series on HBO Max. This episode covers a discussion on the following The Penguin episodes:

Scott and BJ talk about character arcs, favorite moments, least favorite moments, unexpected surprises, heartbreaking deaths (spoiler!), and whether or not they enjoyed the series as a whole. Did it need to be 8 hours, or would it have been better as a leaner, meaner two-hour film? Also, what did our dynamic hosts think the ending means for both the future of Oswald Cobb as a character as well as the upcoming The Batman Part II?

Listeners who are catching up on the series can listen to past TBU discussions on the show (Episode 264: ‘The Penguin’ Series Episodes 1 & 2 and Episode 266: ‘The Penguin’ Series Episodes 3 & 4).

Also, for those who need a refresher on a history of the character, Scott and BJ did a deep dive into Oswald Cobblepot a few months back. Check out Episode 253: All About The Penguin, which offers a timeline of the character’s evolution throughout each comic book age, as well as beloved Penguin-centric stories from the hosts.

Join our Discord, and share your thoughts on The Penguin. Prefer email? No problem. Drop us a line at [email protected].  As always, if you like this episode, please rate, share, and subscribe on the streaming platform of your preference. Thank you, loyal Bat-fans!

Find past episodes of The Batman Universe Podcast right here. For more from your hosts, you can find Scott on Threads (@Writer_Scott) or at ScottWaldynWrites.com and BJ on Twitter (@BJShea33).

The post Episode 268: What Did We Think of ‘The Penguin’ Finale? appeared first on The Batman Universe.

In episode 267 of The Batman Universe Podcast, Scott is joined by Rob from Comic Book Chronicles. With the absolute smash success of Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s Absolute Batman, the two give their thoughts on Absolute Batman #1, as well as other Batman Elseworld tales.

For those who haven’t picked up the first or second issue of Absolute Batman, it’s part of DC’s new Absolute Universe, which includes Absolute Superman and Absolute Wonder Woman in the lineup. Scott and Rob talk about the highlights (and low points) of the issues, analyzing parallels to Marvel’s reboot of the Ultimate Universe. Before listening to this episode, it’s a good idea to listen to Rob’s review of Absolute Batman #1 on Comic Book Chronicles. Listeners can also find Comic Book Chronicles at:

Other topics covered in this episode include Frank Miller’s Batman work, including The Dark Knight Returns (BJ and Scott previously revisited this in TBU Episode 259)and All-Star Batman & Robin. They also talk about the Batman & Dracula Trilogy, which includes Batman & Dracula: Red Rain, Bloodstorm and Crimson Mist, as well as John Ridley’s The Next Batman, which was born out of DC’s Future State event from a few years back.

Join our Discord, and tell us about your favorite Elseworlds story in our TBU Bat-fans channel. Prefer email? No problem. Drop us a line at [email protected]. As always, if you like this episode, please rate, share, and subscribe. You’ll be a caped crusader to us if you do.

The post Episode 267: ‘Absolute Batman’ & Favorite Batman Elseworlds appeared first on The Batman Universe.

In episode 266 of The Batman Universe Podcast, Scott and BJ get back to talking about HBO’s hit new series, The Penguin! If you haven’t listened to their take on the first two episodes, you can check out The Penguin Episodes 1 &2.

For those who listened to the previous TBU podcast episode on The Penguin, they may remember that BJ and Scott disagreed.  Whereas BJ was more favorable of The Penguin, Scott was middle-of-the-road on it. Does that trend continue, now that we’ve seen more of Sofia Falcone’s backstory, as well as Mark Strong’s turn as Carmine Falcone? Do the two continue to disagree, or did one of the next two episodes finally win Scott over?

You’ll have to tune in to find out!

Join our Discord, and share your thoughts on The Penguin. Prefer email? No problem. Drop us a line at [email protected].  As always, if you like this episode, please rate, share, and subscribe on the streaming platform of your preference. Thank you, loyal Bat-fans!

Find past episodes of The Batman Universe Podcast right here. For more from your hosts, you can find Scott on Threads (@Writer_Scott) or at ScottWaldynWrites.com and BJ on Twitter (@BJShea33).

The post Episode 266: ‘The Penguin’ Series Parts 3 & 4 appeared first on The Batman Universe.

In episode 265 of The Batman Universe Podcast, Scott is joined by Eisner & Ringo-nominated Letterer Clayton Cowles, whose creativity has graced the pages of Batman, Absolute Batman, Penguin, X-Men, The Amazing Spider-Man, and literally thousands of other comic books.

The two talk about Clayton Cowles’ career, his journey toward comics, and what it means to be a letterer in the industry today. It’s an insightful and informative conversation, one that offers behind-the-scenes details of what goes into making everyone’s favorite comics. Whether you’re a comic newbie or a seasoned reader, you’ll find plenty to enjoy in this conversation, and afterward, you may even look at your favorite books a little bit differently.

For more from Clayton Cowles, you can follow him on his Instagram: @ClaytonCowles.

Join our Discord, and share your thoughts. Prefer email? No problem. Drop us a line at [email protected].  As always, if you like this episode, please rate, share, and subscribe on the streaming platform of your preference. Thank you, loyal Bat-fans!

The post Episode 265: Interview With Clayton Cowles, Eisner-Nominated Letterer appeared first on The Batman Universe.

In episode 264 of The Batman Universe Podcast, hosts Scott and BJ dive into the first two episodes of HBO MAX’s hit new series inspired by Matt Reeves’ 2022 film, The Batman. Featuring Colin Farrell’s breakout role of the Penguin (Oswald Cobb) as the titular lead, The Penguin series expands upon the criminal underbelly of Gotham City almost immediately after the end of The Batman film. Carmine Falcone is dead, half of Gotham has been destroyed by the Riddler, and mobsters fight for power.

You’ll have to tune in to find out! Their discussion goes through all of the new major characters introduced, such as Cristin Milioti’s portrayal of Sofia Falcone, Clancy Brown as Salvatore Maroni, and more. They also skirt around major plot points, trying to keep the episode as spoiler-free as possible, while still discussing their overall thoughts and impressions on the show.

Other topics covered this episode include:

Pop your earbuds in, and get your umbrellas ready because it’s going to be a rainy day in Gotham City!

Join our Discord, and share your thoughts on The Penguin. Prefer email? No problem. Drop us a line at [email protected].  As always, if you like this episode, please rate, share, and subscribe on the streaming platform of your preference. Thank you, loyal Bat-fans!

Find past episodes of The Batman Universe Podcast right here. For more from your hosts, you can find Scott on Threads (@Writer_Scott) or at ScottWaldynWrites.com and BJ on Twitter (@BJShea33).

The post Episode 264: ‘The Penguin’ MAX Series Episodes 1 & 2 appeared first on The Batman Universe.

In episode 263 of The Batman Universe Podcast, hosts Scott and BJ return to wrap up their discussion on Batman: Caped Crusader. Just like their coverage of the first half of Batman: Caped Crusader season 1 in TBU episode 261, the discussion starts with a spoiler-free overview of the season as a whole.

After their overview, Scott and BJ move into spoiler territory, diving into the themes, plots, characterizations, and ideas behind each of the remaining 5 episodes. Topics range from a mutual love of lesser-known Bat-villains Onomatopoeia (voiced by Reid Scott) and Gentleman Ghost (Toby Stephens) to an examination of Harvey Dent’s transformation into Two-Face (both voiced by Diedrich Bader) and Batman’s (Hamish Linklater) softening into a more compassionate vigilante.

This episode also includes a discussion on that recent revelation that Penguin, who stars in his own MAX crime drama and was played expertly by Colin Farrell, will go by “Oz Cobb” and not “Oswald Cobblepot” in the Matt Reeves-helmed Bat-verse.

Join our Discord, and share your thoughts on Batman: Caped Crusade. Prefer email? No problem. Drop us a line at [email protected].  As always, if you like this episode, please rate, share, and subscribe on the streaming platform of your preference. Thank you, loyal Bat-fans!

Find past episodes of The Batman Universe Podcast right here. For more from your hosts, you can find Scott on Threads (@Writer_Scott) or at ScottWaldynWrites.com and BJ on Twitter (@BJShea33).

The post Ep. 263: Batman: Caped Crusader Episodes 6 – 10 appeared first on The Batman Universe.

In episode 262 of The Batman Universe Podcast, Scott interviews Pitof, director of the Halle Berry-led Catwoman film. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the iconic 2004 film, and this episode looks back at how the film’s reception has changed and evolved over the last 20 years. When it was originally released, the Catwoman movie was among the early films in the post-00s superhero film boom. At the time, it was critically panned, but as the superhero film market has expanded and a new audience has grown up with this genre of films, has the audience response changed? The answer is yes.

Listen in as Scott and Pitof discuss the changing landscape of superhero cinema, as well as hit on the distinctive style and original characterization (switching out Selina Kyle for Patience Phillips) that make the Catwoman movie a unique experience. It’s a great conversation, offering insights into the film-making, technique, and thought process behind a cat-centric action romp that takes our favorite jewel thief and anti-heroine out of Gotham and on an adventure of her own.

Rent or purchase the Catwoman movie on Amazon Prime, or pick up a copy on BluRay or DVD.

Join our Discord, and share your thoughts on Catwoman and all things Batman-related! Prefer email? No problem. Drop us a line at [email protected].  As always, if you like this episode, please rate, share, and subscribe on the streaming platform of your preference. Thank you, loyal Bat-fans!

Find past episodes of The Batman Universe Podcast right here. For more from your host, you can find Scott on Threads (@Writer_Scott) or at ScottWaldynWrites.com.

The post Episode 262: Interview with Pitof, Director of ‘Catwoman’ (2004) appeared first on The Batman Universe.