Views From The Longbox Version 2.0

This week kicks off a two part conversation with Editor-In-Chief of Comics Bulletin and writer/editor of the upcoming FLASH COMPANION from TwoMorrows Publishing Keith Dallas. Keith was Michael's editor back when he wrote reviews for Silver Bullet Comic Books and was nice enough to come on the show. Part 1 has Keith and Michael discussing Keith's collecting history, including a litter digression into Star Wars. Then you get to hear a preview of sorts of the FLASH COMPANION and some of Mark Waid's thoughts on the Bart Allen Flash series before they get into a kind of haphazard discussion of the Flash and his history.

Back after a week off because he was under the weather Michael discusses DC's Elseworlds as a concept as well as what many people conisder the first Elseworlds tale; Gotham By Gaslight. Before that, though, you'll hear about Michael's distrust of a certain portion of the medical community and why he likes Sebastian Bach. The show clocks in at about twenty-five minutes this time out but still manages to stay as unimpressive as ever. Also, the language is pretty tame this week, so it should be safe for work listening. Unless you think the word "ass" is profanity. Then you might want to put on the headphones.

Last week Michael teamed up with shag and this week he teams up with...Shag. Last week was Marvel in the nineties and this week they discuss DC in the nineties. After arguing whether or not the nineties were a good time for the company Michael chides Shag on a past debate before they go over their choices. First up Michael goes over Mark Waid's run on the Flash and then Shag tackles the nineties Starman series. Fun stuff all around, which is pretty common for these two crazy guys. WARNING: THIS SHOW HAS LANGUAGE THAT IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR...EVERYONE. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

Another episode, another guest host. Shag's back and this time he's not taking any prisoners. Actually he's not not taking prisoners either. Frankly he's just talking about comics with Michael again. This week and next Shag and Mike discuss some of their favorite books of the nineties with this installment dealing with Marvel. Shag takes a team of heroes that turn out to be a team of villains while Michael handles a certain Star Spangled Avenger. Plus, Shag has a little bit of an announcement. All this and a very mean tag after the ending theme. WARNING: THIS SHOW HAS LANGUAGE THAT IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR...EVERYONE. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

More of Ryan and Michael talking about comics. They start this "grand adventure" by discussing the pros and cons of current comic book storytelling and things kind of fall apart from there. Also there's a little digression where Michael and Ryan talk about the cinema of the nineties, but other than that it's more snarky goodness. WARNING: THIS SHOW HAS LANGUAGE THAT IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR...EVERYONE. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

Starting a two part episode where Michael teams up with one of his oldest and dearest friends, Ryan Speck. Ryan is the guy who owns the site that hosts this show and as you will see he is not shy with the opinions. After a brief history of Ryan and Michael's friendship (which is based in comic books) the two start talking about Ryan's history as a collector and there is a lot of talk about the X-Men. Oh, and Ryan apparently doesn't think too highly of Brian Michael Bendis. WARNING: THIS SHOW HAS LANGUAGE THAT IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR...EVERYONE. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

After receiving a rather disturbing phone call from a person who wants Michael to actually say nice things about BATMAN AND ROBIN the episode kicks off with Michael granting a listener request to discuss the Dark Knight Detective, Batman. Hear about Michael's deep, dark secret, how much he liked the Adam West series as a kid, a few second on the SUPER FRIENDS and what Batman books Michael has read, collected and liked over the years.

Things get back to normal this week as Michael does a pretty standard, yet interesting episode. After discussing an Alex Ross piece Michael announces the winner to his Justice League: New Frontier contest. Then Michael spends the majority of the episode discussing the actual collecting of comics because he found some book he read in the seventh grade while rearanging his bookshelf. Topics include a book called Collecting Comic Books, the Overstreet Price Guide, eBay and how much Wizard Magazine sucks. Warning, a slight occurance of profanity pops up during the Wizard discussion, but then again that was bound to happen. Michael closes the show with the first installment of Ask Mike a Question About Comics.

This one is a bit off-beat, even by Views From The Longbox standards. Michael starts the episode with a breakdown of a Meatloaf song and then things kind of go downhill from there. Topics covered include why Batman shouldn't sing, why Superman can, why MASK was a horrendous threat to the civillian population and how G.I. Joe broke new ground for comic books. Also Michael announces yet another new feature that will probably not go anywhere and reminds you of a contest that expires on March 8, 2008.

Friday is the 29th of February and to Michael that means two things; his birthday and Superman's. After a brief preamble Michael goes over the Superman books that came out in the month of February during the Leap Years he's been collecting them. Listen as Michael talks about Action Comics #600, Panic in the Sky, the break-up of Lois and Clark, Godfall and more. Also, Michael reads some audience feedback and announces an exciting, last minute contest. All of this because someone wanted the seasons to remain consistent. Listen and enjoy.