Wayne Manor Memoirs

In light of recent events, Joe and Kendall pull an audible to discuss Superman Smashes the Klan. This started as a 16-episode story in the 1946 Adventures of Superman radio show titled "Clan of the Fiery Cross." The radio show used the story to bring the KKK's behavior out into the open and showcase them as anti-democratic and un-American. And it worked!

Superman Smashes the Klan is the first time that story has been adapted into a comic book--nearly 75 years later--and is designed for a younger audience. Even more surprising is how infuriatingly relevant this story still is. Join us, Bat-Fanatics, as we follow the Lees' experience with racism in Metropolis, get a little humanitarian, and (best of all) watch Superman man-handle some hooded racists.

Plus?! A contest for YOU to win a copy of Superman Smashes the Klan.

Plot Pandemonium: Superman Smashes the Klan 1-3

Time to go bananas Bat-Fanatics! Spinning out of our Harley Quinn: Angry Bird episode, Joe and Kendall keep their promise and cover the Gorilla Gang. Buckle in folks, theirs is a long and storied history mired in complexity and depth. Just kidding. They've made two appearances and those appearances were about 50 years apart. So prepare for lots of low ape/monkey/banana jokes, full body Gorilla costumes, the almost death of Harley Quinn, and a surprisingly good footnote in the Bat-Mythos!

Infinite Origins: Batman vol. 1 #156 and #185

Continuity Crisis: Harley Quinn vol. 3 #38

Holy historically relevant comic Batman! Joe and Kendall are back to talk about Denny O'Neil's & Neal Adams' Batman #251: The Joker's Five-Way Revenge. The early 70s saw many attempts by Batman comics to distance themselves from Batman '66. This included omitting many of Batman's costumed criminals in favor of foes rooted in reality or the supernatural. Batman #251 marked the return of the Joker after a nearly 4-year hiatus from comics. Wow! This newly returned Joker casts off the mantle of irritating prankster and reclaims his role as jovial murderer. In addition to his darker tone, Adams gives the Joker a redesign that will influence his appearance for the next 20 years. If that wasn't enough, this comic opened the floodgates for the return of darker versions of Batman's other rogues. Does this comic successfully distance itself from Batman '66? How dark is this comic in the light of the modern era? Can Joe and Kendall successfully evaluate the impact of this comic without historical context? How much nitroglycerin is needed to have an exploding cigar take out an apartment? Tune in, Bat-Fanatics, and find out!

Plot Pandemonium: Batman vol.1 # 251

Welcome back to another OUTRAGEOUS episode of "Being Brave & Staying Bold," a bonus show from Wayne Manor Memoirs! As Joe & Kendall approach the end of season 1, we get to some of the most Kirby influenced episodes of Batman: The Brave and the Bold. This time we visit a Mongul's Fourth World influenced War World with Jonah Hex. Then, we take a trip to post-Great Disaster to experience the world of Kamandi! Yes! Finally!

This episode covers season 1, episodes 21 & 22: Duel of the Double Crossers! & The Last Bat on Earth!

Welcome to the club, Bat-Fanatics. Why don't you come on in and take a seat while Joe and Kendall play you a tune of dark knights, heroin, hallucinogens, and jazz. That's right, this episode we're looking at Batman: Jazz. Originally a special edition of Legends of the Dark Knight, Batman: Jazz is another attempt to mingle the Dark Knight and music. This story has us tracking down the Brothers of the Bop after they try to murder Blue Byrd, a presumed dead legend of the Gotham jazz scene. What follows is a trippy tale showcasing that people project what they want their heroes to be. Can this story, written by two white guys, actually showcase an African American experience in Gotham? Can Joe and Kendall (also two white guys) successfully discuss it? Probably not, but we try our darndest! So polish your saxophones, prepare your hallucinogenic gas, and get ready to discuss the "wonders" of 90s comics as we tackle Batman & music… again.

Plot Pandemonium: Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight - Jazz 1-3

We know you've seen Batman '89, Bat-Fanatics, but fear not because Joe and Kendall barely focus on the plot! Instead they dive into the film's pop culture significance. Did you know this movie spawned one of the greatest cartoon series of all time? Of course. But did you know it also single handedly created the comic industry boon that might have also been the reason for its bust? Yeah, this movie was that influential. So, attach your grapple gun to your utility belt and prepare to get nuts as we ascend through the smoke into the most jarring third act in Bat-History!

Plot Pandemonium: Batman (1989)

Welcome back to another OUTRAGEOUS episode of "Being Brave & Staying Bold," a bonus show from Wayne Manor Memoirs! Joe & Kendall continue to move through season 1 of their favorite Batman animated show, Batman: The Brave and the Bold. This time we're introduced to the 5th dimensional imp, Bat-Mite! That can only mean 5th dimensional shenanigans coupled with meta commentary. Then Red Tornado makes the ultimate mistake by trying to create a robot son. Do we like these episodes? Kinda. Listen and learn, Bat-Fanatics!

This episode covers season 1, episodes 19 & 20: Legends of the Dark Mite! & Hail the Tornado Tyrant!

It's time for a word-class education, Bat-Fanatics. This time Joe and Kendall delve deep into the origins of Joe's favorite character: the Question. Born from the mind of Spider-Man artist Steve Ditko, the Question takes all of Ditko's Objectivism and splays him across the back-matter comic book pages of Charlton Comics' Blue Beetle vol. 5. Do you think sycophants are the leeches of a capitalist society? Do you think that only those capable of critical and independent thought are worthy of idolatry? Are you "on the fence" about saving the lives of criminals? Do you think modern art is abhorrent to the sensibilities of a well adjusted society? Well, this version of the Question might just be the perfect hero for you. So chemically bond your pseudoderm face, alter the colors of your clothes, and clearly expound the ideals of your philosophy as we discuss a character most only recognize through Rorschach! Infinite Origins: Blue Beetle vol. 5 #1-5, Mysterious Suspense vol. 1 #1, Charlton Bullseye vol. 1 #5, Charlton Bullseye vol. 2 #1Outside the Panel: JLU: Fearful Symmetry, Question Authority, Double Date, and Grudge Match; Batman: The Brave and the Bold: Mystery in Space!, The Knights of Tomorrow!, Darkseid Descending!; Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold; Lego Batman 3

Gather close Bat-Fanatics while Uncles Joe & Kendall share with you a story of death, rebirth, judgement, and… penises. That's right, this time we delve into the unreasonably infamous Batman: Damned. Written as a loose sequel to Azzarello & Bermejo's Joker, this title was the flagship that launched DC's Black Label imprint. It asked a simple question: What would happen if Batman killed the Joker? The imprint was supposed to open up flagship DC characters to stranger, darker, more mature themes. Then you show Batman's penis and the whole thing goes into a tailspin. Does this story deserve infamy? Probably not, but it did deserve a whole new segment: Cataclysmic Controversy! Is it good? We don't know, but we certainly give you our opinions. Is the art phenomenal? Oh yeah. So dive into a supernatural mystery of life and death, rap-battle with the demonic J-Blood, and get judged by vagrant Spectre!

Bat-RadarPlot Pandemonium: Batman: Damned #1-3A.C.E. Chemical ReactionsCataclysmic ControversyCrisis of Infinite Interpretations

Thanks to our listener Thomas Egan for being the single needed request to bring back Kamandi. Honestly, what's not to love?! Joe and Kendall continue their surprising investment in this comic by covering the next six issues. Remember the audio issues from the first part? Gone. Remember the over the top insanity of the stories? Still here! The absolute unabashed fun of the series? Still here! The requited love of Joe and Kendall? Bigger and better than ever. Did you get that we like this series?

If COVID-19 has you feeling down and looking for something to do, Joe and Kendall cannot recommend this book more: fun, wacky, and generally light. Maybe even a good candidate for the kiddos. Bat-Fanatics set your cyclo-hearts to fission, prepare for the menace of the Misfit, and hope that Sacker's still has some toilet paper left as we return to a post-apocalyptic future in our seeming apocalyptic world.

Plot Pandemonium: Kamandi: the Last Boy on Earth #7-12