Detective Comics #27
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Released
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November 15, 2010
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Running time
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16:54
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Tagline
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The Caped Crusader's first adventure! ...was very short and his cape didn't look right.
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Link
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Linkara: Hello, and welcome to Atop the Fourth Wall, where bad comics burn. And welcome once again to "Secret Origins Month"!
("Secret Origins Month" title is shown)
Linkara: (looking up in thought) You know, I just realized that I don't even have to record those opening lines. I could just edit the same thing in over and over, and you'd never know... How's that for a mind screw? (smiles)
(Cut to a montage of shots of Batman comics that Linkara looked at in the past)
Linkara (v/o): Anyway, next up in the origins department is the Dark Knight Detective, Batman. From fighting aliens to calling people retarded, Batman certainly had his fair share of history, but how did it all begin?
(Cut to a shot of an early Superman comic)
Linkara (v/o): After the success of Superman, national publications asked for more superheroes.
(Cut to a tribute to Bob Kane)
Linkara (v/o): According to a tribute that Jeanette Khan, former editor-in-chief at DC had written when Bob Kane died, Kane and Bill Finger originally conceived the idea of Batman on a bench outside of Edgar Allan Poe's house.
(Cut to a shot of Bill Finger)
Linkara (v/o): Finger himself had said that Batman had been an idea of Bob Kane's, but the original ideas for the character were quite different.
(Cut to a shot of an early concept for Batman, who is quite different, as Linkara explains...)
Linkara (v/o): He only had a domino mask, red tights, no gloves, and bat-like wings instead of a cape. Influence for the character himself, like Superman, came from pop culture.
(Cut to Alfred on Batman: The Animated Series)
Linkara (v/o): Having a cavernous lair that you gained entrance to via secret passage, as well as a rich man leading a double life as a vigilante?
(Cut to a shot of Zorro)
Linkara (v/o): They got those ideas from The Mark of Zorro.
(Cut to a shot of an old movie called The Bat Whispers)
Linkara (v/o): Another inspiration for the costume was a 1930 film called The Bat Whispers, where there was a killer in a bat mask and cape.
(Cut to a shot of Bob Kane)
Linkara (v/o): Like with Superman's creation, there's some controversy surrounding the creators of Batman. When Bob Kane sold the character to DC...
(Editor's note: "Sold it to National, since DC didn't exist at the time.")
Linkara (v/o): ...he got sole rights to the credit of the creation, meaning he got most of the fame and glory with it.
(Cut to two shots of Bill Finger)
Linkara (v/o): However, Bill Finger was equally responsible for much of the character's look, personality, and a ton of the mythos of Batman. It was a point of understandable irritation for the guy. Made worse is that Kane also used ghost artists who would draw a lot of art, get paid for their work, but were never credited for it. It wasn't an uncommon practice at the time, but I can imagine it's not useful for resumes.
Linkara: (holding up a Batman comic book, which credits creation to Kane) Even today, Bob Kane still gets sole credit for Batman in the actual work.
(Cut back to the cover of Batman's first appearance in "Detective Comics #27")
Linkara (v/o): However, as I said in the Superman video, there are equally valid points from both sides about arguments concerning this kind of thing, and I'm not here to pick sides. We're here to talk about comic books.
Linkara: So let's dig into the story that started The Batman: "Detective Comics #27".
(Title sequence plays, followed by title card for this episode, which has the theme for the old Batman TV show playing over it; cut to a closeup of the comic's cover)
Linakra (v/o): You may be surprised to learn that the first Batman story is not an origin story. In fact, it's only six pages long, and the beginning makes it clear that Batman has been operating for a while. We'll take a look at the actual origin story later, but first, let's take a look at the first story with all of our modern biases and laugh at the writing quirks of 1939. Our cover is of Batman swinging around the city and carrying a guy.
Linkara: (as Batman) Huh, there goes Spider-Man carrying around somebody, and Superman with Vincent Price. Must be Wednesday.
Linkara (v/o): It's kind of bland otherwise, save for one caption at an angle...
Text: Starting this issue: The amazing and unique adventures of THE BATMAN!
Linkara (v/o): Unique, huh?
(Cut to shots of a comic of The Shadow)
Linkara (v/o): Ironically, according to a website provided by fans, some investigative work actually uncovered that this story is kind of a ripoff of a story featuring The Shadow from a few years prior. Whoops.
(Cut back to "Detective Comics #27")
Linkara (v/o): We open to some narration among the title panel.
Narrator: The "BAT-MAN", a mysterious and adventurous figure, fighting for righteousness and apprehending the wrong doer, in his lone battle against the evil forces of society...
Linkara: Yeah, it's a little-known fact that the police never fight against the evils of society.
Linkara (v/o): We begin at the home of Commissioner Gordon, sporting a thin mustache and a bizarre-looking suit, opposite his young socialite friend, Bruce Wayne.
Bruce: Well, Commissioner, anything exciting happening these days?
Commissioner Gordon: No. Oh, except this fellow they call the "Bat-Man" puzzles me!
Linkara: (as Gordon) I mean, does he have a hyphen in his name or not? There's no consistency about it.
Linkara (v/o): Suddenly, the phone rings.
Gordon: Hello...what's that? Lambert, the Chemical King... stabbed to death? His son's finger prints on the knife?
Linkara: (as Gordon, holding up his pinkie and thumb like a phone) Repeat what you say so we don't have to show the other side of the conversation?
Gordon: Talk about something exciting... Old Lambert has been murdered at his mansion...I'm going there now, like to come along?
Linkara: (smiling) Hey, civilian, want to come to the gruesome murder scene?
Bruce: Oh well, nothing else to do, might as well.
Linkara: (as Bruce, hastily) I'm not Batman! I'm totally not Batman! (beat, burying his face in his arm) I'm Batman.
Linkara (v/o): The two arrive at the scene, Bruce Wayne still smoking a pipe, because getting ashes everywhere is just so helpful at a crime scene. By the way, a note on the coloring: the skin I'm using here is a reprint, since the scan of the original "Detective Comics #27"... well, looks like this. (the comic turns muted) The writing is the same, but they fixed up the colors, (the colors return to normal) though making some odd color choices. Why is Commissioner Gordon's hat bright green with a gray suit?
Linkara: If you're going to sport (points to his own hat) "The Hat of Power", then you have to make sure that (points to his coat) the fashion matches!
Linkara (v/o): Gordon talks to the son of the murdered man, who tells his side of the story. He had come home early to discover that his father was dead with a knife in his back and the safe opened. All the father could say as he was dying was...
Lambert: Contract...
Linkara (v/o): The reason he got fingerprints on the knife was because he pulled it out of his father's back. Smooth move, kid. The house receives a phone call from one of the murdered man's business associates who informs Gordon that the murdered man had gotten a death threat earlier.
Associate on phone: And I'm afraid I'll be next... What shall I do?
Gordon: Wait...and do not leave anybody in...
Linkara: Leave anybody in? The hell does that mean? Does he have a guy cooking in the oven?
Linkara (v/o): Bruce decides to leave and, just as I anticipated, empties his pipe ashes right onto the floor. The world's greatest detective, ladies and gentlemen! Meanwhile, the other industrialist is murdered by a guy in an orange-striped suit. The hell is up with fashion in the 1930s? Our tiger-print villain then steals a paper from the man's safe and climbs out the window to the roof. What, is he planning to escape by helicopter? Why wouldn't he escape to the ground? However, their daring airship escape by...
Thug in orange-striped suit: THE BAT-MAN!!!
Linkara (v/o): Yes, the Bat-Man, who, with his purple gloves of vengeance, delivers a mighty blow to one crook and then proceeds to headlock the guy and then toss him over his shoulder. How the hell does he get in this sort of position?
Linkara: (as Batman, imitating his pose) I'm Batman.
Linkara (v/o): The police arrive too late and Batman gets away, but Gordon quickly concludes that all the business partners are in danger.
Gordon: Let's go to Rogers next!
Linkara: (as Gordon) We'll just go to them one at a time. No worries, it's not like they're being murdered or anything... Oh, wait...
Narrator: The "Bat-Man" reads the paper he snatched from the killers and a grim smile comes to his UPS.
Linkara (v/o): Uh, I'm sure that's supposed to say "lips", but sadly, the lettering here isn't exactly at its best.
Narrator: He speeds his car towards an unknown destination.
Linkara (v/o): Ah, behold the first appearance of Batman's classic vehicle, the Batmob– er, uh, coupe. And painted bright red! Surely this will strike fear in the heart of evil. Anyway, the businessman Gordon's on his way to, named Rogers, goes to the fourth and final one, named Stryker. He's met at the door by John Goodman* here, who promptly knocks him out. John Goodman is Stryker's assistant and he puts Rogers underneath a lowering glass bubble. He explains that the bubble is actually a gas chamber used for experimenting, and he'll kill him that way instead of, you know, with a gun or knife or something. Like a true Bond villain, he walks downstairs while his nefarious death trap goes into action.
- NOTE: Actually, his name is Jennings, as the comic clearly displays.
Narrator: At that moment the "Bat-Man" leaps through an open transom...
Linkara: Yeah, it's important to have a nice, big, open, windowless skylight in your sterile laboratory.
Narrator: The "Bat-Man"...
Linkara (v/o): Oh, stop the quotes already! You're just starting to sound like even you don't take this seriously.
Narrator: ...seizes a wrench from a table and leaps for the gas-chamber. The "Bat-Man" quickly plugs the gas-jet with a handkerchief, as the gas-chamber descends entirely over them...
Linkara: (as Batman) I'm Batman, and I can breathe poisonous gas in a gas chamber. (beat) I am the night!
Linkara (v/o): Batman smashes the glass and gets Rogers out. John Goodman returns, but of course Batman just socks him with the purple fist of justice! Well, to be accurate, he... um, attacks his crotch first...
(Smiling, Linkara raises his index finger)
Offscreen singers: The Ambiguously Gay Duo!
Linkara (v/o): Rogers meets up with Stryker and informs him that his assistant tried to kill him. Stryker pulls a knife, saying he has to finish the job himself and throw him into the acid tank below, because I guess this guy just stores huge acid tanks in his laboratory that someone can fall into. However, once again, it's the oddly-eared Batman to the rescue, grabbing Stryker and explaining the situation.
Batman: This rat was behind the murders! You see, I learned that you, Lambert, Crane and Stryker, were once partners in the Apex Chemical Corporation... Stryker, who wished to be sole owner, but having no ready cash, made secret contracts with you, to pay a certain sum of money each year until he owned the business. He figured by killing you and stealing the contracts, he wouldn't have to pay his money.
(Cut to a clip of Wayne's World)
Old Man Withers (Carmen Filpi): And I would have gotten away with it, too, if it hadn't been for you snooping kids!
(Back to the Batman comic)
Linkara (v/o): Batman explains that he figured it out, thanks to the contract he got off the killers. Suddenly, Stryker shoves Batman away and starts ranting.
Stryker: Sure...I did it! But you won't send me to the 'chair' for it!!! I'll–
Linkara (v/o): And the Purple Fist of Justice speaks once again! However, he falls through the safety railings! Geez, OSHA's gonna have a fit when they see how weak the railings are.
Rogers: He's falling right into the acid tank!
Linkara: (as Batman) Oh, crap! Um... Uh, is he... I'm pretty sure he was a fan of rock 'n' roll. (nods) Yeah. (looks around shiftily)
Linkara (v/o): So Batman flies back away... somehow. The next day, Bruce and Commissioner Gordon are talking, with the Commissioner explaining the final details of the case.
Bruce: Hmm! A very lovely fairy-tale, Commissioner, indeed.
Linkara: Fairy tale? Uh, Bruce, what's in the pipe?
Linkara (v/o): Later, after Bruce is gone...
Gordon: ...Bruce Wayne is a nice young chap– but he certainly must lead a boring life... Seems disinterested in everything.
Linkara: (as Gordon) Ah, well, regardless of the problem, smoking is the answer.
Narrator: Bruce Wayne returns home to his room... A little later his door slowly opens... and reveals its occupant... If the Commissioner could see his young friend now... he'd be amazed to learn that he is the "BAT-MAN!"
Linkara: (as Batman) Man, I need a butler or something, 'cause I really don't know how to put on a cape. Also, I should get a cave. That last chick I did was wondering why all my Batman stuff was in my room. She thought I was into some weird stuff.
Linkara (v/o): So, yeah, the first Batman story ever made. It's simple, but it does highlight a few elements that would be commonplace later, like Batman's sudden disappearances, his quick thinking, his detective skills. On the other hand, though, the artwork is not exactly up to par. The coloring is... odd, in more than one spot, and Batman had to kind of get over the whole killing people thing. Once or twice in the early days, he even used a gun. Now, of course, people are free to have their own opinions on this, but personally, I've always been against superheroes using lethal force for numerous reasons and Batman especially, given his own past. He's not the Punisher, for crying out loud. He's a dark vigilante, sure, but he's trying to create a better world, a world where an eight-year-old kid wouldn't lose his parents like he did.
Linkara: Which brigns me to the other disappointment of this issue: the lack of an origin story. However, for your enjoyment, here's a bonus for today...
(Cut to a shot of the cover for "Detective Comics #33")
Linkara (v/o): Batman's origin story didn't actually come until six issues later in "Detective Comics #33". We're not going to look at the full issue or the full story, mostly because the digital copy I have...
(Cut to a shot of the digital copy, which looks all washed out and discolored)
Linkara (v/o): ...well, looks like this. Plus, every version that I find is missing a page.
(Cut to a shot of the cover of a comic called "Batman Chronicles")
Linkara (v/o): However, it is reprinted in "Batman Chronicles Volume 1" if you're interested. Fortunately, the awesome fans Chad Polenz – sorry if I mispronounced that – and Charles Poole were both fantastic enough to email me scans of the origin story.
(Cut to panels of this origin story)
Narrator: Legend!
Linkara: Uh, myth! What the hell was that for?
Narrator: The Batman and how he came to be! Slash! Exclamation point!
Linkara (v/o): What the heck's up with the typo there? Is that supposed to be another exclamation point? I mean, come one, no one had any whiteout or a marker or a crayon or something? Just make that look better?
Narrator: Some fifteen years ago, Thomas Wayne, his wife, and son, were walking home from a movie...
Linkara: So, for the nerds out there, that would make Batman roughly 23 or so when he started crimefighting. Nowadays, he's... (hesitates) thiiiiooooorrrtyyy... -ish?
Thomas: W-What's this?
Mugger: A stickup, buddy! I'll take that necklace you're wearin' lady!
Thomas: Leave her alone, you. Oh...
Linkara: (as Thomas) Oh, I just realized that bullets hurt... (falls over)
Linkara (v/o): When Martha Wayne starts yelling for help, the mugger shoots her, too.
Narrator: The boy's eyes are wide with terror and shock as the horrible scene is spread before him.
Linkara (v/o): And I guess the mugger just decided, "Uh, geez, maybe I overreacted and ran off." Bruce makes his best sad puppy face as he realizes his parents are dead.
Narrator: Days later, a curious and strange scene takes place.
Bruce: (Linkara uses adult Batman voice, even though Bruce is a child) And I swear by the spirits of my parents to avenge their deaths by spending the rest of my life warring on all criminals.
Linkara: (as Bruce, also praying) And someday, perhaps I will express surprise at the presence of a deadly bee weapon.
Narrator: As the years pass, Bruce Wayne prepares himself for his career. He becomes a master scientist.
Linkara: (as Bruce) Only a science major could fight crime like this.
Linkara (v/o): By the way, Bruce, I'm not an expert, but maybe you ought to do something about all that carbon monoxide that's floating around your laboratory.
Narrator: Trains his body to physical perfection until he is able to perform amazing athletic feats.
Linkara: (as Alfred) Yes, Master Bruce, that's very impressive, but perhaps you should put more than ten pounds on either side.
Linkara (v/o): Later, by firelight, he thinks that he must have a disguise.
Bruce: Criminals are a superstitious cowardly lot.
Linkara: Frankie, don't step on that crack! You'll break your mother's back!
Bruce: So my disguise must be able to strike terror into their hearts. I must be a creature of the night, black, terrible...a...a...
Linkara: (as Bruce) A possum! Yes, of course! I shall become a possum!
Narrator: As if in answer, a huge bat flies in the open window!
Bruce: A bat! That's it! It's an omen. I shall become a BAT!
Linkara: (as Bruce, calling out) Alfred, get me some insects to munch and some hair to be entangled in!
Narrator: And thus is born this weird figure of the dark... this avenger of evil, "The Batman".
Linkara (v/o): Technically, by the phrasing of that sentence, doesn't that mean he avenges for evil?
Linkara: This origin has not changed that much. Few comics retell the exact moment where he chooses the bat, but usually uses the same word since it's just classic. Details are added like the training and whatnot, but otherwise, it's the same now as it was then, and we wouldn't have it any other way. (gets up from his seat and leaves)
(End credits cut due to copyrighted music and video)
(end)
Atop the Fourth Wall Transcripts
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2008:
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Spider-Man 56 · Doom's IV 2 · Batman 147 · The Top 15 WTF Moments in Comics · Titans 1 · Sinnamon 11 · US-1 1 · S.C.I. Spy 1 · Superman At Earth's End
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2009:
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Godzilla Vs. Barkley · Uncanny X-Men 423 · Uncanny X-Men 424 · Mr. T and the T-Force 1 · Star Trek comic 1 · Newmen 1 · NFL Superpro 1 · Neutro 1 · Amazons Attack Prologue · Amazons Attack 1 and 2 · Amazons Attack 3 and 4 · Amazons Attack 5 and 6 · Sultry Teenage Super-Foxes 1 · Top 15 Worst Heroes Becoming Villains · Daredevil 305 · Daredevil 306 · Blue Beetle Tribute · World of Warcraft 2 and 3 · Captain Planet and the Planeteers 3 · Wolverine: Adamantium Rage · Youngblood 1 · New Guardians 2 · The Marriage of Hercules and Xena · Secret Defenders 9 · Secret Defenders 10 · Superman vs Terminator 1 · Countdown Prologue · Countdown Part 1 · Countdown Part 2 · Top 15 Worst Moments of Countdown · Xena 1 · Cable 1 · Law and Order 1 · Batman: Fortunate Son · Air Raiders 1 · Nightcat 1 · Zero Patrol 1 · Blood Pack 1 · Mickey Mantle 2 · Adventures of the Kool-Aid Man 1 · Silent Hill: Dying Inside 1 and 2 · Silent Hill: Dying Inside 3 and 4 · Silent Hill: Dying Inside 5 · Maximum Clonage · 22 Brides 1 · All-Star Batman and Robin 1 and 2 · Doom 1 · Spider-Man, Storm and Cage · Bimbos in Time · The Dark Knight Strikes Again Part 1 · Extreme Super Christmas Special 1 · James Bond, Jr. 3 · Top 15 Missed Opportunities of AT4W
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2010:
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Pitt 1 · Scarlett comic 1 · Future Five 1 · Ultimates 3 1 and 2 · Ultimates 3 3 and 4 · Ultimates 3 5 · Youngblood 2 · Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers 1 · Strange Adventures 136 · Doom's IV 1/2 · X-Men comic 1 · Darker Image 1 · The Dark Knight Strikes Again Part 2 · Sultry Teenage Super-Foxes 2 · Star Trek/X-Men 1 · Athena 1 · JLA - Act of God Part 1 · JLA - Act of God Part 2 · JLA - Act of God Part 3 · Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Meet Archie · Lunatik 1 · Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos 1 · AT4W & Spoony: Experiment Warrior 2-3 · The Dark Knight Strikes Again Part 3 · Tandy Computer Whiz Kids: Fit to Win · Anita Blake: The Laughing Corpse 1-2 · Freak Force 1 · Chain Gang War 1 · Ewoks 9 · Cable 2 · The California Raisins 3-D 2 · Hardcore Station 1 · The Others 1 and Brute Force 1 · Amazing Spider-Man: Skating on Thin Ice 1 · Star Trek Voyager: Elite Force · Action Comics 592 · Action Comics 593 · Top 15 Comics I'll Never Review · 100th Episode · Nolan Ryan 1 · Transformers comics 4-5 · Silent Hill: Dead/Alive 1 and 2 · Silent Hill: Dead/Alive 3 and 4 · Silent Hill: Dead/Alive 5 · Spider-Man: The Greatest Responsibility · Action Comics 1 · Amazing Fantasy 15 · Detective Comics 27 · The X-Men 1 · Brute Force 2 · New Kids on the Block 4 · Marvel Team Up 127 · Santa Claus Conquers the Martians · Top 15 Screw-Ups of Atop the Fourth Wall
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2011:
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Justice League: Cry for Justice 1-2 · Justice League: Cry for Justice 3-4 · Power Rangers Zeo 1 · Justice League: Cry for Justice 5-7 · Care Bears 13 · Superman: Distant Fires · Youngblood 3 · Doctor Who Classics 7 · Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four in... Brain Drain! · KISS Comics · Superman and Wonder Woman: Tandy Computer Whiz Kids · Spawn 1 · X-Force 1 · The Backstreet Project 1 · All-Star Batman and Robin 3 and 4 · Lady Gaga 1 · Star Trek: The Motion Picture 1-3 · The Godyssey 1 · Superman Meets the Quik Bunny · Ultimate Warrior's Workout · Ultimatum 1-2 · Ultimatum 3-4 · Ultimatum 5 · SCI-Spy 2 · Miller Time: Batman/Spawn · Gameboy 1 · Eminem and the Punisher 1 · Barbi Twin Adventures 1 · Rise of Arsenal 1-2 · Rise of Arsenal 3-4 · Comic Book Advertisements · Star Trek 2 (Gold Key) · PSA Hell: Captain America: Return of the Asthma Monster! · NBComics 1 · Mightily Murdered Power Ringers 1 · Kamandi at Earth's End 1 · US-1 2 · Twilight Zone 9 · Superman and the TRS-80 Whiz Kids: The Computers that Saved Metropolis! · Street Fighter 1 (Malibu) · Silent Hill: Paint It Black · Silent Hill: Among the Damned · Silent Hill: The Grinning Man · Spider-Man: Planet of the Symbiotes · Pokémon - The Electric Tale of Pikachu · All-Star Comics 8 · The Fantastic Four 1 · All-American Comics 16 · Captain America Comics 1 · Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan 1 · Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan 2 · Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan 3 · Top 15 Personal Favorite Jokes of AT4W
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2012:
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Marville 1 · Miller Time: Robocop vs. the Terminator 1 · Brute Force 3 · 15 Things That Are Wrong With Identity Crisis · New Guardians 1 · Gameboy 2 · Youngblood 4 · Star Trek III: The Search for Spock · Mr. T 1 (AP Comics) · Mr. T 2 · The Amazing Spider-Man and Captain America in Dr. Doom's Revenge! · The Invincible Four of Kung-Fu & Ninja 1 · Kamandi at Earth's End 2 · Black Web 1 · Transformers: Generation 2 1 · Captain Tax Time 1 · Superman 701 · Bloodstrike 1 · Marville 2 · The Amazing Spider-Man on Bullying Prevention 1 · The New Teen Titans Anti-Drug Giveaway 1 · Daredevil vs Vapora 1 · Batman: A Word to the Wise · Marvel Team-Up 74 · Blake's 7 2 · Battle for Bludhaven 1-2 · Battle for Bludhaven 3-4 · Battle for Bludhaven 5-6 · Sir Charles Barkley and the Referee Murders · Captain Electron 1 · Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home · 200th Episode · Rock 'N Roll 31 · Future Shock 1 · Catwoman: Guardian of Gotham 1 · Catwoman: Guardian of Gotham 2 · Psychoman 1 · Marville 3 · Tandy Computer Whiz Kids: The Answer to a Riddle · Batman: Jazz 1 · Starstream 1 · The Thing From Another World 1 · The Thing From Another World 2 · Spider-Man: Power and Responsibility · Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror 2 · Flash Comics 1 · Tales of Suspense 39 · The Brave and the Bold 54 · The Incredible Hulk 1 · Superman's Christmas Adventure · Archie Giant Series Magazine 452 · Teen Titans 13: A Swingin' Christmas Carol · Batman: Noel · The Next 15 Screw-Ups of Atop the Fourth Wall
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2013:
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Kamandi at Earth's End 3 · Raver 1 · Transformers 31 · Happy Days 2 · All-Star Batman and Robin 5 · Youngblood 5 · Star Wars 3-D 1 · Marville #4 · Titans Retrospective: Team History · Titans Retrospective: JLA/Titans: The Technis Imperative · Titans Retrospective: Titans 1-25 · Titans Retrospective: Titans 26-50 · Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster · Power Pachyderms 1 · Star Trek V: The Final Frontier · Dragnet 4 · Wild Thing 1 · Spider-Man 2099 1 · Punisher 2099 1 · Doom 2099 1 · Ravage 2099 1 · Comic Book Quickies 1 · Kamandi at Earth's End 4 · SCI-Spy 3 · Star Trek: The Next Generation/X-Men 1 · Mr. T and the T-Force 2 · Miller Time: All-Star Batman and Robin 6 · Tandy Computer Whiz Kids: A Deadly Choice · Battlestar Galactica: Journey's End 1 · Marville 5 · Miller Time: Tales to Offend 1 · The Culling: Teen Titans Annual 1 · The Culling: Superboy 9 · The Culling: Legion Lost 9 · The Culling: Teen Titans 9 · Plan 9 From Outer Space: 30 Years Later 1 · Brute Force 4 · Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country · SCI-Spy 4 · The Thing From Another World: Climate of Fear 1-2 · The Thing From Another World: Climate of Fear 3-4 · Spider-Man: Crossfire · 2001: A Space Odyssey 1 · Showcase 4 · Tales to Astonish 27 · Showcase 22 · Journey into Mystery 83 · The Punisher: Silent Night 1 · Solson Christmas Special featuring Samurai Santa 1 · Star Trek: The Next Generation 2 · Doctor Who Classic Comics 15 · The Next 15 Missed Opportunities of AT4W
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2014:
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Marville 6-7 · Comic Book Quickies 2 · Miller Time: All-Star Batman and Robin 7 · Preparedness 101: A Zombie Pandemic · Gameboy 3 · US-1 3 · Youngblood 6 · Star Trek: Generations · The A-Team 1 · The Wild 1 · Kamandi at Earth's End 5 · Nova Girls: Kissing Canvas · Avengers 200 · SCI-Spy 5 · Red Hood and the Outlaws 1 · Athena 2 · Bill and Ted's Excellent Comic Book 1 · Zolastraya and the Bard 1 · PSA Hell: Superman: For the Animals 1 · Chuck Norris: Karate Kommandos 2 · Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: The Movie 1 · Speed Steer 5 · Batman: Jazz 2 · 2001: A Space Odyssey 2 · Comic Book Quickies 3 · 300th Episode · 300th Episode: Part 2 · 300th Episode: Part 3 · Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters 1 · Batman: Shadow of the Bat 56 · Sinnamon 1 · US-1 4 · The Adventures of Jell-O Man and Wobbly 1 · Miller Time: All-Star Batman and Robin 8 · Tandy Computer Whiz Kids: The Computer That Said No to Drugs · Marvel Super Special 17 · SCI-Spy 6 · Kamandi at Earth's End 6 · Sonic Super Special 7 · Star Trek: First Contact · Cosmic Slam 1 · The Thing from Another World: Eternal Vows 1-2 · The Thing from Another World: Eternal Vows 3-4 · The Thing from Another World: Questionable Research · Spider-Man: The Trial of Peter Parker · Whiz Comics 2 · Tales to Astonish 44 · Detective Comics 38 · The Avengers 1 · The Hobbit 1 · The Hobbit 2 · The Hobbit 3 · Santa the Barbarian 1 · Top 15 Worst Comics I've Reviewed
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2015:
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Miller Time: All-Star Batman and Robin 9 · Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters 2 · Trouble 1 · Comic Book Quickies 4 · PSA Hell: Energy and Safety with the Justice League · Youngblood 7 · ROMTROSPECTIVE: ROM Spaceknight 1-40 · ROMTROSPECTIVE: ROM Spaceknight 41-75 · The Star Wars 1 · Batman: Jazz 3 · Mr. T and the T-Force 3 · Big Bang Presents 3: Protoplasman! · Crimson 1 · Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines (RPG Game) · Titans: Scissors, Paper, Stone · PSA Hell: Batman: Shadow of the Bat 57 · Comic Book Quickies 5 · Avengers Assemble Featuring Captain Citrus 1 · Doctor Who/Star Trek: The Next Generation: Assimilation Squared · My Cage · The Punisher 60 · The Punisher 61 & 62 · Steam Wars · Ultimate Power 1-2 · Homestuck, Act 1 · Atomic Robo, Vol. 3 · Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating Superman · Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating Batman · Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating Wonder Woman · Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating The Flash · Zyuranger Episodes 17-22 · Tandy Computer Whiz Kids: The Computer Trap · Trouble 2 · Pokémon Reburst, Chapter 1 · Green Lantern 23.1 · Team Youngblood 1 · US-1 5 · The Star Wars 2 · Power Man and Iron Fist 79 · Nightmares on Elm Street 1-2 · Nightmares on Elm Street 3-4 · Nightmares on Elm Street 5-6 · Spider-Man: Virtual Mortality · More Fun Comics 73 · Daredevil 1 · Action Comics 252 · Tales of Suspense 52 · Atop the Fourth Wall: The Movie, Part 1 · Atop the Fourth Wall: The Movie, Part 2 · Atop the Fourth Wall: The Movie, Part 3 · Atop the Fourth Wall: The Movie, Part 4 · Atop the Fourth Wall: The Movie, Part 5 · Deadpool Bi-Annual 1 · Cho Dengeki Stryker · Zombies Christmas Carol 1-3 · Zombies Christmas Carol 4-5 · Another 15 Missed Opportunities of AT4W
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2016:
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NFL SuperPro Special Edition 1 · Popeye: Borned to the Sea 1 · OnStar Batman Auto Show Special Edition 1 · Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters 3 · The Star Wars 3 · Youngblood 8 · All-Star Batman and Robin 10 · Pokémon Adventures Ch. 1-2 · Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger Episodes 1-5 · Blue-Skying, Part 1: Blue Beetle Dan Garrett · Blue-Skying, Part 2: Blue Beetle Ted Kord · Blue-Skying, Part 3: Blue Beetle Jaime Reyes · Blue-Skying, Part 4: Blue Beetle Jaime Reyes New 52 · Star Trek Special: Flesh and Stone · Blackest Night 1-8 · Dart 1 · Batman: Shadow of the Bat 58 · The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky · Ultimate Power 3 · Star Trek: The Next Generation 3 · Comic Book Quickies 6 · 400th Episode · 400th Episode: Part 2 · Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man · Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day 1 · Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day 2 · Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day 3 · 15 Things Wrong With Marvel's Civil War · Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 1 · The Minister of Chance · US-1 6 · Star Trek: Voyager 1 · Unsounded, Chapter 1 · Biggles and the Menace from Space · Batman and Robin: The Official Comic Adaptation · Superman and the TRS-80 Computer Whiz Kids: Victory by Computer · Star Trek/Green Lantern: The Spectrum War · My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic 27-28 · Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Ch. 1 · Pryde of the X-Men · A Nightmare on Elm Street: Paranoid 1 · A Nightmare on Elm Street: Paranoid 2 · A Nightmare on Elm Street: Paranoid 3 · Spider-Man: Cyberwar · The Real Ghostbusters in Ghostbusters II 1-3 · Strange Tales 110 · More Fun Comics 73: Aquaman · Tales of Suspense 57 · All-Star Comics 3 · My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic 2015 Holiday Special · Ghostbusters: Past, Present, and Future · Elvira's House of Mystery Special 1 · Another 15 Screw-Ups of AT4W
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2017:
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Digimon: Digital Monsters 1 · Phonogram: The Immaterial Girl 1-6 · Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 · Trouble 3 · The Star Wars 4 · Spectacular Spider-Man Episode 1x10 - "Persona" · Youngblood 9 · The A-Team 2 · The Batman/Superman Movie: World's Finest · See You Next Mirror: Exiles Retrospective, Part 1 · See You Next Mirror: Exiles Retrospective, Part 2 · Reagan's Raiders 1 · Fist of the North Star, Ch. 1 · Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters 4 · Iron Man: The Animated Series - The Wedding of Iron Man · Athena 3 · Batman: The Dark Knight 1-3 · The New Teen Titans Anti-Drug Giveaway 2 · Crisis on Infinite Earths · Secret Wars (1984) · The Infinity Gauntlet · Flashpoint · Babylon 5 1 · The Star Wars 5 · All-New Ghost Rider, Volume 2 · Robocop vs. the Terminator 2 · Superman vs. the Terminator 2 · Tandy Computer Whiz Kids: News By Computer Foils Kidnappers · Ultimate Power 4 · Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 1 · Batman: Odyssey 1 · Asterix: The Legionary · Comic Book Quickies 7 · JoJo's Bizarre Adventures Episodes 1-4 (2012-2013 series) · Thunderbirds Are Go · Batman: The Official Movie Adaptation · Ultimate Iron Man Vol. 1 1-2 · My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic 11-12 · Stormwatch 0 · A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Beginning 1-2 · A Nightmare on Elm Street: Fearbook · New Line Cinema's Tales of Horror 1 · The Sensational Spider-Man 0 · Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash · Marvel Comics 1 · Brave and the Bold 28 · Kamen Rider Fourze Episodes 1-4 · Clive Barker's Hellraiser Dark Holiday Special · Sensation Comics 14: The Story of Fir Balsam · Steam Wars Holiday Special · Christmas with the Superheroes 2
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2018:
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My Top 15 Favorite Episodes of AT4W · Legion of Superheroes: The Great Darkness Saga · James Bond, Jr. 1 · JLA/Avengers · Homestuck, Act 2 · Isaac Asimov's I-Bots 1 · Thunderstrike 1 · Youngblood 10 · Badrock 1A · Event Comics Month II: Infinite Crisis · Event Comics Month II: Infinity War · Event Comics Month II: World War Hulk · Event Comics Month II: Final Crisis · Power Rangers Turbo vs. Beetleborgs Metallix 1 · Diesel 1 · Teen Titans: "Betrayal" and "Aftershock, Parts 1 and 2" · The Punisher: Purgatory · Comic Book Quickies 8 · 500th Episode · Dark Knight III: The Master Race 1-2 · Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating Green Lantern · The New Guardians 3 · US-1 7 · Nova Girls: Space 34-24-34 · Batman: Odyssey 2 · Star Wars 3-D 2 · Pokémon - The Electric Tale of Pikachu 3 · PSA Hell: Captain America Meets the Asthma Monster · Superman and Spider-Man · Amazing Cow Heroes 4: Cold Cuts · Ravage 2099 2 · Adventures of the Kool-Aid Man 2 · Tandy Computer Whiz Kids: Safeguarding the Environment · Mr. T and the T-Force 4 · Star Trek 2 (DC) · Star Trek (2009): The Official Motion Picture Adaptation · Star Trek: The Next Generation 4 · Star Trek 1 (Gold Key) · Silent Hill: Hunger · The Thing: The Northern Nightmare · Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash: The Nightmare Warriors · Spider-Man: Smoke and Mirrors · Hellraiser: Hell on Earth · Fantastic Four 52 · Marvel Comics 1 (The Human Torch) · The Incredible Hulk 181 · The New Mutants 98 · Batman Returns: The Official Comic Adaptation · The Punisher: Red X-Mas · Star Wars: The Force Awakens Comic Adaptation · Luke Cage, Hero for Hire 7
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2019:
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Yet Another 15 Missed Opportunities of AT4W · Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters 5 · Batman/Aliens 1 · Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel · Pokémon 15x19-20 "Cilan Takes Flight" and "An Amazing Aerial Battle" · Tomb Raider Vol. 3: Queen of Serpents · Little Victory: Chimera 1 · Youngblood 0 · Kickers, Inc. 1 · The Savage Dragon 1 · Darkwing Duck 1-4 · The California Raisins 3-D 5 · Hellstar Remina, Ch. 1-3 · Gallery of Horrors · Batman: The Dark Knight 16-17 · Tremors · Ultimate Power 5-6 · Batman Forever: The Official Comic Adaptation · Street Fighter: The Official Comic Adaptation · Catwoman: The Official Comic Adaptation · Dune: The Official Comic Adaptation · Superman IV: The Quest for Peace Movie Special · Justice is Silent: Cassandra Caintrospective, Part 1 · Justice is Silent: Cassandra Caintrospective, Part 2 · Justice is Silent: Cassandra Caintrospective, Part 3 · US-1 8 · Tandy Computer Whiz Kids: Community Action Program · Captain America Goes to War Against Drugs · Comic Book Swimsuit Issues · Batman 45-47: The Gift · Star Trek: The Next Generation 5 · The A-Team 3 · JoJo's Bizarre Adventures Episodes 5-9 · Trouble 4 · Franken Fran, Ch. 1 and 4 · Youngblood: Judgment Day · Teen Titans 27-28 · Clive Barker's Hellraiser 1 · Clive Barker's Hellraiser Summer Special · Clive Barker's Hellraiser Spring Slaughter · Spider-Man: The Exile Returns · Detective Comics 225 (Martian Manhunter) · Batman: Harley Quinn 1 · DC Comics Presents 26 · The Flash 123 · Evil Dead 2: A Merry Deadmite X-Mas · Transformers (UK) 145 · The All-New Batman: The Brave and the Bold 14 · Star Wars: The Last Jedi Comic Adaptation
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2020:
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Top 15 Dumbest Evil Plans of AT4W · Batman/Aliens 2 · Star vs. the Forces of Evil: Deep Trouble 1-4 · Megamind · Revolution · Superman vs. Muhammad Ali · Hellstar Remina, Ch. 4-6 · Youngblood: Strikefile 1 · Comic Book Quickies 9 · Black Panther, Vol. 4 1-6 · Batman: Odyssey 3 · Justice League/Mighty Morphin Power Rangers · The Champions, Vol. 3 1-4: Beat the Devil · Star Trek vs. Transformers · Athena 4 · Daredevil: Born Again · Action Comics 775 · Comic Book Quickies 10 · 600th Episode · Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Comic Adaptation · Star Wars: Attack of the Clones Comic Adaptation · Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Comic Adaptation · Star Wars: Rogue One Comic Adaptation · DC Challenge! 1 · Kyoryu Sentai Zyurangers Episodes 40-43 · Trouble 5 · Dan Dare: Voyage to Venus · Superman 358 · Zero Hour: Crisis in Time · House of M · Secret Empire · Heroes in Crisis · Animax 1 · Ninjutsu 1-2 · Green Goblin 1-2, 4, 8, 12-13 · US-1 9 · Emergency! 1 · Mr. T and the T-Force 5 · Pinhead 1-3 · Pinhead 4-6 · Pinhead vs. Marshal Law · Spider-Man: Web of Life · Marvel Super-Heroes 12 (Captain Marvel) · The Flash 110 · The Amazing Spider-Man 129 · Awesome Comics Holiday Special · Transformers (UK) 41 · Solo: A Star Wars Story Comic Adaptation
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2021:
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Yet Another 15 Screw-Ups of AT4W · Star Trek Book and Record Set: Dinosaur Planet · DC Challenge! 2 · The Mighty Heroes 1 · Justice League 1x01-3: Secret Origins · The Star Wars 6 · The King of Braves GaoGaiGar Ep. 1-4 · Youngblood: Strikefile 2 · Pokémon 15×01-02: "Enter Elesa, Electrifying Gym Leader" & "Dazzling the Nimbasa Gym" · Stanley and his Monster 1-4 · Marvel Than Meets the Eye: The Transformers 1-40 · Marvel Than Meets the Eye: Transformers 41-80 · Marvel Than Meets the Eye: Generation 2 and Regeneration One · Star Trek 9 (Gold Key) · Star Trek/Legion of Superheroes · Mystery Science Theater 3000 1 · Batman: The Dark Knight Returns · Ultimate Power 7-8 · Batman: The Dark Knight 23.4 · Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating Aquaman · Sword Interval: Flashback Arc · PSA Hell: The Amazing Spider-Man: Riot at Robotworld · Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (Ultimate Edition) · Transformers/Ghostbusters: Ghosts of Cybertron · The New Guardians 4 · Codename: Ninja 1 · Batman: Hush · Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger Ep. 15-16 · Mr. T and the T-Force 6 · Doom’s IV 1 · Batman and Elmer Fudd & Catwoman and Sylvester and Tweety · Batman: Odyssey 4 · The Dresden Files: Storm Front, Vol. 1 · US-1 10 · Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters 6 · DC Challenge! 3 · Marvel Super Special 1: KISS · The Ring, Vol. 1 · The Ring, Vol. 2 · Spider-Man: Web of Death · Detective Comics 359 · The X-Men 4 · Batman 1 · Spider-Man Holiday Special 1995 · The Adventures of Chrissie Claus 1 · Christmas Quickies 1 · Still Another 15 Missed Opportunities of AT4W
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2022:
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Ultimate Power 9 · The Adventures of Superboy 3x05-06 and 4x07-08 · Batman: The Killing Joke Adaptation · Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating the JLA · Chew: Poyo Character Focus · Youngblood: Strikefile 3 · Doctor Who: Logopolis · Armageddon 2001 · Secret Invasion · Civil War II · Dark Nights: Metal · The Star Wars 7 · Sonic the Hedgehog: Tangle and Whisper · Star Trek: The Next Generation/X-Men: Planet X · Stargate SG-1: P.O.W. · Man of Steel · Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters 7 · Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger Episodes 17-21 · US-1 11 · X-Men Green · Spider-Man: Maximum Carnage · DC Challenge! 4 · Comic Book Quickies 11 · 700th Episode · Ken Penders' The Lost Ones 1 · Star Wars Infinities: A New Hope · Transformers: Deviations · Legion of Superheroes 0 and Legionnaires 0 · Mr. T and the T-Force 7 · The Ring, Vol. 3: Spiral · The Ring, Vol. 4: Birthday · Spider-Man: Funeral for an Octopus · Christmas Quickies 2 · Batman 27: A Christmas Peril · Mr. T and Emmanuel Lewis in A Christmas Dream · Top 15 Goofiest Superheroes of Atop the Fourth Wall
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2023:
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Star Wars: A New Hope Comic Adaptation · Marvelman Family's Finest 1 · Superman vs. Aliens 1 · Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney · Hellblazer: Dangerous Habits · Youngblood: Strikefile 4 · What Dreams May Come, Part 1: The Sandman 1-20 · What Dreams May Come, Part 2: The Sandman 21-40 · What Dreams May Come, Part 3: The Sandman 41-60 · What Dreams May Come, Part 4: The Sandman 61-75 · Animax 2 · The Dome: Ground Zero · Action Comics 1 (Non-Superman Stories) · Transformers (UK) 132-134 · Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating Robin · Mr. T and the T-Force 8 · The Dresden Files: Storm Front, Vol. 2: Maelstrom · Captain Marvel: The Last Avenger · E-Robot, Ch. 1 · Overwatch: Legacy and Old Soldiers · Green Lantern: Emerald Twilight · Back to the Future: Who is Marty McFly? · Super Soldier 1 · Legends of the Dark Claw 1 · Spider-Boy 1 · Assassins 1 · DC Challenge! 5 · US-1 12 · The Star Wars 8 · Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters 8 · The Ring, Vol 0: Birthday · Sadako at the End of the World · Spider-Man: The Mark of Kaine · Sadako-San and Sadako-Chan · Doctor Who: Remembrance of the Daleks · Doctor Who: The Klepton Parasites · Doctor Who: The Chimes of Midnight · Yu-Gi-Oh: Capsule Monsters Ep. 1-3 · Klaus 1-7
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2024:
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Still Another 15 Mistakes of AT4W · Batman vs. the Predator 1 · Ben 10 Ep. 1×01, 09, 13 · Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger Ep. 14, 22-24 · Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Comic Adaptation · Sonic/Mega Man: Worlds Collide, Act 1
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Specials:
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AT4W 2009 Trailer · Linkara's Take on Watchmen · Watchmen Review · Theme Song Contest · The Spoony Experiment: Warrior #1 · Theme Song Contest Winner! · Blackest Night · Silent Hill: Dying Inside Trailer · Silent Hill Alternate Endings · AT4W & Spoony: Experiment Warrior 2-3 · October 2010 Trailer · Silent Hill: Dead/Alive Review Alternate Endings · The Live Show! · AT4W Story Recap · October 2011 Trailer · Return of AT4W Live! · Revenge of the AT4W Live! · Southland Tales · Curse of AT4W Live · House of AT4W Live! · Ghost of AT4W LIVE! · October 2012 Trailers · Bride of AT4W Live! · Son of AT4W Live! · Night of AT4W Live! · Day of AT4W Live! · Dawn of AT4W Live! · Land of AT4W Live! · Diary and Survival of AT4W Live! · Power of AT4W Live! · Midnight of AT4W Live! · Planet of AT4W LIVE! · Genesis of AT4W LIVE! · 300th Episode Livestream Recordings · Destiny of AT4W LIVE! · Resurrection of AT4W LIVE! · Revelation of AT4W Live! · Remembrance of AT4W LIVE! · The New 52 · Atop the Fourth Wall: The Movie, Part 1 · Atop the Fourth Wall: The Movie, Part 2 · Atop the Fourth Wall: The Movie, Part 3 · Atop the Fourth Wall: The Movie, Part 4 · Atop the Fourth Wall: The Movie, Part 5
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