Showcase #22
|
|
Released
|
November 18th, 2013
|
Running time
|
21:11
|
Previous review
|
|
Next review
|
|
Tagline
|
In brightest day, in blackest night... in average afternoon and the smoldering wreckage of a ship...
|
Link
|
|
Linkara: Hello, and welcome to Atop the Fourth Wall, where bad comics burn. And welcome back to Secret Origins Month!
("Secret Origins Month" title is shown)
Linkara: And yes, I know some of you don't like the new "Secret Origins Month" logo, but just consider it a revamping of an old concept, much like Barry Allen for Jay Garrick or today's subject, Hal Jordan for Alan Scott. (beat) Or just that I really like the Avengers theme music.
(Cut to a shot of the cover for "Showcase #4")
Linkara (v/o): Anyway, the year was 1959, and Julius Schwartz was at it again. As we discussed in the "Showcase #4" review, Schwartz was looking to revitalize old properties for the Showcase series, and the creation of Barry Allen had been successful. As such, it was Green Lantern's turn to receive a new lease on life.
(Cut to a shot of the cover of "All-American Comics #16", the origin of the original Green Lantern, Alan Scott)
Linkara (v/o): What happened to Alan Scott? Well, that is the sad tale of comics, my friends. You see, as superheroes were losing popularity, a new character was introduced in the pages of the Green Lantern solo book: Streak the Wonder Dog.
Linkara: And by the way, DC has, like, three or four different (makes "finger quotes") "Wonder Dogs" in their history. Why is it that comic book writers never seem to have access to a thesaurus?
Linkara (v/o): Streak was Alan Scott's dog and could be thought of as his sidekick for a while... until you begin to who is who's sidekick, considering the fact that three separate issues of Alan Scott's book, with Green Lantern logo and everything, have the cover devoted exclusively to Streak the Wonder Dog. That would include the book's final issue, number 38. Yes, things were so bad for superheroes that a friggin' dog was considered more popular than the title character! What's worse, with the ending of that Green Lantern book, Alan Scott would disappear from comics for over a decade, but not Streak! Streak got his own solo feature in Sensation Comics and would eventually serve as the inspiration for Rex the Wonder Dog.
Linkara: One of these days, (points to himself) I'm gonna be a supporting in the show and Pollo is gonna be the host.
Pollo: You're just jealous that I'm better at it than you.
Linkara (v/o): Anyway, the point is that just like with The Flash, Schwartz wanted a revised version of Green Lantern: new powers, new identity, new costume. In particular, he wanted a science-fiction twist on it, handing it over to writer John Broome and artist Gil Kane. And that's where we are now.
Linkara: So let's dig into "Showcase #22" and see the revised origin of the Green Lantern... which most of you are probably aware of anyway, thanks to that movie from a few years ago that everybody but me hates.
(AT4W title sequence plays, and the title card has "We're Going To Fly Now" (from the Green Lantern movie) playing in the background. Cut to the cover for the comic)
Linkara (v/o): Our cover is pretty decent, aside from the logo taking up a full third of the page. It features Hal Jordan attempting to stop this... giant lawn dart with blasts from his power ring.
Text: Featuring "MENACE OF THE RUNAWAY MISSILE!"
Linkara: When a missile is that size and it's a (makes "finger quotes") "runaway", it stops being a menace and starts being a "Holy crap, get the hell out of the way and seek cover!"
Linkara (v/o): Also, said menace is that it's apparently going to destroy this city.
Linkara: Aaaand then Hal Jordan goes insane, kills the Green Lantern Corps, tries to reboot the universe in a crossover, becomes the Spectre, gets reborn again, and Geoff Johns keeps trying to convince us he was the greatest Green Lantern or something. There, I got those references out of the way.
Linkara (v/o): We open with Hal inside of what seems to be a very tiny airplane cockpit and being pulled towards a crashed ship. Seriously, look how small that thing is. I don't even think his arms go anywhere; it looks like they're just shoved into holes along the side of the controls.
Hal: (thinking) This pilot trainer wasn't meant to fly...
Linkara: I hope you're referring to that cockpit you're inside of as a ("finger quotes") "flight trainer", because if you mean yourself, I'm kind of confused how you can train people to fly without having done so yourself. And I mean before the age of Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Linkara (v/o): Yeah, he seems to be referring to the tiny cockpit thing he's in, but again, I'm not even sure how that's an accurate testing device when it looks like the dashboard is shoved up right into his face. There's not even room for a joystick or anything.
Narrator: Hal Jordan had a fine reputation as an ace test pilot whose remarkable lack of fear was known to all his associates!
Linkara: (narrator voice) He was known as a psychopath, since a lack of fear usually means an inability to recognize danger or can even result in reckless endangerment of himself or others.
Narrator: But Hal never dreamed his reputation was so widespread that an unearthly being would single him out to receive the greatest gift in the universe!
Linkara: (narrator voice) The gift of Mylar!
Linkara (v/o): And the actual opening is, well, in the same spot, the crashed ship.
Narrator: In a desolate spot in the southwest U.S.A., where a strange craft has crash-landed... and inside, an alien being is giving off his last thoughts...
Linkara: (imitating dying alien's expression, speaking in thought) Oh, crap, I forgot to pay my water bill this month!
Linkara (v/o): But yeah, this is Abin Sur lying on the floor of his crashed spaceship.
Abin: (thinking) No use...fooling yourself, Abin Sur... You are dying! You have only a short time to live...
Linkara: (as Abin) And it's probably best that I'm spending that short time reminding myself what the definition of (makes "finger quotes") "dying" is.
Abin Sur: (thinking) And you know what your duty is...to pass on the battery of power to...a deserving one!
Linkara: (as Abin, pretending to write something on a piece of paper) Must... fill out... estate tax form...
Linkara (v/o): I love how this is the policy of the Green Lantern Corps: you die on an alien planet, and your most powerful weapon is just handed off to a guy that your super space lantern decides would be okay. I mean, I'm just saying this isn't how normal law enforcement operates. When a policeman dies, his badge doesn't fly off to find a new person to become a cop, although that would be awesome. Joe Friday could be Kilowog. Anyway, Abin Sur puts his hand inside of the battery and commands it to find somebody who deserves it.
Abin: (thinking) Seek and find...and bring him to me!
Linkara: (as Abin Sur) And try to find someone who's in the middle of doing something else in order to heighten drama, tension, and make things as embarrassing for them as possible.
Abin: (thinking) He must be one without fear! Entirely without fear!
Linkara: I hate to keep harping on this, but fear is a perfectly natural and helpful emotion sometimes. Completely fearless people tend to be crazy people who don't care about other living beings.
Narrator: With the speed of light, the energy beam crisscrosses the Earth...
Linkara: (narrator voice) Its GPS keeps pointing it in the wrong direction.
Narrator: Meanwhile, at the Ferris Aircraft Company, Hal Jordan, test pilot, sits in a trainer of his own design...
Linkara: (narrator voice) Since he is a test pilot and not an engineer, it's a pretty crappy design.
Hal: (thinking) This flightless trainer help turn out space pilots of the future--!
Linkara: (laughs) That's not how space travel works, Hal.
Linkara (v/o): The light from the green lantern engulfs the entire test vehicle and sends Hal flying through the air in a green glow.
(Cut to a clip of the Mystery Science Theater 3000 gang watching This Island Earth)
Tom Servo: (as Cal Meacham, whose aircraft glows green) And suddenly, I have a refreshing mint flavor.
(Cut back to the comic)
Linkara (v/o): The test vehicle lands outside the crash and he climbs out. He approaches the ship and finds Abin Sur laying in the wreckage.
Abin: Come in, Hal Jordan!
Hal: (thinking) Good gosh! A spaceman-- communicating with me by telepathy!
Linkara: (as Abin) Yes, and while you may be fearless, I really did not need to know what turns you on!
Linkara (v/o): Hal offers to help Abin, but he says there's no time to heal him.
Linkara: (as Hal) Really? Because you seem well enough to explain all this stuff to me. (as Abin) Nope, I'm as good as dead. (as Hal) I mean, this is the DC Universe. We can probably find a scientist who can heal your injuries. (as Abin) Nah, I'm totally a goner. Just, uh, take the lantern and be a superhero or something. (as Hal) You're just messing with me, aren't you? (as Abin) More like committing insurance fraud, actually. I've got a great life insurance policy that's going to go to my (makes "finger quotes") "twin brother".
Abin: Look at this battery, Hal Jordan...
Linkara: (as Abin) Yes, even on our planet, we have the Energizer Bunny.
Hal: Why...It looks like a green lantern...
Abin: Yes...in your words...a green lantern...
Linkara: Aaaand in everybody else's words, Abin, since everybody else calls it a green lantern. Well, except for Rot Lop Fan of the F-Sharp Bell Corps, but he's a special case.
Abin: But actually it is a battery of power... given only to selected space-patrolmen in the super-galactic system... to be used as a weapon against forces of evil and injustice...
Linkara: (as Abin) It also makes green eggs and ham.
(Cut to a closeup of the carpeting on the floor. A Cybermat rolls across several times, making beeping noises as it does so, creating this message in the floor: "We'll Be Right Back", along with the AT4W logo appearing in the corner. We cut to a commercial. Upon return, the Cybermat rolls across the floor again, this time leaving the message, "And Now We're Back", with the AT4W logo appearing in the corner again. We cut back to the Green Lantern comic)
Abin: It is our duty...when disaster strikes... to pass on the battery of power...
Linkara (v/o): Uh, didn't you just say it was only given to "selected space patrolmen"? I guess "selected" means "the first idiot the ring feels like giving it to.
Abin: ...to pass on the battery of power... to another who is fearless... and honest!
Linkara: I don't recall other Green Lantern stories requiring any members of the Corps to never tell a lie. Or maybe they're always truthful, and if they're not, their noses grow and become green.
Linkara (v/o): Hal gets closer and Abin uses his ring on Hal's face. Yeah, shine a bright, green light in his eyes, dude. That'll endear Hal to your cause.
Abin: Yes...by the green beam of my ring... I see that you are honest!
Linkara: (as Hal) Yep, and that's why they call me "Honest Al". (as Abin) But... isn't your name Hal? (as Hal) Well, yeah, but then it would be "Honest (pronounces the "H") Hal", and who would say it like that? (shrugs)
Abin: And the battery has already selected you as one born without fear! So you pass both tests, Hal Jordan...
Linkara: (as Abin) Now, I'll just need a urine sample and a lock of hair for the next round of tests.
Abin: (narrating) There is still much to tell you...and only moments left!
Linkara: (as Hal) Should I bring a message to your family or something? (as Abin) Nah, I think it'd be better if I just told the story of how I crashed, even though it's not important at all.
Abin: (narrating) My ship was battered... in the deadly radiation bands surrounding your planet...
Linkara: You mean the Van Allen belt? You would think if they were smart enough to build interstellar spacecrafts and rings that can create energy constructs, you would know about that kind of thing.
Linkara (v/o): A bright yellow light blinded Abin Sur at the controls and he was forced to crash. Why is he explaining this? Well, because the Green Lantern ring will let him affect anything around him... unless it's the color yellow.
Abin: The unique metal which charges the battery with its wondrous power has a yellow impurity in it! Strangely enough, if the yellow impurity is removed, the battery loses its power!
Linkara: (as Abin) Admittedly, we probably shouldn't have let our test pilots build the batteries, but... eh, whatever. It's a good thing you humans don't do anything like that.
Linkara (v/o): Now, whenever someone hears about how Green Lantern's weakness is the color yellow, most people groan that it's just a silly and stupid idea that doesn't make any sense... which in turn makes me scratch my head. This is a story about a bald, pink spaceman who talks to a human telepathically so he can hand over a deadly weapon to him in order for him to become a space cop and said weapon allows him to create any green energy construct his mind can think up. This entire friggin' idea is silly! Superheroes are silly! The yellow thing is really not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things. Superheroes need weaknesses or flaws, or they're not interesting. Even Superman is vulnerable to kryptonite, magic and scripts.
Linkara: Plus, we later found out that the impurity is actually an alien space bug that is the embodiment of fear that was locked away inside the central power battery to help protect the universe. (beat) What? It makes sense to me. This is not the weirdest thing we've seen in comics, guys.
Linkara (v/o): Anyway, he further explains that the ring's charge will only last about 24 hours and that it needs to be recharged through the battery. (singsong voice) And then he dies!
Narrator: After Hal Jordan has followed the spaceman's orders in disposing of all the remnants of him and his rocket...
Linkara: Um, narrator, he never told Hal to do that. Did they just run out of room to have him actually tell Hal that? Why would he want it hidden? Hal's gonna choose of his own volition to keep this a secret.
Hal: (thinking) The spaceman told me to take his special uniform!
Linkara: Um, no, he didn't! I've been reading this whole story, dude! Stop friggin' graverobbing!
Linkara (v/o): Maybe that's the secret fetish that Abin Sur detected with his telepathy: Hal's desire to strip dead people naked. Trying out the power ring for the first time, he manages to use it to lift up a group of large rocks.
Hal: Lifting a cliff into the air! I can do anything I want with this ring... Anything I will to happen... I can make happen!
Linkara: (as Hal, holding up hands) I can make One Direction not have horrible lyrics in their songs! Or Robin Thicke! I AM A GOD!!
Hal: (thinking) But to be safe I must use it only in the greatest secrecy!
Linkara: (as Hal) Which is why my outfit will be bright green, and I shall hide myself with only a mask that covers... mmm, part of my face, while I retain the same hairstyle.
Hal: (thinking) I know--! I'll adopt a secret identity-- I'll call myself Green Lantern--after the power battery!
Linkara: (as Hal) Or just like that comic book hero who coincidentally also got a magic lantern that shoots green energy!
Linkara (v/o): And so, our story ends with Hal putting the ring inside of the battery... which seems to be emitting yellow light. Or lime green; take your pick.
Hal: (thinking) And in time I hope to make Green Lantern a name to be feared by evildoers everywhere!
Linkara: (as Hal, holding up fist) I may be fearless, but I do enjoy scaring the crap out of other people!
Linkara (v/o): And like Flash's "Showcase" issue, the other two stories here are short Green Lantern romps that introduce more elements of the character. Since they're not exclusively the origin, I'm gonna leave them out of detailed analysis. First, there's "Secret of the Flaming Spear", which talks about...
Text: The highly-secret experimental space-plane-- called the Flaming Spear...
Linkara: Just a tip: people are usually kind of nervous about flying in something named an object that (makes a falling motion with his hand) falls towards the ground. And is on fire.
Linkara (v/o): Also, as we see here, Hal inherited Alan's ability to just go through walls. However, the story does introduce Carol Ferris, future villainess/sorta heroine, Star Sapphire... who actually becomes Hal's boss at the end of the story. Said story, despite being called "The Secret of the Flaming Spear", does not actually have a secret, but rather some crooks who use a "radiation-sender" – keep working on that name, guys; it's not exactly going to work well in advertising – to bring down the plane. Why were they trying to bring down the plane? Uh... Um... Well, the important thing is that the crooks are caught. Yay, that sure was some secret, wasn't it?
(Cut to the second story, the one displayed on the cover)
Linkara (v/o): The second story is "Menace of the Runaway Missile!", which of course can't be stopped by Hal because it's yellow... because necessities of the plot. The important thing about this story is that despite all the damn talk about Hal being fearless, he's actually really scared about asking Carol on another date, because that makes sense. Speaking of, the dude wraps his arms around her, traps her next to a locker, and keeps asking her out despite her constant refusal.
Linkara: (incredulously) Okay, last week, ToddInTheShadows and I both made references to Alien Ant Farm, and now both the Critic and I have made reference to sexual harassment in the workplace! The hell is going on?!
Linkara (v/o): But yeah, Hal, you're acting like a creepy asshole to your boss. See, naysayers? Hal Jordan does have a personality. It's just not an entirely pleasant one. Also, some asshole scientist wanted to be the first to create sustainable hydrogen power, so he sent off a nuclear missile to destroy the government's research on the subject... and then had a battering ram ready to use on Green Lantern if he showed up, which Hal subsequently transmogrifies into water. Because this is the Silver Age, and the logic is a thing that happens to other people. Speaking of making sense, Hal showed up to a fancy party dressed as the Green Lantern and made out with Carol before he spotted the missile. And she's pissed at the Green Lantern because he kept his eyes open during the kiss, which she shouldn't be able to know because her eyes were closed. Well! Of course!
Linkara: I snark, but the origin was pretty good. The Green Lantern's power set here is... pretty unclear, but the origin is perfectly sound, despite the praising of Hal Jordan being supposedly so "fearless". Next week, we close out Secret Origins Month not with science, but with (spreads arms out) maaaaagic!
(End credits roll)
In case you were wondering, the oath IS said in the Flaming Spear story. It's just we kind of had to overlook that as we were searching for what the "secret" of the plane was supposed to be.
I think most professions should be decided by having a super space object select the next guy to have the job. Presidential elections would be especially neat if there was a ring of office that flew off every four years to select a new guy. "Are you a bad enough dude to BE the President?"
(Stinger: Footage of the Green Lantern movie is shown: Carol Ferris (Blake Lively) discovers Green Lantern (Ryan Reynold)'s true identity)
Carol: (stunned) Hal? (recoiling with her hand over her mouth) Oh, my G...! Oh, my God! Oh, my God! (takes hands away) Hal!
Hal Jordan/Green Lantern: How did you know it was me?
Carol: What do you mean?! I've known you my whole life! I've seen you naked! You don't think I would recognize you because I can't see your cheekbones?!
(end)
Atop the Fourth Wall Transcripts
|
2008:
|
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
|
2009:
|
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
|
2010:
|
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
|
2011:
|
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
|
2012:
|
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
|
2013:
|
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
|
2014:
|
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
|
2015:
|
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
|
2016:
|
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
|
2017:
|
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
|
2018:
|
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
|
2019:
|
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
|
2020:
|
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
|
2021:
|
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
|
2022:
|
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
|
2023:
|
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
|
2024:
|
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
|
Specials:
|
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
|