Head's World!: Atom

Showing posts with label Atom. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Episode 32: The Atom's Homecoming Crisis!

Welcome back true believers....

I know.... I had my third anniversary episode and then I disappear for a couple of months. Sorry about that. I'm hoping I've got this issue sorted out and I can get back to a regular release.

But enough with that... I now bring you Episode 32: The Atom's Homecoming Crisis!

First up on we look at Geekin' With Head, I take a look at DC and their various reboots. They started it with The Crisis on Infinite Earths. Then they had Zero Hour as the Crisis didn't fix their problems (due to issues I talk about this episode). Then more recently they had Flashpoint which rebooted in to the New 52. And most recently they had Rebirth. Why so many? What happened?

This episode I talk about that and also what I would do if I was placed in charge of DC Comics with Head's DC Rebirth.

Then we have "What's In Head's Longbox?", where we continue our Atom coverage with his next appearance... The Crisis on Infinite Earths.
The Atom appears in issues 5,8,9 and 10 (According to Mike's Amazing World of Comics).

Not one of the covers of the comics, but a really cool poster for Crisis. Use to have this on my wall at work at one point.

Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: George Perez
Inker: Jerry Ordway
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Anthony Tollin (Carl Gafford issue 10)

Reprinted In:
Crisis on Infinite Earths HC (1999)
Crisis on Infinite Earths TPB (2001)
Crisis on Infinite Earths:The Absolute Edition HC (2006)

I only briefly touch on the actual story of The Crisis. During this episode I mention a couple of other places to learn more about The Crisis on Infinite Earths:

Interdisciplinary Comics Studies

Chris and Reggie’s Cosmic Treadmill

And Michael Bailey's and Scott Gardner's Tales of the Justice Society. As I say Michael and Scott only are up to issue 4 at this point, as they've had to taken a hiatus, but I'm hoping they return soon as I'm enjoying it.

Then I go to At The Movies With Head. This month I give an overview and my thoughts the newest Spider-Man movie, Spider-Man: Homecoming. Listen in and see if I liked it or not....

I close out the show with: "Where’s Head Going?"

This episode, I look at the podcast: Hollywood Babble On hosted by Ralph Garman and Kevin Smith.

And once again, this month I don't play a final song. Still debating on whether I want to do that at this point.

But if you're in a band and would like your song played on the show, feel free to get in touch with me (music@HeadSpeaks.com)

As always, all copyrights and trademarks are their respective owners. No infringement implied or intended.

If you like the show, be sure to rate us and leave some feedback on iTunes.

You can listen to Head Speaks on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, or at my website: http://headspeaks.com
(or on the link at the top of this page).
You can visit our blog directly at http://head.headspeaks.com
Please check out my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/headspeaksheadcast
You can also check me out on Google + by looking for Head Speaks.

E-mail me any bitches, moans, and gripes to: head@headspeaks.com Any and all comments are welcome.

If you want to record a message you can send it to me at head@headspeaks.com

Also check out The Headcast Network which is available on iTunes.
Come, take a listen.

Be sure to join me next time for another fantastic episode of The Head Speaks HeadCast as we check out the Atom in The Atom Special number 3!

See ya next time.

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Episode 31: The Second Sword of the Atom Special and a Third Anniversary!

Welcome back true believers....

This is a special month for Head Speaks. Four years ago, I went and watched Jay and Silent Bob's Groovy Cartoon Movie. Then three years ago, I released my first episode of Head Speaks. Now it's three years later and I present to you.... Episode 31: The Second Sword of the Atom Special and a Third Anniversary!

First up on we look at A Little Head, where I once again talk about my podcasting origins.

Then at 24 minutes in we have "What's In Head's Longbox?", where we continue our Atom coverage with his next appearance... The Sword of the Atom Special 2

Sword of the Atom Special 2

Sword of the Atom Special #1
Cover Date: 1985
On Sale Date: May 2, 1985
Cover Price: $1.25
No story title other than Sword of the Atom

Writer: Jan Strnad
Artist: Gil Kane
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Thomas J. Ziuko
Editor: Alan Gold
Cover Credits
Artist: Gil Kane

Reprinted In:
Sword of the Atom TPB (2007)

Synopsis:
The Atom is relating a tale about while they were rebuilding New Morlaidh, they were attacked by warriors on warbirds. These warriors had been attacking other tribes that had popped up after Morlaidh was destroyed. They would steal the women and kill the men that tried to stop them.
When they attacked New Morlaidh, they took Laethwen. Atom questioned the one surviving warrior and discovered that their leader Torbul, has implanted chips in his people that can monitor them and kill them with a small bomb (that apparently The Wall would still in a couple of years). The only reason he can talk freely is that his injuries damaged the implant. If they could destroy the equipment, Torbul’s own men would join Atom against him. Then their captive died.
We get to “present” time where we see Atom has been relaying this story to Norman and Paul.
Paul then tells his own story how Jean was having Ray’s stuff moved out. One of the workmen tripped and activated the shrinking ray which shrunk Jean down. They then decide to hunt down Ray to see if he can help them return her to normal.
Once arriving in the jungles, they too were attacked by Torbul’s men. Jean was captured and their guides ran away.
Paul blames Ray for everything and Ray agrees. He then gives his size changing belt to Paul and shows him how to work it, in case anything happens to him.
Meanwhile we cut to the prisons where Laethwen is being held, who meets her new roommate, Jean. Rays’ ex and current flames begin conversing with each other.
As Ray, Norman and Paul are going over plan to rescue their lady loves, they are once again attacked by the warbirds.
Norman accidentally drops a transmitter they were going to plant on one of the birds and Paul gets pulled away by one of the birds, shrinking down in the process.
Not able to defeat the pink skins, one of the warriors calls off the attack. With Torbul, he watches this on his monitors and detonates the bomb in that man’s head for calling off the attack without orders to. He then goes to the cells to examine the wild women that were brought in. As one of the guards takes Laethwen to get cleaned up and brought to Torbul, we go back to Ray and Norman discussing a scintillation detector that Norman used to find old Morlaidh. Ray has an idea to use the device to locate the belt and in turn his friends.
After finding Torbul’s castle, Atom and Voss dress as warriors and infiltrate the stronghold, leaving Norman as back up. Once inside, they get stopped as one of the guards notice that Atom is a ‘pink skin’ and is in an area he shouldn’t be in. Once him and Voss are scanned, the guards discover that they don’t have a chip in them. The two men are exposed and taken to Torbul.
Meanwhile, Paul sneaks in to Jean’s cell, shrunk down. He then shrinks them down to escape her cell. As they make their exit, they’re stopped by several guards. Paul then sets the belt to enlarge and starts growing bigger and bigger, crushing the walls and ceiling.
In front of Torbul, he’s laying out his plans to Atom. He informs our hero that once he starts his breeding program, everyone that is born will have an implant. Atom knocks Torbul back in defiance, which allows him to reach his machine, turning a switch causing everyone to enter a murderous rage and attack The Atom. Ray throws an ax in to the machine destroying it and Torbul’s influence over the populace. Ray again knocks Torbul down, which this time allows him in grabbing distance of Laethwen. Torbul pulls a knife and puts it to the Princess’ neck.
Before he can cut her throat, the floor starts cracking as Paul comes busting through. As Torbul tells his people to kill the “giant”, Laethwen smacks him upside the head with her chains. Ray and everyone else walks away leaving Torbul amongst his ruins, ranting about how all traitors deserve death. At this one of his ex-guards shoots an arrow through his mouth, killing him.
Jean and Paul head back to America where Jean discovers that Paul still has Atom’s belt… and he might use it again some day.
Back with Atom and Laethwen, she’s informing him that Jean kept talking about her lawn back home and how she thinks she’ll have Jean send her one. The story ends with Atom carrying Laethwen off in to the sunset.

At 1:23 we have "Head's Bookshelf". This month I briefly look at a Young Adult series called Cape High.

Then at an hour thirty we see: "Where’s Head Going?"

This episode, I look at the podcast: From Crisis to Crisis: A Superman Podcast by Michael Bailey and Jeffery Taylor.

This show, follows the rebirth of Superman from the Man of Steel mini-series (written by John Bryne) after The Crisis up until Infinite Crisis. It's a great show and one of my major influences. Be sure to check the guys out.

And this month, I don't play a final song. Debating on not doing that anymore. I'm on a Podcasting Facebook group and there's been a lot of talk on there about how podcasts can get in trouble for playing others songs like I have been, so I'm considering dropping that.

But if you're in a bad and would like your song played on the show, feel free to get in touch with me (music@HeadSpeaks.com)

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Episode 30: Fanboys and the Sword of the Atom Special!

Welcome back true believers....

I know, delayed once again... but here is the Episode 30: Fanboys and the Sword of the Atom Special!

First up on Bitches, Moans, and Gripes, I talk a little about Fanboys, the internet, and how they like to put down anyone that disagrees with them.

Listen to this episode for more information. And let me know if you agree....

Then at 17 minutes in, we look at "What's In Head's Longbox?", where we continue our Atom coverage with his next appearance... The Sword of the Atom Special 1

Sword of the Atom Speical!

Sword of the Atom Special #1
Cover Date: 1984
On Sale Date: April 5, 1984
Cover Price: $1.25
Editor: Alan Gold

Title: "The Atom's Farewell"
Pages: 40
Writer: Jan Strnad
Artist: Gil Kane
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Thomas J. Ziuko

Cover Credits
Artist: Gil Kane

Reprinted In:
Sword of the Atom TPB (2007)

At 1:07 we have, "Where’s Head Going?"
This episode, I look at the podcast: Wild Pod: A Wild Dog Podcast by FKAJason
This show, Jay looks at the comic book character Wild Dog and his appearances across the DCU.

Then four minutes later, I dust off Head's Mail Bag.

Finally, I play Poison by Bell Biv Devoe.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Episode 29: The Justice League of Comic Gods

Welcome back true believers....

As usual for me lately, I need to say sorry for the delay, I'm still working on getting caught up with my podcasts... but here is the Episode 29: The Justice League of Comic Gods

First up on "Geeking with Head", I rehash a recent Facebook post I made.

Anyone that knows me, might know that I'm not a religious man (any longer). I've denounced all of that hokey religion crap... As a wise man once said "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

But after talking with a co-worker of mine (Hey William), I've decided that I actually do have a religion (besides the Church of the Jedi). I (much like most of my fellow podcasters and bloggers) worship at the alter of the Comic Gods.

Listen to this episode for more information. And let me know if you agree....

Then at 19 minutes in, I pull out "At The Movies With Head", where I take a quick peek at the current comic book tv shows and give some brief thoughts on what I'm watching and liking....

Then at about the fifty minute mark, we look at "What's In Head's Longbox?", where we continue our Atom coverage with his next appearance(s)... Justice League of America 225-227

Justice League of America 225
Cover Date: April 1984
On Sale Date: January 5, 1984
Cover Price: $0.75
Editor: Alan Gold

Title: "Let There Be Light"

Writer: Joey Cavalieri
Plotter/Penciller: Chuck Patton
Inker: Pablo Marcos
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D'Angelo
Penciller: Chuck Patton
Inker: Sal Amendola

Justice League of America 226
Cover Date: May 1984
On Sale Date: February 2, 1984
Cover Price: $0.75
Editor: Alan Gold
Title: "Hell on Earth"

Writer: Joey Cavalieri
Penciller: Chuck Patton
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Letterer: Philip Hugh Felix
Colorist: Gene D'Angelo
Cover Credits
Penciller: Ross Andru
Inker: Dick Giordano

Justice League of America 227
Cover Date: June 1984
On Sale Date: March 8, 1984
Cover Price: $0.75
Editor: Alan Gold
Title: "Dragon Keep"

Writer: Joey Cavalieri
Penciller: Chuck Patton
Inker: Mark Alexander
Letterer: Philip Hugh Felix
Colorist: Gene D'Angelo

Cover Credits
Penciller: Chuck Patton
Inker: Romeo Tanghal

This three issue arc (sadly not written by the great Gerry Conway), tales the tale of The Atom returning to the Justice League after his recent jungle adventure...

Listen in as I give my opinion on these issues.

Finally an hour and some change later at the hour and fifty two minute mark, we hear, "Where’s Head Going?"
This episode, I look at the podcast: Council of Geeks: 90’s Comics Retrial by Nathaniel Wayne
This show, Nathaniel looks at comics from, well, as the title suggests, the 90s. One of the most maligned comic eras to date. Nathaniel looks at comics from his collection, and judges them on their own merits and decides whether that era deserves the hatred and dislike they get. It's a great show with a great host.
And as me and Shag talked about back in episode 12, the first part of the decade is the last half of my personal Golden Age of comics.

Finally, in honor of Christmas, my final song is "Santa is a B-Boy" by one of the great groups, Whistle.