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.

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)

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 during the Crisis on Infinite Earths!

See ya next time.

Episode 28: The Sword of the Atom 4 plus The Fold

Welcome back true believers....

Sorry for the delay, I'm working on getting caught up with my podcasts... but here is the Episode 28: The Sword of the Atom 4 plus The Fold

First up on Head's Bookself, I take a brief look at The Fold by Peter Cline.

The Fold tells the story about a man named Mike Erikson who has been asked by a friend to look at a door in California that allows travel thousands of mile in a single step.  According to the scientists, it works perfectly, but if so, why are they hesitant to unveil it and how it works?  That is what Mike is looking in to.

Then on "What's In Head's Longbox?", we're going to continue taking a look at The Sword of the Atom, with issue 4 the final issue.

Sword of the Atom 4
Cover Date: December 1983
On Sale Date: September 29, 1983
Cover Price: $0.75
Title: "Look Homeward, Atom"

Writer: Jan Strnad
Artist: Gil Kane
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Thomas J. Ziuko
Editor: Dick Giordano
Cover Credits Artist: Gil Kane
Reprinted In:
Sword of the Atom TPB (2007)

Question for you guys... do you like it when I put a recap of the issue on here, or do you prefer just the credits?  Let me know at SwordoftheAtom@headspeaks.com

Then on "Where is Head Going?", I talk briefly about another podcast I listen to.  Tell Em Steve Dave.  This is put on by a couple of friends of Kevin Smith and Q from Impractical Jokers.  Caution, this podcast is NOT family friendly, but a good listen, nonetheless.

Plus we have Head's Mailbag....

Finally, our final song is "Hickey's on my neck " by Audio Two.

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

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!

See ya next time.

Episode 2 - The Return of Head

Second Episode of Head Speaks

You can download it from:  Episode 2: The Return of Head!

Editors note:  During Geekin' With Head, I mention the CW show Arrow.  I mention (twice) that it was renewed for a second season.  It should have been THIRD season.  So when you hear me say the upcoming season is Season Two, replace that in your head with Season Three.

This episode I dedicate to the memory of James Spence of Merced CA.  He passed away June 17.  I've known James for over 20 years (we used to work together at Target).  Me and his son (Jason Spence) are really good friends.

R.I.P James Spense.

Ad for this week is:
Hollywood Babble On

This episode I make a change.  Gone is Hershel and Things That Piss Him Off... Here is Bitches, Moans, and Gripes, by myself, no character.
This week in Bitches, Moans, and Gripes I once again blast "Reality" t.v.   I ridicule Finding Bigfoot, The Bachelor/Bachelorette (and related shows), Teen Mom, Toddlers and Tiaras, and call out the stupidity of "Kidchella" and the whole Kardasian clan.

Also, At The Movies, I look at the FANTASTIC show, Impractical Jokers, starring James (Murr) Murray, Joe Gatto, Brian (Q) Quinn, and Sal Vulcano.  The premise of the show is four life long friends, try to embarrass each other. 

Head's Bookshelf:
MythAdventures by Robert Asprin and Jodi Lynn Nye.
There are currently about 20 books in the series.  
You can click on the link above for further information on The MythAdventures....
If you get a chance, check it out.

This episode I introduce a new segment entitled: Geeking With Head.
Latest and Greatest news: Brandon Roth has signed up to play Ray Palmer (aka The Atom) in this upcoming season of CWs Arrow and Robbie Amell has signed up to play Ronnie Raymond (aka Firestorm) on the new CW show The Flash....

For more Firestorm goodness, check out the Fire and Water Podcast
As I mention in the show, here are some pictures of Firestorm's different incarnations:

Original Firestorm (Ronnie Raymond and Professor Stein)

Elemental Firestorm

Jason Rusch Firestorm

New 52 Firestorm

Also, I talk about the new Star Wars movies, the upcoming Marvel Movies, the new DC Cinematic Universe and this coming season and comic book shows.

Finally on Where's Head Going? I talk about Epic Rap Battles of History.

I play Superman Vs Goku and then for the final song this episode I play Vader Vs Hitler (all three songs).
The above links takes you to YouTube and the associated videos.

Please check out my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/headspeaksheadcast

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

Be sure to join me next time for another fantastic episode of The Head Speaks HeadCast.

New Batman in Man of Steel 2????

My next blog post was going be Head's Geek Credentials, where I talk about comics and my comic origins.  But I just ran across some news on the intertubes, so that post will have to be postponed....

Apparently someone in DC/Warner Brothers has lost their fuckin' minds.  Several sites are reporting that the new Batman (which will first appear in Man of Steel 2, coming in July 2015) is going to be Ben Affleck.

Now don't get me wrong.  I'm not an Affleck hater.  I think he's a fine actor in the right vehicle.  I enjoyed him in all of Kevin Smith's films (Dogma, Chasing Amy, etc).  Hell I even liked him in 'Forces of Nature".  Yes, I'll admit I watched it and thought it was a decent movie.  Hey... don't you dare fuckin' judge me!  Don't you dare!

But Daredevil... Don't get me wrong.  I enjoyed Daredevil for the most part.  Most people that refer to the movie say it was a horrible movie or they hated it or other such nonsense.  But I liked it (again, for the most part).  But there are two things I didn't care much for.  1) the Matt Murdock (blind lawyer)/ Elecktra playground fight (no, seriously... a BLIND attorney fighting that well in the playground in the middle of the farkin' day???) and 2) Affleck as Daredevil.  I think the movie would have been a lot of better if there was a different actor playing Daredevil.  I guess whoever is in charge of Batman over at DC/WB didn't watch the Daredevil movie.  Or read any of the criticisms of the movie.

Rumors where circulating that Joe Manganiello (from True Blood) and Ryan Gosling were in the running for Batman.  My personal opinion would be that either of these would be a decent if not great Batman.  But Ben Fuckin' Affleck?  I don't know man, I just don't know.

 And I know... He was da bomb in Phantoms, yo!

Anywho....

Now after all that ranting and raving, don't get me wrong.  I will go see Man of Steel 2 (or whatever they decide to call it) in 2015 when it's released.  I'll definitely be there.  And hoping for the best.

I guess we'll have to wait until July of 2015 to see how it's going to turn out.

Feel free to leave comments below and let's discuss this.

Until next time, keep it funny. Remember.  Humor covers a multitude of sins.  8)

-Head

The next Batman?  We'll see in July 2015!
For further information on the new Affleck-Batman see:
Entertainment Weekly
or
USA Today
or even:
Variety