Podcasts about dc spotlight

Jace and Rocky break down all 11 DC releases for the week of June 10, 2026. They discuss Fury of Firestorm #3, where Ronnie Raymond learns Professor Stein manipulated the creation of Firestorm while new details connect the series to concepts introduced in Doomsday Clock. Justice League: Dreamgirls #2 finds Dreamer and Galaxy trapped deeper within shifting dream realities as Dreamer struggles with guilt, self-doubt and her role during the Amanda Waller crisis. Green Lantern Corps #17 focuses on Guy Gardner as he confronts childhood trauma and his abusive father while navigating the emotional spectrum. Barbara Gordon Breakout #2 sees Barbara brutally beaten inside prison before discovering someone she trusted may be working against her. Emperor Aquaman #18 teams Aquaman with Hal Jordan as Arthur begins questioning whether his rapidly expanding powers have become too dangerous. Action Comics #1099 follows a young Clark Kent as he experiences life without his powers and discovers what it feels like to truly be human. Absolute Catwoman #1 introduces a wealthy and successful Selina Kyle whose planned retirement is postponed by an attack tied to a mystery that culminates in the surprise debut of Absolute Cassandra Cain. Nice House By The Sea #10 delivers major revelations surrounding Walter and Max while raising new questions about the true nature of the apocalypse. Supergirl #14 sees Kara receive a new costume and a cure for her cybernetic corruption as tensions within Kandor continue to escalate. Bleeding Hearts #5 follows Rabbit as she becomes part of the zombie holiday known as the Great Hunt while Poke develops an increasing empathy for the living. Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #4 concludes the series by revealing Bruce Wayne's connection to the dark force shaping Gotham and setting him on a collision course with the city's elite. They also give a rundown of this week's collected editions, reprints and facsimile releases. As always, all books are ranked from top to bottom and each host gives a Book of the Week pick.

Jace and Rocky break down all 10 DC releases for the week of June 3, 2026. They discuss Harley & Ivy: Life and Crimes #6, where Erica Henderson concludes her retelling of Harley and Ivy's first meeting and the foundation of their relationship. JSA #20 continues the search for Jim Corrigan and ends with a surprise appearance from Metron. Adventures of Superman: Book of El #9 begins bringing together the long-running story threads involving Superman, Otho-Ra, Osul-Ra and the future legacy of the House of El. Justice League: Dream Girls #1 finds Dreamer and Galaxy trapped in shifting dreamlike versions of the DC Universe as a mystery involving hidden knowledge and altered realities begins. Batman #10 sees Bruce Wayne uncover a connection to the Minotaur while his conflict with Vandal Savage enters a new phase. Poison Ivy #45 finds Mayor Pamela Isley increasingly isolated after alienating Batman, Vandal Savage, the Green and the Gray while her feelings about Harley Quinn are tested. Deadman #1 follows Boston Brand as he investigates a hospital filled with trapped souls while W. Maxwell Prince reimagines Deadman as a spiritual guide navigating multiple interpretations of death, but the guys have radically different reactions to the story. Supergirl: Survive #1 sees teenage Kara experience Krypton's destruction through a dramatically altered sequence of events as she leaves Krypton in the same rocketship as an infant Kal-El whom she is determined to protect. Batgirl #20 forces Cassandra Cain to confront painful memories when a murdered child is found wearing the same dress she wore during her first kill, while Doctor Forget-Me-Not begins playing mind games with her memories. Absolute Green Lantern #15 pits Jo Mullein against Tomar Re after she refuses to sacrifice her entire town to stop the Black Star Mogo, forcing a clash over whether saving a few thousand lives is worth risking trillions across the universe. They also give a rundown of this week's collected editions, reprints and facsimile releases. As always, all books are ranked from top to bottom and each host gives a Book of the Week pick.

Jace and Rocky break down the DC Comics releases for May 20, 2026, with discussion of Batman/Superman: World's Finest #51 revisiting Skartaris and the origin of Tyrant while Mark Waid continues modernizing classic DC concepts, Sirens: Love Hurts #4 wrapping with Horoscope defeated, Oliver Queen and Dinah Lance's wedding, and the various couples baskign in the romance, Wonder Woman #33 sending Diana and Steve Trevor into the underworld where Superman dies from kryptonite poisoning and Diana seeks the Fates after Matriarch's devastating victory, Absolute Flash #15 expanding the Absolute Universe mythology through Ray Palmer, Silas Stone, S.T.A.R. Labs, the Still Place, and Wally's disturbing visions of the future, Batwoman #3 raising questions about Kate Kane's behavior after she attacks Renee Montoya while Darkseid-connected forces appear to be circling her, Catwoman #87 escalating Black Mask's attack on Selina by using an imposter Catwoman convincing enough to fool Holly Robinson while Maggie's trauma remains tied to Black Mask, Deathstroke the Terminator #3 continuing Slade Wilson's mission with Death Blow and Deadshot brought into the conflict, End of Life #4 focusing on Eddie's complicated relationship with his father while the kidnapping storyline moves forward, Lobo #3 delivering an origin-heavy chapter for the Main Man, New Titans #35 continuing the Alpha Energy fallout while Stephanie Brown takes on a surprising leadership role, Nightwing #138 bringing Starfire to Blüdhaven for a Psion-related story that also moves the Witch of Blüdhaven plot forward while Barbara remains in Supermax, Superman Unlimited #13 using Beppo, excess Kryptonite, Tomorrow Man, young Jon Kent's Ultraman nightmare, and Lois trying to help her superpowered son to deepen the question of whether this young Jon is the real deal, and Absolute Green Arrow #1 launching a mystery-driven reinvention involving Dinah Lance, Oliver Queen, Hector Hammond, missing memories, and the question of who is really under the hood. They also cover the week's facsimiles, reprints, and collected editions, including Batman #244 Facsimile Edition, Gotham Central Compact Comics, DC Finest: Sgt. Rock of Easy Company, Superman Omnibus Vol. 1: Elseworlds, Absolute Blackest Night, and Teen Titans: The Bronze Age Omnibus, before ranking every book and naming their respective Books of the Week.

Jace and Rocky break down this week's DC releases including Supergirl #13, where Sophie Campbell's handling of Kara's trauma, Kandor's civil unrest and the Black Flame conflict leads to one of the biggest disagreements of the episode, Barbara Gordon Breakout #1 as the hosts debate Barbara willingly entering prison as part of Batman's larger Vandal Savage plan, Bleeding Hearts #4 with Dennis Camp continuing to humanize Polk while expanding the emotional divide between the zombies and humans through Rabbit and Mush, Emperor Aquaman #17 as Jarro makes a shocking decision involving the Starros that dramatically escalates Aquaman's cosmic status and creates major moral fallout, Action Comics #1098 with Mark Waid blending Silver Age Superboy storytelling and modern sensibilities through Mary Marvel, Booster Gold and Martian Manhunter learning more about Clark's origins, Fury of Firestorm #2 as Ronnie Raymond's darker trauma is contrasted against the classic heart-of-gold characterization that defines the hero, Green Lantern Corps #16 with Morgan Hampton expanding the Manhunters' plans to control the emotional spectrum while Aya, Parallax and the emotional entities become central to a massive cosmic power struggle, Absolute Martian Manhunter #11 as the series heads toward its conclusion with more psychological and reality-bending storytelling, and Absolute Batman #20 with discussion of the printing defects, retailer response, massive number of variant covers and continued teases surrounding Scarecrow and Robin. They also discuss the shutdown of Read Comics Online and the larger conversation surrounding comic piracy and affordability before covering this week's facsimiles, reprints and collected editions, ranking every book from the week and each giving their respective Book of the Week picks.

Jace and Rocky break down the DC books for the week of May 6, 2026, with Absolute Superman #19 delivering massive action as Superman, Steel, Lois, Talia, Ra's al Ghul, and King Shazam collide; Absolute Green Lantern #14 diving deeper into the Absolute spectrum mythology with Jo Mullein and Tomar-Re; Poison Ivy #44 continuing Pamela Isley's dangerous rise as mayor of Gotham while Batman gives her a chance to walk away; Batman #9 setting the next stage of Matt Fraction's run with Barbara Gordon's capture, Vandal Savage's pressure campaign, and the destruction of Wayne Manor; Batgirl #19 wrapping Cassandra Cain's blood-curse arc while expanding DC's martial arts mythology; Batman/Static Beyond #6 closing out its team-up story with Shutdown and the cosmic Cooperative; JSA #19 focusing on the Spectre, Kid Eternity, and the younger generation of the team; Adventures of Superman: Book of El #8 continuing Philip Kennedy Johnson's larger Superman mythology; and Tales of the Green Lantern Corps: Guy Gardner #1 revisiting Guy Gardner and the Manhunters. They also briefly touch on DC vs. Sonic the Hedgehog, run through this week's reprints, facsimiles, and collected editions, rank every book, and each host gives a Book of the Week pick.

Jace and Rocky discuss a smaller fifth-week DC lineup for April 29, 2026, opening with a remembrance of Gerry Conway before diving into Swamp Thing 1989 #1 and the long-delayed Rick Veitch controversy surrounding Swamp Thing's encounter with the life of Jesus, Justice League Intergalactic Special #1 and its focus on Galaxy, Dreamer, Naltor, and the setup for more Pride-related storytelling, Batman/Wonder Woman: Truth #1 with Jeff Loeb and Jim Cheung delivering a visually strong but continuity-light Batman/Wonder Woman one-shot involving Catwoman, Harley Quinn, Joker, and the Lasso of Truth, and Zatanna #1 as Jamal Campbell positions Zatanna as the Prime Magus of the DC Universe while introducing new occult agency elements. They also cover the week's reprints, facsimiles, and collected editions, including Absolute Batman, Absolute Wonder Woman, Absolute Superman, Teen Titans by Geoff Johns, Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong, DC Finest: Joker, and The Omega Men deluxe edition. As always, Jace and Rocky rank every book and each host gives their top pick of the week.

Jace and Rocky break down all the DC Comics releases for the week of April 22, 2026, covering 10 books with a wide range of reactions from solid entertainment to standout highlights. Superman #37 features a meta-driven Superboy Prime navigating life in Metropolis while grappling with his past and a surprising encounter with Witchfire, Flash #32 introduces a dangerous viral stunt app pushing Wally West to his limits while juggling family life, and Detective Comics #1108 continues Tom Taylor's grounded mystery with Bruce teaming with Green Arrow and Black Canary while uncovering secrets tied to Prion's legacy. Absolute Flash #14 explores the Mirror Master storyline with Wally and Linda trapped in the mirror dimension and a deal involving Ray Palmer, while Absolute Wonder Woman #19 continues Diana's mythic journey with high-stakes magical elements. Green Lantern #34 sets up future developments with Hal Jordan and Kyle Rayner while introducing the mysterious Toby Y2K, and Justice League Unlimited #18 examines the controversial decision to grant villains amnesty in the face of larger threats. Harley Quinn #61 leans into the split between Harley's personalities with the Bat-Quinn concept, while Harley & Ivy: Life and Crimes #5 slows things down with character work at Ma Hunkel's home and a Clayface cliffhanger. The Brutal Dark #3 builds its noir mystery around Ezra Kane with deeper connections to the museum heist and missing persons case. The episode also includes discussion of industry news, including layoffs and broader market trends, along with thoughts on speculation around current titles. As always, Jace and Rocky run down reprints, facsimiles, and collected editions, rank every book from the week, and each give their pick for Book of the Week.

Jace and Rocky break down the DC releases for the week of April 15, 2026. Lobo #2 is discussed as a surprise standout with its corporate bounty hunter premise, meta humor, and unexpected fun factor, while Deathstroke the Terminator #2 follows Slade Wilson through an extremely violent and grief-driven search for whoever is manipulating him after Wintergreen's death. Superman Unlimited #12 centers on the return of a younger Jon Kent, the sacrifice being made by the older Jon Kent as Tomorrow Man, Lois being brought to tears by seeing Jon again, Damian's suspicion that something is wrong, and the possibility that the returned Jon may not actually be the real younger Jon. Nightwing #137 focuses on the sniper situation on the Blüdhaven bridge and the contrast between Batman and Nightwing's approaches, while Batwoman #2 features Kate Kane in a brutal confrontation that appears to end with her using lethal force to save her father. New Titans #34 reveals Cyborg split into separate human and cybernetic entities, Catwoman #84 continues Selina Kyle's conflict with Black Mask and Katarina Beloff as her inner circle is targeted, End of Life #3 blends absurd humor, strong action, and emotional material with Eddie Stallion caring for his dying father, Wonder Woman #21 continues the Wonder War storyline with its possible-future setup and split narrative structure, and Absolute Batman #19 is discussed in terms of its shock-value storytelling, Scarecrow's appearance feeling more like future setup, and a major character death that lands as wasteful rather than earned. As always, the episode also includes the week's rankings, Book of the Week discussion, and a rundown of the reprints and collected editions.

Jace and Rocky break down the DC releases for the week of April 8, 2026. Gotham City Sirens is discussed with its standout Babs Tarr art, strong variant covers, and battle with the villain Horoscope, while Bleeding Hearts #3 continues the story from Poke's perspective as the zombie's inability to communicate with the surviving mother and child adds to the tension. Firestorm #1 launches DC's Next Level take on the character with Ronnie Raymond apparently trapped, Firehawk brought in to investigate, and the mystery of who is really controlling the Firestorm Matrix left unresolved. Nice House by the Sea #9 deepens the contrast between Walter's and Max's houses, raises questions about whether the destruction of Earth is even real, and continues exploring the changing dynamics between the people chosen to survive. Green Lantern Corps #15 focuses on John Stewart confronting Parallax and his past with help from Soranik Natu, while the Manhunters turn Aya's apparent victory into a trap by taking over her body. Action Comics #1097 follows Booster Gold, Martian Manhunter, and Mary Marvel traveling back to Superboy's era as Epoch steals the rocket that brought Kal-El to Earth. Supergirl #12 centers on Kara waking up in Kandor as a cybernetic Supergirl after being badly injured, with Black Flame's rebellion, the city's secrets, and Team Thunder all adding to the conflict. Emperor Aquaman is discussed with Arthur continuing to establish himself as "Emperor of the Blue" by setting up lighthouses across the universe, gaining King Shark's allegiance following his DC KO vision, and fulfilling a prophecy on another world by freeing a parasite-controlled race. Absolute Green Lantern #13 shifts to Ran, introducing Rack Shade, the M Zone, Professor Sardin, Alana, and Emily Hawk as the mythology around the Black Stars and the Controller of Mu continues to expand. As always the episode also includes a rundown of the week's reprints and collected edition releases, as well as Jace and Rocky rankings for all the books and their picks for Book of the Week.

Jace of The Comic Source is joined by Rocky from Comic Boom! for this week's DC Spotlight as they break down a lighter but still varied week of DC releases. Batman/Superman: World's Finest #50 gets discussed for its Dr. Destiny dream story, Superman's dream Supermobile, and a backup featuring Robin, Supergirl, Batgirl and Jimmy Olsen in a rivalry-fueled mystery. Batman/Static Beyond #5 continues to build around older Static mentoring a younger Batman Beyond while Failsafe and the larger Q-energy conflict move the story forward. Adventures of Superman: Book of El #7 delivers another dense chapter in the House of El saga with Otho-Ra, the future descendants of Superman and the larger science fiction mythology continuing to expand. Batman #8 is a slower setup issue centered on Bruce Wayne's conversation with Alan Scott, the threat of Vandal Savage, and Gotham's mayor Poison Ivy turning the city against Batman and Robin. Absolute Superman #18 stands out with Lois Lane confronting Talia al Ghul over her father's death, Ra's al Ghul showing the effect Superman has had on him, and the issue introducing Absolute versions of John Henry Irons and King Shazam while also hinting at the Phantom Stranger. Poison Ivy #43 continues G. Willow Wilson's character-driven run with Pamela Isley using her position as mayor to go after Gotham's corruption, while also advancing the fallout with Harley Quinn, Janet from HR and the consequences of Bob Venus. Bizarro: Year None #1 offers a different take on Bizarro through a Jimmy Olsen and Perry White focused story that sends them to Bizarro World, with the Daily Planet itself playing into that world's creation. JSA #18 wraps up the Year One material while also including more of the Search for the Spectre backup and its focus on the newer generation of Justice Society characters. Mad About DC #1 serves as a full Mad Magazine-style send-up of DC characters, creators and fandom with multiple standout gags and a tone both hosts found genuinely funny. Batgirl #18 leans deeper into the Spirit World mythology, Cassandra Cain's growing connection to the Wu clan, and the question of whether Lady Shiva is capable of redemption. The episode also includes a rundown of the week's collected editions along with rankings for the books discussed and selections for Book of the Week.

Jace and Rocky break down a busy week of DC releases in DC Spotlight for the week of March 11, 2026, discussing nine titles in detail while also touching on the surge of speculation driving more fans into comic shops and sharing thoughts on the recently released Lanterns trailer and what it could mean for the future of DC television. The episode covers Bleeding Hearts #2 from the Vertigo imprint by Dennis Camp and Stipan Morian, which continues its unique zombie story told through shifting perspectives; Morgan Hampton's Green Lantern Corps #14 as Guy Gardner deals with the psionic entities and a mission that sends a mixed team of Lanterns into Manhunter territory while Jon Stewart confronts Parallax; Sirens: Love Hurts #2 by Tini Howard and Babs Tarr featuring the complicated dynamics between Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Black Canary; Supergirl #11 by Sophie Campbell as Kara faces the mysterious Black Flame in Kandor while Boy Thunder finally enters the story; Emperor Aquaman #15 by Jeremy Adams and John Timms where Arthur returns from the Blue in a powerful new form; Absolute Batman #18 from Scott Snyder that continues the Seventh Kingdom storyline while revealing deeper connections between Martha Wayne and the Court of Owls; Absolute Green Lantern #12 by Al Ewing which expands the strange mythology of the Absolute Universe as Hal Jordan, Jo Mullein and others face Hector Hammond and encounter Tomar-Re; Harley and Ivy: Life and Crimes #4 from Erica Henderson exploring the complicated relationship between the two Gotham antiheroes; and Action Comics #1096 by Mark Waid and Skylar Patridge kicking off the Search for Superman storyline as Superboy deals with a bizarre cause-and-effect anomaly with help from Booster Gold, Martian Manhunter and Mary Marvel. Jace and Rocky also highlight the collected editions hitting shelves this week, including Batman/Superman: World's Finest Vol. 8, the massive Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps War Compendium, DC Finest: The Flash – The Fastest Man Alive, Catwoman: The New 52 Omnibus, Flinch: The Complete Collection and Supergirl: The Bizarro Girl, before wrapping up the show with their weekly rankings of the books discussed.

The latest DC Spotlight episode for the week of February 4, 2026 features Jace and Rocky breaking down a strong slate of eleven new DC releases while reflecting on a rare week free of industry-wide bad news. The discussion is led by the return of The Nice House by the Sea #7, with James Tynion IV and Álvaro Martínez Bueno resuming the series after a long hiatus and using character guides and carefully integrated recap to maintain narrative momentum, followed by Batman: Static Beyond #3, which gains traction as Miguel Mendonça's art and a more action-driven focus push the Elseworlds concept forward. Batgirl #16 marks a turning point in Cassandra Cain's arc, delivering resolution to the Unburied storyline, expanding the Lazarus mythology, and setting up a return to Gotham, while DC KO: Night Fight #4 closes its mini-series by exploring Batman's exile from the tournament, alternate futures, and the consequences of loss before re-inserting him into the larger DC KO event. The episode also covers Batman #6, emphasizing character fallout and the status shift for Tim Drake, Poison Ivy #41, which advances Pamela Isley's path toward running for mayor through a jail-cell-centered narrative that keeps her agency intact, and DC KO: Boss Battle #1, a crossover-heavy one-shot pairing DC characters with external properties in a high-concept escalation of the tournament. Additional discussion includes JSA #16 continuing its Year One focus on early team dynamics, Absolute Green Lantern #11 deepening Al Ewing's dense mythology with escalating threats and spectrum lore, Absolute Superman #16 introducing an Absolute Hawkman origin while advancing Lex Luthor and Brainiac plot threads, and Superman: Chains of Love Special #1, a Creeper- and Livewire-focused story that rounds out the week, before the hosts rank their favorites and preview the looming impact of DC KO #4.

As part of the Comic Boom! and Comic Source collaboration, this DC Spotlight for the week of January 28, 2026 finds Jace and Rocky breaking down a packed slate of fourteen DC releases, with discussion opening on the passing and legacy of Sal Buscema before turning to the week's books. DC KO: The Kids Are All Fight Special #1 is examined for its focus on younger heroes and its place as a largely skippable but well-drawn tie-in, while Detective Comics #1105 continues Tom Taylor's "The Courage That Kills" arc with deeper insight into the Lion's origin and Gotham's escalating crisis. Harley Quinn #58 is discussed as the start of a new arc that feels tonally familiar, followed by the Supergirl Next Door Valentine's anthology, which offers mixed results across stories spotlighting Supergirl, Jay Garrick, Poison Ivy, Guy Gardner, Wonder Woman, Swamp Thing, Martian Manhunter, and Green Arrow. Green Lantern #31 features a nostalgic Hal Jordan and Barry Allen team-up that advances Jeremy Adams' larger arc in subtle ways, while Superman #34 pushes Superboy Prime further into moral conflict against the Dark Legion. Absolute Martian Manhunter #8 stands out for its conceptual storytelling and increased narrative momentum, The Flash #29 introduces Dream Girl as a potential crack in Darkseid's Legion, and Harley and Ivy: Love and Crimes #3 explores the early dynamics between Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy with a more grounded emotional approach. Justice League Unlimited #15 and Justice League Red #6 wrap major threads involving Neuron, time-displaced heroes, and Red Tornado's reckoning, while Absolute Batman #16 delivers a character-driven underworld journey with Wonder Woman that highlights Bruce Wayne's loyalty and sacrifice. Absolute Flash #11 provides major revelations about the Still Point and the source of Wally West's power, and Absolute Wonder Woman #16 launches the "Season of the Witch" arc with Absolute Zatanna and a reimagined Suicide Squad, setting the stage for one of the week's most consequential confrontations.

Jace and Rocky break down another Comic Boom! / Comic Source DC Spotlight for the week of January 21, 2026, with only seven single issues on the slate but a massive week for reprints and collected editions—including major Absolute line reprints like Absolute Batman #1 10th printing and Absolute Batman Annual #1 2nd printing, plus facsimiles such as Batman #676 and Superman #75, and a packed shelf of collected editions ranging from Batman: Gotham by Gaslight Compact Comics to DC's Finest: Doom Patrol, Green Lantern by Robert Venditti Omnibus Vol. 2, The Invisibles Compendium, New History of the DCU, Absolute Promethea Vol. 2, Resurrection Man: Quantum Karma, and Young Justice Omnibus Vol. 2. On the single-issue side, Batman/Superman: World's Finest #47 wraps up the Absorbicon chaos with the Joker/Luthor fusion, the world briefly losing knowledge, and a lingering "Fusion" mystery locked away in the Fortress of Solitude; DC KO: Green Lantern – Galactic Slam #1 becomes the week's standout as Jeremy Adams brings Kyle Rayner into WAM's multiversal wrestling spectacle, delivers Omega Bam Man's origin, and ties the concept directly into Darkseid and the DC KO stakes; Titans #31 splits focus between Donna Troy and Arsenal battling Grail on Earth and Nightwing/Raven's Gemworld complications as Terra turns opportunistic; Superman Unlimited #9 launches "Die Laughing" with a new, more hands-on Prankster targeting Perry White and Superman leveraging Clark Kent's reporting to bait the killer into exposing himself, while also planting Mxyzptlk-related seeds; Catwoman #83 continues Selina's Europe-set intrigue with Falcone connections and Court of Owls pressure as the run edges toward a more familiar Gotham-facing direction; Nightwing #134 keeps Dick in the Fifth Dimension facing the Zanni while real-world consequences escalate, including damage that reverberates back to Blüdhaven; and Wonder Woman #29 begins a two-part "The Village" detour to Themyscira with striking Jeff Spokes visuals and Strife's arrival setting the hook for what comes next, before both hosts give their rankings with Galactic Slam taking the top spot.

The latest DC Spotlight is live as Jace and Rocky break down a smaller but strong slate of DC releases for the week of January 14, 2026, offering full rankings and detailed discussion across eight books. The episode opens with Court: Children of the Round Table #5, where Tom Taylor delivers another major cliffhanger revealing Felicity's shocking connection to Mordred and continuing the series' younger-reader focus within main DC continuity. Aquaman #13 shifts attention away from Arthur himself to spotlight Mera, deepening Xebel lore, introducing new mysteries around Andrina's imperial ambitions, and setting up long-term consequences tied to DC KO. In Action Comics #1094, Mark Waid explores Superboy's moral conflict as he undertakes a military rescue mission under General Lane, raising questions about agency, responsibility, and secrecy, while reactions to the noir-leaning art remain mixed. The Wonder Woman Black & Gold 2026 Special earns discussion for its experimental format, standout visuals from Mitch Gerads, and a thematically heavy Steve Orlando story examining truth, belief, and manipulation through the Golden Lasso. Supergirl #9 leans hard into character drama as a New Year's party spirals into fallout that challenges Kara's role as a mentor and forces a reckoning with Lesla's fate and Kandorian biology. Batman and Robin #29 continues Philip Kennedy Johnson's acclaimed Quiet Man arc, pushing the Ventriloquist mythology to disturbing new depths while strengthening Bruce and Damian's evolving father-son dynamic. DC KO #3 escalates the tournament with creative team-ups, major eliminations, Lex Luthor's calculated use of Supergirl, Joker's chaotic advantage, and a cliffhanger teasing Absolute-inspired threats. The episode closes with Green Lantern Corps #12, where Morgan Hampton juggles multiple Lantern factions, Larfleeze's assault on Oa, Fatality's uncertain allegiance, and a looming planetary threat, delivering a dense, fast-paced issue that emerges as the week's top contender.

Jace and Rocky return for another Comic Boom! / Comic Source DC Spotlight for the week of December 10, 2025, kicking off with holiday updates on gift guides, Fireside Chats, and year-end scheduling before diving into a varied slate of nine DC books. They start with Action Comics #1093, where the Silver Age tone, moral dilemmas, and standout Skylar Patridge art drive a strong Superboy-focused chapter; then move into Batman and Robin #28, a top-tier issue that deepens the Quiet Man mystery, expands the Ventriloquist twist, and showcases why Phillip Kennedy Johnson's run will be so missed. In DC KO, Aquaman #12 becomes the week's breakout as Jeremy Adams and John Timms push Arthur's power set to astonishing levels in a visually explosive Hawkman showdown. Gotham by Gaslight: A League for Justice #6 gets praise for world-building but mixed reactions for a rushed, multiversal conclusion, while Supergirl #8 lands as a quiet, emotional holiday detour centered on loneliness, legacy, and the Linda-robot twist. Scott Snyder and Jock's Absolute Batman #15 earns divided reactions—Rocky loving its monstrous Joker origin while Jace ranks it lowest out of personal preference—leading into the universally panned DC KO: Wonder Woman vs. Lobo, a structurally chaotic, inconsistently illustrated, rule-breaking oddity that squanders a marquee matchup. The guys close with Green Lantern Corps #11, a strong, character-rich chapter spotlighting Ellie, Jon Stewart, Equanar's origin, and the growing Corps-wide stakes, before wrapping with Children of the Round Table #4, a well-executed setup issue introducing each magical weapon, expanding the Camelot training mythology, and dropping a sharp political twist with Mordred influencing the U.S. presidency. As always, the episode ends with full rankings, collected-edition recommendations, and reminders to catch the video on Comic Boom! and the audio on The Comic Source podcast feed.

Jace and Rocky are back for another Comic Boom / Comic Source DC Spotlight, digging into 11 titles for the week of December 3rd, 2025 as the holidays ramp up and Jace teases his upcoming YouTube gift guides and "fireside chat" creator series before diving into eleven new DC titles that make up a solid if not spectacular week, with standout entries like Absolute Green Lantern, Batman, Poison Ivy, JSA, Gotham Academy, and the finale of Cheetah and Cheshire Rob the Justice League earning praise for strong pacing, character work, and the always-stellar art of Nicholas Scott. After noting how surprisingly close their rankings are this week, the conversation shifts into the DC KO tie-ins, beginning with a sharp dismissal of Batman: Night Fight #2 as a predictable, creatively hollow retread that squanders Dan Mora's brilliant art on yet another tired "Batman vs. the Bat-Family" setup with inconsistent tournament mechanics and no real stakes. By contrast, DC KO: Superman vs. Captain Atom #1 sparks a more nuanced discussion, as Rocky reassesses his assumptions about the moral framework of the tournament while both hosts admire Sean Isaacs' energetic visuals and the multiversal iterations on display, even as Jace expresses frustration at seeing Captain Atom once again portrayed as easily corrupted instead of realizing the potential shown in his strongest past interpretations. They dig into the murky logic of the fight's resolution, the ongoing characterization challenges for Captain Atom, and the broader editorial realities guiding DC KO, before wrapping up with a quick rundown of this week's facsimiles and collections—including classic Golden Age Superman material, the DC manga box set, Hitman by Ennis and McCrea, and the Judas Contract deluxe edition—and closing out with holiday well-wishes as Absolute Green Lantern, Poison Ivy, and Cheetah & Cheshire anchor the top of their weekly rankings.

For this Thanksgiving-week DC Spotlight covering the books of November 26, 2025, Jace and Rocky tackle one of the biggest slates of the year and find a lively mix of event chaos, holiday charm, grounded character work, and absolute-universe bombast, even as they debate whether the buzz around the Absolute line and DC KO is starting to overshadow the strong "regular" DC books. They unpack how Superman #32 quietly becomes one of the most essential KO tie-ins by finally revealing how the villains escaped the Phantom Zone and entered the tournament; how Flash #27 and Justice League Unlimited provide fun but mixed connective tissue to KO; and how Christopher Condon's Green Arrow #30 delivers another emotional gut-punch of Ollie, Roy, and Lian's family drama as the run nears its end. They also spotlight the gritty precision of Gabriel Hardman's new Black Label debut Arcadia with Batman, Green Arrow, and the Question, revisit the escalating mystery in Immortal Legend: Batman, cheer on the kaiju spectacle of Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong, and take a surprisingly deep dive into the holiday anthology I Saw Ma Hunkel Kissing Santa Claus, praising the meta-hilarious Animal Man riff, the charming Supergirl/Brainiac 5 romance, and a Dr. Light/Atom story that may even seed future key elements. But the episode ultimately belongs to the Absolute Universe, with the guys debating what works in Absolute Wonder Woman #14 before completely losing their minds over Absolute Batman #14, a gloriously unhinged action-packed fight finale to the Abomination arc filled with skyscraper-dropping theatrics, venom-fueled warfare, Killer Croc callbacks, and a chilling Joker twist that redefines Bane's future. They celebrate Nick Dragotta's wildly ambitious layouts—now finally earning the industry recognition his East of West work always deserved—while reflecting on how the issue crystallizes what makes this version of Batman so different: a hero who fights not to win, but because fighting is the point. The episode wraps with their week-end rankings, teases of upcoming Fireside Chats, YouTube shout-outs, and a Thanksgiving sendoff that doubles as a rallying cry for the week's standout title: "Welcome to Gotham."

In this DC Spotlight episode, Jace and Rocky dive into another packed week of DC Comics, following Jace's return from New York Comic Con 2025 with fresh energy and insights. The conversation opens with how the current wave of DC K.O. tie-ins is enriching the main event without feeling obligatory, setting the tone for a week that balances emotional depth with big superhero spectacle. The guys unpack how Green Arrow #29 anchors the chaos in grounded, heartfelt storytelling, while Harley Quinn #55 leans into its sharp humor and fast pacing for longtime fans. They explore Absolute Wonder Woman #13 as a bold, introspective chapter that pushes themes of compassion and identity and speculate on just what the titular PRICE refers to. THe guys praise Green Lantern #28 for juggling multiple character arcs with ease though Jace felt the set-up issue was much more compelling than Rocky did. The finale of Green Lantern: Dark #7 earns extra discussion as they debate whether its emotional clarity redeems a series that's divided readers, while Detective Comics #1102 gets unanimous acclaim for putting the “detective” back in Detective Comics through gritty espionage-style art and high-stakes tension. From there they look at Justice League Unlimited #12, a standout DC K.O. tie-in that surprises with strong character beats for Power Girl, Aquaman, and Guy Gardner, and The Flash #26, where Mark Waid and Christopher Cantwell steer the tone back toward classic heroics even as Darkseid's reach expands across time itself. Immortal Legend: Batman #3 offers an experimental, puzzle-driven story that sparks mixed reactions but earns respect for ambition, while the Superman corner of the line dominates the week—especially Superman #31, a Lois and Lara-focused triumph that ties mythic revelation to personal courage, punctuated by Joshua Williamson's perfect handle on Superboy Prime. The guys bothed loved Superman #31, calling it the ideal blend of heart, history, and high concept. They close by highlighting the new DC Finest: Crisis on Infinite Earths collection, a Swamp Thing retrospective, Teen Titans: Starfire's YA trade, and Preacher Absolute Vol. 3, plus tease a slate of NYCC interviews featuring Bear Walker, Dean Haspiel, Cullen Bunn, Thomas Jane, and more—an energetic, discussion of everything DC is doing right.

In the DC Spotlight for the week of October 15, 2025, Jace and Rocky hit a leaner stack with plenty to chew on—praising the tender, big-hearted close of Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #5  while enjoying the Barry-centric lift and sharpened mystery in Absolute Flash #8 and weighing the mentor-meets-meteoric-rookie vibes of Nightwing #131, Rocky is especially reveling in the fizzy will-they/won't-they spark that steals the show in Batman/Superman: World's Finest #44 between Supergirl and Robin. The guys dig into Wonder Woman #25 for crucial context that makes the “Mouseman” era click even if the refrain wears thin and they celebrate the classic, high-stakes action of Superman Unlimited #6, debate the esoteric scale-up and striking visuals of New Gods #11 and appreciate Titans #28 as a grounded DC K.O. companion that sells the sheer logistics of a planetary evacuation., Justice League Red #3 has some slick action but stalled momentum so can this story come together in the end? Time will tell. Catwoman #80 continues to be an atmospheric Euro-caper with intriguing Falcone threads. It's an energetic, tour through craft, character, and where this week's DC lineup soars (and where it could hit harder) as con season winds down and the K.O. ripples roll on, so join us for all the details.

In this DC Spotlight episode, Jace and Rocky take an in-depth look at another powerhouse week of DC Comics, led by the explosive debut of DC K.O. #1, a game-changing kickoff to one of the biggest DC events in years. They follow that with Absolute Batman #13, where the story takes bold emotional turns that remind readers why this alternate universe has become must-read material. Over in Green Lantern Corps #9, the energy levels are sky-high as cosmic battles and heartfelt moments collide in classic DC fashion. Action Comics #1091 keeps the momentum going with thoughtful character work that redefines legacy and leadership, while Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #3 continues its strange and stylish experiment in storytelling. The conversation turns lighter with Supergirl #6, balancing youthful energy and sharp writing, and Aquaman #10, which dives deep into epic underwater adventure. Jace and Rocky also explore the tension and teamwork in Batman and Robin #26, the dark intensity of Batman: Dark Patterns #11, and the moody period atmosphere of Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – A Leap for Justice #4. The week rounds out with Court: Children of the Round Table #2 and Batman: The Long Halloween – The Last Halloween #9, both offering unique tones that showcase DC's storytelling range. From universe-spanning spectacle to intimate character work, it's a passionate, energetic breakdown of what makes DC Comics thrive — straight from The Comic Source, your go-to destination for thoughtful comic conversation.

In our latest DC spolight, Jace and Rocky run through a busy October 1 slate while previewing NYCC plans for panel live-tweets and interviews if Jace can make it to the show plus industry buzz from Vertigo and big Marvel/DC crossover whispers. The kick things off by breaking down the current Batman era's tone and art, while debating Gotham's law-and-order vibe as it compares to real-world events currently. Gotham Academy: First Year is Jace's first exposure to the property and Ricky get a “Wednesday-esque” feel from it, the Justice League: Omega Act Special is a perfect jumping on point into the next big event, DC K.O. and sums up everything happpening in DC over that last year. Poison Ivy's run earns kudos for layered, flawed character work. Cassandra Cain's globe-trotting martial-arts arc sparks a deep dive on DC's fight-lore and works for Rocky while Jace is still underwhelmed, while Absolute Green Lantern's dense worldbuilding is best enjoyed as fresh space opera rather than familiar Lantern canon. A slick heist setup in Cheetah & Cheshire Rob the Justice League shines for character moments, while Absolute Superman spotlights Kal's evolving bond with Sol, his AI guardian and and also Kal's Smallville ties, Adventures of Superman: Book of El builds future-era intrigue, the Zatanna Panic Halloween anthology offers bite-size spooky detours to celebrate Halloween, and JSA reaches a long-awaited finale. As always Jace gives a rundown of collected editions out this week also and the guys wrap things up with their weekly rankings of all the DC titles they've read.

In this episode we discuss; DC Spotlight September 24, 2025 The Comic Source   Click HERE to help Jace head to NYCC '25 and cover the Show! Check Out The Episode on YouTube   Jace and Rocky cover 15 books in this week's DC spotlight We get a rturn to its roots with a mystery-heavy Detective Comics kicking off, a gritty street-level Green Arrow, and an adrenaline-charged Green Lantern chapter that sets up next week's finale of the Starbreaker Supremacy. Superman fans get a double feature with the most dangerous place on Earth for Superman, El Caldero, being that exact place he has to go in Superman Unlimited and an action-packed Superman #30 that leans into Legion lore and big, heroic moments for characters you might not expect. Elsewhere, they check in on Harley Quinn, the sleek international turn in Catwoman, and how Absolute Wonder Woman is steadily leveling up. The duo explains why the new History of the DCU is a handy canon refresher and check in on the second issue of the new Elseworlds batman story. They also cover Mr. Terrific: Year One, with some great interactions between Michael Holt and Jefferson Pierce, better known as Black Lightning. Finally, they talk about how Justice League Unlimited helps set the stage for the coming event, DC K.O. Join us for all the details, plus a run down on collected editions out this week and a historic facsimile that goes all the way back to DC's origins.

Jace and Rocky chat about the DC Comics for the week of September 17, 2025. We see Nightwing make a questionable decision based on a "feeling" that seems like it may coe back to haunt him, Bizarro World is saved in the pages of World's Finest while Power Girl comes face to face with people she least expects. Batman Second Knight continues it's look at the earliest days of Batman as the world is on the brink of a second world war and Absolute Flash has the rogues finally catching up with Wally West, but when they do things don't go how you might expect. Join us for details on all this books and more!

Jace and Rocky chat about the DC titles for the week of September 10, 2025. It's a big week with tons of titles. Absolute Batman shows Bane's actions possibly starting Bruce's friends down the path to villainy while Dak Patterns continues to look at his early years in Gotham. We also get a chance to see a very different version of Batman as the Gotham By Gaslight era continues in League for Justice. Trinity keeps time-hopping and the Children of the Round Table receive their weapons with both titles very appropriate for young readers. The debut issue of Red Hood shows real potential for the character and the art is amazing. Fire and Ice continue their journey into hell and things take a turn for the worse for Superman as he continues to be exposed to the new forms of Kryptonite. The action and emotion of Green Lantern Corps is superbly balanced while Aquaman has more assertivesness while amongst the trinity than he ever has before, could this hint that he has a big role to play in DC K.O?

Jace and Rocky chat about the DC Comics titles for the week of September 3, 2025. We get a new era of Batman from Matt Fraction and it was tremendously enjoyable. Also the ending of Ressurrection Man: Quantum Karma was very satisfying. Absoulte Superman continues to be the best of the Absolute titles while Poison Ivy reaches it's third anniversary. Tons of action in Justice League vs Godzilla vs Kong as you might expect and the heist story in Cheetah and Cheshire shifts into the recruiment phase. It's a great week of DC titles so join us for the details on these books, plus all the other releases dropping from DC this week.

Jace and Rocky chat about the DC Comics titles for the week of August 27, 2025. Mister Terrific: Year One continues it's excellent examincation and evolution of the character. The Peacemaker Double feature ends on a high note very reminiscent of the TV show while Absolute Wonder Woman and Absolute Martian Manhunter continue on an upward trajectory. Superman has a last page that has the gusy speculationg about what comes next and Justice League Unlimited ties in closely to the big Darkseid story that has been building for close to a year. Green Lantern also maintains it's high level of quality in both story and art. Finally, Immortal Legend Batman feels like the perfect balance of fresh and familiar. Join us to learn more about this titles and all the other DC books this week.

Jace and Rocky are back with the DC Comics weekly spotlight. It's a great week in Jace's opinion, but Rocky was less impressed. Absolute Batman make both top five lists with an incredbile origin for Absolute Bane, Absolute Flash also impresses with it's best issue in quite awhile. Jace also thought that Carwoman has it's best issue of the current run, though Rocky remains disconnected with the story which is more of an ensemble than a Catwoman-centric story. New Gods continues to build and the invasion of Earth doesn't feel far off. We have two canine focused stories, Krypto and the lead feature in Detective Comics #1100th issue and Jace ranked them very highly. The other co-features in Detective were also excellent as was the debut issue of Justice League Red, Wonder Woman stays just as divisive as ever with a big chunk of the episode breakign down Tom King's writing style and why so many people may like or dislike it. There are a lot more titles and a lot more opinions in this episode so join us for all the details! 

Jace and Rocky chat about the DC Comics titles for the week of August 13, 2025. We get 4 more varieties of Kryptonite, Fire and Ice face their worst fears in hell, Aquaman faces Dagon but it might just be the start of his battle. The emotions have been drained out of the universe and the Lantern Corps turns to unexpected allies for help. We find out who the mysterious figure who is that has been watching the Kents while Momento's full plans stand revealed. Finally in the Elseworlds tale, we find out the true villain of the Krptonian age who is more feared than Lex Luthor. Join us for details on these books and more.

Jace and Rocky chat about the DC Comics titles for the week of August 6, 2025. Batgirl fights alongside her newfound brother while Poison Ivy makes a brutal decision possible fueled by the revelation of consequences from a past decision. The Birds of Prey make a final play to free Barda and speaking of final, the outcome of Jon and Jay's relationship is revealed in Secret Six #6. Justice League vs Godzilla vs Kong has next level art and the same all-out action we have come to expect from the series. Meanwhile Resurrection Man has entire past explained so that it all makes sense and it is brilliant storytelling from Ram V. Absolute Superman has an incredible betrayal revealed while the incredible restraint Superman shows is a prime example of what makes him a hero. It's a great week of books so join us for all the details. Plus our rankings of all the books, a run down of what collections are dropping this week and a live opening of Fleer Brilliant Superman cards!

Jace and Rocky chat about the DC Comics titles for the week of June 30, 2025. It's a fifth Tuesday of the month so we get tons of Annuals, a Special and even an anthology. The anthology collects a ton of Superman family stories that are quite diverse in tone and a couple of them have what may the next up and coming artists at DC. The Long Halloween continues with some great art in it's own right and the ending of Gotham City Sirens is very satisfying. The Nightwing Annual gives us the origin of Olivia Pearce and Justice League Dark Tomorrow stars a mysterious time traveler who is working to stop the Omega Energy from destabilizign time. Finally the Titans Annual is an absolute masterclass character piece starrint Donna Troy and a must-read for any DC fan.

Jace and Rocky dive into the DC titles for the week of July 23, 2025 before heading off to Comic Con. As Jace mentions, many times the books that drop the week of SDCC get a bit lost in the noise but be sure you don't sleep on this week's books. Mr Terrific Year One continues his brilliant journey from observing on the sidelines to becoming a hero and Superman has a last page guest star reveal that you have to see to believe. Green Lantern ends with the Lanterns backed into a corner and Green Arrow remains grounded and amazing. Join in to learn about all this week's books.

Jace and Rocky chat about the DC Comics for the week of July 16, 2025. It's a fantastic week with New Gods starting to build the drama and mystery. Zatanna comes to a satisfying conclusion while Krypto survives a bad situation in his early years in his comic and confronts the Toyman in his later years in Superman Unlimited. Nightwing teams up with an unexpected ally and Wonder Woman defies orders and heads to a very interesting location to rescue friends. Plus more early stories of Jason Todd and Dick Grayson in their respective titles. So join us to hear about all these titles and more!

We are in the middle of the Summer of Superman and this may be the most impactful week for the Man of Steel as his new movie drops. It's probably no coincidence that the DC Comics for the week of July 9, 2025 is packed with great Superman books. Join Jace and Rocky as they break down all the DC titles for the week with the story of the Absolute Universe Superman kicking into high gear as the Omega Men take the fight to Lazarus Corp. Meanwhile Action Comics continues to tell the story of just how Clark, along with Ma and Pa Kent navigated how to best use his burgeoning powers and still keep his identity secret. The final Superman book this week is a standalone story that is perfectly suited to anyone who wants more Superman after seeing the film, Superman Treasury 2025: Hero for All, embodies all the best things about diving into a Superman comic with gorgeous art and an awesome story. There are plenty of other great non-Superman related books this week as well, so join the guys to hear about them all.

Jace and Rocky chat about the DC Comics titles for the week of July 2, 2025. Resurrection Man confronts his future self in an incredible philosophic disagreement while the Birds of Prey deal with the fallout of the attack on them by turing the tables on their enemies, We also see how Jo Mullien gets the power of green from Abin Sur, but how Hal Jordan gets the Black Hand remains to be seen. A huge secret that Lady Shiva kept from Cassandra Cain is revealed while it may finally be time for Amanda Waller to face teh consequences of here actions. Join us to hear about all these books and more!

Jace and Rocky chat about the DC Comics titles for the week of June 25, 2025. Also Jace shows off his new statue and the guys talk about the upcoming trip to SDCC 2025. In the books, Superman looks to an unlikely place to get a cure for the Red Kryptonite infection that is fueling his rage, while Lex disappears to parts unknown. Wonder Woman looks for answers in a classic mythological setting, We find out the Spectre has much to do with the origin of Mister Terrific and the Green Lanterns encounter a character new to comics, but who may be familar to DC Animation fans. Plus the History of the DCU starts to unfold in the must-read New History of the DC Universe series. We also get the end of the We Are Tomorrow event but instead of an ending it seems to herald the start of something BIG coming soon in the pages of DC Comics. Join us to hear all about these books and more this week!

Jace and Rocky chat aobut he DC Comics titles for the week of June 18, 2025. A stellar week with some very solid titles. Superman Unlimited #2 picks up right where the first issue left off and things are going to be very challenging for the Man of Steel going forward with Kryptonite ever and a new power that is both a blessing and a curse. Detective Comics gives up a Batman/Penguin Team-up that is both formidable and funny, while the bond that we know exists between Batman and Robin begins to show in Year One. Absolute Flash gives us a glimpse at another Absolute version of a classic Rogues character, but will Wally be up to taking him on? Catwoman continues to be a complex story that may read better as a trade and in New Gods when the refugees arrive on Earth they are met with both empathy and hostility in equal measure until John Stewart takes matters into his own hands. Finally, Krypto is getting a detailed origin like we have never seen before and its a great balance of fun and emotional moments. Join the guys to hear all about these tilles and more this week from DC!