Checkered Past
Episodes
Beware the Hot-Box! (Detective 361)
28 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Batman and Robin face good ol' Cold War intrigue and Dr. Bobb lays out his crime-fighting requirements. PLUS Ralph Dibny returns to his roots! It's al...
Future Shock (Adventure Comics 354)
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
SuperMAN visis his old pals in the Legion, now all grown up! Dr. Bobb tries to extemporaneously regurgitate Legion trivia from his tired old brain! Pl...
Secret Agent Man (Action Comics 348)
14 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The FBI needs help, and there's only one person in America who can provide it - Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper!...
Royal Pedigree (World's Finest 165/Strange Adventures 198)
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Batman and Superman, evil crime lords dividing the world between them? Immortal Man, fighting super-apes on the eve of his wedding? Dr. Bobb, still bi...
LIke Father, Like Son (Our Fighting Forces 106)
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Without so much as a fare-thee-well, Capt. Hunter is shuffled off to (in our imaginations) a blissful retirement with his wife Lu Lin and barbecue par...
Falling All to Pieces (Metamorpho 11)
15 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Element Girl - dead! Sapphire - jilted at the altar! And Earth - under attack by a fleet of UFOs! It's all right here in Metamorpho #11! Chapters (00:...
Rules Are Made To Be Broken (Justice League of America 52)
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
5 Justice Leaguers - missing in action! The Superman-Legend of Zelda crossover you've been clamoring for! PLUS an exciting review of the JLA by-laws! ...
Eat the Rich (Plastic Man 3)
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I never imagined Plastic Man as the hero of the proletariat, but here we are. Catch all the excitement in Plastic Man #3! Chapters (00:00:00) - Plasti...
Inferior is a Relative Term (Inferior Five 1)
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's the triumphant return not only of US, but also of the Inferior Five, in their own title that no one demanded! Secret Agents! Pulp Heroes! Funny R...
Gone But Not Forgotten (Flash 168)
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Green Lantern - missing in action! (Well not action exactly...) Flash is called upon to find him - if only he can get past those pesky future bandits!...
And a Little Child Shall Lead Them (Doom Patrol 110)
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
No but seriously how does no one connect the green skinned boy that hangs out with the Doom Patrol to the green-faced animals that also hang out with ...
Let a Smile be Your Umbrella (Batman 190)
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Time keeps on slippin' slippin' slippin' into the future, and the Penguin's right there on the cutting edge! But can Batman stop his pinioned purloini...
Those Who Fail to Learn From the Past (Teen Titans 8)
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Giant robots! Beatlemania! Teen lingo! And some good ol' fashioned American xenophobia! It's all right here in Teen Titans #8! Chapters (00:00:00) - C...
Earth...err, SEA Angels (Jerry Lewis 99/Sea Devils 34)
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kids these days! Always finding medeival sea creatures and hypnotising their gym teachers and whatnot. Find out all about it right here in The Adventu...
Goin' to the Chap-Hell (Jimmy Olsen 100)
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
NOT A HOAX! NOT A DREAM! NOT AN IMAGINARY STORY! (but we kinda wish it was.) Jimmy and Lucy tie the knot! But what terrible fate does their conubial h...
Girl Power (Action Comics 347)
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's an 80-Page Giant! A Crossover with our super-friend! AND our gala 300th episode! It's got Super-Horses! Bizarros! And Chuck! Join us for Action C...
Future Shock (Green Lantern 51)
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Now that he's a homeless vagabond, Hal FINALLY follows up on the strange baubles he's found stuck to his uniform and *gasp* they're from 3800 years in...
Leg Up (Capt. Storm 18/ Sugar and Spike 69)
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sugar and Spike get the best of Li'l Arthur AND a multi-national crime ring in one fell swoop! PLUS it's the *choke* LAST ISSUE *sob!* of everyone's f...
Leapin' Lizards! (Blackhawk 230)
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The origin of Henry Winkler's signature Fonzie move! Dr. Bobb's heartwarming tales of the Ohio State Fair! And did we mention the HIP, NEW Blackhawk e...
Whoozis on First (House of Mystery 165)
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Robby Reed, experiencing horrific body dysmorphia! Martian Manhunter, radioactive (and not in the Britney Spears way)! And Dr. Husband, in his full ta...
Dog Eat Dog (Superboy 136)
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A special tale to celebrate Krypto's upcoming cinematic triumph! Featuring the Space Canine Patrol Agents! The Phanty-Cats! And the dastardly Tricky T...
Where Ya Gonna Pin That Medal, Son? (Our Army at War 178/Tomahawk 109)
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is your one-stop destination to celebrate both our nation's founding AND the release of the new film in the Jurassic World franchise - it...
Brotherly Love (Aquaman 32)
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Aquaman explore's Atlantis' tragic history! Mera stands around doing nothing! And brace yourselves - Dr. Husband resigns from the HOA board! It's all ...
All At Sea (Lois Lane 72/ Swing with Scooter 5)
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lois Lane, fish whisperer! Scooter, high-seas robber baron! And have you heard the latest, CHER MAY CUT HER HAIR! It's all right here, in Superman's G...
D.O.A (Detective Comics 360)
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is this the stupidest Batman story ever written? No - - oh, wait, sorry - -yes, yes it is. Plus Elongated Man visits the Queen! It's Detective Comics ...
Better Safe Than Uninsured! (Action Comics 346)
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Superman enters the exciting world of actuarial tables! Supergirl lucks out of dealing with a terrible blunder! PLUS a letter from Irene Vartanoff! It...
Lady or Tiger? I Demand A Third Option (Various)
25 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A tantalizing triptych of terrific tales! Featuring a Radioactive scientist! A crowdfunding alien! Plus Stanley and his Monster! It's Strange Adventur...
I've Got a Secret (Brave and the Bold 70)
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Batman and Hawkman engage in some bodice-ripping fisticuffs! Balthazar T. Balthazar uncovers bothy gentlemen's secret identities! And Dr. Husband surp...
Eye of the Beholder (Wonder Woman 168)
10 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Wonder Woman faces a leveraged buy-out of her magic lasso, and has to beat three of her toughest arch-enemies to boot! Then a less than triumphant ret...
Up, Up and Away (Metal Men 24)
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Me and Dr. Husband are a little out of sorts this week, and for once we CAN'T blame the Metal Men, who have problems of their own (besides the obvious...
Say, Hey, Willie (World's Finest 164/Star-Spangled War Stories 131)
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brainiac makes himself a sexy lady robot helper to defeat that meddling Siperman and Batman! PLUS the triumphant return of Brother-Without Wings! It's...
Battle Scars (Our Army at War 177)
12 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Johnny Cloud, battling his father's demons! Mlle. Marie, darling of the French Resistance! PLUS the origin of Pooch! It's all right here in Our Army a...
...Or ZED for Our British Friends (JLA 51)
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Zatanna's search for her lost father comes to an exciting end, full of magic, mayhem, and STRONGLY WORDED letters to the editor! It's Justice League o...
The Sound of Crime (Blackhawk 229)
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Blackhawks are washed up...or ARE they? Not if Oscar the giant robot ant has anything to say about it! It's part 2 of the all-new, all-different B...
One of Our Planets is Missing (Hawkman 18-19)
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Thanagar - missing! Adam Strange - one zeta-beam away from death! Manhawks - on the rampage! What this crisis needs is a strongly-worded letter from I...
Mopey Dope (Flash 167)
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Teacher says, every time a bell rings, a mediocre white man gets super-powers!" It's the REAL origin of the Flash - or is it? Find out right now with...
Champion of the Playground (Batman 189)
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Free ice cream for everyone! But not before a little tussle with the Scarecrow and his goons. PLUS Time Machine Mailbag AND an important neighborhood ...
Quite a Reach (Secret Hearts 114, 115 & 116)
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A Valentine's Day treat! Chapter 5 of "Reach for Happiness" presented by the Girls' Young Romance True Love Story Players, the Eastern Panhandle of W...
Too Big for His Britches (Our Army at War 176/G.I. Combat 122)
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sgt. Rock has a big bruiser gunnin' for his stripes and Easy Co. is none too happy about it. Luckily there's a kitten avilable to divert everyone's at...
Bubble Trouble (Challengers of the Unknown 54)
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Challs come up against their ol' pals, Villo and Brainex, who have a new pal of their own - Bubble Master, the cutest li'l junior villain this sid...
Smile! (Action Comics 345)
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Supergirl defeats the GOP! Superman finally gets into Batman's pants! And Alllen Funt pays a visit along with a very special guest! Join us for Action...
Short People Got No Reason (The Atom 29)
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Two heads are better than one - even tiny little heads! The Atoms of Earths 1 and 2 go up against the Thinker, in The Atom #29!
Swipe Right (Bob Hope 103/Strange Adventures 196)
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In years to come, when your grandchildren are huddled around the post-apocalyptic fire pits in a futile attempt to stay warm, they'll thrill to the ta...
Out With the Old, In With the New (Detective Comics 359)
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's a new year! A new you! AND a new Batgirl! But first she has to survive a battle with Killer Moth and being mansplained to by Batman and Robin! Ri...
Hydrogenated Homewrecker (Metamorpho 10)
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's at least the fourth or fifth sensational character find of 1966 - Urania Blackwell, the Element Girl! But is she here to help Metamorpho, or dest...
Big Pharma Strikes Again (Green Lantern 50)
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hal Jordan, driven to homelessness by his romantic rivalry with (checks notes) himself, strikes out across the country for a fun new life of minimum-w...
The Costume DOES Make the Man (Jimmy Olsen 99)
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's Jimmy's Birthday! (November 29, according to the 1976 Super DC Calendar!) What more could a boy wish for than three super-powered costumes and a ...
It's a Jungle in Here (Showcase 67)
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Here's something to be thankful for - the thrilling conclusion of B'wana Beast's origin story wherein he fulfills contract deliverables AND grabs a ki...
Jungle Fever (Showcase 66)
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's the sensational character find of early 1967 - B'wana Beast! Champion of animal rights, loincloths, and colonialism! Join us for Showcasde #66!
Smallville Blues (Superboy 135)
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The ungrateful citizens of Smallville take to kicking Superboy when he's down, and that's just the start of his troubles! What if Lana discovers his c...
Will the Real Plastic Man Please Stand Up (Plastic Man 2)
24 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Think you know the real story of Plastic Man? Well, you don't! (Not to worry, no one else does either.) It's Plastic Man #2!
Sea No Evil (Sea Devils 33)
20 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Look out, Sea Devils! It's a wolf in...err, well in wolf's clothing. Literally. It's the Sea Devils vs. the Sea Wolf in Sea Devils #33!
My, What Big Eyes...err, EYE You Have (House of Mystery 164)
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Robby dials H for "hoo-boy" when he goes up against Dr. Cyclops! PLUS Martian Manhunter takes a hand in his own doom! It's House of Mystery #164!
Bosom Buddies (Jerry Lewis 98)
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Renfrew’s got a rock band! Jerry’s got a girlfriend! And me and Dr. Husband have more tangents than a 1997 DC Comics publishing event! PLUS the tr...
The Small Faces (Teen Titans 7)
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Come with us to swingin' London-town for a mixed-up melee with the Mad Mod! It's Teen Titans #7!
Superman is Dead and I Don't Feel So Great Myself (Superman 193)
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Not just ANY 80-Page Giant, this is the GOAT 80-Page Giant. A perfect silver age comic! It's Superman #193!
Out to Pasture (Blackhawk 228)
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Justice League teams up to help the Blackhawks, distinguished war veterans and members of the greatest generation, transition their skills and fig...
Brothers in Arms (Capt. Storm 17/Our Fighting Forces 105)
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Capt. Hunter finds his brother at last! Oh wait, no, that's Lu Lin's brothjer, and he's a dirty traitor to all that's decent! PLUS Capt. Storm dabbles...
The Patriarchy Deserves to Die (Wonder Woman 167)
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Wonder Woman's Magic Lasso get's a whole issue to itself! What happens when Wonder Woman gets bound by her own magic rope? NOTHING GOOD, FRIEND. And s...
O Cap'n, My Cap'n (Tomahawk 108)
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tomahawk’s out! The Rangers get a new commanding officer just in time to make a daring raid on a British POW camp. Oh and they fight a sea monster! ...
Alas, Poor Lois (Superman 192 & 194)
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In what turns out to be a REALLY bad stroke of luck, Superman loses his powers and then forgets that he was ever Superman! Luckily plain old Clark Ken...
Christmas in July (Sugar & Spike 68/Aquaman 31)
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Aquaman aka Agent Double-0 7 Seas (get it?) battles O.G.R.E. for the collective lives of the United Nations, while Sugar and Spike battle capitalism t...
Love and Marriage (Our Army at War 175/Swing with Scooter 4)
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sgt Rock - jilted! If only he could've gotten some love advice from Scooter and his juvenile delinquent friends! PLUS love advice for the mod girl! It...
Spellbound (Detective Comics 358)
11 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hey remember that three weeks in the 1990s when Magic Eye Pictures were all the rage? Well Spellbinder is here to remind you, and hypnotize Batman in ...
What Dreams May Come (Action Comics 344)
04 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week's HOA drama pales in comparison to Superman's troubled nightmares, all tying in to a mystery which we, the reader, are expected to solve des...
Enid Blyton is Rolling in Her Grave (Adventure Comics 352/353)
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's our 250th Episode! That means a new theme song, more boring stories of our week, dog interruptions - oh yes and the death of a Legionnaire! Join ...
We Who Are About to Die (World's Finest 163/Lois Lane 71)
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Superman and Batman are kidnapped to another dimension and forced to battle to the death for the entertaiment of the masses! And poor Lois stuck on ea...
Ballad of the Green Beret (Justice League of America 50)
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We're back from vacation and ready to go-go! But first we have to deal with this Lord of Time nonsense. First order of business, find him a sensible y...
Checkered Past Presents: Nerd Orchestra!
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We're on vacation, what a perfect opportunity to check out the premiere episode of our sister podcast Nerd Orchestra! Uncle Chuck reviews the very be...
Timey-Whimey (Brave and the Bold 69)
17 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Whirly-Bats! Medieval torture devices! Scientific gobbledegook! Gay Batman and hipster Green Lantern! What more could you ask for? It's The Brave and ...
Running Hot and Cold (Flash 166)
10 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Flash has an uncontrollable urge to do something he should have done WAY before he walked down the aisle...and a bum ankle to boot! Plus Dr. Bobb's wi...
Pee-King-Eeez (Doom Patrol 109/Fox and Crow 101)
02 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Don't panic, the Doom Patrol isn't dead after all (yet) but they do have to put a beat down on a giant plastic barbarian. Plus Beast Boy's adorable bo...
Kids Ruin Everything (Doom Patrol 108)
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mento gets small and rescues Elasti-Girl from a bizzare microscopic world - and that's just the first three pages! The Brotherhood of Evil reveal them...
Erasing the Past (Batman 188)
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Batman faces a dappily-dressed menace from his past - apparently not dapper enough to be on Gotham's Ten Best-Dressed List, but that's another story! ...
I'm Sure Secrets Die on Other Islands, Too (Strange Adventures 195/Star-Spangled War Stories 130)
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Animal-Man moves his super-hero career into high gear and gets the jump (pun intended) on a gang of nogoodniks! PLUS a little bit of WWII espionge pla...
Sizzle Me This (Metal Men 23)
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A short and sweet episode today, Dr. Husband has me on a VERY tight schedule. But not so tight that I can't wax eloquently about what an awful misogyn...
Take Your Stinking Paws Off Me, You Damned Dirty Jimmy! (Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen 98)
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jimmy's got trouble AND HOW, betrothed to a lady gorilla and even his signal watch is no help! Luckily his inability to calculate time zones has saved...
Knocking on My Chamber Door (Hawkman 17)
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hawkman goes opinion to pinion with The Raven, a nogoodnik from the back alleys of Midway City! Plus the Hawks reveal their dirty secret, that they're...
Give 'Em the Ole Razzle Dazzle (Green Lantern 49)
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Green Lantern faces the Dazzler! (not that Dazzler). Carol Ferris marries the man of her dreams! (not that man). And Hal Jordan makes a fateful decisi...
Dubya Dubya One, the BIG One! (GI Combat 121/Tales of the Unexpected 98)
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jeb and the Haunted Tank Crew (minus General Stuart, who I guess couldn't be bothered) travel through a time warp to World War I, where they meet none...
Don't Be So Negative (Blackhawk 227)
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sacre Bleu! The Blackhawks are up against it, not only fighting a mad scientist but also a form of matter that can (checks notes) DESTROY THE ENTIRE U...
Throw Me a Bone (Superboy 134)
14 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Superboy - or Super-Brat?!? Superboy launches a career as a super menace in a story that MIGHT have happened but DIDN'T unless it DID. PLUS Krypto's d...
Hashtag Twinning (House of Mystery 163)
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Robby Reed's beside himself - literally AND figuratively! PLUS - the psychology of insect-themed villains! Mars vs. Mercury! And everything you ever w...
Never Never on a Sunday (Batman 187)
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's an 80-Page Giant! All about Batman! It's got a newspaper strip! An amusement park! AND a Batman from the future (spoiler alert: he's an idiot!) I...
The Gloves are Coming Off (Our Army at War 174/ Strange Adventures 194)
11 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sgt. Rock is crackin' up, man, he's headed straight for Section 8! But not before wiping out a squad of Ratzis! PLUS the sensational character find of...
Howzabout Challenging the KNOWN For a Change (Challengers of the Unknown 53)
04 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Challs face the sensational character finds of 1966, D-Man and the Iron Dictator who are (checks notes) never to be seen again! But that won't sto...
Time, See What's Become of Me (Atom 28)
20 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chronos returns, and that CAN'T be good news for tenured professor of physics Ray Palmer, can it? Not when his fiancée, lovely lady lawyer Jean Lorin...
I Was a Teenage Beowulf (Bob Hope 102)
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's finally happened - Bob discoveres that Tadwallader and Super-Hip are one and the same! Too bad Tad has taken off with his teenage hooligan pals t...
A Giant Among Supermen (Action Comics 343)
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our favorite Christmas albums! Chucking mannequins through windows! Jimmy Olsen is an idiot! Plus Superman fights a creation of the Niphilim. All part...
I've Seen That Movie (Detective Comics 357)
21 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Red and yellow, kill a fellow, but don't tell that to the golden-clad Elongated Man! PLUS - Batman and Robin, being impersonated by a couple of colleg...
Denver, James Denver (Our Fighting Forces 104)
16 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Capt. Hunter and Lu Lin help out fallen flying ace Jimmy Denver who in turn helps them infiltrate a VC prison camp in search of Hunter's psychic twin,...
The Devil, You Say (Superman 191)
10 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Superman jumps on the acronymned criminal organization bandwagon when he pledges to protect a mysterious space jewel from the machinations of D.E.M.O....
Valley of Derision (Metamorpho 9)
02 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What's to be done when you discover a hidden valley filled with ancient machinery? Toddle off with your idiot daughter, caveman secretary, and underli...
The Cat's Meow (Lois Lane 70/71)
25 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Catwoman emerges after 12 years in retirement to (checks notes) announce her retirement...she just has a few odds and ends to take care of first, like...
Color Me Blue (Adventure 351)
12 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sir Prize and Miss Terious are finally unmasked and that's like the LEAST exciting thing that happens in this issue. It's Part 2 of our 2-part look at...
Devil's Half Dozen (Adventure Comics 350)
04 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Supergirl and Superboy...BANISHED from the Legion?!?! Say it ain't so! WHO can ever replace them? Sir Prize and Miss Terious, THAT'S who...but what is...
You Devil, You (Sea Devils 32)
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Sea Devils are not known for making good decisions, but this issue takes the cake - if cake as we know it even exists in the far-off future of (ch...
Bless the Beast Boys and the Children (Teen Titans 6)
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Beast Boy faces the existential dread of (checks notes) being a teenager. No one understands him! Where does he belong? Well, at the circus - at least...
Don't Drop the Soap (Jerry Lewis 97)
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A report from Baltimore Comic Con! A spirited albeit one-sided discussion of Wacky Packages! And speaking of wacky packages, have you heard about Dean...
Stretched Too Thin (Plastic Man 1)
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
At last! The DC Universe debut (almost) of the ORIGINAL (but not really) Plastic Man! Also the DC debut of Professor X (not that Professor X). But Pro...