Giant floating tapeworm made out of babies, b**bies and p*nises. Like some weird Darksouls boss. I don’t know why, I just dreamt about that the other day and had to share it somewhere.
Everyone's rewatching the series for the season finale. And man, I forgot what a good boyfriend Eddie was to Iris. I'm conflicted now. Iris is about to deliver Barry's baby and Eddie still wants to be with her.
Just blame Eobard Thawne for your hair sticking up, he's SO petty, messing up the hair of someone reviewing a Barry story is something he so do, just epic levels of petty lol
Surprising fact of the day: in Golden Age comics, Jay and the Shade interacted only in a grand total of three panels. Three. They talk about it over at the Absorbascon blog.
Yeah, that all came much later. The Fiddler's way closer to being his arch-nemesis in the Golden Age based on number of appearances - which might explain the insecurity scenario there.
I remember reading this story when it first came out. It's always puzzled me about why the Wizard would leave that pre-recorded message for Jay, when the whole point of the trap was to drive him insane. If Jay knows that everything and everyone around him isn't real, that pretty much defeats the purpose of the trap. I'll never understand supervillains.
@@ravenwilder4099 No, the message begins when Barry tries and fails to escape the trap, which activates the recording. And the recording details the entire thing: that it's a magical construct that traps astral bodies, it's a tailor-made nightmare for Jay, and it's designed to drive him mad. Wizard is revealing everything here. Which, again, if this HAD been Jay, would've defeated the whole point of his nefarious scheme. And, he's gloating remotely. WTF kinda strategy is that?!?
It is funny how well the later Shade retcons fit into this story. I wonder if a young James Robinson read this issue back in the day, and it influenced his ideas?
What exactly does it say about Jay Garrick's mind that he has subconscious fears that his wife might divorce him...but still want to see him on the side...?
I don't know, Grundy's platform was awfully solid. Admittedly, it did involved robbing banks in Gotham to lower local property taxes and pay for infrastructure repair, but Gotham's a hellhole anyway.
In the original context it's just "Oh no, a villain is now the mayor", but with the context of recons it becomes Jay questioning if it's morally right to have a super villain as a friend, and if he could oneday The Shade overstepping their friendship and getting power that he may not deserve.
Also, I know this is a very a petty thing to say, but this nightmare world created for Jay is pretty much the current status quo for Zeb Wells' Spider-man
I do love that these guys still walk around in their super-villain costumes even when working as the mayor or sitting around at home with their family.
Lol As always the voices are on point, ummm WHY is His honor Mayor Shade in his Uniform still, not a late 70s 3 piece suit.?? Lol, And husband domesticated Fiddler does not have a Injustice Society issued lounge suit.
Cary Bates wrote the Flash for over 10 years. His stories are a lot of fun, especially 1974-1979. He was good at creating a lot of fun and entertaining concepts.
This video is kinda timely for me, as I recently had a similar experience...and it was also a Flash book (Wally, not Barry, but still). I read Savage Velocity for the first time, which is when Wally starts out as the Flash after Crisis...and if you were reading Barry as the Flash at the time you may have felt Wally was an inadequate successor. He chases after every girl he sees, despite being in two committed relationships at different points, he is a bit too money minded, spends frivolously after winning the lottery, acts unheroic a lot and is kinda misogynistic. But because I knew what type of man Wally was going to become, I actually really enjoyed reading it as it was fun to see a flawed protagonist, well overcome those flaws. Also, a notable lack of named speedsters (except for Speed Demon whose fairly obscure), made it a more unique read compared to modern Flash stories, where he's either fighting the Rogues or some new evil speedster. Who would've thought Vandal Savage would make such a compelling Flash villain? P.S. Vandal Savage hates yuppies and gets them hooked on the drug Velocity 9 to get back at the Flash. Love it.
Half that run he was fighting speedsters. Speed demon. Then Blue Trinity. Then all the doped up speedsters Savage sent after him. And Mike Baron had obviously never read a single Wally west story previous to his Flash assignment. It was terrible. It’s like he was depraved and writing vicariously or something.
Related to the Flash, but there’s a comic cover I saw recently/briefly where Wally did so bad that the Flash fired him and took on Reverse Flash as his new sidekick (if I’m remembering correctly)
Love your excellent illustration of 'perceptions may differ.' This reminds me of looking through a friend's boxes of old comics back in the 80s. Wish we both still had our comics from those days… and not just the financially valuable ones!!
Cary bates is a really interesting writer for his time! You should look into a JLA/JSA crossover story he did, where HE was a villain! In fact, you could go in depth on those crossovers, where naming crossovers with 'crisis' was the convention!!
I loved Adventure Comics when I little! You got a ton of stories from characters you probably wouldn't see very often for a buck. Great way to spend a summer afternoon when you were worn out after playing with friends or at the swimming pool. Hmmm...I just realized, aside from a few hiccups and sleazy hippies being a kid in the 70s was pretty awesome. For me at least. Thanks for reminding me.
I have the best of wolverine HC & every time I read the captain America annual#8 I always laugh when cap yells at Wolverine how he'll never be an avenger.
You think when the Flash toss Shade at the wall, if this was written in 2023. The quip would be “I just threw shade…” Just saying it’s punny Had fun, For me I would be concerned about my friends and I don’t think so nothings I read had that ever lasting impact. I think. Also I want to know about Hal’s Truck.
You've got to do the Flash story where Iris left Barry for some sort of "Ringmaster." It was a sinister trap by one of his Rogue's Gallery to break Barry's spirit. But in hindsight, it was done in such a dumb but hilarious way.
This was fun, I could see a cartoon episode following this story and some casual cheating in front of your husband and son... okay, she's married to The Fiddler but I guess Jay can still get some fiddling in
IIRC, the Fiddler can do mind control via sound, so over time, he could have brainwashed Joan. And by that time he knows the 'parallel worlds' thing well enough not to mention such things, but who knows? Lol, maybe they compare notes regularly. Maybe Jay already knows about that world and visits that world's Joan, lol
Sasha you could talk about any Comic Casually and I'll watch. You don't need an excuse. The Fiddler giving her a son cracked me up. If I was a Super Villian, I would hang out at home in costume ALL the time. Especially a costume so extravagant.
That only works right up until your spouse starts yelling at you to get off the couch and go rob a bank or kidnap the president or something. "You've been binging NetFlix for three days solid now and we've got bills due. And just look what your battle armor has done to the upholstery. This is worse than the time that bum Darkseid crashed here."
6:55 It’s weird that a version of Joan Garrick and Fiddler have a toddler son in 1978 because they would’ve been in their 50s or around 60 years old at this point in time on Earth-Two. Since that version of Joan and Jay were divorced in 1972, this means that they’re 54 years old when that happened in 1972, making them 60 years old in 1978. It’s strange to see Fiddler and Joan have a six-year-old son despite the fact that they’re in their 50s or early 60s. If Joan and Fiddler’s son were adopted, it makes sense because Joan would be too old to have a kid at that age (unless she chose to do it for which I respect that).
Had a similar feeling when I was reading "Infinity Inc", especially the Calgary Conference arc. I feel like there was a missed opportunity for Robinson to explore The Shade's relationship with Injustice Unlimited. The closest we got was him fondly reminiscing about the nickname Sportsmaster gave Alan Scott.
0:31 - if you wouldn't have mentioned the hair I probably would've never noticed... now I'm going to spend the rest of the video staring at it every time you're on screen 🙀😹😻😽
The late 60' to the early 90's is my favorite time for comic books. I started reading in 1977 at 9 years old. The pre-Crisis of Infinite Earths had alot of wonderful stories. Comics should just be read for fun and enjoy. Todays comics are still fun, but sometimes it just seems like some want to just become a soapbox for current issues. There's plenty of room for that outside of comic books.
Seeing this story ( which I bought when it was originally published) reminds me of the artwork that I didn't exactly love at the time but really appreciate these days. Don Heck did so much at DC but specifically I'm reminded of the team who drew and inked the JLA for most of the 1970s, Dillon and Mclaughlin. I HATED their stuff in the day preferring new guys like Perez and Byrn and Cochran but find myself more capable of digging the melodramatic effect Dillon and Mclaughlin gave the classic JLA stories of that time.
Sasha: The only single issue I´m not sure you´ve read and you will like is the FIRST BORN #1 from the New 52. From the Villain´s Month. It tells the origin of this Wonder Woman villain that wasn´t expanded on in the Brian Azzarello´s run. As for a very funny story I like you´ve read since it is part if the Geoff John´s run on GL. It´s from Brightest Day. When Larfleeze stays on Earth writting Santa the letter of what he wants.
This was a really fun video. I love these super casual ones. I'd really enjoy hearing more about deadman because it just seems like not very many people talk about him all that often
Of course Sasha ends up talking about Hal Jordan again😋... this is approaching Hector Hammond levels of preoccupation. (random aside, I wonder why he's always been "Hector Hammond" and didn't get a super-villain name)
couldn’t stop smiling watching this, i love barry and i love a good “put that guy in situations” storyline. and these sure are situations that guy is in ! but whether barry would talk abt it or keep it to himself, i think it would be the latter. my mind goes to flashpoint where he meets thomas wayne and later delivers his letter to bruce. 80% of that letter was just abt barry if we’re being honest (left quite the impression ig!) and i love that barry probably has no idea to this day. he’d have too much integrity to read it seeing as it was deeply personal and meant for bruce’s eyes alone, so i feel like he’d have the same intentions here. “didn’t mean to see your deepest darkest insecurities jay, just gonna leave that one to you… if you ever wanna talk abt it tho…”
I kinda feel like Barry not telling Jay is some sort of unspoken Bro Code thing to avoid an awkward conversation. JAY: Joan and I are better than ever! So, how's married life been treating you? BARRY: Yeeeaaaaahhh......about that, Jay........... I don't see that happening in a 70's comic. Heck, Wally West probably knew things about Batman he learned as a Teen Titan he didn't bring up when he became a member of the Justice League. To be fair, he was initially intimidated by Batman.... The modern comic that made me look back through a different lens would have to be Justice League: Identity Crisis. It used past stories to explain some events happening in the new story, explaining many character motivations that had been there for quite a while, but were just under the surface. Specifically referencing JLA 135 from 1976 (and yes, I probably have year and issue # wrong, but you get the idea), when the Secret Society of Super Villains switched bodies with the JLA and dicovered most of their identities. This set off a series of events that were cleverly worked into the newer story as a "behind the scenes" retcon. There's more, but that's the gist of it.
By the way guys, who else here testifies that Sasha is the Goddess of Comics?! All hail Sasha! All praise the Goddess among Goddesses! May she rule supreme on her throne in the unknown and forbidden lands of Canada!
I love how you just drop the reveal that Hal used to be a space trucker in passing, as if it's not the most interesting thing in the video. Stargirl and Shazam... Good times, an interesting concept that ended too soon. They have potential to be one of DC's big couples if they weren't under different editors most of the time.
I have a soft spot for the very first explanation for the Shade's powers, which is essentially that he owned an air purifier, and that made things dark. Makes as much sense as hard water giving you super speed. There are a couple of stories I can think of where later material changes the reading a bit. One is a Golden Age Flash story involving a criminal disguised as a baby. There's a scene where Joan and Jay are shopping for baby shower gifts, and she teases him with "What a father you'll make someday!" Jay laughs it off, but quickly gets into the idea of having a "Flash Junior." The other one was a 90s Flash story done in the style of a Bronze Age team-up. It was a flashback story about Barry and Jay saving Iris and Joan from the Shade. I would mostly remember it for how goofy the Shademobile was and the implication that Jay goes commando under his costume if it weren't for the fact that James Robinson referenced it in Starman and tied it into the story he was telling about the Shade.
This is such an interesting concept for a story. It kinda reminds me of Hollow Mind from Owl House where Luz and Hunter go into Belos's mind. Great video!
@@CasuallyComics Respectfully disagree. My first take on today's ensemble was more like if 1970's Betty Brant was really into celebrating Christmas or Valentine's Day. But that's just the wacky MST3K directions my mind goes . I should probably see someone about that. Collin Baker, the sixth Doctor had a simular on camera goof. In his first scene having just regennerated from Peter Davidson, looked directly into the camera, said the episodes closing lines "Change, my dear. And it seems not a moment too soon." He blinked. No one else noticed or cared, even when he himself brought it up in an interview. Just goes to show, our faux pas are seldom a big as we think. Unless you're trying to be the New Jan Brady. Then you would need to see someone about that...🤫
Really love this era of DC Comics. It seemed like the comics just wanted to be fun. No Earth shaking events every month, no doom and gloom, no crossover over crossover . Just fun stories.
I’m down for this format at times, somewhere between a short & a deep dive … I could see you doing one on a cute story like …Hypothetically Speaking…from Harley Quinn Black, White ,& Red , where she puts out a recruitment invite for potential henchmen at a Gotham bar saying it’s for one of the heavy hitters, only to poison everyone hoping to possibly get Batman in disguise, only to be foiled by Batwoman in disguise… but truly she was just trying to thin the crowd because… “it’s a competitive life henchin…& in this town ( Gotham) you gotta do whatever it takes to stay ahead of the pack “ Keep Up The Outstanding Work Sasha 🖖🏾
I wish the Wizard had stuck with that cloaked look from Secret Society of Super-Villains. It really bothered me that in Bill Sienkiewicz's first Fantastic Four issue in 1981 there's no explanation as to why the villain and his first mate were "normal" when in their previous appearance, in Incredible Hulk 219, they'd both been turned into apes. Also, as much as I enjoyed Roger Stern's run on Amazing Spider-Man, it's always bothered that, without explanation, Will O' Wisp in his subsequent appearances is not the sympathetic character he was in his initial appearance during the Len Wein era.
So, in Berry's nightmare the Shade and Soloman Grundy had a political match to become mayor, eh? With how insane the pollical climate is, I definitely see that as more and more of a reality for the Flash comics each day.
You’re one of the best, if not THE best, DC comics commentators on RU-vid. Fantastic work! 😊👍🙏 And no, this is not what you would find in my subconscious nightmare. You’d probably find infinite DC reboots. What?! We’ve always had that?! You mean I’m actually living it for real??!!!! Holy Continuity Be Damned, Batman!😂 PS I don’t mind a reboot or two. At some point DC will settle down. PPS yeah, sure they will. Looking forward to 2025’s ‘Multi-Crisis on Single Earth Criss-cross Where we rename the entire line Batman Comics’ reboot 😉 PPPS I truly do love DC 😊
This was quite casual. :D A topic I haven't seen you cover yet that I think you'd enjoy is Marvel's Assistant Editors Month. This was back in 1984 and it was ....entertaining.
Getting extra casual over at Casually Comics. I'm only kidding, you look great, Sasha. Patiently yet anxiously awaiting your review of Sandman Mystery Theatre.
Hal Trucker Jordon is something I didn't know happened and I now need to know everything about it and given how Hal's best friends sidekick Roy Harper was wherein a trucker hat for over a decade maybe Hal had more influence on the boy then any of us realized.
There's something about Sasha 🤔 This is another great, fun episode. I always love Sasha going Gold, silver and Bronze Age stories. DC always seems to be wackier than Marvel.
Huge fan of DC anthologies and 70's Flash, so this episode was definitely getting my attention. I like that you'll do in-depth looks, and then just do a 'look what I found in a cheap box!' episode. Some stories don't need analysis, and sometimes it's just fun to point out the weird, random bits that make comics fun.
8:42 "Intra-special? That's not a thing. You're just making shit up." "Hush! I'm a recording! There's no point arguing with me." "If you're a recording why are you answering me?" "Look, I spent a long time programming this. So many decision trees and story paths. It's like a visual novel. Do you want to see the scenario where you and Joan and the Fiddler have a three-way while the Turtle babysits for the kid?" "THAT'S IT, I AM OUT OF HERE! *Never* telling Jay about this. Cripes, and I thought Zoom was a freak."
I was confused as to why everyone was calling Barry, Jay... then oooohhhh. I do want to ask, (maybe I've already asked) but do you ever delve into the indie comics? Stuff like Cerebus and Poison Elves? Maybe SiP?
I read Stern's Spider-man Hobgoblin issues long before Ditko's... almost said Norman Osborn... before Ditko's 5 issues of "Who am I?" Green Goblin stories. "GG was subjected to a chemical formula that drove him made but also gave him super strength. Are you sure? Because it looks more like he wants to become the Joker." Insane? Check. Mad with power? Ah, no but I did wonder where GG got all the money for his wonderful toys. Hobie got his from GG... including an armored mobile base. Insane? Double check.
The summer of 1978 was when I really got into comics and started collecting them. I turned 13 that summer. I had picked up Adventure #458 which was the last of a short run of Superboy, and I was so excited when I saw #459 on the racks and it had been turned into a Dollar Comic. More comic goodness! The dollar comic size for Adventure didn't last too long, but the split Starman/Plastic Man/Aquaman run on Adventure was pretty good too.
The really weird stuff to read, for me, is the blizzare rollout of the post Crisis on Infinite Earth. Going back, I see that they had no plan except trying to get the best pitches in. Byrne changes to Superman affected Legion of Superheroes, Justice Leauge and general timeline. Batman soft “Year One” affected Batgirl age age and parents. (Dick Grayson and her became the same age) Wonder Woman was completely time wiped and didn't come to man's world until Legend, ten years after Batman and Superman appeared. This JLA needed to be changed again... Then throw in the fact that DC decided that Green Arrow and Green Lantern were hanging around since the 1970s Oh and the world was supposed to be amazed that Superman existed, despite the fact that Justice Society existed. Then Hawkman had a great mini-series called Hawkworld. It was intended to be a “Year One.” reboot. Except DC decided to just have this version to be a new one. Despite having Hawkman running around DC the while time.
I love learning about older, random stories... this was a fun and great video. I'd like more of these videos... ps your hair problem was not a big deal 🙂
