🎶 Boop-Oop-a-Doop! 🎶 This week we’re tapping our toes, flipping our curls, and leaping out of the inkpot as we explore one of animation’s original divas— Betty Boop ! We’re asking: What if Betty Boop traveled from the cartoon world to our world? For the first time, Dear Watchers is hopping from the silver screen to the comic page to the Broadway stage as we visit Earth-Boop-Oop-a-Doop and explore: 📽 Betty Boop Cartoon Shorts (1930–1939) The surreal, saucy, and sometimes censored origins of Be...
Jun 16, 2025•48 min•Ep. 162
🌎 Earth! 🔥 Fire! 💧 Water! 🌪 Wind! 🪵 Heart! With our powers combined, we're calling forth the return of the ultimate eco-hero: Captain Planet ! For the first time in Dear Watchers history, we’re diving into a beloved ‘90s animated icon who’s been absent from the comic page for three decades. This week, we're going full Planeteer as we explore: 💬 "Captain Planet and the Planeteers" #1–12 (Marvel Comics, 1991–1992): A deep look at the surprisingly sophisticated early ‘90s comics based on the ...
Jun 02, 2025•53 min•Ep. 161
Good boys get a brand new podcast! We are taking a deep dive into Superman's best friend (no, not Jimmy): Krypto! We talk Krypto's (many) origins, his first appearance and his encounter with Lex Luthor's super powered pooch Destructo. We wrap up pondering about Krypto's appearance in James Gunn's new Superman. Grab your favorite chew toy and your headphones and listen up! Ep. 160 What if Superman’s dog Krypto had an arch-nemesis, Destructo, the superhound of hate? from Superboy #92 (DC Comics, 1...
May 19, 2025•49 min•Ep. 160
Are they in their hero or villain era? In honor of the latest film from the MCU, we're talking Thunderbolts! We kick off with their 1997 debut that introduces a superhero team that might not be what they appear to be. Then we give a spoileriffic rundown of Thunderbolts* including the film's big final twist. We wrap up by taking a look at a version of the team that closely mirrors the onscreen version, complete with Bucky and Valentina. Plus we ponder the big question: What makes the Thunderbolts...
May 05, 2025•50 min•Ep. 159
By the power of Grayskull, we're back in Eternia for another He-Man themed episode. Guido and Rob return to one of their favorite childhood films 1987's Masters of the Universe starring Dolph Lundgren before talking about the 2020 semi-sequel to this iconic film from DC Comics and past guest Tim Seeley. In this six part comic, the film version of He-Man return and team up with a would-be Skeletor to battle the Anti-He-Man. Grab your power sword and your headphones and join us. Ep. 158 What if He...
Apr 21, 2025•54 min•Ep. 158
Four-score and 157 episodes ago, we are back in the world of Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben as we ask what if the Fantastic Four all had the same powers? We start off with yet another telling of their origin story in Mythos: Fantastic Four by Paul Jenkins & Paolo Rivera before jumping into our central issue by Jimmy Valentino that features Sue becoming Man-Thing, the FF as members of SHIELD, Johnny as Mr. Fantastic and the FF accidentally killing a baby. Yes, a baby. We wrap up with Jonathan Hick...
Apr 07, 2025•52 min•Ep. 157
We might be talking "silver age silliness" but we're not horsing around! Well, Lois Lane is as she falls in love with a horse who is also a man and then becomes a horse herself? Confused, then you need to listen to this week's episode. We start with Adventure Comics in 1962 that introduces Comet the Super-Horse alongside Krypto and the League of Super Pets in a truly wacky issue. Then it's over to Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane for Comet's magical backstory. All this plus Rob makes a ton of ho...
Mar 24, 2025•48 min•Ep. 156
For the honor of podcasts! It's our first episode dedicated to the Princess of Power: She-Ra. We start by covering Adora's five episode origin story on the iconic Filmation tv series. Then we talk comics that sees Adora become Despara in the 2013-2015 Masters of the Universe series from DC Comics in a new take on her origin. We wrap up by speculating about the upcoming 2026 Masters of the Universe film and when we may next see She-Ra on the screen or page. Grab your sword and your headphones and...
Mar 10, 2025•53 min•Ep. 155
While you wait for Daredevil: Born Again, on this episode, the Man Without Fear pairs up with the Dark Knight in Daredevil/Batman: Eye for an Eye. We start back in 1964 with Daredevil's first appearance from the minds of Stan Lee and Bill Everett. Then it's off to 1997 that sees these two vigilantes battle Two-Face and Mr. Hyde. We wrap up by speculating on what's next for DD in the Marvel universe. Ep. 154 What if Batman and Daredevil teamed up to defeat Two-Face and Mr. Hyde? from Daredevil/Ba...
Feb 24, 2025•49 min•Ep. 154
Before the Fantastic Four (with Galactus) and Superman hit the big screen again, they are on our podcast! We kick things off with Galactus' first 1966 appearance courtesy Stan Lee & Jack Kirby before seeing the giant purple world eater tangle with both the first family of Marvel and the Man of Steel in Dan Jurgens' 1999 outing. We wrap up by pondering Ralph Ineson's upcoming turn as Galactus onscreen and whether the FF and Superman will ever share the screen (or page) together again. Ep. 153...
Feb 10, 2025•49 min•Ep. 153
On this episode, it's Superman's girl friend (two words): Lois Lane! We talk the origins of everyone's favorite "girl reporter" and kick things off with a 1944 story that sees Lois stepping out on her own sans Superman. Then, we zero in on a 1962 issue of Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane that sees the Daily Planet dynamo be "abandoned" by Superman (and face off against an octopus!) and then discover Superman's secret mermaid family on another planet (yep). We wrap up by discussing Lois on screen...
Jan 27, 2025•52 min•Ep. 152
Ready for some silver age silliness? For the first time, we are talking Superman's best pal: Jimmy Olsen! We start with a brief history of the redheaded sidekick, his first "official" appearance back in 1941, and an issue of Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen that seems our hero transform into a werewolf, don drag to pretend to be a woman, befriend a leprechaun (that's really Mr. Mxyzptlk) and lots more zany shenanigans. We wrap up by talking about our favorite onscreen Jimmy's and what we want to see n...
Jan 13, 2025•53 min•Ep. 151
It's our sesquicentennial! We are joined by frequent guest Elliot from ElliotComicArt as we celebrate our 150th episode! We are going back to our roots with a conversation about the third & final season of What If plus a look back at some of our favorite past episodes and a glance forward at what's coming in the future. Ep. 150 What if we celebrated our 150th episode with a review of the What If TV series, plus our favorite alternate universes & hopes for the future? from our back catalo...
Dec 30, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 150
Santa Claus is coming to town...or a comic book near you! We are talking a history of Santa Claus in comics plus Marvel & DC holiday specials. We start way back in 1947 with Action Comics that sees a real Scrooge try to ruin Christmas by causing Santa to gain a massive amount of weight from tainted chocolate. It's up to Superman to get St. Nick back to fighting weight and save the holiday. Then, we jump to What The in 1991 where Santa is again sidelined and Doctor Doom has to take over, much...
Dec 16, 2024•51 min•Ep. 149
Vampires, Werewolves and Monsters...oh my! In honor of James Gunn's new DC / Max TV show which is officially kicking off the new DCU, we are talking the history of the Creature Commandos! We go back to their first 1980 appearance in Weird War Tales plus the sporadic attempts to revive the team from the 00s until today. Plus we talk the (Universal) monsters, dinosaurs, mutant children and so much more. Ep. 148 What if classic horror movie monster tropes like Frankenstein, Wolfman, Dracula were tu...
Dec 02, 2024•49 min•Ep. 148
We are All-In on the Absolute Universe! We talk the brand new Absolute stories featuring Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman. These new stories explore Batman if he wasn't born into wealth, Wonder Woman if she was born in hell and Superman if...well, you'll need to listen to the podcast to learn more. Ep. 147 What if Batman had no money, Superman no family, and Wonder Woman was from hell? from Absolute Batman #1, Absolute Wonder Woman #1, & Absolute Superman #1 (from DC Comics) Find us at http...
Nov 18, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 147
Young Avengers assemble! We join Wiccan, Hulkling and the gang as they battle an inter-dimensional parasite controlling their parents in Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie's run from 2013 & 2014. We walk you though the entire story plus discuss when we might see the Young Avengers together in the MCU. Ep. 146 What if multiversal Wiccans / Billy Kaplans (and the rest of the Young Avengers) were pulled in to fight one mega battle to prevent a dimensional takeover? from Young Avengers #1-15 (from...
Nov 04, 2024•52 min•Ep. 146
It's the most wonderful time of the year...New York Comic Con! Guido & Rob are joined by Elliot from ElliotComicArt to discuss some of their amazing experiences, pick ups and memories from NYCC 2024. The gang discuss meeting leading figures in comics like James Tynion IV and Pepe Larraz, hearing about upcoming projects from directors James Gunn & Mike Flanagan, revisiting NYCC traditions, meeting up with fellow podcasters and so much more. Relive the con with us! Ep. 145 What if we broug...
Oct 21, 2024•45 min•Ep. 145
Are you ready for the ULTIMATE episode? Marvel's Ultimate Universe that is! We take our first trip to this polarizing run tackling yet another witchy episode with Agatha Harkness and the Salem Seven! We kick off with the Seven's first appearance in the 616 back in 1977 (appropriately enough) before seeing their reboot in 2008. We wrap up by talking the Salem Seven on Agatha All Along and the legacy of the Ultimate universe on the MCU. Ep. 144 What if Salem’s Seven and Agatha Harkness were one be...
Oct 07, 2024•43 min•Ep. 144
Grab your broomstick or in this case, fishnet stockings, we are talking DC Comics' number one witch: Zatanna. We talk Zatanna's first appearance in 1964, her solo book in 1987 and her appearance on Batman: The Animated Series. Plus, we discuss the unfortunately never realized Zatanna projects and what we'd like to see from her on the big screen. Bonus: We discuss our spoiler-free correct predictions for Agatha All Along. Ep. 143 What if Zatanna was one of the first on-screen featured heroic witc...
Sep 23, 2024•56 min•Ep. 143
It's almost the witching hour so we are talking Agatha Harkness! We kick off by walking you through Agatha's history in comics, video games and of course, television in preparation for Kathryn Hahn's return in Agatha All Along on Disney+. We walk you through Agatha's debut at the hands of no less than Stan Lee and Jack Kirby that sees our beloved witch defend the Fantastic Four from the Frightful Four. We then enter the multiverse as once again, Marvel mashes up with the Wizard of Oz with Agatha...
Sep 09, 2024•51 min•Ep. 142
In brightest day, in blackest night, Dear Watchers is here to set things right! We are back with 11-time returning guest Ethan from MakeMineAmalgam as we talk the Green Lantern / Iron Man hybrid: Iron Lantern! We talk the first appearances of Hal Jordan's Green Lantern and Tony Stark's Iron Man plus the villains Star Sapphire and Madame Masque before diving into this DC meets Marvel mashup and chatting the future for both Iron Lantern and Amalgam Comics. Ep. 141 What if Iron Man and Green Lanter...
Aug 26, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 141
Welcome to the Jungle! We (kind of) break our own rules and cover the wackiness that is Wolverine: Global Jeopard - part prestige book, part PSA. In this 1993 book (with an embossed cover), Wolverine partners with Namor, Ka-Zar and Shanna to confront the mysterious Conservator who is teleporting animals. Coming from the minds of Peter David and Richard Howell and created in partnership with the WWF (World Wildlife Fund), we also talk about the book's dedication to Carol Kalish and talk why Wolve...
Aug 12, 2024•56 min•Ep. 140
It's fourth wall breaking fun as Guido and Rob are joined by Elliot from @ElliotComicArt to discuss the new film Deadpool & Wolverine! We talk our background with the Deadpool franchise (and the Fox Universe Marvel films) before sharing our thoughts on the new Shawn Levy directed film. We wrap up by discussing some of Marvel's big San Diego Comic Com announcements in Hall H and what is next for the multiverse, Deadpool and the MCU. Ep. 139 What if Deadpool [redacted] the Marvel multiverse? f...
Jul 29, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 139
Calling Dear Watchers! Calling Dear Watchers! Grab your yellow fedora and join us for a profile of legendary detective Dick Tracy in comics and on screen! We start by talking through Chester Gould's iconic creation and his grotesque rogues gallery in newspaper strips & comics before diving into Tracy on screen, mainly Warren Beatty's 1990 masterpiece co-starring Al Pacino and Madonna. Then, we talk the comic book time-in / prequel from John Francis Moore, Len Wein and artist Kyle Baker befor...
Jul 15, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 138
What's that lurking around the corner? It's the latest episode of Dear Watchers! We head to Victorian era London to discuss the very first Elseworlds comic - Batman: Gotham By Gaslight that sees the Bat tangle with Jack the Ripper. We talk the real life history of Jack the Ripper plus his many appearance in fiction, from Time After Time to From Hell. We do a deep dive into the Brian Augustyn, Mike Mignola, P. Craig Russell comic plus wonder what is next for Elseworlds. Ep. 137 What if Batman's o...
Jul 01, 2024•56 min•Ep. 137
Heavens to Murgatroyd! We're back with another Pride Month episode. This week we are covering Mark Russell's extraordinary 2018 miniseries Exit, Stage Left!: The Snagglepuss Chronicles that sees the effete pink lion turned Tennessee Williams-esque playwright drinking at the Stonewall and battling HUAC. We also talk Snagglepuss (and Hanna Barbara's origins), the character's first animated appearances and what else we want to see from DC's Hanna Barbara Beyond universe. Ep. 136 What if Snagglepuss...
Jun 17, 2024•56 min•Ep. 136
Happy Pride Month, Bub! After many X-Men episodes we are finally focusing on the most famous X-Man of all: Wolverine! We romp through many multiverses and meet Howlett, a gay version of Wolverine who is in a relationship with Hercules. We start by covering Wolverine's legendary first appearance in The Incredible Hulk before tackling Howlett's debut across multiple Greg Pak scripted books that see him team up with Cyclops, Dazzler, a teenage Nightcrawler battling many evil Xaviers. Plus we talk i...
Jun 03, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 135
Put the pedal to the metal and join us as we explore the world of Mad Max in comics and on screen! We talk about George Miller's one of a kind film series especially Fury Road before exploring the Mad Max: Fury Road comic book series that shows the origin stories for Nux and Immortan Joe plus prequel stories for Max and our featured character, Furiosa. We also speculate on what other stories we want to see from this universe in light of the new Furiosa film! Ep. 134 What if Furiosa (of Mad Max) ...
May 20, 2024•58 min•Ep. 134
Jump into the deep end of the (dead) pool with us as we dive into (get it?) the many multiverses of Wade Wilson aka Deadpool! We start by talking Deadpool's history in comics before chatting about Avenging Spider-Man #12-13 from Kevin Shinick and Aaron Kuder that sees the Merc with a Mouth and Spider-Man tangling Hyno Hustler in dreams within dreams including takes on The Breakfast Club and The Rocky Horror Show! We wrap up by talking exceptions for Deadpool & Wolverine and what other parodi...
May 06, 2024•48 min•Ep. 133
