DC Action News is a great little podcast that sets out to do what it does, and is quick and clever. Formatted as a newscast, DC Comics loremaster Alex Jaffe essentially recaps the events of the current week's DC comics. And if you just want a recap of this week’s comics issues, it’s great.
But the real joy in the show is the clever twists he takes with the format, presenting the over-the-top comic book stories as serious real events. This ten-minute weekly mini-podcast is all about delivery. It's the difference between a super-fan telling you about how a terrorist group lead by a super-intelligent psychic gorilla tired to steal the Moon and getting that story from Walter Cronkite.
The show mostly focuses on the ‘prime’ Earth, the one that the comics usually take place in, but also features segments from ‘Absolute’ Alex Jaffe and other versions of the host from the various alternate realities that crop up in comics, and occasionally features additional interviews and cameos.
The most recent episode, which lampshades the 'Fifth Wednesday Phenomenon,' in which for some reason almost no terrible events happen in the world on the fifth Wednesday of each month, is my favorite so far. Since the 'news' was light, the majority of the episode was dedicated to a Reporter on the Street segment which featured a bunch of delightful podcaster cameos answering the question: Does ACAB include Batman?
DC Action News is published weekly. You can subscribe or listen to episodes at DCActionNews.com or through your podcatcher of choice. I highly recommend giving it a listen.
