Essential Issues: A DC Comics Podcast

Spirit Blade Productions

Paeter Frandsen (Spirit Blade Productions) reacts to the latest releases on the DC Universe Infinite subscription service, geeking out as a fan and also exploring their moral and philosophical themes.

  1. Emotions & Morality (Essential Issues Podcast #036)

    FEB 6

    Emotions & Morality (Essential Issues Podcast #036)

    (TIME STAMPS BELOW!) Moral Dilemmas, unhealthy romance, preachy Wonder Women & loving Bat-dads! ‍ ‍ RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra January 2025, DCUI Standard June 2026, ‍ ‍ TIME STAMPS 00:01:09 Superboy has a moral dilemma that doesn't quite work, Green Lantern Corps is further exploring A.I. sentience/personhood while suggesting an unhealthy view of romance and human purpose, and Wonder Woman continues to barrel through the DCU being "right", but steps into delivering a self-defeating sermon... or perhaps her writer does. Action Comics 1093, Batman And Robin 28, Green Lantern Corps 11, DCKO 3, Wonder Woman 28 ‍ ‍ 00:36:55 Detective Comics gave me the feels, and "the thinks?" Stuff going on that reminds me why I LOVE comics! Green Lantern 30 (Oops! I should have said the Batman/GL contrast is fear vs. courage instead of darkness vs. light!), Justice League Red 5, Detective Comics 1104 ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ GET THIS PODCAST 3 DAYS EARLY and enjoy exclusive rewards at https://www.patreon.com/spiritbladeproductions ‍ ‍ Subscribe in a reader ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ Open In i-tunes- itms://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/essential-issues-a-dc-comics-podcast/id1697221899?mt=2 i-tunes Page Link- https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/essential-issues-a-dc-comics-podcast/id1697221899?mt=2 Get fun, exclusive rewards for your support! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/spiritbladeproductions Or ‍ ‍ Become a Patron! ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ The Christian Geek Central Statement Of Faith can be found at: http://christiangeekcentral.blogspot.com/p/about.html Essential Issues: A DC Comics Podcast is written, recorded and produced by Paeter Frandsen. Christian Geek Central Logo created by Matthew Silber. Copyright 2026, Spirit Blade Productions. Music by Jon Adamich

  2. Aquaman Dominates! (Essential Issues Podcast #035)

    JAN 17

    Aquaman Dominates! (Essential Issues Podcast #035)

    (TIME STAMPS BELOW!) DC KO's tie-ins are better than the main books? And Aquaman DOMINATES with his new powers! Could he win the entire KO tournament? Very possibly! In this extra-large "catch-up" installment I cover Ultra-Tier DC Universe Infinite releases from November & December! ‍ ‍ RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra November/December 2025, DCUI Standard May 2026, ‍ ‍ TIME STAMPS 00:01:09 Justice League Unlimited 12, DC KO 2, Superman Red And Blue 2025 Special 1, Superman Vs. Captain Atom 1, Action Comics 1092, Green Lantern Corps 10, Batman/Deadpool 1, Aquaman 12, Superman Unlimited 7, Red Hood Vs The Joker 1, The Flash 26-28, JSA 13 & 14, Cheetah & Cheshire Rob The Justice League 4 & 5 ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ GET THIS PODCAST 3 DAYS EARLY and enjoy exclusive rewards at https://www.patreon.com/spiritbladeproductions ‍ ‍ Subscribe in a reader ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ Open In i-tunes- itms://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/essential-issues-a-dc-comics-podcast/id1697221899?mt=2 i-tunes Page Link- https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/essential-issues-a-dc-comics-podcast/id1697221899?mt=2 Get fun, exclusive rewards for your support! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/spiritbladeproductions Or ‍ ‍ Become a Patron! ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ The Christian Geek Central Statement Of Faith can be found at: http://christiangeekcentral.blogspot.com/p/about.html Essential Issues: A DC Comics Podcast is written, recorded and produced by Paeter Frandsen. Christian Geek Central Logo created by Matthew Silber. Copyright 2026, Spirit Blade Productions. Music by Jon Adamich

  3. DC Comics Christmas Stories! (Essential Issues Podcast #034)

    12/03/2025

    DC Comics Christmas Stories! (Essential Issues Podcast #034)

    (TIME STAMPS BELOW!) My favorite DC Comics Christmas stories are probably not what DC expects. And I found a few good Thanksgiving stories, too! All explored from a nerd-fan, biblical, Christian perspective! Enjoy and Merry Christmas! ‍ ‍ RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra November 2025, DCUI Standard April 2026, ‍ ‍ TIME STAMPS 00:01:09 Batman's got a striking new villain, Superman learns a boyhood lesson Christians should take to heart, and a Green Lantern event ends while teasing big things coming! Batman: Dark Patterns 11, Batman & Robin 26, Action Comics 1091, Green Lantern Corps 9 ‍ ‍ 00:20:08 With Thanksgiving just around the corner, here's a short but worthwhile list of Thanksgiving DC Comics stories, and some scriptural comments in light of them about navigating grief during the holiday season. ‍ ‍ 00:34:44 I discovered that my favorite "Christmas stories" in DC comics are not the special one-shots with "holiday" branding, but the great little stories in my favorite books that happen in the context of the Christmas season. With a focus this time on the 90's-2011, here are some of my new favorite Christmas stories in DC comics! The Flash 73, Green Lantern 59, The Spectre 26, Green Lantern 109, JLA 60, JSA 55, Detective Comics 826, Larfleeze Christmas Special, Shazam! Origins‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ GET THIS PODCAST 3 DAYS EARLY and enjoy exclusive rewards at https://www.patreon.com/spiritbladeproductions ‍ ‍ Subscribe in a reader ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ Open In i-tunes- itms://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/essential-issues-a-dc-comics-podcast/id1697221899?mt=2 i-tunes Page Link- https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/essential-issues-a-dc-comics-podcast/id1697221899?mt=2 Get fun, exclusive rewards for your support! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/spiritbladeproductions Or ‍ ‍ Become a Patron! ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ The Christian Geek Central Statement Of Faith can be found at: http://christiangeekcentral.blogspot.com/p/about.html Essential Issues: A DC Comics Podcast is written, recorded and produced by Paeter Frandsen. Christian Geek Central Logo created by Matthew Silber. Copyright 2025, Spirit Blade Productions. Music by Jon Adamich ‍ ‍

  4. Virtuous Arrogance? (Essential Issues Podcast #033)

    11/07/2025

    Virtuous Arrogance? (Essential Issues Podcast #033)

    (TIME STAMPS BELOW!) An action-packed crossover begins and TWO DC heroes put their arrogance on display! A sampling of the nerdy fun and deeper ideas that make me glad I read DC Comics! That and MUCH MORE! ‍ ‍ RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra October 2025, DCUI Standard March 2026, ‍ ‍ TIME STAMPS 00:01:09 DC KO is looking to make an impact, but will it be something I feel, or just the sound of plastic action figures? Green Lantern Corps 8, Aquaman 9, Batman & Robin 25, DC KO 1 ‍ ‍ 00:22:55 Justice League Red is leveraging moral & philosophical complexity while Batman & Robin: Year One is going straight for the heart strings! Nightwing 130, Batman & Robin: Year One 11, Justice League Red 2 ‍ ‍ 00:36:39 Where does healthy confidence end and sinful pride begin? Wonder Woman & Mr. Terrific are both crossing that line, but only one may be able to admit it. Superman 30, The Flash 25, Green Lantern 27, Detective Comics 1101, Wonder Woman 25, Mr. Terrific: Year One 5 ‍ ‍ 01:09:31 Some weeks comics don't blow me away OR let me down, but give me just enough to remind me why I love DC comics... Batman 2, Batman 12, Cheetah & Cheshire Rob The Justice League 3, JSA 12 ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ GET THIS PODCAST 3 DAYS EARLY and enjoy exclusive rewards at https://www.patreon.com/spiritbladeproductions ‍ ‍ Subscribe in a reader ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ Open In i-tunes- itms://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/essential-issues-a-dc-comics-podcast/id1697221899?mt=2 i-tunes Page Link- https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/essential-issues-a-dc-comics-podcast/id1697221899?mt=2 Get fun, exclusive rewards for your support! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/spiritbladeproductions Or ‍ ‍ Become a Patron! ‍ ‍ ‍ ‍ The Christian Geek Central Statement Of Faith can be found at: http://christiangeekcentral.blogspot.com/p/about.html Essential Issues: A DC Comics Podcast is written, recorded and produced by Paeter Frandsen. Christian Geek Central Logo created by Matthew Silber. Copyright 2025, Spirit Blade Productions. Music by Jon Adamich

  5. We Are Superboy Prime! (Essential Issues Podcast #032)

    10/03/2025

    We Are Superboy Prime! (Essential Issues Podcast #032)

    (TIME STAMPS BELOW!) Fresh revivals of 4th-tier characters, Green Lantern explores emotions and A.I., and we all might be turning into Superboy Prime if we can’t admit we’re “broken”! That and MUCH MORE! RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra September 2025, DCUI Standard February 2026, TIME STAMPS 00:01:09 Are four different 4th-tier DC characters about to become some of my new favorites! VERY possibly so! JSA 10, Cheetah & Cheshire Rob The Justice League 1, Secret Six 6 00:15:02 How necessary are emotions? What role should they play in our lives? Can we pursue good without them? Can A.I. have true personhood? A lot going on in just one comic this month! Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum 1, Action Comics 1089, Aquaman 8, Green Lantern Corps 7 (A.I. Emotions & Personhood) 00:44:18 Although we can relate to Jason Todd in not wanting to feel "broken", if we don't admit we are we could end up like Superboy Prime! Justice League Unlimited 10, Green Lantern 26, Robin & Batman: Jason Todd 3, Superman 29 GET THIS PODCAST 3 DAYS EARLY and enjoy exclusive rewards at https://www.patreon.com/spiritbladeproductions Subscribe in a reader Open In i-tunes- itms://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/essential-issues-a-dc-comics-podcast/id1697221899?mt=2 i-tunes Page Link- https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/essential-issues-a-dc-comics-podcast/id1697221899?mt=2 Get fun, exclusive rewards for your support! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/spiritbladeproductions Or Become a Patron! The Christian Geek Central Statement Of Faith can be found at: http://christiangeekcentral.blogspot.com/p/about.html Essential Issues: A DC Comics Podcast is written, recorded and produced by Paeter Frandsen. Christian Geek Central Logo created by Matthew Silber. Copyright 2025, Spirit Blade Productions. Music by Jon Adamich

  6. Super-Parents & Bad Advice! (Essential Issues Podcast #031)

    09/06/2025

    Super-Parents & Bad Advice! (Essential Issues Podcast #031)

    (TIME STAMPS BELOW!) With evidence growing that Jon Kent might be de-aged, Batman struggling to raise two adopted sons, and Wonder Woman adventuring with a baby in tow, is DC leaning into parenthood more? And if so, how will they view parenting? Hopefully with more wisdom than Barbara Gordon/Batgirl, who has some monumentally bad advice for Batman! That and MUCH MORE! RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra August 2025, DCUI Standard January 2026, TIME STAMPS 00:01:09 Aquaman 7, Batman & Robin 23, Action Comics 1088, Superman Treasury 2025 Hero For All (Jon Kent Being De-Aged Soon?) 00:17:24 Superman Unlimited 3, Nightwing 128, Batman & Robin: Year One 9, Robin & Batman: Jason Todd 2, Wonder Woman 23 00:33:22 Green Lantern 25, Green Arrow 26, Superman 28, Batman 161 (Botching Bane & Batgirl's Bad Advice), Justice League: Dark Tomorrow 1 GET THIS PODCAST 3 DAYS EARLY and enjoy exclusive rewards at https://www.patreon.com/spiritbladeproductions Subscribe in a reader Open In i-tunes- itms://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/essential-issues-a-dc-comics-podcast/id1697221899?mt=2 i-tunes Page Link- https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/essential-issues-a-dc-comics-podcast/id1697221899?mt=2 Get fun, exclusive rewards for your support! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/spiritbladeproductions Or Become a Patron! The Christian Geek Central Statement Of Faith can be found at: http://christiangeekcentral.blogspot.com/p/about.html Essential Issues: A DC Comics Podcast is written, recorded and produced by Paeter Frandsen. Christian Geek Central Logo created by Matthew Silber. Copyright 2025, Spirit Blade Productions. Music by Jon Adamich

  7. Super-Parents & Bad Advice! (Essential Issues Podcast #031)

    09/06/2025

    Super-Parents & Bad Advice! (Essential Issues Podcast #031)

    (TIME STAMPS BELOW!) With evidence growing that Jon Kent might be de-aged, Batman struggling to raise two adopted sons, and Wonder Woman adventuring with a baby in tow, is DC leaning into parenthood more? And if so, how will they view parenting? Hopefully with more wisdom than Barbara Gordon/Batgirl, who has some monumentally bad advice for Batman! That and MUCH MORE! RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra August 2025, DCUI Standard January 2026, TIME STAMPS 00:01:09 Aquaman 7, Batman & Robin 23, Action Comics 1088, Superman Treasury 2025 Hero For All (Jon Kent Being De-Aged Soon?) 00:17:24 Superman Unlimited 3, Nightwing 128, Batman & Robin: Year One 9, Robin & Batman: Jason Todd 2, Wonder Woman 23 00:33:22 Green Lantern 25, Green Arrow 26, Superman 28, Batman 161 (Botching Bane & Batgirl's Bad Advice), Justice League: Dark Tomorrow 1 GET THIS PODCAST 3 DAYS EARLY and enjoy exclusive rewards at https://www.patreon.com/spiritbladeproductions Subscribe in a reader Open In i-tunes- itms://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/essential-issues-a-dc-comics-podcast/id1697221899?mt=2 i-tunes Page Link- https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/essential-issues-a-dc-comics-podcast/id1697221899?mt=2 Get fun, exclusive rewards for your support! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/spiritbladeproductions Or Become a Patron! The Christian Geek Central Statement Of Faith can be found at: http://christiangeekcentral.blogspot.com/p/about.html Essential Issues: A DC Comics Podcast is written, recorded and produced by Paeter Frandsen. Christian Geek Central Logo created by Matthew Silber. Copyright 2025, Spirit Blade Productions. Music by Jon Adamich

  8. Guy Gardner & Kyle Rayner Essentials! (Essential Issues Podcast #030)

    08/10/2025

    Guy Gardner & Kyle Rayner Essentials! (Essential Issues Podcast #030)

    (TIME STAMPS BELOW!) Essential Reading For Green Lantern’s Guy Gardner and Kyle Rayner, along with a major encounter between Atheist superhero Mr. Terrific and God’s Agent Of Wrath, The Spectre! And MUCH MORE! RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra July 2025, DCUI Standard December 2025, TIME STAMPS 00:01:09 Batgirl 8, JSA 8, Justice League: The Atom Project 6, 00:07:37 Trinity: Daughter Of Wonder Woman 1, Robin And Batman: Jason Todd 1, Action Comics 1087, Supergirl 2, Batman: Dark Patterns 7, Green Lantern Corps 5, Aquaman 6, Batman & Robin 22, 00:09:52 Guy Gardner: Essential Reading & Character Examination 00:46:02 Superman Unlimited 2, Batman/Superman: World's Finest 40, Wonder Woman 22, Batman & Robin: Year One 8, Detective Comics 1098, New History Of The DC Universe 1, The Flash 22, Green Lantern 24, Mr. Terrific Year One 2 (Spectre Vs. Atheist) 01:14:27 Best Of The Kyle Rayner Green Lantern Era GET THIS PODCAST 3 DAYS EARLY and enjoy exclusive rewards at https://www.patreon.com/spiritbladeproductions Subscribe in a reader Open In i-tunes- itms://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/essential-issues-a-dc-comics-podcast/id1697221899?mt=2 i-tunes Page Link- https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/essential-issues-a-dc-comics-podcast/id1697221899?mt=2 Get fun, exclusive rewards for your support! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/spiritbladeproductions Or Become a Patron! The Christian Geek Central Statement Of Faith can be found at: http://christiangeekcentral.blogspot.com/p/about.html Essential Issues: A DC Comics Podcast is written, recorded and produced by Paeter Frandsen. Christian Geek Central Logo created by Matthew Silber. Copyright 2025, Spirit Blade Productions. Music by Jon Adamich

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Ratings & Reviews

3.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Paeter Frandsen (Spirit Blade Productions) reacts to the latest releases on the DC Universe Infinite subscription service, geeking out as a fan and also exploring their moral and philosophical themes.

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