The Batman Universe Podcast The Batman Universe

 

In this episode of The Batman Universe Podcast, hosts Scott and BJ revisit The Dark Knight Returns, the 4-issue miniseries that changed comics forever.  The two cover some background information about the book, of how characters like the Carrie Kelly Robin came to be, as well as analyze some of the more memorable moments in the work. From the return of Two-Face and the Joker to the Mutant Gang and that final battle with Superman, The Dark Knight Returns is iconic, groundbreaking, and one of those stories that changed the Batman landscape, both in print and on the silver screen.

They don’t talk about Bruno though. No, no.

What is your favorite moment in The Dark Knight Returns?

Join our Discord, and share your thoughts and memories on The Dark Knight Returns or any other Batman story in our TBU Bat-fans channel. Prefer email? No problem. Drop us a line at TBU@TheBatmanUniverse.net.  As always, if you like this episode, please rate, share, and subscribe on the streaming platform of your preference.

 

 

In this episode of The Batman Universe Podcast, hosts Scott and BJ look back at Batman (1989) and its legacy, graphic novel adaptation, and subsequent Bat-mania that, arguably, made Batman more popular than ever before. Tune in as they talk about favorite film moments, the casting, that iconic Prince soundtrack, and more.



* For more Batman (1989) goodness, check out some of our previous episodes, including an interview with Batman Movement Double Carl Newman and interview with Executive Producer Michael Uslan.

* Never read the Batman (1989) graphic novel by Denny O’Neill and Jerry Ordway? Get your copy here.

* Want to read an in-depth breakdown of Batman‘s opening sequence? Scott compiled a shot list and breaks down the themes, motifs, and ideas that make the opening sequence so iconic. Read Analyzing an Opening: Fear and Myth in Batman (1989).



Other Batman Topics Covered this Episode

Check out the latest trailer for The Penguin, which debuts in September. BJ and Scott couldn’t be more excited for this very mob-heavy show to drop.



 

Did you miss the Batman: Caped Crusader season 1 trailer? We’ve got you covered:



 

How did you celebrate the 35th anniversary of Batman? Tell us about it. 

Join our Discord, and share your feelings about Batman (1989) or any other Batman story in our TBU Bat-fans channel. Prefer email? No problem. Drop us a line at TBU@TheBatmanUniverse.net.  As always, if you like this episode, please rate, share, and subscribe on the streaming platform of your preference.

 

In episode #257 of The Batman Universe Podcast, Scott has the pleasure of chatting about Warner Bros animation with Lila Martinez, whose career boasts work on celebrated prime time series and movies such as The Simpsons, American Dad, Harley Quinn, Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match, and much more. Most recently, Lila has served as director on several episodes of the critically acclaimed Batwheels show currently airing on MAX and Cartoon Network.

Tune in as Scott and Lila discuss what goes into the making an animated episodes, as well as what differences and challenges animators face when crafting a show for adults, like Harley Quinn, versus a show for much younger audiences, like Batwheels. It’s a fun, insightful glimpse behind the curtain of recent Batman-related animation, giving listeners a taste of the process of making an episode.

To learn more about Lila Martinez’s work in animation as a director and a storyboard artist, please check out her website (https://www.lilastory.com/site/) or follow her Instagram: @lilastory.



In the course of their discussion, Lila and Scott hit on favorite Batman incarnations, as well as a mutual appreciation and love for Batgirl.

Question for our listeners: Is it time for Batgirl to get her own stand-alone work of animation? Tell us about it. 

Join our Discord, and hit us with your thoughts on why Batgirl deserves (or doesn’t deserve) her own stand-alone series in our TBU Bat-fans channel. Prefer email? No problem. Drop us a line at TBU@TheBatmanUniverse.net. As always, if you like this episode, please rate, share, and subscribe. Thank you for being a hero.

 

In this episode of The Batman Universe Podcast, Scott is joined by Rob from Comic Book Chronicles. The two talk about the Comic Book Chronicles channel, how Rob got into comics, favorite incarnations of Batman, the current Chip Zdarsky and Jorge Jimenez Batman run, and DC’s “Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors of Batman.”

Listeners can watch Comic Book Chronicles’ reviews across the following social media platforms:



* TikTok: @comicbookchronicles

* Instagram: @comicbookchroniclesrob

* YouTube: @ComicBookChroniclesRob

* Threads: @comicbookchroniclesrob



Rob and Scott also talk about The Killing Joke. If you missed our last episode, we took a deep dive into the seminal graphic novel from Alan Moore and Brian Bolland. Listen to our Killing Joke podcast episode here.

Who is your definitive Batman? Tell us about it. 

Join our Discord, and tell us about your favorite incarnation of The Dark Knight in our TBU Bat-fans channel. Prefer email? No problem. Drop us a line at TBU@TheBatmanUniverse.net. As always, if you like this episode, please rate, share, and subscribe. You’ll be a caped crusader to us if you do.

 

In 1988, Alan Moore, Brian Bolland, and John Higgins would release a one-shot graphic novel that would change the Batman landscape forever. Batman: The Killing Joke was the superstar team-up that solidified Batman’s relationship with the Joker, and it changed the dynamic between Joker and the rest of the Rogues Gallery going forward. Not a book or movie has released since that features the Joker and doesn’t take a cue or two from The Killing Joke.

Since its release, it has never gone out of print — a rare feat for a comic book. 

In today’s episode of The Batman Universe Podcast, hosts Scott and BJ revisit one of the most talked-about (and debated) Batman graphic novels of all time. Listen  as the two discuss the book, its enduring legacy, the 2016 animated adaptation with Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill, and influences in other media.

Have an opinion? Tell us about it. 

Join our Discord, and share your feelings about Batman: The Killing Joke or any other Batman story in our TBU Bat-fans channel. Prefer email? No problem. Drop us a line at TBU@TheBatmanUniverse.net. We’ll be happy to read your comment or question on air. Just mark your comment with “OK to Read,” and we’ll respond on an upcoming episode. As always, if you like this episode, please rate, share, and subscribe.

 

Batman: The Killing Joke Supplementary Reading

Check out these related reviews:



* Editorial: Why do we love the Killing Joke? (Or do we?) by Staff Writer D.M. Grant

* Editorial: The Very Real Problems of Batgirl in The Killing Joke Film by Staff Writer D.M. Grant

* Read our reviews of each issue of Batman: Three Jokers by Managing Editor Scott Waldyn



* Batman: Three Jokers #1

* Batman: Three Jokers #2

* Batman: Three Jokers #3









Like our revisiting of this classic graphic novel?

Listen to our episode on Batman: Year One next!

 





 

In this episode of The Batman Universe Podcast, hosts Scott and Adil pick up after nearly a month away! No worries, nothing bad happened. The hosts dive into why the large gap between episodes and then catch up on all of the DC film, TV, and video game news goodness that happened since Episode 253.

Tune as Scott and Adil talk about that new Batman: Arkham Shadows game, which is set to take place within the Arkham video game universe.  If you haven’t seen the trailer, check it out below!

 



Scott and Adil also talk about the lackluster reception of Joker and Punchline. They ask each other, does Joker really need a moll anymore, or he is better as a solo act?

Other topics include that new Superman suit controversy that James Gunn shared on Threads, that new Joker: Folie a Deux trailer, and the recently announced Batman: Resurrection novel, which is set to take place directly after the events of Tim Burton’s Batman (1989).

Question: Do *you* think Joker needs a moll, or is he better as a loner villain?

Let us know! Join our Discord and tell us your answer in our TBU Bat-fans channel, or drop us a line at TBU@TheBatmanUniverse.net. We’ll be happy to read your comment or question on air. As always, if you like this episode, please rate, share, and subscribe.