Podcast: The Debut of Despero (1960)

Episode #2

To permanently save this episode's MP3 file to your computer or other listening devices, right-click the link below to bring up sub-menu and select “Save Target/Link As...” Pick where you want it to save to, and you're set.

Look for us on iTunes, or just Download MP3

This week, we look at one of the primary villains of Martian Manhunter and the Justice League of America, Despero of Kalanor. Starting with a brief glimpse at the JLofA's earliest issues and foes, we progress to a synopsis of 1960's Justice League of America #1 (02:38,) Frank discussing his first exposure to and thoughts on the Silver Age Despero and his supporting players (06:41,) a synopsis of 1964's Justice League of America #26 (08:58,) further analysis on the character (11:46,) his current lack of a role in the films Justice League Parts 1 & 2 (14:17) and listener response on the first episode (17:07.)

• Enemies of Despero: Jasonar
• Enemies of Despero: Saranna
• 2009 Michael Netzer "December of Despero" Pin-Up
• 2007 Silver Age Despero Sketch by Chris Samnee
• 2009 Despero Custom Valentine Card

We enjoy dialogue on the red planet, so here are our non-telepathic contact options:

• Tweet host Diabolu Frank directly, or probe @rolledspine as a group.
• Email Diabolu
• If the main Idol-Head of Diabolu blog isn't your thing, try the umbrella Rolled Spine Podcasts.

Martian Sightings for March, 2015

Martian Manhunter

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #10
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by NEIL EDWARDS and JAY LEISTEN
Cover by ANDREW ROBINSON
MOVIE POSTER Variant cover by MARCO D’ALFONSO
1:25 Variant cover by DAN HIPP
On sale MARCH 11 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with three covers. This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue. Please see the order form for details.

“The Infinitus Saga” reaches its stunning conclusion! The combined might of the JLU, the Legion of Super-Heroes, the Rannian War Fleet and the Thanagarians learn the true meaning of sacrifice as events unfold that will change the DC Universe forever!

The "penultimate chapter" was solicited two months ago, so my question is, which issue(s) were padded out to take the story up through to the "Convergence" break?

SENSATION COMICS FEATURING WONDER WOMAN #8
Written by JAMES TYNION IV and HEATHER NUHFER
Art by NOELLE STEVENSON and RYAN BENJAMIN
Cover by JAE LEE
On sale MARCH 18 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T • DIGITAL FIRST

Teenaged Diana comes to Man’s World and discovers a “Wonder World” where she makes new friends. That part’s great, but her Amazon bodyguards are busy tracking her down and scaring everyone she meets! Then, in “Sabotage Is in the Stars,” Wonder Woman aids India’s space program, making it safe for them to launch their new SpaceCrops platform. But when Diana discovers that LexCorp caused the problem, she takes matters into her own hands!

It never occurred to me that I could get a pre-52 Martian Manhunter out of this title. Glad I'm already buying it.

ORION BY WALTER SIMONSON OMNIBUS EDITION HC
Written by WALTER SIMONSON and others
Art by WALTER SIMONSON, FRANK MILLER, JIM LEE and others
Cover by WALTER SIMONSON
On sale MARCH 25 • 688 pg, FC, $75.00 US

Legendary writer/artist Walter Simonson takes on Jack Kirby’s Fourth World! These tales star the heroes and villains of the Fourth World as Darkseid seeks the Anti-Life Equation and Orion battles to stop him! Collects ORION #1-25 and stories from JACK KIRBY’S FOURTH WORLD #9-11 and 13!

I've had the one issue of this series J'Onn and the JLA appeared in unread and unbagged in a box for over a decade. Read the first few issues. They were a'ight, but $75?

SCRIBBLENAUTS UNMASKED: A DC COMICS ADVENTURE TP
Written by JOSH ELDER
Art by ADAM ARCHER
Video game art cover
On sale FEBRUARY 11 • 208 pg, FC, $14.99 US

The sequel to the video game SCRIBBLENAUTS UNMASKED arrives in this title collecting SCRIBBLENAUTS UNMASKED: A CRISIS OF IMAGINATION chapters #1-9, plus a digital short never before available in print! Following the events of Scribblenauts Unmasked, Madame Xanadu and Phantom Stranger enlist the help of Maxwell and Lily to save the DC Universe as we know it.

I didn't bother listing the individual issues, but I'm sure J'Onn J'Onzz is in there somewhere, right? Right? Actually, he wasn't listed on any of the breakdowns at Comic Vine, so maybe not...

Miss Martian

SMALLVILLE SEASON 11: CONTINUITY #4
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by IG GUARA, MARCELO DI CHIARA and JULIO FERREIRA and RUY JOSE
Cover by CAT STAGGS
On sale MARCH 11 • 40 pg, FC, 4 of 4, $3.99 US • RATED T • DIGITAL FIRST

Superman has defeated the Monitors, but what can he possibly do to keep the Universe safe from them in the future? The people of Earth pick up their lives as best they can, and our heroes make some hard decisions about their own futures. As Season Eleven ends, new lives begin.

I also bought the trade paperback where Smallville Wonder Woman debuted, and haven't read that, either. This one's got M'gann, J'Onn, and Diana, so I guess I'll get that trade, too.

Martian Sightings for February, 2015

Martian Manhunter

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #9
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by NEIL EDWARDS and JAY LEISTEN
Cover by ANDREW ROBINSON
HARLEY QUINN Variant cover by MIKEL JANIN
1:25 Variant cover by MATTEO SCALERA
On sale FEBRUARY 11 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with three covers. This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue. Please see the order form for details.

“The Infinitus Saga” continues as the team joins the Legion of Super-Heroes, a Thanagarian war fleet and a Rannian war fleet to battle the endless forces of Infinitus!

I've been taunted for months with the prospect of an Andrew Robinson Alien Atlas cover, and when it finally happens he not only knocks it out of the park, but offers a perfect pairing with the Maid of Might! I love Supergirl, and think she goes great with uncle J'Onn.

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA VOL. 2: SURVIVORS OF EVIL TP
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by DOUG MAHNKE, TOM DERENICK, EDDY BARROWS and others
Cover by KEN LASHLEY
On sale MARCH 4 • 192 pg, FC, $16.99 US

As the smoke clears from TRINITY WAR, the JLA is dead, betrayed by one of their own. But Martian Manhunter and Stargirl live to fight another day, only to find themselves trapped on an alien world under the control of a group of Super-Villains. Collecting issues #8-14!

I read a couple of these issues, realized the whole arc was spinning wheels as "Forever Evil" played out, and left the remainder of the run sitting in a box without even flipping through them.

BATMAN BEYOND: JUSTICE LORDS BEYOND TP
Written by KYLE HIGGINS and CHRISTOS GAGE
Art by THONY SILAS, DEXTER SOY and others
Cover by KHARY RANDOLPH
On sale MARCH 11 • 176 pg, FC, $16.99 US

Wonder Woman is back, but what secret is she hiding? Meanwhile, Batman’s journey through the dystopian world of the Justice Lords takes a deadly turn as he faces Lord Superman! Collects BATMAN BEYOND #9-12.

Miss Martian

SMALLVILLE SEASON 11: CONTINUITY #3
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by IG GUARA, MARCELO DI CHIARA and JULIO FERREIRA
Cover by CAT STAGGS
On sale FEBRUARY 11 • 40 pg, FC, 3 of 4, $3.99 US • RATED T • DIGITAL FIRST

An alien device streaks toward Metropolis and the Watchtower. As Chloe freezes in fear, her friends rush to her side! And no man escapes the Manhunters – but will Nightwing find a loophole?

I bought the comic with the debut of Smallville M'gann, but still haven't read it.

TINY TITANS: RETURN TO THE TREEHOUSE TP
Written by ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO
Art and cover by ART BALTAZAR
On sale MARCH 11 • 128 pg, FC, $12.99 US

The Eisner Award-winning series is back in this new title collecting the six-issue miniseries! Superboy and Supergirl return to the treehouse to discover...it’s missing! Or is it just...really small? Who could have done such a thing? Find out as all your favorite Tiny Titans search for answers!

Podcast: 60 Years of Martian Manhunter - 1953

Episode #1

To permanently save this episode's MP3 file to your computer or other listening devices, right-click the link below to bring up sub-menu and select “Save Target/Link As...” Pick where you want it to save to, and you're set.

Look for us on iTunes, or just Download MP3

The Idol-Head of Diabolu, a blog for J'Onn J'Onzz, the Manhunter from Mars, is revived in podcast form ahead of the Alien Atlas' Sixtieth Anniversary year. Acting as a prelude, this episode covers the prototype of the Sleuth from Outer Space. Meet Roh Kar, Lawman of Mars...

• Roh Kar, First Lawman of Mars (Profile Page)
• Batman #78 (Aug.-Sep. 1953)
• 2012 Roh Kar Comicpalooza Commission by Thom Zahler
• Roh'Kar (2006)

We enjoy dialogue on the red planet, so here are our non-telepathic contact options:

• Tweet host Diabolu Frank directly, or probe @rolledspine as a group.
• Email Diabolu
• If the main Idol-Head of Diabolu blog isn't your thing, try the umbrella Rolled Spine Podcasts.