Episode #2

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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.)

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3 comments:

Count Drunkula said...: Great episode, Frank! I love a nice spotlight or recap podcast that's twenty minutes or less. They're great for listening to while I'm in the shower and getting dressed in the morning. And aren't you grateful for that bit o' unsolicited imagery!

I, too, would much rather see Despero, Starro, or Mongul as the villains of the Justice League movies rather than Brainiac and Darkseid. An intellectual villain putting the heroes through their paces and rigging battles in his favor would be a nice change from what we typically see in superhero movies. Maybe we'll see that from Ultron, but I doubt it. More likely, I'll have to cross my fingers for X-Men: Arcade in 2021.; December 28, 2014 at 11:02 AM
will_in_chicago said...: I would prefer a League villain, with maybe a build up to Darkseid and a team up of the League with the New Gods in a fight for existence itself. Despero could conceivably manipulate Starro, then be shown as the real mastermind.

Despero, like J'Onn, shows that DC has a wealth of unmined material. I think that if there were writers who knew and cared about the history of the characters we would get much better stories.; December 28, 2014 at 9:10 PM
Anj said...: My first encounter with Despero was in JLA 177 and 178, a riff on the classic chess game Despero story. I didn't even know about Despero's history at time.

I prefer the 'original' over the hulking pink Savage Dragon version myself.

And like you, I think he would be an interesting villain for the JLA in their movie. But my sense is DC wants to go with more commonly known villains. Lex is easy.

Lastly, there are some Supergirl moments with him. She completely clocks him in JLA #134.

And it is while battling Despero in Peter David's Supergirl #17 and 18 that she first manifests her flame wings/Angel powers.

Great show!; December 29, 2014 at 9:05 AM