PODCAST · fiction
Essential Issues: A DC Comics Podcast
by 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.
Episodes
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The Spectre Ruined, But DC Saved?? (Essential Issues Podcast #044)
(TIME STAMPS BELOW!) Although it looks like the Spectre has been ruined worse than ever, numerous books this month were either great #1s, exciting developments or promising course corrections! Too soon to say, but DC might be heading toward a much greater consistency in quality! RELEASE PERIODS...
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Messing With Young Jon Fans (Essential Issues Podcast #043)
(TIME STAMPS BELOW!) Some frustration over how DC is messing with Young Jon Kent fans, but also some respect for a better Supergirl in comics than in theaters! RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra August 2026, DCUI Standard January 2027, TIME STAMPS 00:01:09 In HUGE contrast to the movie…
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Jon Kent “Returns” (Essential Issues Podcast #042)
(TIME STAMPS BELOW!) What the CRAP is going on with the “return” of Jon Kent! Argh! PLUS! I feel betrayed but intrigued by The Fury Of Firestorm, and The Spectre gets a re-establishment of his origin and purpose that… makes very little sense if you think about it. Hooray for Relativism and its...
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Crazy Changes! (Essential Issues Podcast #041)
(TIME STAMPS BELOW!) Big changes are brewing for The Spectre, Barbara Gordon, Superboy Prime and The Flash! I share my hopes, fears and speculations about all of it! RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra June 2026, DCUI Standard November 2026, TIME STAMPS 00:01:09 The Spectre is returning!...
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Weird Jesus Choices (Essential Issues Podcast #040)
(TIME STAMPS BELOW!) YAY! Jon Kent staying for good! BOO! Tired out nonsensical alternatives to the Gospel accounts. DC definitely covers some interesting ground this month! RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra May 2026, DCUI Standard October 2026, TIME STAMPS 00:01:09 All signs point to Young Jon...
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Young Jon Kent For REAL!! (Essential Issues Podcast #039)
(TIME STAMPS BELOW!) It’s a WILD month of status quo changes, with some characters getting exciting changes and other getting head-scratching ones. But who am I kidding? Only one truly stands out. The BIG one finally happened! The return of young Jon Kent… FOR REAL!!! RELEASE PERIODS COVERED:...
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“LOVING*” Green Lantern! (Essential Issues Podcast #038)
(TIME STAMPS BELOW!) DC K.O. Ends! A sneaky de-aged Jon Kent! And HUGE things coming from Green Lantern! RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra March 2026, DCUI Standard August 2026, TIME STAMPS 00:01:09 DC K.O. comes to an end and shows us what's next! DC K.O. Boss Battle DC K.O. 5 What Is...
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Jon Kent & DC’s Potential (Essential Issues Podcast #037)
(TIME STAMPS BELOW!) Both Jon kent & DC’s forgotten characters are RICH with potential! PLUS, The Spectre “warps” God and Wonder Woman teaches objective truth! RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra February 2026, DCUI Standard July 2026, TIME STAMPS 00:01:09 DC has some GREAT potential to...
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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DC Pride, Marriage & God’s Wrath (Essential Issues Podcast #029)
(TIME STAMPS BELOW!) DC Pride gives us something to think about, JSA shows how to wreck your marriage and Hal Jordan & The Spectre can remind us that God’s wrath might be more nuanced and complex than we think! And MUCH MORE! RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra June 2025, DCUI Standard November...
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Christians, Be Like Wonder Woman! (Essential Issues Podcast #028)
(TIME STAMPS BELOW!) The “Righteous” Anger Of Batman & Wonder Woman makes them BOTH look like villains… but are the WRITERS aware of this? PLUS, Aquaman discovers even MORE cool stuff he can do with his new power over water! And MUCH MORE! RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra May 2025, DCUI…
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Christians, Be Like Aquaman! (Essential Issues Podcast #027)
(TIME STAMPS BELOW!) The “Righteous” Anger Of Batman & Wonder Woman makes them BOTH look like villains… but are the WRITERS aware of this? PLUS, Aquaman discovers even MORE cool stuff he can do with his new power over water! And MUCH MORE! RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra March 2025, DCUI...
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“Righteous” Anger (Essential Issues Podcast #026)
(TIME STAMPS BELOW!) The “Righteous” Anger Of Batman & Wonder Woman makes them BOTH look like villains… but are the WRITERS aware of this? PLUS, Aquaman discovers even MORE cool stuff he can do with his new power over water! And MUCH MORE! RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra March 2025, DCUI...
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Messy Relationships! (Essential Issues Podcast #024)
(TIME STAMPS BELOW!) This month relationships are messy, beautiful and everything in between. But which of these are supposed to be examples to inspire, and which are intended as cautionary tales? Some great character stuff happening in the midst of the usual comic book craziness! RELEASE PERIODS...
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Heaven Without God? (Essential Issues Podcast #023)
(TIME STAMPS BELOW!) This month I'm reminded why I LOVE beig a DC fan! Some great character interactions, philosophical stories, family drama, a MASSIVE new Justice League that still cares about character, and the start of the ultimate martial arts fight in DC History! RELEASE PERIODS COVERED…
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How DC Is "All In"! - (Essential Issues Podcast #022)
(TIME STAMPS BELOW!) DC's "All-In" initiative is looking to help new readers jump onboard, and has so far involved a mixed bag of intriguing, frustrating and mystifying. But when Dick Grayson loses, readers might win! (SEE TIME STAMPS!) RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra November 2024, DCUI...
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Comics MUST Reject Atheism! (Essential Issues Podcast #020)
(TIME STAMPS BELOW!) Jon Kent could be rebooted, DC missed some GREAT opportunities, Zero Hour is back, and Alan Scott effectively shows why comics can't work if atheism is true! That and MUCH MORE! (SEE TIME STAMPS!) RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra September 2024, DCUI Standard February…
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Absolute Power Begins! (Essential Issues Podcast #019)
(TIME STAMPS BELOW!) The Absolute Power crossover event is here and making massive craters across the DCU! It's also giving readers some worthwhile things to think about long the way! That and MUCH MORE! (SEE TIME STAMPS!) RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra August 2024, DCUI Standard January…
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Sapphire's Love & Absolute Power! (Essential Issues Podcast #018)
(TIME STAMPS BELOW!) A Batman saga ends and an earth-shattering crossover begins! And will REAL love finally be the center of Hal Jordan's relationship with Carol Ferris? That and MUCH MORE! (SEE TIME STAMPS!) RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra July 2024, DCUI Standard December 2024, TIME STAMPS...
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Gay Love & Trans Hate! (Essential Issues Podcast #017)
(TIME STAMPS BELOW!) This month, Alan Scott's Gay Retcon story wraps up on a note worth thinking about, and a DC Transgender character gets pretty hateful! But elsewhere in DC, marriage and family are valued, healthy relationships are explored, and some classic Flash villains are preparing for a...
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Wonder Woman's "Bible Torture"! (Essential Issues Podcast #016)
(TIME STAMPS BELOW!) This month, Birds Of Prey mystifyingly objectifies women, Green Lantern shockingly referances a weird forgotten part of DC history, Batman has an important word for CHRISTIANS, and the Flash gets me to drop his book... by standing still! PLUS SO MUCH MORE!! (SEE TIME STAMPS!)...
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Batman's Word For Christians! (Essential Issues Podcast #015)
(TIME STAMPS BELOW!) This month, Birds Of Prey mystifyingly objectifies women, Green Lantern shockingly referances a weird forgotten part of DC history, Batman has an important word for CHRISTIANS, and the Flash gets me to drop his book... by standing still! PLUS SO MUCH MORE!! (SEE TIME STAMPS!)...
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Major Character Changes! (Essential Issues Podcast #014)
This month was a reminder that a number of DC's characters are going through significant changes, some even more than others! If you're not a fan of retconning... brace yourself! (SEE TIME STAMPS!) RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra March 2024, DCUI Standard August 2024, TIME STAMPS 00:01:09 Red...
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Reinventing Golden Age Heroes (Essential Issues Podcast #013)
This month, Empathy may be The Sandman's secret weapon, while Jay Garrick & Alan Scott reveal NEW old enemies! (SEE TIME STAMPS!) RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra February 2024, DCUI Standard July 2024, TIME STAMPS 00:01:09 DC’s How to Lose a Guy Gardner in 10 Days 1, Action Comics 1061, Green...
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Alan Scott Nerfs The Spectre (Essential Issues Podcast #012)
The culmination of Magog's origin arrives in Batman/Superman: World's Finest 22, Batman learns alien martial arts in Batman: Off-World 2 and Wonder Woman comforts (& "preaches" to?) a dying child in issue 4! In Alan Scott: Green Lantern 3 The Spectre is seemingly leveraged to suggest God approves...
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Wonder Woman On "Manhood" (Essential Issues Podcast #011)
Wonder Woman might be saying interesting things about "manhood", Jay Garrick: The Flash values the traditional family, Geoff Johns unearths bonkers DC history in Justice Society and Supergirl gets weirdly competitive! (SEE TIME STAMPS!) RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra December 2023, DCUI...
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Green Lantern's "Gay Retcon" (Essential Issues Podcast #010)
Barry Allen & Hal Jordan Grow Up, Alan Scott changes in... OTHER ways. PLUS, Batman explores complex moral issues in Gotham & Superman becomes a victim of "Cancel Culture"! RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra November 2023, DCUI Standard April 2024, TIME STAMPS 00:01:09 Are Barry Allen & Hal…
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Post-Death "Uploading" CAN'T Work! (Essential Issues Podcast #009)
Superman's moral compass needs fixing, Gotham's heroes are at war with each other and why surviving death by "uploading" will NEVER work! PLUS, Dawn Of DC kicks into full gear as multiple characters are being rebuilt from the ground up! RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra October 2023, DCUI...
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Missing Truth & Gotham War (Essential Issues Podcast #008)
Aqualad takes centerstage in a key moment with powerful words of wisdom... that are lacking something vital: Truth! And DC is playing with a LOT of interesting ideas, including: Hell, Anger (toward God?), compassion for criminals, re-distribution of wealth and more! See Time Stamps For More!...
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The End Of Jon Kent (Essential Issues Podcast #007)
Adventures Of Superman: Jon Kent comes to an end! And Steelworks & City Boy seem to have very DIFFERENT opinions about the moral state of humanity! See Time Stamps For More! RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: DCUI Ultra August 2023, DCUI Standard January 2024, TIME STAMPS 00:01:13 Adventures Of Superman…
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GL's Joy & Steel's Politics (Essential Issues Podcast #006)
The Future Of The Flash! A "Joyful" Green Lantern? Some interesting potential politics in the writing of Steelworks, and much, much more! Paeter speculates and also reacts to numerous comics in the Dawn Of DC initiative! RELEASE PERIODS COVERED: Print June 2023, DCUI Ultra July 2023, DCUI…
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Dawn Of DC's Potential & Pitfalls (Essential Issues Podcast #005)
Dawn Of DC has new beginnings, bold choices... and mixed results! PLUS, is one Superman writer ready to re-define "Life"? Paeter speculates and also reacts to numerous comics in the Dawn Of DC initiative, covering books originally published in May 2023! TIME STAMPS 00:01:06 Green Lantern 1,...
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DC's Liberal Agenda (Essential Issues Podcast #004)
Is DC figuring out how to promote their liberal agenda more subtly and tastefully? Maybe...maybe not! Examples of BOTH this month as Paeter speculates and also reacts to numerous comics in the Dawn Of DC initiative, covering books originally published in April 2023! TIME STAMPS 00:01:06…
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Christian-Flavored Flash? (Essential Issues Podcast #003)
Is a Christian perspective influencing the writing of Jeremy Adams on The Flash? Paeter speculates, and also reacts to numerous comics in the Dawn Of DC initiative, covering books originally published in March 2023! TIME STAMPS 00:01:10 Adventures Of Superman: Jon Kent 1, The Flash 794 00:11:43...
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Lazarus Planet, Flash & Superman (Essential Issues Podcast #002)
In this installment of the monthly DC Comics reactions/review podcast, Paeter wraps up his thoughts on DC's "Lazarus Planet" crossover event and begins reacting to the "Dawn Of DC" initiative, looking at comics published in February 2023! TIME STAMPS 00:01:10 Lazarus Planet: Next Evolution & The...
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Lazarus Planet & Dawn Of DC (Essential Issues Podcast #001)
In the first installment of this monthly DC Comics reactions/review podcast, Paeter anticipates the launch of the year-long "Dawn Of DC" initiative by looking at comics published in January 2023! TIME STAMPS 00:01:10 Lazarus Planet: Alpha #1 & The Flash #790. 00:23:12 Nightwing #100 & Lazarus...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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.
HOSTED BY
Spirit Blade Productions
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Essential Issues: A DC Comics Podcast have?
Essential Issues: A DC Comics Podcast currently has 45 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Essential Issues: A DC Comics Podcast 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.
How often does Essential Issues: A DC Comics Podcast release new episodes?
Essential Issues: A DC Comics Podcast has 45 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Essential Issues: A DC Comics Podcast?
You can listen to Essential Issues: A DC Comics Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Essential Issues: A DC Comics Podcast?
Essential Issues: A DC Comics Podcast is created and hosted by Spirit Blade Productions.
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