“If we don't grab and grab with both hands that prevention agenda, do more now, given we know what's coming our way from our demographics, then we are going to be in a much worse state than we are now in 10, 20 years time.” Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black continue their exploration of the current issues surrounding social care and accessible housing…

Ross and Kirby are here to chat about Fantastic Four Volume 1 issues 20-23. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's early FF can have some ups and downs when veiwed from 2024 eyes. This time they think these stories show a wide range of good and not so good. #FanatasticFour #MarvelComics #MisterFantastic #TheThing #InvisibleWoman #HumanTorch #TheWatcher #Molecul…

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Richard Madeley reads his diary for the week (1:01); Cindy Yu explores the growing trend for all things nostalgic in China (6:00); Lara Prendergast declares that bankers are hot again (11:26); Pen Vogler reviews Sally Coulthard’s book The Apple (17:18); and, James Delingpole argues that Joe Rogan is ‘as edgy as Ba…

Ross is joined by Kirby for a chat about the first six issues of Black Hammer Volume 1, isssues 1-6 that make up the Secret Origins arc. This universe a creation of Jeff Lemire, Dean Ormston, and Dave Stewart is super hero comic full of strong character moments and world building. This is just the begining too. #BlackHammer #DarkHorseComics #JeffLe…

This week: Gus Carter reports from Rotherham (01:10), Paul Wood asks whether anything can stop full-scale conflict in the Middle East (05:55), Jonathan Aitken takes us inside Nixon's resignation melodrama (16:55), Laura Gascoigne reviews Revealing Nature: The Art of Cedric Morris and Lett-Haines (26:08), and Flora Watkins reads her notes on ragwort…

“You can't do all of the things that people take for granted if you can't get in and out of your house.” In the run-up to the Housing & Social Care Accessibility Summit in Dundee, Jimmy Black and Kieran Findlay discuss the practical housing issues often confronted by people with disabilities with the campaigning MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy. Pam, who repr…

Billy is back to talk about a Team-Up with Ross from Magazines and Monsters and A World on Fire. This time it an issue of Brave and the Bold, #72 featuring The Flash of Earth One and the Spectre of Earth Two. Bob "Zany" Haney and Carmine Infatino create one wierd dog fight of a comic #TheSpectre #TheFlash #SilverAge #CheckerBox #DCComics #TeamUp #C…

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: James Heale interviews Woody Johnson, the former American Ambassador to the UK, about a possible second Trump term (1:19); Lara Prendergast reflects on the issue of smartphones for children and what lessons we could learn from Keir Starmer’s approach to privacy (6:35); reviewing Patrick Bishop’s book ‘Paris ’44: T…

Ross and Dave, from the Earth-2 Podast sit down to talk about The Shade mini-series from 1997. There is to talk about the wonder addition the Opal City story. Check out the Earth-2 Podcast https://theearth2podcast.podbean.com/ #Starman #TheShade #OpalCity #DCComics #TheSpider #TheFlash #ComicBook

This is the epidode dedicated to the Team-Up books of old. Brave & the Bold, Marvel Team-Up, DC Comics Presents, and Marvel Two-In-One. Ross is joined by Ron from the Fantastic Comic Fan Podcast. A fun conversation where the just scratch the surface of these four great title in preperation for future episode where Ross and guests will get up close …

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Damian Thompson argues that Papal succession plotting is a case of life mirroring art (1:26); Paola Romero reports on Venezuela’s mix of Evita and Thatcher, Maria Corina Machado, and her chances of bringing down Nicolas Maduro (11:39); reviewing Richard Overy’s book ‘Why war?’, Stuart Jeffries reflects that war ha…

“We have a theory of change which demonstrates the changes we are hoping to see in people's lives that will ultimately help us achieve our vision of a world where everyone has an equal chance to create a safe and supportive place to call home.” Returning to the subject of homelessness, Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black speak to two charities that betw…

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Kate Andrews argues vice-presidential nominee J.D. Vance is more MAGA than Trump (1:27); Adam Frank explains how super-earths could help us understand what life might look like on another planet (5:15); David Hempleman-Adams recounts his attempt to cross the Atlantic on a hydrogen ballon (14:31); from Ukraine, Svi…

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: James Heale analyses the state of the Conservative leadership race (1:09); Svitlana Morenets reports from the site of the Kyiv children’s hospital bombed this week (5:56); Philip Hensher examines the ‘Cool Queer Life’ of Thom Gunn (12:13); Francis Beckett reviews ‘The Assault on the State’ arguing in favour of bur…

Jon Valor tells Jack his tale and how he came to haunt Opal City. Dr Pip hires Copperhead, This issue is overflowing with amazing art and a super story. Also, Ross talks up Sheldon Moldoff and his series the Black Pirate from Sensation Comics 1 #podcast #Starman #DCComics #SensationComics #BlackPirate #JonValor #JamesRobinson #TonyHarris #WadeVonGr…

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: after President Biden’s debate disaster, Freddy Gray profiles the one woman who could persuade him to step down, his wife Jill (1:05); Angus Colwell reports from Israel, where escalation of war seems a very real possibility (9:02); Matthew Parris attempts to reappraise the past 14 years of Conservative government …

Ross and Kirby jump into Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes issues 201 and 202. There are 4 great stories to top off Dave Cockrum historic run on Legion. #Podcast DCComics #LOSH #Superboy #DaveCockrum ElementLad #Wildfire #LightLass #InfectiousLass

Mikal Tomas, the disco Starman, has a new story. Ross jumps into the DC Pride comic for 2024 for the story by Al Ewing and Stephen Bryne. Two old foes battle a Screamsead. Starman the pop icon and Tomak from the Mind Counclil team-up and save the day. #Podcast #Pride #Starman #DCComics #MikalTomas #AlEwing #Rainbow…

“In crisis situations, don't try and save face in front of us. Tell us the warts and all. Tell us the reality of the situation here. If we're going in with one hand tied behind our back, then it isn't going to end well.” In this episode of the Scottish Housing News Podcast, Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black discuss the value of effective communication…

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Katy Balls reflects on the UK general election campaign and wonders how bad things could get for the Tories (1:02); Gavin Mortimer argues that France’s own election is between the ‘somewheres’ and the ‘anywheres’ (7:00); Sean Thomas searches for authentic travel in Colombia (13:16); after reviewing the books Great…

Updated recording. I accidently post the wrong recording. Thanks to Billy D for letting me know. Bouncing Boy and Duo Damsel are getting married, and the wedding crashers Ross and Kirby are there too. They discuss the our perfect couple, the evil but no so big bad Starfinger, and his oddly erotic spaceship. There is also some high praise for Mr Dav…

The Infernal Dr. Pip is causing trouble. Jack and Sadie relationship is moving forward. Dian Belmont and Wesley Dobbs say their good byes and give Jack a gift. The ghost or the 19th Century pirate, Jon Valor AKA The Black Pirate comes to the rescue. #podcast #DCComics #Starman #OpalCity #BlackPirate #JonValor #JamesRobinson #TimHarris #WadeVonGrawb…

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Matt Ridley argues that whoever you vote for, the blob wins (1:02); William Cook reads his Euros notebook from Germany (12:35); Owen Matthews reports on President Zelensky’s peace summit (16:21); and, reviewing Michael Peel’s new book ‘What everyone knows about Britain’, Agnes Poirier ponders if only Britain knew …

Jimmy Black and Kieran Findlay conclude their series on the Scottish Government’s new Housing Bill with an interview with the minister responsible for bringing the legislation through Parliament, housing minister Paul McLennan. The wide-ranging discussion centred on measures in the proposed legislation such as rent controls, homelessness and domest…

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Natasha Feroze reports on the return of ex-Labour MP Keith Vaz (1:10); Robert Ades presents the case against sociology A-level (7:39); Lucasta Miller reviews Katherine Bucknell’s book, Christopher Isherwood Inside Out (15:24); Sam McPhail provides his notes on the lager Madri (23:16); Toby Young explains why he wi…

Ross has been playing catch up. He has finally read the Annihilation event from Marvel Comics. He has also caught up with the current run of Avenger from Jed McKay. Sometime we miss and event and don't know what we have been missing. Other times a book you may had trouble getting into changes your mind. Listen hear which on is which this week. #Mar…

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Max Jeffery reports on the rise of luxury watch thefts in London (1:18); Melanie McDonagh discusses the collapse of religion in Scotland (5:51); reflecting on the longevity of Diane Abbott and what her selection row means for Labour, Matthew Parris argues that shrewd plans need faultless execution (10:44); Iain Ma…

Ross and Kirby are back to talk Fantastic Four, in reading order. They are up to the intros of Rama Tut and the Super-Skrull, and the first Annual. Lots of Lee and Kirby fun. #podcast #MarvelComics #FantasticFour #MisterFantastic #InvisibleWoman #TheThing #HumanTorch #AliciaMasters #DoctorDoom #SubMariner #RamaTut #SuperSkrull #StanLee #JackKirby…

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Peter Parker takes us through the history of guardsmen and homosexuality (1:12); Prof. Wayne Hunt explains what the Conservatives could learn from the 1993 Canadian election (9:10); Nicholas Lezard reflects on the diaries of Franz Kafka, on the eve of his centenary (16:06); Mark Mason provides his notes on Horse G…

Welcome to the first Opal City Media Club episode. This is the first in a series of episodes featuring Starman tangent, or even Team-Up tangent pieces of media. It could a tv show, a film, a book, or even something musical. The first episode features Ross and Kirby talk John Carpenter's Starman starring Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen. John Carpenter …

Time for more Legion talk. Ross, Kirby, and Jim continue their discussion on the different eras of the Legion of Super-Heroes. Buckle up as the go from Levitz/Giffen all the way through Benids. #Podcast #Superboy #Superman #Supergirl #LOSH #LegionofSuperHeroes #CosmicBoy #SaturnGirl #LightningLad #BrainiacFive #Wildfire #ShrinkingViolet #ElementLad…

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Quentin Letts takes us through his diary for the week (1:12); Owen Matthews details the shadow fleet helping Russia to evade sanctions (7:15); Michael Hann reports on the country music revival (15:05); Laura Gascoigne reviews exhibitions at the Tate Britain and at Studio Voltaire (21:20); and, Michael Simmons prov…

Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black continue their look into the new Housing Bill with a look at the duties expected of social landlords regarding domestic abuse. Under the proposed legislation, social landlords will have to provide support to tenants experiencing rent arrears or risk of homelessness due to domestic abuse, and to publish a policy on how…

Ross is joined by Kirby and Jim to discuss the different eras of the Legion of Super-Heroes. Man can these guys talk, so our 100th episode will be cut into mulitple parts. This episode covers the original pre Adventure Comics Sliver Age Era through when Superboy became Legion of the Super-Heroes. Next Episode will pick up with the Levitz/Giffen era…

Jake "Bobo" Bennetti is out jail. The former supervillian is trying to figure out where he stands in the real world again. Jack on other hands gets some tough news. Another wonderful tale from Robinson and Harris. Also, Ross chats All-Star Comics 12 and All-Star Squadron 30. Two comics that tell the same story over 50 years apart. #Podcast #DCComic…

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Max Jeffery interviews Afghan resistance leader Ahmad Massoud (1:13); former prisoner David Shipley ponders the power of restorative justice (8:23); Patrick Kidd argues that the Church should do more to encourage volunteers (14:15); Cindy Yu asks if the tiger mother is an endangered species (21:06); and, Hugh Thom…

It is time to welcome Len Strazewski to Starman. He takes helm of the book and ties up the Harold Melrose story with a new villiam Plasmax in issue 29. Then starts his first multi-part story The Seduction of Starman #Pocast #Comicbooks #DCComics #Starman #LenStrazewsk #DaveHoover

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Philosopher Slavoj Zizek takes us through his diary including his Britney Spears Theory of Action (1:08); Angus Colwell reports from the front line of the pro-Palestinian student protests (8:09); Svitlana Morenets provides an update on what’s going on in Georgia, where tensions between pro-EU and pro-Russian facti…

Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black put the Holyrood turmoil to one side and continue their exploration of various elements of the Scottish Government’s new Housing Bill with a look at proposed new homelessness prevention measures. The legislation will introduce an ‘ask and act’ duty on social landlords and other bodies, such as health boards and the po…

Superboy is now Superboy and the Legion of Superheroes, at least on covers. Issues 197 and 198 are the first two issues where the lead feature is our beloved Legion. They contain two amazing tales by Cary Bates and Dave Cockrum! 197 is also the first issue of Legion I remeber reading, so it is so special to me just for that. LLL #LOSH #Superboy #Ti…

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Sean Thomas worries that Paris has lost some of its charm (1:21); Kara Kennedy reports on US-style opioids arriving in Britain (8:43); Philip Hensher describes how an affair which ruined one woman would be the making of another (15:32); Damian Thompson reflects on his sobriety and his battle with British chemists …

Ross is joined by Kirby to talk Defenders. This episode covers Defenders Volume 1 issues 22-25. The Defenders, along with four allies (Yellowjacket, Luke Cage, Daimon Hellstrom, and Daredevil) fight the Sons of the Serpents. #MarvelComics #Defenders #DoctorStrange #TheHulk #Valkerye #Nighthawk #Daredevil #LukeCage #PowerMan #Hellstrom #Yellowjack #…

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: reporting from St Helena, Douglas Murray reflects on the inhabitants he has met and the history of the British Overseas Territory (1:12); Lionel Shriver opines on the debate around transgender care (9:08); following a boyhood dream to visit the country to watch cricket, Mark Mason reads his letter from India as he…

With the long-awaited Housing Bill finally here, hosts Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black will dedicate the next four episodes to digest various elements of the legislation, including homelessness and domestic abuse, culminating in an interview with housing minister Paul McLennan. But we begin the series with a discussion on increased rights for privat…

Ross is joined by Dave Steel from Earth-2 Podcast, and they travel back to Opal City in 1976. Mikaal Tomas is stoned and lost. All that changes when Komack, the only other survivor of their homeworld. They fight their final battle in Starman Volume 2 issue 28 Also Ross talks about an original Starman tale from Adventure Comics 76 Check out The Eart…

Ross has been dropped into the Multiverse in 2001 before it was cool. Or was it cool then? Exiles Volume 1, issues 1 and 2 introduce us the Judd Winnicks and Mike McKones X-Men tangent book. Six mutants from six different universes have to save other realities so they can go home again. That is if they live. #MarvelComics #XMen #Exiles #Morph #Blin…

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: In light of the help Israel received, Svitlana Morenets issues a challenge to the West to help Ukraine (1:15); Mary Wakefield questions the slow response to the Ministry of Defence being daubed in paint (7:33); Max Jeffery discusses the aims and tactics of the group responsible for the protest, Youth Demand (13:25…

Ross gives you his thoughts on Superboy Volume 1 Issues 191, 193, and 195. The last three back up stories before the Legion becomes the headliner in this book. Cary Bates and Dave Cockrum's 3 stories are Legion classics #LOSH #LegionofSuperHeroes #Superboy #BrainiacFive #KarateKid #MatterEaterLad #ShrinkingViolet #DaveCockrum #ChameleonBoy #DuoDams…

Mister Mxyztpik and Lex Luthor rob Superman of his powers. Can recover his powers, even the the aid of his allies, the Guardian, Gangbuster, and Starman (Will Payton). Starman Volume 2 issue 28 it Part 2/A of the this tale, as well as Roger Stern's last issue. #Starman #Superman #DCComics #crossover #kryptonite #LexLuthor…

Ross is half way his first read through of the original Fourth World comics by Jack Kirby. He is reading th Fourth World Omnibus by Jack Kirby. He has finished Superman's Pal: Jimmy Olsen 133-145, New Gods 1-6, Mister Miracle 1-6, and Forever People 1-6. This is a quick take as to his thoughts about these important comics. If you would like an issu…