This comic gave us one of the best episodes of Justice League Unlimited, "For the Man Who Has Everything", where Batman and Wonder Woman go to the fortress to drop off Superman's birthday gifts and end up fighting Mongol, who has broken in and attached a brain-stealing parasite to Superman. Crazy fun stuff.
You should check out Steve Shives's take on this story, "The Silver Age Superman and Batman Were Bad Friends . . . ," found at ruclips.net/video/FAhDjA9C_Yk/видео.html. He had as much fun with it -- and he seemed to have liked it as much -- as you and Steve D. did, and he was a critical of it as Steve D. was. Steve S.'s focus was more on the relationship Supes had with his friends, so it's a perfect fit for the analysis you and Steve D. this week. Steve S.'s video is a lot of fun!
I've always liked the device of the giant key, ever since I first saw it in the Superman cartoons of the 1960s which I watched as a child in the 70s. If Superman comics exist in the DCU in the same way that Marvel Comics exist in the Marvel U., then I bet Superman has a complete set of Action Comics, Superman and all the spin-off titles in his Fortress. Must be hard to get a decent plasterer and painter at the North Pole to repair the Fortress every time Superman damages a wall. My guess was that it was Kal-El's Clark Kent personality testing his Superman persona but the story's revelation that it's Batman makes more sense in the Silver Age context. Batman shopping in costume is so much of that era - at Reed and Sue's wedding, a lot of the male heroes wore their costume under their tuxedo!
Thanks a zillion for this! I know I heard about the story, it was probably synopsized in a 70s 100 Page Spectacular issue with a feature on the Fortress but I hadn't actually read the story. (I'd remember Batman shopping!) The Silver Age was fun! I was lucky to get some back issues as well as read some reprint stories! (My best friend and I used to pretend that the pile of charcoal (for my Dad's outdoor grill) was "Black Kryptonite," which would give anyone super powers! (We made that up but it sounds so Silver-Age!) Of course, one of those powers was not preventing smudged handprints!
The silver age Superman deeply effected my brother, it was all Bizarro's fault, Bizarro and the cube world of flintstone medallion wearing singed-spiky-haired creepy weirdoes with gem-like features and backwards life. I loved reading those old stories. A fun time and very entertaining.
I will probably pick up the Superman Silver Age Omnibus from my LCS. Interesting, outlandish and creative elements were introduced into Superman lore during the Silver Age. There are other, somewhat unpleasant aspects to the Silver Age Superman stories. Superman was very cruel to Lois Lane in Silver Age stories, constantly playing tricks on her. This influenced the creation of a webpage, Superdickery, which has generated several memes. And gone is the bold, intelligent and intrepid Lois Lane depicted in the Golden Age. Most stories involving Lois Lane focused on her constant attempts to marry Superman.
Sounds like the neighborhood is getting crowded with Fortresses of Solitude. (Nice tie, by the way.) I didn't guess the villain. I thought it was _Ratman._ _Batman!_ What a _Joker!_
Notice that the key on the cover was nothing like the real (Wayne Boring) key. Also - Superman's fortress was hidden (SECRET) so I doubt that he would have put a big sign outside of it that read 'Fort Superman'. But this was the Silver Age. So maybe he would. Great days.
this was a very good and informative overview of like the silver age of comics and the first issue of Superman Silver age journey. i now look forward to get into silver age comics and starting out with something like this. and it can also be something that can one day also share with my kid once i have one eventually
Congrats! I know you have Roger's time machinen, but usually using it backfires and something breaks in time-space continuum. But now all that happened was that you got to remove the Doc Savage cover blocking the view for rest of the video so we see what you are showing instead of that pulp cover. I am happy it worked. I hope. If you keep re-uploading this then something did go wrong, but as ever the optimist I think Roger deserves to eat some pesky postman or a neighbors.
Excellent video.I hope someday you will say a few words on Action Comics 370 titled 100 Years Lost Stolen or Strayed? Written byCary Bates, pencils Curt Swan. Superman's Lost Century. Thanks Michael .
I got as far as Batman shopping for Superman in the department store, (why he didn't go as Bruce Wayne, who knows? Could Bruce Wayne, who would have to be a billionaire today, be any more able to go casually shopping?) It disappeared, and a different version(?) came back up. Anyway, the story was too amusing and would be quite disturbing if it, (or probably YOU) were not so funny.
No...tragically, today, you would not read a comic featuring Batman shopping for birthday presents in full costume in a department store... ...which is the problem regarding so much of what we refer to as...'today".
When you talked about that in an earlier video, I ordered it. It came in yesterday. These are the stories I remember as a kid. This book brings back a lot of memories. When does Volume 2 come out? Thank you for this.
Thats a cool book. Nut too expensive for me. I do have that Showcase presents. I liked those books. Mot too expensive and a lot to read. It even allowed a greater appreciation for the art being BW. I was sorry when they stopped publishing them because there were so many other titles i eanted to het. Now the ones that eere actually published are too expensive.
Aah, but when was this issue published? I have a special feeling for the first appearance of the silver age Flash, because I believe it was on the tracks the very month I was born. Those comics were always coming up with goofy stories that would only seen logical to children, but one thing about The Fortress always bothered me: wasn't the keyhole big enough for a person to crawl through? It sure looked like it was! I did like these comics, but didn't like the art of Wayne Boring -- there was something off about it -- it looked flat, and the mouths looked distended. Give me Curt Swan or, better yet, Kurt Shaffenberger (his Lois Lane is a real knockout).
It was reprinted for the first time in the first Superman Annual (DC's first Silver Age Annual), so it must have had an important place for fans of the era. Alan Moore pretty much rips off (let's call it an homage) the plot for his Silver Age turn on Supreme, with the Batman Analog, Professor Night, being forced to reveal he's posing as a wax statue when Supreme threatens (in that wacky Silver Age way) that he's going to melt it down with his Sight Supreme.
This comic gave us one of the best episodes of Justice League Unlimited, "For the Man Who Has Everything", where Batman and Wonder Woman go to the fortress to drop off Superman's birthday gifts and end up fighting Mongol, who has broken in and attached a brain-stealing parasite to Superman. Crazy fun stuff.
Actually, the JLU episode is an adaptation of the Alan Moore story of the same name. But I'm sure that Moore was familiar with the original.
13:18 "It's Batman. What a dick!" Ha ha ha! 🙂
Nothing But Fun and Adventure. Here’s to Lois and Jimmy getting an Omnibus too
I routinely break into my friend's homes to prank them for days.
You should check out Steve Shives's take on this story, "The Silver Age Superman and Batman Were Bad Friends . . . ," found at ruclips.net/video/FAhDjA9C_Yk/видео.html. He had as much fun with it -- and he seemed to have liked it as much -- as you and Steve D. did, and he was a critical of it as Steve D. was. Steve S.'s focus was more on the relationship Supes had with his friends, so it's a perfect fit for the analysis you and Steve D. this week. Steve S.'s video is a lot of fun!
I've always liked the device of the giant key, ever since I first saw it in the Superman cartoons of the 1960s which I watched as a child in the 70s.
If Superman comics exist in the DCU in the same way that Marvel Comics exist in the Marvel U., then I bet Superman has a complete set of Action Comics, Superman and all the spin-off titles in his Fortress.
Must be hard to get a decent plasterer and painter at the North Pole to repair the Fortress every time Superman damages a wall.
My guess was that it was Kal-El's Clark Kent personality testing his Superman persona but the story's revelation that it's Batman makes more sense in the Silver Age context.
Batman shopping in costume is so much of that era - at Reed and Sue's wedding, a lot of the male heroes wore their costume under their tuxedo!
Nice video, Michael! Batman and Supes, the World's Finest team! 💯
Thanks a zillion for this! I know I heard about the story, it was probably synopsized in a 70s 100 Page Spectacular issue with a feature on the Fortress but I hadn't actually read the story. (I'd remember Batman shopping!) The Silver Age was fun! I was lucky to get some back issues as well as read some reprint stories! (My best friend and I used to pretend that the pile of charcoal (for my Dad's outdoor grill) was "Black Kryptonite," which would give anyone super powers! (We made that up but it sounds so Silver-Age!) Of course, one of those powers was not preventing smudged handprints!
You too!!
The silver age Superman deeply effected my brother, it was all Bizarro's fault, Bizarro and the cube world of flintstone medallion wearing singed-spiky-haired creepy weirdoes with gem-like features and backwards life. I loved reading those old stories. A fun time and very entertaining.
I will probably pick up the Superman Silver Age Omnibus from my LCS. Interesting, outlandish and creative elements were introduced into Superman lore during the Silver Age.
There are other, somewhat unpleasant aspects to the Silver Age Superman stories.
Superman was very cruel to Lois Lane in Silver Age stories, constantly playing tricks on her. This influenced the creation of a webpage, Superdickery, which has generated several memes.
And gone is the bold, intelligent and intrepid Lois Lane depicted in the Golden Age.
Most stories involving Lois Lane focused on her constant attempts to marry Superman.
More good stuff Michael! Superman was never my thing growing up but you keep persuading me to check it out!
They say hope floats hopefully not to hell.😅
My gosh! I'm just about three minutes in and I just noticed your tie!
Sounds like the neighborhood is getting crowded with Fortresses of Solitude.
(Nice tie, by the way.)
I didn't guess the villain. I thought it was _Ratman._
_Batman!_ What a _Joker!_
Notice that the key on the cover was nothing like the real (Wayne Boring) key.
Also - Superman's fortress was hidden (SECRET) so I doubt that he would have put a big sign outside of it that read 'Fort Superman'.
But this was the Silver Age.
So maybe he would.
Great days.
this was a very good and informative overview of like the silver age of comics and the first issue of Superman Silver age journey. i now look forward to get into silver age comics and starting out with something like this. and it can also be something that can one day also share with my kid once i have one eventually
Congrats! I know you have Roger's time machinen, but usually using it backfires and something breaks in time-space continuum. But now all that happened was that you got to remove the Doc Savage cover blocking the view for rest of the video so we see what you are showing instead of that pulp cover. I am happy it worked. I hope. If you keep re-uploading this then something did go wrong, but as ever the optimist I think Roger deserves to eat some pesky postman or a neighbors.
Excellent video.I hope someday you will say a few words on Action Comics 370 titled 100 Years Lost Stolen or Strayed? Written byCary Bates, pencils Curt Swan. Superman's Lost Century. Thanks Michael .
I got as far as Batman shopping for Superman in the department store, (why he didn't go as Bruce Wayne, who knows? Could Bruce Wayne, who would have to be a billionaire today, be any more able to go casually shopping?)
It disappeared, and a different version(?) came back up.
Anyway, the story was too amusing and would be quite disturbing if it, (or probably YOU) were not so funny.
No...tragically, today, you would not read a comic featuring Batman shopping for birthday presents in full costume in a department store...
...which is the problem regarding so much of what we refer to as...'today".
Bizarro world is my favorite.
Surely Batman could've simply climbed in through the giant keyhole!
I can’t believe you are criticizing the gritty realism of this story!
Keyhole lasers!
Doc Savage could be a great tv series.
When you talked about that in an earlier video, I ordered it. It came in yesterday. These are the stories I remember as a kid. This book brings back a lot of memories. When does Volume 2 come out? Thank you for this.
Batman shopping, I picture him cruising through a mall on the tumbler at top speed sending crowds running!
Love it!!
Thats a cool book. Nut too expensive for me. I do have that Showcase presents. I liked those books. Mot too expensive and a lot to read. It even allowed a greater appreciation for the art being BW. I was sorry when they stopped publishing them because there were so many other titles i eanted to het. Now the ones that eere actually published are too expensive.
Aah, but when was this issue published? I have a special feeling for the first appearance of the silver age Flash, because I believe it was on the tracks the very month I was born. Those comics were always coming up with goofy stories that would only seen logical to children, but one thing about The Fortress always bothered me: wasn't the keyhole big enough for a person to crawl through? It sure looked like it was! I did like these comics, but didn't like the art of Wayne Boring -- there was something off about it -- it looked flat, and the mouths looked distended. Give me Curt Swan or, better yet, Kurt Shaffenberger (his Lois Lane is a real knockout).
Wait?! Didn't the Silver Age Superman start with John Byrne!? 😂
It was reprinted for the first time in the first Superman Annual (DC's first Silver Age Annual), so it must have had an important place for fans of the era. Alan Moore pretty much rips off (let's call it an homage) the plot for his Silver Age turn on Supreme, with the Batman Analog, Professor Night, being forced to reveal he's posing as a wax statue when Supreme threatens (in that wacky Silver Age way) that he's going to melt it down with his Sight Supreme.
Ummm...so you actually liked this story? It's a wonder any of these comics survived🤭🤭
What!? Just for that I’m taking the statue down in the DDB room!
@@michaelk.vaughan8617 A Fire Upon the Deep........giddyup