Comic Book Ruminations with Anthony M. Caro – Details, episodes & analysis

Buckle up for a raw dive into Superman and Batman’s toughest battles against human darkness in classic DC Comics! In 1992’s Crisis at Hand, Superman faces a gut-wrenching reality check, powerless against domestic abuse and systemic roadblocks. Batman’s “no final justice” code faces challenges when Jason Todd’s Robin confronts a serial abuser. BONUS - We also look at the new Guy Gardner on film and the classic character’s Silver Age debut.

In this episode, we dive into a random grab bag of Bronze Age Marvel gems from the 1970s! Join us as we explore the epic clash between Ms. Marvel and the Scorpion, relive Captain America's intense first showdown with Baron Zemo's vengeance-driven son, and take a nostalgic look back at the early days of Marvel Two-in-One. Packed with action, nostalgia, and quirky 1970s vibes, this episode uncovers hidden treasures from Marvel's iconic Bronze Age—perfect for longtime fans and new readers alike! (Sorry about ½ of the front covers being torn off.)

Revisit Marvel Comics' brilliant adaptation Robert E. Howard's classic tale and the award-winning storytelling that visualized Conan's search for a sought-after treasure that led to discovering a strange, otherworldly being's torment. BONUS - Why was Conan's mysterious God, Crom, so distant and disinterested in his warrior's dangerous plights?

Alan Moore brilliantly reimagined Swamp Thing, starting with the classic “Anatomy Lesson” story. And what are Spider-Man and Dracula doing on a swinging seventies cruise ship?

Return to the House of Mystery! Revisit DC Comics’ horror anthology’s glory days. Turn the page at the beep! Or, else, Power Records will slap the Curse of the Werewolf on you!

The Bronze Age dimwitted Incredible Hulk had an underlying complexity. Episode two looks at the once-popular version of the character and his evolution. Plus, how did Mr. Kline/The Assassin fit into rumored - and abandoned - plans for Daredevil and Iron Man?

It is 1971, and notorious Marvel Comics’ loner Daredevil finds a partner in crime fighting and love. What brought Daredevil and Black Widow together? How do the tragic heroes fit into the nefarious plans of the mysterious Mr Kline - aka The Assassin? What makes the initial issues establishing the team-up one of the most intriguing story arcs of the Bronze Age of Comic Books?

You don’t have to send away the back issues to find out! Listen to a speculative look back at the origins of the Daredevil/Black Widow team-up during the early 1970s!

Buckle up for a wild ride through the Fantastic Four’s epic highs and epic lows! This episode dissects three essays: the cosmic genius of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s introductory Galactus three-parter in Fantastic Four #48–50 (1966), the cringe-worthy H.E.R.B.I.E. flop replacing the Human Torch in The New Fantastic Four (1978), and the outright disastrous Benjy Grimm in Fred and Barney Meet The Thing (1979). From Silver Age brilliance to Saturday morning blunders, we explore Marvel’s legendary legacy and its influence on the MCU’s Fantastic Four (2025)!