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 PTG Episode 12 (Hour 1): Back to Basics [61:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (24)

Hour 1 of PTG Episode 12 is all about DC Comics, on video, in print, and on prime time television. On video, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies appears to be the next mainstream DC storyline to be adapted into animated form as part of Warner Premiere’s DC Universe Animated Feature line, and I say “appears to be” because the story comes from Harry Knowles and Ain’t It Cool News, or AICN.com and has yet to be confirmed with a press release from Warner Premiere. Regardless of that uncertainty, we here at PTG ran with it as fact for this episode, and covered the reasons why this feature, if done right, should be a great success in this form, as opposed to more recent entries in the series, most notably Wonder Woman. (If you haven’t read it yet, you can find PTG’s review of the Wonder Woman feature on blu-ray HERE .)

In print, Battle for the Cowl #1, which if you recall was one of two titles DC’s head honcho Dan Didio recommended to yours truly back at MegaCon a few weeks ago, hit stores this past Wednesday, and it’s a mixed bag, at best. Yes, lots to enjoy here, lots of things going on, pieces moving into place, and it can feel a bit scattered at time, but the real problems lie in certain easy coincidences and poor characterization of key characters that point to inexperienced writing on the part of first-time writer Tony Daniel. Daniel’s art, as always, is top-notch in this first book, but some of the narrative decisions made to set up the story are real head-scratchers. Listen to the podcast for more details. [UPDATE: To answer SomaCow Geoff's question about Captain Marvel/Shazam! that I so POORLY flubbed during the live broadcast, the powers that young Billy Batson gains when he calls out the Wizard Shazam's name and becomes Captain Marvel are: Wisdom of Solomon ('S"), Strength of Hercules ("H"), Stamina of Atlas ("A"), Power of Zeus ("Z"), Courage of Achilles ("A"), Speed of Mercury ("M"). All those make him easily the match of Superman and the more physically powerful people in the DCU.]

And finally, on prime-time television, Smallville returned with a new episode entitled “Infamous” last Thursday night, and wow, was it a STINKER. I’d love to blame it ALL on guest-star Tori Spelling (pictured above), reprising her role as gossip-reporter-turned-murderous-meteor-freak Linda Lake, but in truth, the whole plot feels like filler and builds-up to an ending that might as well be labeled “reset button” and rendering the events of the episode a moot point, at best. This episode would be best forgotten when the book on Season 8 is closed, but I fear it will actually stand out amidst a season of relatively strong episodes as INFAMOUSLY poor, and a really bad start to the final stretch of new episodes leading to the season finale.

Enjoy this hour, and check back here at primetimegeek.com for Hour 2 on Wednesday!