This isn’t exactly a hot news item, and it’s not really an unearthed treasure from the history of television obscura, but it’s just too good not to share.

While reading John Kenneth Muir’s insanely comprehensive The Encyclopedia of Superheroes on Film and Television the other day, I came across something very interesting in the episode guide for the first season of the late 1980’s/early 1990’s syndicated series The Adventures of Superboy.

The show’s 19th episode, entitled “Little Hercules” and first airing on April 15, 1989, revolved around a bullied kid named Billy Hercules who inadvertently triggers a U.S. submarine’s nuclear missile launch sequence, and obviously only Superboy can save the day. Blah blah blah, whatever. The most interesting thing about this episode, and therefore the most interesting thing to be found in the first season of The Adventures of Superboy, was the actor who played the hapless geeks who dreams of becoming Superboy just so he can show those meanies what for: Leaf Phoenix, or as he’s better known these days, Oscar-nominee Joaquin Phoenix.

As most of you may know by now, DC Comics is relaunching their entire line of comics this Fall alongside a day and date digital comics initiative. What you might not know, however, is that it all started two weeks ago with the releases of the last issue of DC’s summer event Flashpoint, and the beginning of the new universe with Justice League #1.

This Wednesday is the second big week of releases. I’m picking up a lot of these books, and there are still a lot of books to look forward to in these upcoming weeks, as well as plenty that you and I will probably want to stay away from for varying reasons. So, in the order of kindness and assignments from my editor, I will be breaking down each title with their creators, what they’re about, and what you can expect from each of the new books. And, guess what? I’m not in love with a lot of the decisions that they’ve made, so this should be fun!

Every Tuesday through the end of September, I will be writing another installment so you know when you can get yourself to the store, or to your mobile app, and purchase your new #1s from DC Comics! Also, it’s worth noting, dear reader, that since you’re coming to the game a little late, you can’t be guaranteed an issue at the comic book store, so call ahead to see if they have it. Or if you go the store and they don’t have any copies left of these DC books, you could always buy an indie comic like 27 The Second Set, Baltimore: The Curse Bells, Pigs, and Moon Girl, which all come out this week, coincidentally. There’s more to comics than just superheroes from DC and Marvel, you know?

But that’s probably why you’re here, and now that I’ve gotten the indie comics alternative plug out of the way, let’s talk about the universe that I’d rather live in, the DC Universe!

Young Justice
Featuring the voices of Jessie McCartney, Danica McKellar, and Nolan North
Cartoon Network
Monday Nights
Premiere Date: January 7, 2011

I think 2011 is probably the perfect time to be a comics fan. From blockbuster movies, direct-to-DVD movies, and even TV shows, people everywhere can’t seem to get enough of the superhero genre. So it should be no surprise then that along with the movie or TV show, there has to be a superhero cartoon out there. Marvel has already kicked off the new wave of cartoons with the Avengers and the soon to debut Ultimate Spider-Man cartoon. DC, not wanting to be left out in the cold, plans to bring to the table Green Lantern later in the year and just recently out their newest series, Young Justice, to the Cartoon Network.

Young Justice follows the escapades of some of the sidekicks in the DC Universe. Comprised of Robin, Kid Flash, Superboy, Aqualad, and Miss Martian, the groups struggles with working together as team, living up to the expectations, and just dealing with teenage hormones. Teen Titans they are definitely not.

Superboy #2
Written by Jeff Lemire
Art by Pier Gallo
Cover by Phil Noto
DC Comics
Price $2.99
Release date: December 8, 2010

The brand new Superboy series continues with this second issue. It picks up right where issue one left off with Superboy and his buddy Simon and Krypto are captured by Poison Ivy in which she offers a team up with Superboy to help her get her powers back. They have to fight their way through an outbreak of trees and vines and flowers that have taken over Smallville. They must find the source of what’s going on in a farmhouse in which a farmer is hooked up to what looks like a bomb about to go off. Can Superboy resist the temptation of Ivy or will he fall under her spell?

Recorded November 9, 2010.

Our November Doom Of The Month will be Joe Kelly’s I Kill Giants! If you want to read along with us, head on over to Instocktrades.com or DCBService.com to pick up I Kill Giants for a super price! Be sure to check back at the end of November for our special review episode.

Check out Episode 29 of Comics of Doom, the official comics podcast of Geeks of Doom. Click HERE to open the podcast player in a new window.

Podcast player is here below, along with an Episode Guide.

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