We are traveling to Earth-383, a so-called Negative Earth first featured in Adventure Comics #383 (1969), where Supergirl seemingly perishes in an explosion and attends her own funeral—joined by the spirits of Abraham Lincoln, Joan of Arc, and other ghostly figures! This Bronze Age tale was recently revisited in Back Issue #159 as part of a 40th anniversary retrospective on Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Episode #163: What if Supergirl was dead and able to be amongst other dead people like Joan of Arc and Abraham Lincoln?
from DC Comics Adventure Comics #383

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We’re diving into the ethereal and existential! We begin with Supergirl’s strange funeral in the Silver Age story Please Stop My Funeral! before rewinding to the surprising proto-Supergirl tales from the ‘40s and ‘50s. Then we haunt the haunted halls of Kara Zor-El’s multiversal history and her celestial cinematic debut in the 1984 Supergirl movie. Along the way, we explore ghost stories, alternate deaths, and historical cameos in the DC Universe—then wrap with a look at how these odd tales ponder Supergirl's mythic potential.

Reading / Watch List:

 * Action Comics #252 (DC Comics, 1959) – Debut of Supergirl by Otto Binder & Al Plastino
 * Adventure Comics #383 (DC Comics, 1969) – “Please Stop My Funeral!” by Robert Kanigher & Win Mortimer
 * Supergirl: The Official Movie Adaptation (DC Comics, 1985) – Based on the 1984 film
 * Supergirl (film) (Tri-Star Pictures, 1984) – Directed by Jeannot Szwarc, starring Helen Slater

Email: Podcast@DearWatchers.com
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What if Supergirl was dead and able to be amongst other dead people like Joan of Arc and Abraham Lincoln? from DC Comics Adventure Comics #383

🎶 Boop-Oop-a-Doop! 🎶
This week we’re tapping our toes, flipping our curls, and leaping out of the inkpot as we explore one of animation’s original divas—Betty Boop!

We’re asking:
What if Betty Boop traveled from the cartoon world to our world?

For the first time, Dear Watchers is hopping from the silver screen to the comic page to the Broadway stage as we visit Earth-Boop-Oop-a-Doop and explore:

📽 Betty Boop Cartoon Shorts (1930–1939)
The surreal, saucy, and sometimes censored origins of Betty Boop, born from the minds of Max Fleischer and Grim Natwick, where jazz met animation in a flapper’s frame.

🎭 Boop! The Musical (Broadway, 2025)
Betty breaks out of her monochrome world in a brand-new Broadway musical, with a book by Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone) and music by Grammy legend David Foster. Can a cartoon star find love—and herself—in modern-day Manhattan?

📘 Betty Boop #1–4 (Dynamite Comics, 2016)
In this charming and spooky revival by Roger Langridge and Gisèle Lagacé, Betty sings at the Oop-A-Doop Club, battles ghosts, and protects her soul from devilish villains—all while staying true to her plucky, positive spirit.

💬 Along the way, we ask:

 * Can Betty Boop’s vintage vaudeville energy still resonate in today’s world?
 * What does it mean for a character to cross from animated past to physical present?
 * And who knew interdimensional travel could be so jazzy?

🌀 From flapper cartoons to musical showstoppers to comic book capers, this episode is your backstage pass to the multiversal spotlight of one of pop culture’s most enduring icons.

Reading / Watch List:
🎬 Betty Boop Theatrical Shorts (1930–1939, Fleischer Studios)
🎭 Boop! The Musical (Broadway, 2025)
📚 Betty Boop #1–4 (Dynamite Comics, 2016)

Email: Podcast@DearWatchers.com
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What if Betty Boop traveled from the cartoon world to our world? Including Boop: The Musical on Broadway!

🌎 Earth! 🔥 Fire! 💧 Water! 🌪 Wind! 🪵 Heart! With our powers combined, we're calling forth the return of the ultimate eco-hero: Captain Planet! For the first time in Dear Watchers history, we’re diving into a beloved ‘90s animated icon who’s been absent from the comic page for three decades.

This week, we're going full Planeteer as we explore:

 * 💬 "Captain Planet and the Planeteers" #1–12 (Marvel Comics, 1991–1992): A deep look at the surprisingly sophisticated early ‘90s comics based on the cartoon series, filled with villains like Duke Nukem, Hoggish Greedly, and a lot of eco-anxiety.
 * 📘 "Captain Planet and the Planeteers" #1 (Dynamite Comics, April 2025): A first look at the brand-newrevival by David Pepose, Eman Casallos, and the creative team tasked with modernizing a green-haired icon for a new generation.


Ep. 161 What if our powers combined to create the mega mac-daddy of ecology, Captain Planet, and we try to resurrect him for the first time in 30 years?

from Captain Planet and the Planeteers #1 (Marvel Comics, 1991)
Find us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers

💚 Along the way, we ask:

 * Can a character born of Earth Day idealism thrive in today's climate crisis world?
 * How do the Marvel comics compare to the TV show?
 * What makes Captain Planet more than just a meme—and maybe a hero worth rebooting?

🌀 From Planeteer powers to Plunder Villains, this episode is your all-access pass to one of pop culture’s most earnest eco-warriors—just in time for his return.


Reading / Watch List:

 * Captain Planet and the Planeteers (DIC / Hanna Barbera, 1990 - 1996)
 * Captain Planet and the Planeteers #1-12 (Marvel Comics, 1991 - 1992)
 * Captain Planet and the Planeteers #1 (Dynamite, 2025)

Email Podcast@DearWatchers.com [podcast@dearwatchers.com]
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What if our powers combined to create Captain Planet, and we try to resurrect him for the first time in 30 years?

Good boys get a brand new podcast! We are taking a deep dive into Superman's best friend (no, not Jimmy): Krypto! We talk Krypto's (many) origins, his first appearance and his encounter with Lex Luthor's super powered pooch Destructo. We wrap up pondering about Krypto's appearance in James Gunn's new Superman. Grab your favorite chew toy and your headphones and listen up!

Ep. 160 What if Superman’s dog Krypto had an arch-nemesis, Destructo, the superhound of hate? 

from Superboy #92 (DC Comics, 1961)
Find us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers

This week, it's everyone's favorite super dog: Krypto! We talk Krypto's origin story and his first appearance in 1955 from the minds of Otto Binder and Curt Swan. Then we tackle a doozy of Silver Age Silliness from 1961 as Krypto tangles with Lex Luthor's super powered dog Wolf as he becomes Destructo, the superhound of hate - a canine foe determined to frame Krypto. We wrap up by discussing what Krypto's appearance in James Gunn's Superman means for the series tone and why Gunn might have chosen to include the flying four legged hero. All this and more! 

Reading / Watch List:

 * Adventure Comics #210 (DC Comics, 1955)
 * Superboy #92 (DC Comics, 1961)

Email Podcast@DearWatchers.com [podcast@dearwatchers.com]
Find us & support us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers


Theme music is Space Heroes by MaxKoMusic [https://maxkomusic.com/] (Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US])



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What if Superman’s dog Krypto had an arch-nemesis, Destructo, the superhound of hate? From DC Comics' Superboy #92

Are they in their hero or villain era? In honor of the latest film from the MCU, we're talking Thunderbolts! We kick off with their 1997 debut that introduces a superhero team that might not be what they appear to be. Then we give a spoileriffic rundown of Thunderbolts* including the film's big final twist. We wrap up by taking a look at a version of the team that closely mirrors the onscreen version, complete with Bucky and Valentina. Plus we ponder the big question: What makes the Thunderbolts, the Thunderbolts?

Ep. 159 What if the Thunderbolts actually became a team called [redacted]?

from Thunderbolts (Marvel Studios, 2025)
Find us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers

Are they bad or are they just drawn that way? We are talking the heroes, villains, anti-heroes, The Thunderbolts! We kick off with their 1997 debut from Kurt Busiek & Mark Bagley and whether we were surprised by that series' big final twist. And speaking of twists, we talk about the recently released MCU film Thunderbolts* from director Jake Schreier with full spoilers. We wrap up by exploring the 2024 version of the team from Collin Kelly, Jackson Lansing and Geraldo Borges that takes on a darker feeling then its 90s version. All this plus, we share what we'd like to see from the next iteration of this ever changing team.

Reading / Watch List:

 * Thunderbolts Vol. 1 #1 (Marvel Comics, 1997)
 * Thunderbolts #1 (Marvel Comics, 2024)
 * Thunderbolts* (Disney/Marvel Studios, 2025) 

Email Podcast@DearWatchers.com [podcast@dearwatchers.com]
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Theme music is Space Heroes by MaxKoMusic [https://maxkomusic.com/] (Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US])



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What if the Thunderbolts actually became a team called [redacted]? From Marvel Comics' Thunderbolts

By the power of Grayskull, we're back in Eternia for another He-Man themed episode. Guido and Rob return to one of their favorite childhood films 1987's Masters of the Universe starring Dolph Lundgren before talking about the 2020 semi-sequel to this iconic film from DC Comics and past guest Tim Seeley. In this six part comic,  the film version of He-Man return and team up with a would-be Skeletor to battle the Anti-He-Man. Grab your power sword and your headphones and join us.

Ep. 158 What if He-Man fought to save the multiverse (& spawned a sequel to the 1987 Masters of the Universe in the process)?

from He-Man & The Masters of the Multiverse #1-6 (DC Comics, 2020)
Find us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers

It's back to Eternia with another Masters of the Universe themed episode. We start things off in 1987 with the MOTU film directed by Gary Goddard, written by David Odell and starring Dolph Lundgren, Frank Langella, and Courtney Cox which holds a big place in both Rob and Guido's mind. Then we talk the DC comics 2020 6-part comic series from past guest Tim Seeley and artists Dan Fraga & Tom Derenick that sees He-Men from throughout the multiverse partner up to defeat a terrifying enemy: Themselves! We wrap up by pondering about the long awaited 2026 Masters of the Universe movie, what we'd want from a true sequel to the 1987 film and more.

Reading / Watch List:

 * Masters of the Universe (Cannon, 1987)
 * He-Man & The Masters of the Multiverse  #1-6 (DC Comics, 2020)

Email Podcast@DearWatchers.com [podcast@dearwatchers.com]
Find us & support us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers


Theme music is Space Heroes by MaxKoMusic [https://maxkomusic.com/] (Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US])



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What if He-Man fought to save the multiverse (& spawned a sequel to the 1987 Masters of the Universe in the process)? From He-Man & The Masters of the Multiverse (DC Comics)

Four-score and 157 episodes ago, we are back in the world of Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben as we ask what if the Fantastic Four all had the same powers? We start off with yet another telling of their origin story in Mythos: Fantastic Four by Paul Jenkins & Paolo Rivera before jumping into our central issue by Jimmy Valentino that features Sue becoming Man-Thing, the FF as members of SHIELD, Johnny as Mr. Fantastic and the FF accidentally killing a baby. Yes, a baby. We wrap up with Jonathan Hickman's revolutionary soft-reboot of Marvel's first family leading into the decade long arc of Secret Wars, which seems prime to be a touchstone for the upcoming First Steps. Grab your headphones and power of choice and join us!

Ep. 157 What if the Fantastic Four all had the same power?

from What If Vol. 2 #11 (Marvel, 1990)
Find us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers

We are back in the world of both What If and the Fantastic Four that sees our heroes adopt new powers across a four-part issue from Image co-founder Jimmy Valentino. Before that, we kick things off with a beautifully painted version of the FF's origin story from the pen of Paul Jenkins and brush of Paolo Rivera. We end by discussing the FF's modern era courtesy Jonathan Hickman and Dale Eaglesham in a 2009 issue that kicks off the very long lead up to Secret War. Plus, we ponder why the Fantastic Four's origin store has been told so many times (or has it) and if the groups needs to have these specific powers.

Reading / Watch List:

 * Mythos: Fantastic Four #1 (Marvel, 2007)
 * What If Vol. 2, #11 (Marvel, 1990)
 * Fantastic Four #570 (Marvel, 2009)

Email Podcast@DearWatchers.com [podcast@dearwatchers.com]
Find us & support us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers


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What if the Fantastic Four all had the same powers? From Marvel Comics What If Vol. 2 #11

We might be talking "silver age silliness" but we're not horsing around! Well, Lois Lane is as she falls in love with a horse who is also a man and then becomes a horse herself? Confused, then you need to listen to this week's episode. We start with Adventure Comics in 1962 that introduces Comet the Super-Horse alongside Krypto and the League of Super Pets in a truly wacky issue. Then it's over to Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane for Comet's magical backstory. All this plus Rob makes a ton of horse jokes!

Ep. 156 What if Lois Lane fell in love with a horse who became a man—and then became a horse herself?

from Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #92 (DC Comics)
Find us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers

Hey there! Or should we say HAY there as we talk Comet the Super-Horse alongside Krypto and the rest of the League of Super Pets. We. tackle a couple of wacky 1960s issues from some masters as Jerry Siegel, Curt Swan, and Leo Dorfman complete with telepathic animals, wayward magic, evil brain aliens and much more. Plus, we speculate about Krypto's appearance in the upcoming Superman film and whether we'll see more of the Super Pets onscreen.

Reading / Watch List:

 * Adventure Comics Vol. 1, #293 (DC Comics 1962)
 * Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane Vol. 1, #92 (DC Comics, 1969)

Email Podcast@DearWatchers.com [podcast@dearwatchers.com]
Find us & support us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers


Theme music is Space Heroes by MaxKoMusic [https://maxkomusic.com/] (Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US])



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What if Lois Lane fell in love with a horse who became a man—and then became a horse herself? From Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane (DC Comics)

For the honor of podcasts! It's our first episode dedicated to the Princess of Power: She-Ra. We start by covering Adora's five episode origin story on the iconic Filmation tv series. Then we talk comics that sees Adora become Despara in the 2013-2015 Masters of the Universe series from DC Comics in a new take on her origin. We wrap up by speculating about the upcoming 2026 Masters of the Universe film and when we may next see She-Ra on the screen or page. Grab your sword and your headphones and let's go!

Ep. 155 What if She-Ra had been an agent of Hordak named Despara? 

from He-Man & The Masters of the Universe #1-19 (DC Comics)
Find us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers

After a few past He-Man episodes, it's finally time to cover his twin sister Adora aka She-Ra! We start off by talking about her debut on her own Filmation series (don't call it a spin-off!) before exploring her revised origin story as Despara in a nineteen issue arc from DC Comics. We wrap up by wondering when we might next see She-Ra on screen and why she doesn't have her own comic book. All this plus we talk Star Wars comparisons and Guido's recent She-Ra toy acquisition (and longtime fandom).

Reading / Watch List:

 * She-Ra Princess of Power Episodes #1-5 (TV Show 1985)
 * He-Man & The Masters of the Universe #1-19 (DC Comics 2013)

Email Podcast@DearWatchers.com [podcast@dearwatchers.com]
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What if She-Ra had been an agent of Hordak named Despara? From DC Comics He-Man & The Masters of the Universe

While you wait for Daredevil: Born Again, on this episode, the Man Without Fear pairs up with the Dark Knight in Daredevil/Batman: Eye for an Eye. We start back in 1964 with Daredevil's first appearance from the minds of Stan Lee and Bill Everett. Then it's off to 1997 that sees these two vigilantes battle Two-Face and Mr. Hyde. We wrap up by speculating on what's next for DD in the Marvel universe.

Ep. 154 What if Batman and Daredevil teamed up to defeat Two-Face and Mr. Hyde? 

from Daredevil/Batman: Eye for an Eye
Find us at https://linktr.ee/dearwatchers

It's Daredevil meets Batman on the pod. We start back in 1964 with the Man Without Fear's first appearance courtesy Stan Lee and Bill Everett in a wordy but beautiful issue. Then Matt Murdock meets Bruce Wayne as the two heroes battle Two-Face and Mr. Hyde in the Big Apple in this issue from D.G. Chichester and Scott McDaniel. We wrap up by discussing what we'd love to see on Daredevil: Born Again and beyond.

Reading / Watch List:

 * Daredevil Vol. 1 Issue 1 (1964, Marvel Comics)
 * Daredevil/Batman: Eye for an Eye (1997, Marvel Comics with DC Comics) 
 * Daredevil (2015-2018, Netflix / Marvel Television)

Email Podcast@DearWatchers.com [podcast@dearwatchers.com]
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What if Batman and Daredevil teamed up to defeat Two-Face and Mr. Hyde?

Dear Watchers is a weekly comic book omniverse podcast where your Watchers Guido and Rob explore a different multiverse each episode, from Marvel’s What If to DC’s Elseworlds and far beyond. Join as we discuss the stories that were inspired by and take inspiration from each week’s alternate universe. Includes special episodes with guest creators, scholars and fellow podcasters to share their favorite trips to the multiverse and help ponder the possibilities of what lies ahead for comics and storytelling. For bonus episodes: www.ko-fi.com/DearWatchers

Guido Sanchez

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