2001: A Space Odyssey #2
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Released
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June 16, 2014
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Running time
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25:07
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Previous review
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Tagline
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An epic drama of adventure and exploration. Or an epic drama of cavepeople and purple alien spaceships.
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Link
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Linkara: Hello, and welcome to Atop the Fourth Wall, where bad comics burn. It's time for us to once again to look at an issue of Jack Kirby's interpretation of the science-fiction masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey.
(Cut to a closeup of the cover of the first issue of "2001")
Linkara (v/o): If you haven't seen the first review, go watch it. I've got this shiny new archive page on the website and take advantage of it.
Linkara: (smiling) And then in five years, when the website gets redesigned, this episode will be horribly outdated! (beat) Why am I smiling about that?
Linkara (v/o): Whatever. Point is, these comics are weird, and they're going to keep getting weirder the further we get from the initial premise of the novel and movie.
Linkara: So let's dig into (holds up today's comic) "2001: A Space Odyssey #2" and see what Jack Kirby dreamed up for the second issue.
(AT4W title sequence plays; title card has "Blue Danube Waltz" by Johann Strauss II playing in the background. Cut to a closeup of the comic's cover)
Linkara (v/o): The cover is full and crowded, which might seem like an odd thing to say, considering the majority of it is taken up by a head. Or rather, two heads split down the middle. But then we have a caveman on the left, whose fur coverings are the same color as the mountain behind him, and on the right, a big-headed orange alien... thing. At first, I thought the alien was holding a gun, possibly as a counter to the caveman holding a stone axe, but look, that's clearly the thing's eye, so instead, it's holding up a fork in front of its face. A fork with a finger hole.
Text: Begin a new journey to the stars – and beyond!!
Linkara: (dramatically) But whatever you do, don't fly United when you make that journey.
Text: SECOND STARTLING ISSUE!
Linkara (v/o): And I can believe that this issue is startling. Just look at the reaction on the faces of the people on the cover. "Startled" is probably an understatement, given how they look.
Text: A fiery female makes the centuries' trip-- from the caves to eternity!
Linkara: She went on a trip across centuries from caves to eternity?? I hope she brought a lunch.
Linkara (v/o): We open with Vira the She-Demon! See? Right there in big letters. (reads text dramatically) "VIRA THE SHE-DEMON!"
(Cut back briefly to the cover)
Linkara (v/o): That being said, I'm wondering if Vira the She-Demon is supposed to be the green-skinned woman on the cover, though that seems peculiar if she is, considering, well, she's clearly not green.
(Cut back to the first page)
Linkara (v/o): Gray or purple, maybe, but not green. Anyway, to show off how badass she is, she's waving around a giant stick with a flaming skull at the end of it. I think this is what some assholes out there think feminists look like. Feminists – this is what we should look like! Anyway, let's get to the narration.
Narrator: ARE WE THE END OF THE LINE!? Are we the last stop in the journey of human evolution?
Linkara: Well, obviously not. Star Trek: Voyager proved that if eventually we will evolve into orange lizard things that returned to the water. (beat) That episode will never not be stupid.
Narrator: The answer could be that the voyage is far from over!! Each of us could be a stepping stone to the New Seed!!!
Linkara (v/o): That was so exciting that it required three exclamation points! I just imagined Jack Kirby furiously typing this and stop himself from covering half the page in more exclamation points.
Narrator: But, let us not leap to the future before we explore the dim past...
Linkara: (as narrator) They should really change the light bulbs.
Narrator: ...for one who began her odyssey in a cave of skulls!
Linkara (v/o): And a cave of monoliths, it would seem, since there's one glowing right behind Vira. So, in the movie and novel, there is only the one Monolith in Africa. In this version of events, this is our second on Earth. And spoilers: we're gonna be seeing quite a few more before this series is over. The comics have been questioning what the Monoliths are and throwing out a few possibilities, but considering how many of these things there are, I'm gonna start assuming they're actually some kind of alien fast food chain or Starbucks. So, on the next page, Vira is blue. Perhaps she's not Vira the She-Demon, but Vira the She-Chameleon.
Narrator: Vira is a non-submissive female who is trying to survive in a primitive world swarming with males who dominate or kill!!
Linkara: (as narrator) You go, girl! (snaps fingers)
Narrator: Having wandered into a "ritual cave," reserved for the storage of enemy skulls...
Linkara: Okay, if you get enough enemy skulls that you actually need a "storage cave" for them, I think you've got enough enemy skulls.
Vira: I seek only food here!! I have not eaten for a full day!!
Linkara: (as Vira, making a jabbing motion) And that's why I'm waving this flaming skull in your faces! I'm gonna have barbecued caveman for lunch!
Linkara (v/o): The cavemen are naturally idiots, believing she has brought the dead back to life with the flaming skull. And for the record, it's not because they haven't discovered fire. If they hadn't, how the hell would they know what fire is and that the skull is flaming?
Narrator: Vira has merely used what she's found in the cave... tar, fire, a wooden shaft and a ritual skull!
Linkara: Vira was the MacGyver of prehistoric times.
Linkara (v/o): The cavemen flee, fearing the touch of the Ghost Rider effigy.
Narrator: Rudimentary religion has come to men!
Linkara: (as narrator) Rudimentary tax-exempt status would soon follow.
Narrator: The fear of the unknown is alive in their hearts! The blazing skull which moves in unison to Vira's screams shatters their sense of logic--and their nerves!!
Linkara: They clearly had spears themselves, knew about fire, and knew about skulls and screaming people... and still they thought she had brought them back to life. I don't think their sense of logic was really there to begin with.
Linkara (v/o): Figuring that the morons will come to their senses soon enough, Vira decides to head out and try to find a safe place, thinking that the other cavemen won't follow her to a nearby "fire mountain".
Vira: (thinking) It is said that a stone-spirit lives in this mountain!
Linkara: (as Vira) Then again, it's also said that this bone tiara I wear would keep my hair from getting split ends, and that really hasn't paid off.
Linkara (v/o): Vira seeks the "stone-spirit", but keeps getting distracted by, you know, all the fire and magma and sulfuric gases and stuff. Eventually, though, she finds the thing. Naturally, it's yet another monolith.
Narrator: The monolith is like no stone ever seen. It hovers in mid-air and sings with a voiced possessed by no creature on Earth...
Linkara: (as narrator) Not surprisingly, it sounds exactly like Freddy Mercury.
Vira: (thinking) The stone-spirit!! It calls to me! I-It tells me not to fear!
Linkara: (as Vira) It tells me to download this file from an unverified source.
Linkara (v/o): Vira kneels before it and talks to the monolith, telling it how she needs food and water, or else she'll die.
Narrator: There is no one about to hear what transpires.
Linkara: If a monolith talks to a hungry cavewoman near some volcanoes, does it make a sound?
Narrator: The monolith soon ceases its sounds and Vira goes on...
Vira: (thinking) It has spoken!
Linkara: (as Vira) It only takes cash or credit.
Vira: (thinking) What lies everywhere in this place can save me...
Linkara: (as Vira) Of course! Dirt!
Linkara (v/o): However, Vira doesn't find anything except the bones of dead animals, nothing she can actually eat.
Narrator: Vira's fertile mind is ever restless. She scours the grim field and reflects upon its grotesque harvest...
Linkara: (as Vira) Damn, there's nothing edible here! Just that Hardee's over there. Nothing edible!
Narrator: There is nothing but soil and bones here... and something-- else!!
Linkara (v/o): And that something is... a rock.
Linkara: (as Vira) Wait, what's this? It says, "Hot enough for you, ha ha."
Vira: Fear! (thinking) This is truly a place of fear!!
Linkara: Rocks – there is nothing more frightening.
Narrator: Vira is suddenly inspired! She will use the bones and soil-- and fear itself, to produce her needs!!
Linkara: (as Vira) I'll scare this dirt into becoming food!
Linkara (v/o): As we cut back to the cavemen, the narrator explains that they put all the skulls in the cave to appease the monolith. Goes to show why it didn't pick any of these guys to talk to. However, Vira soon arrives, having now dressed herself in an elaborate costume made out of the bones of the dead animals. And just for good measure, she attached torches to the mammoth skull she seems to be wearing. Man, that is the best Yu-Gi-Oh Mammoth Graveyard cosplay ever. Anyway, she orders them to drop their weapons.
Vira: I am sent by the great stone spirit to live among you!! Please me and you shall prosper! Anger me -- and I shall DEVOUR YOUR TRIBE!!
Linkara: (as Vira) Invoke my indifference and you will receive a consolation prize!
(We then cut to another bookshelf. Linkara suddenly appears in the room out of thin air, as he is fiddling with a teleporter on his wrist)
Linkara: Oh, uh... (looks around nervously) Sorry, guys, teleporter malfunction. (AT4W logo appears in the corner) We'll be right back while I suss this out.
(He resumes tinkering as we cut to black to go to a commercial break. Upon return, Linkara is still there)
Linkara: (excitedly) And now we're back, and I think I've got this all worked out.
(He pushes a button on his teleporter and there is an explosion, which turns him into an old man)
Linkara: You no-good Cinema Snob... (stops and looks around in confusion while the AT4W logo appears in the corner) Where the hell am I?
(The review resumes)
Linkara (v/o): And so, Vira swiftly takes over the village of the dumbed, who build her a little hut and continually offer food and praises.
Linkara: The only thing I'm hoping for at this point is that Al and the rest of the cast of "Marville" arrive with the time machine and then Vira kills them all!
Linkara (v/o): And like both the movie and the previous issue, we have our parallel shot, though this not nearly as impressive as those. In this case, it's a shot of Vira eating some rocks, and then smash-cut to astronaut Vera Gentry speaking into a communicator from a small base on Ganymede.
Linkara: Wait, something related to Jupiter in "2001: A Space Odyssey"? Since when?!
Narrator: Ganymede is one of Jupiter's larger moons...
Linkara (v/o): Actually, from what I understand, it's Jupiter's largest moon and in fact the largest moon in the solar system. The narrator also reports that there have been "strange, intriguing sightings" that have led them to send her on this mission. Vera heads out to some kind of futuristic telescope to begin looking for anything unusual.
Vera: (thinking) NASA must be recruiting male-chauvinist staffers. They would pick a female for this U.F.O. assignment!
Linkara: (holds up index fingers) One, how jaded have you become that you're not excited to be on friggin' Ganymede?! (holds up two fingers) Two, it's not chauvinistic for them to tell you to DO YOUR JOB. (holds up three fingers) Three, (makes a "finger quote") "female"? I know you're a scientist, but come on! Who describes their own gender like that? (points to himself) Boy, guy, (pumps his fist) MAN!
Linkara (v/o): The narrator says the reports were of fleeting shadows, bizarre silhouettes that would not normally be seen on the surface of the moo– moo... H-Hey, wait a second! All those dots littering the sky! Light pollution would totally eliminate seeing any stars! Clearly, this Ganymede landing was faked! Also, purple alien spaceships. Yeah, I'm not kidding.
Linkara: What? Don't you remember the purple alien spaceships in 2001: A Space Odyssey? They were the real ones who made HAL kill the crew, you know. Incidentally, I haven't taken my brain pills today.
Linkara (v/o): Vera spots them and makes a run for the building to report this, but the aliens are a spiteful bunch and blow the place up.
Vera: (thinking) Good Lord! They've destroyed the survival hut and all its equipment in a matter of seconds! I'm on my own–!!
Linkara: The great thing about old comics is that in a crisis situation, character thoughts are neat, ordered and always thinking about the long-term consequences. (now upset) FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, A PURPLE SPACESHIP IS FIRING ON YOU! WORRY ABOUT ALL THAT STUFF LATER!
Linkara (v/o): She just barely manages to evade the ships, who are attacking her because, well, aliens are dicks, I guess. Actually, come to think of it, they probably are. Aliens just leave the monoliths everywhere and never bother to leave a sign saying, "WARNING – DO NOT TOUCH". Yeah, it would be in an alien language, but it'd still be enough to get people to rethink getting closer to them.
Narrator: Vera suddenly wheels in fright! She has detected movement in the rocks above her! For a split second, the light of Jupiter illuminates a face which carries a dark message from the stars!
Linkara: (dramatically) DRINK MORE OVALTINE!
Linkara (v/o): Seriously, though, look at these aliens. They look like what would happen if the Watcher melted. Kind of frog-like, actually. And look at those eyes! It's like staring into a black hole.
(Cut to a clip of Halloween)
Dr. Sam Loomis (Donald Pleasence): The devil's eyes... The blackest eyes...
(Cut back to the comic)
Linkara (v/o): Confronted by the hell frogs, Vera makes a run for it into a nearby cave. And of course, she finds yet another monolith. And now we can truly see that the craggy lines of the things are not just artistic stylization to depict a completely flat, black object. Check out the rough edge of the left. This thing is positively rocky! I don't get it, Jack Kirby. I'm guessing you had seen the movie at some point, so why turn something so deliberately and carefully manufactured and eerie in how smooth it is into, well, a big paperweight? But anyway, with the aliens closing in, she touches the monolith and is immediately pulled into the Stargate it creates and– OH, SWEET MERCIFUL CRAP, I'M TRIPPING BALLS!! And I'm sure, for Vera, she's tripping, too, since she is now flying Monolith Airways! (tour guide voice) On your left is a giant centipede thing. Right in front of you is a swimming pool that you will suddenly appear in. And yeah, soon her spacesuit disappears and she swims to the surface of a rather lush pool area.
Narrator: It is all there, as she had once known it--the pool-side and its potted plants... The condominium she had lived in-- it stands as it always has...
Linkara: (as narrator) With ridiculously high rent.
Linkara (v/o): Naturally, with this kind of experience, she's really just letting it happen and not fighting it, so soon she spots her neighbors and then decides to take a nap. However, for once, we actually get an explanation for why she's experiencing this vision.
Narrator: In the environment prepared for her by the monolith, the human subject eases into the change.
Linkara: Wait, does that mean that when Dave Bowman kept seeing future versions of himself, that was the most relaxing thing to him in his final moments before becoming a Star Child?
Narrator: Vera Gentry is aging rapidly. She has already reached the age of fifty as her eyes flutter before they open...
Linkara: (as narrator) She really needs to use the bathroom.
Narrator: She is seventy and too weary to rise when she awakens.
Linkara: (as narrator) Despite not having a lawn, she instinctively desires for the damned kids to get off of it.
Linkara (v/o): And so, Vera lies back as the transformation finishes, the monolith appearing before her and putting her in plastic wrap to keep her nice and fresh.
Narrator: There is not much to see beneath the film at the height of the change. It is a process beyond the understanding of modern man...
Linkara: (as narrator) Plus, it's really kind of gross. We're talking lots of seepage.
Narrator: Vera Gentry exists no more. But part of her survives in the emerging life, called the New Seed.
Linkara: Sorry, narrator, but we saw Vera right at the end of that. I'm pretty sure she was an old seed. (a rimshot plays in response)
Narrator: Then it is over. What lies beneath the film is but another link in the human chain of destiny--forged by an alien will--for reasons known only to itself!!
Linkara: At this point, I'm guessing the aliens just get bored, and this is their version of reality TV. (announcer voice) What cavemen descendants will become a new seed? Watch FOX to find out!
Narrator: The environment fades away like an outworn fantasy... The new seed drifts in an element it was meant for--the universe!! In these endless regions it will do the things that will fulfill its existence. In every decision lies meaning and mission...
Linkara: (as narrator) However, she still really needs to use the bathroom.
Narrator: Before departing on its lifelong journey, the new seed subjects its immediate surroundings to a final, penetrating scrutiny...
Linkara: (as Vera) These colors are so tacky!
Linkara (v/o): And so, our comic ends with the new seed flying off for parts unknown to do... whatever the hell it is it's supposed to do.
Linkara: (holds up comic) This comic... is better than the first issue, (becomes confused) but it's also pretty much the same comic.
Linkara (v/o): That's the problem with a lot of these first few "2001" comics: they all tell pretty much the same story: caveman, then future, then Star Child. The story of Vira the She-Demon is actually pretty intriguing in Vira learns how to manipulate the cavemen's superstitions, but the future Vera is just kind of whiny. I still don't know what Jack Kirby was trying to say with these comics. What's the point of all of this?
Linkara: Hopefully, we'll get that answer in the next issue, but... somehow I doubt it. (throws down comic, gets up and leaves)
(End credits roll)
Soooo you think we'll ever get HAL in this series? Or is Machine Man in that future issue supposed to be Jack Kirby's version of HAL?
Anyone know if Arthur C. Clarke ever read these comics?
"The light of Jupiter illuminates A A face?" Is that like Attack Of The The Eye Creatures?
(Stinger: An announcement for a new comic in the series is shown)
Text: COMING NEXT!!-- A bone-crushing, rib-cracking, head-twisting two-part look at the next candidate for the new seed!
Linkara: When in doubt, (pumps fist) VIOLENCE!
(end)
Atop the Fourth Wall Transcripts
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Spider-Man 56 · Doom's IV 2 · Batman 147 · The Top 15 WTF Moments in Comics · Titans 1 · Sinnamon 11 · US-1 1 · S.C.I. Spy 1 · Superman At Earth's End
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2012:
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Marville 1 · Miller Time: Robocop vs. the Terminator 1 · Brute Force 3 · 15 Things That Are Wrong With Identity Crisis · New Guardians 1 · Gameboy 2 · Youngblood 4 · Star Trek III: The Search for Spock · Mr. T 1 (AP Comics) · Mr. T 2 · The Amazing Spider-Man and Captain America in Dr. Doom's Revenge! · The Invincible Four of Kung-Fu & Ninja 1 · Kamandi at Earth's End 2 · Black Web 1 · Transformers: Generation 2 1 · Captain Tax Time 1 · Superman 701 · Bloodstrike 1 · Marville 2 · The Amazing Spider-Man on Bullying Prevention 1 · The New Teen Titans Anti-Drug Giveaway 1 · Daredevil vs Vapora 1 · Batman: A Word to the Wise · Marvel Team-Up 74 · Blake's 7 2 · Battle for Bludhaven 1-2 · Battle for Bludhaven 3-4 · Battle for Bludhaven 5-6 · Sir Charles Barkley and the Referee Murders · Captain Electron 1 · Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home · 200th Episode · Rock 'N Roll 31 · Future Shock 1 · Catwoman: Guardian of Gotham 1 · Catwoman: Guardian of Gotham 2 · Psychoman 1 · Marville 3 · Tandy Computer Whiz Kids: The Answer to a Riddle · Batman: Jazz 1 · Starstream 1 · The Thing From Another World 1 · The Thing From Another World 2 · Spider-Man: Power and Responsibility · Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror 2 · Flash Comics 1 · Tales of Suspense 39 · The Brave and the Bold 54 · The Incredible Hulk 1 · Superman's Christmas Adventure · Archie Giant Series Magazine 452 · Teen Titans 13: A Swingin' Christmas Carol · Batman: Noel · The Next 15 Screw-Ups of Atop the Fourth Wall
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2013:
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Kamandi at Earth's End 3 · Raver 1 · Transformers 31 · Happy Days 2 · All-Star Batman and Robin 5 · Youngblood 5 · Star Wars 3-D 1 · Marville #4 · Titans Retrospective: Team History · Titans Retrospective: JLA/Titans: The Technis Imperative · Titans Retrospective: Titans 1-25 · Titans Retrospective: Titans 26-50 · Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster · Power Pachyderms 1 · Star Trek V: The Final Frontier · Dragnet 4 · Wild Thing 1 · Spider-Man 2099 1 · Punisher 2099 1 · Doom 2099 1 · Ravage 2099 1 · Comic Book Quickies 1 · Kamandi at Earth's End 4 · SCI-Spy 3 · Star Trek: The Next Generation/X-Men 1 · Mr. T and the T-Force 2 · Miller Time: All-Star Batman and Robin 6 · Tandy Computer Whiz Kids: A Deadly Choice · Battlestar Galactica: Journey's End 1 · Marville 5 · Miller Time: Tales to Offend 1 · The Culling: Teen Titans Annual 1 · The Culling: Superboy 9 · The Culling: Legion Lost 9 · The Culling: Teen Titans 9 · Plan 9 From Outer Space: 30 Years Later 1 · Brute Force 4 · Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country · SCI-Spy 4 · The Thing From Another World: Climate of Fear 1-2 · The Thing From Another World: Climate of Fear 3-4 · Spider-Man: Crossfire · 2001: A Space Odyssey 1 · Showcase 4 · Tales to Astonish 27 · Showcase 22 · Journey into Mystery 83 · The Punisher: Silent Night 1 · Solson Christmas Special featuring Samurai Santa 1 · Star Trek: The Next Generation 2 · Doctor Who Classic Comics 15 · The Next 15 Missed Opportunities of AT4W
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2014:
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2015:
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Miller Time: All-Star Batman and Robin 9 · Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters 2 · Trouble 1 · Comic Book Quickies 4 · PSA Hell: Energy and Safety with the Justice League · Youngblood 7 · ROMTROSPECTIVE: ROM Spaceknight 1-40 · ROMTROSPECTIVE: ROM Spaceknight 41-75 · The Star Wars 1 · Batman: Jazz 3 · Mr. T and the T-Force 3 · Big Bang Presents 3: Protoplasman! · Crimson 1 · Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines (RPG Game) · Titans: Scissors, Paper, Stone · PSA Hell: Batman: Shadow of the Bat 57 · Comic Book Quickies 5 · Avengers Assemble Featuring Captain Citrus 1 · Doctor Who/Star Trek: The Next Generation: Assimilation Squared · My Cage · The Punisher 60 · The Punisher 61 & 62 · Steam Wars · Ultimate Power 1-2 · Homestuck, Act 1 · Atomic Robo, Vol. 3 · Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating Superman · Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating Batman · Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating Wonder Woman · Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating The Flash · Zyuranger Episodes 17-22 · Tandy Computer Whiz Kids: The Computer Trap · Trouble 2 · Pokémon Reburst, Chapter 1 · Green Lantern 23.1 · Team Youngblood 1 · US-1 5 · The Star Wars 2 · Power Man and Iron Fist 79 · Nightmares on Elm Street 1-2 · Nightmares on Elm Street 3-4 · Nightmares on Elm Street 5-6 · Spider-Man: Virtual Mortality · More Fun Comics 73 · Daredevil 1 · Action Comics 252 · Tales of Suspense 52 · Atop the Fourth Wall: The Movie, Part 1 · Atop the Fourth Wall: The Movie, Part 2 · Atop the Fourth Wall: The Movie, Part 3 · Atop the Fourth Wall: The Movie, Part 4 · Atop the Fourth Wall: The Movie, Part 5 · Deadpool Bi-Annual 1 · Cho Dengeki Stryker · Zombies Christmas Carol 1-3 · Zombies Christmas Carol 4-5 · Another 15 Missed Opportunities of AT4W
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2016:
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NFL SuperPro Special Edition 1 · Popeye: Borned to the Sea 1 · OnStar Batman Auto Show Special Edition 1 · Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters 3 · The Star Wars 3 · Youngblood 8 · All-Star Batman and Robin 10 · Pokémon Adventures Ch. 1-2 · Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger Episodes 1-5 · Blue-Skying, Part 1: Blue Beetle Dan Garrett · Blue-Skying, Part 2: Blue Beetle Ted Kord · Blue-Skying, Part 3: Blue Beetle Jaime Reyes · Blue-Skying, Part 4: Blue Beetle Jaime Reyes New 52 · Star Trek Special: Flesh and Stone · Blackest Night 1-8 · Dart 1 · Batman: Shadow of the Bat 58 · The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky · Ultimate Power 3 · Star Trek: The Next Generation 3 · Comic Book Quickies 6 · 400th Episode · 400th Episode: Part 2 · Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man · Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day 1 · Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day 2 · Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day 3 · 15 Things Wrong With Marvel's Civil War · Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 1 · The Minister of Chance · US-1 6 · Star Trek: Voyager 1 · Unsounded, Chapter 1 · Biggles and the Menace from Space · Batman and Robin: The Official Comic Adaptation · Superman and the TRS-80 Computer Whiz Kids: Victory by Computer · Star Trek/Green Lantern: The Spectrum War · My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic 27-28 · Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Ch. 1 · Pryde of the X-Men · A Nightmare on Elm Street: Paranoid 1 · A Nightmare on Elm Street: Paranoid 2 · A Nightmare on Elm Street: Paranoid 3 · Spider-Man: Cyberwar · The Real Ghostbusters in Ghostbusters II 1-3 · Strange Tales 110 · More Fun Comics 73: Aquaman · Tales of Suspense 57 · All-Star Comics 3 · My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic 2015 Holiday Special · Ghostbusters: Past, Present, and Future · Elvira's House of Mystery Special 1 · Another 15 Screw-Ups of AT4W
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2017:
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Digimon: Digital Monsters 1 · Phonogram: The Immaterial Girl 1-6 · Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 · Trouble 3 · The Star Wars 4 · Spectacular Spider-Man Episode 1x10 - "Persona" · Youngblood 9 · The A-Team 2 · The Batman/Superman Movie: World's Finest · See You Next Mirror: Exiles Retrospective, Part 1 · See You Next Mirror: Exiles Retrospective, Part 2 · Reagan's Raiders 1 · Fist of the North Star, Ch. 1 · Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters 4 · Iron Man: The Animated Series - The Wedding of Iron Man · Athena 3 · Batman: The Dark Knight 1-3 · The New Teen Titans Anti-Drug Giveaway 2 · Crisis on Infinite Earths · Secret Wars (1984) · The Infinity Gauntlet · Flashpoint · Babylon 5 1 · The Star Wars 5 · All-New Ghost Rider, Volume 2 · Robocop vs. the Terminator 2 · Superman vs. the Terminator 2 · Tandy Computer Whiz Kids: News By Computer Foils Kidnappers · Ultimate Power 4 · Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 1 · Batman: Odyssey 1 · Asterix: The Legionary · Comic Book Quickies 7 · JoJo's Bizarre Adventures Episodes 1-4 (2012-2013 series) · Thunderbirds Are Go · Batman: The Official Movie Adaptation · Ultimate Iron Man Vol. 1 1-2 · My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic 11-12 · Stormwatch 0 · A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Beginning 1-2 · A Nightmare on Elm Street: Fearbook · New Line Cinema's Tales of Horror 1 · The Sensational Spider-Man 0 · Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash · Marvel Comics 1 · Brave and the Bold 28 · Kamen Rider Fourze Episodes 1-4 · Clive Barker's Hellraiser Dark Holiday Special · Sensation Comics 14: The Story of Fir Balsam · Steam Wars Holiday Special · Christmas with the Superheroes 2
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2018:
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My Top 15 Favorite Episodes of AT4W · Legion of Superheroes: The Great Darkness Saga · James Bond, Jr. 1 · JLA/Avengers · Homestuck, Act 2 · Isaac Asimov's I-Bots 1 · Thunderstrike 1 · Youngblood 10 · Badrock 1A · Event Comics Month II: Infinite Crisis · Event Comics Month II: Infinity War · Event Comics Month II: World War Hulk · Event Comics Month II: Final Crisis · Power Rangers Turbo vs. Beetleborgs Metallix 1 · Diesel 1 · Teen Titans: "Betrayal" and "Aftershock, Parts 1 and 2" · The Punisher: Purgatory · Comic Book Quickies 8 · 500th Episode · Dark Knight III: The Master Race 1-2 · Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating Green Lantern · The New Guardians 3 · US-1 7 · Nova Girls: Space 34-24-34 · Batman: Odyssey 2 · Star Wars 3-D 2 · Pokémon - The Electric Tale of Pikachu 3 · PSA Hell: Captain America Meets the Asthma Monster · Superman and Spider-Man · Amazing Cow Heroes 4: Cold Cuts · Ravage 2099 2 · Adventures of the Kool-Aid Man 2 · Tandy Computer Whiz Kids: Safeguarding the Environment · Mr. T and the T-Force 4 · Star Trek 2 (DC) · Star Trek (2009): The Official Motion Picture Adaptation · Star Trek: The Next Generation 4 · Star Trek 1 (Gold Key) · Silent Hill: Hunger · The Thing: The Northern Nightmare · Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash: The Nightmare Warriors · Spider-Man: Smoke and Mirrors · Hellraiser: Hell on Earth · Fantastic Four 52 · Marvel Comics 1 (The Human Torch) · The Incredible Hulk 181 · The New Mutants 98 · Batman Returns: The Official Comic Adaptation · The Punisher: Red X-Mas · Star Wars: The Force Awakens Comic Adaptation · Luke Cage, Hero for Hire 7
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2019:
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Yet Another 15 Missed Opportunities of AT4W · Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters 5 · Batman/Aliens 1 · Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel · Pokémon 15x19-20 "Cilan Takes Flight" and "An Amazing Aerial Battle" · Tomb Raider Vol. 3: Queen of Serpents · Little Victory: Chimera 1 · Youngblood 0 · Kickers, Inc. 1 · The Savage Dragon 1 · Darkwing Duck 1-4 · The California Raisins 3-D 5 · Hellstar Remina, Ch. 1-3 · Gallery of Horrors · Batman: The Dark Knight 16-17 · Tremors · Ultimate Power 5-6 · Batman Forever: The Official Comic Adaptation · Street Fighter: The Official Comic Adaptation · Catwoman: The Official Comic Adaptation · Dune: The Official Comic Adaptation · Superman IV: The Quest for Peace Movie Special · Justice is Silent: Cassandra Caintrospective, Part 1 · Justice is Silent: Cassandra Caintrospective, Part 2 · Justice is Silent: Cassandra Caintrospective, Part 3 · US-1 8 · Tandy Computer Whiz Kids: Community Action Program · Captain America Goes to War Against Drugs · Comic Book Swimsuit Issues · Batman 45-47: The Gift · Star Trek: The Next Generation 5 · The A-Team 3 · JoJo's Bizarre Adventures Episodes 5-9 · Trouble 4 · Franken Fran, Ch. 1 and 4 · Youngblood: Judgment Day · Teen Titans 27-28 · Clive Barker's Hellraiser 1 · Clive Barker's Hellraiser Summer Special · Clive Barker's Hellraiser Spring Slaughter · Spider-Man: The Exile Returns · Detective Comics 225 (Martian Manhunter) · Batman: Harley Quinn 1 · DC Comics Presents 26 · The Flash 123 · Evil Dead 2: A Merry Deadmite X-Mas · Transformers (UK) 145 · The All-New Batman: The Brave and the Bold 14 · Star Wars: The Last Jedi Comic Adaptation
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2020:
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Top 15 Dumbest Evil Plans of AT4W · Batman/Aliens 2 · Star vs. the Forces of Evil: Deep Trouble 1-4 · Megamind · Revolution · Superman vs. Muhammad Ali · Hellstar Remina, Ch. 4-6 · Youngblood: Strikefile 1 · Comic Book Quickies 9 · Black Panther, Vol. 4 1-6 · Batman: Odyssey 3 · Justice League/Mighty Morphin Power Rangers · The Champions, Vol. 3 1-4: Beat the Devil · Star Trek vs. Transformers · Athena 4 · Daredevil: Born Again · Action Comics 775 · Comic Book Quickies 10 · 600th Episode · Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Comic Adaptation · Star Wars: Attack of the Clones Comic Adaptation · Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Comic Adaptation · Star Wars: Rogue One Comic Adaptation · DC Challenge! 1 · Kyoryu Sentai Zyurangers Episodes 40-43 · Trouble 5 · Dan Dare: Voyage to Venus · Superman 358 · Zero Hour: Crisis in Time · House of M · Secret Empire · Heroes in Crisis · Animax 1 · Ninjutsu 1-2 · Green Goblin 1-2, 4, 8, 12-13 · US-1 9 · Emergency! 1 · Mr. T and the T-Force 5 · Pinhead 1-3 · Pinhead 4-6 · Pinhead vs. Marshal Law · Spider-Man: Web of Life · Marvel Super-Heroes 12 (Captain Marvel) · The Flash 110 · The Amazing Spider-Man 129 · Awesome Comics Holiday Special · Transformers (UK) 41 · Solo: A Star Wars Story Comic Adaptation
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2021:
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Yet Another 15 Screw-Ups of AT4W · Star Trek Book and Record Set: Dinosaur Planet · DC Challenge! 2 · The Mighty Heroes 1 · Justice League 1x01-3: Secret Origins · The Star Wars 6 · The King of Braves GaoGaiGar Ep. 1-4 · Youngblood: Strikefile 2 · Pokémon 15×01-02: "Enter Elesa, Electrifying Gym Leader" & "Dazzling the Nimbasa Gym" · Stanley and his Monster 1-4 · Marvel Than Meets the Eye: The Transformers 1-40 · Marvel Than Meets the Eye: Transformers 41-80 · Marvel Than Meets the Eye: Generation 2 and Regeneration One · Star Trek 9 (Gold Key) · Star Trek/Legion of Superheroes · Mystery Science Theater 3000 1 · Batman: The Dark Knight Returns · Ultimate Power 7-8 · Batman: The Dark Knight 23.4 · Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating Aquaman · Sword Interval: Flashback Arc · PSA Hell: The Amazing Spider-Man: Riot at Robotworld · Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (Ultimate Edition) · Transformers/Ghostbusters: Ghosts of Cybertron · The New Guardians 4 · Codename: Ninja 1 · Batman: Hush · Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger Ep. 15-16 · Mr. T and the T-Force 6 · Doom’s IV 1 · Batman and Elmer Fudd & Catwoman and Sylvester and Tweety · Batman: Odyssey 4 · The Dresden Files: Storm Front, Vol. 1 · US-1 10 · Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters 6 · DC Challenge! 3 · Marvel Super Special 1: KISS · The Ring, Vol. 1 · The Ring, Vol. 2 · Spider-Man: Web of Death · Detective Comics 359 · The X-Men 4 · Batman 1 · Spider-Man Holiday Special 1995 · The Adventures of Chrissie Claus 1 · Christmas Quickies 1 · Still Another 15 Missed Opportunities of AT4W
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2022:
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Ultimate Power 9 · The Adventures of Superboy 3x05-06 and 4x07-08 · Batman: The Killing Joke Adaptation · Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating the JLA · Chew: Poyo Character Focus · Youngblood: Strikefile 3 · Doctor Who: Logopolis · Armageddon 2001 · Secret Invasion · Civil War II · Dark Nights: Metal · The Star Wars 7 · Sonic the Hedgehog: Tangle and Whisper · Star Trek: The Next Generation/X-Men: Planet X · Stargate SG-1: P.O.W. · Man of Steel · Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters 7 · Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger Episodes 17-21 · US-1 11 · X-Men Green · Spider-Man: Maximum Carnage · DC Challenge! 4 · Comic Book Quickies 11 · 700th Episode · Ken Penders' The Lost Ones 1 · Star Wars Infinities: A New Hope · Transformers: Deviations · Legion of Superheroes 0 and Legionnaires 0 · Mr. T and the T-Force 7 · The Ring, Vol. 3: Spiral · The Ring, Vol. 4: Birthday · Spider-Man: Funeral for an Octopus · Christmas Quickies 2 · Batman 27: A Christmas Peril · Mr. T and Emmanuel Lewis in A Christmas Dream · Top 15 Goofiest Superheroes of Atop the Fourth Wall
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2023:
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Star Wars: A New Hope Comic Adaptation · Marvelman Family's Finest 1 · Superman vs. Aliens 1 · Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney · Hellblazer: Dangerous Habits · Youngblood: Strikefile 4 · What Dreams May Come, Part 1: The Sandman 1-20 · What Dreams May Come, Part 2: The Sandman 21-40 · What Dreams May Come, Part 3: The Sandman 41-60 · What Dreams May Come, Part 4: The Sandman 61-75 · Animax 2 · The Dome: Ground Zero · Action Comics 1 (Non-Superman Stories) · Transformers (UK) 132-134 · Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating Robin · Mr. T and the T-Force 8 · The Dresden Files: Storm Front, Vol. 2: Maelstrom · Captain Marvel: The Last Avenger · E-Robot, Ch. 1 · Overwatch: Legacy and Old Soldiers · Green Lantern: Emerald Twilight · Back to the Future: Who is Marty McFly? · Super Soldier 1 · Legends of the Dark Claw 1 · Spider-Boy 1 · Assassins 1 · DC Challenge! 5 · US-1 12 · The Star Wars 8 · Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters 8 · The Ring, Vol 0: Birthday · Sadako at the End of the World · Spider-Man: The Mark of Kaine · Sadako-San and Sadako-Chan · Doctor Who: Remembrance of the Daleks · Doctor Who: The Klepton Parasites · Doctor Who: The Chimes of Midnight · Yu-Gi-Oh: Capsule Monsters Ep. 1-3 · Klaus 1-7
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2024:
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Still Another 15 Mistakes of AT4W · Batman vs. the Predator 1 · Ben 10 Ep. 1×01, 09, 13 · Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger Ep. 14, 22-24 · Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Comic Adaptation · Sonic/Mega Man: Worlds Collide, Act 1
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Specials:
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AT4W 2009 Trailer · Linkara's Take on Watchmen · Watchmen Review · Theme Song Contest · The Spoony Experiment: Warrior #1 · Theme Song Contest Winner! · Blackest Night · Silent Hill: Dying Inside Trailer · Silent Hill Alternate Endings · AT4W & Spoony: Experiment Warrior 2-3 · October 2010 Trailer · Silent Hill: Dead/Alive Review Alternate Endings · The Live Show! · AT4W Story Recap · October 2011 Trailer · Return of AT4W Live! · Revenge of the AT4W Live! · Southland Tales · Curse of AT4W Live · House of AT4W Live! · Ghost of AT4W LIVE! · October 2012 Trailers · Bride of AT4W Live! · Son of AT4W Live! · Night of AT4W Live! · Day of AT4W Live! · Dawn of AT4W Live! · Land of AT4W Live! · Diary and Survival of AT4W Live! · Power of AT4W Live! · Midnight of AT4W Live! · Planet of AT4W LIVE! · Genesis of AT4W LIVE! · 300th Episode Livestream Recordings · Destiny of AT4W LIVE! · Resurrection of AT4W LIVE! · Revelation of AT4W Live! · Remembrance of AT4W LIVE! · The New 52 · Atop the Fourth Wall: The Movie, Part 1 · Atop the Fourth Wall: The Movie, Part 2 · Atop the Fourth Wall: The Movie, Part 3 · Atop the Fourth Wall: The Movie, Part 4 · Atop the Fourth Wall: The Movie, Part 5
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