So you think you know all about that underground crime lab located beneath Wayne manor from which Batman bases his global war on crime? Think again! The Brothers Douglas have brought you another installment of “A Beginner’s Guide to Comics,” featuring the Batcave. Listen as we take you back to civil war era Batcave all the way through it’s present incarnation. We talk about all of the items Batman has lifted off of crime scenes and brings into his Hall of Trophies. As a bonus, we even get to see a silly fat Alfred.

Please enjoy our discussion as we give you way more than you ever wanted to know about the Batcave. Thanks for listening. Please let us know if there are any other guides you want us to do at talesfromtheparentsbasement@gmail.com

The entire gang – with the exceptions of Cally, Nate, and Jim – get together for a fond look back at the comics and great times of 2011. Tears are shed, laughter is shared, remembrances are remembered, cities are built (you’ll get it later), and auld langs are syne’d. (It increases their value, by the way)

We discuss some news, including some really moving tributes by Spencer to some recently and dearly departed comic book creators (R.I.P.). Ryan then shares some news that will make his 2012 be the greatest year ever (until the world ends next December, of course). Mark, Spence, and Ryan all share their top 6-14 comics of the year, even though Spence has to dip out to get yelled at for a little bit. This fortunately allows Ryan and Mark to talk about their special bond -  a bond so moving and intimate that no one else can understand! (especially Spence!!!)

Hope to see you all next year, everyone! (or this year because the show was out a little late… oops.

Musical Selection:  ”The Way We Were” by Barbara Streisand

Hey everyone! Have you heard the crazy news? People are talking about DC Comics! No, not just Anne Hathaway’s dumb costume or the crappy Wonder Woman TV show that never aired – but the actual comics themselves!!!! Not only that, they are selling a F-Load of issues! What is this, Elseworlds?!?!?!

Batman cries with joy as we talk about the DC madness that is sweeping this nation! We review all of the newly relaunched comics that came out (as of the taping), Ryan helpfully points at comic panels you can’t see, and we give you the nitty-gritty on what’s going on. We also wag our finger at greedy comic stores! Mark gets some Lemire love-time, and Spence gets to talk about Liefeld! That’s a Win/Win, folks. All this, plus we give some shout-outs to a group of local hometown heroes! Don’t worry anymore, Ryan and other drunks of Ogden, Utah – someone is here to help!

Reviews for this week:  A lot of DC stuff.
Musical Selection: “Changes” by David Bowie

Direct download: TPB_Issue_86.mp3

Welcome, friendly neighborhood Basementators! In this Spectacular episode we get down to business with lots of news for y’all! Wonder Woman de-pants, KA-BOOM deflates, the new Batman movie will not suck (despite the photographic proof it will), DC hires a couple of women, Hellboy has a rough day, and Cally once again proves he’s a lunatic foaming-at-the-mouth RACIST. Plus, we get lots of phone beeps and Ryan goes off about Secret Avengers #15 for far too long. And hey – NATE’S BACK, and he says a few words!

We could have made a joke in here about “web-shooters” and “sticky fluid” all over the place – but we chose to refrain. Hey, look – personal growth!!!

Review for this week: Amazing Spider-Man #667
Musical Selection: “Lullaby” by The Cure

Here at Tales from the Parents’ Basement, we are committed to giving you top notch education in addition to all the normal stuff we cram down your throats. Today, (mostly because we had issues getting the crew together) we bring you the first episode of our “A Beginner’s Guide to Comics.” This is a show where we pick out a character from comics and impart our vast knowledge to you, dear listener, about this character.

Because of all the recent release of Captain America: The First Avenger, there has been a renewed interest in Captain America. We thought what a perfect time to get a spike in downloads! So, our first installment of “A Beginner’s Guide to Comics,” will feature the Sentinel of Liberty himself.

“But wait!” You say, “I have been reading Cap all my life, I don’t need a beginner’s guide.” Rest assured that there is something in here for everyone. We have dug to the utter depths of nerdom in order to bring you information that you may not have known.

Sit back, relax, and go buy those damn war bonds!!!!!

Lightning streaks across the sky, temporarily lighting the graveyard for podcasts below. Tucked away in the back portion of the graveyard sits a lonely tombstone. No one has ever come to visit this poor podcast’s grave. No one loved this wretched being while it was alive, and in death it somehow is loved even less.

Reviews for this week: A whole bunch of stuff!
Musical Selection: “We Live” by Electric Wizard