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

Issue 89 - See You In Heaven, 2011!!!

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

Hello, listeners! Nice to see you again. It's been a while since the TPB gang has graced your earholes with some audio delights, so let's party like it's 2003!!! Spence, Mark, Jim and Ryan take a little while to warm up to their old podcasting ways, so they talk about other podcasts they could start, reminisce about Condorman, and share some exciting (and some not-so-exciting) news from NYCC. (No offense meant to you, Mark Bagley!) After reviewing a whole slew of things - including books from old pals/TPB alums Mike Raicht, Kirk "Manly" Manley, and Jamie S. Rich - , the boys talk about comic book shows and movies that exist, and some that don't! The TPB gang also realizes a sad universal truth - most orphans are probably pretty depressed. Bummer.

Reviews for this week: The Pack, Goodbye Chunky Rice, Gladstone's School for World Conquerors, Z-Girl and the Four Tigers, Spellcheckers Vol. 2 - and more!

Musical selection: Everclear - Santa Monica

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

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 second 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.

This week we feature the duo "Power Man and Iron Fist," The hard hittin', crime fightin', lady lovin' Heroes for Hire. Find out how Danny Rand got that there tattoo and where he got his name from. Find out What Luke Cage's real name is (as well as that of Nic Cage).

Musical Selection: Iron Fist by Motorhead 

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.

Another flash of lightning again illuminates this final resting place for this despised creature. But what's this?..... did you see that?!?!.......... the ground........ it was moving! A pale, emaciated, and nerdy hand bursts forth from the grave clutching a back-issue of Sgt. Rock, a Jubilee HeroClix and.... VENGEANCE!

Flee in terror as the TPB gang rises from the grave to once again haunt and befoul your mind and earholes. We discuss the Captain America movie, Comic-Con, bash Matt Fraction for a while, and then talk about some stuff we've been reading.

Aaahhhhhhhh - it's good to be back.

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

As always, we here at TPB like to challenge popular preconceived notions and social norms. Today we put the old saying of "Better late than never" to the test!

Everybody in the world has opinions on DC's upcoming company-wide relaunch. Now you can listen to ours! Will DC scrap their plans after they hear this, or proceed? I guess we'll find out!

Put on your thinking cap and concentrate to remember all the way back to early May of 2011. There was a day in which comic shops across the country gave you a whole bunch of free comics - remember that? Like an extended "Cold Storage" segment, we talk about those comics of yore! Ahhhh, the good old days....

Reviews for this week: A whole bunch of Free Comic Book Day comics!
Musical Selection: Starship Trooper by Yes