Superman and Doctor Fate Go Swashbuckling
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In this episode of Worst Collection Ever, hosts Jen and Sean dive into their latest comic book haul from Second and Charles, a used bookstore chain known for its 'Penny a Page' day. They recount the chaos of navigating the store's confusing rules—especially around page-count eligibility for graphic novels and trade paperbacks—before celebrating their finds: two Golden Age Wonder Woman comics, a 600-page Detective Comics anniversary hardback, and a slew of single issues including Suicide Squad (1988), Nova Classic Volume 3, and a rare Captain Silver Surfer comic. The highlight of the episode is their deep-dive into DC Comics Presents #23 (July 1980), a bizarre one-shot featuring Superman and Dr. Fate battling a cursed British privateer named Captain Ezra Hawkins, who has enslaved Superman with green chains and forced him to row a magical ship. The story is packed with absurdity: a magical imp named El Muchacho, a cursed wife turning into a salad, a surreal ranch-dressing fantasy, and a comedic subplot involving Superman's potential 'crop dusting' powers. The hosts revel in the sheer stupidity of the issue, embracing it as peak 'stupid town' content. They also geek out over vintage ads for OJ Simpson's 'dingo' boots and ponder the cultural decline of capes and high boots. The episode ends with a tease for next week’s even weirder installment: Dead Man teaming up with Superman against a 'man who was the world.'
Embrace absurdity in comics—some of the worst stories are the most fun.
Use 'Penny a Page' days wisely, but be prepared for confusing rules about page counts.
Superman's 'crop dusting' powers are a real possibility (and a joke worth laughing at).
Dr. Fate’s helmet is not just a mask—it’s a portal to the entity Naboo, who sometimes shares control.
Magic in comics often defies logic, and that’s part of the charm.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to Stupid Town: Comic Book Chaos at Second and Charles
Jen and Sean kick off the episode with their signature crass sincerity, recounting their visit to Second and Charles, a used bookstore chain with a 'Penny a Page' day. They describe the confusion around page-count rules, especially for graphic novels and trade paperbacks, and the frustration of being told comics and manga are excluded—despite the logic of the system.
The Loot: Golden Age Gems and Weird Finds
The hosts detail their purchases: two Golden Age Wonder Woman comics, a massive 600-page Detective Comics anniversary hardback, a Johnny Cash biography, and several single issues including Suicide Squad (1988), Nova Classic Volume 3, and the final issue of Cable. They also highlight the bizarre Batman and Black Canary issue where she's tied to a chair in tiny underwear.
DC Comics Presents #23: Superman vs. the Cursed Buccaneer
“I'm going to have to get some ranch. Ranch? I don't know because she's a salad now. Oh, she's a salad! I don't know. What, you gotta like put some flavor in on her? I don't know. You're like, my dear. Turn delicious.”
The Aftermath: OJ, Capes, and Next Week’s Madness
The hosts reflect on the absurdity of the issue, celebrate the return of capes and high boots, and geek out over vintage OJ Simpson boot ads. They tease next week’s episode featuring Dead Man and Superman battling 'the man who was the world,' promising even more dumb fun.
“This is my fucking, this is my sweet spot. We are. I love this dumb shit.”
“I'm going to have to get some ranch. Ranch? I don't know because she's a salad now. Oh, she's a salad! I don't know. What, you gotta like put some flavor in on her? I don't know. You're like, my dear. Turn delicious.”
“I'm going to have to get some ranch. Ranch? I don't know because she's a salad now. Oh, she's a salad! I don't know. What, you gotta like put some flavor in on her? I don't know. You're like, my dear. Turn delicious.”
Hosts
Superman
other
Dr. Fate
other
Jen
person
Captain Ezra Hawkins
other
Sean
person
DC Comics Presents #23
other
Lois Lane
other
Batman
other
Second and Charles
organization
El Muchacho
other
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