Lighting the Bat-Signal: A Batman Fan Journey

Host Anthony Desiato presents a special Halloween double-header! First, Anthony and guest Bill Maio shine a light on the conclusion of The Long Halloween Saga — BATMAN THE LONG HALLOWEEN: THE LAST HALLOWEEN — by Jeph Loeb, Tim Sale, and a host of artists paying tribute to the late Sale.
Two-Face, Gilda Dent, and Mario Falcone are at the center of a new mystery that involves Gotham's "Freaks" getting shot & wounded on holidays . . . but does the story hold together here? Episode contains SPOILERS!
THEN! Anthony welcomes back guest Mike Sangregorio to break down another recent look at the budding Dynamic Duo: the 2024-2025 maxiseries BATMAN & ROBIN: YEAR ONE by Mark Waid & Chris Samnee. They discuss the excellent character work involving Bruce, Dick, & Alfred, compelling new villain The General, abrupt pivot to [spoiler], and more.
Support the show and receive exclusive podcast content at Patreon.com/AnthonyDesiato!
Visit BCW Supplies and use promo code FSP to save 10% on your next order of comics supplies.
Join the conversation on the social media channels for parent podcast Digging for Kryptonite:
FACEBOOK GROUP: Digging for Kryptonite: A Superman Fan Group
FACEBOOK PAGE: @diggingforkryptonitepod
INSTAGRAM: @diggingforkryptonitepod
TWITTER: @diggingforkrpod
BLUESKY: @diggingforkrpod.bsky.social
EMAIL: flatsquirrelproductions@gmail.com
WEBSITE: FlatSquirrelProductions.com
Lighting the Bat-Signal is a Flat Squirrel Production. Key art by Isaiah Simmons. Theme music by Kill Me Kate.
Mentioned in this episode:
Rick Reason
ComicsCCstudio
Aw Yeah Comics
Fat Moose Comics
Always Hold On To Smallville

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Javi Trujillo (The Comic Binge) shine a light on the middle chapters of The Long Halloween Saga — BATMAN: DARK VICTORY and CATWOMAN: WHEN IN ROME — by Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale.
They discuss new holiday serial killer The Hangman, Dick Grayson's surprisingly minimal but impactful presence, Selina's true parentage & side quest in Rome, Riddler's evolution, and more.
Support the show and receive exclusive podcast content at Patreon.com/AnthonyDesiato!
Visit BCW Supplies and use promo code FSP to save 10% on your next order of comics supplies.
Join the conversation on the social media channels for parent podcast Digging for Kryptonite:
FACEBOOK GROUP: Digging for Kryptonite: A Superman Fan Group
FACEBOOK PAGE: @diggingforkryptonitepod
INSTAGRAM: @diggingforkryptonitepod
TWITTER: @diggingforkrpod
BLUESKY: @diggingforkrpod.bsky.social
EMAIL: flatsquirrelproductions@gmail.com
WEBSITE: FlatSquirrelProductions.com
Lighting the Bat-Signal is a Flat Squirrel Production. Key art by Isaiah Simmons. Theme music by Kill Me Kate.
Mentioned in this episode:
Fat Moose Comics
Rick Reason
Aw Yeah Comics
Always Hold On To Smallville
ComicsCCstudio

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Ryan Lower (The Batman Book Club) shine a light on Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale's original Gotham City epic — BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN, now in its 30th anniversary year — along with the two-part animated film adaptation.
They discuss the story's role in their personal Bat fandoms, its ties to BATMAN: YEAR ONE, whether the mystery payoff satisfies, the effectiveness of the art and the holiday setting, how the series inspired THE DARK KNIGHT, and more.
Don't miss the podcast's coverage of BATMAN: DARK VICTORY (along with CATWOMAN: WHEN IN ROME) in just two weeks!
Support the show and receive exclusive podcast content at Patreon.com/AnthonyDesiato!
Visit BCW Supplies and use promo code FSP to save 10% on your next order of comics supplies.
Join the conversation on the social media channels for parent podcast Digging for Kryptonite:
FACEBOOK GROUP: Digging for Kryptonite: A Superman Fan Group
FACEBOOK PAGE: @diggingforkryptonitepod
INSTAGRAM: @diggingforkryptonitepod
TWITTER: @diggingforkrpod
BLUESKY: @diggingforkrpod.bsky.social
EMAIL: flatsquirrelproductions@gmail.com
WEBSITE: FlatSquirrelProductions.com
Lighting the Bat-Signal is a Flat Squirrel Production. Key art by Isaiah Simmons. Theme music by Kill Me Kate.
Mentioned in this episode:
Rick Reason
Fat Moose Comics
ComicsCCstudio
Always Hold On To Smallville
Aw Yeah Comics

Host Anthony Desiato shines a light on ALL-STAR BATMAN & ROBIN, THE BOY WONDER by Frank Miller & Jim Lee with comic book creator Brandon Montclare — aka the Assistant Editor on the original series!
Anthony & Brandon discuss the behind-the-scenes of the series, the book's pacing, Bruce's unhinged characterization & behavior toward Dick Grayson, fan reactions, and the title's written but unproduced 11th issue.
Explore Brandon's comic book work here.
This concludes the podcast's multi-episode coverage of the extended Dark Knight Saga. Next month: The Long Halloween Saga!
Support the show and receive exclusive podcast content at Patreon.com/AnthonyDesiato!
Visit BCW Supplies and use promo code FSP to save 10% on your next order of comics supplies.
Join the conversation on the social media channels for parent podcast Digging for Kryptonite:
FACEBOOK GROUP: Digging for Kryptonite: A Superman Fan Group
FACEBOOK PAGE: @diggingforkryptonitepod
INSTAGRAM: @diggingforkryptonitepod
TWITTER: @diggingforkrpod
BLUESKY: @diggingforkrpod.bsky.social
EMAIL: flatsquirrelproductions@gmail.com
WEBSITE: FlatSquirrelProductions.com
Lighting the Bat-Signal is a Flat Squirrel Production. Key art by Isaiah Simmons. Theme music by Kill Me Kate.
Mentioned in this episode:
Aw Yeah Comics
Rick Reason
Pop Break
Always Hold On To Smallville
Fat Moose Comics

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Mike Sangregorio shine a light on Frank Miller's controversial (and misunderstood?) sequel to DKR, the 2001-2002 miniseries THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN.
They consider Miller's frenetic, experimental approach, the impact of 9/11, Batman's minimal presence, the treatment of Silver Age Justice League characters, and more.
PLUS! Anthony and guest Perry Constantine (Superhero Cinephiles) revisit the later sequel DK III: THE MASTER RACE (by Miller, Brian Azzarello, & Andy Kubert), along with THE LAST CRUSADE (by Miller, Azzarello, & John Romita Jr.) and THE GOLDEN CHILD (by Miller & Rafael Grampá).
Happy Batman Day!
Support the show and receive exclusive podcast content at Patreon.com/AnthonyDesiato!
Visit BCW Supplies and use promo code FSP to save 10% on your next order of comics supplies.
Join the conversation on the social media channels for parent podcast Digging for Kryptonite:
FACEBOOK GROUP: Digging for Kryptonite: A Superman Fan Group
FACEBOOK PAGE: @diggingforkryptonitepod
INSTAGRAM: @diggingforkryptonitepod
TWITTER: @diggingforkrpod
BLUESKY: @diggingforkrpod.bsky.social
EMAIL: flatsquirrelproductions@gmail.com
WEBSITE: FlatSquirrelProductions.com
Lighting the Bat-Signal is a Flat Squirrel Production. Key art by Isaiah Simmons. Theme music by Kill Me Kate.
Mentioned in this episode:
Rick Reason
Fat Moose Comics
Pop Break
Always Hold On To Smallville
Aw Yeah Comics