Ep 413: Merry Little Batman (2023) Recap & Review

This week on the Major Issues Podcast, the hosts look ahead to 2026 and make their bold predictions across movies, television, and comics. From potential breakout hits to looming disasters, they dig into upcoming releases, shifting creative trends, and the franchises facing the most pressure in the year ahead. Which projects are poised to surprise, which ones could stumble, and what might define the next phase of pop culture? It is a forward-looking episode packed with hot takes, informed speculation, and plenty of debate as the hosts try to call their shots before the year begins. Please leave us a review on ITunes so we can grow our audience and grow as podcasters! Rate us wherever podcasts are found. Don't forget to check out our merchandise! All episodes of Major Issues are brought to you by ComicBook Clique, the only stop for the latest and greatest things to come to comic books and comic book media. Send us feedback at [email protected]! You Are Worthy!  ComicBook Clique Facebook ComicBook Clique on Instagram ComicBook Clique on YouTube Major Issues on Twitter Shop ComicBook Clique DirtSheet Radio Link Tree    

This week on the Major Issues Podcast, the hosts look back on the best and worst of 2025 across movies, television, and comics. From breakout hits that exceeded expectations to high-profile projects that completely missed the mark, nothing is off-limits as they sort through a year packed with big swings, bold ideas, and costly misfires. The discussion spans superhero cinema, prestige TV, surprise successes, creative disappointments, and the comic runs that defined or derailed the year. What worked, what failed, and what it all says about where pop culture is headed next. It is a no-holds-barred year-in-review episode you will not want to miss.   Please leave us a review on ITunes so we can grow our audience and grow as podcasters! Rate us wherever podcasts are found. Don't forget to check out our merchandise! All episodes of Major Issues are brought to you by ComicBook Clique, the only stop for the latest and greatest things to come to comic books and comic book media. Send us feedback at [email protected]! You Are Worthy!  ComicBook Clique Facebook ComicBook Clique on Instagram ComicBook Clique on YouTube Major Issues on Twitter Shop ComicBook Clique DirtSheet Radio Link Tree    

This week on the Major Issues Podcast, the hosts celebrate Christmas Day with Merry Little Batman, the animated holiday tale that puts the spotlight on a young Damian Wayne left alone in Wayne Manor on the most dangerous night of the year. As Gotham’s rogues close in, Damian suits up to prove he can be Batman—whether his father believes it or not. The hosts break down how the film balances heartfelt holiday spirit with classic Batman chaos, explore Damian’s obsession with legacy and heroism, and discuss why this surprisingly emotional Christmas story stands out among DC’s animated offerings. It’s festive, funny, and full of bat-shaped heart. 🎄🦇   Please leave us a review on ITunes so we can grow our audience and grow as podcasters! Rate us wherever podcasts are found. Don't forget to check out our merchandise! All episodes of Major Issues are brought to you by ComicBook Clique, the only stop for the latest and greatest things to come to comic books and comic book media. Send us feedback at [email protected]! You Are Worthy!  ComicBook Clique Facebook ComicBook Clique on Instagram ComicBook Clique on YouTube Major Issues on Twitter Shop ComicBook Clique DirtSheet Radio Link Tree    

This week on the Major Issues Podcast, the hosts revisit Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, the dark and controversial animated film that pushed the DC Animated Universe into its most disturbing territory. Decades after Bruce Wayne hung up the cowl, Terry McGinnis faces Gotham’s greatest nightmare reborn as the Joker resurfaces with a terrifying new plan. The hosts break down the film’s chilling exploration of legacy, trauma, and identity, dive into the shocking flashbacks that redefine Batman and Joker’s rivalry, and discuss the censorship battles that shaped the movie’s multiple cuts. It’s a deep dive into one of the boldest, bleakest, and most talked-about chapters in Batman animation history. Please leave us a review on ITunes so we can grow our audience and grow as podcasters! Rate us wherever podcasts are found. Don't forget to check out our merchandise! All episodes of Major Issues are brought to you by ComicBook Clique, the only stop for the latest and greatest things to come to comic books and comic book media. Send us feedback at [email protected]! You Are Worthy!  ComicBook Clique Facebook ComicBook Clique on Instagram ComicBook Clique on YouTube Major Issues on Twitter Shop ComicBook Clique DirtSheet Radio Link Tree  

The Major Issues Podcast celebrates the 20th anniversary of Infinite Crisis with a massive, all-in deep dive into the entire explosive road that led to DC’s universe-shattering event. From Identity Crisis and Countdown to Infinite Crisis to The OMAC Project, Day of Vengeance, Villains United, and the Rann–Thanagar War, the hosts break down every twist, betrayal, uprising, and cosmic wildfire that dragged the DC Universe to its absolute breaking point. It’s the ultimate, high-energy guided tour through the chaos, the shocks, and the long-burning fuse that made Infinite Crisis not just inevitable—but unforgettable. Please leave us a review on ITunes so we can grow our audience and grow as podcasters! Rate us wherever podcasts are found. Don't forget to check out our merchandise! All episodes of Major Issues are brought to you by ComicBook Clique, the only stop for the latest and greatest things to come to comic books and comic book media. Send us feedback at [email protected]! You Are Worthy!  ComicBook Clique Facebook ComicBook Clique on Instagram ComicBook Clique on YouTube Major Issues on Twitter Shop ComicBook Clique DirtSheet Radio Link Tree  

This week on the Major Issues Podcast, the hosts step into the wasteland to break down Wonder Woman: Dead Earth by Daniel Warren Johnson, one of the most visceral, emotional, and visually jaw-dropping Elseworlds tales DC has published in years. The crew explores how Johnson reimagines Diana as a mythic survivor in a ruined world, forced to confront the haunting truth behind humanity’s fall and her own role in it. We dig into the brutal action, the heavy metal energy of Johnson’s artwork, the heartbreaking character turns, and the way this story strips Wonder Woman down to her core ideals to see what still shines through. It is a raw, explosive, and deeply human take on the Amazon Princess, and we are unpacking every punch, revelation, and moment of heartbreak that makes Dead Earth an instant classic. Please leave us a review on ITunes so we can grow our audience and grow as podcasters! Rate us wherever podcasts are found. Don't forget to check out our merchandise! All episodes of Major Issues are brought to you by ComicBook Clique, the only stop for the latest and greatest things to come to comic books and comic book media. Send us feedback at [email protected]! You Are Worthy!  ComicBook Clique Facebook ComicBook Clique on Instagram ComicBook Clique on YouTube Major Issues on Twitter Shop ComicBook Clique DirtSheet Radio Link Tree      

This week on the Major Issues Podcast, the hosts dive into the chaos, brilliance, and pure comic-book weirdness of Grant Morrison’s Batman/Deadpool from DC/Marvel: Batman/Deadpool #1. Morrison throws the Dark Knight into Deadpool’s reality-bending orbit, and the results are exactly as wild as you’d expect. The crew breaks down how the story twists Gotham grit with meta-madness, why Morrison is the perfect writer to blend these two icons, and what this crossover says about both heroes at their core. From razor-sharp dialogue to fourth-wall shenanigans and unexpected emotional beats, we unpack every layer of this creator-driven collision between the Batman mythos and Marvel’s most chaotic mercenary. Tune in for a deep, energetic breakdown of one of the strangest—and most entertaining—team-ups in modern comics. Please leave us a review on ITunes so we can grow our audience and grow as podcasters! Rate us wherever podcasts are found. Don't forget to check out our merchandise! All episodes of Major Issues are brought to you by ComicBook Clique, the only stop for the latest and greatest things to come to comic books and comic book media. Send us feedback at [email protected]! You Are Worthy!  ComicBook Clique Facebook ComicBook Clique on Instagram ComicBook Clique on YouTube Major Issues on Twitter Shop ComicBook Clique DirtSheet Radio Link Tree      

This week on the Major Issues Podcast, the hosts dissect Ultimate Wolverine and take stock of Year One of Marvel’s new Ultimate Universe! From the brutal reinvention of Logan to the bold reimagining of classic heroes like Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Black Panther, the crew explores how this ambitious line rebuilds Marvel’s mythos from the ground up. We break down the themes, twists, and standout character work that make Ultimate Wolverine one of the line’s most compelling entries, while also assessing how the Ultimate imprint has reshaped reader expectations in just its first year. It’s a deep dive into legacy, reinvention, and what it really means to be “Ultimate” in 2025. Please leave us a review on ITunes so we can grow our audience and grow as podcasters! Rate us wherever podcasts are found. Don't forget to check out our merchandise! All episodes of Major Issues are brought to you by ComicBook Clique, the only stop for the latest and greatest things to come to comic books and comic book media. Send us feedback at [email protected]! You Are Worthy!  ComicBook Clique Facebook ComicBook Clique on Instagram ComicBook Clique on YouTube Major Issues on Twitter Shop ComicBook Clique DirtSheet Radio Link Tree

This week on the Major Issues Podcast, the hosts don their Guy Fawkes masks and look back at V for Vendetta, 20 years after its premiere. What began as a cautionary tale about authoritarian control, surveillance, and manufactured fear feels eerily prophetic two decades later. The crew revisits the Wachowskis-produced classic, exploring how its themes of rebellion, censorship, and identity hit harder in today’s world than ever before. From Hugo Weaving’s chillingly poetic performance to Natalie Portman’s transformation as Evey Hammond, we reflect on how the film’s dystopian vision has crept frighteningly close to reality—and why V for Vendetta remains a timeless rallying cry for freedom and truth. Please leave us a review on ITunes so we can grow our audience and grow as podcasters! Rate us wherever podcasts are found. Don't forget to check out our merchandise! All episodes of Major Issues are brought to you by ComicBook Clique, the only stop for the latest and greatest things to come to comic books and comic book media. Send us feedback at [email protected]! You Are Worthy!  ComicBook Clique Facebook ComicBook Clique on Instagram ComicBook Clique on YouTube Major Issues on Twitter Shop ComicBook Clique DirtSheet Radio Link Tree

This week on the Major Issues Podcast, the hosts return to Godolkin University for Gen V Season 2! With bloodier powers, bigger twists, and even darker satire, the spinoff of The Boys turns up the chaos as the next generation of Supes fights for survival—and control. The crew dives into how the show expands the world of Vought, pushes its young heroes past their breaking points, and sets the stage for The Boys’ explosive future. From shocking betrayals to jaw-dropping cameos, we’re breaking down every gory, emotional, and wildly inappropriate moment that makes Gen V one of the most unhinged shows on TV. Please leave us a review on ITunes so we can grow our audience and grow as podcasters! Rate us wherever podcasts are found. Don't forget to check out our merchandise! All episodes of Major Issues are brought to you by ComicBook Clique, the only stop for the latest and greatest things to come to comic books and comic book media. Send us feedback at [email protected]! You Are Worthy!  ComicBook Clique Facebook ComicBook Clique on Instagram ComicBook Clique on YouTube Major Issues on Twitter Shop ComicBook Clique DirtSheet Radio Link Tree