Episode 221

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Published on:

30th Sep 2025

Inside the BYRNE Superman Era with Editor MIKE CARLIN

Host Anthony Desiato begins digging into John Byrne's 1986-1988 tenure on the Superman titles — which redefined the character for the Post-Crisis era — by interviewing one of the people who was there: longtime DC Comics editor and returning podcast guest MIKE CARLIN.

But FIRST! In the prologue, Anthony welcomes back Sweet-Sweet Bernie Gerstmayr (Aw Yeah Comics - Skokie) to discuss the road to Byrne's seminal MAN OF STEEL miniseries.

PLUS: Anthony presents a pair of epilogue segments with veteran Pre-Crisis Superman fans — Rich Roney and Martin Gray (Too Dangerous... Review Blog) — who each received the reboot differently in 1986.

This is the first installment of a multi-episode event revisiting the entire Byrne era on Superman. Next week: The MAN OF STEEL miniseries!

Support the show and receive exclusive podcast content at Patreon.com/AnthonyDesiato, including the spinoff podcasts BEYOND METROPOLIS and DIGGING FOR JUSTICE!

Visit BCW Supplies and use promo code FSP to save 10% on your next order of comics supplies.

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Digging for Kryptonite is a Flat Squirrel Production. Theme music by Dan Pritchard. Key art by Isaiah Simmons.

Mentioned in this episode:

Hang On To Your Shorts Film Festival

This Podcast Will Never Die

Fat Moose Comics

Single Bound Podcast

Always Hold On To Smallville

Show artwork for Digging for Kryptonite: A Superman Fan Journey

About the Podcast

Digging for Kryptonite: A Superman Fan Journey
From the Host of My Comic Shop History
Host Anthony Desiato (My Comic Shop History) takes flight with an ongoing podcast series exploring Superman! Digging for Kryptonite is an examination of Krypton's Last Son across time and media, with deep dives into the creative visions, character elements, eras, and individual stories that have shaped the Man of Steel and the larger DC Universe since 1938. New episodes every Tuesday.
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About your host

Profile picture for Anthony Desiato

Anthony Desiato

Anthony Desiato, owner and founder of Flat Squirrel Productions, is a lifelong Superman fan, documentary filmmaker (MY COMIC SHOP COUNTRY), and podcaster. He hosts a network of podcasts including: DIGGING FOR KRYPTONITE, ANOTHER EXCITING EPISODE IN THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, SUMMONING THE ZORDS, and MY COMIC SHOP HISTORY.