Available Exclusively To Patrons of The ESO Network. In 1971, Denny O’Neil introduced a couple of game-changing characters in the pages of Batman: criminal mastermind Ra’s al Ghul and his Bat-obsessed daughter Talia. Their story reached its climax the following year in Batman 243 and 244, so Drew is discussing those classic issues. It’s a globetrotting adventure as Batman chases Ra’s al Ghul across mountains and deserts, oddly assisted by champion skier Molly Post along the way. It’s also our introduction to the secret of Ra’s al Ghul’s immortality, the Lazarus Pit. And of course, it’s all expertly drawn by Neal Adams. Ra’s and Talia have loomed large in the DCU ever since, leading us on a quick tangent to discuss the Super Sons. Then it’s on to Kevin’s pick for 1972: Supergirl #1. After fourteen years in titles like Action and Adventure, Superman’s cousin finally had her own official comic book, in which she goes back to college and stumbles upon a murder mystery. There’s also a silly Zatanna backup story and a whole page of reader-submitted Supergirl costume designs. And Kevin and Drew attempt to solve a mystery that DC has ignored for half a century: the truth about Supergirl’s psychic-powered and weirdly-named roommate, Wanda Five. Check It Out
