DC's LAMEST villain TAKES OVER! | Eclipso: The Darkness Within

Eclipso: The Darkness Within is DC crossover event plotted by Keith Giffen and Robert Loren Fleming. It featured the return of Eclipso after his imprisonment in his palace on the moon. His character is retconned to introduce the Eclipso Entity, and Eclipso uses shards of his black diamond scattered all over the Earth to take over the minds of heroes and villains alike during moments of anger. Never miss an episode by subscribing today! bit.ly/2WYvgkt #comicpop
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[@halfmettlealchemist8076]

I liked when Eclipso showed up in that one episode of the old Justice League cartoon, which was sort of an adaptation of this story. The spirit of the Eclipso Gem was basically body-hopping all over the place and even possessed nearly the whole League near the end. It was actually kind of terrifying.

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

I remember snake people, Wally being the main character, G. Gordon Godfrey, and Mophir.

[@sebastianoleary2743]

I'm actually watching through that show right now and just got that episode. It's a cool coincidence that they uploaded this at the same time.

[@MeSpawn297]

He's in an episode of Young Justice as well!

[@halfmettlealchemist8076]

@@MeSpawn297 Which episode was that? I don't remember Eclipso ever showing up there.

[@HaussmannComics]

I don't care for the fact that I'm old enough that it's "that old justice league show"

[@inmybagrn]

The beginning of this episode reminded me that Stargirl got cancelled and now I’m sad. That show utilized Eclipso really well.

[@Samael_Morningstar666]

Fun Fact: L.A. Guns was part of the reason we now have Guns N Roses. Tracii Guns left because Axl Rose is Axl Rose and Slash was brought in for lead guitarist after he left an opportunity to join Poison because he wasn’t about the dress code of Poison

[@comicsmisexplained]

Yeah LA Guns are top tier Glam Metal. I don’t like Glam but they are very popular in that scene

[@foolwriter]

I think Sal would have three nickels, 'cause wasn't that basically the origin for Metamorpho? And it's not that dissimilar to at least some versions of Dr. Fate.

[@MrFtpforlife]

Also Hawkman & Black Adam I think share similar origins

[@pptemplar5840]

And basically Maximillion Pegasus from friggen YuGiOh, I feel like stumbling upon ancient magic that changes you in Egyptian ruins is a pretty common trope.

[@darcy7384]

Could be wrong but I think it’s also Johnny Quick’s origin

[@KalleVilenius]

Eclipso's role as the former Wrath of God spirit thingy was explored in Ostrander's run on The Spectre, good times.

[@NovatheDestined]

Wow! I remember Sal saying he'd been working on this for 2 years, I was half-expecting it take another 2 years before he found all the issues! Bloodlines magic strikes again!

[@DrThrustbone]

Add this of my favorite moments on ComicPop: Ethan: “who is this pillow…man?” Sal: “That’s Pillow-Man” ‘silent stare’

[@stefansauvageonwhat-a-twis1369]

38:00 Almost the EXACT same thing happens in ninjago against a solar fearing dinosaur skeleton brought back to life lol

[@thelastlahofe]

I've been so excited since you teased this episode, Eclipso is unironically one of my favorite villains

[@halfmettlealchemist8076]

Eclipso is one of those villains who just has so much potential for creating cool and interesting stories with them, but always seem to be tragically underutilized whenever they actually show up. And I’ve always had a fondness for those sorts of villains, because when a writer actually DOES manage to do something interesting with them, it feels all the more rewarding.

[@comicsmisexplained]

I thought he was cool in Justice League Dark 🌙

[@Deathnotekeeper]

Same, I loved him in Stargirl.

[@superby1]

I’m nervous because I genuinely love this story. And it had an impact on James Robinson’s Starman towards the end.

[@grkpektis]

A couple episodes ago Sal said he's still collecting this so I assumed this episode wasn't going to be out for months I am glad I was wrong because I was really looking forward to it. Great episode

[@bacsilva]

19:06 There is an actual DC character who drives a cab in space, so, yeah, space hitchhikers are probably a thing. His name is Space Cabby.

[@theronhildebrand5925]

Recently I’ve been feeling extremely depressed and alone but I almost feel like I’m there with you guys. Maybe that’s corny but I just love the relationship you guys have

[@dlvnmedia]

You are not alone. Trust me I used these guys for the same thing for a long time but it gets better trust me. Stay strong and keep keeping on brother

[@eqs1782]

I would love to see Darkseid in small glasses doing an audit for Apokolips

[@Sicod79]

I concur with the annual model being the best way to do events because it doesn't interrupt the main book's storytelling. I still remember the mini crossover the Vibranium Vendetta where Spider-man had connected annuals (and Marvel had other mini arcs annual arcs in other books).

[@Aaron-zt5ee]

One of my favs was the annual crossover between New Warriors and the Spidey annuals where they fought the Sphinx.

[@ikecarr5989]

​@@Aaron-zt5eeThe Hero Killers.

[@TevyaSmolka]

Eclipso is such a underrated villian in my opinion.

[@shauntempley9757]

He is indeed. He is the only potentially terrifying villain underutilised if they got him right.

[@TevyaSmolka]

@@shauntempley9757 indeed

[@curativewriter5518]

Love eclipso as a concept, but now realizing it I dont recall if I ever read a book with him, I feel like I might have only interacted with him in other media

[@ninja1man4u]

For me it was the justice league cartoon which good on the creatives behind the show the origin, the concept of the villain and the solution were super streamlined and creatively cool

[@handlebarsmustache]

Recent Stargirl Show was the first time I've ever heard of him

[@chrisdaily2077]

He was great in Stargirl.

[@Grievousish]

Eclipso sounds like one of the villains Ben has made up on the show before. I'm shocked it's a real thing

[@cybercop0083]

Eclipso is also something you might find in old Simpsons, Disenchantment or especially Futurama

[@gbone302]

These guys really struck gold with this show, I been subscribed since at least 2017, this show is rewatchable as fuck!!!

[@Chalk0073]

Best thing about Eclipso is you can always find issue #1 in your longbox because the gem doesn't let the book sit flat.

[@michaelkelley88]

the best show on KZbin i was watching some really old episodes like Kraven's Last Hunt and Allstar Batman, and i was so impressed how amazingly those episodes held up then i saw this upload! this is the only channel on youtube that ive watched for so long where the quality has started high and only improved year after year. Also this story kinda sounds like a pretty big missed opportunity, Eclipso's powers and 90's re-design was pretty dang cool his new origin as god's wrath was interesting too. But 90's DC will be 90's DC.

[@GothamCityCritics]

33:15 haven't finished the episode yet but a quick Google check... they released an album this year called...black diamonds.

[@cha5]

I remember that issue with the Eclipso replica jewel on the cover and Maggie Thompson at the Comics Buyers Guide mentioned that when the glue binding attaching that jewel to the cover started to erode it would completely destroy the value of that comic in a matter of years. I think Maggie Thompson had mentioned that she just had wanted to have some fun with the speculators when she wrote that more than anything else.

[@stephenlucas8836]

When ever you say Bruce Gordon, I just think, "That's a weird thing that happens to Comitionser Gordon sometimes that nobody talks about", like thirsty silver age Lois Lane, turtle Jimmy, or Comitionser Gordon's Bunny Batmech.

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

“What kind of fool do you take me for? He’s Eclipso! He’s Eclipso! You’re Eclipso? I‘m Eclipso! Are there any other Eclipso’s I should know about?” Pantha: “Meow…” “…I’m outta here!”

[@theicedude395]

This does make me wish for the Starman Jack Knight run for Back Issues

[@thomasarcanine]

I like the end credits saying "EVERYONE WHO WORKED FOR DC IN 1992"... 🤣🤣🤣

[@bensneb360]

I can already tell I’m gonna love this episode, it’s gonna be a Total Eclipso of the Heart lol

[@Depthcharge2030]

Finally. Watch as Sal ascends to Godhood. The Unholy Trinity of Uncollected 90s DC Comics Annual events has been completed.

[@shadowanderson2004]

Always great when Sal makes a Phineas and Ferb reference

[@edwin831]

Can’t wait to see you guys (hopefully) cover the Indiana Jones comics before the movie comes out! Love your channel, I have since 2014. this will go into my watch later for after work

[@GTMQ8]

Because I didn’t realize that circle was meant to be like a lunar Eclipse, I’ve been calling this event Ecolipso for the last 30 years. Thanks Sal! 😂😂😂

[@magicalgirllaurie]

Hey don’t forget the other character who went on archeological expeditions with his girlfriend and her father! Metamorpho of course!

[@PHEONIX_720]

33:15 LA Guns had I think a member that originally was in Faster Pussycat, which was the band used in one of the episodes of Peacemaker. Overall they were a fun band to listen to during that Glam metal era.

[@Dru2037]

They joined the Hollywood Roses for a time and formed Guns n Roses.

[@NAP8X]

The weirdest thing about all of this is the ad for “Single White Female” on the back of the issue of New Titans. Always loved that Quesada cover for the Action Comics Annual.

[@santinosingh6047]

Thank you so much for these videos, after a long shift every Wednesday its nice settling down with a new episode

[@dn22pkkdd476]

Nearly 2 hours of The Bois ranting about Eclipso? You spoil us. Awesome episode.

[@LogantheSloth]

I remember reading that Robin issue with Anarky and never realized it was a tie-in to an event! I just thought Anarky found a powerful evil diamond out of the blue lol

[@ColinJVitro13]

Where does the James Robinson Starman fit into the Eclipso of it all; it’s been awhile since I read that but I’m pretty sure Will Payton was possessed by a separate Starman. I need to reread

[@parallaxspectre]

I could listen to Sal explain a phone book to Ben and Ethan lol - Another great show!

[@RazeChaos]

I did enjoy the follow Eclipso series that happened afterwards, though it was more of a "Let's kill off a ton of characters we'll never use again" situation... Peacemaker was one of them LOL

[@MegaDisguy]

36:28 The Bruce Gordon joke's punchline is the lack of effort they, DC, put into it. Like "Lol! We phoned that in"

[@Grand_Theft_Autobot]

@47:24 Sal, did you somehow forget that Superman possesses an inherent weakness to magic, and Eclipso - and by extension, his diamonds - are mystical in origin, so it actually does make sense that Superman wasn't able to smash the diamond after all.

[@comicpop]

Does it matter?

[@stefansauvageonwhat-a-twis1369]

well its not a weakness per say, it doesnt depower him, its just he has no ability that allows him to resist magic or hurt magic other than the physical strength he does for all attacks, so hes vulnerable to it, like a time spell would stop him, or an unbreakable crystal remains unbreakable, but yeah

[@HighSlayerRalton]

​@@stefansauvageonwhat-a-twis1369It varies depending on the writer and has been treated as both an absence of super-normal resistance and a genuine weakness multiple times.

[@lukeroberts8473]

Everytime sal said evil I couldn't help but hear mermaidman

[@MrZsasz25]

Now you have done all the DC events from 1986 to 1996 (Crisis to Final Night). Except for Genesis, DC one Million and Day of Judgement you have also done all the 90s events. Though I'Ve set my hear on a review of "Millenium Giants"

[@chris_usler]

I see the thumbnail and automatically go "ohhhh no!!!"...then laughed when Ben echoed it.

[@R.J.Godzilla81]

Yeah I was introduced to him (kinda) in the episode(s) 39 & 40 of Justice League the animated series titled “Eclipsed” which also has Tracey Walter in it, in a major role. Tracey Walter for all you crazy kids out there, played Malak in Conan the Destroyer, Lamar in Silence of the Lambs, Cookie in City Slickers, but most famously played Bob the goon in Batman 89

[@Insane-Howl-Cowl]

I still have my copy of Eclipso #1 and when I saw this episode posted I remembered how this version of The Joker looked. Those teeth were MASSIVE!

[@ninja1man4u]

The second I heard 27 part story from Sal. The fear on that couch was palpable

[@Amazing_Amy_W]

Loved Eclipso in the Dark Reign story in JSA, so have been looking forward to this episode since Sal said he was collecting the parts.

[@eqs1782]

My first introduction to Eclipso was in the Justice League when Dick Grayson was Batman

[@rocker00000]

LFG!!!!!!!!!!!!! Always great to see the 90's return. Poor Ethan and Ben. Good luck!

[@mangahead333]

It's very nice to see the Will Payton Starman show up on this series, he is my favorite iteration of Starman and might be one of my favorite characters in comics. I think Starman Vol 1 is a massively underrated series, another one that deserves an actual collection of some sort. I once argued it was an accidental rebuttable to Watchmen and that series views on superheroes, though I admit I was mostly making that argument up as I went. I do hate to be that guy, but Payton actually returned first in the Jack Knight Starman series, with a retcon that I think I dislike more then the Totality thing, but I don't think he ever showed up again after that until that post new52 story line. Either way, great episode, and I know I wouldn't mind seeing Starman vol 1 on the couch one day, maybe another series to be hunted down.

[@nigelflood7074]

Eclipso the Darkness within was the first DC event I picked up. It's what got me into DC comics

[@VideoShogun]

Great episode as always, when you talk about a xenomorph rip-off early on, the picture I believe has an error with the compression or something, I thought it was me at first, but it's there still after I rewound.

[@jaceruiz2382]

Yes I was that kid collecting & hunting down the Armageddon 2001, Eclipso, & Bloodlines books. Great for capping the annual events. So next, DC One Million??? 52???

[@greenygal6641]

I wouldn't say that the "second-stringers on the Justice League" approach never led to sales; my understanding was that the original Giffen/DeMatteis/Maguire title (limited to second-stringers mostly because the bigger characters were still in post-Crisis chaos or had writers/editors who didn't want them in another book) sold very well, and the fact that two years later DC created a second Justice League title under the same writers and with the same approach would seem to bear this out. It didn't last forever, but nothing does, and it was surprisingly successful for a while. ...none of which has anything to do with Eclipso, but what's the fun of being a comics fan if not to argue about irrelevant details?

[@dna6]

7:17 Might be the funniest cut in Back Issues history

[@Negatory5]

Didn’t the whole archeologist girlfriend and father thing thing happen with Metamorpho too, sort of?

[@spencerainsworth269]

Shout out to Calypso

[@hamzadawud]

I'm sure I've seen the exact L.A. Guns ad that you're referring to in at least one comic!

[@SpiralSine6]

Thank god Eclipso is finally getting his time to shine.

[@alextylergaming2320]

You said a eclypso way too many times and now my brain hurts

[@bradleyd.9801]

"God's a complicated character" -Ben 2023

[@JLD22591]

Probably won't have time to watch today but I'm dropping in to throw a comment and I like your way because I love the idea of this episode premise and I look forward to enjoying it during my work shift tomorrow.

[@nickel-bolas951]

I unironically love this event. Just like the best wrestling is goofy wrestling, the best comics are stupid comics, and this one is really stupid. I love villains that are moustache-twirling weirdos and Eclipso is the twirliest of them all.

[@dlvnmedia]

LA Guns original lineup along with the original lineup of Hollywood Roses became a small band called Guns and Roses and the original bands became well advertised on an Eclipso event

[@robkrol2137]

Didn't Eclipso convince the Spectre to go off the reservation and try to destroy all magic though? I was pretty sure he was integral to Day of Vengeance.

[@comicpop]

Your point?

[@robkrol2137]

@@comicpop I dunno, I was just referring to when you said he hasn't done anything since at the start of the video.

[@zenbyo]

As a big fan of Bart Sears, i loved these issues when they came out. :) I didnt know about them hiring lobo for a hit which is hilarious.

[@ryan.craig816]

43:27 I think Ben and I thought the same thing 🌝😂

[@CaptainSawyer]

"You re-saved the day" lol

[@charliewilliams8639]

Starman got his powers from a space laser, "Was the space laser Jewish?"- Marjorie Taylor Greene

[@aidanalvarez5486]

Eclipso did have a major solo role in the mid 2000s during the build up to Infinite Crisis when he corrupted the Spectre to go on a crusade against magic characters leading to the formation of the team called the Shadow Pact

[@albertolopezsanchez8034]

This video is a gift for all the Eclipso fans out there. 🌘

[@cybercop0083]

Seeing Eclipso with that hat on his throne, I’m torn between Superior Spidey‘s Goblin King and a rejected villain from Gummi Bears

[@anthonyhudak9363]

Gonna be honest, towards the end of this episode I was ready to type where the Spectre was in all this but now knowing they fight in the Eclipso series makes me feel better. I would hope Bruce Gorman would become the Spectre's host to fight Eclipso

[@deepstatethrombosis]

Someday, it'd be sweet if y'all did the image run of TMNT.

[@sangera]

The Parallax retcon from Geoff Johns (finger guns) kinda explains how Hal is able to be corrupted by Eclipso. I still don't like that retcon, but a singular point to it.

[@majorsmind]

I literally wached Bloodlines yesterday... for the 5th time

[@IzzysIssues]

My favorite part was when he said "It's Eclipsin' time" and he Eclipsed all over the place

[@davidesterley3163]

I remember going through back issue boxes in my local comic shop and seeing the Robin issue of this crossover before

[@rowdybpg6193]

As soon as i saw the title I got some popcorn a drink and cancelled my plans lets gggggg......go

[@joshrowland7605]

I had the first part of the batman story. I have no idea where I got it from. I think they just wanted to draw batman with a lightsaber

[@cultofcrypto6724]

Metamorpho is the third scenario of an archeological dig with father, daughter and hero....

[@robs6952]

Really enjoyed this episode - I think you should do the Eclipso regular series no’s 11-13 as I really think Ben and Ethan might enjoy them 🤔

[@Arkios64]

I am seriously disappointed that the story didn't end with Eclipso being absolutely annihilated within a month, since the "Dark Side" of the moon gets just as much sunlight as the light side, we just can't see it from earth. Imagine all of this buildup and then any one of the hundreds of scientists/engineers/somewhat educated people just goes "What about just waiting for the new moon, when his entire half of the moon gets bathed in sunlight?"

[@alexnejako777]

But the Eclipso Annual had a cool jewel on it. Ktow ! Which you probably shouldn't remove both for the comic value and for the chance the jewel will turn you into an Eclipso lol.

[@invertin]

A lot of events try to do like five hundred things, this one KINDA does, but not really. It's just "what if an old lame villain was cool now" and his power is simple enough to understand the threat of that you can get behind it pretty quick instead of the event needing to invent like 4000 new cosmic rules of the universe to justify it's new bullshit villain who sucks

[@batfreeze56]

Back Issues on my birthday! Sweet! Edit: The new characters I never shut up about, Anarky and Creeper, are FINALLY on Back Issues! What a birthday gift!

[@playboicardigan]

Another great episode!!

[@eqs1782]

Eclipso messes with Bruce's tax so he gets audited by the IRS

[@WTSD850]

they also did the whole relationship thing in the obscure galaxy knights series

[@robertmccarthy2254]

it was a good cross over as they found things for everyone to do

[@fl8m76]

Eclipso: the darkness within with the diamond in the cover was the first DC comic book I ever read lol. I'll always have a soft spot for this bizarre villain. I had no idea who the dude he had hidden in his moon palace was though, it was cool watching him fight superman even without knowing who he was.

[@mikhaelgribkov4117]

"Weeks?! This people are dying, man!" Honestly, this reaction fits so many weird time skips or when story doesn't make clear how much time passed.

[@iancpowell]

That is Guns of Guns & Roses Fame (not that Tracy was in Guns & Roses long enough to matter beyond naming the band)

[@oddcreatureX]

Loved the issue where the heroes had to beat an Eclipsed Superman, as well as the bookends with art by I believe Bart Sears.

[@Comicsnculture]

the Eclipso in the star girl show looked like a live action version of green goblin.

[@thegloriouswizard5270]

Holy Moly Macaroni! HE FOUND THEM!! Let's go!!!

[@rogerbaker4531]

Eclipso ought to be a DC MULTIVERSE action figure