The Justice League vs The Devil | Underworld Unleashed

When the demon Neron boosts the powers of the DC Universe's villains, Earth's heroes struggle to save humanity! Neron makes DC's villains--and heroes--an offer they can't refuse, dangling serious power upgrades at the cost of their souls. Who will say yes? Who will say no? And will the DC Universe ever be the same? Never miss an episode by subscribing today! bit.ly/2WYvgkt #comicpop
ComicPop is a few friends talking about comic books. The ComicPop team brings a bunch of unique points of view to every single discussion about a comic book, graphic novel, character or story arc. You can find full conversations about your favorite titles from Marvel and DC Comics, plus a few pretty key independent comics. If you're looking for a long, funny conversation about Batman or a deep dive into why Spider-Man is so neurotic, check out the hours and hours of amusing, insightful and downright stupid conversations about some of your favorite comic books over the years. If you're a longtime comic book reader or just starting out, make sure to subscribe right now!
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[@comicpop]

Buy Underworld Unleashed! amzn.to/3n86hJN

[@Hoffmanniac]

Just read James Robinson's tie-in for this event for his Starman run. Neron offers Shade an upgrade, and Shade's basically like "Your plan is dumb and I want no part of it" so Neron threatens him, and Shade is like "that's adorable. Good luck with your dumb plan, byyeee." I am so glad I've seen this Back Issues to give me context for that.

[@premmy1020]

Sal’s description of Edgy 90’s Crazy quilt is basically just Ragman

[@joezilla6615]

I'm goin' off the rails on a Craaaazy Quiiiilt!!! (blistering guitar solo)

[@catlawyerwilldefendfortrea6038]

The real Kingdom Come was the Underworld Unleashed we made along the way

[@logangurt2667]

AHAHA WTF

[@Benm701]

"We can turn this into t-shirts or action figures." Alan Moore circa 1990

[@welch_inc6532]

Oh he goes hard. Basically calling out Marvel for making secret wars for figure, but saying that they didn’t go far enough. He wanted waves of merch, before during and after the event.

[@comixproviderftw_02]

He wasn't wrong.

[@ChristopherZubin]

11:31 Rainbow Raider pressing the button that lowers his ruby-quartz lenses....wait a minute....

[@ItsOver9000Productions]

ironically, Trickster was also voiced by Mark Hamill in Justice League Unlimited and Justice League Action. I think hes the only person to portray the character in live action or animation.

[@jamesc2889]

The Constantine actor

[@vizsla826]

There were some Batman 66 animated movies with Adam West and Burt Ward

[@TupocalypseShakur]

@@vizsla826 I think Adam West also voiced Batman in an episode of Batman The Brave and the Bold. The episode was inspired by Batman 66

[@VoodooGremlin]

One of the better crosssovers for Underworld Unleashed is Starman. Neron first goes to The Shade and offers him his heart's desire and the Shade completely rebuffs him. "What will you do for me make me rich I'm already wealthy. Extend my life I'm already immortal. And augmenting my power what are you going to do make my shadows blacker shadow-ier." At the same time the Jack Knight Starman is dealing with Phosphorous, think Human Torch without an off switch. Phosphorous took a deal so he only burns what he wants to. So he's attacking Starman while wearing a suit without a tie. Kind of reminds me of skinless Frank from the first Hellraiser movie.

[@DanV900]

That was a great story and the Shade is such an awesome character. Phosphorus was used well in Starman too as a villain with the power boost.

[@bZman]

@@DanV900 That entire Starman run was absolute gold. I wish we would get more of the chaotic neutral Shade

[@bigfest6498]

Looks like you guys had a lot of fun shooting this episode. But Ethan takes the cake on this one, especially towards the end when he stops Ben from singing "how bizarre"..."we don't own that..." 🤣 That was great. Thanks guys.

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

No, no, no. You see, the price to pay for the villains isn't that they're destined for Hell. The much more terrifying price is that all these guys have to walk around with a backwards "666" on their foreheads. Now they just look foolish.

[@Insane-Howl-Cowl]

YES! This comic was my jam back in the day. I was obsessed with occult comics, demons, devils, and all dark fantasy. I even collected the trading cards that came out with it. Looking back it was pure cheese, but an evil, twisted cheese. Appropriate since Neron was obsessed with The Big Red Cheese (Captain Marvel aka Shazam).

[@Insane-Howl-Cowl]

Also, didn't this fix Lex Luthor's degeneration as he was a clone at the time?

[@MikeyMCMichael]

Yeah this is basically how Lex looks like he does now by selling his soul to Neron

[@cubencis]

Can't get enough 90s justice league. That was when I was collecting originally and the roster of writers are comic powerhouses. Grant Morrison and mark waid shaped my childhood.

[@WannabeWryter]

Love these wacky old stories they're just fun. I'm too young to have read any of them but still it's nice to just see heroes on a epic quest without the universe falling out of the sky.

[@davidbreault3283]

In all honesty i unironically love the bad Justice league teams, give me booster, guy, fire, ice, everybody

[@captainvimes6079]

@@davidbreault3283 thats whats cool about comics. Somebody out there unironically loves terry mcguiness and for them that is their keystone batman. Me? Kevin conroy because thats who I grew up with. Its why I got into voice acting.

[@DanV900]

@@captainvimes6079 That’s a weird pull to make that point since a lot of people loved the Batman Beyond TV show where eventually the character ended up in comics. I get your point, but using someone unironically loving a character like Stilt-Man makes more sense.

[@chilliciouspatrioticmeatlover]

I LOATHE Grant Morrison because he SUCKS when he has NO EDITOR and he is okay WHEN HE HAS ONE.

[@logansmith2703]

I love the image of Trickster sweating nervously, making up some bullshit, and then there ACTUALLY being a soul jar.

[@willcrouch2359]

I’m only upset that the Trickster wouldn’t try to duel Neron in a fiddle-off

[@daraghokane4236]

Pided piper should have done that hes also a rouge and friends with trickster

[@willcrouch2359]

Daragh O'kane true, but he’s not the Pided Fiddler 🤷‍♂️

[@daraghokane4236]

@@willcrouch2359 He can play multiple instruments.

[@LUISPRIME]

I remember when Neron turn Killer Moth into a monster moth. He was finally a real threat.

[@Insane-Howl-Cowl]

Ah yes, when he became "Charaxes"

[@Oceanman90]

I would just like to point out that while there is no fiddling involved in this run, the character who explains the 666, neron connection is the "classic" flash villain ... THE FIDDLER. He plays a violin and it does what the plot demands. I think he only really interacted with Jay Garrick so that does kind of excuse the fact that his superpower is "good at violin".

[@daraghokane4236]

He can hypntise people with it

[@Oceanman90]

@@daraghokane4236 I would count that under "does what the plot demands"

[@MattDraper]

7:36 - TFW Sal uses your Kingdom Come video cover. Feels good.

[@WannabeWryter]

Fun Fact: Neron Does return to screw over blue devil using his sidekick. Kid devil, He makes the deal with this originally Powerless kid to get powers like blue devil the only catch is that when he turns 21 he still has to like blue devil. Or he becomes a Neron henchman or something. Kid devil lives life as a teen Titan seemingly without worry until he learns that it was Blue Devil who cause the death of he beloved aunt and I forget what happens after that.

[@angel7661]

I believe it was that Blue Devil girlfriend was kid devil aunt or cousin and Neron tells him.

[@WannabeWryter]

@@angel7661 Thank You

[@tomstreet2859]

Just wanted to say I know it changed the status quo of one villain...Blockbuster had a significant change that effected Nightwing.

[@TheGreatDevlin]

This was actually fun lol. Literally, each time I thought "Where's Superman", Sal answered. Anytime someone asked where I've been: off world, depowered, and on trail by aliens.

[@thebariobro7664]

Years later but Neron being Mxy would’ve been an insane twist that would save the story but would give you a “oh that’s neat” kinda reaction

[@g-mandacomicfan350]

My day started off good already, but then: New Back Issues: 😀 It's a JL story: 😃 It's a Halloween episode: 😆 It's an hour twenty: 😂

[@chrisdaily2077]

The best part of this crossover is seeing what certain villains wanted. Like the Joker selling his soul for Cuban cigars or Lobo wanting Nekron's soul or Blockbuster getting smart only to realize he should have asked to be human.

[@daraghokane4236]

Rainbow rider would have probably wished to be a great artist and see color.

[@brandondaniels1862]

Wait, did Lobo really say "I'll give you my soul if you give me yours" to the the DEVIL?! That's funny as heck

[@chrisdaily2077]

The best part is Neron cannot complete the deal since Neron has NO soul. So Lobo was satisfied for Neron removing the radio he put in his head.

[@daraghokane4236]

@@chrisdaily2077 What if someone said I want to rule hell that is there hearts desire could he say no

[@saracohle]

Aw man, I love The Rogues 😅 Captain Cold is one of my all-time favorite villains. And my god is his CW interpretation glorious.

[@zachpeterson8341]

Another episode already?! Awesome. Ps. More Immortal Hulk Pls.

[@indigosensei47]

This episode was awesome, haven't laughed this much in a while. Love watching these older back issues, there's so many I haven't watched yet!

[@ziggy_425]

Sal saying he was searching high and low threw all of his back issues.. Me realizing he proabbly has atleast 50 long boxes:😯😲

[@OreoBrawl]

Oooh, I always wanted to see them tackle Neron

[@joezilla6615]

DC: What if we buried these old lame characters in that ancient 90's burial ground, Mark? What would happen? Mark Waid: Sometimes lame is better, DC. Sometimes lame is better.

[@comixproviderftw_02]

DCEU Flash: Pet Cemetery!

[@SophiaSanders61]

@@comixproviderftw_02 DCemetery?

[@Ninjamaster227-]

Eh, I always felt the green flame motif's best use was during Hal Jordan’s funeral. The cover of Green Lantern #81 (1996), when everyone has a tiny green flame in their open palms, was gorgeous.

[@creed8712]

I’ll give credit to the cw. Nobody remembered the dominators and nobody sure as hell remembered Neron unless you were I guess a killer moth fan. Yet both appeared in their shows

[@shauntempley9757]

Neron was really cool when he showed up on CW. To think that he is a threat because Lucifer was hanging around another Earth 666 is awesome.

[@gbone302]

"It's a lot easier to fit someone in a fridge if you chop them into pieces" I'm not sure if Ethan is a monster or just logical but I'm monitoring the situation

[@DanV900]

I liked the use of Killer Moth in Batgirl: Year One and in Arkham Origins so I would disagree with Sal as far as saying no one has done anything good with him. It’s not many times though.

[@shiningnight12]

The one thing about covid is that it allowed me to re read alot of 90s and early 2000s DC. This is one of my favorite events that I discovered in the archives

[@YouCalledForTheDoc]

Neron actually showed up in the Midnighter books. So a bit closer to our time than 15 years :P

[@simonstoten4819]

Underworld unleashed is far more important than you think, it is vital to the overall end arch of James Robinsons run of Starman

[@MikeyMCMichael]

Yes!! I read this a year or so ago to track how Lex Luthor...got young...or something! Always wanted to see you guys cover it. This is going to be a treat

[@lukang7408]

This was one of the weirdest stories I've heard on Back Issues, and it made for one of the funniest episodes. Nice!

[@BobbyNewb]

"Go be lame, then."

[@Moo19990]

This was one of my first Justice League comics and it still holds a special place in my heart

[@DanV900]

Ian Ziering did play Blue Devil in Swamp Thing and I want to believe that Sal mentioning 90210 was connected to that, but I know I’m hoping for too much.

[@bacsilva]

The next story with Neron has a big role for the Spectre.

[@TommyBaysMusic]

"If you want to know the rest.... buy the rights, how bizarre..."

[@sonicjr53]

Hope we get more Grant Morrison JLA off the back of this! Fun episode!

[@ozboy849]

“You can’t call yourself the thing you are” Avengers ?

[@gregtin87]

Ty for making my morning commute a joy instead of drag😊

[@SuperSlowmobile]

Neron was neat in 52. Easily one of my favorite episodes by you guys, right up there with the Bloodlines episode. 90's DC seems like fertile ground for Comic Pop.

[@camerondodge2070]

22:59 Well, no, that would be the Fiddler, another fun Flash villain that I absolutely adore. Also, I completely understand the sentiment about Killer Moth, there's just something endearing about him, even though he hasn't been a threat since his literal first story.

[@brya9681]

And here I thought I was gonna be bored at work today! Thanks guys, always a good day when a new back issues shows up on my feed.

[@mnnm522]

Neron is also a way to pronounce Nero's original greek name, so yeah you're probably right

[@egorruzhin1168]

I love it how the guys after all this time still get puzzled about how comics work😂 cracks me up

[@JoshMunroe]

54:11 A Punky Brewster-level PSA right there.

[@sonofvicvega816]

After watching last week's I can only hear Hellblazer for the spooky intro and I'm loving it

[@SuperMcgangbang]

Haven’t heard a Half-Baked reference in a while. Lol

[@NilFox]

I remember when a dime bag cost a dime.

[@glentalbot9166]

Foe Halloween, you could also review LIFEFORM, the story that ran across the Punisher, Daredevil, Hulk & Silver Surfer annuals back in the 90's. The way I remember it was pretty gross.

[@daraghokane4236]

That character is depressing

[@johnnieriot13]

“Doctor says I need a backiotomy”

[@MrGERONIMO2025]

DC would NEVER do this, nor do I think they should, but I think it would be hysterical to see the Rainbow Raider try to rob a bank during a gay pride parade and have his schemes be foiled by people thinking he was a part of the parade.

[@bradwatkins7564]

I love Ben's Mxyzptlk plot twist idea.

[@OneJamalWonder]

YESSSSSS UNDERWORLD UNLEASHED!!!!! I've been trying to find that

[@chilliciouspatrioticmeatlover]

The real Kingdom Come is the Guy Gardner Warrior friends we made along the way

[@djimenez789]

That was a great spooky synth intro lol

[@glong4087]

Ethans face when u said Major Disaster 🤣🤣🤣

[@flywheelshyster]

this has grown to a favorite back issues

[@DavidPeoplesTV]

“Eyes Wide Shut cult!” 😂😂😂

[@ToonGal12]

45:40 Lex: (to Joker) You son of a bitch....! *SLAP FIVE* Also, Ethan's gonna' need an inhaler by the end of this episode for how much he's doubled over laughing. XD

[@aaronroberts7720]

First time I heard Ben say Abra kadabra I lost it.

[@Charles-ct6jn]

Back-from-the-Dead-Issues

[@OneJamalWonder]

The green lighting is so fitting to me.

[@samuelpeixoto7960]

Is it just me or Rainbown rider looks like cyclops from Marvel?.

[@pbjoey703]

Love a good justice league back issues

[@kevinfarrell6540]

I think the reason for the Trickster's plan is the old adage for con-men, "You cant con an honest man".

[@brettmajeske3525]

Spellbinder had a lasting change, and maybe Killer Moth.

[@andreac4757]

Loving these themed episodes ✨

[@TenorZero]

You didn't have to roast the Rogues that badly, man :') Seriously though, LOVE this episode.

[@makdawson1280]

26 mins in and this the best ep ive seen in a while, I indirectly care about the trickster and rainbow raider, wtf lol.

[@captainvimes6079]

I was just telling someone about the fridge thing today...that is so creepy.

[@WannabeWryter]

Joker and Lex Luthor moment 45:20

[@jonfedien8637]

I wouldn't mind a short story compilation of the lesser costumed villains of Gotham, just day to day commiting small crimes. Great episode guys

[@daraghokane4236]

I think there all killers mostly mad hatter is a rapist and kidnapper. Only petty criminal is killer moth he doesn't like killing just robbing and silver age joker had some minor crimes

[@jonfedien8637]

@@daraghokane4236 yeah actually thinking about things they're all a bit dark now, so let's expand it to other rogues galleries flashes would probably work better.

[@daraghokane4236]

@@jonfedien8637 Catwoman is just a thief condament king is just mildly annoying, kiteman is also a thief so they would all work

[@daraghokane4236]

@@jonfedien8637 I think there should be a comic of the rouges just trying to rob a place when flash is out of town. Ya I think the league is in space show how the city reacts to that. Like prankster goes from being a mild annoyances to superman to a danger to the city, and the gotham police trying to stop zas show Jim Punch him out or something

[@jonfedien8637]

@@daraghokane4236 guys that have been lost to time would be good like the crime doctor magpie, the merrymaker and so on and I agree the end shouldn't even be batman showing up it should be the GCPD, make them feel less useless. But then I've always wanted a GCPD/Star labs/ Metropolis police department book just showing them dealing with life where every other criminal is a mask

[@AuthenticApathy]

Actually, Neron was a major villain in the CW's Legends of Tomorrow in 2019

[@samchafin4623]

Neron is truly the Robot Devil of the DC Universe.

[@welch_inc6532]

Alan Moore’s note about merch is unbelievable to what we know today. He calls out secret wars for not being ambitious enough. Then lists things he wants (include role playing games, posters, badges, toys, costumes etc). Ending his merch plan by suggesting that he wanted to do this with watchmen.

[@welch_inc6532]

It also ends with Constantine quitting smoking

[@lukang7408]

The spooky back issues intro!!! I love it!

[@TevyaSmolka]

justice league vs the devil is really awesome and tons of fun and seeing one of my favorite characters fight the devil and actually win is tons of fun i love it ;).

[@daelen.cclark]

The first time I ever saw the Trickster was Hamill in a Lego DC movie where everyone mistook him for Joker. Feels fitting, I guess.

[@andrewwestfall65]

Fun fact about 666 being a code to refer to Nero. The code to refer to Nero is actually 616, however there is an alternative spelling to his name Neron that has the code 666. 616 is older, but 666 is catchier.

[@BBest1996]

So are you guys gonna be doing morbius the living vampire because he had a run for a bit.

[@jamesc2889]

prob whenever the movie comes out

[@walkerpierce5446]

Hey! Killer Moth was also in the Teen Titans show and that was pretty neat.

[@daelen.cclark]

And Neron has still been appearing for the last 15 years.

[@NilFox]

Shout out to Ben for that Half-Baked reference.

[@brianadkins3880]

Have not read this since 95. lol Could be wrong but the way I remember it was not only was it due to Captain Marvel agreeing altruistically but because Billy Batson is still a child and,therefore,still a pure and innocent soul. That's why it wouldn't have worked with Superman or any of the others.

[@QueerComics1994]

Has Sal read Batgirl Year One? Thats a pretty good Killer Moth story.

[@camerondodge2070]

Wasn't that a retelling of the '66 origin?

[@QueerComics1994]

@@camerondodge2070 yeah kinda

[@marvelanddcretrospective]

It's funny how this story focuses on how lame Flashes rogues are. But during their early silver age appearances some of his rogues were pretty competent and messed up. Captain Cold succeeded in freezing all of Central City in time just to try and force Iris to date him. The Top created an atomic grenade that would blow up half of Earth if it stopped spinning. They could be hardcore if written well.

[@daraghokane4236]

Trickster out cons the devil here, I think the rouges look good here they got tricked by the devil but hes the devil

[@marvelanddcretrospective]

@@daraghokane4236 I just think the story goes way to hard into making the Trickster look like the worst villain of all time, up until he tricks the devil. He might have lame gimmicks but he's always used them pretty well. I would argue Abra Kadabra was lamer than Trickster before Mark Waid revamped him.

[@fritschxf]

Okay I think I finally got it! Joker didn’t kill Jason Todd with a crowbar, the explosion killed Jason Todd with a crowbar! 💯

[@anthonyhudak9363]

Can you look at Godzilla in Hell, Thor God Butcher, Thor Godbomb, Venom Rex, or Absolute Carnage soon?

[@A1ml33y]

Neron gives me Wishmaster Andrew Divoff vibes like why wasn't Neron & this story could have been adapted into a few episodes of Justice League Unlimited

[@billyretrogamer]

Love the theme! I totally wanna make a theme for you!

[@Chunacus]

They actually use Neron in recent Shazam comics, after the rebirth. They change it so he's not the devil but a demon that disguises himself as a superhero to lure children. So you nore, more creapier because comics.

[@bensneb360]

11: 29 it’s pride month Cyclop

[@nigelflood7074]

Loved this comic series back in the Day

[@1337snake888]

I love Howard Porter's art from this era