Capes On the Couch - Where Comics Get Counseling

• Intro
• Background (1:40)
• Rogue created by Chris Claremont and Michael Golden in Avengers Annual #10 (August 1981)
• Born Anna Marie in Mississippi, her parents disappeared when she was young, and she was raised by her strict aunt - she rebelled as a teen, earning the nickname Rogue
• After kissing a boy named Cody, her latent mutant abilities manifested, sending Cody into a coma - she discovered any skin-to-skin contact with a person would cause her to absorb their life force, and in some cases their memories - she covered herself up to avoid touching anyone ever again
• Mystique found Rogue and began mentoring her, eventually bringing her into the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants - she was sent to attack Carol Danvers - during the fight, prolonged contact caused Rogue to permanently absorb Carol’s powers, and gave Carol amnesia - the Danvers identity would remain with Rogue for many years, eventually causing Rogue to seek out Professor Xavier for assistance
• She eventually joined the X-Men, slowly earning their trust and becoming a valuable teammate, even as Danvers continued to control her in periods of stress or unconsciousness - after losing her powers in a battle with Master Mold, she discovered the Danvers identity was also gone
• As her powers returned, she also began an on-again/off-again relationship with Gambit, but her lack of physical intimacy and his dishonesty caused friction for a long time - after a battle with Destiny robbed them both of their powers, they left the X-Men and moved in together to explore their relationship
• After another battle with Mystique where her foster mother tried to kill her, she absorbed Mystique’s powers and left her for dead - went to the Australian outback to figure out how to control her powers - with the help of Xavier, she was able to control her absorption for the first time in her life
• Eventually started a relationship with Magneto, although it was largely long-distance, as they both had other commitments
• Originally stayed neutral during AvX, but joined the staff at the Xavier Institute after a fight broke out on campus and She-Hulk inadvertently injured some children
• Turned down a marriage proposal from Magneto, and ended their relationship
• Joined the Avengers Unity Division as a mutant representative, eventually becoming field leader
• Restarted her relationship with Gambit, and after Kitty Pryde broke off her engagement to Colossus at the altar, Gambit proposed to Rogue on the spot, and they were married instead - got transported to the Mojoverse for their honeymoon, since Mojo wanted a famous couple for his new show
• Issues (6:15)
  • Authoritarian upbringing caused her to rebel
  • Inability to touch anyone caused problems in her relationships, both romantic and platonic (18:26)
  • Broken relationship with Mystique, where they alternate between trying to kill each other and trying to work together (27:06)
• Break (34:36)
  • Plugs for BetterHelp, Grief Burrito, and Chris Claremont
• Treatment (36:11)
  • In-universe - Use other mutants to help transmute the energy flow as a result of contact and help her move past that
  • Out of universe - (40:06)
• Skit (49:22)
  • Hello Rogue, I’m Dr. Issues. - Hey there, sugah.
  • So, what can I do for you? -I don’t know, what can you do?
  • *sarcasm* Hardee har har. I have the ability to listen to what you have to say, synthesize that dialogue in a way that may have some benefit to you and your relationships, while monitoring for any signs of a formal diagnosis that needs more focused treatment. -Shoot, I thought you were gonna get all flustered like most guys do when someone like me talks coy with them.
  • I got over that a long time ago. -Must be nice
  • Meh. -*pause* Well, I guess that’s my way of saying I’m stuck. I either push people away too quickly, or I dive in and get myself into stuff I can’t just walk out of.
  • Why not? -That’s a really easy one. Do you know about my powers?
  • I do my homework, sure. -Well, imagine if your first chance at a physical connection, you destroy their life...I mean, REALLY destroy it. You don’t get over that. There’s no amount of talking that can fix that.
  • *pause* I’m terribly sorry. From the tone in your voice I can tell it wasn’t intentional. -But it doesn’t stop there. I was led to do some horrible things to people and I didn’t know the consequences. That’s the type of thing that some people can’t ever live with themselves over. Do you get what I’m saying?
  • Hmm...has it ever gotten to that point for you, where life wasn’t worth it anymore? -No! Well, not like that, but to disappear, to not hurt a...

We sit down for the SIXTH time with writer Erica Schultz in advance of the release of Rat City. Get comfy, folks, this is our longest creator interview yet - almost TWO HOURS LONG!

• Intro
• Background
  • What would it take to get you on a Marvel ongoing?
  • Dream character & artist/team?
• X-23: Deadly Regenesis
  • Why go back to this period of Laura’s life?
  • Created Haymaker, a transmasc non-binary MMA fighter, as the main villain - how did that come about? (21:20)
• Hallows Eve (28:31)
  • New evolution for Janine Godbe/Elizabeth Tyne/Mary Bailey/Sarah Porter
  • Powered masks: did you come up with the masks first and then their impact on story, or was it “what’s the story?” and then work the masks in?
• What If: Dark Moon Knight (34:08)
  • How did you select this particular jumping off point? Moon Knight vs. Bushman happens so many times, why this one?
  • Nice to see Marlene take an active role in a MK story, even if it’s not necessarily clean
• Daredevil: Gang War (50:06)
  • Previously written Matt as Daredevil, now Elektra: how to write legacy characters with different voices
  • What’s it like working on an event tie-in? How much freedom do you have for story you want to tell within obvious constraints, how much editorial oversight, etc?
• Rat City (77:15)
  • How did you get this gig?
  • Spawn cover for Deadliest Bouquet, now an actual Spawn book!
  • What led to this expansion of the Spawn universe?
  • How much do you have to understand Spawn to follow this story?
  • Love the commentary on soldiers being chewed up & spit out, flaws of capitalism, etc.
• Any new stories coming up?
  • Blood Hunters & Darth Maul Black White & Red: - more Marvel mini/tie-ins
• Ending
  • Plugs for social

References:

• Erica’s website
• Erica’s interview on ITK - Anthony (34:19)
• Key & Peele - Text Message Confusion - Erica (57:10)
• Dirty Dancing “I carried a watermelon” - Erica (65:17)

Apple Podcasts: here

Google Play: here

Stitcher: here

TuneIn: here

iHeartRadio: here

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Facebook

Patreon

TeePublic

Discord

Anthony and Dr. Issues dissect the God of Mischief, Loki! They also talk sibling rivalries, gender fluidity, and sing the Odd Couple theme. It's a good one, we promise.

SHOW NOTES:

• Introduction
• Infinity War discussion - SPOILER FREE (01:25)
• Background on Loki (03:55)
  • First appeared in Timely Comics Venus #6 in 1949 as an exiled Olympian God
  • Familiar appearance debuted in Journey Into Mystery #85, October 1962, as Thor's enemy
  • Son of Laufey, felled ruler of the Frost Giants, adopted by Odin of Asgard
  • Raised alongside Odin's son Thor, but jealous because he's treated differently
  • Repeatedly tries to overthrow Asgard and/or defeat Thor
  • Instrumental in founding the Avengers as an enemy (08:25)
  • During "Acts of Vengeance" story, convinces other villains to attack heroes they're not typically associated with
  • Loki manipulates his spirit to control Lady Sif and becomes a woman
  • Torn apart by the Void and resurrected
  • Kid Loki becomes a street hustler
  • Joins Young Avengers, regains power and age through Wiccan's spell
  • Agent of Asgard - befriends Verity Wills who can tell when someone is lying
  • Survives the incursions of "Secret Wars"
  • Doesn't know what comes next (there's a door with a sign and everything!)
• Issues (18:34)
  • Pathological liar
    • Pathological vs. compulsive liar
  • Sibling rivalry/jealousy of Thor (24:52)
  • Gender identity/sexuality (33:01)
    • Not gender identity disorder
• Treatment
  • In-universe - ultimate family therapy (39:49)
    • Proof of progress
  • Out of universe (42:16)
    • Family therapy if possible
    • Journal of lies vs. truth
• Couch skit (47:59)
• Ending (50:07)
  • Next few episodes:
    • May 16 - Deadpool
    • May 23 - Booster Gold
    • May 30 - Mr. Freeze

Special links:

• "The Scorpion and the Frog" - Mentioned by Dr. Issues at 17:45
• "Is Loki Canonically Genderfluid Now?" - Article by Emily Asher-Perrin regarding Loki's sexuality (discussed at 33:01)

iTunes: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: hereTwitter FacebookE-mail

It's our Season 4 Premiere! We swing into the Ultimate Marvel Universe to look at MILES MORALES! It's no pressure being the next Spider-Man, right? Plus we announce changes to our Patreon, and Doc talks WCW (it makes sense in context). Listen now!

• Intro
  • Welcome back for Season 4
  • Discord & YouTube channels to watch/listen live
  • Announce changes to Patreon – monthly trade reviews exclusive to $ level
  • Mental Health Avengers coming soon!
  • Weekly shout-out to Bang Average Movie Podcast – Nathan & Tyler talk about movies. Nathan has a film studies degree, Tyler doesn’t. It comes out in the wash. Good movies, bad movies, they cover it all. Pretty funny – humor focused, so don’t expect serious in-depth analysis
  • Review read – CitrusSunshine on Apple - “I’m not that big of a comics fan, but this podcast is really good. I like that they have in universe and out of universe treatment. Often there are tips and thoughts that are applicable to my life. “
• Background (07:18)
  • Miles Morales created by Brian Michael Bendis & Sara Pichelli in Ultimate Fallout #4 (August 2011)
  • Miles was created to replace Peter Parker in Ultimate Universe, after Peter’s death – opted to create a minority character to reflect diversity of Marvel readers – look was influenced by Donald Glover
  • Miles born to black father and Puerto Rican mother
  • Similarly to Peter Parker, Miles was bitten by spider – the spider was infused with formula based on Peter’s blood – the spider crawled inside the duffel bag of the Prowler, a villain later revealed to be Miles’ uncle Aaron – when Miles went to his uncle’s house, the spider crawled out and bit him
  • Does not use his powers until he sees Spider-Man die thanks to Green Goblin – takes up the mantle, although initially shunned by public because he’s wearing a copy of Peter’s suit, and is yelled at that it’s in bad taste
  • Recruited by SHIELD – Uncle discovers he’s Spider-Man, and they battle – Aaron’s weapons malfunction and explode, killing him
  • Venom symbiote takes over the scientist who created the spider that bit him, and attacks Miles’ father, who he believes is Spider-Man – in the ensuing battle, the doctor is killed, along with Miles’ mother – Miles quits heroics
  • Returns as Spider-Man, and his father learns the truth – disowns him – later returns and reveals he and Aaron used to be undercover agents working for SHIELD
  • Reveals his identity to his girlfriend Katie Bishop, who in turn reveals she and her parents are agents of Hydra
  • Secret Wars – the Ultimate and 616 Universes are merged, and Miles brought into the mainstream universe – his mother is restored in the process, thanks to Molecule Man – now patrols NYC as Spider-Man alongside Peter Parker
  • Civil War II – Ulysses, an Inhuman with precognitive abilities, foresees Miles killing Captain America – this sets off conflict, although the murder does not occur
  • Now a member of Champions – upcoming storyline called Outlawed will ban teenage heroes, and Miles will be big part of it
• Issues (13:35)
  • Legacy character – struggles with mantle initially, especially after public reacts poorly
  • Much like Peter initially, teen hero carries with it own set of problems (22:30)
  • Difficulty of keeping family separated – doesn’t work well for him
• Break
  • Plugs for Play Comics & Into the Knight
• Treatment (40:57)
  • In-universe
  • Out of universe (44:24)
• Skit (51:22)
• Ending (57:27)
  • Next episodes – Medusa, Mental Health Avengers, Bane, Political terrorism, Tick
  • Review giveaway

References:

• Childish Gambino - Anthony (08:15)
• Molecule Man episode - Doc (11:45)
• Al Ewing NYCC Interview - Anthony (13:12)
• Viktor Frankl - Doc (21:13)
• Up to eleven - Doc (29:28)
• Psychiatry in Comics episode - Anthony (29:40)
• WCW - "Where t...

Fairytales do come true - we finally bring you the long-awaited issue on Bigby Wolf! So smoke 'em if you got 'em, because things get hairy in this one!

• Intro
  • Apologies for delay in new episodes
  • Shoutout to new Patron Justin
• Background
  • Bigby Wolf created by Bill Willingham and Lan Medina in Fables #1 (July 2002)
  • Based on the Big Bad Wolf of stories, he is the Sheriff of Fabletown, a section of NYC populated with characters from folklore and legend
  • Centuries ago, the North Wind fell in love with a wolf named Winter, and they had a litter of cubs - Bigby was the runt, relentlessly teased by his brothers and abandoned by his father
  • When Winter died, Bigby’s brothers left to find their father - Bigby vowed vengeance against his father and his brothers
  • Years later, he confronted his father seven times, and seven times failed to kill him - he eventually gave up and accepted defeat
  • Living in the Black Forest, he served as an uneasy ally of the other Fables against the forces of the Adversary - he insisted on tasting the flesh of anyone attempting to pass through a portal, and determined whether they were worthy
  • After being cut with a lycanthropy-stained knife, he gained the power to change into a human at will, and later mastered the power enough to control the extent of his transition
  • Under the guidance of King Cole, Bigby was hired as Fabletown’s sheriff because of his detective skills and fighting ability, but he remained untrusted by the other Fables
  • Later had seven children with Snow White, and they inherited their father’s abilities - they all stayed at the Farm, where Bigby was forbidden to visit until he was forgiven by Prince Charming - after marrying Snow White, he and the family moved to Wolf Valley and he retired as Sheriff
  • Turned into glass and killed by Prince Brandish as part of Brandish’s fight with Snow White - he was resurrected by witches, but since one of the pieces of glass was missing, his resurrection was tainted and he was under the control of Nurse Spratt until the final piece was returned and he was fully restored
• Issues - Theme is taming the mind while remaining wild at heart (9:51)
• Lack of trust by other residents of Fabletown because of his actions prior to the amnesty
• Hostile relationship with his father
• Internal dissonance between his animalistic nature and the human side he has to present
• Break (26:41)
  • Plugs for Play Comics, Scotch N Sports, and Erica Schultz
• Treatment (28:18)
  • In-universe
  • Out of universe
• Skit (37:35)
  • Hello Mr Wo -***interrupting*** Bigby. Bigby’s fine.
  • Hello Bigby, I’m Dr. Issues. -And I’m leaving.
  • Please don't, or we’re both going to be in trouble.-There won’t be any trouble if you just step aside. You can see I’m fine. I’ve come in like this before, and I tell everyone in the ER that I’m fine, so they let me go.
  • Not this time. -Grrr...why not?
  • Because you’ve come in so many times with unknown injuries, outlandish reports that don’t make sense, and by the time you leave it’s as if nothing ever happened. -Exactly.
  • EXACTLY...that’s why the ER director wants me to do a psychiatric evaluation for decision making capacity. If you refuse, then police will be contacted to do a wellness check on wherever you say you’re going. -That’s...problematic.
  • I agree. So, what’s up? My main point is to determine if you understand the risks and benefits of your decision making, and if you are a danger to yourself, others. Or property. - Look, I’m not a danger to anyone, unless they get in my way. But if you don’t let me out of here, you’re putting others in danger. Can you live with that?
  • Nope, that’s why I have confidentiality on my side...and the only way it’s broken is if I think there is a danger. You’re not the danger and someone else is...prove it. - That’s just it. If I tell you, then you’re in danger. The safest thing for you is to keep you in the dark. You just have to trust me.
  • Do you trust me? -No.
  • Then it’s mutual. Mexican standoff. I have my regs. You can beat me to a pulp, you can bash your way out of here, you can tangle with the police, but I know my job, and it’s protecting society at all costs. That’s all there is to it for me at this point. - *chuckles*
  • What’s so funny? - You an’ I are a lot more alike than I figured. OK. Fine. Have it your way. I’ll play your game, I’ll answer your questions, but only far enough to get me out of here. We clear?
  • Crystal. - *grunts* Hate that word.
  • Why? - Bad experience. Long story.
  • For once, I ain’t got time for that. Plus, you’re obviously in a hurry. Why’d you come to the hospital? -I didn’t volunteer. Tough scrape, got hit with a...