Every superhero has an origin story. David travels to Seattle to come face to face with Phoenix for the first time, but their meeting raises more questions than it answers.
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04/05/22 • 40 min
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The Superhero Complex - 2: A Phoenix Rises
Transcript Summary
In the podcast episode titled "2: A Phoenix Rises," the speaker shares their journey to meet Phoenix Jones, a real-life superhero in Seattle. Initially unable to reach Phoenix, the speaker wanted to hear his side of the story before forming an opinion. After a month, Phoenix finally contacted the speaker, citing personal issues. As the speaker interviews people in Seattle about Phoenix, a negative pattern emerges, but they acknowledge the ethical dilemma of paying Phoenix for an interview. When they finally meet, Phoenix surprises the speaker with his nerdy outfit. The speaker discusses the character Nightwing, connecting their personal empowerment to him. Researching Phoenix's past, evidence of his achievements in bowling emerges, and he transitioned to becoming a masked vigilante after an incident involving his son. Phoenix claims to be a crime-fighting icon in Seattle, having stopped numerous crimes, fought knife battles, and derailed a sex trafficking ring. As the interview progresses, the speaker becomes convinced of Phoenix's charisma and intelligence. Phoenix reveals his background as Ben Fodor, adopted after his father's death in Texas and finding solace in Nightwing comics. The episode explores the journey of a real-life superhero and their motivations, highlighting the complexities and impact of their actions.
Transcript
Novel. In August, I flew into Seattle to finally meet the infamous Phoenix Jones. We've been texting back and forth and he'd agreed to meet, so I booked a hotel for a few days. On August one, he texted me saying he was free later that day, so I asked when was good for him, but he didn't respond. In fact, he didn't respond to any of my text that day, or the next or the next. While I was hanging around waiting for Phoenix to get back to me, I inter
2: A Phoenix Rises Top Questions Answered
Who is Phoenix Jones?
Phoenix Jones is a self-proclaimed superhero who gained fame for patrolling the streets of Seattle to fight crime. He is also known as Ben Fodor, a former professional mixed martial artist.
What is Phoenix Jones known for?
Phoenix Jones is known for his vigilantism and crime-fighting activities in Seattle. He claims to have stopped numerous crimes and to have been involved in various heroic acts.
What did former members of Phoenix Jones's team say about him?
Former members of Phoenix Jones's crime-fighting team described him as untrustworthy, having financial issues, and having a questionable character.
Why did Phoenix Jones contact the speaker after a month?
Phoenix Jones contacted the speaker after a month, explaining that his absence was due to personal issues. The exact nature of these personal issues is not specified.
How do people in Seattle perceive Phoenix Jones?
People in Seattle who have encountered Phoenix Jones describe him as annoying and harassive. Their perception of him is not positive.
Who influenced Phoenix Jones's superhero persona?
Phoenix Jones claims to have been inspired by Nightwing, a character from Batman's superhero family. He resonated with Nightwing's portrayal in the comic books.
How many crimes did Phoenix Jones claim to have stopped?
Phoenix Jones claims to have stopped 315 crimes, which he believes makes him the only true crime fighter in Seattle. He compares this to other superheroes who have not even reached 100 stops.
What is the ethical dilemma the speaker reflects on regarding Phoenix Jones?
The speaker reflects on the ethical dilemma of paying Phoenix Jones for the interview, considering the power dynamics involved. The speaker considers the impact of compensating a real-life superhero.
How did Ben Fodor's transformation into Phoenix Jones occur?
Ben Fodor's transformation into Phoenix Jones occurred when his son suffered a serious injury and the police did not take action. Ben took matters into his own hands, tracked down the person responsible, made him apologize, and decided to become a superhero.
What is the background of Phoenix Jones as a professional athlete?
Before becoming a masked vigilante, Phoenix Jones, also known as Ben Fodor, was a successful bowler in his youth. He achieved two perfect scores of 300 in bowling under the age of 16 and spent a lot of time at a bowling alley called Ken Moore Lanes. Later, he transitioned into mixed martial arts and became a professional fighter.
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