
Capes On the Couch - Where Comics Get Counseling
Comedy
Saving the world doesn't necessarily mean you go home happy. How's the mental health of your favorite superhero? A comic aficionado and a board-certified psychiatrist look at the various neuroses of your favorite heroes and villains and provide options for treatment.
Location:
United States
Description:
Saving the world doesn't necessarily mean you go home happy. How's the mental health of your favorite superhero? A comic aficionado and a board-certified psychiatrist look at the various neuroses of your favorite heroes and villains and provide options for treatment.
Twitter:
@CapesOnTheCouch
Language:
English
Website:
http://capesonthecouch.live/
Episodes
Colleagues on the Couch - Dr. Ashley Zultanky
2/26/2025
We are introducing a brand new subseries on the show, COLLEAGUES ON THE COUCH! We'll be talking with mental health professionals about their experiences in the field. For this debut episode, we're chatting with horse dancer/crack shot/Anthony's cousin Dr. Ashley Zultanky! Come for the family gossip, stay for the breakdown of Captain America!
Colleagues on the Couch - Dr. Ashley Zultanky
Apple Podcasts: here
Google Play: here
Stitcher: here
TuneIn: here
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Duration:01:33:47
Issue 194 - Thunderbolt Ross
2/12/2025
Issue 194 - Thunderbolt Ross
Intro
Captain America: Brave New World reaction coming to Patreon
Background (1:38)
General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in The Incredible Hulk #1 (May 1962)
Lieutenant General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross oversees gamma bomb project that ultimately leads to the creation of the Hulk (Bruce Banner)
Grew up in a military family, and was focused on serving his country from a young age - joined the Army Air Corps (later Air Force) and worked his way up through the ranks
Bruce’s growing relationship with Ross’ daughter Betty was a source of frustration and anger for him, as was the recurring nuisance of the Hulk - Ross made it his personal mission to find and destroy the Hulk
Several times he allied with villains to battle the Hulk, which ultimately led to his dismissal from the military
Betty and Bruce get engaged, but the Leader turns Hulk savage, and the wedding is called off - Betty later marries Glenn Talbot, and Ross is satisfied that Banner will never be his son-in-law
When Talbot was captured by the Soviets in a rescue mission to save Ross, his apparent death fractured his relationship with Betty, as well as a demotion at work because of his inability to capture the Hulk
Betty divorced Talbot and revealed she still loved Bruce - enraged by this, Ross allied with MODOK to have the Abomination kill the Hulk, but Betty caught wind of the plan and accused her father of treason - he was discharged from the Air Force and nearly committed suicide
When Bruce and Betty get married, Ross shows up at the wedding with a gun to stop the ceremony - Rick Jones intervenes and is shot non-fatally
In a SHIELD experiment he merges with Zzzax, a being of sentient electrical energy - in a battle with a mutant, he expends his energy to save Betty, and dies
His body was resurrected by the Leader, and he rejoins the Air Force
After Betty is killed by the Abomination and Hulk is exiled by the Illuminati, Ross sinks into an alcoholic depression - when Steve Rogers is shot, he is visited by MODOK and the Leader and offered a chance to gain Hulk-like powers - he then becomes Red Hulk, and his first act is to kill the Abomination for murdering Betty
Ross’ identity as the Hulk is kept secret for over two years before being revealed during World War Hulks
He later joins the Avengers, where he befriended an LMD named Annie that helped give him some perspective and understanding about things
Temporarily bonds with both the Venom symbiote and the Spirit of Vengeance, becoming a being known as the Circle of Four - this is to defeat Blackheart, son of Mephisto
Gets depowered by Doc Green, a super-intelligent version of the Hulk
Issues - Theme is “a small river flowing long enough becomes a canyon” (7:10)
When tradition becomes a trap
Overprotective of his daughter (13:44)
Oh yeah, the Hulk stuff (25:15)
Break (29:06)
Plugs for Play Comics & Geek Peak
Treatment (30:19)
In-universe -
Out of universe - (32:37)
Skit (39:51)
Hello General Ross, I’m Dr. Issues. - Doctor, with all due respect, let’s set the record straight. I didn’t come here for treatment. I came here for a clean bill of health. I’ve been involved in enough government missions, secret protocols, and super-powered expeditions that I should be the last one to hide from any flaws. I’m not perfect, but I don’t have to be. And that was before I learned about getting red in the face.
Well, that is a hot start, General -I don’t do jokes, if you don’t mind. There are serious matters at hand.
But you…I’ll keep that in mind. Sheesh. There are always serious matters at hand. That’s how the world works. That doesn’t mean they all have to involve you. -Agreed. I pick my spots. But those are enormous spots. I know my enemy better than they know themselves. That’s what’s lacking in battles nowadays. The foe has no concept of planning. So many people think being random makes you dangerous. It just makes you a...
Duration:00:49:37
Creators on the Couch - Horus in Hell 3 Allen Will
1/29/2025
WE'RE BACK!!! Season 12 kicks off the same way Season 11 ended - chatting with our good friends Allen & Will about their latest Kickstarter campaign. Plus Anthony explains the sudden hiatus. All this and more - LISTEN NOW!!!
Smoking & Drinking in Space/Capes
Horus in Hell 3
thetophatstudios.substack.com
References:
Apple Podcasts: here
Google Play: here
Stitcher: here
TuneIn: here
iHeartRadio: here
Twitter
Facebook
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Threads
TikTok
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TeePublic
Discord
Duration:00:47:44
Creators on the Couch - Pocus Hocus 6 (Allen & Will)
10/30/2024
Our old friends are back from hell... Allen & Will return to promote their latest Kickstarter for Pocus Hocus 6, plus reveal some more upcoming projects. Grab your top hat and magical rabbit, and listen now!
Play Comics
Erica Schultz
Pocus Hocus 6
Ocho Duro Parlay Hour
thetophatstudios.substack.com
References:
What Have You Done For Me Lately?
Lily von Shtupp
Apple Podcasts: here
Google Play: here
Stitcher: here
TuneIn: here
iHeartRadio: here
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Discord
Duration:00:48:47
Issue 193 - Wonder Woman
10/23/2024
https://capesonthecouch.com/issue-193-wonder-woman/https://capesonthecouch.com/?p=1574
Duration:00:56:57
Creators on the Couch - Murewa Ayodele
10/2/2024
We're going transcontinental for this one, as we talk to Nigerian creator Murewa Ayodele about his upcoming book STORM! One of the most cinematic stories you'll ever hear, and it's not in a comic book - listen now!
References:
Apple Podcasts: here
Google Play: here
Stitcher: here
TuneIn: here
iHeartRadio: here
Twitter
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TeePublic
Discord
Duration:01:09:02
Creators on the Couch - Jeremy Whitley 4 Navigating With You
9/18/2024
It's our SEASON 11 PREMIERE! We bring back Jeremy Whitley for the FOURTH TIME to discuss his new OGN, Navigating With You. How did he manage to take Anthony & Doc's real-life high school friendship and turn it into a YA lesbian romance? Listen to find out!
Jeremy’s website
References:
Macho Man “Cream of the Crop” interview
Apple Podcasts: here
Google Play: here
Stitcher: here
TuneIn: here
iHeartRadio: here
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Discord
Duration:00:54:05
Issue 192 - Anthony at Jersey City Black Comic-Con 2024 (Live Panel)
7/17/2024
Anthony recently made an appearance on a panel at Jersey City's Black Comic-Con 2024, and now you can listen to the presentation live! Fascinating discussions, great audience questions, and a beautiful environment all led to this - listen now!
Transcript
Apple Podcasts: here
Google Play: here
Stitcher: here
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Duration:01:01:44
Issue 191 - Baccano! (Live Shenanicon Panel)
7/3/2024
We make our Shenanicon debut with our long awaited panel on Baccano! What makes these immortal mafioso interesting? Tune in to find out!
References:
Jamie Madrox episode
Apple Podcasts: here
Google Play: here
Stitcher: here
TuneIn: here
iHeartRadio: here
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TeePublic
Discord
Duration:00:43:09
Issue 190 - Jack Russell
5/22/2024
Under the cover of a full moon, we shed a light on Jack Russell, WEREWOLF BY NIGHT! How many Warren Zevon references do we fit into this episode? Listen now to find out!
Marvel Spotlight
I Am Your Target Demographic Hops Geek News
Transcript
References:
BBL Drizzy
Shenanicon 2024
Werewolves of London
Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone
SHE CAME DOWN IN A BUBBLE
Hair of the Dog
Apple Podcasts: here
Google Play: here
Stitcher: here
TuneIn: here
iHeartRadio: here
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TeePublic
Discord
Duration:00:49:46
Creators on the Couch - Allen Dunford - The Herald
5/1/2024
We bring back friend of the show Allen Dunford to talk about his new baby daughter! I'm sorry, we bring him back to talk about his doctoral thesis! Wait, I mean we discuss his latest Kickstarter campaign THE HERALD!
(And we also talk about those other things...) Listen now!
The Herald #1: A Supernatural Western by Allen & Will — Kickstarter
Transcript
Apple Podcasts: here
Google Play: here
Stitcher: here
TuneIn: here
iHeartRadio: here
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Discord
Duration:00:41:24
Issue 189 - Deathstroke
4/24/2024
It's time to swim in the Deadpool and do the DEATHSTROKE! Some people would give their left eye for an episode like this. Those people probably need help just like Slade. Listen now!
The New Teen Titans
Sips Suds & SmokesFrigay the 13th
References:
Teen Titans Go! To the Movies
Dennis the Menace
Terra episode
Cats in the Cradle
The Simpsons Homer’s half-assed overparenting
HamiltonWho Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story
That Would Be Enough
Satisfied
Cast Away
Apple Podcasts: here
Google Play: here
Stitcher: here
TuneIn: here
iHeartRadio: here
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Discord
Duration:00:59:40
Creators on the Couch - Erica Schultz 6
4/3/2024
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!
References:
Erica’s website
Erica’s interview on ITK
Text Message Confusion
I carried a watermelon
Apple Podcasts: here
Google Play: here
Stitcher: here
TuneIn: here
iHeartRadio: here
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TeePublic
Discord
Duration:01:50:52
E188 - Robbie Baldwin
3/20/2024
After months of talking about it, we finally get overridden with guilt and break down ROBBIE BALDWIN! Whether Speedball or Penance, this rapid-fire hero has no shortage of issues - listen now!
Into the Knight Comic Book Keepers
References:
Sam Alexander episode
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
GI Joe parody videos
Apple Podcasts: here
Google Play: here
Stitcher: here
TuneIn: here
iHeartRadio: here
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Duration:01:00:36
Creators on the Couch - Horus in Hell 2
3/6/2024
Duration:00:43:12
Issue 187 - Julia Carpenter
2/28/2024
Duration:00:57:33
Creators on the Couch - Phillip Kennedy Johnson 3
2/7/2024
We follow up last episode with the second half of our discussion with writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson - this time we're talking James Bond, John Stewart, and the Incredible Hulk! Plus a meaningful discussion on patriotism, and Anthony & Doc make a pitch to work with PKJ ;)
Creators on the Couch - Phillip Kennedy Johnson 3
References:
Marvel Team-Up #145
GonnaGeek Network
Apple Podcasts: here
Google Play: here
Stitcher: here
TuneIn: here
iHeartRadio: here
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Duration:00:56:57
Creators on the Couch - Phillip Kennedy Johnson 2
1/24/2024
We're back! And so is Philip Kennedy Johnson! We sit down with PKJ for the second time to talk about his recently wrapped runs on Action Comics & Alien. Listen now!
Intro
Apologies for delay in episodes - see blog post for more
PKJ
Last time we spoke was Feb. 2021, discussing Last Sons of America, Kill A Man and end of The Last God
Superman (3:42)
What was something you wanted to do with Superman that hadn’t been done before?
Exploration of Clark-Jon relationship - so many emotional moments
Warworld Saga - why go with Mongul for main villain of storyline?
Love Osul and Otho - their lack of exposure to anything resembling compassion and love, and the welcoming by the Superman family, is best addition to mythos in a long time
Superman family gets major focus here - family is thru-line running across the entire arc
Special point on Kong Kenan and his “defection”
Blue Earth movement - *chef’s kiss*
Alien (22:28)
Another instance of a father doing anything for his son in first arc
Was it always the plan to have 3 separate arcs across 2 volumes?
How much input did you have into Xenomorph designs, or was that all artists?
Ending (34:00)
Next episodes: Speedball, Deathstroke
Plugs for social
GonnaGeek Network
Apple Podcasts: here
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Stitcher: here
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Duration:00:44:32
Issue 186 - Aquaman
12/27/2023
To tie in with the recent release of Aquaman & the Lost Kingdom, we take a look at the man himself, Arthur Curry! We have a whale of a time with this one, and we'll cod to making more than a few fish jokes just for the halibut...
Issue 186 - Aquaman
References:
Apple Podcasts: here
Google Play: here
Stitcher: here
TuneIn: here
iHeartRadio: here
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Duration:01:05:03
Issue 185 - Eobard Thawne
12/20/2023
We take our first look at a Flash-affiliated character with Barry Allen's nemesis EOBARD THAWNE! Things go off the rails pretty quickly, but it's ok, because we can just jump to another timeline where everything is fine, and no one will be any the wiser - except for Eobard...
Ignorance Was BlissGeek Peak
References:
Timey-wimey ball
Imitute it exarctly
“Why do you assume you’re the smartest in the room?”
“I arranged the menu, the venue, the seating”
I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream
Planet of the Apes Simpsons
Apple Podcasts: here
Google Play: here
Stitcher: here
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iHeartRadio: here
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Duration:01:05:58