Capes On the Couch - Where Comics Get Counseling

Intro Background Spike Spiegel created by Shinichiro Watanabe & Toshihiro Kawamoto in “Stray Dog Strut”, April 1998 Protagonist of the series, he’s a bounty hunter partnered with Jet Black aboard the spaceship Bebop Over the course of the series, we learn his backstory - a former member of the Red Dragon syndicate, he fell in love with Julia, the girlfriend of his partner Vicious - when Vicious finds out, he forces Julia to kill Spike or be killed herself, so she goes into hiding to save herself Spike fakes his death and goes on the run, where he teams up with Jet - they’re also joined by Faye, a gambler who recently awoke from cryogenic sleep; Ein, a Welsh Corgi with human intelligence; and Edward, a young Earth girl who’s also a master hacker During the series finale, Julia has Faye send Spike a message that she is alive and ready to meet with him, but Vicious has her killed - Spike goes to the syndicate’s headquarters and has a final battle with Vicious, where Vicious is killed and Spike is severely wounded or killed - the ending is left ambiguous Issues Vicious Vicious Vicious… where do we begin? Never got over his abandonment by Julia either A life of drifting vs A life of intention Treatment In-universe - Get captured as a bounty, take the time to get to know Spike Out of universe - Skit *knocking on door* SPIKE: *mumbles* who the hell…*regular voice* Come on in DOC: Uh…are you Mr. Spiegel? SPIKE: I’d better be, or else you’d be dead by now. Plus we don’t get visitors unless Jet has business with ‘em. He gave me the heads up. You’re the doctor, right? DOC: Yes, I’m Doctor Issues SPIKE: We’re not exactly fancy here, but help yourself to something to eat while you wait for him. DOC: Wait for who? SPIKE: Jet said he hired a doctor to check things out, and he wanted to make sure I was around. We’re kind of in no man’s land here. I think we have bell peppers and beef, but it’s a little light on the beef… DOC: About that…I don’t usually do house calls, but he made it sound urgent…except I need a special waiver to diagnose and treat someone so far out of my jurisdiction. He took care of that already, right? SPIKE: Suuuuuuure he did. Whatever. DOC: Good…then there’s the other part of the misunderstanding I need to clarify. SPIKE: Don’t tell me you forgot your equipment? I figured you’d need hardware tools if you have to deal with Jet’s arm DOC: I’m not an orthopedist SPIKE: Then maybe he’s got a cold or something. I dunno. DOC: I’m not here for Jet. SPIKE: *pause* I’m not paying for the bill to get you to the right address then DOC: Spike, Jet asked me to talk to you. He figured if you were in your own space you’d be more amenable. Says you’ve had some tough breaks. SPIKE: I thought you said you weren’t an orthopedist DOC: Har har har. I’m a psychiatrist. SPIKE: I’m a bounty hunter. I hunt bounties. I know what I do. No psychiatrist necessary, unless you managed to pack a better couch with you. DOC: No such luck. But you seem to be relaxed as it is. SPIKE: Not quite. *lights up cigarette, blows smoke* ah, that’s more like it. Want one? DOC: I don’t condone smoking. SPIKE: More for me, then. I suppose this is where you warn me of the dangers of smoking and tell me to quit. DOC: You just did it for me SPIKE: Taking a shortcut. I like that. How long will this take? DOC: I’m contracted for a typical hour SPIKE: Then that gives me some time for a nap. I don’t have anything to talk about. You can stay or go, your choice. DOC: I don’t abandon patients, but I’m not going to bug you in your own domicile. Mind if I watch something on my phone? SPIKE: Suit yourself DOC: *exaggerated reactions* Oooh his countering is so slow SPIKE: *clearly interested* What ya watching? DOC: I always keep some fights downloaded to pass the time. SPIKE: You don’t seem like the fighting type. DOC: I’m a huge fan because I view combat sports as the truest test of wills. SPIKE: Spoken like someone who’s never...

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! Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Twitter Facebook TikTok Patreon TeePublic Discord

We do our first ever compilation episode in conjunction with the release of the Marvels in theaters this week - it's a THREE HOUR episode about Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan! In case you missed the previous issues on these women, we got you covered! Carol's original episode Monica's original episode Kamala's original episode Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Twitter Facebook TikTok Patreon TeePublic Discord

We bring back Allen & Will to talk Grandma Chainsaw 3. We also discuss the untimely loss of colorist Jasen Smith, and how A&W are gearing up for the finale. Creators on the Couch - Grandma Chainsaw 3 References: Grandma Chainsaw 1 with Allen, Will, & Jasen (RIP) Turn Off the Lights GonnaGeek Network Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Twitter Facebook Patreon TeePublic Discord

This episode, we focus on one of Gatman's most gafflingly grazen gad guys, the Ventriloquist (and Scarface!) Who's really pulling the strings? Listen now to find out! Intro Reminder of PuchiCon appearance Background (3:00) Important to note that in this version, the dummy was made from wood used in Blackgate’s old gallows, and there are conflicting reports whether the dummy is possessed or not Ventriloquist (Arnold Wesker) created by John Wagner, Alan Grant, and Norm Breyfogle in Detective Comics #583 (Feb. 1988) Arnold Wesker is a meek man from a mafia family – originally developed DID after witnessing his mother’s murder His origin was later retconned – imprisoned in Blackgate prison, he begins hearing voices from a dummy named Woody, and the voices convince him to murder his cellmate – during the fight, Woody is damaged, and takes on the name Scarface In either version, Scarface becomes the controlling force, and Wesker is his “puppet” - to the point that Scarface becomes enraged if people insist on speaking to Wesker and not him One telltale sign is that Wesker/Scarface is unable to pronounce the letter B, replacing it with G - Batman becomes Gatman, bullets become gullets, etc. At one point Wesker was committed to Arkham Asylum, and upon escaping used a sock puppet named Socko - when Scarface learned he had been replaced, he and Socko had a gunfight, resulting in damage to Wesker’s hands #BecauseComics After an earthquake nearly destroys Gotham, a new villain called the Quakemaster shows up demanding a ransom to prevent further earthquakes - Tim Drake is able to deduce it’s Scarface because Quakemaster refuses to pronounce words with the letter B Has an on-again/off-again partnership with the Penguin, where they often break each other out of prison and work together on criminal enterprises Murdered by Tally Man in an effort to frame Harvey Dent Later resurrected during Blackest Night as a member of the Black Lantern Corps, and creates a construct of Scarface with his ring New 52 - he was never killed, and was hospitalized for treatment of his DID Briefly controlled by the Venom serum, but was taken down by Nightwing and Damian Wayne Succeeded as Ventriloquist by a woman named Shauna Belzer, who had her own puppet Ferdie He helped Batman defeat Psycho-Pirate, because his DID was able to override Pirate’s emotion control powers since Scarface was really in charge Issues - the pawn who would be king (7:03) Dissociation, Depersonalization, and Derealization Subordination (14:03) Masochism (21:04) Break (26:01) Plugs for Popcorn Psychology, Ocho Duro Parlay Hour, and Phillip Kennedy Johnson Treatment (26:56) In-universe - introduce ways to take Scarface out of commission Out of universe - work on scaling down and away from coping mechanism (30:10) Skit (34:06) DOC: Hello Mr. Wesker, I’m Dr. Issues. SCARFACE: Nope, you’re talking to ME, doc. Leave the dummy outta this. WESKER: W-w-well at least l-l-let me say h-h-hello f-first. SCARFACE: Shut yer yap and lemme do the talking. The less you talk, the faster we can greak outta here and get gack to gusiness. DOC: I love Vaudeville as much as anybody, but SCARFACE: *interrupting* that explains your practice DOC: Hey! This is a serious establishment. Are you going to talk to me or not? WESKER: I-I-I SCARFACE: Aye Aye Aye is right! Sheesh! You gonna take the hint, shrinkydink? This mug is useless without me. I’m the grains of this operation. That’s how I keep making gread. DOC: *flustered* Fine. Tell me, what can I do for you? SCARFACE: Can you crack safes? DOC: No SCARFACE: Can you crack heads? DOC: NO! SCARFACE: Knockaround guy? Gagman? DOC: No and No SCARFACE: Is your office a good place to do laundry, if ya catch my drift? DOC: I’m not doing anything illegal for you! SCARFACE: Then you’re a waste of space like this guy over here! DOC: He is the reason you can talk at all! SCARFACE: waaaaatch your mouth, you’re on thin ice,...

Things get downright evil as we delve into Nathaniel Essex, aka MISTER SINISTER! How messy does this diva get? Listen now to find out! Issue 181 - Mister Sinister Cerebro episode on Sinister References: Transcript Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Twitter Facebook TikTok Patreon TeePublic Discord

PuchiCon Panel - Vash the Stampede Trigun Next episodes: Mister Sinister, Ventriloquist, Bigby Wolf Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Twitter Facebook TikTok Patreon TeePublic Discord

WE'RE (almost) BACK! This minisode goes over what Anthony & Doc have been up to for the past few months, and announce some big changes for Season 10. So catch up before next week's new full episode! Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Twitter Facebook TikTok Patreon TeePublic Discord

We take a break from our hiatus to talk to our friends Allen & Will about their latest Kickstarter, the Pocus Hocus spinoff Horus in Hell! You can find it here! GonnaGeek Network Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Twitter Facebook Patreon TeePublic Discord

We travel Across the Spider-Verse for our Season 9 finale as we examine Spider-Man 2099, Miguel O'Hara!

We close out Marvel Cosmic May with a look at the OG Nova, RICHARD RIDER! How can Doc help this jaded space cop who totally isn't Hal Jordan? Cheers to ComicsAdventures in EryliaJeremy Whitley Transcript References: Sam Alexander episode I’ve Seen That Movie Too Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Twitter Facebook TikTok Patreon TeePublic Discord

Cosmic Marvel May continues with a look at the Devourer of Worlds, GALACTUS! Hope you're hungry, because we serve up a planet-sized platter of issues for you! SNEScapadesLast Sons of Krypton References: Steve Harvey “One Man” Transcript Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Twitter Facebook TikTok Patreon TeePublic Discord

We continue Cosmic May with a look at the newest member of the Nova Corps, Sam Alexander! How does Sam stack up against other heroes, and his own expectations? PuchiCon References: Eddie Murphy Buckwheat PKJ Interview Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Twitter Facebook TikTok Patreon TeePublic Discord

It's our 175th episode, and just before Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 drops we cover Space Jesus HIMself, Adam Warlock! Issue 175 - Adam Warlock Intro GotG v3 comes out Friday Reminder of PuchiCon panel Background (3:08) Adam Warlock created by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby in Fantastic Four #66-67 (Sept.-Oct. 1967) Originally named Him, he was a genetically engineered human who rebelled against his creators, the Enclave High Evolutionary names him Warlock and gives him the Soul Gem, and a group of teenagers he encounters call him Adam He encounters the Universal Church of Truth, run by Magus - he learns Magus is an alternate version of himself from the future, so he kills another future version of himself to prevent the Magus from existing During these adventures, he allies himself with Gamora, Pip the Troll, and even Thanos at one point - after Thanos turns on them with the Infinity Gems, Adam is captured inside the Soul Gem, but temporarily escapes to defeat Thanos Infinity Gauntlet - Adam and other Marvel heroes band together to defeat Thanos, and Adam ends up with the Gauntlet - charged by the Living Tribunal to separate the stones, he gives one each to Gamora, Pip, Drax, Moondragon, and a reformed Thanos Before he gave up the gauntlet, he separated his good and evil sides, creating the Goddess and the Magus, which triggers Infinity War and Infinity Crusade Later joins the new version of the Guardians of the Galaxy following Annihilation: Conquest He becomes Magus once again, but is killed and resurrected The new reincarnated Warlock is sought out by Annihilus to power a reality-destroying weapon, which succeeds - Warlock’s essence appeals to the One-Above-All, who recreates the world and restores things to where they were Decapitated by Gamora, who was on the hunt for the Infinity Gems to reclaim a portion of herself lost inside the Soul Gem - resurrected yet again, and after reality was restored he gave the Gems sentience and sent them off to fend for themselves, meaning he no longer controls the Soul Gem Issues (Theme is the Uncanny Valley of Human Perfection) (9:11) Genetically created to be the perfect human - he is among them but not of them Purges self of emotion, which creates the Magus and the Goddess (17:13) Worshiped by Universal Church of Truth, which he discovered is run by Magus (21:30) Break (33:52) Plugs for Bedknobs & Broomflicks, Ignorance was Bliss, and Meredith Finch Treatment (35:06) In-universe - Ponder idea of who God prays to in order to find alternative options Out of universe - Patients who focus on the world writ large instead of their own personal issues (38:43) Skit (42:15) Hello Adam, I’m Dr. Issues. - Good day, Doctor. So what can I do for you today? -You are a mental health professional, correct? Yes. -Good. Then analyze my thoughts. Um…okay. -*starts abruptly* I often give strong consideration to how the universe could be a better place. There are so many things that trouble me. I try to create safeguards so nothing gets out of hand, but that doesn't work in a vacuum. I can’t imagine it would. So -*interrupting* Indeed. I figured delegating to others would limit any consolidation of power, but it just made the subsequent problems unpredictable. Perhaps you should take a more active role then -But when I do that I get accused of being too heavy handed. Heavy is the head that wears the crown -*deadpan* No I meant heavy handed because it was a gauntlet.Anyway, where was I? Oh, right the whole destruction of existence as we know it. I ponder how to best manage the combination of allies and enemies without angering too many people at once. So far I have yet to determine the exact balance to make everyone happy. If failure is the mother of success, then I have spawned innumerable children. It sounds like you have plenty of experience. What have you learned along the way? -To avoid yes men. You seem like the type of person to intentionally make people uncomfortable for...

Anthony goes solo to interview the creators of the upcoming YA graphic novel The Dog Knight, Jeremy Whitley & Bre Indigo! Pre-order The Dog Knight now! GonnaGeek Network Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Twitter Facebook Patreon TeePublic Discord

Anthony goes on a long tangent about voices of characters in Mike Judge projects. Oh, and we talk to Allen Dunford about Grandma Chainsaw 2, for at least a little while… Kickstarter Substack newsletter References: First Second Third Fourth Five Office Space Boomhauer Scott Tenorman Tales from the Crypt GonnaGeek Network Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Twitter Facebook Patreon TeePublic Discord

We travel back to the Old West to examine JONAH HEX! Is this scarred gunslinger really as fearsome as he looks? Listen in to find out! Issue 174 - Jonah Hex PuchiCon appearance May 14th All-Star Western Scotch n SportsPlay ComicsCullen Bunn References: Red vs. Blue Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Twitter Facebook TikTok Patreon TeePublic Discord

Step right up and listen to our episode about the most lethal carnival barker ever, ARCADE! Do Anthony & Doc press their luck and win big prizes, or do they hit a whammy with this assassin? Marvel Team-Up ODPH References: Tolerance paradox Motorhead “The Game” Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Twitter Facebook TikTok Patreon TeePublic Discord

Things get chilly as we tackle PENGUIN! How has this businessman managed to survive in Gotham so long? Listen to find out! Intro Background (4:30) The Penguin, Oswald Cobblepot, created by Bill Finger & Bob Kane in Detective Comics #58 (Dec. 1941) The Penguin was one of Batman’s earliest nemeses – a short, stout man with a long, beaklike nose who dressed in a top hat and monocle He started off as a thief who worked with a bird motif in his robberies, but almost always managed to outsmart Batman & Robin and escape Name was finally revealed as Oswald Cobblepot in The Best of DC #10 (March 1981) – his backstory was that of a bullied child with an overprotective mother who was obsessed with birds, and after she died he entered a life of crime to seek vengeance upon the world that shunned him After repeatedly being beaten by Batman, and further embarrassed by Jean-Paul Valley, he opens a restaurant casino called the Iceberg Lounge, which he uses as a front for criminal activity, and begins operating as a criminal overlord In No Man’s Land, he remains in Gotham after everyone abandons it following the earthquake – his connections make him one of the most powerful people in the city Occasionally serves as an informant to Batman, who keeps a close eye on him – Batman feels the Penguin is a necessary evil, and any power vacuum created by his absence would be worse than he is Issues - Overcompensation (8:12) Ariel – why someone born to wealth would end up as a crime lord Ariel – his bizarre relationship with women (15:28) Semi-Oedipal complex with his mother (24:18) Break (32:58) Plugs for Grief Burrito, Freudian Sips, and Saladin Ahmed Treatment (34:22) In-universe - Use financial planning to help him reconfigure his goals & desires Out of universe - spoiled affluenza-ridden orphan who uses their money to seek revenge on people (39:09) Skit (43:24) Hello Mr. Cobblepot, I’m Dr. Issues – And a good day to you too, sir. Might I interest you in a glass of champagne while we talk? It’s a 1959 Dom Perignon Rose. I don’t drink while I’m working, and I’m not certain you should be drinking during a session either. How did you even get a bottle and glasses past the security? – Oh posh, you needn’t bother yourself with trifling matters such as that. I certainly don’t. Life is so short, so why not enjoy the fine things? Were we not put here to take advantage of all life has to offer? Be that as it may, I’ll pass. I must say, I’m rather surprised at your cavalier attitude, given your… current surroundings. – A temporary snafu, Doctor. Rest assured this will all be taken care of presently. A man of my stature doesn’t stay imprisoned for very long. Now I assume you’re here to provide an overview of my mental health for the DA’s office? Well let me save you the trouble, I’m entirely compos mentis. So you can go ahead and just copy the report from the last time I was here, update the dates, maybe summarize that brief misunderstanding I had with the Bat about how I came to acquire the jewelry, and we’ll both be on our way. Nice try, but I’m afraid it won’t be quite so simple. – Oh but it will be. You see, dear Doctor, there are two sets of rules in this world. There’s one set for people like you – and rest assured that statement has nothing to do with the amount of melanin in your skin – where you remain subject to a dull life filled with repetition and servitude, hoping to rise above your status like Icarus, but inevitably your wings melt and you land with a thud among the common rabble. You spend your entire life trying to escape the box. And then there’s another set of rules for people like me, which is to say there are no rules. I don’t have to envision escaping the box, because for me there never was a box. And yet here you are, quite literally inside a box, while I sit comfortably outside of it. – Again, this is a temporary setback. So since you’re temporarily in the box, let’s talk. You could do anything you wanted...

A bit late, but we finally bring the thunder down and examine Billy Batson/Captain Marvel/Shazam! And for some reason, Matchbox 20 factors in. It makes sense in context, trust us… Whiz Comics Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Twitter Facebook TikTok Patreon TeePublic Discord