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
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
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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
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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:
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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
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Duration:01:05:58
E184 - Spike Spiegel Live at PuchiCon Poconos
12/6/2023
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...
Duration:00:41:24
Issue 183 - Bigby Wolf
11/22/2023
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!
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Duration:00:47:44
Marvels Megasode
11/8/2023
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
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Duration:03:15:58
Creators on the Couch - Grandma Chainsaw 3
10/18/2023
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
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Duration:00:54:15
Issue 182 - Ventriloquist
10/4/2023
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,...
Duration:00:43:52
Issue 181 - Mister Sinister
9/20/2023
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
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Duration:00:53:08
Issue 180 - Vash the Stampede (Live PuchiCon Panel)
9/6/2023
PuchiCon Panel - Vash the Stampede
Trigun
Next episodes: Mister Sinister, Ventriloquist, Bigby Wolf
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Duration:00:49:58
Season 10 Preview Minisode
8/31/2023
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!
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Duration:00:16:37
Creators on the Couch - Horus in Hell
7/2/2023
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
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Duration:01:09:10
Issue 179 - Miguel O'Hara (Spider-Man 2099)
5/31/2023
We travel Across the Spider-Verse for our Season 9 finale as we examine Spider-Man 2099, Miguel O'Hara!
Duration:00:48:56
Issue 178 - Richard Rider (Nova)
5/24/2023
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
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Duration:00:50:39
Issue 177 - Galactus
5/17/2023
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
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Duration:00:54:30
Issue 176 - Sam Alexander (Nova)
5/10/2023
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
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Duration:00:53:43
Issue 175 - Adam Warlock
5/3/2023
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...
Duration:00:54:27