Capes On The Couch - Where Comics Need Counseling

 Issue 107 - Catwoman Intro Email us voice recordings of your thoughts on Batman & what he means to you for upcoming episode - capesonthecouch@gmail.com Background (2:50) Catwoman, Selina Kyle, created by Bill Finger & Bob Kane in Batman #1 (Spring 1940) Originally known as “the Cat”, she was a jewel thief who disguised herself as an old woman, until she was captured by Batman - she would go on to be a recurring nemesis for several years until the Comics Code prevented her from being written as evil Resurfaced as a major player in 1987 - Batman: Year One revamped her origin as a prostitute, working with a young girl Holly Robinson - they encounter Batman one night and after Holly stabs him, Selina fights him but gets knocked out - they decide to start burgling the rich, and Selina gets rescued by Bruce after robbing Carmine Falcone 1989 solo series expands upon this - she was a dominatrix whose sister Maggie was a nun - her pimp Stan attacks Maggie to get to her, and Selina kills him in rev

 Issue 106 - Clones Intro President level slot open in Patreon - $10/mo gets you pick of episodes and characters Background Spider-Man Clone Saga Jean Grey/Madelyne Pryor (17:08) Superman/Bizarro/Kon-El (25:03) Jamie Madrox (35:26) Issues for “original” Issues for “clone” Real-world analogues Family history not what it was You were lied to about your past Break (65:39) Plugs for I Never Saw That, plus Saladin Ahmed Treatment (66:11) In-universe - bring it back to basics of cognitive behavioral therapy Out of universe - validate emotions and go from there Ending Recommended reading: Clone Saga Next episodes: Catwoman, Levana Blackburn, Superman: Red Son Plugs for social References: The Boys from Brazil - Anthony (12:11) The Beatles - “Why Don’t We Do It In the Road” - Anthony (14:08) Quipping episode - Doc (14:59) T-Pain - “My Girl Got a Girlfriend” - Doc (22:16) Liar Liar “I’ve had better” - Anthony (24:45) Metal Gear Solid - Doc (26:55) Damian Wayne episode - Anthony (35:17)

Intro WW84 review Background (03:30) Scarlet Witch, Wanda Maximoff created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in The X-Men #4 (March 1964) Vision created by Roy Thomas, Stan Lee, and John Buscema in Avengers 57 (Oct. 1968) Both were villains originally opposed to Avengers before joining their ranks Wanda and Quicksilver are twins, born of Magda, wife of Magneto - originally believed they were the children of the Whizzer, before becoming Magneto's children, and then not actually mutants - raised by Bova, a half cow woman genetically enhanced by the High Evolutionary - BECAUSE COMICS, PEOPLE Vision has the body of the original Human Torch, Jim Hammond, with the brain patterns of Simon Williams, aka Wonder Man - he was created by Ultron-5 in an effort to battle against Hank Pym - later learned that Immortus split Hammond into 2 entities, in an effort to prevent Wanda from having children In 1970, Wanda rejoins the team and soon becomes romantically involved with Vision, despite their obvious differences  They g

Intro Welcome back for Season 5  Describe changes to show New website Patrons now guest on trade paperback reviews Ariel’s column - Some Of Its Parts Background (03:52) Maxwell Lord created by Keith Giffen, JM DeMatteis, and Kevin Maguire in Justice League #1 (May 1987) Father was a businessman who committed suicide after a product he created caused cancer, and his mother convinced him that powerful people cannot be trusted In the post-Crisis world, he wanted to bring the Justice League together - was actually under the control of a supercomputer created by Metron Later breaks free of the control of the computer, and befriends the League Gains mild telepathy during the Invasion event, and instead of using the powers for good, begins to distrust the metahuman community - using the powers gives him a nosebleed After being injured in a battle, he gains a cyborg-like body, but has to battle Kilg%re the computer for control Countdown to Infinite Crisis - he kills Ted Kord, the second Blue Beetle, and

Hi everyone, we're releasing this mini-episode for a few reasons: We want to test our RSS feed and make sure things still work correctly with the new site. To tell everyone about the changes to the website and our new domain! To let everyone know Ariel will be writing a column for us this year, "(Some Of) Its Parts". To tell everyone about the new additions to our Patreon, and how Patrons will be able to join us on our TPB review episodes! There's more to come in 2021, but we wanted to give you a sneak peek of what we're cooking up! -Anthony

We wrap up Season 4 as we cover Power Man, LUKE CAGE! How can Doc help this man of the streets be a better man off the streets? Plus a fun pitch for a new comic book - listen now! SHOW NOTES:   Intro Season finale - Clones will be pushed to January Anthony’s livestream for Extra Life coming 11/28 Background (4:14) Luke Cage created by Archie Goodwin, Roy Thomas, George Tuska, and John Romita Sr. in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1 (June 1972) Carl Lucas grew up in Harlem with his best friend Willis Stryker, but Carl left the gang lifestyle while Willis embraced it After Willis’s girlfriend left him and sought Carl’s help, Willis framed Carl and sent him to prison, where he was beaten by a racist guard He volunteered for an experimental procedure for cellular regeneration, but the guard tampered with it in an attempt to kill him - the procedure gave him unbreakable skin and super strength He escaped prison, returned to Harlem, changed his name to Luke Cage, and sought to make a living as a hero for hire B

The Mental Health Avengers have reunited, and this time we're taking on the prison system! Why do so many unwell prisoners get mistreated? What can be done to help them? Listen now! SHOW NOTES: Mental Health Avengers III: The Injustice System Intro GuardiansMH: Dr. Goku & Matt Freudian Sips: Anna References: Ashley Smith inquest - Dr. Goku (35:50) Project Hospitality | Rebuilding Lives Since 1982  - Matt Justice Involved Services - Dr. Issues Stepping Up Initiative - Anna Prison Policy Initiative - Anna Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Spotify: here Twitter Facebook Patreon TeePublic Discord

We go back to the Robin well, this time for Tim Drake! Just because he may be the smartest Robin doesn't make him the best - find out why! SHOW NOTES:   Intro Shoutout to To Know Her is to Fear Her, the Spider-Woman podcast - cohosted by Rey from ITK Reminder of TeePublic sale Background (02:48) Tim Drake created by Marv Wolfman and Pat Broderick in Batman #436 (August 1989) The third Robin, young Tim Drake visited the circus the night the Graysons were killed - later deduced Batman & Robin’s identities, and decided to teach himself martial arts to follow in their footsteps Offered himself to Dick Grayson as a new Robin following the death of Jason Todd - Bruce initially hesitant, but puts Tim through rigorous training before giving him the costume When Bruce retires after Knightfall, Tim works alongside Jean-Paul Valley, but distrusts him and his methods, and helps Bruce reclaim the Batman mantle Began dating Stephanie Brown (Spoiler), and then forced to retire from being Robin after his father

Flip a coin - heads, you listen to us analyze Two-Face. Tails, you listen to us analyze Harvey Dent. Either way, you're getting a realistic discussion of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. SHOW NOTES: Intro Mentioned in Podcast Magazine - “Under the Radar” section TeePublic sale - Nov. 4-6, 11-13, 17-20, 26-27, 29-30 Background (4:45) Two-Face (Harvey Dent) created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane in Detective Comics #66 (August 1942) In his first appearance, he's Harvey Kent, later renamed to avoid confusion with Superman  He's an attorney who gets acid thrown in his face during cross examination, and chooses to embrace the duality of his appearance - uses a coin flip to determine his actions "Cured" due to plastic surgery   Crisis reinvented his past - grew up with abusive father, who would flip a coin to determine whether to beat him   Diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, but he worked through them to become DA in Gotham - worked as an ally of Batman and Gordon, until he was attack

As a special bonus, here's the recap rap in our 100th episode! LYRICS: When Doc and I first dreamed about creating a podcast We never thought in a million years it was gon' last But more than two and a half years have gone past And one hundred episodes of absolutely fantastic Characters, drastic masters, and bombastic bastards As we mix the scholastic and sarcastic faster Than you can say gone to lightspeed But here's a little something that we thought you might need In case you haven't caught up on all of your downloads I'm'a rap a recap, are you ready, here it goes It all started off with Eddie Brock, y'know Venom No wonder he's so angry with a symbiote in 'em Then Doc's fave, the Joker, we had drinks with Tony Stark And my boy Moon Knight, you know things got pretty dark Badass chicks Quinn and Jones givin' men the boot Rorschach's issue's seeing everything as absolute Deadpool interrupted us with porn and masturbation Booster hopes one day that he can rise above his station Tried to break through Freeze,

IT'S OUR 100TH EPISODE! We've got awards! We've got mailbags! We've got... a rap song? Listen now! SHOW NOTES: Intro Thank you’s Awards/AMA One thing you want on a billboard (06:40) Favorite thematic episode (11:34) What’s next for the show (14:21) Favorite Dr. Issues pun (23:34) Have you ever considered diagnosing a Transformer? (26:05) Worst vocal performance (28:05) What are you watching/reading (31:04) What character do you want to do but mythos is too shallow/deep (37:16) Favorite DC episode (42:21) Excited to see on the big screen (44:03) Favorite non sequitur/pop culture reference (46:02) Favorite humorous skit (49:16) Favorite in-universe treatment (52:18) Christmas or Halloween movies (53:10) Favorite Marvel episode (57:32) Favorite non-Big 2 episode (59:10) Best vocal performance (60:21) Most well-adjusted character (63:20) Favorite dramatic skit (67:49) Favorite overall skit (68:26) Patreon thank you’s (70:52)  Podcasting thank you’s (77:45) Recap rap (86:03) Favorite episode overall (91:00)

We travel to the Black Galaxy to examine our largest character yet - EGO THE LIVING PLANET! Strap in for a wild ride - this one goes deep into Ego's core! SHOW NOTES:   Intro New patrons - Mayor Jeanine & Local Official Travis A few days left to vote Background (05:25) Ego the Living Planet created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Thor #132 (Sept. 1966) A scientist named Egros tried in vain to save his planet and people from the Stranger, but when the planet exploded, Egros was merged with all of his people and the planet to create Ego, the Living Planet #becausecomics Began destroying ships that approached his area, until he was fought and defeated by Thor Later allied with Thor against Galactus, who wished to consume him - allowed a group called the Wanderers, who were homeless after Galactus destroyed their planet, to live on his surface - later consumed all the Wanderers after going mad due to experiments on him by a Rigellian scientist Heads to Earth seeking vengeance - defeated by the Fantasti

It's our hairiest episode yet - HANK MCCOY! What does Doc have to say about the brilliant Beast? Listen now to find out! SHOW NOTES: Intro Time’s almost up for nominees Some exciting news coming soon about promotion :) Background (3:10) Hank McCoy (Beast) created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in X-Men #1 (Sept 1963) A member of the original X-Men, he appears human, but has proportions and agility similar to a monkey, including prehensile feet Enjoys the resources for learning provided by Xavier, but soon joins the Brand Corporation as a scientist - there, he inadvertently transforms himself into a more animalistic form Joins the Avengers, where he remains a full-time and reserve member for many years Later joins the Defenders, and then X-Factor, reuniting him with the original X-Men team Rejoins the X-Men in 1991 Discovers a cure for the Legacy Virus, but Colossus chooses to sacrifice himself to release it, causing Hank much regret Has a secondary mutation, causing him to take on a more feline appearance Be

We have our most magical episode yet - BLACK ADAM! What can we learn from this antihero? And we have our most electrifying skit ever - listen now! SHOW NOTES: Intro 2 weeks left to vote on awards show nominees Background (02:39) Black Adam (Teth-Adam) created by Otto Binder and C.C. Beck in The Marvel Family #1 (December 1945) Only made one appearance in original Fawcett comics run - an ancient Egyptian who was given his powers by the wizard Shazam, but became corrupted by them and was banished to a far star - he returned to Earth 5000 years later, and battled the Marvel family, only to be tricked into saying Shazam and instantly aging to death After DC bought Fawcett Comics and began using their characters, he was reintroduced to the larger DC universe, as an adversary of Captain Marvel/Shazam Similar origin story for DC, but buried in a tomb by Shazam until unearthed by an archaeologist named Theo Adam, with whom his spirit bonded (similar to Billy Batson & Shazam) He reformed and joined the Just

What do Captain America, Exodus, and Sleepwalker all have in common? They're strangers in a strange land! Come to a weird place with us as we examine what it's like to be in the unknown! SHOW NOTES: Intro Reminder to vote in awards show Background  Stories about characters displaced in time or space are innumerable Superman - last son of Krypton Captain America - man out of time Shining Knight (Sir Justin) - member of King Arthur’s Court, revived in 1941 and joined the Seven Soldiers of Victory (24:22) Exodus - born in 12th century Paris, sealed away in a tomb by Apocalypse (30:32) Martian Manhunter - last of his kind, aloof from mankind (34:47) Sleepwalker - displaced from the Mindscape, where everything changes based on subconscious needs and desires of inhabitants - to him, Earth is strange (40:22) So many more examples Real world analogues (48:56) Refugees/Immigrants/Exiles Coma patients Transitions with cognitive impairment Prisoners/detainees Break (72:27) Plugs for Ignorance Was Bliss,

We head back to the sewers to take on KILLER CROC! Does this raging reptile have a softer side? Also, stay tuned after the episode for a special bonus where we help a listener live! SHOW NOTES: Intro Shoutout to Comic Book Keepers - Chris and Lance review a character or topic each episode - thegeeklygrind.com Still taking votes for award show Background (02:55) Killer Croc created by Gerry Conway and Gene Colan in Detective Comics #523 (Feb 1983) Waylon Jones was born with lizard like features - raised by his abusive aunt, he killed her and became a criminal in Gotham, where he tangled with Batman numerous times Post Crisis, he got isolated for months after being trapped under rubble - he has several battles with Bane, who always bests him and he ends up in Arkham New 52 - he is Roy Harper's alcoholism sponsor In Arkham, befriended a woman named Sybil with DID, and when he got out, he found her daughter and promised to watch over her Rebirth - Joined the Suicide Squad, and had a brief romance with J

We take our first trip to the world of the Wicked + the Divine to examine Baphomet! And it's so complex, we enlisted Jered from the Fantom Zone to help us! Does this role playing god find a name he's comfortable with? Listen now to find out! SHOW NOTES: Intro Thanks to guest Jered from Fantom Zone Nominees for 100th episode award show + mailbag - nominations page Background (05:15) Baphomet created by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, and Matthew Wilson in The Wicked + The Divine #2 (July 2014) Makes his debut in the London Underground holding the Morrigan’s severed head, but was interrupted by the Morrigan herself - they fought until Laura intervened Learns of the “Prometheus gambit”, where a god can extend their life by killing another god - initially targets Urdr but gets stopped by Morrigan, and focuses on Inanna instead Later revealed that he didn’t kill Inanna, and they went to Laura - witnessed her transformation into Persephone, and after Ananke killed Inanna, Baphomet took Persephone to the Und

We take a serious look at a not-so-serious topic: quipping! Why do characters do it? Why do WE do it? And can we stop, or should we? Listen now to find out! SHOW NOTES: Intro Thanks for donations to Extra Life - beat the puzzle in 6:19:44 - still taking donations - potential video game livestream coming in a few weeks Last week for nominations - next week nominees will be announced for 100th episode Background (02:43) Quipping in comics is as old as the medium itself “It’s hailed as a sign of wittiness, but let’s call it what it is: a mechanism for covering up the manifestations of anxiety in high-stress situations… it’s still a problem screaming for attention, and there has to be better ways to deal with it” Ramped up in the 60s - Stan Lee wrote almost all of his characters as witty jokesters, ESPECIALLY Spider-Man Spider-Man is the patron saint, so much so that if he’s NOT cracking a joke, something is horribly wrong Flip side is Batman - no joking, which gives his rogues gallery plenty of room to

Listen now! It's En Sabah Nur - time has no meaning. It's 2020, so why not talk Apocalypse? How does Doc handle someone who bends timelines to his will? SHOW NOTES: Intro Shoutout to I Understood that Reference - Rob & Ross are two Irish friends who cover movies, comics, games Still taking nominations for award show Background (01:52) Apocalypse created by Louise Simonson and Jackson Guice in X-Factor #5-6 (June-July 1986) Apocalypse is believed to be the first mutant - over 5,000 years old, born in Egypt - his name, En Sabah Nur, is translated as “The First One” Abandoned as an infant because of his looks, he adopted a survival of the fittest mindset Mutant powers manifested after having his heart broken as a young man - combined with Celestial technology uncovered by Kang the Conqueror, he had incredible power, and became immortal Fostered war throughout the centuries, seeking the strongest warriors Put himself into suspended animation to wait for further developments - awakened by Cable’s arriva

We examine our youngest character ever - DAMIAN WAYNE! Why does Doc want to send the Son of the Bat to the Phantom Zone for treatment? Listen to find out! SHOW NOTES: Intro Thanks to new Mayor Patron Chad from P3! Shoutout to Super Sons - Dan & Jake cover comic books, news, and anything else on their minds Reminder to vote in nominations Background (2:16) Damian Wayne created by Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert in Batman #656 (Sept 2006) Character was originally referenced as the son of Bruce Wayne & Talia al Ghul in Batman: Son of the Demon by Mike Barr and Jerry Bingham in 1987, a non-canonical story Grant Morrison brought the character into canon after Infinite Crisis Damian was the genetically engineered son of Bruce & Talia, born after a night of passion where Bruce was drugged - the drugging wasn’t supposed to stick, but later writers reaffirmed it, much to Ariel’s chagrin He was raised by Talia and the League of Assassins to be an incredible fighter - at the age of 13, he was left wi