Capes On the Couch - Where Comics Get Counseling

Issue 122 - Erica Schultz (Deadliest Bouquet)

• Intro
• • Reminder of Erica's previous appearances - 12 Devils Dancing, NYCC, and Forgotten Home
• Questions:
• • Impetus for story (3:32)
  • Why Kickstarter? (12:12)
  • What inspired setting - where in North Jersey are we?
  • Violent Violet - very aggressive overall
  • Responsible Rose - what made her stay with their mother? (26:30)
  • Princess Poppy - seemingly only one with other family - how does that impact her take on this? (32:58)
  • Jasmine - what made her make that decision? (38:30)
  • Kickstarter bonuses (47:36)
  • Finding the artists (49:00)

• Ending
• • Link to Kickstarter
  • Next episodes: Nebula, Victor Zsaz, Rogue
  • Plugs for social

References:

• PKJ episode - Anthony (8:04)
• Pareidolia - Erica (10:00)
• WandaVision episode - Anthony (17:06)

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• Intro
• Background (1:42)

• Comic book death - the Comet was the first superhero to die in the comics, in Pop Comics #17 (July 1941) - created by Jack Cole for MLJ Comics, the precursor to Archie Comics, John Dickering was a scientist who injected himself with a gas that allowed him to fly at the expense of uncontrollable rays that shot from his eyes. He was killed by henchman of a gangster he helped incarcerate.
• Matt's point - the in-universe acknowledgment both Marvel & DC have introduced that death isn't permanent, and how that's starting to affect people
• Exhibit A: X-Factor. There's a 30 some-odd issue arc where Siryn flat-out refuses to acknowledge that her father Banshee was killed in a plane explosion battling Vulcan. She totally laughs it off at first, because he's an old MI-5 agent, and he's had to fake his death a couple of times before. When the rest of the team offers its condolences, she asks who's up for Chinese food. She's going to get a notice in a couple of days that he's just fine and he's in hiding for black ops reasons. When Cyclops delivers Banshee's video will and she has to face the possibility that it's the real deal, she switches her coping mechanism to "OK, but he's an X-Man, and X-Men are always dying and coming back to life, so he's only dead for now. He's not REALLY dead. He'll be back." This goes on and on for years. And sure enough, one Celestial Death Seed later, he's alive and well on Krakoa.
• Exhibit B: Blackest Night. Just, all of it. An in-universe explanation of why the cycle of death and resurrection are just part of the job description of superheroes and supervillains, apparently.
• Exhibit C: Final Crisis. Superman gives a eulogy for Martian Manhunter in which he says he'll be praying for him to be resurrected.
• Exhibit D: Astonishing X-Men, The Cure: When Shadowcat finds Colossus alive and well, she is lucid enough to quickly run through the gamut of all the possible explanations: "You have to know, if you're a clone or a robot or an alternate universe thingie, I can deal, but if you're some shapeshifter or pscionicist watching me twitch, I will kill you with an axe." Finding someone you thought was dead is alive is so common that there's a checklist to go through.
• Exhibit E: Spider-Man Unlimited. The obituary writer at the Daily Bugle tells Ben Urich that the worst part of his job is having to write an obituary for superheroes. They're just going to come back to life, and then he'll have to write a retraction.
• Exhibit F: The most recent one. The Incredible Hercules #129. Herc takes Amadeus Cho to Erebus, the region of the Greek underworld that is adjacent to the mortal realm. It's presented to Amadeus as a casino where we see a litany of dead comic book characters who don't feel like being "all the way dead" yet whiling away their time gambling for the right to be the next one to come back to life.
• Does this have a timely real world analogue in psychology? For denial of mortality, terror management theory, and risk assessment? Did we not all just spend the last year witnessing front and center the wildly divergent levels of comfort people have with the very concept of death? Some people outright thinking nothing can happen to them or anyone else they know? Some people taking the fatalistic attitude of, "well, SOMETHING's gonna kill me"?
• I feel like the ability of human beings to take stock of proper risk assessment of things that are dangerous and/or potentially lethal, compounded with the things that could harm or kill them but are so remotely unlikely as to not even really exist? That's a pretty big timely topic right now.

• Issues (10:35)
• • 5 stages of grief
  • • Denial - Siryn (for Banshee)
    • Anger - Nightcrawler (for Jean Grey) (16:38)
    • Bargaining - Spider-Man (for Aunt May) (26:00)
    • Depression - (32:00)
    • Acceptance - (36:18)
  • Dealing with deaths of heroes vs villains (45:15)
  • Dealing with deaths of supers vs non-powered individuals (54:48)
• Break (63:40)
• • Plugs for Take a Knee for Marvel & DC, The Real Brains, and Jeremy Whitley
• Treatment (65:00)
• • Set up a plan with a grief counselor to check in on emotional state following the passing
• Ending
• • Next episodes: Erica Schultz, Nebula, Victor Zsaz
  • Plugs for social

References:

• Max Landis Death & Return of Superman (NSFW) - Anthony (3:30)
• Arthur Conan Doyle/"The Final Problem" - Doc (7:30)
• Misery - Anthony (8:45)
• Patreon TPB review with Rey - Anthony (10:40)
• Capes in Court episode - Doc (13:39)
• Jason Todd episode - Doc (22:04)
• The Black Swan - Doc (43:24)
• Antifragile - Doc (43:25)
• Hunter S. Thompson - Doc (62:17)
• Billy Joel "I Go to Extremes" - Anthony (72:10)
• Wheaton's Law - Anthony (74:58)
• Hamilton - "Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story" - Doc (75:31)

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• Intro
  • Shoutout to Mouse & Weens - Julianne & Joelle are two sisters with very different lives, but who have a fun, conversational podcast - all manner of topics - mouseandweens.com
  • Thanks to new patron Brittany - www.patreon.com/capesonthecouch
  • Last call for Reviews4Good - GeekPeak - Ever wonder if your favorite comic book character needed therapy? The answer to that question is most likely yes, looking at you Batman! Capes on the Couch covers the mental health component of your favorite caped crusaders and views your favorite comics through the lens of psychology! Can't overstate how unique and well researched this show is. There are a lot of comic book podcasts out there but none like this!
• Background (3:40)
  • Isaiah Bradley created by Robert Morales, Kyle Baker, and Axel Alonso in Truth: Red, White, and Black #1 (January 2003)
  • Story was conceived as an allegory on the Tuskegee Syphilis study
  • Isaiah Bradley is drafted into the Army after Pearl Harbor is bombed, leaving behind his pregnant newlywed wife Faith
  • He's serving in an all-black platoon in Camp Cathcart, and the men are subjected to experimentation in an effort to recreate the super-soldier serum
  • Five men, including Isaiah, survive the original trials - each of them with increased strength and endurance
  • Unfortunately, between battle and the lingering effects of the serum, only Isaiah is left a short time later
  • He steals Steve Rogers' costume and another shield, and goes on a suicide mission to a concentration camp to end the German experiments - he's captured and brought before Hitler himself, who decides to hand him over to Josef Goebbels for experimentation
  • He's rescued by German insurgents, but when he returns to his base he's court-martialed for insubordination and imprisoned - although he's pardoned by Eisenhower in 1960, by this point the serum has left him sterile and brain-damaged
  • Steve Rogers discovers the truth about this program in 2003, and visits Isaiah to reconcile with him
  • Later revealed that while he was imprisoned, his cells were used in an effort to create another super soldier, and after 39 attempts Josiah X was born
  • Has a grandson, Elijah Bradley, who calls himself Patriot and joins the Young Avengers

• Issues (12:19)
  • Talk about how Isaiah is a blank slate in this story
  • When a monolith truly IS a monolith (32:13)
• Break (43:30)
  • Plugs for Last Sons of Krypton, Cheers to Comics, and Howard Mackie
• Treatment (45:30)
  • In-universe - Be a listener, and support Faith in trying to take care of him - join the support network he has
  • Out of universe - (49:11)
• Skit (62:53)
  • Hello Isaiah, I'm Dr. Issues -*pause* You the doctor?
  • Yup! - *pause again* YOU THE DOCTOR?!
  • *laughing* Oh, I get…yeah, I really am. Full school, same work as everybody else. -More work, right?
  • *sigh* It didn't feel that way. Times change. -Not for me.
  • Why? -I like people smiling. They're nice. They say hi. Some cry. Faith says they're happy too. I get mixed up and sad.
  • Are you sad now? -No. You're nice, so you make me happy, too.
  • I do my best. -Me too! Do you like comics?
  • Sure! -*sound of papers shuffling, if possible* These are my favorite.
  • You still have some of the originals? That's amazing! -I don't show them because it makes Faith sad. She says I don't understand. I love comics because anybody can do anything.
  • Well…that's true, in comics. I think Faith is worried about real stuff. -I know. *discouraged* I don't want to go to jail again. I'm sorry.
  • You didn't do anything wrong! I made a mistake. -I beat people up. I went to jail. They were gonna kill me. I had to!
  • What you're doing is catastrophizing. -What's that?
  • I don't mean to sound heady, but that's when you only think of the baddest stuff that can happen. -Everyone died, and I went to jail.
  • *pause* Yeah…*deep breath* yeah. I'm doing this wrong. -Can you fix me, doctor?
  • Isaiah…there's nothing to fix. You did the right thing. Everybody else was wrong and bad. -Faith is good. Captain America is good. You're a doctor, so you're good.
  • Thank you…but not every doctor was good. MOST doctors are good, I think. We all try to do better. I promise. -Sometimes my head hurts. I miss Sarge. I miss a lot of people. The new people only stay a little while. Are you staying?
  • I can't stay. I have to go and see other patients, then go home. -Do you have to give me any needles? I HATE needles.
  • *truly upset* No, I don't have to give any needles. - OK. I like you.
  • I like you too, Isaiah. You're a hero. - Then why did I go to jail? Heroes don't go to jail.
  • Isaiah, I don't know how much of this you'll understand, but you were set up to fail. Everything that was done to you, everything that those people did was because they didn't want you to win. And you won anyway. You saved people. You were… you ARE a hero. And nothing anyone else says or does can take that away from you. -Thank you. I wish they didn't take my blood, or my friends.
  • I wish so, too. But, there's a lot of family around now, right? -Yeah! They bug me so much. Always try to take my stuff! They don't listen! I tell them "NO" and they all get scared...then they...they cry. I don't like crying.
  • Is there a way we could make them happy? -A whoooooole lotta snacks. I keep 'em hidden, just for the kids. You can have 'em too if ya want.
  • No thanks. *pause* I'm not sure there's anything else I can do, really. I have to admit my limits. I get starstruck by you, just like with Cap...with Steve. He -YOU KNOW CAPTAIN AMERICA TOO?!
  • Yeah, he -HE GAVE ME HIS COSTUME! I WORE IT!
  • I know...it's...it's YOUR costume too, Isaiah. He shares it with you. -You wanna wear it? It's still good.
  • Um...no, that's ok. I'm not...I don't…*changes subject* Can I just take a picture with you? That'll make ME feel good. Like everybody else. -Ok…*pause* Cheeeeese
  • This is the type of thing that makes me remember why I became a doctor in the first place. Sometimes, all I can do is listen, Isaiah. -You do that a lot.
  • *somber* More than you know. Thank you, Isaiah. It has been an honor to meet you. - Are you going to come back?
  • I hope so. - OK. I'm sad you're going, but happy you'll come back. We'll play again! Bye!
• Ending (68:29)
  • Recommended reading: Truth: Red, White, and Black
  • Next episodes: Comic book death, Erica Schultz interview, Nebula
  • Plugs for social

References:

• Tuskegee Study - Anthony (4:30)
• Bob Camp - Anthony (27:38)
• Black Wall Street - Doc (37:59)
• Tulsa Massacre - Doc (38:00)
• Black Wall Street in Durham, North Carolina - Doc (38:05)
• Heir property - Doc (38:14)
• Henrietta Lacks - Doc (53:05)
• Luke Cage episode - Doc (53:30)
• Viktor Frankl - Man's Search for Meaning - Doc (70:45)
• Daniel Hale Williams - Doc (76:50)

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• Intro
  • Podchaser Reviews4Good - Jeanine - Capes on the Couch has literally gotten me through the trials of the last year. It's been rough all around but I know I can get a weekly dose of comics, voices, sass and puns and I look forward to it every week. There have been some truly moving conversations and I, for one, appreciate it. Keep it up, love you guys!
• Background (3:15)
  • John Walker created by Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary in Captain America #323 (November 1986)
  • Began as Super Patriot - a patriotic villain who served as a foil to Steve Rogers
  • John was former military, who received treatments that gave him superhero abilities from the Power Broker - originally worked as a wrestler, before his manager convinced him being a hero was more lucrative
  • Used staged "attacks" to undermine credibility of Steve in an effort to replace him as the premier patriotic hero - said Steve was too old and liberal to adequately represent America
  • When Steve resigned from serving as Captain America after clashing with the Commission on Superhero Activities, he was replaced with John
  • John became the new Captain America, and his friend Lemar was Bucky/Battlestar - identity outed by former associates, resulting in his parents being murdered by a militia he fought, which drove him more insane, causing the Commission to rethink giving him the Cap mantle
  • After a battle with the resurrected Red Skull, the Commission recalls Walker and reinstates Steve Rogers - Walker was presumed dead after a staged assassination, and given a new identity of Jack Daniels - now serving as US Agent
  • Joins the West Coast Avengers as the eyes & ears for the Commission, and rubs his teammates the wrong way, especially Hawkeye
  • When the team is disbanded, he joins Force Works set up by Tony Stark - once again butts heads with Clint Barton, but they later come to respect each other
  • Serves as the Commission's head of the STARS team, but bristles at having to have his ex-girlfriend Kali Vries as his lieutenant
  • Joins the New Invaders and serves alongside Jim Hammond, Union Jack, and Blazing Skull
  • During/after Civil War, appointed as the US liaison to Omega Flight, and he doesn't appreciate that role
  • Loses an arm and leg after Nuke attacks him with a spear during Seige - his limbs are restored by the Venom symbiote while working with the Dark Avengers
  • Fought Sam Wilson when Sam became Captain America - evil Steve Rogers convinced him that Sam was dishonoring the legacy
  • Joined a new version of Force Works
  • Ongoing miniseries written by Christopher Priest introduces a younger sister, and reveals that Mike didn't die in a helicopter crash, but by suicide

• Anthony & Doc discuss John's character Flanderization
• Issues (18:02)
  • Coping with loss of brother and parents
  • Feels like his values are out of place in modern world, and it causes him friction on every team (24:44)
  • Always serving someone else's agenda annoys him (35:16)
• Break (42:49)
  • Plugs for Bedknobs & Broomflicks, Cast Junkie, and Erica Schultz
• Treatment (44:31)
  • In-universe - Get him out of America
  • Out of universe - (47:06) Former military personnel - use VA resources to get them help
• Skit (59:21)
  • Hello John, I'm Dr. Issues. - Good afternoon, sir.
  • I'm not military, you don't have to do all that "sir" stuff with me. - It's not about military, it's about respect. You have a difficult job, and I want you to know I'm taking this seriously.
  • Well, that's good to know. So in the spirit of that respect, let's get down to business. What can I do for you? - I'm under a lot of pressure, both internal and external, and it's starting to get to me. I need to figure out how to cope with it.
  • Alright, that's direct. Let's start with the internal pressure. What's creating that? - That's about wondering what my role is in this world. There's already a Captain America, and he's better at it than I was. And as for "free agent" heroes, you can spin a dead HYDRA mook and hit a dozen of them. I'm just struggling to figure out what my place is in all of this.
  • First off, I appreciate that you're able to articulate these kinds of issues so eloquently. Makes my job that much easier. - When you've spent as much time alone with yourself as I have, you kinda have the ability to self-assess. Plus it's kind of how I view the world - I see a problem, I identify it, and I address it. Now whether it works out in my favor, that's a coin flip. But I don't like to beat around the bush.
  • Alright, so I'll be direct with you. Yes, there are countless heroes out there. Yes, someone will always be able to do what you do, and potentially do it better. But that doesn't negate your impact. That doesn't mean that you still can't do what YOU do. Because, even if someone can do everything you do and theoretically be faster or stronger or more… whatever… they're still not YOU. Now you have to find out that unique essence, the thing that makes you who you are. Let me ask you this: what's your big why? - What?
  • What's the reason behind your heroing? What drives you to put on the suit every day? - Love of God and country. At least that's what it was when I started. That and wanting to be the hero my brother would've wanted me to be. I wish he were here to help give me some advice.
  • I assume he passed, then. Sorry for your loss. - He died in 'Nam, fighting the good fight. Now, most people don't agree with whether or not we should've been there, but we never back down from a fight. That's not America.
  • Let's get back to your reason. Do you think your brother… - Mike.
  • Do you think Mike would approve of what you're doing? -Beating up the enemy? Sure. Wanting to protect the country? Hell yeah. Getting mixed up in random conflicts that have nothing to do with either of those points? Not so much.
  • You sound like you don't have much control over that last part. -They don't call them "contemplative decision orders." Once in a while I do some stuff that I'm not at liberty to disclose, but that's only because I get put in those situations that...somebody screwed up.
  • Somebody? -Once in a while, it's me.
  • I see. And how does that make you feel? - I don't like it, but I also know I'm never going to make the perfect decision all the time. I do the best I can with what I've got. Now, having said that, there have been some… monumental mistakes that eat at me, and those are the ones I try not to repeat, or try not to get myself in another situation where I could repeat them.
  • So bad that you can't sleep at night, or so bad that the thought of it happening again means you'll never sleep again? - Yes.
  • Well, damn. -Come on, Doctor. I'm sure you've heard so many stories over the years. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the stuff I've been through...you couldn't survive.
  • I wouldn't begin to compare my life with yours, or other patient's stories with your stories. - Not for nothing, Doc, but my entire career… hell, my entire LIFE has been spent in comparison to one person or another. Mike, Steve Rogers, Hawkeye… I'm always following someone or other, and always asking and being asked what it's like to step into their shoes. So comparisons ain't anything new to me.
  • Then you're familiar with the premise "comparison is the thief of joy?" Through no control of your own, people have sucked the life out of a new experience. It should be an honor to do what you do. Now...it's a burden. - It's not always a burden. Like I said, I was born to do this. I just wish it wasn't always so draining. I guess that comes with the external AND internal pressure.
  • Ok then, what kind of external pressure do you face? - There's always some bureaucrat giving me orders, somebody who wants "the good soldier" on their team. And I get it. I'm tough and they want the symbolism of the one-time Captain America on their side. But it gets awfully tiresome after a while.
  • Your motivation doesn't have to match theirs, as long as YOU know why you're doing what you're doing. There's plenty of models I could use to explain this, but to cut it short, you're an obliger. -I don't understand that at all. Nobody has come close to saying that to me. *pause* Is that a good thing, or what?
  • It's not a good or bad thing. It's an observation that you're trying to meet everyone's expectations, including your own. But it's not all black and white. I get the sense that if things go sideways -Yeah, I get to that point when no amount of authority is going to stand in my way.
  • So, as always, this is a matter of balance -*clearly irritated* Oh here we go with this woo-woo nonsense. I know that therapy helps. I know I need to take time for myself. I know I should pick my spots. You don't have to talk to me like I'm in 5th grade about this stuff.
  • I meant no offense. You'd be surprised at how many people don't recognize this as much as you do. But I don't mean a 50/50 split. It's going to change. Let me ask you...between what you want and what others want, what's the ratio right now? - 20/80.
  • Too much? -What do YOU think?
  • When's your next 80/20 stint? -*pause* I don't think that's ever happened.
  • That's a screwed up see-saw, then. Got some tools to fix it? - I could quit one of my teams, but unless you want to pay my rent, I don't see that happening.
  • Stop the all-or-nothing responses. You're old school...take a sabbatical for once. Temporary leave. No weakness in that - I… I don't know if I can do that.
  • You don't know if you CAN, or if you WILL? - Same answer.
  • Not even close. Until you recognize the difference, then you're the Great American Whipping Boy. -Doctors support their patients. They don't dole out insults. Especially to those that keep their ass alive more times then they realize. If I DO decide to take time off, it won't be sitting on some beach sipping Pina Coladas all day. Hell, it might be spent finding a better psychiatrist that doesn't kick a man when he's doing his best!
  • If your disdain for me leads to your motivation to have a better life than you first imagined, then I'll gladly be the antagonist in your personal goals. - Whatever. I'm outta here. Have fun pissing in your next patient's cereal.
• Ending (68:07)
  • Recommended reading: 1993 mini-series
  • Next episodes: Isaiah Bradley, Comic book death, Nebula
  • Plugs for social

References:

• Metallica "Disposable Heroes" & "One" - Anthony (57:42)
• Veterans Resources -
  • Veterans Affairs
  • Disabled American Veterans
  • Salute Heroes

Apple Podcasts: here

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TuneIn: here

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Spotify: here

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• Intro
  • Podchaser - Reviews4Good - NUEXGUY - "CAPES ON THE COUCH is one of my favorite podcasts for the unique perspective and insight they bring to the superhero genre. I haven't heard another podcast go so deep into the psychological arguments around these characters. One of the most informative and entertaining podcasts around. Did I mention there are skits as well?"
• Background (3:16)
  • Black Mask (Roman Sionis) created by Doug Moench and Tom Mandrake in Batman #386 (August 1985)
  • Roman Sionis born to wealthy parents who didn't care for him - they dropped him on his head early, possibly causing mental damage
  • Hated Thomas & Martha Wayne, who his parents were always sucking up to - this led to a fascination with masks, because he believed his parents were phony
  • Once he came of age and became VP of his father's cosmetic company, he burned down the family estate, killing his parents, and took over everything
  • After running the company into the ground, it was rescued by Wayne Enterprises, but he was fired - he went to his parents grave, dug up the coffin, and destroyed it - he used the pieces to make a new mask, and called himself the Black Mask
  • Created a gang, the False Face Society, and began going after the Wayne Foundation and its members, including Bruce - after a failed attempt on Bruce's life, he set fire to his family's house once again, and in a battle with Batman fell into the flames, fusing the mask to his face
  • During No Man's Land, he becomes the head of a cult known for ritualistic scarring - he's taken down by Batman and Huntress
  • Later gave up the theme of masked henchmen and decided to run a drug trade out of the East End of Gotham, putting him into conflict with Catwoman
  • Tortures and nearly kills Stephanie Brown during War Games
  • Killed by Catwoman after threatening to kill all her loved ones - he's resurrected during Blackest Night as a Black Lantern, but was defeated by Ivy and Harley, trapping him in a pitcher plant that digested his body as it regenerated
  • New 52 gives him largely the same backstory, but now his mask gives him low level psychic abilities - he also has split personalities, with Roman and Black Mask being distinct identities
  • DC Rebirth abandons the psychic abilities, but has him allied with the Penguin

• Issues
  • No positive family background left him alone
  • Obsession with masks (16:36)
  • Sadism, especially with women (23:49)
• Break (30:18)
  • Plugs for Petri Dish, Play Comics, and Meredith Finch
• Treatment (31:23)
  • In-universe - Let him roleplay in different masks to learn empathy
  • Out of universe - (35:08) Reframe to get more buy-in from the client
• Skit (40:33)
  • Hello Roman, I'm Dr. Issues. - What do you want?
  • This isn't a house call, and it's not like I asked to meet with you. You're required to -*cuts off* I know what you're here for. Let's get this straight: I'm not trying to change. I've changed enough for my lifetime, thank you very much.
  • *pause* I appreciate your honesty. It saves me time. Goodbye. -Bye.
  • *sound of walking away, distant* Oh man, I gotta try *walking back* Sorry, I'm not going to give up. -Sucker.
  • As dangerous as this may sound, the goal of therapy for a thief may be to make them a better thief - You can't be serious. Nobody's that stupid, especially against me.
  • I don't mean being better at bad things for society. I mean being more in tune with your mental state so that you are better at your personal goals. What you do with them is none of my business. -What sort of backwards schooling did you do? This is nuts!
  • How long did you originally plan on talking to me? -Negative 2 seconds, then find someone to kill you.
  • And how long have you actually talked to me? I've already exceeded your lowly expectations. -I just can't get over how bonkers this is. You're just like that Harley chick...oh yeah, same field. See, I knew all shrinks are weirdos.
  • So what can this self-proclaimed weirdo do for you? I'm all ears. -You're really trying to analyze me, huh? *pause* OK then. I want my enemies dead. I want unlimited access to every major corporation's bank accounts in Gotham. I want enough firepower to take down a small nation's army...or Batman. It's about the equivalent budget. So *claps hands* get to it, chop chop!
  • Not a single emotional goal. You really don't have the vocabulary for that, do you? -Who says what I want won't make me happy?
  • Well, how much did you have before? -Well, let me do some quick math...a hell of a lot more than you ever will.
  • And were you happy then? -I wasn't locked up, chastised, and made to do interviews with the likes of you.
  • So you didn't have the same intellectual stimulation, but you didn't answer the question. I appreciate your deflections. It's a strong intellectual coping skill -How long are you going to keep up with this psycho-crap? I'm not trying to be some prissy high-status goody two shoes.
  • Fascinating. You equate being high status with somehow being good. I've definitely seen examples across a full spectrum with regards to that. Does that attitude date back to direct experience as a crime lord, or from your interactions at a younger age? -It dates back to being annoyed by someone who is not a henchman, partner, associate, or target talking to me as if somehow any of this matters.
  • I see. That's how you view your spheres of influence. If no one fits into those spheres, then you don't expend mental energy on them. That's an advanced skill to maintain locus of control. How did you learn that? -I don't know. That sounds like common sense to me. If someone isn't worth my time, then they're a guaranteed waste of my money. The best examples are the ones who keep asking questions when they've been given every hint to stop.
  • I'm picking up what you're putting down. But what about those that are in your sphere of influence and you can't kick them out? -They don't exist.
  • Au contraire; I'm talking about your adversaries. They probably take up most of your mental bandwidth, and make you feel worse because you've lost to them. -*defensive* I don't lose. I learn.
  • You're impressing me with your knowledge of mindset focus techniques. How does that translate when you've had to make such a transition from full mob boss to anonymous inmate number? -It translates just fine because no inmate is asinine enough to have drawn out stalling conversations with the man responsible for their death.
  • Oh, I'm going to have to challenge you on that one. You're forecasting a future that may never happen. I've dealt with clairvoyants before, and they're not perfect, either. That type of bias will get you into trouble. You need someone to watch those psychological blindspots. -*exasperated* You're really just going to stay there and act like I'm not insulting you, warning you to get the hell away from me? You really are off your rocker!
  • Every conversation is an opportunity for growth. Even when I have my own doubts of the benefit, I'm willing to try. Surprises only happen if you take a chance. How long have you focused on such a restrictive life? - Come here inside this cage, I'll show you restrictions.
  • Thankfully we only resort to restraint when it's absolutely necessary. If you decide to be unruly, then 4-points are readily available, along with injection medication depending on your symptoms. Thankfully, I don't have to directly get involved in that. - Too scared? Don't want to get your hands dirty and make the hard choices? You're soft. Especially on the outside. I bet you go down after… let's say 3 hits.
  • Well, I've been hit 4 times and got a broken rib, so you're not too far off. Nice guy though, just let his delusions get the better of him and incorporated me. You on the other hand, are all about making direct threats and intimidating people that have no interest in such things. I'm sorry if I'm coming off aloof now. You're getting away from the meaningful topics in your life to show yourself as a class D thug. - I came within inches of killing Batman. I left Stephanie Brown for dead. You want to call me D-class? Do so at your own risk.
  • *non-chalant* I...just did. Your wit is sharp enough that I don't have to repeat what I said. Don't miss the point that you present yourself that way, but have the potential to… - And we're done here. Todd, if you don't mind.
  • Wait, you're supposed to protect m-*gate unlocks* You can lock up my body. But you never took the time to freeze my assets. And those are MUCH more powerful than anything I do physically. Having said that, let me show you what I can do. I don't normally enjoy this… wait, who am I kidding, I love this! They say love what you do and never work a day in your life. In my case, that's been true since day one. Now then…
  • *muffled* Good self-actualization - Aww, if you think it's hard to speak now, let's see how well you talk when your jaw is in 3 pieces. The crowbar, please, Todd.
  • *muffled scream* - Music to my ears...
• Ending (48:25)
  • Recommended reading: Batman: War Games
  • Next episodes: John Walker, Isaiah Bradley (Ruby), Comic book death (Matt)
  • Plugs for social

References:

• Lucha libre - Anthony (23:36)
• Kanye West - "Through the Wire" - Anthony (48:56)

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Issue 117 - Elastigirl

• Intro
  • Shoutout to Down to Folk - Chad & Ariel give you folk tales with a twist - dtfstories.com
• Background (01:54)
  • Elastigirl (Helen Parr) created by Brad Bird in The Incredibles (November 2004)
  • Helen Parr has the power of flexibility
  • Married to Mr. Incredible, Bob Parr - have 3 children - Violet, Dash, and Jack
  • Forced into retirement after a man trying to commit suicide got saved by Bob, but was injured in the process - superheroes then banned for approximately 15 years
  • Bob goes off and begins surreptitiously superheroing in private - Helen discovers what he's doing, and has to go rescue him
  • The whole family then battles Syndrome, a former fan of Bob's who's going to use technology to give everyone superpowers, thus making supers useless
  • They defeat Syndrome, and come together as a family
  • In the sequel, two wealthy businesspeople - Winston & Evelyn Deavor - use Helen as a public face for their company to get people to trust heroes again
  • This leaves Bob at home with the kids, while he struggles with Jack's nascent powers
  • Helen encounters the Screensaver, who uses hypnotic imagery on TV screens to control people
  • Screensaver turns out to be Evelyn, who reveals that her father died from burglars while waiting for superheroes to show up - Helen captures Evelyn, and heroes remain legal

• Issues (06:00)
  • Being a spouse while being super
  • Being a parent while being super (12:25)
  • How does her powerset impact her choices and adaptiveness? (21:16)
  • Body image issues (28:15)
• Break (35:31)
  • Plugs for Geek Peak, Ignorance was Bliss, and Al Ewing
• Treatment (36:44)
  • In-universe - Create a secret lair for supers to have individual therapy, just work on gaining their trust
  • Out of universe - Focus on interpersonal therapy
• Skit (43:08)
  • Hello Mrs. Parr, I'm Dr. Issues. - Well hello Doctor, it's so nice to meet you. Gosh, I just love your office. Tasteful decorations, and *gasp* did your child make this?
  • My daughter, yes. - It's beautiful. My daughter Violet is very creative. My sons… are more into destruction.
  • Oh my daughter can wreck stuff with the best of them, don't let the artwork fool you. - That's children, I suppose. Especially when you have 3 of them. And with powers to boot. One minute they're playing nicely, the next minute there's a literal tornado in the kitchen, the bathroom is sealed with a force field, and the lawn is on fire.
  • That sounds like a lot to handle. How do you manage? - Well the older 2 I can talk to about things. It takes a while, but they get it eventually. Jack-Jack, though, he's still a baby, and figuring out his powers. And bless Bob, he tries his best to wrangle them while I'm gone, but he gets frazzled so quickly.
  • Have you tried a babysitter? - Once. It did NOT go well.
  • Well, I'm not a couples therapist, but I am a happily married man, and I've learned that an open and honest discussion about expectations can help drastically reduce the stress in a marriage. You two need to be on the same page. - Oh, we are. Well, some of the time.
  • That's better than none of the time. When does it work best? - When we're out there fighting the bad guys. Even after we took some time off to raise the kids, when we got back to it, it was like no time had passed. We were totally in sync with each other. Then we get home, and…
  • And you're off-base. - Yep. You know, we both have powers, but sadly neither of us can read minds. That would make things a lot easier.
  • I'm not sure it would. That could just lead to more unmet expectations. The fact that you're both powered doesn't mean anything when it comes to communication. You have to be upfront about what you need and are willing to compromise on. You're not going to get everything you want, but unless you tell him what you're looking for, you're not going to get anything. - I know. But where am I supposed to find the time? And the energy? And how do I figure out which thing to tackle first? Gosh, makes me wish the Underminer would show up. At least I know how to solve those kinds of problems.
  • Punching things in the face only gets you so far. Trust me, I see it all the time in my line of work. -Well to be honest we never thought we would get to be back to doing any sort of punching. Now things have come full circle. It's like one bad apple spoils the bunch. Bob had the itch longer, but I got to scratch it in a more sophisticated way once people saw that we could do good again.
  • But that doesn't come close to translating to fulfilment. Sometimes I have a three-part system that I view relationships: love, work, and play. You've mentioned love, and work, but what sort of recreational stuff do you have going on in your life? -Are you kidding? Who has time for play when you have kids?!
  • Well, do you play with your kids? -Jack-Jack of course, but those are things he needs to grow. Violet does her own thing, and that's becoming its own hurdle. Dash is just so fast with everything...and I don't mean his superpower.
  • That's not really what I meant. It's important to spend time with your children, don't get me wrong. However, you need some adult time, either alone, with Bob, others that you can relate to in the same sphere. -*pause* To be honest, that's what being a superhero was about. It used to be that blend. Help the world, help ourselves. I know it's changed, but...is it wrong to want it to be that way again?
  • No, it's not wrong to want things to be simple. What's wrong is ignoring the complexities in order to be able to cope. If that's how you're looking at things, then you'll never be able to fully address the problem. Does that make sense? - Definitely. I won't reminisce too much. Those memories are a good part of what keeps me going. I need to remind myself of why my life is the way it is in the first place. This may sound harsh but...I didn't dream of things going this way.
  • In what way? -Actually...all of it. I planned for kids, but I didn't know if they would be like us. I wanted a home, but I never knew we'd be a superteam. I wanted to make a difference, but I didn't think I'd be told to go into hiding...or come out again! I'm not in a competition with Bob, but he always makes it sound like we are to him. I know I'm going around the same points again...maybe that's the biggest problem. I see things my way, and I want my family to see things my way. We don't even have to agree.
  • Is that last part true? -*slightly defensive* of course it is!
  • I'm not trying to be provocative. I've learned that many families have a competitive dynamic at baseline. There's nothing inherently wrong with that. But what is the goal of winning battles when you don't know what the war is? -Then I… I don't want to be right just to be right. I want Bob and the kids to agree with me because they realize that I want what's best for us. Maybe I haven't communicated that clearly enough. I can't force them to do what I want, and I don't want that either. I guess I'm just looking for a little more harmony, and I'm willing to take it however I can get it.
  • Then you're going to need to visualize what you want, and ask each of them what they want, and put it all together into one congruent package. Something you build together is more likely to last than something you build separately and jam together however you can. -This sounds almost exactly like dealing with Syndrome.
  • *playful sarcasm* Ding ding ding! We have a winner! You get to mirror the construct of your hero team with your family life. Perhaps this also touches the proper nerve about the nostalgia you were raving about, too. -And what if Bob doesn't buy it? What if Violet shuts down? What if Dash...um...dashes? I think it's a lot to ask of people who don't think on this wavelength to just go along with this sort of thing like everything is just peachy all of the time.
  • You're right, I make no guarantees. Yet, just like you hinted at, there's a reason Bob connected with you in the first place. You know that. He sees the strength you have on the inside. If he's like the countless others in a relationship, the ebb and flow shifts in that way. I hope he'll step up to the plate like you want him to. -*melancholic, but actually hopeful* He's told me when he's not strong enough...that let me know he gets it once in a while.
  • Ok...I actually think that family plan is the best course of action right now. I'm not going to over complicate it. - *suddenly serious* So who should I bring in next time for you to straighten them out? Bob? I bet you'll see how wrong he is about everything
  • That's the opposite -And Violet needs to get in gear so she can really start to impress for her career
  • I'm not a child psychia -And *whisper* I think Dash could use a stimulant to help with that undiagnosed ADHD, am I right?
  • You're kind of pushing...oh boy *clearly nervous* -*pause, then laughing* relax, Doctor. I know better than that.
  • Don't scare me like that! Too many people mean that stuff! - Sorry, Doc. I don't get many chances to crack jokes with new people. Most of the people I meet these days are either stuffy politicians trying to shake hands and lie, or bad guys who need a fist to the jaw. But I like you. I'm glad this got set up. When they told us we had to meet with a psychiatrist as part of becoming superheroes again, I was skeptical. But we're gonna do this again soon.
  • OK then, looking forward to it. - And tell your daughter I love her work. Maybe she can make something new before my next visit. I'll see if I can bring something from Violet… if Jack-Jack doesn't burn it or Dash rips it to shreds…
  • Thanks, that's very kind. - Take care, Doc!
• Ending (51:47)
  • Recommended reading: go watch Incredibles 1 and 2
  • Next episodes: Black Mask, John Walker, Isaiah Bradley
  • Plugs for social

References:

• Mr. Miracle episode - Anthony (06:15)
• #FreeBritney - Doc (14:15)
• The Incredibles - Return to city brake scene - Doc (25:10)
• Hartman Hips - Anthony (29:16)

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• Intro
  • Thanks to new Mayor patron Ben!
• Skit (5:02)
• Ending (27:11)
  • Next episodes: Elastigirl, Black Mask, John Walker
  • Plugs for social

References:

• Anthony's AIPT Column

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In lieu of show notes, I'll just say how refreshing and interesting it was to watch a 32 year old movie I hadn't seen in 31 years. Doc and I had a TON of fun discussing this, with a lot of reminiscing and flashbacks. Hope you enjoy it!

- Anthony

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• Intro
• Background

• Jeanine (3:20)
• Ken & Pad from ODPH (08:40)
• Ryan from NUEXGuy (15:00)
• Jay West from We Get Dubbed (21:14)
• Rey from ITK (27:00)
• Ruby (28:12)
• Chris from GeekPeak Podcast (32:21)
• Seth from Geekville Radio (38:54)
• Ariel (41:57)
• Ending
  • Recommended reading: Batman & Psychology
  • Next episodes: Batman film commentary, Batman skit, Elastigirl
  • Plugs for social

References:

• Bane episode - Anthony (14:45)
• Carmen Sandiego - Anthony (21:00)
• Batman/Catwoman Arkham swap - Anthony (24:50)
• Batman scars by Alex Ross - Doc (46:32)

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• Intro
  • Background for each panelist
    • Ben Stover
    • Dr. Travis Langley
• Background
  • First memories of Batman
  • What makes Batman such a compelling character? (10:18)
  • How realistic is his response to the trauma? (17:16)
  • Family dynamics (from kids to mentors) (29:00)
  • "Unheralded" Gotham character (36:00)
  • Should someone kill the Joker and get it over with? (42:02)
  • What does his rogues gallery say about him? (50:03)
  • What does it say that we've been conditioned to root for a trust fund baby to solve the world's problems? (57:57)
  • Why do people still live in Gotham? (68:27)
  • Ruby's fan theory about Clark & Bruce
  • Ideal Batman story (74:40)
• Ending
  • Recommended reading: Batman & Psychology
  • Next episodes: Batman by the fans, Batman film commentary, Batman skit
  • Plugs for social

References:

• Elie Wiesel - Dr. Langley (22:22)
• Candace Lightner - Dr. Langley (22:42)

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