Capes On the Couch - Where Comics Get Counseling

Capes On the Couch - Where Comics Get Counseling

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Capes On the Couch - Where Comics Get Counseling episodes

  • Issue 76 - Kamala Khan

    We take a short trip to Jersey City to talk to KAMALA KHAN! What does hero worship from one hero to another look like? And we have our first ever winner of an open casting call for the voice of Kamala - Nur Chodry! Listen now!

    SHOW NOTES:

    • Intro
      • Shoutout to Seth making memes in FB Group
      • Podchaser Reviews4Good
    • Background (03:55)
      • Kamala Khan created by Sana Amanat, Stephen Wacker, G. Willow Wilson, Adrian Alphona, and Jamie McKelvie in Captain Marvel #14 (August 2013) in a one-panel cameo, but first major appearance was Ms. Marvel #1 (Feb. 2014)
      • First generation Pakistani-American, she chafes against the rules of her parents - she's a major superhero fangirl, and writes fanfiction about the Avengers, especially Carol Danvers, whom she idolizes
      • One night she sneaks out of the house only to end up exposed to the Terrigen Mists, which unlock her latent Inhuman genes – she has the power to shape-shift
      • Her friend Bruno learns of her abilities after she gets shot stopping Bruno's brother from robbing a store, and becomes her "man in the chair" - he helps her defeat the Inventor, a hybrid of Thomas Edison & a cockatiel
      • In Secret Wars, she helps Carol protect Jersey City, and gets her family & friends to a safe place while they wait for the world to end - once the Incursions pass and the realities merge, she continues operating as Ms. Marvel
      • During a battle against Warbringer, she's joined by Nova, Spider-Man, and several Avengers - Iron Man offers her a spot on the team, and she accepts
      • Deals with HYDRA using her likeness to co-opt their redevelopment scheme which involves brainwashing residents - manages to defeat them, but takes hit to her reputation
      • During Civil War II arc, initially sides with Carol Danvers, but comes to realize Carol's manipulating her and stands up to her idol, especially after Carol's precog arrests a friend of hers who was supposedly going to blow up the school - in the ensuing attempt to rescue Josh, Bruno is seriously injured, and he blames Kamala
      • She quits the Avengers, because they're too globally focused - she joins the Champions with other young heroes instead
      • She reconciles with Carol, as well as Bruno - they begin dating in the newest series, where it's revealed that all of her friends and her parents all know of her dual identity
    • Issues (11:12)
      • Initially coping with strict parents – common teenage issue
      • Fangirling of heroes leads to broken pedestal, especially with Carol Danvers (20:23)
      • Unrequited crush on Bruno leads to heartache (28:32)
    • Break
      • Plugs for Talk Me Into, We're All Mad Here, and Saladin Ahmed
    • Treatment (38:20)
      • In-universe - Interpersonal therapy, focus on the details for a change
      • Out of universe (43:23) -
    • Skit (Kamala voiced by Nur Chodry, who won the open casting call!) (49:44)
    • Ending (56:00)
      • Next episodes: secret identities, Shredder, Dick Grayson
      • Podchaser Reviews4Good
      • Patreon Locke & Key review up now

    References:

    • Evita - "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" - Doc (08:56)
    • The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel - Anthony (10:25)
    • TV Tropes - Broken pedestal - Anthony (20:46)
    • The Incredibles - Doc (24:58)
    • Romeo & Juliet - Doc (34:56)

    Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Spotify: here Twitter FacebookE-mailPatreonTeePublicDiscord

    1 hr 2 min
  • Issue 75 - Capes in Court

    For our 75th episode, we flip the script - Anthony's the expert and Doc's asking questions. Primarily: how do you estate plan in a world where death isn't permanent? Find out some real life estate planning tips, plus Anthony pitches a new comic book! Listen now!

    SHOW NOTES:

    • Intro

      • Social distancing – next few episodes will be recorded remotely

      • New patron – Tasha – new Mayor level patron

      • Review read – Dino Gangof1 from Huuuh? Podcast - "More than a comics podcast. Delves deep into superhero psyche. Always a great listen. A new must in my book."

      • Shoutout to Happier Podcast - Gretchen Rubin helps listeners find a happier life

    • Issue – how to handle estate planning in a world where death is not permanent (09:45)

      • Examples: Jean Grey, Superman, Wolverine – countless heroes have died and returned

      • Furthermore, non-powered individuals have returned from the dead as a result of the actions of heroes

        • E.g. Avengers: Endgame and the fallout of "the Snap" seen in Spider-Man: Far From Home

      • What happens to their stuff – finances, personal effects, etc.

      • What tools could be used:

        • Primarily trusts

        • Laws passed regarding resurrection

        • Draw distinction between powered individuals and humans

    • Break (41:35)

      • Plugs for Popcorn Psychology & Bedknobs and Broomflicks, plus Al Ewing

    • Real-life legality (42:27)

      • Declared death in absentia

      • Property held in trust

      • Call to action: Get an estate plan (62:00)

    • Ending

      • Next episodes: Kamala Khan, Secret identities, Shredder

      • Reminder of TPB review for Patrons at Local Official level & up – this month Locke & Key: Welcome to Lovecraft

    References:

    • "Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story" from Hamilton - Anthony (17:01)
    • "Dick in a Box" - Doc (21:45)
    • "Bring out your dead" from Monty Python & the Holy Grail - Doc (54:48)
    • Vince McMahon faked death/Chris Benoit murder-suicide - Doc (58:00)

    Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Spotify: here Twitter FacebookE-mailPatreonTeePublicDiscord

    1 hr 7 min
  • Issue 74 - Alfred Pennyworth

    We tidy ourselves up for a look at Batman's butler ALFRED PENNYWORTH! Why does he keep working for a loner like Bruce? And how would he actually be like a Real Housewife? Listen now to find out!

    SHOW NOTES:

    • Intro

      • Review read – Rey - "Well worth listening for the entertainment value of comic book superheroes, but highly informative when it comes to mental health. Anthony & Doc Issues are on top of their game here… analyses and skits make for a perfect mix!"

      • Plug of the week – Geek History Lesson – Jason & Ashley take an in-depth look at a pop culture character every week – Jason wrote a book about military superheroes, and they have a comic book called Jupiter Jet that just finished up a Kickstarter

    • Background (03:54)

      • Alfred created by Don Cameron & Bob Kane in Batman #16 (April 1943)

      • Originally Alfred Beagle, later retconned to Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth

      • Also originally overweight and clumsy, he was the comic relief of the story, as he attempted to act like a detective alongside Batman & Robin – later his physical appearance changed to match that of the actor who played him in the serial – since then, he's been slim with a mustache

      • Serves as butler for Batman/Bruce Wayne and Robin/Dick Grayson, one of the only people who knows their true identities

      • Pre-Crisis, he was an actor and intelligence agent whose father served the Wayne family

      • Post-Crisis, he has been a valet all his life, serving the Waynes after his father passed away

      • New 52 – Alfred was a soldier, whose father served the Waynes – Jarvis attempted to resign, but was murdered by the Court of Owls

      • Alfred had a daughter, Julia, who served in reconnaissance for the British Army – mother was Mademoiselle Marie, a French war heroine

      • Loses his right hand in Batman: Endgame, but has it reattached after Bruce returns

    • Issues (07:36)

      • Surrogate father to Bruce – he carries the burden of his secrets

      • Loneliness (14:54)

      • Focus on helping others means he can lose himself (22:04)

    • Break

      • Plugs for Have Not Seen This and Parent Quest, plus Meredith Finch

    • Treatment (30:17)

      • In-universe – Alfred's understudy

      • Out of universe (33:57)

    • Skit (39:09)

    • Ending (46:06)
      • Next episodes: Capes in Court 75th Issue Special, Kamala Khan, Secret Identities in Comics

    Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Spotify: here Twitter FacebookE-mailPatreonTeePublicDiscord

    50 min
  • Issue 73 - Yorick Brown

    Anthony & Doc tackle a world without Y chromosomes when they examine Yorick Brown from Y: The Last Man! Yorick's got so many problems we actually examine FOUR! And how is Doc like the 1990s Chicago Bulls? Listen now to find out!

    SHOW NOTES:

    • Intro
      • Shoutout to Ignorance Was Bliss – Kate interviews a guest every week about whatever comes to mind – I guested a few months back, she's a wonderful person and the show should be on everyone's list

      • TeePublic sale: Today, March 18th- 22nd

    • Background (04:23)

      • Yorick Brown created by Brian K. Vaughan in Y: The Last Man #1 (September 2002)

      • Yorick Brown, an amateur escape artist, and his pet capuchin monkey Ampersand are the only male survivors after an unknown cause kills every male mammal with a Y chromosome simultaneously – society thrown into chaos as women try to cope with the loss

      • Yorick's mother, Representative Jennifer Brown, tasks Agent 355 with bringing Yorick to Doctor Allison Mann, a geneticist working on cloning, in an attempt to figure out why and how Yorick survived

      • All Yorick wants to do is find his girlfriend Beth, who he proposed to minutes before everyone died – she was in Australia

      • Dr. Mann was giving birth to a clone the instant the plague happened, and blames herself

      • Yorick, 355, and Dr. Mann all head to California, as Dr. Mann's research lab burned down by the Daughters of the Amazon, a tribe of misandrist women who feel the plague was Earth's way of punishing the patriarchy that had destroyed society – the Amazons know Yorick is alive, and will stop at nothing to kill him and Ampersand

      • After many years, Yorick reunites with Beth, who tells him that she was going to dump him right before he proposed, but the plague prevented her from telling him how she felt

      • Yorick realizes he's in love with 355, but she's killed by Alter, an Israeli commando on the hunt for Yorick

      • Yorick ends up marrying Beth II, a flight attendant, who gives birth to a daughter, Beth Jr. - Beth Jr. later becomes President of France

      • Dr. Mann eventually learns how to clone humans, including Yorick, who grows old and is institutionalized after a joke is interpreted as a suicide attempt

    • Issues (9:30)

      • Survivor's guilt

      • Impulsiveness – related to survivor's guilt, nearly gets him killed several times early on (16:15)

      • Responsibility put upon Yorick (22:37)

      • Overconfidence in intelligence (28:15)

    • Break (36:00)

      • Plugs for FriGay the 13th & Cage's Kiss, plus Chris Claremont

    • Treatment (38:01)

      • In-universe

      • Out of universe (41:15)

    • Skit (50:12)

    • Ending (54:39)

      • Recommended reading: Y: the Last Man - Book 1, Book 2, Book 3, Book 4, Book 5

      • Next episodes: Alfred Pennyworth, Capes in Court 75th Anniversary Special, Kamala Khan

    References:

    • Culper Ring - Anthony (05:43)
    • Drawn Together - "Neverending quest to save my girlfriend" (NSFW) - Anthony (06:30)
    • Designated survivor - Doc (24:35)
    • 1990s Chicago Bulls - Doc/Anthony (30:00)
    • Ice Cube - "Check Yo Self" (NSFW) - Anthony (35:49)

    Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Spotify: here Twitter FacebookE-mailPatreonTeePublicDiscord

    59 min
  • E72 - Abe Sapien

    Anthony & Doc take a deep dive into the BPRD's resident fish-man, ABE SAPIEN! What is he? Why does he compare himself to Hellboy? And how many fish puns can Doc make this week? Listen now!

    SHOW NOTES:

    • Intro

      • 2nd Anniversary of our show – thank you's

      • New patron Frank

      • TeePublic sale – March 18th-22nd

      • Shoutout to True Stories of a Tryhard – Ethan discuss his struggles with anxiety and talks to guests about their issues with mental health – I was recently a guest

    • Background (09:00)

      • Abe Sapien created by Mike Mignola in Hellboy: Seed of Destruction (March 1994)

      • Introduced as a member of the Bureau for Paranormal Research & Defense alongside Hellboy & Liz Sherman, where they battled a resurrected Rasputin who was responsible for summoning interdimensional demons to Earth to destroy mankind

      • Later told by Rasputin's spirit he would be speared to death, which came to pass – he had an out of body experience, where he saw his previous life – he was born Langdon Everett Caul

      • Caul was a Victorian scientist who performed an occult ceremony which turned him into an "icthyo sapien" – the other members of the society performing the ceremony locked him away in a tank the day Abraham Lincoln was assassinated (April 14, 1865) – he remained in the tank until he was discovered in November 1978

      • Recovers from the spearing and investigates his former life – he exorcises the demon of his former wife Edith, who was attempting to possess Abe to make him Caul again

      • After Hellboy leaves the team, Abe takes more of a leadership role in BPRD

      • Suffered injuries in battle, and although he recovered, he suffered brain damage – upon recovering and awakening, he discovered he had mutated further, becoming taller, lankier, and stronger

    • Issues (13:23)

      • Initial amnesia/hauntings about former life

      • Insecurity about comparison to Hellboy

      • Uncertainty about what he is – mutations, comparison to frog monsters (27:24)

    • Break (34:00)

      • Plugs for Cage's Kiss and Ignorance Was Bliss, plus Erica Schultz

    • Treatment (35:38)

      • In-universe

      • Out of universe

    • Skit (46:09)

    • Ending (54:00)
      • Recommended reading: BPRD: Plague of Frogs - Abe-centric story that delves into his background, and this is where we learn about how he went from Langdon Caul to Abe Sapien; Abe Sapien: The Drowning - also related to his origins
      • Next episodes - Yorick Brown, Alfred Pennyworth, Capes in Court 75th Issue Special

    References:

    • Smokey & the Bandit - Anthony (5:17) (NSFW)
    • Red Oni/Blue Oni - Anthony (20:14)
    • Hamilton - "Guns and Ships" - Doc (60:04)

    Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Spotify: here Twitter FacebookE-mailPatreonTeePublicDiscord

    1 hr 1 min
  • Issue 71 - The Tick

    After last week's heavy episode, it's time for some fun. So Anthony & Doc travel to The City to talk about THE TICK! What makes this amnesiac superhero such an endearing character? And what TV theme do our intrepid hosts sing this week? Grab a SPOON! and listen now!

    • Intro

      • Plug for Perfect Package Podcast – Chad & Dave each get 5 picks to make the perfect… whatever the topic is – Anthony will be guesting on an upcoming episode

    • Background (3:40)

      • The Tick created by Ben Edlund in New England Comics Newsletter #14 (July/August 1986) – originally the newsletter mascot, got his own comic series in 1988

      • A nigh invulnerable superhero who escapes from a mental institution in his debut, he cannot remember anything from his life before becoming the Tick

      • Lives in the City, where absurd heroes and villains abound

      • Takes a job at the Weekly World Planet newspaper, working alongside Clark Oppenheimer, aka the Caped Wonder, a Superman pastiche

      • One of his allies and his eventual best friend is Arthur, an accountant in a moth suit

      • Oftentimes fun & oblivious, although he can get serious if the situation arises – when his ally Oedipus was stabbed, he attacked the ninjas responsible, and single-handedly destroyed their lair

      • Later revealed that at one point, he was married but separated

      • Takes a laissez-faire attitude towards discovering his past – Arthur seems more intrigued by it than he does

      • Adapted once in animation and twice in live-action – most of the characters change, except for Arthur and Tick

    • Issues (10:40)

      • Amnesia about pre-superhero life

      • Attachment to Arthur (18:45)

      • Childlike Nature in an adult world (23:49)

    • Break (36:13)

      • Plugs for Varmints & I Never Saw That, plus Cullen Bunn

    • Treatment (37:40)

      • In-universe

      • Out of universe

    • Skit (45:04)

    • Ending (50:13)
      • Next episodes - Abe Sapien, Yorick Brown, Alfred Pennyworth

    References:

    • Cullen Bunn interview - Anthony (04:15)
    • TV Tropes - Nigh Invulnerable - Anthony (06:00)
    • Quantum Leap - Doc (15:45)
    • Joker episode - Doc (21:25)
    • The Odd Couple - Doc/Anthony (24:33)
    • "Eyes of a Child" - Anthony (26:29)
    • Meet Joe Black - Doc (30:55)

    Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Spotify: here Twitter FacebookE-mailPatreonTeePublicDiscord

    54 min
  • Issue 70 - Terrorism in Comics

    No two ways about it, this one is a doozy. Anthony & Doc were supposed to talk about terrorism in comics. They end up solving real world terrorism. In a manner of speaking. This one pulls no punches - listen now!

    SHOW NOTES:

    • Intro

      • Shoutout for 90s Court – Lisa & Andy argue a court case about two aspects of 90s pop culture, and the fans vote on who wins – find them wherever you listen to podcasts

      • Review read – Luzz 5 stars on Apple Podcasts - "I've just finished listening to the Bane episode and I really like the format & content. Keep it up guys!"

    • Background (04:31)

      • Terrorism in comics has existed as long as the medium – secret organizations hellbent on global domination, mad scientists looking to usurp the world order, connection to Axis powers in WWII… lengthy history

      • In the 60s, AIM and Hydra were two big organizations in Marvel Comics, while the Council and H.I.V.E. (Hierarchy of International Vengeance and Extermination) existed in DC

      • Other publishers wrote similar timely stories – The American, written by Mark Verheiden for Dark Horse, depicted a superhero killed trying to stop a hijacking in Beirut

      • As we're almost 2 decades into the War on Terror, depictions of terrorism in comics are deeply rooted in real world geopolitics, while still providing social commentary on modern events – current run on Captain America has a character called Scourge killing police and innocents in an attempt to besmirch Steve Rogers

      • V for Vendetta – Alan Moore's unscrupulous hero functions essentially as a terrorist against an authoritarian government

      • Watchmen – Ozymandias' plot to unite humanity against a common alien foe is accomplished through terrorist methods

    • Questions

      • What makes a terrorist? What motivates them?

      • Is there a world in which there is no terrorism?

      • How are terrorists treated psychologically?

    • Ending

      • Next episodes – The Tick, Abe Sapien, Yorick (Y: the Last Man)

    References:

    • Rocky IV speech - Doc (69:08)

    Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Spotify: here Twitter FacebookE-mailPatreonTeePublicDiscord

    1 hr 16 min
  • Patreon Review 1 - Joker: Endgame

    It's a sneak preview of our new Patreon exclusive monthly comic reviews. This month we take a look at Joker: Endgame. Which stories are worthy of inclusion, and which should have been dropped? Listen to Anthony & Doc's review now!

    SHOW NOTES:

    • Introduction

      • Preview for non-Patrons, future episodes will be available to Patrons $3 and up

      • Each month will feature a trade paperback, along with a review of the story and artwork, and whether or not it's a recommended read

    • Joker: Endgame

      • Collects Batman 35-40, Arkham Manor Endgame, Batgirl Endgame, Batman Annual 3, Detective Comics Endgame, and Gotham Academy Endgame

      • Batman: Endgame is primary story, with tie-ins and adjacent stories in the trade as well

      • Main story written by Scott Snyder, with art by Greg Capullo, ink by Danny Miki, colors by FCO Plascencia, and lettering by Steve Wands

      • Joker has returned after "Death of the Family" storyline – starts off by infecting the Justice League with toxin that causes them to attack Batman – he has contingency plans for each of them, but they take their toll on him – after subduing the League, Bruce goes to Arkham for clues, but is surprised by guard Eric Border, who turns out to be the Joker in disguise – he paralyzes Bruce and leaves

      • Bruce wakes up in the Batcave, where Alfred and his daughter Julia reveal the Joker has infected the city with Joker Venom, which spreads through laughter – and there's no known antidote

      • Meanwhile, Joker attacks Jim Gordon with an axe, and reveals he knows Bruce Wayne is Batman

      • Batman then discovers the Joker has a regenerative virus within his body, similar to the Lazarus Pits, making him basically immortal, and also discovers the new Joker Venom is the inversion of that virus – whatever is keeping Joker alive will kill Gotham City

      • Batman heads to Arkham to find information on the virus, and finds the doctor, Paul Dekker, who discovered it – Dr. Dekker calls the compound Dionesium, and says somehow Joker has it in his spine

      • Batman goes to confront the Court of Owls about this, but they don't care if Gotham burns, as they'll simply rebuild from the ashes – while he battles one of the Talons, the Joker breaks into the Batcave, chops off Alfred's hand, and steals trophies from the cave

      • Batman gathers his allies, and a few enemies like Bane, Penguin, Ivy, Clayface, Scarecrow, Killer Croc, and Mr. Freeze, to help him battle through the Joker's mob so he can extract the fluid from Joker's spine to revers the effects of the Venom

      • Batman fights his way to Joker, only to be subdued by an ear-piercing scream – Joker tears off his mask to reveal Dick Grayson – meanwhile, Bruce has discovered a hidden cache of Dionesium under Gotham – Joker shows up, and they battle

      • After a bloody fight, the cave collapses on top of both of them, and both are believed to be dead – but Julia was able to get the Dionesium sample that Bruce sent her, and she synthesized a cure for the Venom, so Gotham was saved

      • Review – enjoyed the story, although the notion that Batman always has a contingency plan for everything that he can draw up at a moment's notice is tiring

      • Capullo's artwork is engaging and incredibly detailed, and enhanced by Miki's inkwork

      • FCO Plascencia's colors are bold, like the use of different palates for different locations

    • Substories

      • Mini-story spread throughout – written by James Tynion IV with different artists in each chapter

        • Tells the story of Mahreen Zaheer, a doctor at Arkham who's grabbed by five inmates, each of whom has a story involving the Joker

        • "Saved" by Tynion and Graham Nolan, where a woman believed the Joker turned her family into robots, and she was only able to save them by killing them and pulling the chip out of their heads

        • "Heart" drawn by Sam Kieth, creator of the Maxx

      • Batman Annual #3 by James Tynion IV, pencils/inks by Roge Antonio, colors by Nick Filardi, and lettering by Steve Wands – tells story of Tommy Blackcrow, who wrote an expose on the Joker, calling him lonely – Joker takes this to heart, and decides to become Tommy's new "best friend", killing anyone else who gets close to Tommy – he ends up committing himself to Arkham, where his only friend is Eric Border…

        • Loved the story, notsomuch the artwork – made Joker look like a doof because he always smiles without a lower lip

      • Arkham Manor: Endgame by Frank Tieri – tells the story of an attack on Arkham Asylum through the POV of a worker there, Stone, who is relaying this to Det. Harvey Bullock after the fact

      • Detective Comics: Endgame – story by Brian Buccellato, tells story of Lonnie Machin, a kid who's an expert hacker – trying to find a way to save his mom during the Venom attack – works with the Bat-family to rescue her

      • Gotham Academy: Endgame – several writers, much more kid-friendly – several kids holed up at Gotham Academy tell each other ghost stories, each somehow related back to the Joker – enjoyed this one quite a bit, because aside from Joker aspect, it felt very real that kids would be telling ghost stories during a scary time

      • Batgirl: Endgame – written by Cameron Stewart & Brenden Fletcher, with art by Bengal – wordless story about how Babs is rescuing people trapped in the Burnside neighborhood – I always enjoy wordless comics, because it asks so much of the artist, and only the really good ones can pull it off

    • Final review: Main story – Story 7/10, Art 8/10; Side tales: Story 6/10, Art 6/10 (avg.)

    • Next month's review – Locke & Key: "Welcome to Lovecraft"

    References:

    • The Maxx episode - Anthony (25:10)
    • Hawkeye episode - Anthony (35:05)
    • Smokey & the Bandit (NSFW)- Anthony (35:55)

    Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Spotify: here Twitter FacebookE-mailPatreonTeePublicDiscord

    46 min
  • Issue 69 - Bane

    This podcast will be your reckoning - Anthony & Doc discuss BANE! Where does Batman's nemesis go from here? And why is Doc singing Hamilton again? Listen in to find out!

    SHOW NOTES:

    • Intro

      • Two new patrons – Jonathan & Tyler, and Rey upped his patronage - THANK YOU!!!

      • Podcast plug this week – Ask Iliza – Iliza Shlesinger, her assistant Emily aka Baby Arm, and her producer Scott aka Hot Scotty, talk to guests and answer your questions about life, marriage, comedy, and whatever else runs rampant thru Iliza's brain

      • Reminder about review/sticker giveaway and upcoming Joker: Endgame review

    • Background (05:20)

      • Bane, created by Chuck Dixon, Doug Moench, and Graham Nolan, debuted in Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1 (Jan. 1993)

      • Son of King Snake, a villain who escaped prison in Santa Prisca – the government opted to imprison Bane for the rest of his father's sentence, so he grew up in prison

      • Took the time to educate himself, learning several languages, as well as meditation

      • Has a fear of bats due to nightmares as a child

      • Subjected to experimentation with a drug called Venom – he survived, but he requires a regular injection every 12 hours or he will be debilitated

      • Heads to Gotham City to confront Batman, who he believes is personification of the demon bat in his dreams

      • Blows up Arkham Asylum, allowing the inmates to escape, forcing Batman to expend constant energy and time fighting and recapturing them

      • Once Batman is drained and exhausted, Bane confronts him in Wayne Manor and breaks his back

      • Bane ends up defeated by the new Batman, Jean-Paul Valley aka Azrael, who cuts Bane deeply enough to force him to overdose on Venom

      • Recovers from Venom addiction in prison, and once he's out, fights alongside Bruce to stop gangs from peddling a Venom derivative to gangs – claims penance for his crimes, and goes on search for father

      • Taken in as protege of Ra's al Ghul, who leads him into rematch with Bruce, who wins

      • After story where he is thought to be Bruce Wayne's half brother, discovers his true father is King Snake, and confronts him – saves Batman, who bathes Bane in a Lazarus Pit to heal him of his wounds

      • New 52 – Bane is actually the distributor of Venom, and battles the Court of Owls

      • Rebirth – Bane returns to villainy, but is barely beaten by Batman

    • Issues (11:37)

      • Never had a childhood

      • Fear driven (20:08)

      • Achieved goal of breaking the Bat – what comes next? (26:56)

    • Break

      • Plugs for Talk Me Into and FriGay the 13th, plus Gail Simone

    • Treatment (34:35)

      • In-universe

      • Out of universe (40:04)

    • Skit (45:04)

    • Ending (49:57)
      • Recommended reading: Batman: Knightfall
      • Next episodes - Preview of Patreon exclusive review of Joker: Endgame, political terrorism in comics, the Tick, Abe Sapien

    References:

    • Ra's al Ghul episode - Anthony (10:06)
    • The Dark Knight Rises - Anthony (11:50)
    • Arrested development - Anthony (12:10)
    • "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'" by Wu-Tang Clan - Doc/Anthony (19:03)
    • Tony Robbins - Anthony (26:30)
    • "What Comes Next" from Hamilton - Anthony (27:22)
    • Wile E. Coyote - "Soup or Sonic" - Doc (27:45)
    • TV Tropes - The Starscream - Anthony (38:21)
    • Lipstick packets - Doc (42:43)
    • TV Tropes - Wounded gazelle gambit - Anthony (48:07)
    • Triple H/Tough Enough - Doc (50:20)

    Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Spotify: here Twitter FacebookE-mailPatreonTeePublicDiscord

    55 min
  • Mental Health Avengers II: Age of Access (Part I)

    It's the sequel you've been waiting for! The Mental Health Avengers return to discuss AGE OF ACCESS (Part I). What are some of the impediments to accessing mental health care? And what happened to the rest of the Avengers? Listen to the Infinity War of podcast crossovers now!

    SHOW NOTES:

    • Introduction

      • Guardians MH and Popcorn Psychology

    • Access to mental health

      • Professional availability

      • Insurance (21:30)

      • Other issues (43:00)

    Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Spotify: here Twitter FacebookE-mailPatreonTeePublicDiscord

    1 hr 1 min

About Capes On the Couch - Where Comics Get Counseling

From the publisher's feed

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…