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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:
References:
Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Spotify: here Twitter FacebookE-mailPatreonTeePublicDiscord
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:
Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Spotify: here Twitter FacebookE-mailPatreonTeePublicDiscord
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)
Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Spotify: here Twitter FacebookE-mailPatreonTeePublicDiscord
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:
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:
Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Spotify: here Twitter FacebookE-mailPatreonTeePublicDiscord
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)
References:
Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Spotify: here Twitter FacebookE-mailPatreonTeePublicDiscord
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)
References:
Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Spotify: here Twitter FacebookE-mailPatreonTeePublicDiscord
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:
Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Spotify: here Twitter FacebookE-mailPatreonTeePublicDiscord
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:
Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Spotify: here Twitter FacebookE-mailPatreonTeePublicDiscord
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)
References:
Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Spotify: here Twitter FacebookE-mailPatreonTeePublicDiscord
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
From the publisher's feed