Capes On the Couch - Where Comics Get Counseling

Our first thematic episode focuses on minor sidekicks to adult heroes! What would convince a teenager to endanger themselves to join an adult? Anthony & Doc break down several famous pairings and how they work (or don't)! Listen now!

SHOW NOTES:

• Intro

  • Shoutout to new Patron Salvador

  • Adventures in Poor Taste plug for Doc's column

  • Episode 50 - Mailbag

• Background (5:24)

  • First teenage sidekick was Robin, the Boy Wonder, introduced in Detective Comics #38 (April 1940)

  • Numerous teen sidekicks followed: Bucky (Captain America), Toro (Human Torch), Speedy (Green Arrow)

  • 1954, Frederic Wertham published Seduction of the Innocent, claiming comic books were corrupting America's youth – pointed out potential homosexual subtexts, along with graphic imagery, in several comic books – the Comics Code Authority was created to let the industry self-regulate rather than have Congress do it for them

  • Later comics explore the role sidekicks have, and retcon the justification for the sidekick accompanying the hero (Bucky became an assassin, for example)

  • Many sidekicks become adult heroes in their own right, several even becoming legacy versions of the hero they helped

• Discussion of several hero/sidekick pairings

  • Batman/Robin – Batman has series of Robins, all of whom have different personalities, and Bruce's relationship with each is different

    • Various Robins kept at arm's length at first to prevent Bruce from getting too close, especially after Dick left and Jason died

  • Cap/Bucky – Bucky started off as mere teen sidekick, then retconned to be dangerous assassin as part of Winter Soldier reveal (31:25)

  • Barry Allen/Wally West – Wally started off as Kid Flash, then became the third Flash after Barry's death – becomes more powerful than even Barry (38:33)

  • Wolverine/Kitty Pryde/Jubilee/X-23 – we discussed this in the Wolverine episode – Wolverine takes young girls under his wing (44:55)

  • Big Daddy/Hit-Girl – Mindy raised by her father to be brutal assassin, doesn't know anything outside of survival & killing (49:14)

  • Superman/Jimmy Olsen – never gets superpowers of his own (outside of wacky 50s/60s stories), but is a staunch ally of Man of Steel (53:04)

  • Rick Jones – sidekick to several heroes: Captain America, Captain Marvel, Hulk (58:24)

• Real-life examples

  • Matt's suggestion of John Allen Mohammed/Lee Boyd Malvo (62:45)

  • Joe Montana/Steve Young (69:00)

  • Doc's mentor

• Treatment?

• End

References:

• "6 in the Mornin'" - Ice-T - Anthony - 3:34
• Sancho Panza - Anthony - 6:58
• Jack Thompson - Anthony - 12:32
• Beavis & Butt-Head - Doc - 12:50
• Ren & Stimpy - Doc - 12:54
• Superdickery - Anthony - 58:15
• Beltway sniper - Anthony - 63:00
• Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi & Tahl Raz - Doc - 88:10

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On the heels of Jessica Jones S3, Patron Ariel requested we cover the Purple Man, KILLGRAVE! How is the comic version different from David Tennant's portrayal? And can Anthony & Doc count to 50? (The answer to the last one is no.) Listen now!

(DISCLAIMER: We inadvertently forgot this was episode 48, so we keep calling it 49 in the show. Don't worry, you're not missing anything, we just can't count ;-P )

SHOW NOTES:

Intro

• Podcoin plug (0:40)

• Background (2:55)

  • Zebediah Killgrave created by Stan Lee and Joe Orlando in Daredevil #4 (October 1964)

  • A former doctor now operating as a spy, he was in an accident with a chemical that turned his skin purple, and gave his body pheromones that allowed him to control people nearby with his voice

  • Recurring villain of Daredevil initially

  • He seduced and impregnated a woman, who gave birth to a daughter Kara - she became Persuasion and was affiliated with Alpha Flight

  • Became involved with Jessica Jones - tortured her for months and sent her to kill Daredevil - she ends up leaving the superhero business and becomes a private investigator

  • He later manipulates the Thunderbolts, and worked with Baron Zemo to control New York City

  • During Fear Itself, breaks out of the Raft, but not before attacking the Puppet Master

  • Later revealed that he impregnated several women who gave birth to purple children, all of whom have their father's power, but only if they work together - Daredevil saved the children from their father, so they collectively erase the world's memory of Matt Murdock as Daredevil

  • Recently killed by gunshot and thrown into the sun

• Issues (8:36)

  • Relationship with children - Kara vs. Purple children

  • Compare/contrast with TV version (19:32)

  • Capable of normal interaction with people? (29:53)

• Treatment (41:14)

  • In-universe

  • Out of universe

• Skit

• Ending

References:

• Jessica Jones episode - Doc - 05:06
• Carol Danvers episode - Anthony - 7:50
• Chris Rock "Keep her off the pole" - Anthony - 11:03
• Little Shop of Horrors - "Dentist" - Doc - 26:45

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Patron Ariel requested we cover Superman's archenemy LEX LUTHOR! Find out what makes this mad scientist/mad businessman so mad! Plus find out which real-life executive Anthony compares to Luthor! Listen now!

(DISCLAIMER: We inadvertently forgot this was episode 47, so we keep calling it 48 in the show. Don't worry, you're not missing anything, we just can't count ;-P )

SHOW NOTES:

• Intro

  • IWB live show on July 12th

  • Podcoin plug

• Background (5:10)

• • Created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster in Action Comics #23 (April 1940) or Superman #4 (Spring 1940)

  • Originally a mad scientist who lived in a flying city, he was a standard megalomaniac, and Superman was just the only one who could foil his plans

  • Origin story later revealed that he was a scientist in Smallville who liked Superboy until an accident at his laboratory turned him bald and killed an artificial life-form he had created – explains his hatred and jealousy of Superman

  • After Crisis on Infinite Earths, Luthor was reimagined as a corrupt corporate executive, who hates Superman because he cannot be corrupted

  • Family depends on the continuity - pre-Crisis, he has a sister named Lena, over whom he is very protective, and a wife Adora from another planet, and they have a son, Lex Jr. - both are killed when the planet explodes

  • Post-Crisis, he is revealed to have been married eight times – his eighth wife is Contessa Erica Alexandra Del Portenza, who is as greedy as he is – she gives birth to a daughter, Lena

  • In various continuities, his parents are either estranged and ashamed of him, or he killed them

  • In basically all continuities, he believes himself to be the smartest man on the planet, and he feels that makes him superior to Superman

• Issues (13:30)

  • Ariel: why does he hate aliens, and Superman in particular?

  • Is he capable of actual love, trust, or friendship? (21:24)

  • Feelings towards family – parents and sister (26:21)

• Treatment (37:26)

  • In-universe

  • Out of universe (44:25)

• Skit

• Ending

References:

• Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me: "Oh no, I've gone cross-eyed" - Anthony - 3:48
• The Simpsons - Hank Scorpio - Anthony - 8:45
• Clue - "Flames on the sides of my face" - Anthony - 16:20
• Scarface - "Say goodnight to the bad guy" (NSFW) - Anthony - 25:10
• Goldwater rule - Doc - 46:29
• Captain America: The First Avenger - "I'm just a kid from Brooklyn" - Anthony - 51:23

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Our first ever relationship episode focuses on Charles Xavier and Magneto. Find out why these two frenemies keep coming back to each other. Plus Anthony & Doc discuss the corollary between these two and MLK/Malcolm X. Listen now!

SHOW NOTES:

Issue 46 – Relationship between Charles Xavier and Magneto

• Background (6:56)

  • Introduced as mortal enemies in The X-Men #1 (Sept. 1963)

  • Xavier was the head of the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters, while Magneto was the mutant extremist trying to eradicate mankind

  • Later revealed that they were old friends working together to help Holocaust victims in Israel – neither knew the other was a mutant at first, but they learned of their powers and parted ways, knowing their views were incompatible

  • After decades of villainy, Magneto begins to change his mind on humans – eventually turns himself in to be judged for his crimes

  • A dying Xavier asks Magneto to watch over the school, which he does for a time

  • Magneto eventually returns to his evil ways after the world refsues to accept his reformation

  • Since then, Magneto has continued to fight for domination over mankind, but will ally with the X-Men if he feels they're doing what's best for mutantkind

• Issues (12:01)

  • Magneto's hatred and distrust of mankind stem from suffering through the Holocaust – PTSD?

  • Xavier's optimism – where does it come from? (19:00)

  • Why does Magneto continue to defend Charles even though Charles stands opposed to him? (31:35)

  • Comparison between Xavier/Magneto and MLK/Malcolm X (38:00)

• Treatment (53:00)

  • In-universe

  • Out of universe (58:43)

• Skit (66:49)

• End

References:

• Popcorn Psychology episode on The Empire Strikes Back - 3:20
• Into the Knight - Anthony guest spot - 3:50
• Spaceballs - "Merchandising!" - 5:00
• TV Tropes - Then Let Me Be Evil - Anthony - 10:44
• Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development - Doc - 18:50
• TV Tropes - Glass Cannon - Doc - 21:46
• Hamilton - "Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story" - Doc - 50:20
• James Carville & Mary Matalin - Anthony - 59:05

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WE'RE BACK! Not only is this our Season 3 premiere, but it's our first ever creator interview. We talk to Jeremy Whitley, writer for the Unstoppable Wasp, and ask him about Nadia Van Dyne. We ask about her Bipolar disorder, her amazing support system, and how his writing rendered the need for a skit obsolete! Listen now!

SHOW NOTES:

• Intro

• Background (11:12)

  • Created by Mark Waid and Alan Davis in Free Comic Book Day 2016 Civil War II (July 2016)

  • Daughter of Hank Pym and his first wife Maria Trovaya – Maria was abducted and killed by foreign agents, Nadia was raised in Red Room as assassin until they learned who her father was – placed her in science program to use her genetic aptitude

  • Reverse-engineered Pym Particles and escaped, hoping to meet her father – discovers he is dead

  • Creates a new Wasp suit to honor her father's memory

  • Joins the Avengers and becomes a US citizen

  • Creates Genius In action Research Labs (G.I.R.L.) to recruit young women with science backgrounds

  • Takes the name Van Dyne to thank Janet for her help

• Interview with Jeremy (15:30)

  • How he got started in comics

  • How he came to write Nadia
  • How he created Nadia's support system (33:45)

  • Nadia's treatment in-universe (43:20)

  • The artists' thoughts on a dialogue heavy series (46:00)

  • A skit on Nadia's treatment became unnecessary (49:50)

  • What's next for Nadia and what is next for Jeremy? (60:47)

• Outro

References:

• Popcorn Psychology – Avengers: Infinity War/Endgame episode – 5:54

• Hank Pym episode – 12:19

• Poochie – 40:29

• Anthony's blog post – 43:00

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It's the Season 2 finale, and per our President level Patron Ariel's request, we're covering TALIA AL GHUL! Anthony & Doc go in depth on Ra's daughter, her on/off-again relationship with Batman, and how good of a mother she is to Damian. All this, plus a first ever treatment session and the weirdest accent Anthony's done yet - LISTEN NOW!

SHOW NOTES:

• Introduction

  • Shoutout to Blood & Black Rum (NSFW) – – Ryne & Chris drink beer and talk about (mostly) cult films – (3:34)

• Background (5:54)

  • Created by Dennis O'Neil and Bob Brown in Detective Comics #411 (May 1971)

  • Daughter of Ra's al Ghul, introduced as simply Talia – Batman rescues her from the League of Assassins, and she shoots her captor (Dr. Darrk) to save Batman

  • Later revealed that a kidnapping was a test by Ra's to see if Batman would make a good husband for Talia – Bruce rejects the offer, but still loves Talia

  • She marries Bruce in 1978 with Ra's approval

  • She becomes pregnant with Bruce's child, but she realizes she can't stay with him, so she fakes a miscarriage and annuls the marriage – the boy is dropped off at an orphanage – later grows to become Damian Wayne

  • Takes over LexCorp when Lex Luthor becomes President of the US – she sells all the assets to Wayne Foundation, leaving Lex broke

  • Gets kidnapped by her half-sister Nyssa and brainwashed to turn against their father – Nyssa kills Ra's, and both women take over his organization

  • After Bruce is apparently killed, she tells Dick Grayson to take Damian under his wing as the new Robin – after Damian is injured, she implants a device in his spine that allows her to control him, and she starts to clone him to create a more obedient son

  • Batman Inc – she takes control of an organization called Leviathan to kill Batman – her Damian clone kills the original, and she poisons Batman in a battle, but gets killed by Kathy Kane – Ra's brings her body to a Lazarus Pit to resurrect her – she awakens with no memory of her former life

  • Rebirth – fights Catwoman after finding out she's engaged to Bruce

  • Lies to Deathstroke and tells him that Damian is his son so he attacks Bruce

• Issues (12:02)

  • Loyalty torn between her father and Bruce

  • After kidnapping by Nyssa, becomes more detached from humanity like her father

  • Maternal instincts over Damian vary – usually fiercely loyal to him, but also willing to abandon him when he defies her (28:21)

• Treatment (39:50)

  • In universe

  • Out of universe

• Skit (54:04)

• Ending

References:

• Chris Hansen - Anthony - 3:30
• Jack Frost - Anthony - 4:08
• Leprechaun in the Hood - Doc - 4:40
• Leprechaun: Back 2 tha Hood - Doc - 5:04
• Ra's al Ghul episode - Anthony - 9:04
• Maury Povich - Doc - 11:52
• "Get Down Tonight" by KC & the Sunshine Band - Anthony - 12:20
• Married with Children - Doc - 12:49
• Stockholm Syndrome - 20:48
• Gaslighting - Anthony - 22:54
• A Clockwork Orange - Anthony - 23"08
• Skinner conditioning - Doc - 24:18
• Negan episode - Doc - 27:25

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It's the magical conman from Liverpool, John Constantine! Anthony & Doc discuss this Sting lookalike and why he has so few friends. Plus hear the worst attempt at a Scouse accent you've ever heard!

SHOW NOTES:

• Intro

  • Shoutout to Freudian Sips – mother-daughter duo have drinks and talk about brains, psychology, and all manner of interesting topics (NSFW) (2:32)

• Background (5:37)

  • John Constantine created by Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, and John Totleben in The Saga of Swamp Thing #37 (June 1985)

  • Originally designed by the artists to look like Sting, since they were fans of the Police

  • Started off as a DC character, but shifted to Vertigo in 1993, where he essentially stayed for over 20 years until the New 52 combined the DC and Vertigo universes

  • In the Vertigo universe, he ages in real time, unlike most comic book characters

  • Born as a sole surviving twin – he inadvertently strangled his twin in the womb with his own umbilical cord – the birth also killed his mother, and his father resented him for her death

  • Discovered he is the latest in a long family line of mages known as Laughing Magicians

  • Ran away from home after messing up a curse on his father that left him frail

  • Moved to London in 1969, got involved with the occult, and started a punk rock band called Mucous Membrane

  • Also in a relationship with Zatanna Zatara, although it was revealed that he was bisexual

  • His first act of heroism - in an attempt to save a young girl, he summoned a demon, but did so incorrectly, and it took the girl to hell – the demon, Negral, became one of his recurring antagonists

  • Later met Swamp Thing, and helped teach him to become more powerful – one of John's longest friends

  • A chain smoker, he contracted lung cancer – tricked one demon into drinking holy water, then sold his soul to another demon – rather than fight over it, the demons agree to cure him of his cancer

  • Later blackmails God to keep his soul out of Hell, because if he goes to Hell he will take over, release the demons and not care about what happens

  • Tries and fails to save his sister's soul from Hell – demons get one over on him

  • New 52 – some small changes to backstory, but personality remains essentially the same

  • Gets transported to Earth-2, where he cooperates with that world's version of himself until it's revealed that one of them has to die in order to save Earth-2 – he kills the native Earth-2 version, but tricks Darkseid and manages to save a large number of survivors

• Issues (20:44)

  • Difficulty keeping close relationships of any kind with people – most people are kept at a distance

  • Adrenaline addiction to dangerous and mysterious situations – also a nicotine addict (29:33)

  • Has magic ability, but often chooses not to use it unless he has to (36:29)

• Treatment (44:53)

  • In universe

  • Out of universe

• Skit (54:50)

• Ending (61:12)

References:

• "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" by They Might Be Giants - Anthony - 0:43
• Tiny Toons music video for "Particle Man" by They Might Be Giants - Anthony - 0:57
• Constantine film - Anthony - 3:47
• Mighty Peking Man - Anthony - 5:20
• Matt Ryan (actor) - Anthony - 5:48
• Matt Ryan (quarterback) - Anthony - 5:50
• "Don't Stand So Close to Me" by the Police - Anthony - 6:44
• Synchronicity by the Police - Anthony - 6:51
• "Venus of the Hardsell" by Mucous Membrance - Anthony - 10:15
• Best Friends Forever - South Park - Anthony - 15:06
• J. Jonah Jameson episode - Anthony - 29:40
• Spawn episode - Anthony - 53:48
• "Fields of Gold" by Sting - Doc - 54:22

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It's our second Captain Marvel episode about the second Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau! Is Monica the Harold Miner of the Marvel Universe? How many Monica songs does Anthony reference? All this, plus a special guest appearance from Jeanne as Monica Rambeau - listen now!

SHOW NOTES:

• Introduction

  • Shoutout to Lolita Gentry Project – (5:24)

• Background (8:29)

  • Monica Rambeau created by Roger Stern & John Romita, Jr. in The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16 (October 1982)

  • A lieutenant in the New Orleans police department, she tried helping an old friend of her grandfather's prevent the creation of a dangerous weapon, but in the process of destroying it, she was exposed to extra-dimensional energy, which gave her the power to convert her body to any form of energy – one of the men who witnessed the explosion said "the captain is a marvel", so the media dubbed her Captain Marvel – kept the name to honor Mar-Vell, the original Captain Marvel, who had recently died – first costume created from old Mardi Gras costumes, then her grandfather's friend created a costume for her out of unstable molecules

  • Joined the Avengers to gain control over her powers

  • Became leader of the team in 1987 - lost her powers after over-exerting herself battling Marrina, wife of Namor

  • Retired briefly from superhero duties until she regained her strength and powers

  • When Genis, son of Mar-Vell, became a superhero, he called himself Captain Marvel – after a brief argument with Monica, she changed her name to Photon

  • Rejoined the Avengers and was involved in mostly inter-galactic adventures

  • Genis-Vell wanted to get away from his father's identity and began calling himself Photon – Monica once again had to change her name, this time to Pulsar

  • Led the Nextwave team against HATE

  • Changed her name to Spectrum, and led a Mighty Avengers team after Infinity

  • Tried to destroy the Ultimate Universe to prevent it from destroying Earth 616, but Ultimate Reed Richards was able to stop her

• Issues (13:34)

  • Starts off as legacy character even though she has no connection to the original

  • After recovery of powers, has some phobias about using her powers, especially underwater (20:17)

  • In Nextwave, constantly brags about her leadership of the Avengers (25:53)

• Treatment (31:27)

  • In-universe

  • Out of universe (35:34)

• Skit (46:21)

• Ending

References:

• J. Edgar Hoover/Ghostbusters - Anthony - 11:35
• Baby Shark - Doc - 11:50
• Michael Jordan - Doc - 15:20
• Space Jam - Anthony - 15:51
• "Space Jam" by Quad City DJs - Anthony - 15:53
• Harold Miner - Doc - 16:20
• Ric Flair - Anthony - 27:29
• The Miz - Anthony - 28:26
• "For You I Will" by Monica - Anthony - 30:57
• Redshirt - Anthony - 32:26
• "Don't Take It Personal (Just One Of Dem Days)" by Monica - 35:08
• Code switching - Anthony - 42:06
• "Angel of Mine" by Monica - Anthony - 55:34

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Before Captain Marvel drops in theaters this week, listen to Anthony & Doc dissect CAROL DANVERS! This is our heaviest episode yet, as we take on Carol's history and issues with authority. You won't want to miss this one - listen now!

SHOW NOTES: (Please be advised that we offer a trigger warning for sexual abuse/rape victims for this episode.)

• Introduction

  • Shoutout to AnxZenity – Gerald's battle with anxiety & panic disorder – (4:30)

• Background (4:57)

  • Carol Danvers created by Roy Thomas & Gene Colan in Marvel Super-Heroes #13 (March 1968)

  • Originally an Air Force officer working as head of security of a missile base alongside Dr. Walter Lawson, the alias of Mar-Vell, aka Captain Marvel

  • Gets caught in explosion of a Kree device called the Psyche-Magnetron, sustaining serious injuries – healed by Captain Marvel, she returns with superhuman abilities

  • Originally, abilities manifested themselves without her conscious knowledge

  • Now calling herself Ms. Marvel, she works as a human-Kree hybrid, she joins the Avengers

  • Was unaware she became Ms. Marvel until some time later

  • Avengers 200 – she is kidnapped by Marcus, the son of Immortus, and brought to an alternate dimension where he uses machines to seduce and impregnate her – their "son" rapidly ages to another version of Marcus – he takes her back to the alternate dimension after the Avengers believe she's fallen in love with him

  • She returns to Earth after Marcus dies, and she's attacked by Rogue, who absorbs her powers and memories – she confronts the Avengers, saying they did nothing to stop Marcus from brainwashing her

  • Lived without powers for a while, and helped the X-Men as a pilot

  • Gets experimented on by the Brood and becomes Binary – gains the power of a star

  • Later loses her powers, and uses the name Warbird – becomes an alcoholic after getting depressed about the loss of power

  • Returns to the Ms. Marvel name after House of M, and joins Iron Man's side as an advocate for the Registration Act during Civil War

  • Joins the New Avengers after Secret Invasion storyline

  • Becomes Captain Marvel in 2012, and rejoins the main Avengers team

  • In Civil War II, she leads the heroes who want to use a pre-cognitive powered individual to arrest people before they commit crimes

  • Revealed last year that her mother was Kree, and the Psyche-Magnetron revealed her latent powers, rather than fused her DNA

• Issues (14:44)

  • Her assertiveness is used against her by some men - Been a target because of her positive traits

  • Carries the mantle of Captain Marvel and all the associated baggage (28:50)

  • Marcus incident and fallout from that (39:30)

• Treatment (47:53)

  • In-universe

  • Out of universe (56:13)

• Skit (63:04)

• Ending (69:37)

References:

• Tony Stark episode - Anthony - 9:47
• Minority Report - Anthony - 13:19
• Philip K. Dick - Doc - 13:21
• Title IX - Doc - 20:10
• The Troubles - Doc - 26:59
• Crabs in a bucket - Anthony - 28:00
• Gatekeeping - Anthony - 28:05
• Jessica Jones episode - Doc - 30:47
• Rape as Backstory - TV Tropes - Anthony - 40:31
• Rape/sexual abuse help centers - Doc - 44:43

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Patron Matt asked for THE PUNISHER! Anthony & Doc break down the clearest case of PTSD in comics around. Does Doc survive his session with Frank Castle? Listen in to find out!

SHOW NOTES:

• Introduction

  • Shoutout to Pop Psych 101 (4:49)

• Background (7:15)

  • Frank Castle created by Gerry Conway & John Romita Sr. and Ross Andru in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 (February 1974)

  • Debuted as an antagonist who wanted to kill Spider-Man over the murder of Norman Osborn

  • Later became an anti-hero who fought alongside Avengers and other heroes

  • Revealed that he was a Marine who became a vigilante when his family was killed by the mob in retaliation for their witnessing a killing in Central Park

  • Made several appearances in Frank Miller's Daredevil run, where he contrasted Matt's attitude

  • In the late 1980s and early 1990s, at one point there were five simultaneous books about the Punisher on shelves – The Punisher, The Punisher War Journal, The Punisher War Zone, The Punisher Magazine, and the Punisher Armory

  • In PunisherMAX, Garth Ennis wrote a grittier, realistic Punisher who had been active for nearly 30 years, having served in Vietnam

  • During Civil War, joins the anti-registration side because Iron Man is using villains to enforce the Registration Act, but after he kills two villains who joined the team, Cap beats him up and kicks him off the team

  • After Captain America's death, briefly takes up the mantle out of respect

  • During Dark Reign storyline, Castle is killed and decapitated by Daken – resurrected by Morbius and becomes FrankenCastle – fights alongside other monsters until he's returned to human by the Bloodstone

  • During Secret Wars, massacres a room full of villains who were watching the worlds collide

  • Secret Empire – joins Hydra Steve Rogers, because he feels Hydra Cap will use the Cosmic Cube to resurrect all those killed by Hydra, including his family – once real Steve defeats Hydra Steve, Frank goes on Hydra killing spree to atone for his involvement

  • In an alternate future where Thanos wins, Castle dies fighting Thanos, but is resurrected as the Ghost Rider after making a deal with Mephisto – then acquired the Power Cosmic in a deal with Galactus – THEN joins Thanos in a quest to punish evil across the galaxy

• Issues (20:42)

  • Obvious case of PTSD

  • Singular focus on revenge – black and white morality (25:59)

  • Indifference to killing derives from the PTSD, but is its own thing (36:01)

• Treatment (43:08)

  • In-universe

  • Out of universe (48:31)

• Skit (54:29)

• Ending

References:

• Norman Osborn episode - 7:55
• Captain America episode - 12:45
• Wilson Fisk episode - 15:18
• Thanos episode - 17:09
• Trading Places - Anthony - 48:00
• "Captain Save-a-Hoe" by E-40 (NSFW) - Anthony - 61:34

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