Capes On the Couch - Where Comics Get Counseling

We didn't plan on it, but our Patron asked for it... so we covered CAPTAIN AMERICA! Anthony & Doc examine the Sentinel of Liberty, and what kind of responsibilities rest upon his broad, massive, sculpted shoulders. Listen now!

SHOW NOTES:

• Intro

  • Shoutout to Stacking Benjamins podcast – (10:04)

• Background (13:21)

  • Created by Joe Simon & Jack Kirby in Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941) from Timely Comics

  • Steve Rogers is a sickly kid from New York who volunteers for a government experiment to create a super soldier – the scientist responsible is killed after Rogers undergoes the procedure, leaving him the only result

  • Is given a bulletproof shield made of vibranium by FDR, and befriends young James Buchanan Barnes, aka Bucky

  • Battles the Red Skull, a Nazi super soldier, and other enemies of America and freedom

  • Cap and Bucky are presumably killed trying to defuse a bomb on a plane flying over the North Atlantic as World War II was coming to a close

  • Others carried the mantle of Captain America during the 1950s

  • Steve Rogers discovered encased in ice by Avengers, the super soldier serum keeping him alive in suspended animation – revived by the team and joins them

  • Befriends the Falcon, and falls in love with Sharon Carter, the niece of his wartime love Peggy Carter

  • During the 1970s, Steve becomes disillusioned with the American government and gives up mantle of Captain America, becoming "Nomad", a man without a country – takes up the suit again when he realized he could support the ideals without supporting the government

  • In the 1980s, he once again leaves the Captain America identity behind when the government forces him to work for them – becomes The Captain – John Walker becomes new Captain America – they battle, and Steve resumes his title, while Walker becomes US Agent

  • In "Civil War", Cap leads the Anti-Registration side against Tony Stark's pro-reg faction – he orders his team to stand down after realizing the fight is costing too much

  • Gets shot by assassin (revealed to be a brainwashed Sharon Carter) and "dies", but his body phases out of space-time until he is returned to the present by the Red Skull

  • Hands the Captain America mantle to Bucky, and takes over SHIELD until Bucky dies, at which point he resumes being Captain America

  • The serum in his body gets neutralized, and he rapidly ages to a 90 yr old man – Falcon takes over as Captain America, while he coordinates Avengers missions

  • After the Avengers: Standoff event, a girl named Kobik uses the Cosmic Cube to rewrite history, making Steve a HYDRA double agent since the beginning – although this was reverted, the public does not trust Steve Rogers

• Issues (19:38)

  • Man out of time – has to adapt to all the changes associated with the new period

  • Has to be the moral center of the country/world (30:52)

  • Struggles with representing America – ideals vs government vs people (38:19)

• Treatment (54:04)

  • In-universe

  • Out of universe (59:41)

• Skit (67:03)

• Ending (74:46)

References:

• Tony Stark episode - Anthony - 16:38
• Rip Van Winkle - Anthony - 21:35
• "What Have You Done For Me Lately" by Janet Jackson - Anthony - 25:49
• ENIAC - Anthony - 28:28
• Jessica Jones episode - Doc - 32:45
• "What Comes Next" from Hamilton - Anthony - 42:13

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We're taking on the leader of the Walking Dead saviors, the foul-mouthed NEGAN! Anthony & Doc unravel his unique honor system, particular misogyny, and his... interesting relationship with his bat. Plus Anthony compares him to old ECW wrestlers. Listen now!

SHOW NOTES:

• Intro

  • Shoutout to Christian & Damon's Amazing Nerd podcast (NSFW language) – (3:20)

• Background (4:15)

  • Negan created by Robert Kirkman & Charlie Adlard in The Walking Dead #100 (July 2012)

  • Introduced as leader of Saviors, a group of survivors living near Alexandria in a compound called the Sanctuary, who rules over the group with an iron fist, and a barbed-wire-wrapped baseball bat named Lucille

    • Lucille was the name of his wife, who he had to abandon when the zombie apocalypse started – she was in a hospital, died, and reanimated – he also had a mistress on the side

  • He and his men capture Rick, Carl, Glenn, Maggie, Sophia, Michonne, and Heath, and brutally murders Glenn after selecting him with eeny-meeny-miney-mo

  • Takes a liking to Carl after he sneaks into the camp and murders several of Negan's men

  • Discovered that Negan rules a harem of sorts with the Saviors' wives, who must be loyal to him under punishment of branding the husband

  • Goads Rick into a standoff, which results in several Saviors dying and Lucille getting damaged – Negan escapes, but tells his people that they will go to war with Rick's group

  • Negan captured Gregory and gained the loyalty of the Hilltop Colony after the standoff and used this as leverage against Rick and his group, but Holly drives a car through the fence of the Sanctuary and this brings hundreds of walkers into the compound

  • Dispatches all the walkers, and then arrives at Alexandria, where he uses grenades to begin destroying houses before retreating

  • He then launches an assault on the Hilltop, where he wants a showdown with Rick – during the fight, Rick is hit with an arrow Negan thinks is covered in zombie guts

  • Later has an epiphany during a discussion with Rick, and realizes that Rick has been right and his methods have not helped survivors – Rick slits his throat, but doesn't kill him – captures him and leaves him in a jail cell

  • During his sentence, he befriends Carl, who visits him regularly, although Carl still wants to kill him

  • He is released by Brandon, a member of the community who doesn't trust Rick, and they infiltrate the Whisperers, a rival community – gets the leader, Alpha, to trust him, before he kills her and decapitates her

  • Brings Alpha's head to Rick as a gesture of goodwill, saying his time alone rehabilitated him – Rick doesn't fully trust him, but uses him as a soldier against the Whisperers

  • Left alone in an outpost to survive by himself

• Issues (18:39)

  • Misogyny, but not in a violent manner

  • Ironically, otherwise a very violent man (26:00)

  • Has unique honor system – scarcity mindset (32:05)

• Treatment (41:07)

  • In-universe

  • Out of universe (45:22)

• Skit (57:52)

  • WARNING: The skit is bleeped, but there is considerable profanity. Listener discretion advised
• Ending (64:30)

References:

• The Governor episode - Anthony - 0:41
• Monty Python's Flying Circus - "Nudge Nudge" - Anthony - 3:10
• Arrested Development - Lucille/Lucille II - Anthony - 5:42
• Not Using the Z Word - TV Tropes - Anthony - 9:10
• Heel-Face Turn - TV Tropes - Anthony - 13:39
• Cain exiled east of Eden - Doc - 18:17
• Cuckold - Anthony - 24:26
• Sabu, ECW, Tommy Dreamer, Sandman, Terry Funk - Anthony - 29:15

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Before the Doom Patrol debuts on DC Universe, Anthony & Doc tackle THE CHIEF! This Professor X/Mr. Glass mashup has a host of issues, including ignoring female agency! Plus our hosts pitch a new series for Tom King & Mitch Gerads to work on! Listen now!

SHOW NOTES:

• Introduction

  • Shout-out to The Fantom Zone (05:32)

• Background (06:00)

  • The Chief (Niles Caulder) created by Arnold Drake & Bruno Premiani in My Greatest Adventure #80 (June 1963)

  • Leader of the Doom Patrol, a group of superpowered "freaks"

  • Received funding from a mysterious benefactor at a young age to create inventions

  • Met a woman named Arani Desai and got married – gave her immortality on their wedding night, then left her because he was in danger from the benefactor

  • Discovered the benefactor was General Immortus, who wanted him to create a serum that would prolong his life – Caulder refused, and Immortus implanted an explosive device in his body – the device was removed, but it cost him the ability to walk

  • Determines that greatness comes from overcoming tragedy, so he engineers accidents to create other powered individuals

  • Uses his genius intellect and money to help the Doom Patrol fight crime – creates suits for members

  • Later discovered that his experiments led to the Brotherhood of Evil, a terrorist organization responsible for destroying Bludhaven

  • Gets decapitated by the Candlemaker, and exists as a severed head in a bucket of ice – combines with Alice Wired-For-Sound, a Sexually Remaindered Spirit, which allowed him to move around, and then died

  • After Infinite Crisis, he regained his body and leadership of Doom Patrol – becomes more manipulative over the team, who resent him

  • Takes over a Kryptonian body, and uses his intellect to "improve" the world – destroys every missile on the planet, and then attacks the UN – gets taken down by his computer

  • New 52 – young and healthy, provides a headquarters for Doom Patrol, but gets captured by Deathstroke

• Issues (14:31)

  • Misguided belief that only tragedy can create greatness

  • Manipulation of team (24:11)

  • Abandonment of wife on wedding night (33:53)

• Treatment (48:09)

  • In-universe

  • Out of universe (53:21)

• Skit (61:39)

• Ending (78:42)

References:

• Mr. Glass - Anthony - 9:27
• Unbreakable, Split, Glass - Anthony - 14:45
• Reddit /r/raisedbynarcissists - Anthony - 24:00
• Oprah giveaway - Anthony - 44:40
• Undercover Boss - Doc - 49:27
• Dr. Strange episode - Anthony - 53:50
• Tony Stark episode - Anthony - 53:51
• Scarecrow episode - Doc - 66:10
• Black Manta episode - Doc - 66:30

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Hot on the heels of the Aquaman movie, Anthony & Doc cover his archnemesis Black Manta! What sort of issues does an autistic black kid raised by pirates have? The kind that lead to Monty Python references - listen now!

SHOW NOTES:

• Introduction

  • Shoutout to Sharp: The Podcast (3:37)

• Background (5:31)

  • Black Manta – created by Bob Haney & Nick Cardey in Aquaman #35 (September 1967)

  • Original backstory was that a young black boy was kidnapped from his Baltimore home and forced to work on a ship, where he tried to get Aquaman to save him, but was unsuccessful – blamed Aquaman and the ocean for his troubles

  • A later backstory claimed he was an autistic orphan raised in Arkham Asylum who enjoyed freezing water but hated a bed – he was experimented on, killed the scientist responsible and escaped

  • He designed a helmet that allowed him to shoot energy rays from the eyes, and battled Aquaman on several occasions

  • Revealed at one point that his goal was to have black people control the oceans as reparations for being enslaved on land

  • Kills Arthur Curry Jr., Aquaman's son, enraging Arthur

  • Sacrifices his soul in exchange for becoming a human/manta ray hybrid – later reversed by Aquaman

  • After Arthur dies, Black Manta retires and works in a fish market, until Arthur is resurrected, at which point he burns down the shop and kills the customers

  • Brightest Day – discover he was a treasure hunter whose pregnant wife was tortured by aliens – the child received powers, and was taken by Mera to Earth to be hidden from the aliens – the child eventually became Jackson Hyde, Aqualad

  • Manta battles Aquaman and cuts his hand off – almost succeeds in killing Jackson but is stopped by Aquagirl and Mera

  • New 52 – Manta gives Arthur's father a heart attack, so Arthur attacks Manta's father in retaliation (thinking it was Manta) and kills him, and Manta swears revenge on Arthur

  • Later goes after the Crime Syndicate after Ultraman creates massive tidal waves that wash away his father's grave

• Issues (15:41)

  • Autism is so inaccurately portrayed as to be ridiculous – claimed to be source of his anger/violence

  • "Cured" of his autism by serum that turned him into manta ray/human hybrid as a result of deal with devil (23:30)

  • Race angle used to previously justify his anger – also clumsy (31:28)

• Treatment (40:05)

  • In-universe

  • Out of universe (43:41)

• Skit (50:52)

• Ending (57:40)

References:

• Entourage Aquaman movie - Anthony - 0:45
• David Attenborough - Anthony - 2:16
• Henry Ford - Anthony - 3:31
• Mantis shrimp - Anthony - 10:58
• The Simpsons - "Burn them all!" - Doc - 12:10
• Monty Python and the Holy Grail - Lady of the Lake - Anthony - 13:10
• Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo - Tourette's scene - Anthony - 22:04
• South Park - "Le Petite Tourette" - Anthony - 22:10
• The Root/Michael Harriot - Anthony - 32:55
• The Good Place - Anthony - 38:26
• Temple Grandin - Doc - 44:03
• "Peaches" by Presidents of the United States of America - Anthony - 58:00
• "Just the Two of Us" by Bill Withers & Grover Washington - Anthony - 58:19

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WE'RE BACK! Anthony & Doc return with their first episode of 2019! At Patron Matt's request, we cover J. Jonah Jameson! Learn why he's so obsessed with Spider-Man, and how bad this is for his health! Listen now!

SHOW NOTES:

• Introduction/Welcome back

  • Shoutout to The Story Behind – (04:35)

• Background (05:55)

  • Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (March 1963)

  • John Jonah Jameson, Jr. was the son of John Jonah Jameson, Sr., but was raised by his uncle David – young JJ thought David was his father, but later the real relationship was revealed

  • David was a veteran, and was incredibly abusive to the boy – also was responsible for getting him addicted to cigars as a child

  • Served in WWII as a war correspondent – returned home to his wife Joan, they had a son, John Jonah III – Joan died in a mugging accident, and Jameson worked at the Daily Bugle to mask his pain – later came to run and own the paper

  • When Spider-Man appears on the scene, Jameson uses the paper to discredit the "wall-crawling menace"

  • In some versions, his hatred of Spider-Man stems from Spidey knocking his astronaut son John off the front page

  • Later hires Peter Parker as a freelance photographer due to his pictures of Spider-Man in action, not knowing they're one & the same

  • Often offers rewards for Spider-Man's unmasking or capture, and occasionally teams up with villains to go after Spidey

  • Suffered his first heart attack after being threatened by an angry Spidey

  • Responsible for hiring Mac Gargan, genetically enhancing him, and giving him a suit of armor to work as the Scorpion, all to attack Spider-Man

  • Later marries Dr. Marla Madison, a scientist who created a series of Spider Slayer robots

  • Marla's niece Mattie Franklin operates as Spider-Woman, though once again Jonah is unaware

  • Blackmailed by Hobgoblin about creating the Scorpion, Jameson gives up control of the Bugle, and it's later bought from him by a millionaire, who uses the paper to promote Spider-Man

  • During Civil War, when Spidey unmasks, Jameson doesn't take it well – feels betrayed by Peter Parker, who he considered an honest young man

  • Has another heart attack after arguing with Parker over payment of photos, and yet again during Take Your Child to Work day at the Bugle

  • Becomes mayor of NYC, and uses city resources to go after Spider-Man

  • Marla dies when Alistair Smythe attacks him and she jumps in front of him to protect him – he blames himself and tries to have Smythe killed, but Spider-Man protects Smythe, enraging JJ

  • Works with Superior Spider-Man to patrol NYC with Spider-Slayers, who turn on the citizens – Jameson resigns as mayor over this

  • Starts working for a news channel, but gets fired after unknowingly helping to spread a virus

  • Gets exclusive interview for his blog with Spider-Man where he reveals his identity to Jameson, who says he'll support Spider-Man more in the future

• Issues (17:51)

  • His vendetta against Spider-Man is all he has – his anger has isolated him from people, and his wife, niece, and father are all dead

  • Has son on pedestal (24:40)

  • Journalistic integrity varies (31:50)

• Treatment (39:07)

  • In-universe

  • Out of universe (43:15)

• Skit (54:09)

• Ending

References:

• Curb Stomp Battle - Anthony - 11:09
• DJ Khaled - You played yourself - Anthony - 24:29
• Ice-T - "You Played Yourself" - Anthony - 24:34
• Shaggy dog story - Doc - 30:34
• Better Nate than lever! - Anthony - 30:50
• Eddie Brock episode - Anthony - 32:02
• TMZ - Michael Jackson's death - Anthony - 36:40
• Jay-Z - "Can't Knock the Hustle" - Anthony - 38:23

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In honor of Christmas, we cover a red & green hero - MISTER MIRACLE! Anthony & Doc rave about Tom King's run, and talk about how a solid marriage can make anyone a hero! Listen now!

SHOW NOTES:

• Introduction

  • Shout out to Into the Knight podcast

• Background (10:45)

  • Created by Jack Kirby in Mister Miracle #1 (April 1971)

  • Scott Free (actual birth name unknown) is son of the Highfather, ruler of New Genesis – as a way to stop a war with Apokolips, Highfather traded him to Darkseid in exchange for Darkseid's son Orion

  • Grew up in hellish environment and managed to survive abuse

  • Met Big Barda and fell in love with her – then Scott escaped to Earth

  • The escape nullified the pact with Darkseid, so he attacked New Genesis

  • Scott met an escape artist, Thaddeus Brown, who called himself Mister Miracle – after Brown was murdered, Scott took up the mantle

  • Barda came to Earth to be with Scott – they joined the Justice League and lived a quiet married life when not saving the world

  • In the Tom King run, Scott is caught between fighting in the war on Apokolips and helping Barda on Earth raise their son Jacob – after Orion is killed, Scott becomes the new Highfather and leader of New Genesis, and kills Darkseid to end the war

• Issues (18:18)

  • PTSD from years of abuse on Apokolips – has a handle on it most of the time, but can be triggered

  • Suicide attempt at the start of the King run brought on by PTSD (26:12)

  • Relationship with Barda is healthy in spite of their past abuse (35:19)

• Treatment (43:00)

  • In-universe

  • Out of universe (45:45)

• Skit (50:54)

• Ending

References:

• Theon Greyjoy - Anthony - 12:06
• Casual Danger Dialog - Anthony - 16:10
• Hank Henshaw episode - Doc - 45:18
• Moon Knight episode - Doc - 45:30
• Popcorn Psychology - Doc - 45:34

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Before Into the Spider-Verse drops, Anthony & Doc tackle the KINGPIN, WILSON FISK! They also mourn the cancellation of Daredevil, and Anthony grinds his throat down during the skit doing his best Vincent D'Onofrio impression. Listen now!

SHOW NOTES:

• Introduction

  • Shout out to Considered & Conceited

• Background (10:12)

  • Created by Stan Lee and John Romita Sr. in The Amazing Spider-Man #50 (July 1967)

  • Grew up as obese child who was bullied for his weight until he started working out and took over a gang

  • Rose through the ranks to become a powerful crime lord, but had a front as a legitimate businessman which only gave him more power and access

  • Met a woman named Vanessa, they had a son named Richard who left the family when he found out what his father really did

  • Walked away from crime for a while to appease Vanessa, but came back after Vanessa's apparent assassination by rival gangsters

  • Although he started off battling Spider-Man, his greatest nemesis is Daredevil

  • Hires Elektra and then Bullseye to go after Daredevil, and discovers he is really Matt Murdock – uses his power to attack Matt personally & professionally, but goes too far when Nuke kills dozens of people in Hell's Kitchen and gets arrested

  • Unwittingly partners with HYDRA, who then steal his assets and he's left alone

  • Turns over information on Murdock to the FBI in exchange for freedom, but they're arrested together

  • Civil War: Tries to roll on Captain America to Iron Man, but betrays Tony as well – later puts out a hit on Peter Parker, but the bullet hits Aunt May, and Peter beats him up in prison

  • Vanessa dies, but her last wish is to have Matt Murdock represent Fisk – Matt gets all charges cleared against Fisk, but he has to leave the country

  • Shadowland – Kingpin helps Iron Fist & Luke Cage against a demon-possessed Matt, but uses Lady Bullseye to recapture Shadowland after Matt is defeated

  • Defeated by Superior Spider-Man and flees for San Francisco, where Matt was working and publicly operating as Daredevil – clashed once again with Matt

  • Moves back to NYC and advances himself as a write-in candidate for mayor – wins the election and goes after costumed vigilantes, especially Daredevil

• Issues (16:47)

  • Obese childhood had impact on him as an adult

  • Ruthless pragmatism leaves him alone (24:30)

  • Obsession with Daredevil can leave him blindsided (31:20)

• Treatment (37:11)

  • In-universe

  • Out of universe (41:04)

• Skit (47:56)

• Ending

References:

• Typhoid Mary episode - Doc - 14:42

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We cover the Incredible Hulk. And for a character this large, we need help, so we called upon our friends at Popcorn Psychology to guest host with us! This is our biggest and most fun episode yet, with a group therapy session you'll have to hear to believe! Listen now!

SHOW NOTES:

• Introduction

• Background

  • Created by Stan Lee (RIP) and Jack Kirby in The Incredible Hulk #1 (May 1962)

  • Robert Bruce Banner saves young Rick Jones from detonation of a gamma bomb, but in the process gets hit with radiation – when angered or stressed, turns into a large green (originally gray) hulking creature

  • Goes on to help found the Avengers, but leaves team shortly thereafter because of inability to cooperate with other heroes

  • Military discovers Hulk's true identity and begins a hunt for him, led by General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross and Major Glenn Talbot

  • Banner is in love with Betty Ross, the General's daughter, but she also has feelings for Talbot

  • Banner's control over the Hulk, and the Hulk's intelligence, waxed & waned throughout the decades

  • At one point in the mid-1980s, Banner and the Hulk were two separate entities, but were eventually rejoined in 1986

  • Later "Joe Fixit", a Vegas enforcer and handyman was introduced, as another persona

  • In the 1990s, the different versions of the Hulk and Banner merge into the "Professor" persona – contains Banner's intelligence, Grey Hulk's cunning, and Savage Hulk's power

  • 2006 – Planet Hulk/World War Hulk – the Illuminati decide Hulk is too dangerous and send him away – intended to go to desolate planet, but crashes on Sakaar – he becomes champion of the planet, and gets married to Caiera, who gives him 2 sons – she dies, and Hulk returns to Earth to take revenge on Illuminati

  • Bruce is shot in the head, and Iron Man used Extremis technology to heal him – this had the side effect of creating Doc Green, a super-intelligent Hulk

  • Original Sin – we discover that Tony Stark altered the gamma bomb that created the Hulk, but it's later revealed that his tampering ensured the bomb wouldn't disintegrate everyone within the blast radius, so Tony saved Bruce's life

  • Axis – Inverted morality Bruce becomes Kluh, who handily defeats rest of the Avengers until Brother Voodoo is resurrected and Wanda's inversion is undone

  • All-New Hulk – Amadeus Cho becomes the new Hulk, after using nanites to absorb the Hulk and leave Banner alone

  • Civil War II – Banner is killed by Hawkeye, who revealed that Banner ordered Hawkeye to kill him if he ever tried to turn back into the Hulk

  • Banner was mystically resurrected a few times since then for use in battle, but always returned to death

  • Recently revealed that Banner is alive, and the Hulk has returned

• Issues (24:36)

  • A metaphor for impulse control disorders, especially intermittent explosive

  • Radiation doesn't turn you into the Hulk – what does it do?

  • Paranoia over constantly being hunted/tracked

  • Dissociation of different identities/personas

  • Reluctant hero – like many others, doesn't want this power/responsibility

• Treatment (59:59)

  • In-universe

  • Out of universe (78:12)

• Skit (97:02)

REFERENCES:

• Randy Orton - Anthony - 32:15
• Up - Cone of shame - 71:44

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This week Anthony & Doc tackle the Master of the Mystic Arts, DOCTOR STRANGE! What makes one of the founders of the original Defenders tick? Plus what happens when Dr. Strange loses his smile? Listen now and find out!

[EDITOR'S NOTE: This show was recorded prior to Stan Lee's passing, and as such no mention was made of it. We will honor The Man during our next episode, fittingly about the Incredible Hulk.]

SHOW NOTES:

• Introduction

• Background (04:19)

  • Created by Stan Lee & Steve Ditko in Strange Tales #110 (July 1963)

  • Stephen Strange is an arrogant surgeon whose hands are severely damaged in a car accident, and seeks a cure for his tremors – finds the Ancient One in the Himalayas – saves Ancient One from attack by Baron Mordo, and in return Ancient One agrees to teach Strange about the mystic arts

  • Returns to NY and takes up residence in Sanctum Santorum, on Bleecker St. in Greenwich Village, and has assistant Wong

  • Fought Dormammu, Satannish, and Vishanti – powerful beings of mystical power

  • Passed a test against Death and given immortal life

  • Worked as consultant to law enforcement on magical matters

  • Met a young woman named Clea, who turned out to be Dormammu's niece – they fell in love

  • Helped create the Defenders, alongside Namor and the Hulk – battled Undying Ones and other foes

  • In the late 1980s, the Sanctum Santorum was destroyed, and along with it numerous artifacts and spellbooks, which left Strange less powerful

  • Lost the title of Sorcerer Supreme after he refused to fight the Vishanti, and resorted to using chaos magic, which is wielded by Scarlet Witch

  • One of the founders of the Illuminati, along with Xavier, Tony Stark, Black Bolt, Reed Richards, and Namor

  • Later renounced his title of Sorcerer Supreme and gave up the Eye of Agamotto – that passed to Brother Voodoo

  • Regained the title after Voodoo sacrificed himself, and joined the New Avengers

  • Wiped Captain America's memory after Steve refused to help Illuminati use the Infinity Gauntlet to save Earth from incursions, which led to "Infinity" event

  • "Secret Wars" – Served as Sheriff to God Emperor Doom, until Doom kills him for protecting heroes from 616 and 1610 universes

  • After universe is restored, Strange wields an axe to complement his magic skills

  • Loki tricks him into handing over his title, possessions, and home – allies with Sentry and becomes possessed by the Void in order to defeat Loki

  • Damnation – after Hydra destroyed Las Vegas, Strange used magic to revert things to normal, but in so doing unleashed a hellish hotel on the Strip, and was dragged to hell by Mephisto – turned into Ghost Rider, but managed to escape hell after tricking Dormammu, and then Strange and the Midnight Sons battled demons and saved Las Vegas

• Issues (14:10)

  • Arrogance

  • Frequently loses title of Sorcerer Supreme, which leaves him uncertain as to his path in life – (19:43)

  • Why not return to becoming a doctor? (25:52)

• Treatment (34:14)

  • In-universe

  • Out of universe

• Skit (42:16)

• Ending

References:

• Kingpin - Anthony - 03:24
• "The Price is Right" horn - Anthony - 04:50
• Jack Tunney, Bobby Heenan, and Gorilla Monsoon - Anthony - 08:40
• Shawn Michaels losing his smile - Doc - 09:45
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - "And my axe!" - Anthony - 11:16
• That's not how this works! - Anthony - 12:16
• Sentry episode - Anthony - 12:33
• Loki episode - Doc - 12:45
• Tony Stark episode - Anthony - 14:15
• "Cocky" by Kid Rock (NSFW) - Doc - 18:10
• Porque no los dos? - Anthony - 27:19
• "The Simpsons" - Homer forgot how to drive - Anthony - 27:35
• Scott Adams - Doc - 33:14
• Leonid Rogozov, the doctor who performed a self-appendectomy - Doc - 39:09
• Xanta Klaus - Anthony - 49:53
• Krampus - Anthony - 49:54

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Molecule Man, Molecule Man, does whatever a molecule can... that includes being a mama's boy and making Twilight Zone references! Listen now!

SHOW NOTES:

• Introduction

• Background (2:50)

  • Molecule Man (Owen Reece) created by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby in Fantastic Four #20 (Nov. 1963)

  • Timid scientist who was hit with radiation during experiment, leaving him with ability to control matter at the molecular level

  • Fired for accident, decides to become supervillain and turn on mankind

  • Originally believed he could only use powers while holding a metal wand, and could not impact organic molecules

  • Defeated by Fantastic Four and sent to another dimension by Uatu, where he created a "son" and gave him his powers, without limitations – transferred his own consciousness to the wand

  • The "son" transported to Florida, where he was defeated by Thing & Man-Thing – without the wand, his body quickly aged & turned to dust – wand was picked up by several different people, all of whom became possessed by Owen

  • After encountering Silver Surfer, recreated a body and fought the Avengers – Tigra convinced Owen to get help to address his underlying issues, and agreed to see a therapist

  • Was transported to Battleworld as part of Secret Wars – met Volcana (Marsha Rosenberg) and fell in love – they returned to Denver to live a peaceful life

  • Became a hero during Secret Wars II as he fought the Beyonder, who came to destroy the universe – managed to join with Silver Surfer to undo damage to Earth, and claimed he burned his powers out as a result so he could be left alone with Marsha

  • Encounters Doc Samson, and reveals that he & Marsha separated for a while – Doc tells him to show Marsha how he feels, and he adds her face to Mount Rushmore

  • He later returned to his hometown of Dinosaur, Colorado, and used his powers to control the locals and prevent anyone else from entering – he disintegrates Sentry before being convinced to return everything to normal in exchange for being left alone – he restores everything and then is destroyed by Sentry

  • Secret Wars (2015) reveals that he is reformed by Dr. Doom, and that the Beyonders created a Molecule Man in every universe as a singularity to serve as a bomb and destroy each universe

  • Used by Dr. Doom to create brand new Battleworld – Owen is responsible for God Emperor Doom, but depowers him when he fights Reed Richards, and then gives his powers to Reed – Reed and Franklin begin restoring Multiverse, which helps restore Owen's sanity

  • Owen joins the Fantastic Four & Future Foundation, when he is killed by the Griever at the End of All Things

• Issues (15:27)

  • "If I had power over all reality, I'd be a little terrified of it too" - doesn't really want his powers anymore – Frank Grimes as God

  • Started off as momma's boy (20:25)

  • Issues during relationship with Marsha (24:48)

  • Attachment to wand is troublesome (30:34)

• Treatment (35:40)

  • In-universe

  • Out of universe (39:48)

• Skit (45:54)

• Ending

References:

• WWE Boogeyman video - Anthony - 0:30
• Heel Realization - TV Tropes - Anthony - 7:28
• The Twilight Zone - "It's a Good Life" - Anthony - 10:40
• The Sentry episode - Doc - 11:55
• The Simpsons - "That's not a question, Doctor" - Doc - 16:14
• Jessica Jones episode - Doc - 17:31
• Dare to Be Badass - TV Tropes - Anthony - 21:09
• Psycho - "A boy's best friend is his mother" - Anthony - 24:26
• Netflix & chill - Anthony - 27:50
• Linus van Pelt - Doc - 31:37

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