Capes On the Couch - Where Comics Get Counseling

Anthony goes totally fanboy over his favorite character, while Dr. Issues tries to keep things on track. It's a miracle this episode was only an hour...

SHOW NOTES:

• Introduction
• Background on Moon Knight
  • Marc Spector - Boxer, then Marine, then mercenary
  • Left to die in desert by Bushman, resurrected by Khonshu
  • Creates multiple identities - Steven Grant (millionaire) and Jake Lockley (cab driver)
  • Loses moon-based powers, joins West Coast Avengers
  • Battles brother Randall aka Shadow Knight
  • Dies after building explodes because of computerized Zero Hour program
  • Resurrected by Khonshu yet again
  • "The Bottom" - return of Moon Knight
  • Doesn't take a side in Civil War, goes to Mexico, fights luchadors
  • Vengeance of Moon Knight - Return to NYC, no-kill policy in effect
  • Bendis run - Personalities become Spider-Man, Wolverine, Captain America
  • Ellis run - introduces suited Mr. Knight
  • Lemire run - reconciles issues with identities
  • Bemis run - introduces daughter
• Primary issues
  • Dissociative identity disorder
  • Loss of powers
  • Religious reliance/Khonshu avatar appearance
  • On-again/off-again relationship with Marlene
  • Keeps allies at distance
• Treatment
  • In-universe - Exhaust personalities to break Marc down
  • Out of universe - Variety of treatment, medication
• Next week's episode: Harley Quinn

Dr. Issues learns we don't have the licensing budget for good music, and Anthony discovers he's like Iron Man, but not in the cool, mechanized suit-wearing kinda way.

Show notes:

• Introduction
• Background on Tony Stark
  • Starts off as Howard Hughes analogue - pro-war industrialist
  • 1969 - Artificial heart
  • Demon in a Bottle - Grapples with alcoholism
  • Loses company, becomes homeless - Rhodey takes over suit
  • Armor Wars - Takes out armored heroes/villains, battles Edwin Cord
  • Creates War Machine armor, but becomes paralyzed and loses Rhodey
  • The Crossing - kills several people (later retconned)
  • Heroes Reborn - comes back healthy and with new look
  • Secretary of Defense - leads to Avengers Disassembled
    • First time Stark Tower used as Avengers base
  • Civil War - Superhuman Registration Act
  • Dark Reign - Brain "rebooted"
  • Heroic Age - Bleeding Edge armor/Stark Resilient
  • Comics Tony turns into a clone of RDJ
  • Secret Wars II - Incursions, end of Ultimate Universe
  • Civil War II - Tony vs. Carol
  • Marvel NOW - Tony is in coma, brain is AI, Riri is Ironheart
• Primary Issues
  • Arrogance
  • Alcoholism
  • Reliance on technology creates distance
  • Tendency to over-intellectualize everything
• How to address issues
  • Want to solve problems without breaking him down
  • Narcissism makes for delicate handling
• Tony on Dr. Issues's couch

Anthony and Dr. Issues discuss the Clown Prince of Crime, and Doc gets a buzz out of his new patient. Literally.

Show notes:

• Introduction
• Background on Joker
  • Arch-nemesis of Batman
  • Introduced early on in Batman's history
  • Multiple backstories
  • Evolution of character from serial killer to prankster
  • Denny O'Neil/Neal Adams run returned him to a maniac
  • 1980s - Dark Knight Returns, Killing Joke, Arkham: Serious House on Serious Earth
  • Animated series introduces Harley Quinn as lover/sidekick
  • Modern era: Death of the Family/Endgame - Face removed and surgically reattached
• Primary issues
  • Obsession with Batman
  • Psychopath
  • No sense of logic
• How to address issues through treatment
  • ???
• Joker on the couch

Our debut episode, where Anthony & Dr. Issues introduce themselves, discuss Eddie Brock, and discover that psychiatrists are underwear salesmen. Sort of. It's a metaphor.

Show notes:

• Introduction
• Background on Eddie Brock
  • Journalist ruined by Spider-Man
  • Temporary truce to battle Carnage
  • Anti-hero influenced by Spider-Man's generosity
  • "Separation Anxiety" - Battles spawns
  • Return to villainy
  • "The Hunger" - Cancer
  • "New Ways to Die" - Anti-Venom
  • Brief stint as Toxin
  • Re-bonded to Venom
• Primary issues
  • Mother died during birth, distant father
  • Jealousy of Spider-Man
  • Projection
• How to address issues
  • Separate symbiote
  • Realize that Parker/Spider-Man doesn't control life
  • Focus on positives and self