Capes On the Couch - Where Comics Get Counseling

PuchiCon Panel - Vash the Stampede

• Intro (2 min)
  • Introduction of Anthony & Doc - thanks everyone for coming out
  • Who here has heard us before? Who here is very familiar with Vash/Trigun?

• Background (3 min)
  • Vash the Stampede created by Yasuhiro Nightow in Trigun Chapter 1 - The 60 Billion Double Dollar Man (May 1995)
  • For purposes of this panel, we'll be focusing on the anime version, not the manga, since the story is much more streamlined in the anime
  • Vash is an alien with decelerated aging, who is raised by Rem alongside his twin brother Knives
  • Knives grows to hate humanity and attempts to crash their spaceship into a planet - Rem puts the boys in an escape pod to protect them
  • Knives and Vash battle, and Knives cuts off Vash's arm - this triggers a latent power inside Vash, and the explosion destroys the town of July (although all the people within were spared) - this incident is what triggers a $$60 billion bounty
  • Vash becomes a drifter, being followed by Meryl & Milly, insurance agents who document the destruction left in his wake (or more accurately the wake of those trying to kill/capture him)
  • Despite being incredibly proficient in weapons, Vash is a pacifist who refuses to kill anyone, even those trying to kill him
  • Knives hires a gang of assassins (the Gung-Ho Guns) to hunt his brother down and cause him pain & suffering
  • After several run-ins with the Gung-Ho Guns (including being forced to kill the leader, Legato), he and Knives have a climactic battle, resulting in Vash wounding Knives but refusing to kill him, honoring Rem's last request: "Take care of Knives"

• Issues (15 min)
  • Direct traumatic relationship with Knives
  • Idealism to the extreme
  • Humor as an immature defense mechanism

• Treatment (10 min)
  • In-universe - "the ultimate NPC escort mission"
  • Out of universe - Significant childhood trauma, a complicated ongoing relationship with family, perfectionistic self-drive that is also self-sabotaging

• Skit (10 min)
  • Hello Vash, I'm Dr. Issues. - Well hello there. How are you?
  • I'm doing well, thank you for asking. -So, I notice there's a plate of donuts out there, are those for someone specific? Or…
  • Those are for anyone in the waiting room. -Aww…but I'm in your office now…can I have one anyway?
  • Sure, but -*rushes out, comes back* Oh man, I love the apple cider ones the most.
  • I'm glad you like them, now what can I do for you? -Huh? Oh, I'm good with the donuts.
  • No, I mean what do you want to talk about. -Um, I think you could use a bit more variety, although I did see some with sprinkles. Then again, those are a bit too artificial for my taste. *chomping* nature knows how to provide the best flavors, ya know?
  • I appreciate your interest in natural health. But I must admit, your reputation precedes you. -Gosh, I'm just some wanderer, *emo-style* searching for the elusive mayfly of love
  • Not all who wander are lost -I'll bet! You meet the most interesting people along the way. Insurance agents, outlaws, homesteaders, outlaws, beautiful women, outlaws…I said outlaws, right?
  • I got the hint. Sounds dangerous. -Sure, if you're not as careful as I am.
  • Careful? From the triage report you sound fairly reckless. -Yeah, I should pay more attention to the beauties…am I right, or am I RIGHT? *awkward laugh* you're not laughing.
  • Not a fan of sexism. -I didn't mean to offend you. Sometimes I get a one track mind. I should examine what's really important…THESE DONUTS! *truly maniacal laugh* You're still not laughing
  • *holds bridge of nose* Vash…Vash…Vash. I'm going to try and keep some level of decorum as I say this. Please…I'm begging you…just take my questions as seriously as you take your appetite, alright? -*dramatic* Sir yes sir! You don't have to get so cranky.
  • Why are you deflecting before we even get to any topics? What's so bad that you won't do the most basic of introductions? -*sarcastic* I saaaaaid hello.
  • If you keep this up, I'm willing to say goodbye. Trust me, the bill that you'll be footing based on reported damages in the first place won't be wiped out unless you have a complete psychiatric evaluation.-*sigh* If you say so.
  • Thank you. Now, since we're short on time, tell me the biggest concern you have in life. -Oh wow, that's heavy…um, life I guess?
  • Your biggest worry is life itself? -I want everything to live. Is that so wrong?
  • That's…unique. Can you narrow it down? -Nope.
  • Ooooooookay…hoo boy. And…what do you do about life as a whole? -Save it. Cherish it. No matter what. That's what…she would have wanted.
  • She who? -Rem. She was…she taught me everything I needed to know.
  • She definitely sounds special. Based on the tense, I'm guessing something happened. -*nervous laugh, rambling style* Well sometimes bad things happen you know so I just keep going on but as long as I don't think about it too much and how nice she was and everyone deserves to live because she said so and I don't want to let her down but I don't know why everyone hates me sometimes but I still love them and it…it…*exaggerated crying* IT ALWAYS HAPPENS TO MEEEEEEEEEEE
  • *pause* Hmmmmm…didn't quite expect that. In my line of work, we'd call your emotions labile. You're on a rollercoaster here! -I'll try to keep calm. I'm not so bad once you get to know me.
  • It took us this long for you to stop deflecting, and then the real emotions came out like a firehose. That's not the best way to handle things. Plus, the only time I got the sense you were actually serious was when you mentioned the sanctity of life. Maybe such a heady philosophy is cracking you. -No way. It grounds me. It's my core. You probably understand me more than you think. Don't you fight against suicide?
  • Absolutely! -But why?
  • *pause* Well, there's a myth out there that taking your own life is a way to eliminate pain. But from what I've seen, it's the opposite. The person becomes a pain bomb that spreads that sorrow to every person that ever had a positive thought about the one who is now gone. I'm willing to see through that lie. -And what if it wasn't a metaphor for emotion. What if there were real bombs involved, and bullets, and weapons you couldn't even dream of. What then? What if someone is so bent on hurting others that the only thing you can do is stop it…but that person has a value too, don't they?
  • Yes. -So where am I wrong? Why do so many people fight me when I don't want to fight them?
  • Sometimes I chant a mantra to myself: "Magnets draw metal because they are strong." You're a target, for sure. But not many of those who are as pacifist as you are willing to fight in the…unique way that you do. You're begging to become a martyr. -Don't say that…*yelling* DON'T SAY THAT. I want a fun life. A simple life. But I won't run from anyone who needs saving. Trouble finds me. I've had to deal with Knives.
  • ***misunderstanding, WAY too flippant***...and swords, and bullets, and lasers, and rockets blah blah blah -You fool! I mean my brother. *sighs* You know, it's really hard to love someone when they want you to be someone you're not.
  • *pause* Can you deal with the imperfect? -What's that mean?
  • You, your brother, Rem, whoever that is…the people you save, the people trying to kill you…it's all one giant imperfect mess. And yet, I get the sense that you will never be satisfied. Don't let perfect be the enemy of good. You have passion; I can see that. No one can promise you peace. But what I can do is help you mold your purpose. Life itself may be zero-sum if you look at the end, but the value is infinite if you find a way to enjoy the things in between. -*pause* Wow. That's really sweet…
  • Thank you -BUT NOT AS SWEET AS THESE DONUTS!
  • *whining* Ohhhh man…I thought I was getting through to you. -***munching again*** Well, you know what they say…the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.
  • THEY DON'T SAY THAT IN A THERAPY SESSION -Well, I gave you a new technique. Gotta go, Doc! Thanks for the comfort food!

• Ending (5 min)
  • Thanks everyone for coming!

Next episodes: Mister Sinister, Ventriloquist, Bigby Wolf

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WE'RE (almost) BACK! This minisode goes over what Anthony & Doc have been up to for the past few months, and announce some big changes for Season 10. So catch up before next week's new full episode!

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We take a break from our hiatus to talk to our friends Allen & Will about their latest Kickstarter, the Pocus Hocus spinoff Horus in Hell! You can find it here!

GonnaGeek Network

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We travel Across the Spider-Verse for our Season 9 finale as we examine Spider-Man 2099, Miguel O'Hara!

We close out Marvel Cosmic May with a look at the OG Nova, RICHARD RIDER! How can Doc help this jaded space cop who totally isn't Hal Jordan?

• Intro
  • Next week is last episode of season 9

• Background (2:00)
  • Richard Rider created by Marv Wolfman and John Romita Sr. in The Man Called Nova #1 (Sept. 1976)
  • Nova Corpsman Rhomann Dey is dying, and gives his power to high school student Richard Rider - however, he has no instructions on how to use these powers
  • After some adventures on Earth, he travels to space, where he helps the Xandarians battle Skrulls and other enemies
  • He returns to Earth and gives up his powers (first time), but after struggling without them, he regains them and joins the New Warriors
  • Garthan Saal, a Nova Corpsman gone mad, strips Rich of his powers (2nd) so he can rebuild Xandar after Nebula destroyed it - Saal is defeated and his power is restored
  • He defies the Xandarian queen in an effort to save Earth, and is stripped of his powers (3rd), but when his replacement sacrifices himself to stop the Deathstorm, he's returned to glory
  • Annihilation - the entire Nova Corps save Rich is destroyed by Annihilus, so the Xandarian Worldmind takes refuge inside Rich's helmet - Rich kills Annihilus and saves the universe
  • Unbeknownst to him, the Worldmind is recruiting new members to the Nova Corps - when Rich learns that Ego the Living Planet was among them, he objects and is stripped of his rank and powers (4th)
  • Having lived with the Nova Force for so long, he is dying without the powers, so he borrows Wendell Vaughn's quantum bands and becomes Quasar - after saving the Corps during War of Kings, Ego is removed and Rich is restored as a Centurion
  • Goes through a rip in space-time known as the Fault and enters the Cancerverse, where he and Star-Lord battle Thanos until the rip closes, trapping all three inside - Star-Lord and Thanos later get a hold of a comic cube that frees them, but Rich remains trapped
  • When Sam Alexander contacted the Xandarian Worldmind to get information on his father, this alerted Rich and allowed him to escape the Cancerverse - unfortunately, his body became a portal, and the inhabitants tried to use Rich to invade Earth - he and Sam helped repel the invaders, and they returned to Earth
  • The entire Nova Corps was once again decimated, and Richard became an alcoholic until Annihilius showed up and asked for Rich's help to defeat the Cancerverse invasion - after Rich swallowed the entire Cancerverse (#BecauseComics), he was killed by the Sentry, thus killing the invading forces, and resurrected by Annihilus as a way of saying thanks
  • Took over as leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy after Star-Lord was killed, which Rich blamed himself for until he started therapy

• Issues - Theme is "Don't worry, it gets better… I mean worse… I mean better…" (8:13)
  • Constant flux of powers causes him numerous problems
  • Feels like everything is his responsibility, and thus his fault (14:50)
  • PTSD as a result of the numerous wars and battles (22:49)

• Break (28:29)
  • Plugs for Cheers to Comics, Adventures in Erylia, and Jeremy Whitley

• Treatment (29:51)
  • In-universe - Have him figure out how to use the Nova Force for creation
  • Out of universe - (33:52)

• Skit (39:46)
  • Hello Richard, I'm Dr. Issues. -Hello, Doctor.
  • So, what can I do for you? -Well, let's just say that I'm not going to be an easy case. I'm not going to give you a hard time, but this road is not smooth at all.
  • I welcome the challenge. -You say that now, but when I start telling you some things…it's not even about the confidentiality. This is some serious stuff. A lot of death, a lot of pain, tons of anger…and that's just when things turn out ok.
  • You're building up to a multitude of events, and I don't even know the basics about you. -Yeah, yeah, I get it. I just wish you could fast forward through this stuff, or leave off exactly where my last therapist did. Is that too much to ask? Do I have to repeat this every time?
  • No, of course not. -Well, I gave you permission to look at my files, isn't that enough? *clearly irritated* What, you can't stomach to read it or something?
  • What? No, I just want your take, not someone else's. -So you think my last therapist was a kook? You think it was that bad?
  • Whoa, you're rushing to judgment way too early. -*Angry, rambling* Of all the people I get to take my stuff out on, I get someone who wants to start from the beginning, as if it wasn't bad enough going through it the first time! *continues rambling angrily* that's it, I'm outta here, gotta take a break, I KNEW this was going to go bad…*keeps rambling, door opens and shuts, still ranting*
  • Well, this is going juuuuust great…oop -*door opens and shuts again, still ranting* whew, I might as well rip a hole in space time, that oughtta REALLY freak someone like you out. Do you know I've had to die just so I can live a better existence?
  • Are you trying to intimidate me, or test me, or…I don't know what. Is this how you vent? -I don't vent. I attack.
  • Then why are you attacking me? -Not you…well, not You, you. You just happen to be there. It's not like that.
  • Richard…I'm the only one here. I get that you have no other target, but it's not productive to yell at me right now. I don't take it personally, but I'm still a person. -You're a person…aww, Doc has feelings…whaa whaa whaa…If you were with me, you wouldn't last long with that attitude.
  • You're not trying to recruit me. I'm here to help you, remember? -*deep breath* Yeah, yeah…experienced dealing with cosmic madness. No excuse for my disrespect. This line of work kind of makes me jaded.
  • I've heard worse, just not before…hmmm…you know what? Screw the background stuff. It's obvious that it pisses you off. What I'll focus on instead is what do you want to change about how you're feeling right now? -*pause* Well, like you said, I'm pissed off, but…it's deeper than that. It's like something keeps clawing through me…and believe me, I've been clawed through, so I know what I'm talking about. But it's not others, it's…it's something about me. Like, I'm not feeling how I should feel. Does any of this make any sense?
  • Let me see if I understand. You have intense responses to your current state of mind, and it doesn't match with what you should be feeling based on what you know about yourself. -Something like that, I guess.
  • Then what "should" you be feeling, if you don't mind my airquotes? - *pause* I shouldn't even exist, you know? I should have been dead and buried a looooooong time ago, but I'm still kicking…and kicking ass, while I'm at it.
  • So, survivor's guilt? -I'm grateful! But, how many times am I going to go through this?
  • I don't have a crystal ball -Well even the ones who have that type of power treat me like a wild card anyway, or take my power…sometimes I wonder if I should fight to get them back at all. Then I get pissed off evan more, and I double down, and just promise myself that if I ever get them back I won't lose them again…*frustrated* HOW…MANY...TIMES? How do I keep going?
  • *pause* You were right. From the start, you were right. This is not a smooth road. You are like Sisyphus…perpetually pushing that rock. -I thought you were supposed to make me feel better.
  • Hear me out! This is going to be a matter of perspective. You have been entrusted with a task that is incredibly important but has shown to carry with it a perpetual burden that resets from time to time. You can view that as a curse, but -*interrupting* If you say it's a blessing I swear
  • No, I'm saying it's variety. You have learned to adapt to the same goal in ways that most people haven't endured yet. That's beyond unique, that's a level of discipline that can't be taught. If you continue to endure, then you are providing yourself with more ammo for unexpected challenges even when the basic premise remains the same. Sunrise, sunset, but no two are the same. You get me? -A part of me wants to rip your spine out through your chest and use it as a javelin for my next enemy you optimistic pious jerk
  • *gulp* -But…hmmmph…that can't be all there is to it, right? Like, I can't make "keep my powers" be the end goal?
  • It doesn't have to be, but you were the one who said that's what's eating at you. You're a complex study, so I'm sure we're just scratching the surface, and I'll challenge your own assumptions. -You got a bit of a bite to you after all. No wimping out. That's decent of you. Ok, hot shot. I'll tell you what. If you're willing to take my call, I'll reach out when I think I'm about to have someone get the drop on me.
  • I'll be waiting *whispers* with some antipsychotics for the paranoia* -What was that?
  • Nothing…ehe, I'll be waiting is my point. -Right then. Guess this is as good a time as any to wrap this up before I piss myself off again. Good bye.
  • Bye *hears door open/shut* *phone dialing* I'm not even sure how this works, does my plan cover intergalactic calls? Anyhoo…um…your excellency…tribunal…ness…sir…thing…I think I'm going to take a break in my block scheduling for now…no, I didn't say I quit…I mean…your sense of time is so much different, a day is a decade to you, or vice versa…yeah, messes with my calendar. Plus my accountant doesn't know how to handle "being one with the balance" as a form of payment. Still have some details to work out. Ciao!

• Ending (47:15)
  • Recommended reading: late 2000s cosmic Marvel (Annihilation Conquest, War of Kings, Thanos Imperative)
  • Next episodes: Miguel O'Hara
  • Plugs for social & GonnaGeek Network

Transcript

References:

• Sam Alexander episode - Anthony (6:33)
• Elton John "I've Seen That Movie Too" - Anthony (27:22)

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Cosmic Marvel May continues with a look at the Devourer of Worlds, GALACTUS! Hope you're hungry, because we serve up a planet-sized platter of issues for you!

• Intro
  • Thanks to PuchiCon for fantastic panel

• Background (2:52)
  • Galactus created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Fantastic Four #48 (March 1966)
  • Galan of Taa was an explorer of the universe that existed before the Big Bang - when the universe collapsed during the Big Crunch, he merged with the Sentience of the Universe, and was reborn in this universe with an insatiable hunger - he consumes an entire planet, Archeopia
  • Creates a herald, the Fallen One, who rebels against him - his next herald was Norrin Radd of Zenn-La, who becomes the Silver Surfer
  • When the Surfer approaches Earth to warn the planet of the coming of Galactus, the Fantastic Four lead the defense, and are able to repel him with the Ultimate Nullifier - Mr. Fantastic later sends him the Negative Zone to eat uninhabited planets
  • Secret Wars - he attempts to consume Battleworld to get the Beyonder to remove his hunger, but he is foiled by Dr. Doom
  • Gets turned into a star by his own consuming machines - this releases Abraxas, who creates so much destruction and chaos Franklin & Valeria Richards are forced to revive him to help them defeat Abraxas
  • Attempts to feed on the Infinity Gems, but that releases another destructive being
  • Heads to Asgard to find an item to satiate his hunger - Odin agrees to let him have it once Asgard is no more
  • Forced into his incubator by the Ultimates, and emerges as a Lifebringer instead of a devourer - this throws off the cosmic balance, and several celestial beings attempt to return him to his former state
  • To help defeat Hank Pym/Ultron, Galactus consumes a world overrun by Ultron drones - this revives his hunger, and the Surfer returns as his herald to help him find uninhabited planets
  • Drained by Thor and turned into a bomb to destroy the Black Winter, a being that consumes entire universes

• Issues (6:26)
  • Galactus. The Devourer of Worlds. The Harbinger of Civilization's End. And...an eco-friendly sustainable farmer? It would normally be hard to fathom the inner workings of the mind of someone who is quite literally the actual sentience of the universe that existed before ours. Fortunately, Galactus helps us out quite a bit by being more than a little chatty about himself and his motivations with the lesser beings he encounters in his travels. A few of his issues have stayed very consistent over the decades:
  • 1) A very complicated and often unhealthy relationship with his food, and his eating in general. Galactus does not enjoy the act of devouring worlds. It has never been an act that brings him pleasure. He simply has to do it in order to survive. Prior to becoming the Lifebringer, he displayed several tendencies that might be thought of as eating disorders in someone who was not a cosmic entity. In Secret Wars, he declares to the Beyonder that his fondest wish is to not have his constant hunger anymore, to be free of the need to eat. On several occasions, it's been made clear that he often starves himself as long as it's possible for him to stand it in between his meals. When confronted by beings and civilizations who don't want to be destroyed and who beg him to find another planet to consume, his constant refrain is that there's simply no more time to do that; he has to eat this planet right now or he's going to die.
  • 2) Guilt and the constant struggle to suppress it. One of Galactus' standby replies to anyone who questions the ethics of his consuming inhabited worlds filled with intelligent beings is that if their very survival depended upon stepping on an ant hill, they wouldn't hesitate. Galactus sets himself above and beyond the reproach or judgment of anyone who is not a cosmic entity. In both his role as the Devourer of Worlds and as the Lifebringer, he fulfills a cosmic purpose as the universe's sustainable farmer, weeding out the life that has passed its apex and the civilizations not strong enough to mount a resistance to him, knowing that he will one day put all of the cosmic life energy he consumes back out into the universe, seeding dead worlds with the beginnings of life to start all over again. And yet, despite that, he was once a mortal, and he does have a conscience. He goes through periods where he tries to limit himself to uninhabited worlds, or worlds without intelligent life, but it's the equivalent of a liquid diet for him; it just doesn't provide the same nourishment. In the famous Fantastic Four #257, he has to have a sit-down with Mistress Death when he basically decides to starve himself completely over the sadness of all the life he's taken, and begs Death to kill him. Most of the time, he just does his best to not think about it, the way most of us try not to think too much about how the food on our table doesn't just magically appear at the grocery store. (17:23)
  • 3) Trouble finding, hiring and keeping good help. Galactus is so much better off when he has a herald in his service finding worlds for him to eat. But he's had a really bad run of luck with them. He had such a bad experience with the Fallen One that he didn't create another one for eons before the Silver Surfer, who managed to break through the blocks Galactus put on his morality enough to rebel. He really liked Airwalker, but Airwalker liked him back enough to sacrifice himself to save him. Firelord he never even really got to know before dismissing him. Finally he decided what he really needed was a sadistic killer who enjoyed destroying inhabited worlds. Predictably, Terrax tried to kill Galactus and take his place. Frankie Raye just wouldn't budge on the whole "no inhabited worlds" rule. Morg was way too good at the job, lined up worlds for Galactus to eat faster than he could eat them. Then he tried two heralds at once for a while, that didn't work out. The man just really doesn't seem to know what it is he really wants from an employee, which seems to be why he keeps finding incompatible candidates for the job. (24:55)

• Break (35:06)
  • Plugs for SNEScapades, Last Sons of Krypton, and Jordan Blum

• Treatment (36:09)
  • In-universe -
  • Out of universe - Focus on addressing eating disorder and general health (38:04)

• Skit (44:42)
  • Hello Galactus, I'm Dr. Issues. - GREETINGS DOCTOR.
  • When Adam Warlock said I'd be doing work for cosmic beings I wasn't quite expecting this. - YOU HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY BEINGS OF POWER BEYOND COMPREHENSION. THIS CARRIES WITH IT INCREDIBLE RESPONSIBILITY.
  • Seems like I've heard that before… - THE HERO CALLED SPIDER-MAN HAS MADE IT SOMEWHAT OF A MANTRA.
  • So how can I help you? - I KNOW YOUR SPECIALITY IS MENTAL HEALTH, BUT YOU ARE EXPERIENCED IN PHYSIOLOGY, ARE YOU NOT?
  • I am a psychiatrist, so I have knowledge of human biology. Having said that, I'm not really sure how that would apply to a celestial being of phenomenal power. I don't think there's even a remote chance of analogous internal systems. - I AM LESS CONCERNED WITH THE BIOLOGY AND MORE FOCUSED ON THE MENTAL CONNECTIONS TO THE PHYSICAL FORM.
  • Alright, I can't believe I'm asking this, but what can I do to help you? - I NEED TO GO ON A DIET.
  • Umm… excuse me? - I MUST FIND A WAY TO SATIATE MY ETERNAL HUNGER FOR THE SAKE OF SENTIENT BEINGS.
  • Oh boy… so, I appreciate you seeking my input, but I DON'T KNOW HOW TO HELP YOU HERE. - YOU CAN PROVIDE ME WITH SUGGESTIONS TO CREATE MENTAL BLOCKS TO ABATE THE COMPULSIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE HUNGER.
  • That's… I… that is not even close to what I am trained in. Much as I would love to help you, I don't even have the first inkling where to start. - MIGHT YOU HAVE AN ASSOCIATE WHO IS TRAINED IN SUCH MATTERS?
  • Sorry, I don't know there's much of a call for "cosmic dieticians". - PERHAPS YOU KNOW OF SOME FREE-RANGE OPTIONS?
  • How would that even work? - A PLANET OF SENTIENT BEINGS WHO DESIRE TO ASCEND TO A HIGHER PLANE, ALL OF WHOM HAVE THE FREEDOM TO STAY OR LEAVE. I HAVE NOT FIGURED OUT ALL OF THE LOGISTICS YET, I WAS HOPING FOR YOUR INPUT.
  • I'm sorry, I…wait, have you seen the commercials for that medication that wasn't originally designed for weight gain, but people started taking anyway? -THE IMPACT OF A MINISCULE SPHEROID WOULD NOT SATIATE SUCH A STATE
  • No, but the premise is similar to what I'm thinking. You need a new setpoint. Change the order of what you eat and when, then maybe some sort of suppressor, and…hmmm…how does one do bariatric surgery on a cosmic scale? - MY PHYSICAL FORM HAS NO KNOWN CONSTANTS. I AM WHATEVER FORM IS COMPREHENSIBLE TO THE SPECIES VIEWING ME.
  • Then we're going to need an endoscopy tube the size of a space station. Route the last veins of our coal mines to neutralize your digestion from the start. If we combine that with the theoretical particles generated from a Hadron collider, we could force a controllable black hole inside you that would just as easily pass out what you eat. - AND WHAT WOULD EXIT THIS TUBE? WHAT MANNER OF ENERGY OR MATTER IS CREATED FROM THIS EXPERIMENT?
  • I'm not a physicist, but I think it could reset whatever goes through back to the original point of its existence…like, before the big bang or whatever, I'unno -YOU ARE WILLING TO TAKE A CHANCE ON EXISTENCE AS WE KNOW IT JUST TO RECREATE IT FROM MY HUNGER?
  • Well, when you put it like that…*snaps fingers* or, orrrr…after you eat, and there's this new hole…can you eat that? -EAT…MYSELF? THE HOLE?
  • I mean…what if you came out on the other end? What would you be like? - YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO NAVIGATE CONCEPTS FAR BEYOND THE PRECEPTS OF YOUR MORTAL BRAIN. TAKE CARE, DOCTOR, THAT YOU DO NOT FORCE YOURSELF INTO A STATE FROM WHICH YOU CANNOT RECOVER. OR DO SO. EITHER WAY, GALACTUS WILL PERSIST.
  • Would you, though? How do we know you wouldn't become an infinite digestive loop feeding on itself for eternity, without the need for more outside worlds? You gain a steady state, nobody else gets devoured…fair trade. - YOUR MORALITY OPERATES ON A SCALE INFINITESIMAL TO ONE SUCH AS GALACTUS. THESE CONCERNS ARE AS IMPORTANT TO ME AS THOSE OF AN ANT ARE TO YOU. THERE ARE FAR GREATER UNIVERSAL THREATS AT RISK IF THE COSMIC BALANCE IS DESTABILIZED. BEFORE SUCH AN EXPERIMENT PROCEEDS, I MUST PONDER THE EFFECTS ON THE UNIVERSAL SCALE. I WILL CONSULT WITH THE LIVING TRIBUNAL, ETERNITY, AND THE COSMIC COUNCIL.
  • And eat rocky planets for fiber…but not Uranus, because it's too gassy. -THIS IS TRUE. ALTHOUGH THIS ENCOUNTER IS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED, YOU HAVE ENHANCED THE POSSIBLE FUTURES OF ALL THAT WILL EVER BE. THIS WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.

• Ending (50:43)
  • Recommended reading: Galactus Trilogy
  • Next episodes: Nova (Richard Rider), Miguel O'Hara
  • Plugs for social & GonnaGeek Network

References:

• Steve Harvey "One Man" - Doc (30:04)

Transcript

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We continue Cosmic May with a look at the newest member of the Nova Corps, Sam Alexander! How does Sam stack up against other heroes, and his own expectations?

• Intro
  • Last call for PuchiCon
  • Hiatus coming up in June

• Background (7:05)
  • Sam Alexander created by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness in Marvel Point One #1 (Nov 2011)
  • Character named after Jeph's son Sam who died of cancer when he was 17
  • Sam Alexander lives in a small Arizona town with his little sister, mother, and father Jesse, who works as a janitor at Sam's school, and is always drunkenly telling stories about how he was a member of the Nova Corps
  • One night Jesse disappears, and then Sam is visited by Gamora & Rocket Raccoon, who give him Jesse's helmet and tell him he's the only Nova Corps member left in the galaxy - after the initial surprise, he encounters and heavily damages a Chitauri invasion fleet heading towards Earth, and upon his return gets trained by Gamora & Rocket
  • Joins the Avengers briefly during AvX, and then allies with Speedball & Justice for a new iteration of the New Warriors
  • Utatu eventually revealed that Jesse was alive, sending Sam into a state of elation
  • Discovers Jesse serving as a Chitauri slave, and brings him home - only to later discover that it was a clone made by the Chitauri to get close to Sam, kill him, and get the helmet - the truth sends Sam into a depressive state
  • Joins the Champions after Civil War II, as he Kamala and Miles are dissatisfied with the Avengers and their actions
  • He encounters a returned Richard Rider, who mentors him for a spell
  • After the Champions capture a major villain, Sam's helmet is confiscated because the kids went rogue in their efforts - this once again spirals him into depression, although he later gets it back

• Issues - Theme is looking for love in all the wrong places (9:40)
  • Always looking for a father figure
  • Ruby - stopped "hero-worshiping" his dad - that moment when kids realize their parents are only human and just as flawed as they are (17:38)
  • Usually feels he's the odd man out on any team, whether the Avengers, Champions, or Nova Corps (25:56)

• Break (33:50)
  • Plugs for Not If I Reboot You First, Geek Peak, and Howard Mackie

• Treatment (35:28)
  • In-universe - Have Sam work on things without the helmet
  • Out of universe - (38:07)

• Skit (42:25)
  • DOC: Hello Sam, I'm Dr. Issues.
  • SAM: Hey.
  • DOC: Thanks for taking the time to meet with me, I know you're very busy.
  • SAM: Yeah, well not like I had much say in the matter.
  • DOC: I understand this isn't easy for you.
  • SAM: I don't know why Kamala is being such a hardass about all this. She said I couldn't have the helmet back until I talked to you.
  • DOC: Let's not focus so much on how we got here, and start talking about what we can accomplish while we're here.
  • SAM: *mutters*Yeah, I could go get the Ultimate Nullifier from the moon dude and end this-
  • DOC: What was that?
  • SAM: Ugh, nevermind. I'm just sick and tired of always losing this helmet, having it taken away from me, or whatever. It's like… no one gets it.
  • DOC: Then explain it to me.
  • SAM: What difference would it make?
  • DOC: Seems to me it would make all the difference in the world. The helmet sounds pretty special to you. Would it help you feel better to have me understand it?
  • SAM: I dunno, maybe?
  • DOC: There's your answer, then.
  • SAM: Can you help me get it back?
  • DOC: You said Kamala won't give it back until you talk to me, right? So, talk to me.
  • SAM: Fine. So, this helmet… it was my dad's. He wasn't always the best dad growing up, and he told me all these stories about how he was in the Nova Corps and he fought all these amazing battles in space and saved people all the time. I never believed him. And then one day he disappeared without a trace, but he left the helmet to me. Well, he left it to a talking raccoon and a green assassin lady, but he told them to give it to me. And it gives me all kinds of awesome powers. I can fly, I can fire energy blasts, I'm super strong. That helmet made me the only Nova Corpsman left. Well, at least until Rich came back. And it made me an Avenger, a Champion. It's helped me save the planet, the universe, other worlds. Yeah, it's brought me some trouble, but it also helped me protect my family more times than I can count. And it's helping me search for my dad, because he's alive somewhere out there, and I'm gonna find him one day, no matter what it takes. So this helmet… it's a huge part of me, it's who I am. And every time I don't have it, I feel like… like I'm losing a part of myself. Like I always have to keep fighting to keep my identity.
  • DOC: I see.
  • SAM: And I wish I could make other people see how much it means to me.
  • DOC: Have you told them that?
  • SAM: Yeah, lots of times.
  • DOC: What kind of reaction do you get?
  • SAM: People roll their eyes, or they laugh and say stuff like "you need to be a hero without the helmet" or crap like that. And it's like, obviously I can't fly through space without the helmet, so yeah it makes a difference. I'm not, like, Thor or somebody. Doesn't make me less of a hero.
  • DOC: I understand.
  • SAM: Do you really…REALLY? *sarcasm* you've traveled to other worlds and saved people?
  • DOC: No…I've listened to hundreds, maybe thousands of people place part or all of their identity into one facet of their life and whenever it's not there, they try to compensate by recreating that part of themselves in other areas where it just won't fit.
  • SAM: Oh. OK. That… kinda sounds a little accurate…
  • DOC: Then when you try to loop in the ones that you think would understand, they're dismissive because they already have their own defense mechanisms and don't necessarily want to open up that can of worms talking to you about it.
  • SAM: Uh…yeah…I guess that's right
  • DOC: And at least there's someone that can show you how to do things right…if you're lucky, but then they probably don't want to stick around for all of the things going on in your head, and THEY bounce, so you feel like you're back to square one again!
  • SAM: I mean, sometimes that's true, like with Rich. Who am I compared to that guy? But he knows what he's doing, not that I don't but, come on, man! And there's one thing you probably can't relate to still, because nobody really does.
  • DOC: That being…
  • SAM: *pause, deep breath* Can I ask you for an opinion?
  • DOC: My degree and my session timer say yes.
  • SAM: Ok…ok…a lot of times, I mention my dad, and that's when people shut me out. I don't know why. I think it's because they think I'm being a moron or too soft. Is that it?
  • DOC: *pause* I doubt it.
  • SAM: Why'd you hesitate?
  • DOC: Because I don't know. I don't know all of the people you interact with. But I will tell you this. In general, people don't think about you nearly as much as you think they do, unless you are directly bringing things up about yourself. Then the switch goes on and they have to use their mental bandwidth in a way that they didn't expect. I have to pause, and it's my job. Imagine what that's like for a layperson…even a superpowered layperson.
  • SAM: Huh. That's deep.
  • DOC: It can go deeper. I don't think that's your real question.
  • SAM: I don't understand.
  • DOC: You didn't get this far to say all of this stuff to me just for the helmet. Your dad question is right street, wrong block.
  • SAM: So I'm in the neighborhood?
  • DOC: I…guess…thank you for explaining the metaphor. Anyway, my point is, I think you're having some conviction issues about the search for your father.
  • SAM: It's not that I don't believe he's out there. It's just… I had thought the search was over. I brought him home. And he turned out to be a clone. That… that broke me. Because it was like losing him a second time. So now I'm back at square one.
  • DOC: Now that, I won't pretend to understand. That type of grief doesn't vanish. Just so you know, there's no right answer. If you want to actively search, maybe take a set amount of time when you can, it makes sense. If you want to put it on the back burner, and focus on other things while you heal, that works too. Either way, we can work out a plan.
  • SAM: Does that plan involve me getting my helmet back?
  • DOC: *sigh* Well since you have to function at a high level I guess I have some pull to say you should have the helmet. But I'm not going to fight anyone who takes it away from you. Work out your own relationships, ok?
  • SAM: Sooooo…I DO get the helmet back?
  • DOC: Yes. Fine. But my point is if Kamala says no -
  • SAM: *ignoring the last part* I get my hellllllmet, I get my helllllllmet…SWEET!

• Ending (50:05)
  • Recommended reading: First Nova series (Loeb/Wells), Champions
  • Next episodes: Galactus, Nova (Richard Rider), Miguel O'Hara (Spider-Man 2099)
  • Plugs for social & GonnaGeek Network

References:

• Eddie Murphy Buckwheat - Anthony (9:42)
• PKJ Interview - Anthony (24:53)

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It's our 175th episode, and just before Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 drops we cover Space Jesus HIMself, Adam Warlock!

Issue 175 - Adam Warlock

• Intro

• • GotG v3 comes out Friday

  • Reminder of PuchiCon panel

• Background (3:08)

• • Adam Warlock created by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby in Fantastic Four #66-67 (Sept.-Oct. 1967)

  • Originally named Him, he was a genetically engineered human who rebelled against his creators, the Enclave

  • High Evolutionary names him Warlock and gives him the Soul Gem, and a group of teenagers he encounters call him Adam

  • He encounters the Universal Church of Truth, run by Magus - he learns Magus is an alternate version of himself from the future, so he kills another future version of himself to prevent the Magus from existing

  • During these adventures, he allies himself with Gamora, Pip the Troll, and even Thanos at one point - after Thanos turns on them with the Infinity Gems, Adam is captured inside the Soul Gem, but temporarily escapes to defeat Thanos

  • Infinity Gauntlet - Adam and other Marvel heroes band together to defeat Thanos, and Adam ends up with the Gauntlet - charged by the Living Tribunal to separate the stones, he gives one each to Gamora, Pip, Drax, Moondragon, and a reformed Thanos

  • Before he gave up the gauntlet, he separated his good and evil sides, creating the Goddess and the Magus, which triggers Infinity War and Infinity Crusade

  • Later joins the new version of the Guardians of the Galaxy following Annihilation: Conquest

  • He becomes Magus once again, but is killed and resurrected

  • The new reincarnated Warlock is sought out by Annihilus to power a reality-destroying weapon, which succeeds - Warlock's essence appeals to the One-Above-All, who recreates the world and restores things to where they were

  • Decapitated by Gamora, who was on the hunt for the Infinity Gems to reclaim a portion of herself lost inside the Soul Gem - resurrected yet again, and after reality was restored he gave the Gems sentience and sent them off to fend for themselves, meaning he no longer controls the Soul Gem

• Issues (Theme is the Uncanny Valley of Human Perfection) (9:11)

• • Genetically created to be the perfect human - he is among them but not of them

  • Purges self of emotion, which creates the Magus and the Goddess (17:13)

  • Worshiped by Universal Church of Truth, which he discovered is run by Magus (21:30)

• Break (33:52)

• • Plugs for Bedknobs & Broomflicks, Ignorance was Bliss, and Meredith Finch

• Treatment (35:06)

• • In-universe - Ponder idea of who God prays to in order to find alternative options

  • Out of universe - Patients who focus on the world writ large instead of their own personal issues (38:43)

• Skit (42:15)

• • Hello Adam, I'm Dr. Issues. - Good day, Doctor.

  • So what can I do for you today? -You are a mental health professional, correct?

  • Yes. -Good. Then analyze my thoughts.

  • Um…okay. -*starts abruptly* I often give strong consideration to how the universe could be a better place. There are so many things that trouble me. I try to create safeguards so nothing gets out of hand, but that doesn't work in a vacuum.

  • I can't imagine it would. So -*interrupting* Indeed. I figured delegating to others would limit any consolidation of power, but it just made the subsequent problems unpredictable.

  • Perhaps you should take a more active role then -But when I do that I get accused of being too heavy handed.

  • Heavy is the head that wears the crown -*deadpan* No I meant heavy handed because it was a gauntlet.Anyway, where was I? Oh, right the whole destruction of existence as we know it. I ponder how to best manage the combination of allies and enemies without angering too many people at once. So far I have yet to determine the exact balance to make everyone happy. If failure is the mother of success, then I have spawned innumerable children.

  • It sounds like you have plenty of experience. What have you learned along the way? -To avoid yes men. You seem like the type of person to intentionally make people uncomfortable for your own amusement, so I figured you could prevent me from aligning with sycophants.

  • I…I…thaaanks? I don't quite know what to make of that.-I'm sure you'll understand more as you learn more about me. Or you'll go insane yourself from dealing with the power of the cosmos for too long if I stick around. Either way, you'll be serving a good purpose. Were you available to an earlier me at another time, you may have been considered for a spot on the Infinity Watch.

  • I'm not sure this is practical…for you, or for me. I'm not as philosophical as you may think. At least, not on a regular basis. -Who's being philosophical? I'm war room planning with you.

  • That sounds grandiose. -No, it's not. I still have a fragment of the vision stone. If you wish to understand further, I'll show you. *insert whatever sound effects*

  • *pause* Nothing in my training or experience will EVER prepare me for the type of stuff that patients like you put me through. What is my role in all of this…madness? Death? Destruction? Is this predicting -No, this is what's happening somewhere at sometime and I'm trying to gather my thoughts so the damage is limited.

  • I get it, I get it. No offense…or take offense, I don't care…Why are you on my couch when you could, oh I don't know…DO ANYTHING TO END THIS? -Your frustration is noted. But you may be familiar with "measure twice, cut once"

  • Then measure quicker. -Well, I have the idea that if I segment my focus on

  • *Interrupting* STOP. No more segregating, or delegating, or pondering, or calculating, or plotting, or scheming, or idealizing. Do it yourself. It doesn't have to be perfect. People will get hurt, perhaps on a massive scale. But for someone so idealistic about what the perfect answer should be, you let it all get in the way of imperfect action that can be improved upon later. -Your dramatic presentation is overstated, but appreciated. But be forewarned, anything I do beyond this session will have dire consequences

  • *simultaneously as last word* Consequences on the universe as we know it yadda yadda yadda. If I blink out of existence I'm sure you or one of your compatriots will find some way to reset everything…and even if they don't I wouldn't be around to know about it anyway. How can I be more comfortable about this stuff than you are? -Your reputation as flippant precedes you…

  • It's uncommon for me to encounter someone that gets lost in the weeds more than I do. You manage to lose yourself in it. -I don't agree with that. I know for a fact that without my intervention, none of us would exist. If I don't take care, the next time that happens I won't be able to do it again.

  • Are you even listening to yourself? How am I supposed to help you if you're mixing a predetermined outcome with a nihilistic future unless we thread the needle? I'm not exactly the best sounding board for that kind of stuff because I'm too optimistic of a pessimist….great, now I'm not making sense. -Don't fret. If you learn to channel your inner existential god then you'll be just fine.

  • *totally snaps* That's it. I'm done. I've had it. You're too heady for me. I've dealt with immortal beings, unstoppable monsters, ageless domineering psychopaths…you sir, are beyond what I can comprehend. I'm just going to sit back, take some deep breaths, and watch as all of existence unfolds in the time it takes for you to explain how I'm supposed to help you in just one session. -Are you done?

  • Yes. -Good. Then in your incessant whining I did manage to formulate a proposal to the living tribunal about the value of your practice on a galactic level.

  • *pause* come again? -Your honesty and humility in the face of overwhelming odds are still an asset whether you accept them or not. I'm no fool. You know of my rivals, I'm sure of it, even if you can't divulge such wisdom…and as you said, you persevered. Don't think that this session is the end…it is just the beginning. Any diagnosis you have for me, will likely be different than what you would have for…others like me.

  • *exasperated* Are you trying to tell me that I just got roped into some sort of…Infinity Clinic?! -If that suits your tastes. From what I understand, you will be made invulnerable during said sessions, so you don't have to concern yourself with retribution. But it only lasts for the session itself, and is at the whims of He who is above all.

  • I guess I can't say no to that, huh? - No.

  • Then…I guess good luck with saving everyone again and make sure to bring your journal with you so I can understand whatever it is that happens. I just wish I were less professional so I could bring some popcorn. - If you like I can will some to appear for y-

  • No, no, no need. Let's just… keep it above board. - As you wish.

• Ending

• • Recommended reading: Warlock & the Infinity Watch, Infinity Gauntlet

  • Next episodes: Sam Alexander, Galactus, Richard Rider

  • Plugs for social & GonnaGeek Network

References:

• Thanos episode - Anthony (6:44)

• "What's My Age Again?" by Blink-182 - Anthony (22:41)

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Anthony goes solo to interview the creators of the upcoming YA graphic novel The Dog Knight, Jeremy Whitley & Bre Indigo!

• Intro
• Background
  • Welcome back Jeremy
    • What have you been up to since last we spoke?

  • Welcome Bre Indigo
    • Books you've worked on

• The Dog Knight
  • Impetus for story
  • How was Bre brought in as artist? (14:35)
  • Importance of queer/non-binary representation these days (16:02)
  • Making a book you knew would be challenged/banned (22:30)
  • Appreciate the respecting of boundaries in this book, both physical & emotional (29:54)
  • Frankie - (47:20)
    • Difficult enough being a teenager and trying to fit in, non-binary on top of that, and now they're a hero

  • Pawtheon (52:12)
    • Did you come up with the breeds first and virtues second, or was it done together?

• Ending (43:13)
  • More stories in this universe? (57:00)
  • Next episodes: Adam Warlock, Sam Alexander, Galactus
  • Plugs for social

Pre-order The Dog Knight now!

GonnaGeek Network

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Anthony goes on a long tangent about voices of characters in Mike Judge projects. Oh, and we talk to Allen Dunford about Grandma Chainsaw 2, for at least a little while…

• Intro
• Background
  • Who is Allen (in case you missed the first 5 times he's been on) (2:30)

• Chapter 2
  • How real is the Dead Squad to you (14:10)
  • Kickstarter live (19:30)
  • Kickstarter bonuses (20:20)
  • Dead Squad shirt (25:10)
  • Horus in Hell (26:00)
  • The Skinner (28:37)
  • Upcoming projects (35:08)

• Ending (41:10)
  • Kickstarter
  • Substack newsletter
  • Next episodes: The Dog Knight interview, Adam Warlock, Marvel Cosmic TBD
  • Plugs for social

References:

• First five appearances
  • First
  • Second
  • Third
  • Fourth
  • Five

• Office Space - Anthony (5:00)
• Boomhauer - Anthony (6:20)
• Scott Tenorman - Anthony (37:20)
• Tales from the Crypt - Doc (37:40)

GonnaGeek Network

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Discord