Capes On the Couch - Where Comics Get Counseling

We follow up last episode with the second half of our discussion with writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson - this time we're talking James Bond, John Stewart, and the Incredible Hulk! Plus a meaningful discussion on patriotism, and Anthony & Doc make a pitch to work with PKJ ;)

Creators on the Couch - Phillip Kennedy Johnson 3

• Intro
• Superman
  • One last question: Metallo giving everything for his sister - where did that idea come from?

• James Bond (11:52)
  • Based more in Fleming novels vs. films?
  • Was there a particular Bond you had in mind while writing?
  • What makes him such an enduring character, in light of the constant reboots and takes on him?
  • Admittedly only read first half - could not access God & Country

• John Stewart (23:12)
  • Given your military background, did you gravitate towards John vs. other Lanterns?
  • Focus on John’s family life - mother with dementia and loss of younger sister
  • Revenant Queen - like her speech style (35:18)
  • Obviously it’s ongoing, but how far out do you have mapped storylines?

• Incredible Hulk (39:05)
  • This story is much more monster-oriented than previous Hulk runs - was this intended to shift away from internal/mental focus like the Ewing run?
  • Body horror - story and art focus on the pain and effects of transformation
  • What inspired Charlie? Feels like more than just audience surrogate

• What’s next for you? (52:24)
• Ending
  • Next episodes: Speedball, Deathstroke
  • Plugs for social

References:

• Marvel Team-Up #145 - PKJ (2:55)

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We're back! And so is Philip Kennedy Johnson! We sit down with PKJ for the second time to talk about his recently wrapped runs on Action Comics & Alien. Listen now!

• Intro

• Apologies for delay in episodes - see blog post for more

• PKJ

• Last time we spoke was Feb. 2021, discussing Last Sons of America, Kill A Man and end of The Last God

• Superman (3:42)

• What was something you wanted to do with Superman that hadn’t been done before?

• Exploration of Clark-Jon relationship - so many emotional moments

• Warworld Saga - why go with Mongul for main villain of storyline?

• Love Osul and Otho - their lack of exposure to anything resembling compassion and love, and the welcoming by the Superman family, is best addition to mythos in a long time

• Superman family gets major focus here - family is thru-line running across the entire arc

• Special point on Kong Kenan and his “defection”

• Blue Earth movement - *chef’s kiss*

• Alien (22:28)

• Another instance of a father doing anything for his son in first arc

• Was it always the plan to have 3 separate arcs across 2 volumes?

• How much input did you have into Xenomorph designs, or was that all artists?

• Ending (34:00)

• Next episodes: Speedball, Deathstroke

• Plugs for social

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To tie in with the recent release of Aquaman & the Lost Kingdom, we take a look at the man himself, Arthur Curry! We have a whale of a time with this one, and we'll cod to making more than a few fish jokes just for the halibut...

 Issue 186 - Aquaman

• Intro
  • Shoutout to Into the Knight, who got a thank you from Jed McKay in the last page of Moon Knight #30

• Background (4:29)
  • Aquaman (Arthur Curry) created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger in More Fun Comics #73 (Nov. 1941)
  • Golden Age origin is he is the son of a scientist who lived in the ocean and taught him how to breathe underwater and communicate with & control undersea life
  • Silver Age origin: Arthur Curry, son of Tom Curry & Atlanna, and because of his mixed heritage he has access to several Atlantean abilities, including how to breathe underwater and communicate with & control undersea life
    • This version introduces most of his supporting cast: wife Mera, son Arthur Jr., aka AJ or Aquababy, half-brother & nemesis Ocean Master, Black Manta, and others

  • Post-Crisis origin: Orin, son of Queen Atlanna & the wizard Atlan, he was abandoned by Atlantis and discovered by Tom Curry who eventually dies when he’s a teen, and he returns to Atlantis where he is imprisoned before breaking out and joining the Justice League, where he uses his abilities like how to breathe underwater and communicate with & control undersea life
    • This is the version that loses his hand after it’s eaten by piranhas
    • He is the leader of Sub Diego, an undersea version of San Diego
    • He becomes the Dweller of the Depths to assist the new Aquaman, Arthur Joseph Curry, before dying and later resurrected during Blackest Night/Brightest Day

  • New 52 - Once again the son of Tom Curry & Atlanna, he was raised on land but aware of Atlantis, and when he returns to the sea he is crowned King, but he abdicates to be with Mera and join the Justice League until he’s forced to return to rule over Atlantis despite half the population hating him
    • He finally proposes to Mera at the start of DC Rebirth

• Issues - Theme is fish out of water, then in, then out, then in… (10:34)
  • Reluctant ruler of Atlantis - numerous time he returns to the throne in times of trouble, only to either vacate willingly to help Justice League/other heroes, or be forced to abdicate due to various factors
  • Walks two worlds, but not fully accepted in either (15:36)
  • Loss of a son - created strain on him and Mera (31:47)

• Break (42:02)
  • Plugs for Last Sons of Krypton & SNEScapades

• Treatment (43:50)
  • In-universe - Build a safe space for Aquaman
  • Out of universe - (46:56)

• Skit (53:35)
  • Hello Aquaman, I’m Dr. Issues. Would you prefer…um Arthur? Orin? Your chart has some conflicting information, and my electronic health record merges files quite haphazardly. - Doctor, you can just stick to Aquaman for now then. Most land acquaintances do.
  • Do they now? Ok. So, what can I do for you? -I’m in a state of flux. I’m trying to keep on course. The problem is, I don’t have a map.
  • Are you speaking metaphorically, or is this some sort of buried treasure -*snapping* I don’t make puns and I need you to take this seriously.
  • *gulp* My apologies. So, how did you get so lost? -I’m not sure. I have a lot of people counting on me, but when they all ask for help at once they’re like crabs in a barrel. They’re too quick to lionize me as their savior, and too quick to denigrate me as a fake. 
  • I’ll admit, that sounds like injustice, and I don’t mean that from a dramatic perspective. The world hasn’t always been fair to you, has it? -Maybe not, but I can’t complain too much. There’s no breathing room. *clears throat* pardon, but I need to drink some water.
  • Sure, go right *sound of a tidal wave or something* …ahead. Um, did you have to soak the whole couch? -My kingdom is good for it. You don’t mind barnacles, right? 
  • Barnacles, no, but the jellyfish - *ignores* Anyway, my kingdom…*sigh* it’s not always my kingdom. Sometimes I want to swim away and never see any of them again. But I won’t abandon my family. 
  • Priorities. Got it. You sound like you have a lot of triggers that could exacerbate anxiety and/or depression. Have you experienced any of those symptoms? -Well I’m not the one with the degree, but if you’re referencing eternal sadness, sleepless nights, the sense of dread that your society will be wiped out, and those who know of you before you know them are willing to kill everyone you love for the sake of power so you let your own sense of pride burst forth into a fit of rage that only the mightiest of beings can come CLOSE to matching *clearly exasperated but trying to calm down* perhaps…I have.
  • I won’t snap to judgment on diagnosis, but you don’t need any labels. Sounds like you’ve had stuff going on for a looooong time. What led you to come to me now? -I’m not sure. 
  • You’ve said that more than once. -And I’ve meant it every time. This is the only place I can use a phrase like that and not die. 
  • Mostly right, sometimes wrong, but never in doubt. A real Type A mindset. -If that makes the most sense to you, then yes.
  • I’m a buffer zone. That can work, but ultimately you’re going to have to find a way to recreate that in other environments. -Tricky to do when the natural state of those environments are hostile.
  • Are they really, though? I’m not saying you’re wrong, just challenging the assumption. - There’s a not-insignificant portion of my kingdom who believes I was cursed the moment I was born. There’s also a large segment who wishes I would vacate the throne and never return. Not surprisingly, those two segments share a healthy overlap. So when the very people I aim to lead don’t want me in the leadership role, I think it’s fair to say it’s a hostile environment. And that’s ignoring the numerous attempts on my life, the never-ending struggle with my half-brother, the various threats from the surface world…
  • Then you need a huge amount of resiliency, and that doesn’t get built in a vacuum. You mentioned family as your number one priority. Are they integrated into how you process your life, or are they delicate figures you keep sheltered in your mind so you don’t lose them? -I would never refer to them as delicate or sheltered. But I don’t make my personal life a spectacle either. Mera is everything to me…sometimes the only thing.
  • It’s okay to want more than that. -I don’t need more.
  • I specifically didn’t say need. I said want. Aspirations that are your own, even in the midst of external values. -That is such a land dweller thing to say.
  • I confess my biases, yes. But I’m acknowledging your culture as well. I’ll have to learn on the fly how to blend your understanding of how the world works with my own. I embrace that challenge. -*pause* How far are you willing to go?
  • I don’t know…that’s really vague, and I know that type of question is leading to some discomfort -*boldly* NO whining! You may be granted a privilege that will change your life, If you are a brave soul.
  • See, I’m a coward, so -*dismissive* Nonsense! You just need some basic skills. Can you swim?
  • Yes. -Can you hold your breath for at least 2 minutes?
  • What? I don’t know…probably? But if you’re alluding to what I think you are, I don’t think my freediving skills are up to par. -We’re not simpletons. We have equipment; you need to be fit enough for the transition.
  • And this benefits YOU in what way. -If I can show you just how unique our ways are, then you would be able to not only assist me, but also those who question my position. Expand your practice.
  • Can you give me some time to mull this over? I’m not used to someone actually getting so gung ho about my sessions. -I won’t wait forever. If you need to seek council from those who would put your mind at ease, then I understand. You will hear from me shortly.

• Ending (59:57)
  • Recommended reading: Peter David run, with focus on Time & Tide and the Atlantis Chronicles
  • Next episodes: Echo, Speedball, Deathstroke
  • Plugs for social & GonnaGeek Network
  • Anthony: That will do it for this episode. Doc?
  • Doc: *text message sound* Hold on…it’s Aquaman? Huh…’thanks for the introductory session. I know I told you I would contact you shortly, but I am so excited that I did a search on therapy techniques. I think you’ll understand my world better if you engage in flooding. This is NOT a request.”  What the hell does that mean? I just go to the beach or the aquarium and *water rushing/waves crashing* *gurgling* I guess I should try to keep my head above water for now
  • Anthony: He didn’t have to be so dramatic. For a drowning Dr. Issues, I’m Anthony Sytko, and we’ll see you next time!

References:

• Black Manta episode - Anthony (6:38)
• Chuck Cunningham Syndrome - Anthony (8:54)
• “We Don’t Talk about Bruno” - Anthony (9:20)

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We take our first look at a Flash-affiliated character with Barry Allen's nemesis EOBARD THAWNE! Things go off the rails pretty quickly, but it's ok, because we can just jump to another timeline where everything is fine, and no one will be any the wiser - except for Eobard...

• Intro
• Background (2:05)
  • Eobard Thawne, aka Professor Zoom or the Reverse Flash, created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino in The Flash #139 (Sept. 1963)
  • Eobard Thawne is a scientist from the 25th century, where superheroes are few
  • He becomes obsessed with learning about the Speed Force, but he initially encounters some obstacles until his future self intervenes several times:
    • He was jealous of his younger brother growing up, until his future self prevented Robern from being born
    • and then his future self caused the death of his parents, since they were worried about his obsession
    • He kills another professor who is close to unlocking the secrets of the Speed Force
    • After Eobard falls in love with a reporter, his future self kills her fiance and any man she ever dated - when she still rejected him, his future self went back to her childhood and traumatized her to the point of rendering her mute

  • He becomes obsessed with Barry Allen, to the point of getting cosmetic surgery to resemble him
  • Obtains a Cosmic Treadmill, a copy of the Flash’s costume, and replicates the accident to give himself Flash’s powers - he traveled back to a few years after Barry’s death, and learned that he would become Professor Zoom, the Reverse-Flash, and Barry’s greatest nemesis
  • This caused a psychic break, and Thawne became convinced he *was* a resurrected Barry Allen, and even managed to convince several of Barry’s friends he was Barry - after attacking several heroes for “forgetting” him, Wally West tricked him into returning to his home time
  • Thawne became obsessed with replacing Barry, to the point of killing Iris West, and when he attacked Fiona Webb, Barry broke his neck and killed him
  • Flash: Rebirth reveals that Thawne is responsible for every tragedy in Barry’s life, including the death of his mother - after killing several speedsters, he announces his connection to the Negative Speed Force, and says he will kill Iris before Barry has a chance to meet her - as Barry and Wally travel backwards in time, they merge into the lightning bolt that originally gave Barry his powers #BecauseComics - Thawne is imprisoned in a device that severs his connection to the Speed Force, removing his powers
  • The broken neck version was resurrected during Blackest Night and then purified by a white light 
  • Thawne is the central villain of Flashpoint - when Barry travels back to prevent Thawne from killing Nora West, the resulting timeline is drastically different - Thawne is then killed by the new Batman, and Barry goes back to prevent himself from stopping her murder, which creates a new third timeline
  • Rebirth revises his origin - he’s met in the 25th century by Barry, who prevents him from carrying out further crimes - he is temporarily rehabilitated, until he travels to the past and learns Barry didn’t consider him as much of a friend as he initially thought, so he vows to make Barry miserable until Barry “makes time” for him
  • He’s one of the primary villains of the Button, where he has memories of every timeline, and uses this knowledge to torture Barry, Bruce Wayne, and heroes, until he’s killed by Dr. Manhattan, although he’s resurrected by the negative Speed Force once again
  • Finish Line - Thawne vibrates into Barry, taking over his mind and trapping Barry in the Speed Force - Thawne says he and Barry will forever be trapped in a loop, until Barry forgives him - this confuses Thawne, and Barry is able to reset him in the 25th century, where he is a tour guide at the Flash Museum with no memory of being a villain

• Issues - “Eobard Thawne. The man who reads the Evil Overlord List and reacts with an oblivious bemusement. The man with an absolute pathological need to prove himself superior to everyone around him to the point where even other villains hate his guts. Thawne has spent the last 60 years elevating the concept of the Villain Ball to an almost comical extent, and is fortunately so ridiculously chatty and forthcoming about himself and his feelings that we can easily mine a ton of his many issues from it to figure out why.” (15:56)
  • Absolute obsession with and desire to replace The Flash. Thawne comes from a time when superheroes are thought of as a quaint anachronism, and striving to be one would be like someone today saying their dream was to be a medieval knight. But he idolized the era and The Flash in particular enough to become obsessed with becoming him. After recreating the accident that gave The Flash his super speed and traveling back in time to meet his hero, he found out that his destiny was instead to become The Flash's greatest enemy, and it simply broke him inside. From then on, his entire reason for being became wrapped around inserting himself into Barry's life, alternating between trying to ruin it and trying to usurp it. He tried getting Barry's wife to fall in love with him, tried to take Barry's place in the original accident and become the original Flash, and ultimately settled on using his time travel ability to become the source of every bad thing that ever happened in Barry's life. It's not an exaggeration to say that Thawne does not have or want a life of his own; he actually does want Barry's for himself.
  • Superiority complex. When you think about Eobard Thawne is actually capable of doing, it's a real wonder why he ever fails at anything at all. The man can move at many times the speed of light. He can cross the room and shred your heart before your eyes can even send the signal to your brain that it's happening. He can kill a room full of a hundred people in a hundred different ways before any of them could react. All of which pales in comparison to his mastery of time travel. If anyone or anything is an obstacle to his objectives or even so much as affronts his sight, he can go back in time and completely erase it from existence. That's an actual thing he does with regularity. There is quite literally no goal on any scale he could not achieve with his powers. But that's simply not enough for him. At the moment of every single one of his triumphs, he has to let everyone in earshot know that it was him who did it. He grandstands and gloats about his success, explaining in great detail everything he did, how he did it, and how powerless everyone is to stop him from keeping on doing whatever he wants. Invariably, this winds up with the heroes either having the time to make their move or having the exact information they need to stop him. Thawne didn't invent Evil Monologuing by any stretch, but he's perfected it to an art form. It's a pathology with this man. He has to have you acknowledge his greatness, or he doesn't consider it a victory. There is no limit to what he could achieve if he just didn't care about getting the credit for it. (22:18)
  • Pettiness on a scale hitherto undreamt of. To paraphrase Billy Beane in Moneyball, there's petty, there's that which petty aspires to be, there's fifty additional magnitudes of petty that the English language doesn't have words for, and then there's Thawne. The man responds to personal slights as if they were absolute declarations of war. He has completely erased his younger brother from existence because he thought his parents loved him more. He got a crush on a woman and erased her husband and all of her ex-boyfriends from existence so she'd have no reason not to date him, then when she still rejected him, he traveled back in time and repeatedly traumatized her as a child to the point where she wound up in a permanent vegetative state for the rest of her life. He found a limiting factor on his time travel that he couldn't kill Barry Allen or do anything that prevents him from becoming The Flash, so instead he settled on simply becoming the direct cause of every bad thing that's ever happened in his life, including things so minor as making him late for class in school and making him miss a catch in a baseball game. He's done this with villains who annoy him as well; Hunter Zolomon owes the entire line of tragedies that led to him becoming Professor Zoom to Thawne traveling through time and causing them. There is no slight so trivial that Thawne won't respond to it with the most disproportionate retribution he can imagine. (28:28)
  • Dozens and dozens of lifetimes worth of memories. Thawne's use of the Negative Speed Force gives him a form of superceding time travel. He can alter history and retain the memories of his life and the world exactly as it was before he changed it. Unfortunately, he has time traveled and altered history so many times and so drastically that his memories now consist of dozens of lifetimes all folded into themselves. He remembers every version of himself in every timeline he's ever existed in, and every version of every other important person in his life and how their histories have changed as well. It all just blends together for him in a way that makes absolutely no linear sense trying to keep it all straight. That has to be absolutely maddening; like a Mandela Effect, but for your entire life, and multiplied by every single time he changes the timeline. No one else remembers anything in the same way that he does, and there's absolutely no way he can convince anyone about the way things used to be. (38:22)

• Break (45:33)
  • Plugs for Ignorance Was Bliss, Geek Peak, and Gail Simone

• Treatment (46:46)
  • In-universe - Transcranial magnetic stimulation analogue to help Thawne’s brain
  • Out of universe - Use CBT to help people to slow down and notice things more (49:40)

• Skit (54:34)
  • Hello Mr. Thawne, I’m Dr. Issues. Hmm…you seem out of breath - *heavy breathing* It took a lot for me to get here. But I can’t ignore a slight like that. As you know, a doctor should only address a colleague with a title the equivalent to their own.
  • You can’t be serio…ow! What was that? -The skin of the areola is incredibly sensitive to certain angular forces. Your nerve endings are actually a bit different based on your scream. Most people have a heightened reaction from the pain itself, but for you, the mere sensation of unexpected touch and pressure were too much for you. *yawn* But as all plebians before you, your nervous system stood no chance in keeping up with my abilities. And that, my dear doctor, was only a sample of what I am capable of.
  • *pause* You just gave a soliloquy on a purple nurple? -I had to demonstrate that you are not superior to me in any aspect of existence.
  • Ok -*pause* That’s it? Just, “OK?” You don’t protest? Where’s the fear? Where’s the awe? Anger? Something besides “Ok”?
  • Okaaaaay…Professor? -That’s better…wait, still no emotion behind it. What is wrong with you? Do I have to phase through you and shatter your spleen?
  • Needlessly graphic but no…*sigh* Look, I’m not superpowered, you’re not controllable, so I’m a sitting duck just for agreeing to meet with you, no matter what safeguards I may have thought of. -That was very naive of you. I’d be insulted if I didn’t already feel insulted about the fact that some version of me that I talked with at some point in the future thought this was a good idea. What will I be thinking? Um…was thinking. You get the point.
  • Sure. So, what can I do for you? -There’s someone I know that I used to idolize. Now I hate him. He killed me, but I came back. Now I can’t destroy him because I want to exist, but I want to ruin every part of his life. You know, “as you do”
  • Are you expecting me to empathize with that? OOOOF; what did you do now? -Matter has multiple phases. Most people will only experience the most basic solid, liquid, and gas. But, as a scientist at heart, I’m sure you’re aware of plasma. Under typical Earth conditions, you would only be able to withstand a nanoparticle of any element in a picosecond of time as it sublimates from a liquid format and dissipates instantaneously in some form of biological substrate in an elongated but small cavernous bony structure with a malleable yet firm membrane
  • *Interrupting* You spit in my ear?! What are you, 12?! - Superspeed saliva, sir! It’s your privilege. The fact that your head did not disintegrate is only because I can control my mouth and tongue with exquisite precision.
  • You could kill me at any moment, and you torture me with pranks? What’s the point? -I’ve given you a glimpse of my power. Now imagine that for every moment of your life. To know that at any point, I can cause you immeasurable suffering and pain with the slightest show of effort on my part. THAT is what I live for. 
  • So you can be the most influential being for every person’s life who ever existed, and you choose to make it miserable? Not exactly a way to win friends. -But you’re wrong. I’ve created factions of allies that bring dimensions to their proverbial knees!
  • Until you, what, give them a thermonuclear wedgie? That’s what the history books will say. Eobard Thawne, the person who created a black hole constructed out of his own spite and misery. -You do realize that with what you're proposing, there would BE no history books, because I would have wiped out recorded history by definition of
  • Do you have an off switch for that? -My genius? No, unfortunately for you, I don’t.
  • Then why don’t you find someone else to bounce your evil plans off of? I’m too ethical to help you make things worse for yourself. -*pause* Come again?
  • Ever heard of mimetic thinking? It’s the idea that an individual’s goals in life are constantly shaped by the goals they’ve observed set by others. We’re unique in our existence, but not in our shared outcomes. You already determined one failpoint, whoever you were talking about -Barry. His name’s Barry
  • *dismissive for once* whatever. The point is, you must have gotten this idea, somewhere, from someone, that destroying everything is a positive. But the lack of anything is sure to be a negative when there’s nothing left. Will you just do it again? Are you so unoriginal that you just want to run a time loop hamster wheel? -You are NOT getting away with comparing me to a hamster on a wheel, just because I use a treadmill to guide the fate of the universe! 
  • I didn’t even…uh…wow. That’s um…that’s a…thing, I guess -You don’t even know your own argument. You’re bluffing! This is beyond trivial.
  • Hey, you said that at some point, YOU told yourself that talking to me was a good idea. I have no inkling WHY, because you’re the self proclaimed genius with the speed to do it all whenever you want, and you make yourself trivial in the process. I don’t think you’re capable of relating anymore. At least not with someone like me. Go find my evil doppleganger or something in another dimension, I don’t know. -*evil laugh* YES! You stupid, foolish brilliant doctor! That makes sense. There must be a negative version of you.I just have to find him. He will unlock the last mysteries of my negative speedforce forever! But I needed you to tell me that. 
  • Wait! I *zoom sound, door shut* I guess I should be glad he took the “evil dimensional twin” comment and not the nuclear wedgie one. *more zooming, then door knocking* Um, come in. -*heavy breathing*
  • Hello Mr. Thawne, I’m Dr. Issues. Hmm…you seem out of breath - *heavy breathing* It took a lot for me to get here. But 
  • *interrupting* It’s still me, Eobard. I think you’ve got yourself stuck somehow. -*pause* How…I know this is Barry somehow. It has to be. It’s his ultimate prank on me. He’s getting me back! I’m forced to listen to an incompetent shrink until I find a way out!
  • Hey!…or…ORRRRR…you could try doing some positive coping activities that open your mind so that you end up with a sense of gratitude for what you have, which will lead to better things in the future. Huh/ Huuuuuh? You ever think of that? You’re stuck with me until you get it right anyway. -Oh for the love of…how about if I shortcut this whole thing to the end and tell myself that you are worth talking to so we can all get along and I can move on to wrecking Barry’s life again. Deal? 
  • Isn’t that just -Don’t care, I’m doing it. Goodbye, Doctor *zoom*

• Ending (60:22)
  • Recommended reading: Flash: Rebirth
  • Next episodes: Aquaman, Echo, Speedball
  • Plugs for social & GonnaGeek Network

References:

• Timey-wimey ball - Anthony (8:44)
• Imitute it exarctly - Doc (20:40)
• “Why do you assume you’re the smartest in the room?” - Doc (24:02)
• “I arranged the menu, the venue, the seating” - Doc (25:40)
• I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream - Anthony (39:18)
• Planet of the Apes Simpsons - Anthony (63:04)

Apple Podcasts: here

Google Play: here

Stitcher: here

TuneIn: here

iHeartRadio: here

Twitter

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Patreon

TeePublic

Discord

• Intro

• Background

• Spike Spiegel created by Shinichiro Watanabe & Toshihiro Kawamoto in “Stray Dog Strut”, April 1998

• Protagonist of the series, he’s a bounty hunter partnered with Jet Black aboard the spaceship Bebop

• Over the course of the series, we learn his backstory - a former member of the Red Dragon syndicate, he fell in love with Julia, the girlfriend of his partner Vicious - when Vicious finds out, he forces Julia to kill Spike or be killed herself, so she goes into hiding to save herself

• Spike fakes his death and goes on the run, where he teams up with Jet - they’re also joined by Faye, a gambler who recently awoke from cryogenic sleep; Ein, a Welsh Corgi with human intelligence; and Edward, a young Earth girl who’s also a master hacker

• During the series finale, Julia has Faye send Spike a message that she is alive and ready to meet with him, but Vicious has her killed - Spike goes to the syndicate’s headquarters and has a final battle with Vicious, where Vicious is killed and Spike is severely wounded or killed - the ending is left ambiguous

• Issues

• Vicious Vicious Vicious… where do we begin?

• Never got over his abandonment by Julia either

• A life of drifting vs A life of intention

• Treatment

• In-universe - Get captured as a bounty, take the time to get to know Spike

• Out of universe - 

• Skit 

• *knocking on door* 

• SPIKE: *mumbles* who the hell…*regular voice* Come on in

• DOC: Uh…are you Mr. Spiegel?

• SPIKE: I’d better be, or else you’d be dead by now. Plus we don’t get visitors unless Jet has business with ‘em. He gave me the heads up. You’re the doctor, right?

• DOC: Yes, I’m Doctor Issues

• SPIKE: We’re not exactly fancy here, but help yourself to something to eat while you wait for him.

• DOC: Wait for who?

• SPIKE: Jet said he hired a doctor to check things out, and he wanted to make sure I was around. We’re kind of in no man’s land here. I think we have bell peppers and beef, but it’s a little light on the beef…

• DOC: About that…I don’t usually do house calls, but he made it sound urgent…except I need a special waiver to diagnose and treat someone so far out of my jurisdiction. He took care of that already, right?

• SPIKE: Suuuuuuure he did. Whatever.

• DOC: Good…then there’s the other part of the misunderstanding I need to clarify.

• SPIKE: Don’t tell me you forgot your equipment? I figured you’d need hardware tools if you have to deal with Jet’s arm

• DOC: I’m not an orthopedist

• SPIKE: Then maybe he’s got a cold or something. I dunno.

• DOC: I’m not here for Jet.

• SPIKE: *pause* I’m not paying for the bill to get you to the right address then

• DOC: Spike, Jet asked me to talk to you. He figured if you were in your own space you’d be more amenable. Says you’ve had some tough breaks.

• SPIKE: I thought you said you weren’t an orthopedist

• DOC: Har har har. I’m a psychiatrist.

• SPIKE: I’m a bounty hunter. I hunt bounties. I know what I do. No psychiatrist necessary, unless you managed to pack a better couch with you.

• DOC: No such luck. But you seem to be relaxed as it is.

• SPIKE: Not quite. *lights up cigarette, blows smoke* ah, that’s more like it. Want one?

• DOC: I don’t condone smoking. 

• SPIKE: More for me, then. I suppose this is where you warn me of the dangers of smoking and tell me to quit.

• DOC: You just did it for me

• SPIKE: Taking a shortcut. I like that. How long will this take?

• DOC: I’m contracted for a typical hour

• SPIKE: Then that gives me some time for a nap. I don’t have anything to talk about. You can stay or go, your choice.

• DOC: I don’t abandon patients, but I’m not going to bug you in your own domicile. Mind if I watch something on my phone?

• SPIKE: Suit yourself

• DOC: *exaggerated reactions* Oooh his countering is so slow

• SPIKE: *clearly interested* What ya watching? 

• DOC: I always keep some fights downloaded to pass the time.

• SPIKE: You don’t seem like the fighting type.

• DOC: I’m a huge fan because I view combat sports as the truest test of wills. 

• SPIKE: Spoken like someone who’s never been in a real fight.

• DOC: Be that as it may, if you saw what I saw, you’d have a similar critique.

• SPIKE: *begrudgingly* Alright, show me

• DOC: See how this guy keeps his head on the center line? He invites every hook imaginable, but he doesn’t have the handspeed to land a counterpunch.

• SPIKE: Yuck; he’s too rigid. He has to just…flow. It’s hard to explain

• DOC: Be like water.

• SPIKE: *pause* You’re the first person to get that in the first try. *sigh* You know, it’s nothing personal, but the reason I don’t need a psychiatrist is because I’ve already trained my mind with the best that martial arts has to offer. That’s how I get through things. I flow with them, until I need to crash.

• DOC: Hmmm…I think that may be a problem

• SPIKE: No way.

• DOC: Water as a liquid has the properties you claim. But what about under intense pressure and heat? It vaporizes. What about when it’s cold? It freezes.

• SPIKE: So?

• DOC: So…depending on what is going on around you, you’re making yourself subject to the whims of people or circumstance. Judging from this place, you guys are nomads. But your background means that you had a strong homebase at some point. Either your situation was so intense you needed to become vapor and disappear, or you became so frigid to them that you are more stoic than you should be. Either way, you’ve lost control. So which is it?

• SPIKE: Neither. It’s like I said, I flow until I crash.

• DOC: So when’s the last time you crashed?

• SPIKE: The last bum I knocked out, I guess.

• DOC: No, I mean emotionally. When’s the last time you crashed? Who angered you? Who made you laugh? Who made you cry?

• SPIKE: You sure you’re not ISSP with all these questions? 

• DOC: I’ll back off, but the point is to answer those questions for yourself. 

• SPIKE: I’ve had some people tell me the opposite.

• DOC: Why? 

• SPIKE: *pause* Because they don’t want me to die.

• DOC: Your job is dangerous

• SPIKE: *sarcastic* Ha. My LIFE is dangerous. Let’s go with your metaphor. If I do the wrong thing, people get boiled. If I care too much, others become targets. So I freeze them out. And no, I can’t just pretend that I want it some other way. All I can do is hope that the parts I DON’T like leave of their own volition, or I find something else to keep my mind occupied. Is that what you wanted to hear this whole time? Big whoop.

• DOC: Damn, that was deep.

• SPIKE: *calmer now* So, you got some time for some more fights?

• DOC: Depends on if you have time for more sessions.

• SPIKE: Well, we’re due for another major dogfight and damage to the ship that’ll put us out of commission for a while any day now, so I’ll let you know when that happens.

• DOC: Sounds like a plan.

• SPIKE: Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go find some protein. If I have to eat one more carbohydrate I’m gonna puke.

• Ending

• Thank you everyone for coming

• Hope to be back for PuchiCon Teaneck in the spring

• See you, space cowboy…

Fairytales do come true - we finally bring you the long-awaited issue on Bigby Wolf! So smoke 'em if you got 'em, because things get hairy in this one!

• Intro
  • Apologies for delay in new episodes
  • Shoutout to new Patron Justin

• Background
  • Bigby Wolf created by Bill Willingham and Lan Medina in Fables #1 (July 2002)
  • Based on the Big Bad Wolf of stories, he is the Sheriff of Fabletown, a section of NYC populated with characters from folklore and legend
  • Centuries ago, the North Wind fell in love with a wolf named Winter, and they had a litter of cubs - Bigby was the runt, relentlessly teased by his brothers and abandoned by his father
  • When Winter died, Bigby’s brothers left to find their father - Bigby vowed vengeance against his father and his brothers
  • Years later, he confronted his father seven times, and seven times failed to kill him - he eventually gave up and accepted defeat
  • Living in the Black Forest, he served as an uneasy ally of the other Fables against the forces of the Adversary - he insisted on tasting the flesh of anyone attempting to pass through a portal, and determined whether they were worthy
  • After being cut with a lycanthropy-stained knife, he gained the power to change into a human at will, and later mastered the power enough to control the extent of his transition
  • Under the guidance of King Cole, Bigby was hired as Fabletown’s sheriff because of his detective skills and fighting ability, but he remained untrusted by the other Fables
  • Later had seven children with Snow White, and they inherited their father’s abilities - they all stayed at the Farm, where Bigby was forbidden to visit until he was forgiven by Prince Charming - after marrying Snow White, he and the family moved to Wolf Valley and he retired as Sheriff
  • Turned into glass and killed by Prince Brandish as part of Brandish’s fight with Snow White - he was resurrected by witches, but since one of the pieces of glass was missing, his resurrection was tainted and he was under the control of Nurse Spratt until the final piece was returned and he was fully restored

• Issues - Theme is taming the mind while remaining wild at heart (9:51)

• Lack of trust by other residents of Fabletown because of his actions prior to the amnesty
• Hostile relationship with his father
• Internal dissonance between his animalistic nature and the human side he has to present

• Break (26:41)
  • Plugs for Play Comics, Scotch N Sports, and Erica Schultz

• Treatment (28:18)
  • In-universe
  • Out of universe

• Skit (37:35)
  • Hello Mr Wo -***interrupting*** Bigby. Bigby’s fine. 
  • Hello Bigby, I’m Dr. Issues. -And I’m leaving. 
  • Please don't, or we’re both going to be in trouble.-There won’t be any trouble if you just step aside. You can see I’m fine. I’ve come in like this before, and I tell everyone in the ER that I’m fine, so they let me go.
  • Not this time. -Grrr…why not?
  • Because you’ve come in so many times with unknown injuries, outlandish reports that don’t make sense, and by the time you leave it’s as if nothing ever happened. -Exactly.
  • EXACTLY…that’s why the ER director wants me to do a psychiatric evaluation for decision making capacity. If you refuse, then police will be contacted to do a wellness check on wherever you say you’re going. -That’s…problematic.
  • I agree. So, what’s up? My main point is to determine if you understand the risks and benefits of your decision making, and if you are a danger to yourself, others. Or property. - Look, I’m not a danger to anyone, unless they get in my way. But if you don’t let me out of here, you’re putting others in danger. Can you live with that?
  • Nope, that’s why I have confidentiality on my side…and the only way it’s broken is if I think there is a danger. You’re not the danger and someone else is…prove it. - That’s just it. If I tell you, then you’re in danger. The safest thing for you is to keep you in the dark. You just have to trust me. 
  • Do you trust me? -No.
  • Then it’s mutual. Mexican standoff. I have my regs. You can beat me to a pulp, you can bash your way out of here, you can tangle with the police, but I know my job, and it’s protecting society at all costs. That’s all there is to it for me at this point. - *chuckles*
  • What’s so funny? - You an’ I are a lot more alike than I figured. OK. Fine. Have it your way. I’ll play your game, I’ll answer your questions, but only far enough to get me out of here. We clear?
  • Crystal. - *grunts* Hate that word.
  • Why? - Bad experience. Long story.
  • For once, I ain’t got time for that. Plus, you’re obviously in a hurry. Why’d you come to the hospital? -I didn’t volunteer. Tough scrape, got hit with a truck…what FELT like a truck. I know people don’t survive too many hard shots, and they wanted to check me for a concussion.
  • You look and sound pretty good, all things considered -You should see the other guy.
  • Were there any homicidal threats? -No, not this time.
  • *pause* how often do you get threatened? Is this like a mob thing or -No, I’m actually on the side of keeping things in order. I can’t say more than that.
  • Classified? -Let’s go with that.
  • Ah…I think I’m getting the picture. You weave quite the tale -No kidding. You done?
  • Not quite. Do you know what the typical treatment plan is when you’re evaluated for physical and mental injuries? -I…uh…wait a while and if I’m ok, I leave. Like I said…a million times…EVERY time. Including now.
  • Consistency. I like it. And do you know the risks if you leave without any further medical evaluation? -I get to not talk to you anymore, and get on with my job. My very important job that keeps you and everyone else safe, and none the wiser. Am I making myself clear?
  • *exaggerated* Sir yes sir! -What?
  • I’m picking up what you’re putting down. Tough guy, lots of fighting skill, important work under lock and key…alright, I’m satisfied. You don’t have to tell me what branch…is it CIA? FBI? Secret Service? ATF? DEA? Ooooh, maybe you’re international and it’s MI6 -You read too many novels. Stop. I’m completely off the books *chuckles* damn I wasn’t even trying with that one.
  • Alright, Alright. Look, I’ll make your chart locked and the only way to break the seal is if you or your POA approves. Is that a deal? -What’s a POA?
  • Power of Attorney…or, if you don’t have the ability to share such a legal document, you would need a listed next of kin -Not a chance, too much of a blowhard. And the missus, well… if she found out I’d gotten into a scrape like this, it wouldn’t end well for me.
  • Suit yourself. I’ll be as vague as possible with details. But I can’t keep this up forever. If you do anything to compromise yourself, I won’t be able to hold back what’s in store for you. You’re going to get yourself killed at some point. - Wouldn’t be the first time… I, uh, came really close.
  • I’m sorry to hear that. You know, I see more people like you than you realize. I know your type. -*startled* Grrr.WHAT?!!
  • Calm down. I mean the facade. You come off like a grizzly, but I know underneath that, you’re really a teddy bear. That’s all. I work with some people like that. And I can’t change them, so I ride the wave. I hope you let the people close to you see the softer underbelly instead of the claws. - Damn, Doc, you’re a lot closer than you realize. Not bad for a mundie.
  • *confused* But it’s Wednesday. - *sigh* Can I go now?

• Ending (44:04)
  • Recommended reading: The Wolf Among Us
  • Next episodes: Eobard Thawne, Aquaman, Echo
  • Plugs for social & GonnaGeek Network

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We do our first ever compilation episode in conjunction with the release of the Marvels in theaters this week - it's a THREE HOUR episode about Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan! In case you missed the previous issues on these women, we got you covered!

Carol's original episode

Monica's original episode

Kamala's original episode

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We bring back Allen & Will to talk Grandma Chainsaw 3. We also discuss the untimely loss of colorist Jasen Smith, and how A&W are gearing up for the finale.

Creators on the Couch - Grandma Chainsaw 3

• Intro
• Background

• Grandma Chainsaw 3
  • Loss of Jasen Smith (24:15)
  • Opportunity to discuss grief within the book (29:15)
  • What comes next when GC 3 is done? (40:00)

• Ending (49:20)
  • Next episodes: Bigby Wolf, Eobard Thawne, Speedball
  • Plugs for social

References:

• Grandma Chainsaw 1 with Allen, Will, & Jasen (RIP) - Anthony (22:14)
• Turn Off the Lights by Teddy Pendergrass - Anthony (48:05)

GonnaGeek Network

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This episode, we focus on one of Gatman's most gafflingly grazen gad guys, the Ventriloquist (and Scarface!) Who's really pulling the strings? Listen now to find out!

• Intro

• Reminder of PuchiCon appearance

• Background (3:00)

  • Important to note that in this version, the dummy was made from wood used in Blackgate’s old gallows, and there are conflicting reports whether the dummy is possessed or not

• Ventriloquist (Arnold Wesker) created by John Wagner, Alan Grant, and Norm Breyfogle in Detective Comics #583 (Feb. 1988)

• Arnold Wesker is a meek man from a mafia family – originally developed DID after witnessing his mother’s murder

• His origin was later retconned – imprisoned in Blackgate prison, he begins hearing voices from a dummy named Woody, and the voices convince him to murder his cellmate – during the fight, Woody is damaged, and takes on the name Scarface

• In either version, Scarface becomes the controlling force, and Wesker is his “puppet” - to the point that Scarface becomes enraged if people insist on speaking to Wesker and not him

• One telltale sign is that Wesker/Scarface is unable to pronounce the letter B, replacing it with G - Batman becomes Gatman, bullets become gullets, etc.

• At one point Wesker was committed to Arkham Asylum, and upon escaping used a sock puppet named Socko - when Scarface learned he had been replaced, he and Socko had a gunfight, resulting in damage to Wesker’s hands #BecauseComics

• After an earthquake nearly destroys Gotham, a new villain called the Quakemaster shows up demanding a ransom to prevent further earthquakes - Tim Drake is able to deduce it’s Scarface because Quakemaster refuses to pronounce words with the letter B

• Has an on-again/off-again partnership with the Penguin, where they often break each other out of prison and work together on criminal enterprises

• Murdered by Tally Man in an effort to frame Harvey Dent

• Later resurrected during Blackest Night as a member of the Black Lantern Corps, and creates a construct of Scarface with his ring

• New 52 - he was never killed, and was hospitalized for treatment of his DID

• Briefly controlled by the Venom serum, but was taken down by Nightwing and Damian Wayne

• Succeeded as Ventriloquist by a woman named Shauna Belzer, who had her own puppet Ferdie

• He helped Batman defeat Psycho-Pirate, because his DID was able to override Pirate’s emotion control powers since Scarface was really in charge

• Issues - the pawn who would be king (7:03)

• Dissociation, Depersonalization, and Derealization

• Subordination (14:03)

• Masochism (21:04)

• Break (26:01)

• Plugs for Popcorn Psychology, Ocho Duro Parlay Hour, and Phillip Kennedy Johnson

• Treatment (26:56)

• In-universe - introduce ways to take Scarface out of commission

• Out of universe - work on scaling down and away from coping mechanism (30:10)

• Skit (34:06)

• DOC: Hello Mr. Wesker, I’m Dr. Issues.

• SCARFACE: Nope, you’re talking to ME, doc. Leave the dummy outta this.

• WESKER: W-w-well at least l-l-let me say h-h-hello f-first.

• SCARFACE: Shut yer yap and lemme do the talking. The less you talk, the faster we can greak outta here and get gack to gusiness.

• DOC: I love Vaudeville as much as anybody, but

• SCARFACE: *interrupting* that explains your practice

• DOC: Hey! This is a serious establishment. Are you going to talk to me or not?

• WESKER: I-I-I

• SCARFACE: Aye Aye Aye is right! Sheesh! You gonna take the hint, shrinkydink? This mug is useless without me. I’m the grains of this operation. That’s how I keep making gread.

• DOC: *flustered* Fine. Tell me, what can I do for you?

• SCARFACE: Can you crack safes?

• DOC: No

• SCARFACE: Can you crack heads?

• DOC: NO!

• SCARFACE: Knockaround guy? Gagman?

• DOC: No and No

• SCARFACE: Is your office a good place to do laundry, if ya catch my drift?

• DOC: I’m not doing anything illegal for you!

• SCARFACE: Then you’re a waste of space like this guy over here!

• DOC: He is the reason you can talk at all!

• SCARFACE: waaaaatch your mouth, you’re on thin ice, capiche?

• DOC: Mr. Wesker, are you going to stand for this?

• SCARFACE: He doesn’t have to, that’s why he’s sittin down. And you’re gonna be layin down for a dirt nap if you don’t keep your eyes on me!

• DOC: You don’t have any weapons. That tommy gun is a toy. I’m not stupid.

• SCARFACE: My noggin is like taking a Louisville slugger to the jaw if you’re unprepared.

• DOC: If you’re so bright,have you figured out a way to resolve your anger without resorting to violence?

• SCARFACE: Resort? You darn right I resort. A hideout full of moola and the screams of my enemies make crime a vacation. 

• DOC: Is that what Wesker wants?

• SCARFACE: Who cares what he wants? 

• DOC: I do. And if this is you, Arnold, then I’m willing to work with you in this…unique arrangement.

• SCARFACE: I’m confused. Are you talking to me or to him?

• DOC: Yes.

• SCARFACE: *pause* Ooooh, you’re a slick one, aintcha? Gut there’s no one else you need to talk to. 

• DOC: Thank goodness. So, I’ll make sure I only direct my questions to you, and you’ll answer, and I’ll make sure it’s documented in your chart, under your name. Just spell it for me so I get it right.

• SCARFACE: S-C-A

• DOC: A-R-N

• SCARFACE: *screaming* THIS AIN’T A JOKE! 

• DOC: I’m not laughing. I’m talking to you. I’m looking at you. I know you run the show, and I’m giving you the attention you deserve. If the other part is not important according to you, fine. But I won’t let your reality get in the way of mine.

• SCARFACE: YOU SICKO! Don’t toy with my emotions.

• DOC: Don’t use your emotions as toys

• WESKER: Please stop fighting

• DOC: who said that?

• SCARFACE: NOBODY! DUMMY, SHUT UP! 

• WESKER: yes sir

• DOC: You seem to have an issue with a part of you that is intimidated. What do you plan to do to strengthen it? 

• SCARFACE: I’m not weak; that loser

• DOC:*interrupting* You’re a loser; got it.

• SCARFACE: I’m not here to be insulted!

• WESKER: You usually leave that to me

• DOC: Progress! Now if you could only get him to stop shoving his hand inside you to compensate, you wouldn’t be so uptight

• SCARFACE: *pause* wait…are you actually trying to treat me here?

• DOC: It wasn’t my first idea but if it’s the only way I can ultimately give you some peace and have fewer people hurt, I’ll make it work.

• SCARFACE: *exaggerated wistful sigh* Maybe I can finally get a world without Dummy. A mafioso can dream.

• DOC: Um…erm…something like that. Anyway, I noticed that I didn’t get my usual fee before the session, so I’m going to have to bill you for the balance.

• SCARFACE: *deadpan* Oh…Dummy takes care of that 

• WESKER: I DO NOT

• DOC: WHAT?

• SCARFACE: I MEANT THE CHECK’S IN THE MAIL. Now get me outta here before he makes me talk about my mother. *fake sob* I really miss her.

• DOC: Pining?

• SCARFACE: No, oak.

• Ending (38:54)

• Recommended reading: Batman: Broken City by Brian Azzarello & Eduardo Risso

• Next episodes: Bigby Wolf, Eobard Thawne, Speedball

• Plugs for social & GonnaGeek Network

References:

• Penguin episode - Anthony (5:14)

• All the Smoke podcast - Doc (15:00)

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Things get downright evil as we delve into Nathaniel Essex, aka MISTER SINISTER! How messy does this diva get? Listen now to find out!

 Issue 181 - Mister Sinister

• Intro
• Background (2:17)
  • Mister Sinister (Nathaniel Essex) created by Chris Claremont in Uncanny X-Men #212 (Dec. 1986) - first seen in #221 (Sept. 1987) drawn by Marc Silvestri
  • Nathaniel Essex born in Victorian London, he is intrigued by Darwin’s theories of evolution and survival of the fittest, but believes that mankind can go further
  • After his 4-year-old son dies, he believes that science can perfect the human race - to that end, he hires a gang to kidnap homeless people to serve as test subjects - he allies with Apocalypse, as they share a common goal
  • His wife discovers his imprisoned test subjects, as well as their dead son that Essex had dug up to experiment on - she goes into premature birth, and dies from blood loss, calling him sinister - he takes on the name after En Sabah Nur transforms him with Celestial technology, giving him the powers of immortality and telekinesis
  • Sinister tries to kill Apocalypse, but fails - he commits himself to creating a mutant who can kill him, this leads to the eventual creation of Cable
  • Sinister collaborates with many villains & characters throughout the decades, including being responsible for setting up the High Evolutionary, and having his research be the basis for Weapon X project
  • He keys in on the Summers line, after secretly establishing an orphanage to keep track of children of his experiments - it is here he meets a young boy named Scott Summers, descendant of one of his earliest subjects - Sinister pretends to be Nate, another orphan, and tries to manipulate Scott to become an ally to Sinister until Scott is rescued by Xavier
  • Creates a clone of Jean Grey after determining that a child of Scott and Jean would be capable of killing Apocalypse - after the Phoenix Saga, Scott meets Madelyne Pryor at a Summers family reunion, leading to a whole bunch of messiness
  • Encounters the X-men for the first time during Mutant Massacre
  • Dies during Messiah Complex when he attempts to kidnap the newborn baby Hope - due to earlier experimentations, his consciousness transfers first to Xavier, before transferring to Claudine Renko, a former test subject - she calls herself Miss Sinister
  • Later is restored to a male form and creates an entire civilization of Sinister clones in San Francisco in an attempt to get Celestials to wipe out the planet so he can start anew - this is Kieron Gillen’s reboot of the character, and all subsequent stories work off this version
  • Creates five Madelyne clones in an effort to house the Phoenix Force during AvX, but the Phoenix Five destroy everything Sinister built
  • This Sinister is killed by another clone with an X-gene, making Sinister a mutant - it is this clone that works with Xavier and Magneto to compile a database of mutant DNA for the new Krakoan society, and he joins the Quiet Council
  • He also creates several clones of Moira MacTaggert, and exploits her timeline reset ability to his benefit, which leads to Sins of Sinister, where he successfully kills Xavier, Hope, Emma Frost, and Exodus, creating a dystopian future for mutants and mankind

• Issues - Theme is “The show must go on, but when does it stop?” (12:10)
  • Constant experimentation on others and himself in pursuit of perfection
  • Presentation and theatricality often doom his efforts (17:06)
  • Wants everyone to underestimate him, but overestimates himself (22:14)

• Break (28:10)
  • Plugs for Frigay the 13th, Hops Geek, and Chris Claremont

• Treatment (30:20)
  • In-universe - The ultimate family meeting
  • Out of universe - Review making changes just for changes sake

• Skit (42:40)
  • Hello Mr. Sinister, I’m Dr. Issues. - Hello…Doctor…you know, that doesn’t quite fit what we should be going for, here.
  • I don’t follow. -While I prefer my choice of moniker, I don’t want any mistake in how this works. I am also a doctor. But that’s not ALL I am, at this point. Do you catch my drift?
  • So we’re colleagues, and I have every intention of giving you the respect you deserve. -Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong. Colleague denotes equals, peers. There is no such thing with me.
  • Are you trying to intimidate me, or…-*interrupting* Oh my, no! If I wanted to have you cowering in fear, I would simply tear your mind asunder. Then replace it backwards. No, this is all trivial to me. But I’m bored, so let’s see where this goes now that I’ve established dominance.
  • I don’t think I’ve been so eloquently insulted in all of my life! -You're welcome.
  • *clearly angry, but not stupid enough to act* I don’t want to be rude back, but if you have no interest in changing anything about yourself, then this is going to be fruitless. -Nonsense, dear doctor. I am all about change for the better. That’s why I’m here. I sought you out. 
  • That’s refreshing…I guess? Then why demean me? -Is it demeaning to say that an insect is expendable, or a seed only has value once planted?
  • You sound like someone I met once -I know…I learned from the best.
  • So what do you want to change? -*truly evil smile* YOU, my dear Doctor Issues
  • *gulp* I’m always looking to improve…but…um…that’s not how therapy works. -Do you doubt that the transference and countertransference phenomenon that were known when I was a much younger lad are true? EVERY therapist changes the moment they speak with a patient. But that is too slow. I need to see my results in real time.
  • *fearful* A..aaaaa…as a doctor, you know that consent is a VERY important part of any changes that would be proposed, and I don’t give you that -*curt* This is NOT a review board or ethics panel. What I say, goes. Understand?!
  • Is it too late to say that you’re falling back on past patterns of aggression for the sake of comfort in a new environment? -If this were truly a new environment, then you wouldn’t be in such dire straits right now. Oh, the torment you may feel for a short while will be well worth my efforts. I will admit though *whispering* I’m not gentle.
  • I would like the anger back, please. Creepy is much worse. -Who said anything about creepy? I’m not hidden about my intentions. My name says enough.
  • Perhaps I could interest you in the meaning behind that also referring to left-handed orientation? -More stalling. *yawn* You are coming off as pathetic now.
  • So, you’re not trying to scare me, you’re not interested in what I have to say, and you want to...do SOMETHING and I don’t know what. Are you trying to build anticipation? I’m confused. -Perhaps
  • ***awkward pause*** OK I’ve had it. Just do it. Kill me, or torture me, or whatever it is you plan to do because it takes a lot for me to lose my patience nowadays. Just know that each time I try to start a conversation that may be insightful…THERAPEUTIC even, you have ignored it, or mocked it, or intimidated me about it. You’re trying to play me like a fool, and I’m NOT having it. I can tell you’re cunning, but nobody’s really that catty about mental wellness treatment. -Well then, let’s see how well your sessions go without this oh so beautiful couch to sit on. *ripping sounds*
  • WHAT? Seriously? It’s in the name! Who messes up a couch? -You need someone like me to make this whole room over. Your office is in shambles. Have you never heard of feng shui? 
  • I don’t care -*interrupting* Obviously you don't. And your clothes…a button down shirt with stripes? How tacky are you?
  • Is this what you consider changing me for the better? A mastermind doesn’t waste their time focusing on minutiae to criticize! - You think this is beneath me? Forget about Lizzo, darling, I engineered my DNA to be 100% that bitch.
  • So then what are your plans for my DNA? -Oh you simple, simple man. You have to learn how to put a comb through your hair, get a decent suit, learn how to tie your shoes properly AND find a decent non-offensive cologne before I ever do gene-work on you! For once, I must focus on the outside instead of what’s inside. I’ll be here every week until you are worthy of being my next great experiment.
  • Then I’ll keep trying to be an example of a regular person who is willing to accept imperfections. I hope that sinks in. -Nonsense.  Until then, consider this my parting gift *laser sound*
  • Whoa…did you just…laser shave…um…but my clothes are still on…you know what? I don’t want to talk about it. That was without my consent. - You’re quite welcome. This time it was hair. Next time, it will be more than that if you’re not careful.

• Ending (48:36)
  • Recommended reading: Immortal X-Men, Cerebro episode on Sinister
  • Next episodes: Ventriloquist, Bigby Wolf, Eobard Thawne
  • Plugs for social & GonnaGeek Network

References:

• Chris Claremont interview - Anthony (5:45)
• Gambit episode - Anthony (6:25)
• Moira McTaggart episode - Anthony (9:15)
• Cerebro podcast with Kieron Gillen - Anthony (11:23)

Transcript

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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)

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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)

Apple Podcasts: here

Google Play: here

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TuneIn: here

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