Capes On the Couch - Where Comics Get Counseling

Capes on the Couch: Where Comics Get Counseling
Capes On the Couch - Where Comics Get Counseling

Saving the world doesn't necessarily mean you go home happy. How's the mental health of your favorite superhero? A comic aficionado and a board-certified psychiatrist look at the various neuroses of your favorite heroes and villains and provide options for treatment.

  1. Issue 194 - Thunderbolt Ross

    FEB 12

    Issue 194 - Thunderbolt Ross

    Issue 194 - Thunderbolt Ross Intro Captain America: Brave New World reaction coming to Patreon Background (1:38) General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in The Incredible Hulk #1 (May 1962) Lieutenant General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross oversees gamma bomb project that ultimately leads to the creation of the Hulk (Bruce Banner) Grew up in a military family, and was focused on serving his country from a young age - joined the Army Air Corps (later Air Force) and worked his way up through the ranks Bruce’s growing relationship with Ross’ daughter Betty was a source of frustration and anger for him, as was the recurring nuisance of the Hulk - Ross made it his personal mission to find and destroy the Hulk Several times he allied with villains to battle the Hulk, which ultimately led to his dismissal from the military Betty and Bruce get engaged, but the Leader turns Hulk savage, and the wedding is called off - Betty later marries Glenn Talbot, and Ross is satisfied that Banner will never be his son-in-law When Talbot was captured by the Soviets in a rescue mission to save Ross, his apparent death fractured his relationship with Betty, as well as a demotion at work because of his inability to capture the Hulk Betty divorced Talbot and revealed she still loved Bruce - enraged by this, Ross allied with MODOK to have the Abomination kill the Hulk, but Betty caught wind of the plan and accused her father of treason - he was discharged from the Air Force and nearly committed suicide When Bruce and Betty get married, Ross shows up at the wedding with a gun to stop the ceremony - Rick Jones intervenes and is shot non-fatally In a SHIELD experiment he merges with Zzzax, a being of sentient electrical energy - in a battle with a mutant, he expends his energy to save Betty, and dies His body was resurrected by the Leader, and he rejoins the Air Force After Betty is killed by the Abomination and Hulk is exiled by the Illuminati, Ross sinks into an alcoholic depression - when Steve Rogers is shot, he is visited by MODOK and the Leader and offered a chance to gain Hulk-like powers - he then becomes Red Hulk, and his first act is to kill the Abomination for murdering Betty Ross’ identity as the Hulk is kept secret for over two years before being revealed during World War Hulks He later joins the Avengers, where he befriended an LMD named Annie that helped give him some perspective and understanding about things Temporarily bonds with both the Venom symbiote and the Spirit of Vengeance, becoming a being known as the Circle of Four - this is to defeat Blackheart, son of Mephisto Gets depowered by Doc Green, a super-intelligent version of the Hulk Issues - Theme is “a small river flowing long enough becomes a canyon” (7:10) When tradition becomes a trap Overprotective of his daughter (13:44) Oh yeah, the Hulk stuff (25:15) Break (29:06) Plugs for Play Comics & Geek Peak Treatment (30:19) In-universe -  Out of universe - (32:37) Skit (39:51) Hello General Ross, I’m Dr. Issues. - Doctor, with all due respect, let’s set the record straight. I didn’t come here for treatment. I came here for a clean bill of health. I’ve been involved in enough government missions, secret protocols, and super-powered expeditions that I should be the last one to hide from any flaws. I’m not perfect, but I don’t have to be. And that was before I learned about getting red in the face. Well, that is a hot start, General -I don’t do jokes, if you don’t mind. There are serious matters at hand. But you…I’ll keep that in mind. Sheesh. There are always serious matters at hand. That’s how the world works. That doesn’t mean they all have to involve you. -Agreed. I pick my spots. But those are enormous spots. I know my enemy better than they know themselves. That’s what’s lacking in battles nowadays. The foe has no concept of planning. So many people think being random makes you dangerous. It just makes you a fool. Well, not to sound condescending, but I doubt all of your plans go the way you want them to. -A plan is useless. PLANNING is indispensable. Do you know who said that? Dwight Eisenhower. So you enjoy the process necessary to reach goals, and not just the goal itself. -If I didn’t then I would have stopped existing a long time ago. I think people get that wrong about me. They think I’m some madman that wants to destroy the Hulk at all costs. And that was wrong…how? -I was never a madman. I’m calculating the whole way through. The heat thing says otherwise -Emotion in battle, Doctor. It’s something you can’t wrap your head around. Oh yeah, I get the rage, but in the fog of war, that can be the guide to see you through. No hippie woo woo love fest is going to save you when bullets are zipping and bombs are dropping. The only time you bring in God is to say “Thank God it’s over” and you’ve won. You present more demure than expected. -You sound like one of those Gen Z types when you say that. You’re a grown man. Act like it. So no social media memes; understood sir. But are you really past everything that’s listed in your file? Banner? Betty? Intelligencia? Avengers? It says here your own likeness was killed! None of that sounds traumatic to you? -Of course it does. So what? We all have trauma. I used to let it eat at me, just shove it down my own throat, and let it all come out when the time is right. But with what I have now, there’s no secrets. It’s on my skin, in my veins, and radiating through the air. I finally found a way to have nothing to hide. My choices, my fights, my consequences. Anything to add to that? You’re hitting the same note. What brings you enjoyment? How about sadness? Do you have any fears left? -You’re breaking the cardinal rule; you’re supposed to ask one question at a time. I’m sad that too many people think too small for their entire lives. I find joy in being one of the few living creatures to destroy multiple so-called badasses because I can adjust tactically and not be held down by magical thinking. I fear that anything less than a perfect rating in this assessment will leave me with a permanent mark that will have me use your office as a rage room.  *pause* Didn’t you shoot someone at your daughter’s wed -*interrupting* RAGE. ROOM.  You don’t have to be so pushy about it. -So, are you slapping the PTSD label on like everyone else? No, I’ll think outside the box and go I-G-E-D. -What the hell is that? Intermittent Gamma Explosive Disorder -*Groans* Doc Samson was right about you. Ending (43:41) Recommended reading: World War Hulks Next episodes: DerpyCon panel, Colleagues on the Couch w/ Dr. Ashley Zultanky, Shadowman Plugs for social & GonnaGeek Network References: Incredible Hulk episode with Popcorn Psychology - Anthony (2:00) “Calm Down” by Busta Rhymes & Eminem - Anthony (30:38) Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Twitter Facebook TikTok  Patreon TeePublic Discord

    50 min
  2. Creators on the Couch - Murewa Ayodele

    10/02/2024

    Creators on the Couch - Murewa Ayodele

    We're going transcontinental for this one, as we talk to Nigerian creator Murewa Ayodele about his upcoming book STORM! One of the most cinematic stories you'll ever hear, and it's not in a comic book - listen now! Intro Background How did you get into comics? (1:45) What is the Nigerian comic scene like? MK: BWB - hilarious short about “Egyptian stuff” - where’d you come up with the idea? (11:45) I Am Iron Man (18:55) Very cool conceit for the series - how much research did you do, and why did you pick the eras/stories that you chose? Damn you for making me cry with #3 right after laughing my ass off at Mojo DEXTER’S LAB REFERENCE IN #4 YOU ARE AMAZING Akogun: Brutalizer of Gods (28:02) One of the most badass titles I’ve ever heard in my life Yoruba mythology is fascinating - what inspired the combination of western ideas with African roots? Storm (34:24) How much of the recent X-stuff do you have to know about to pick this one up? Ororo is such a complex character - how do you decide knowing which parts of her to focus on? Favorite trait of hers? Favorite character flaw? (40:00) How are you honoring her Kenyan heritage? (46:52) Thoughts on some of the online discourse surrounding Ororo’s home (50:38) One of the most iconic & fashionable characters in Marvel - how much effort is/was put into discussions & designs of her wardrobe? How far out in advance do you have stories mapped? Fan questions (57:29) Antoine Dodson, @worldofantoine, asks: Since they are working to heighten Storm’s profile in the larger marvel universe again, could we see any crossover stories or events centering around Storm in the future? @butterflykyss asked: Ororo is slated in this run to be earth's protector which is pretty awesome.  However, Gaia, I would presume, believes that title is more appropriate in describing her.  Any chance  the two will cross paths?  Sorcerer Supreme, @mysticalme337, asks: Admittedly I've asked Mr. Ayodele this before, but if he had to have Ororo team up with Doc Strange, what dynamic would he have for them? Kimmi, @SeleneGallio616, asks: What has been the best part in imaging what Ororo’s story after Krakoa would be? And what has been the biggest inspiration for her fashion sense? Ororo Munroe, @Storm54737952, asks: In relation to this image, can we associate that this spear is made of Light... not a simple light, but rather a light linked to the House of Ideas, the divine light, the Light of TOAA? after all, she will face Oblivion! Jug, @jugtbwjwsu, asks: Is there gonna be any chances of Storm seeing her Grandparents again? Sky Breaker, @dsolomon83, asks: Any armoring in the new suit? Bulletproofing, knife proofing, laser proofing etc. Anything else in the fire? Ending Plugs for social References: Mojo episode - Anthony (24:34) Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Twitter Facebook Patreon TeePublic Discord

    1h 9m
4.9
out of 5
55 Ratings

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Saving the world doesn't necessarily mean you go home happy. How's the mental health of your favorite superhero? A comic aficionado and a board-certified psychiatrist look at the various neuroses of your favorite heroes and villains and provide options for treatment.

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