Capes On the Couch

Anthony and Doc cover Ollie Queen's former sidekick ROY HARPER! From abandonment to drug addiction to child death, this is a very heavy episode - there's even a content warning at the start. This is not a light and fun one, but it's worthwhile to listen to. SHOW NOTES: Intro Background (3:08) Roy Harper created by Mort Weisinger & George Papp in More Fun Comics #73 (November 1941) Originally k...

It's the podcast crossover event of the century! We collaborated with Popcorn Psychology, GuardiansMH, Pop Psych 101, and Freudian Sips to discuss how to end the stigma surrounding mental health discussions. This is a special episode you won't want to miss! Apple Podcasts: here Google Play: here Stitcher: here TuneIn: here iHeartRadio: here Spotify: here Twitter Facebook E-mail Patreon TeePublic D...

Part 2 of our New York Comic Con interviews! Anthony speaks with Al Ewing, Saladin Ahmed, Erica Schultz, Robbie Thompson, and the legendary CHRIS CLAREMONT! You won't want to miss this one! SHOW NOTES: Intro Al Ewing (1:02) What he's worked on in the past Did he pitch the Immortal Hulk to Marvel or did they come to him? How much research does he do to come up with the opening quote? Why did he all...

Part 1 of our New York Comic Con interviews! Anthony chats with Cullen Bunn, Howard Mackie, Meredith Finch, Jeremy Whitley, and the inimitable Gail Simone! Listen to what they have to say about the characters they've created and written! SHOW NOTES: Intro Cullen Bunn (3:20) What's he working on Moon Knight – what did he want to focus on writing Marc? Is Khonshu real or not? How did he come up with...

OK, this looks bad. Anthony & Doc take on Matt Fraction's run on Hawkeye. And lemme tell you - it's futzing great. You should stop what you're doing and listen now. Unless you're watching Dog Cops. Then you should finish the episode and THEN listen. SHOW NOTES: Intro Shoutout to The Struggle Bus – a bi-weekly advice podcast hosted by Katharine & Sally – they answer questions and offer opin...

Our second thematic episode focuses on survivor guilt! How does Emma Frost cope with all of the horrible things she's encountered? What impact does being the Last Son of Krypton have on Superman? Anthony & Doc break it all down - listen now! SHOW NOTES: Intro Shoutout to And a Bag of Chips , the podcast that's all things late 90s/early 2000s – hosted by Lisa Foiles of All That and Drew Backgro...

Anthony & Doc examine the Maker (aka Ultimate Reed Richards). What differentiates him from his 616 counterpart? What can heartbreak do to a super genius? All this, plus Doc's most inventive treatment idea yet - listen now! SHOW NOTES: Intro Shoutout to Cheers to Comics – Brian Wayne talks all things comics Listener Survey Background (04:00) Ultimate Reed Richards created by Brian Michael Bendi...

To tie in with the Absolute Carnage storyline, Anthony & Doc tackle Carnage himself, CLETUS KASADY! What treatment is there for a deranged, amoral serial killer bonded to a symbiote? Doc has the answers! Listen now! SHOW NOTES: Intro Shoutout to Cage's Kiss podcast – Every episode covers another Nicolas Cage film Background (02:36) Cletus Kasady created by David Michelinie and Erik Larsen in T...

We cover the second Robin, JASON TODD, at the request of Patron Ariel! How did he go from being Dick Grayson 2.0 to one of the angriest members of the Bat-family? Doc unveils one of his most inventive treatment methods yet, plus we finally get an answer to the age-old question of how the Joker got away! (No reason why Batman smells, though.) Listen now! SHOW NOTES: Intro Doc wrote a guest column f...

Patron Ruby requested we cover Jen Walters, aka SHE-HULK! Why does a successful attorney prefer to be green? Why does she keep relationships short & easy? Plus another five-star review from a happy fan. Listen now! Intro Shout-out to Pod Sound School for the audit & help and Collateral Gaming for being awesome Background (04:44) She-Hulk created by Stan Lee & John Buscema in Savage She...

Our second ever creator interview has Anthony & Doc speaking with ERICA SCHULTZ, writer of Twelve Devils Dancing. Who is Callum Cooper? What impacts does being raised in a cult have on him? And a tease for one of her big upcoming projects. Listen now! SHOW NOTES: Intro Plugs - Ignorance Was Bliss , Popcorn Psychology Interview (02:50) Background - other works in comics What inspired this story...

Patreon Brian asked us to cover THE RIDDLER! Why does Edward Nygma keep leaving clues he knows Batman will solve? What is OCD really like? All these questions and more - listen now! SHOW NOTES: Intro Background (1:15) Riddler created by Bill Finger & Dick Sprang in Detective Comics #140 (October 1948) Edward Nigma loved puzzles so much he became obsessed with using puzzles to cheat people out...

For our 50th episode, we open up the mailbag and answer questions from our listeners! Who's Doc afraid to get on the couch? What inspired Anthony to get into comics? Is Scott still a dick? All these questions and more - listen now! SHOW NOTES: Merch on TeePublic! Additional swag for Patrons! Questions: Patron Ruby Patron Brian Marvel Mythos Jeanne Rey from Into the Knight Nick Ending Next episodes...

Our first thematic episode focuses on minor sidekicks to adult heroes! What would convince a teenager to endanger themselves to join an adult? Anthony & Doc break down several famous pairings and how they work (or don't)! Listen now! SHOW NOTES: Intro Shoutout to new Patron Salvador Adventures in Poor Taste plug for Doc's column Episode 50 - Mailbag Background (5:24) First teenage sidekick was...

On the heels of Jessica Jones S3, Patron Ariel requested we cover the Purple Man, KILLGRAVE! How is the comic version different from David Tennant's portrayal? And can Anthony & Doc count to 50? (The answer to the last one is no.) Listen now! (DISCLAIMER: We inadvertently forgot this was episode 48, so we keep calling it 49 in the show. Don't worry, you're not missing anything, we just can't c...

Patron Ariel requested we cover Superman's archenemy LEX LUTHOR! Find out what makes this mad scientist/mad businessman so mad! Plus find out which real-life executive Anthony compares to Luthor! Listen now! (DISCLAIMER: We inadvertently forgot this was episode 47, so we keep calling it 48 in the show. Don't worry, you're not missing anything, we just can't count ;-P ) SHOW NOTES: Intro IWB live s...

Our first ever relationship episode focuses on Charles Xavier and Magneto. Find out why these two frenemies keep coming back to each other. Plus Anthony & Doc discuss the corollary between these two and MLK/Malcolm X. Listen now! SHOW NOTES: Issue 46 – Relationship between Charles Xavier and Magneto Background (6:56) Introduced as mortal enemies in The X-Men #1 (Sept. 1963) Xavier was the head...

WE'RE BACK! Not only is this our Season 3 premiere, but it's our first ever creator interview. We talk to Jeremy Whitley, writer for the Unstoppable Wasp, and ask him about Nadia Van Dyne. We ask about her Bipolar disorder, her amazing support system, and how his writing rendered the need for a skit obsolete! Listen now! SHOW NOTES: Intro Background (11:12) Created by Mark Waid and Alan Davis in F...

It's the Season 2 finale, and per our President level Patron Ariel's request, we're covering TALIA AL GHUL! Anthony & Doc go in depth on Ra's daughter, her on/off-again relationship with Batman, and how good of a mother she is to Damian. All this, plus a first ever treatment session and the weirdest accent Anthony's done yet - LISTEN NOW! SHOW NOTES: Introduction Shoutout to Blood & Bl...

It's the magical conman from Liverpool, John Constantine! Anthony & Doc discuss this Sting lookalike and why he has so few friends. Plus hear the worst attempt at a Scouse accent you've ever heard! SHOW NOTES: Intro Shoutout to Freudian Sips – mother-daughter duo have drinks and talk about brains, psychology, and all manner of interesting topics (NSFW) (2:32) Background (5:37) John Constantine...

It's our second Captain Marvel episode about the second Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau! Is Monica the Harold Miner of the Marvel Universe? How many Monica songs does Anthony reference? All this, plus a special guest appearance from Jeanne as Monica Rambeau - listen now! SHOW NOTES: Introduction Shoutout to Lolita Gentry Project – (5:24) Background (8:29) Monica Rambeau created by Roger Stern &...

Before Captain Marvel drops in theaters this week, listen to Anthony & Doc dissect CAROL DANVERS! This is our heaviest episode yet, as we take on Carol's history and issues with authority. You won't want to miss this one - listen now! SHOW NOTES: (Please be advised that we offer a trigger warning for sexual abuse/rape victims for this episode.) Introduction Shoutout to AnxZenity – Gerald's bat...

Patron Matt asked for THE PUNISHER! Anthony & Doc break down the clearest case of PTSD in comics around. Does Doc survive his session with Frank Castle? Listen in to find out! SHOW NOTES: Introduction Shoutout to Pop Psych 101 (4:49) Background (7:15) Frank Castle created by Gerry Conway & John Romita Sr. and Ross Andru in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 (February 1974) Debuted as an antagonis...

We didn't plan on it, but our Patron asked for it... so we covered CAPTAIN AMERICA! Anthony & Doc examine the Sentinel of Liberty, and what kind of responsibilities rest upon his broad, massive, sculpted shoulders. Listen now! SHOW NOTES: Intro Shoutout to Stacking Benjamins podcast – (10:04) Background (13:21) Created by Joe Simon & Jack Kirby in Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941) fro...

We're taking on the leader of the Walking Dead saviors, the foul-mouthed NEGAN! Anthony & Doc unravel his unique honor system, particular misogyny, and his... interesting relationship with his bat. Plus Anthony compares him to old ECW wrestlers. Listen now! SHOW NOTES: Intro Shoutout to Christian & Damon's Amazing Nerd podcast (NSFW language) – (3:20) Background (4:15) Negan created by...