Capes On the Couch - Where Comics Get Counseling

Our old friends are back from hell... Allen & Will return to promote their latest Kickstarter for Pocus Hocus 6, plus reveal some more upcoming projects. Grab your top hat and magical rabbit, and listen now!

Intro
GonnaGeek promo for Play Comics
Erica Schultz plug

Background
How have you been since last time?

Pocus Hocus 6
Pocus - issues with his father (8:40)
Emily - why does she stick around? (13:22)

Break for promo plug - Ocho Duro Parlay Hour (17:30)
Back to Pocus 6
Will finally makes it to the show
Lily - when will we learn more about her background? (21:30)
Hugo - discussion about his nature (23:15)
Horus - what’s going on with him? (29:40)

Other stuff
Deacon Dan (33:37)
One Sunday Afternoon (35:08)
The Herald (36:10)
Kickstarter incentives (43:34)

Ending
Plugs for social (45:38)
thetophatstudios.substack.com - Allen & Will’s Substack

References:

“What Have You Done For Me Lately?” by Janet Jackson - Anthony (2:26)
Lily von Shtupp - Anthony (20:58)

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https://capesonthecouch.com/issue-193-wonder-woman/https://capesonthecouch.com/?p=1574

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)

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It's our SEASON 11 PREMIERE! We bring back Jeremy Whitley for the FOURTH TIME to discuss his new OGN, Navigating With You. How did he manage to take Anthony & Doc's real-life high school friendship and turn it into a YA lesbian romance? Listen to find out!

Intro
Background
What have you been up to since the Dog Knight?

Navigating With You (4:21)
What was the impetus for this story?
Did you realize you basically wrote me & Doc, except girls?
Love inclusive writing, a Jeremy specialty
THANK YOU for acknowledging disability tragedy porn without falling victim to it
The impact Josh has on Gabby, and her development over the arc, just *chef’s kiss*
Super Navigator Nozomi - story within the story - when did you decide to write a manga within a comic? How hard was it to condense the story into a handful of pages for each volume? (27:37)
What was the biggest thing you wanted to fit in there that was just for you & yours, knowing other people might or might not “get it” but you had to have in the story? (36:48)

Any new stories coming up?
Ending
Plugs for social
Jeremy’s website

References:

Macho Man “Cream of the Crop” interview - Anthony (33:32)

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Anthony recently made an appearance on a panel at Jersey City's Black Comic-Con 2024, and now you can listen to the presentation live! Fascinating discussions, great audience questions, and a beautiful environment all led to this - listen now!

Transcript

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We make our Shenanicon debut with our long awaited panel on Baccano! What makes these immortal mafioso interesting? Tune in to find out!

Intro
Who is Capes on the Couch?
What is Baccano?

Characters
Czeslaw Meyer - tortured and distrusting of anyone & everyone, ESPECIALLY immortals
Ladd Russo - psychopathic manchild with a… unique moral code (16:18)
Firo Prochainezo - the cutest, politest mob boss you’ll ever meet (20:26)
Jacuzzi Splot - he’ll kick your ass, right after he gets done crying about it (23:30)
Claire Stanfield - solipsism to its (logical?) conclusion
Szilard Quates - what does he want? Yes (32:48)
Q&A portion (37:48)

Ending
Plugs for social & GonnaGeek Network

References:

Darkwing Duck - Anthony (27:00)
Jamie Madrox episode - Anthony (37:22)

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Under the cover of a full moon, we shed a light on Jack Russell, WEREWOLF BY NIGHT! How many Warren Zevon references do we fit into this episode? Listen now to find out!

Intro
Apologies for delays in episodes - Doc and I going thru stuff (separately) 
Reminder that Shenanicon registration is now open - still no word on exact date & time of Baccano panel

Background (3:13)
Jack Russell, Werewolf by Night, created by Roy Thomas, Jeanie Thomas, Gerry Conway, & Mike Ploog in Marvel Spotlight #2 (Feb. 1972)
Jacob Russoff is the son of Gregor Russoff, a Transylvanian baron whose ancestor was bitten by a werewolf working for Vlad Dracula in 1795
Gregor acquired the Darkhold and read it, triggering the latent curse and turning him into a werewolf - after he was killed, his wife Laura moved to America and remarried her brother-in-law Phillip Russell, and Jacob became Jack Russell
Jack’s curse took effect on his 18th birthday, and shortly thereafter his family’s driver sabotaged his mother’s car to crash under Phillip’s orders - before her death she told Jack the truth about his heritage and made him promise not to take revenge on Phillip (no promise was made about the driver, though…)
Spent most of the next few years on the run from the Committee, who wanted to capture him and use him for their own purposes - among the many people hired by the Committee was Moon Knight, who defeated Jack before having a change of heart and teaming up with Jack to escape
Spends a chunk of the 80s on a motorcycle driving around the country - after a battle with the Hulk, his father’s spirit tells him he must accept his beastly nature or die; he does, and gains control over his transformation and abilities
Unfortunately his control didn’t last, and he began seeing visions of Hell during his transformations - this drove him to alcoholism and suicidal thoughts until he encountered a woman similarly afflicted and under siege by a small town - they killed the leaders and agreed to help each other live free
He was given a vaccine by Michael Morbius that helped him regain control, and he joined the Midnight Sons - his new mindset was that of acceptance, and he was determined to find other “monsters” around the world and help them the way he had been helped - this includes Rahne Sinclair’s son, who she rejected because the child was feral
He had his head blown off by Deadpool after Wade found him in bed with his wife - he survived, but it took some time for his head to grow back

Issues - Theme is “a sheep in wolf’s clothing” (7:46)
Finally reached an acceptance of his werewolf nature, even if the world hasn’t
Formerly suicidal alcoholic (14:10)
A drifter who’s unattached to any one place for too long (24:28)

Break (32:12)
Plugs for I Am Your Target Demographic and Hops Geek News

Treatment
In-universe - Treat yo self
Out of universe - Focus on the addiction issues first, and then work on the other things

Skit (41:40)
Hello Jack, I’m Dr. Issues. - Hi. Man, I could have used you a long time ago.
*pause* Thaaanks? So, what can I do for you…now? - Just hear me out. I’ve hesitated to do any therapy because I didn’t think anyone would listen. 
Oh, so my reputation precedes me. -You never answered my calls or emails.
I can be scant in my availability, yes. But that should be a deterrent, right?. -Every review I read said that you are the most patient psychiatrist they’ve ever met, but you’re hard to track. I like that. Maybe you can tolerate my story. 
My goal is more than tolerance. I want patients to thrive. But sometimes you have to crawl, then walk, then run. -You got that right! So I did my homework. I know this is confidential as long as I’m not a threat, right?
Yup. -Well, what if I told you that there’s only a certain number of nights where I was a threat, but I kept everyone safe with an airtight plan? Makes sense, right? 
I guess -*interrupting* and what if I told you that I even went so far as to meditate to harness my rage in a form that was productive. Are you with me?
Is this a metaphor for male menopause or -*interrupts again* Heck man, I even found a, uh, “alternative healer” to basically cure me. This is some wild stuff, huh?
You sound like an infomercial right now. What is your angle? Are you trying to promote some woo-woo healthy positivity or what? I’m confused. You’re way more upbeat than I thought you’d be. I just scrolled through your emails -Better late than never
*Interrupting* No wonder I blew you off. You sent me an autobiography that reads like Ann Rice decided to make out with Kafka. -*pause* So a bit melodramatic?
Therapy is supposed to be more than just venting. You say you have all of these tools to…wow this is long…survive with lycanthropy?! You could have just said “I’m a werewolf.” -Well you always use those vocab words in your writing so I was trying to match you. And how dare you try to shame a patient. I’ve come a long way, you know!
No shame, no blame. Just…*sigh* I get this a lot. You want to connect on a human level. That’s awesome. I’m impressed, because you’re clearly putting the proper energy into this. But there IS a way to swing too far on that pendulum. I want to be your trusted professional, but I’m not your buddy. There’s a difference. Let’s focus on your accomplishments so far, since that’s your focus out of the gate. -Cool! First off, I survived a family that sometimes turned feral. Lots of reconciliation.
Great. -I am on the sober path.
Wonderful. -I can live in my own skin…and fur. 
Check. -No, further east than that.
Huh? -Nevermind, bad joke. 
Not rushin ya -Huh?
Even worse joke. -*snaps fingers* You DO have a bright side.Anywho, what I’m trying to say is, I don’t have everything figured out. But I’ve taken care of the boulders. Now I need to take care of the smaller rocks, the pebbles…you get it?
Yup. Much better clarity. I’ll take you on as a patient under one condition -No werewolf?
How’d you guess? -Just a hunch. Oh, and here’s my local pharmacy. 
I don’t think you need a prescription -It’s the only one I know willing to incorporate silver compounds.
*pause* Welp, that’s either a dark backup plan, or the wickedest joke of this encounter. *simultaneously* WHY NOT BOTH?

Ending (46:03)
Recommended reading: Legion of Monsters
Next episodes: Storm, Wonder Woman, Shadowman
Plugs for social & GonnaGeek Network

Transcript

References:

“BBL Drizzy” - Anthony (2:23)
Shenanicon 2024 - Anthony (2:50)
“Werewolves of London” - Doc (8:55)
“Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” - Doc (25:30)
SHE CAME DOWN IN A BUBBLE - Anthony (36:00)
“Hair of the Dog” - Anthony (46:40)

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We bring back friend of the show Allen Dunford to talk about his new baby daughter! I'm sorry, we bring him back to talk about his doctoral thesis! Wait, I mean we discuss his latest Kickstarter campaign THE HERALD!

(And we also talk about those other things...) Listen now!

The Herald #1: A Supernatural Western by Allen & Will — Kickstarter

Transcript

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It's time to swim in the Deadpool and do the DEATHSTROKE! Some people would give their left eye for an episode like this. Those people probably need help just like Slade. Listen now!

Intro - Jeremy Whitley
Apologies for the delay

Background (2:18)
Deathstroke (Slade Wilson) created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez in The New Teen Titans #2 (Dec. 1980)
At 16, he lied about his age to join the Army during the Korean War, and later met his wife, Captain Adeline Kane - after they married, they had three children: Grant, Joseph, and Rose
Subjected to an experiment where he was injected with a substance that drastically increased his healing, as well as giving him expanded use of his brain’s capacity #BecauseComics
Started working as a mercenary, keeping his business private from Adeline, until a criminal kidnapped Joe to blackmail Slade - although Slade killed the criminal, Joe’s throat was sliced, destroying his vocal cords and rendering him mute - this angered Adeline, who shot Slade through the right eye
Grant took a contract to kill the Teen Titans, but died after an experiment to give him superhuman abilities - Slade vowed vengeance on the Titans, blaming them for Grant’s death, but was defeated
The Judas Contract - Slade used Terra to infiltrate the Titans, then once he learned their identities and weaknesses, systematically went after each of the Titans - Joseph joined with Nightwing to possess his father, and after Terra died, Slade was captured
After that, Slade occasionally worked alongside the Titans while still working as a merc - he was forced to mercy kill Joseph, who was a Titan known as Jericho and was possessed by the souls of Azarath
Gave Adeline a blood transfusion which drove her insane, and she tried to kill all metahumans, blaming them for Jericho’s death - when she requested a mercy kill, Slade refused but Starfire obliged, and he cut ties with the Titans
Jericho possessed Slade right before his death, and used Slade’s body to enact revenge on all the Titans - this led to Slade training Rose, his last remaining child, to kill Jericho, but his methods drove her insane
Was responsible for the destruction of Bludhaven and killing over 100,000 people to mentally destroy Nightwing - he was defeated by Batman, Robin (Tim), and Nightwing
New 52 - reboots Slade as a mercenary who lost his eye in a terrorist attack, and after his sons and wife were killed, he goes on a rampage to protect Rose
Dies in Rebirth after being killed by Red Arrow

Issues - Theme: Being too smart for your own good doesn’t have to turn out this bad! (9:59)
Kids: They’re a handful, am I right?
Intellectualization as an isolator 
The definition of “Enough” (26:05)

Break (35:58)
Plugs for Sips Suds & Smokes and Frigay the 13th

Treatment (37:57)
In-universe - Give him a protection contract and make him honor it
Out of universe - So many examples with real-life veterans (41:35)

Skit (49:29)
Hello Deathstroke, I’m Dr. Issues. -Hello, Doctor. *pause* This is unusual and I don’t like it.
Well, therapy or counseling isn’t always meant to be fun, and lots of people hate going to the doctor, so -*interrupting* Not like that. I’ve been a wanted man for ages. You’ve seen patients like me in confined areas before. Yet you let me waltz in without a hint of security. No shackles, no guards, not even a warning. That doesn’t make sense. I can only draw 2 conclusions. Either you are requesting my services, in which case you have no need for safety, or you have an unknown unknown, which uncharacteristically would put me at a disadvantage.
I’m sure you’ve read my profile. -From the “exposure” you had a while back, sure. Very sloppy, and yet cleaned up as if it never happened. Your current information is modest on networks but still acclamatory. But I’m sure you are referencing my ability to infer that you are a pacifist and would never entrust my means. Very well. I will take this session at face value. Humanity is full of idiots, you’re no different.
That is quite the exposition and non sequitur simultaneously. I’ll bite. What’s wrong with humanity, and how does that affect you? -It’s hard to act with perfection when you can’t let morons know you are imperfect. I can exploit anyone I want. Sometimes it’s pleasurable. It’s certainly profitable. But I’m not above petty revenge. I’ve loved before. I hate even more. And yet, only one of those goes unrequited for long. No one will pity a mercenary. 
You don’t deserve pity. No one does. -*pause, genuine shock* Too Machiavellian of a phrase for a Hippocratic practitioner.
Too quick of a process for the smartest man in the room. No one deserves pity. They deserve grace, honesty, and empathy, the ratios of which can be seen as enlightening, punishing, and rewarding, depending on the circumstances. The chase is beneath you. By your own account, I’M beneath you. So why bother? Money? Really? -If I have mastered the rules of a game, then I should be able to keep my own scoreboard at my whim. But I have other motivations, and yes, I will admit that they are just as basic as any other *ahem* family man. I don’t pretend to be stereotypical in my reactions, but I mourn my losses, too.
I feel like this is all a test of my wits. I have to prove to you I’m worthy of your time. You could have ended this…take of that what you will…at any point. Do you really think I have some sort of ace up my sleeve? -Unlike you, I don’t use the colloquial “I feel” To substitute for “I think.” And yes, I think…haha, I KNOW you have me scouted. Anything less and you are a trusting fool.
Try me. -I know you’ve encountered the Titans before. I created a diversion so they will be too busy searching for a fake battle hundreds of miles away. You are alone.
Am I? -I know about your latest burner phone. All signals from this office are blocked. It’s a brick, now. No bats will be in this belfry.
Um…well… -Surely that can’t be it, right? You have more to deliver to test my mettle? The archer? The Martian? The big blue buffoon? 
Don’t call me Shirley. -*Pause* You truly are an idiot like all of the rest.
Cool, then you don’t have to waste your energy on killing me. -You’re not a mark. That’s the only reason you’re still breathing. 
I’ll take it! -As if you have a choice. Pathetic. *door opens as he’s about to leave*
Oh, and Mr. Wilson, I just wanted to let you know that you don’t have to intimidate someone who is genuinely trying to help you. It makes you look like a casual jerk instead of a ruthless assassin. Amongst the government agencies, interstellar factions, extradimensional rulers, and plain ol’ folks who want to see you suffer, I might be your only chance of living any semblance of a peaceful life. I’m risking my existence by talking to you and keeping my vow of confidentiality only if you mean what you just said, because I can have a clear conscience that you are a shrewd butthurt businessman rather than the essence of evil that those who conspire against you would want me to believe. I figured all of that out without anyone telling me a single word. So I may not be a queen on your chessboard, but I damn sure am NOT a pawn. -Do you
*interrupting* Slade. -*pause* All you had to say was my name, and we could have avoided the banter. No contacts, please, unless I come to you.
Now we have an agreement. Goodbye.

Ending (54:49)
Recommended reading: Judas Contract
Next episodes: Storm, Wonder Woman, Shadowman
Plugs for social & GonnaGeek Network

References:

Teen Titans Go! To the Movies - Anthony (1:45)
Dennis the Menace - Anthony (3:02)
Terra episode - Anthony (5:35)
“Cats in the Cradle” by Harry Chopin - Anthony (8:28)
The Simpsons - Homer’s half-assed overparenting “Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy” - Doc (14:04)
Hamilton:
“Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story” - Anthony (32:43)
“That Would Be Enough” - Anthony (33:14)
“Satisfied” - Doc (38:33)

Cast Away - Doc (58:35)

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We sit down for the SIXTH time with writer Erica Schultz in advance of the release of Rat City. Get comfy, folks, this is our longest creator interview yet - almost TWO HOURS LONG!

Intro
Background
What would it take to get you on a Marvel ongoing?
Dream character & artist/team?

X-23: Deadly Regenesis
Why go back to this period of Laura’s life?
Created Haymaker, a transmasc non-binary MMA fighter, as the main villain - how did that come about? (21:20)

Hallows Eve (28:31)
New evolution for Janine Godbe/Elizabeth Tyne/Mary Bailey/Sarah Porter
Powered masks: did you come up with the masks first and then their impact on story, or was it “what’s the story?” and then work the masks in?

What If: Dark Moon Knight (34:08)
How did you select this particular jumping off point? Moon Knight vs. Bushman happens so many times, why this one?
Nice to see Marlene take an active role in a MK story, even if it’s not necessarily clean

Daredevil: Gang War (50:06)
Previously written Matt as Daredevil, now Elektra: how to write legacy characters with different voices
What’s it like working on an event tie-in? How much freedom do you have for story you want to tell within obvious constraints, how much editorial oversight, etc?

Rat City (77:15)
How did you get this gig?
Spawn cover for Deadliest Bouquet, now an actual Spawn book!
What led to this expansion of the Spawn universe?
How much do you have to understand Spawn to follow this story?
Love the commentary on soldiers being chewed up & spit out, flaws of capitalism, etc.

Any new stories coming up?
Blood Hunters & Darth Maul Black White & Red: - more Marvel mini/tie-ins

Ending
Plugs for social

References:

Erica’s website
Erica’s interview on ITK - Anthony (34:19)
Key & Peele - Text Message Confusion - Erica (57:10)
Dirty Dancing “I carried a watermelon” - Erica (65:17)

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Discord