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In this episode:

Mike and Ed continue their discussions on what the original Avengers are doing in their post-Avengers lives. For instance, Thor now seems to be working for the American military in Vietnam. Was he drafted? Or did he consider deserting to move back to Asgard? Will super-powered individuals become the next weapon of war? Will heroes sell their services to the highest bidding country? Is there a way to stop the escalation, or is this just the new way of the world?

Behind the issue:

Stan had Thor appear in Vietnam, but never had him coordinating with the US military. Comic books in the 1940s were practically US-propaganda, and the heroes were expected to be fighting against Hitler. But in the 1960s, the writers mostly kept the heroes out of real-world conflicts. It wasn’t until the modern era that writers considered the possibility of heroes fighting in Vietnam.

In this issue:

Thor is spotted in Vietnam and shot by a hunter. The hunter then comes across an ancient temple and, through the machinations of Loki, the hunger takes over the Destroyer armour with his mind. The hunter pilots the Destroyer in a fight with Thor. Meanwhile on Asgard, Loki is imprisoned.

This episode takes place:

While people are still adjusting to “Cap’s Kooky Quartet” - and missing their “old” Avengers.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering what Thor was doing in Southeast Asia.

Full transcript:

Edward: All right, Mike. Continuing our, where are they now? Series. We now know where Thor has been for the last couple of months.

Michael: Yeah. He's decided to take his retirement to Vietnam.

Edward: Vietnam, you'd think with his hair like that, he would've been a conscientious objector, but no Siri, don't stereotype Thor. He is right there with the military. Right in the thick of things.

Michael: All kidding aside, it's pretty wild that this man, or this being Thor, who's associated with, the American military and the military industrial complex has gone to Vietnam, clearly on behalf of the Americans, and intervened in international affairs. Clearly as an agent of America, or at least on America's interest. Yeah, for sure. Doesn't that make it a little more complicated over there? Is that what we wanna,

Edward: I think it makes it less complicated. ANCO was clear before that the Avengers were an American superhero organization that had American interest at heart. Their leader was Captain America. It's pretty clear that they were into America and hey, they were supported and run by, stark Corp, who are like basically a big American company. They're an American team now, Thor leaves the American team that he leaves the Avengers.

What does he do next? He doesn't go back up to Asgard. He goes and works for American interests in a non Avengers way.

Michael: It seems a little, isn't it? I don't know. I find it uncomfortable that we would entrust, international diplomacy to, well, it's costume adventures.

Edward: Well, it's not diplomacy. He's not negotiating peace treaties. He's swinging his hammer and like on a hitting North Vietcong.

Michael: But this. But there's consequences to that though. Like aren't you worried that that's gonna lead to say, other Superpowered beings that might be drafted in by the Vietcong to fight American soldiers overseas in,

Edward: do the Viet Cong have a superhero?

Michael: Not yet. Well, there you go. Not yet, but there you go. But you don't think the Chinese might have an interest in this. Have a say in it.

Edward: That's, that, that is true. We know the Chinese do have their own superheroes. Radioactive man. Radioactive man. So, you're saying it's an escalation of the conflict. And maybe this means China sends in radioactive man, but China is not like US is directly involved in that war. China is only indirectly involved, right? They have plausible deniability. If they send in radioactive man, there goes their plausible deniability.

Michael: Well first of all, there hasn't been a military briefing or any kind of official report in that Thor is going there on the direction or in service of the United States. So, I think the United States is trying to do this if they're doing it under some kind of plausible deniability scenario, and China could do the same thing, like we don't control radioactive man.

He's just a guy who believes in our values and that's why he is fighting. He's just showing up and fighting. Showing up and fighting, and that's why he is fighting the Americans in Vietnam.

Edward: But there's no Chinese soldiers in the vie, they're supplying them with weapons and stuff, but they're not supplying them with people I don't think. Here's the question. That's an ex escalation though. Here's, here's the question. Was Thor just drafted? Maybe he was just part of the draft.

Michael: I don't know. Well, he might have been, but that

Edward: his number came up and he off he went.

Michael: He, had to go.

Edward: He had to go. He had no choice.

Michael: He was gonna fly away to Asgard. But No, but I'm still thinking about deescalation,

Edward: other deserters run to. Canada, but not Thor. He heads to a whole intervention, flies to another, another realm, a mystical realm. Yeah. But he knew he wanted to come back to America. So he knew that if he abandoned us, we weren't gonna let him back in.

Michael: So if I look at it and you look at it, the Vietnamese will probably look at it and the Chinese look at it that America has sent a superpowered individual to fight a battle on their behalf.

Clearly that what has happened. So I would think that the natural response would be that the Vietnamese through some kind of connection have one of their own. And then now we have, are we having our superpowered heroes and villains or people fighting each other?

Not just fighting each other, but fighting regular powered humans? Well, I think so. It's like if they think if they we're getting to a different era, I guess,

Edward: but I think, these people have powers and they're outta capabilities. It's almost like, if we had a really good tank, let's not use it because the other guys might bring in a big tank.

We have airplanes, let's not use airplanes cuz the other guys might have airplanes. We have an advantage over the Vietnamese right now because we have superheroes and they don't. Not using them, I think would be irresponsible. Americans would die if not for Thor. Thor is probably saving American lives right as we speak.

Michael: Yeah, but Ed, right now, America could use nuclear bombs in Vietnam, but they're not gonna, they're not, not,

Edward: we're not gonna use nuclear. But nuclear bombs have all sorts of like side effects that a lightning bolt from Thor, there's no radiation when he fires a lightning bolt and blows up a, nothing like a depot.

Michael: Lightning, basically Radiation?

Edward: No, it's, no, it's not radiation any more than the light is radiation.

Michael: Not basically, but I'm sure there is radiation that comes off of, there's certainly the light part of it and that part of the spectrum.

Edward: Yeah, but there's no radiation. It's not radioactive.

When you get hit by lightning, you're not gonna cause cancer when you get hit by lightning. Now you may die when you get hit by lightning, but it's not gonna cause future cancers.

Michael: But my point is that America could use nuclear weapons, but they don't because they don't, they know that that could lead to an escalation.

So isn't sending a superhero in kind of similar thing?

Edward: It's more than an escalation response. Yes. Yes. I think it's a big, we should not be using nuclear weapons. We don't want to go down that route. But a superhero is not a nuclear weapon. We use superheroes all the time. We use superheroes all the time for, we use superheroes when stilt man attacks New York City, we're not gonna drop a nuclear weapon on Stilt Man.

Michael: No, but the difference is that there's a difference between fighting crime in the city and then going to another nation. To affect foreign policy through, excessive force similar to a nuclear bomb sending, I think a superpower person's gonna do the, achieve the same result.

Edward: I feel that the Vietnam War is already at the excessive force stage. We're, we're not like, this is devastating. Let's have a, let's have a very stern conversation with them. Like there's people shooting at each other there there's war happening, there's helicopters and bombs and Tanks and so why shouldn't Thor be involved to, to help put an end to this thing

Michael: But this is a devastating next step. I mean the fact that you say it's irresponsible for them not to use Thor means, cuz you know, he's gonna be particularly effective. Much like individuals are bombed. Yeah, I think so. Why don't, so doesn't this lead to other nations around the world saying like, well better get some more superpowered individuals and then it gets into a bidding war. We've already talked about how the Avengers used to be a bunch of strangers who kind of got together very powerful and they've basically disbanded. And now it's like a bunch of former villains, you know, who are now with Captain America, which is pretty bizarre to say that they,

Edward: Maybe this makes even more sense now, right? If you have these people like. Quicksilver and the witch and the Hawkeye. And your choice is, hey, bring them onto the Avengers and make them part of our team. Or let them become free agents and join the Soviets. Maybe that makes the most sense that we brought them onto the team.

Michael: Maybe, but are we not getting to an era? Mercenaries, the superheros turning to mercenaries. What keeps them loyal to one particular ideology over another? I don't know, like is the American structure better than, the American democracy better than other forms of political philosophies in governments?

 You talk to every American I've ever spoken with, they'd say, no, it's the best. But other nations have different approaches to, policy, politics, and governments and structures and say, no.

Edward: We had this in World War ii, right? We were the most attractive there was a lot of scientists that said, oh, you know what? Let's help the US build the atomic bomb because we want them to have it not the other guys. And those, a lot of those scientists came from Germany, but they said, no. Mm-hmm We wanna work for America. Or they came from Soviet Russia with, no, we wanna work for America because we think that you guys. We are freedom loving and as problematic as the US has been over the years doing many, many things they probably shouldn't have.

The alternatives seem to be a lot worse and superhero superheros are lining up behind that. They're realizing that better to work for America than work for the other guys

Michael: for now. But what happens if , For instance, let's just pick our neighbor to the north, let's say in Canada. They just decide to say up the ante to get a superpowered individual that could lead to say, battling other nations. So they became more war monering because you know that America's, you know, might

Edward: Canada becomes the, the war Moner. Yes, the war moner. You can call me either their hockey sticks, you can call me captain. Boring. That's

Michael: not boring captain, but they go. But my point is that, is that any nation.

If they for the right price could get a superpowered individual who might think, you know, I like their philosophy too and we know that American might has led to American, financial benefits as well, right? I mean they, people don't just think America's great and that's why America does so well financially.

No, we're great because they make great movies. Make great movies and actually use their money and their might to influence world markets. And so who's to say that the long plan might be like, say, great Britain might just start building up their SUPERPOWERED individuals so that they can basically go and effect world affairs through the superheroes.

That that would then lead to increasing their financial, um, that's, that's

Edward: okay with that. Take America with that. They're not gonna take out Amer London is gay. This is not the American Revolution. America. If Britain, Britain, Britain is our ally, if Britain is more successful, now's good. That's good.

Michael: Thor just, Thor just got sent into Vietnam. I'm just saying that we're on the prey, I think of changing how, international affairs are structured and how disputes are resolved if we're getting into sending superheroes to other nations. To fight on a base, on an ideological basis against other nations

Edward: superheroes, adjust the next technology.

I feel like Mike, you'd be against using the airplane in World War I. You'd be like, no. If we use the airplane, maybe they'll use the airplane. Oh no. That'd be terrible. That'll be planes flying everywhere. That'll be the end of world order. No, as long as we make more airplanes than they do, we'll be fine.

And we're making more superheroes than everybody else in the world combined.

Michael: But I think one of the main things that came out, the difference between World War Well, sorry. World War I, what was a game changer was the machine gun, right? The mechanized instruments of slaughter and death and destruction.

Edward: Well, now you're just giving the machine gun a bad name.

Michael: I. Who would, right. But like, and it, and

Edward: it, it think of all the good the machine gun did, could like, but

Michael: it affected the world. It definitely affected the world and you might say, well, it's better. I don't know if it is, but it certainly changed it. I'm saying that we're the press p where we might be getting outta control because now wars are, so, the reason why we don't get into a war with the U S S R right now, is because it'll be so destructive. Because we've evolved our technology to the point that we could just destroy the world many times over.

Are we not just pivoting towards superheroes where we could destroy the world many times over through them? Frightened dead. I'm frightened.

Edward: All right. Well, I think it is what it is though, Mike. I feels, it feels like, just like we couldn't hold back the machine gun in World War I, I don't think we hold back superheroes anymore.

I feel like the cat's outta the bag or the Thor is out of the. Helicopter.

Michael: The hammers outta the clasp towards bells

Edward: the hammers outta the clasp. It's the new catchy phrase, and you heard it here first.

Michael: Kids. Kids these days and their sayings.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss how the Goblin and the Crime Master may be the same person. Also, the Green Goblin is now clearly a villain. His early work attacking crime families seems to just have been so he can consolidate organized crime under his own leadership. Ed admits his earlier errors and Mike helps Ed understand that goblins are, historically, not known for their altruism. What does it say about Mr. Fantastic?

Behind the issue:

This is the first appearance of the Crime Master (he dies in the next issue, and unlike most dead villains is never resurrected - at least as of this writing in 2023). In the issue Stan leads the reader (and Spider-man) to believe that Fredrick Foswell (formerly the Big Man, now “reformed”) is secretly The Crime Master. When it turns out that Foswell was actually on the side of good and the Crime Master’s secret identity was someone who had never been mentioned before, Spider-man says something about how “sometimes it’s just a random guy”. In the future Stan will write another reverse and Foswell will go back to being a villain, but for now he is one of the heroes of the story.

In this issue:

The Green Goblin meets up with the Crime-Master to see if he will join forces with him to take over the criminal underworld of New York City. But the Crime-Master declines. A crime cold war begins anew.

It turns out that the Crime-Master is actually Frederick Foswell, the allegedly reformed Big Man who has returned after his stint in prison to work as a newspaper reporter again for the Daily Bugle.

Anyway, Spider-Man gets caught up in the middle of this crime cold war, and the Goblin captures him. The Goblin takes an unconscious Spider-Man to a crime meeting that the Crime-Master had set up to announce that he was the leader of NYC’s criminals - but the Goblin has other plans.

This episode takes place:

Around the time of a crime cold war in New York City.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering what Thor was doing in Southeast Asia - and also why costumed criminals are making a splashy play for power in New York.

Full transcript:

Edward: Uh, Mike, the green goblin, I stand corrected. Green Goblin is not a hero. He is not a good guy. He,

Michael: shocker Ed. Just a but the shocker,

Edward: so Mike, I admit when I'm wrong. I admit that even though he was doing a heroic thing, trying to take down crime families, he was not doing it for a good reason.

Michael: He wasn't altruistic.

He wasn't just like, you know what? I wanna, you know what I do? My spare time is just take down, and weaken crime families and just let them just see what happens afterwards. It turns out he was trying to take them over.

Edward: So, there's a difference whether it's the meaning behind the action that's important or the effect that's important. And if the effect was to eliminate crime, may, maybe he was, maybe he was a good guy even in spite of himself. Uh, okay. It's, it's a stretch.

Michael: That's a bit of a stretch, Eddie. Like, I mean, look, what I think is that, the last time we spoke about this, you were saying, Hey, it looks like the green goblin is a hero.

And you can't read too much into it, I guess. But if I was. Talking to you. I said, ed, going forward, I want you to refer to me as the ogre. You'd be like, you'd say Mike, like, what's going on with you? I'd say, I don't know. I just want you to, I want you to call me an ogre.

You know, believe me then there might be a problem and I might view myself negatively. And so if someone says, I'm the green goblin, you're basically saying, I am scary. I am someone to fear I'm not a hero.

Edward: En vain, probably vain or, no. Envious. Envious. Isn't it? Green with envy. Agree with envy, an envious,

Michael: there's no goblin, there no goblin in history. You're like, you know, like, I like that guy. I think, you know, I'd like to maybe hire him as a babysitter. It's a goblin. They eat children. This is what goblins are like. They have riddles and it's just, they're not good.

So they're negative.

Edward: Yeah, but we can't just, it's not just the name. Like what about Spider-Man? Spider-Man is a hero, but people don't like spiders. People are terrified of spiders.

Michael: And people don't really like Spider-Man, ed. We talked about this before about how Spider-Man isn't, we think it might be the mass, but it may very well be because he's naming himself after an insect that no one likes. Like it's just

Edward: call himself the honey beak, make honey for you.

Michael: Or maybe not do non insect related. I'm sure that you could have come up with a different costume and named himself like, I dunno, the hawk or something just jumped or whatever. Or something. But anyways, my point is that sometimes we don't really have to look that far past the name, because I think they're telling us what they think of themselves. Like we know that, say, captain America obviously thinks highly of himself and wants to in America project something. And America I bet be he cares America. America, he wants to be a representative of America. He is trying to project a positivity, right? Like Ironman is strong symbol. They're trying to act heroically, like Thor, whether Thor really is a God from Norse mythology. If he isn't and he's just a guy with crazy powers, he obviously thinks highly of himself and wants to project as a hero.

Those are things that are different than, say, the goblin who's telling us, this is who I am. You know, Thor says, I want you to think of me as this striking Norris hero. And the goblin is the opposite.

Edward: So what you're, what you're saying is we should start judging more books by their covers.

Michael: I think we gotta take it as a hint, I think it's fair to say that you look at even the Fantastic four The Thing clearly has some self-esteem issues and he does look like a rocky monster, whereas Mr. Fantastic has zero problem. He wants everyone to know how wonderful he is.

And again, he's probably, again, we've had the conversation similar to this. He probably isn't the nicest guy cuz he's, he's on the team with The Thing. He's obviously making, he's bragging about how going into space, And getting bombarded cosmic rays was awesome, Mr. Fantastic. It's amazing.

And then, and then his teammate's like, oh, I'm The Thing. It just tells us that Mr. Fantastic probably isn't that fantastic, really. But at least he thinks he is. And he's projecting as a hero.

Edward: So you're saying, so, so the go, the Goblin thinks he's a goblin.

Michael: He thinks he's a bad guy and then it turns out he was, and you heard it and you kind of twisted yourself into some, you know, some, some knots.

Edward: I'm a consequentialist Mike. At the end of the day, what happens is what matters. What happens is what matters. You got the best intentions in the world, like those communists, I'm sure they were trying to be all but love and sharing and trying to help everybody, and that the result was millions of people died Under Stalin, consequentialist, Mike, what matters is what happens, not what the intentions were.

And so the goblin had really bad intentions, but he stopped some crime.

Michael: I think he should read more books, ed?

Edward: I think so. I think so. Okay. Well, so anyway, so the situation we're at right now is that the goblin is clearly moved from, being good in a consequentialist ba basis, but being bad in intention basis, just being bad all around. He's like, they, they think they battle around. The goblin might actually be the crime master. They're the same person. If not the same person, they're definitely working together. They're trying to take out all the other criminal underworld, combine them into one, not just take them out, but just amalgamate them into one group all under the goblin and the crime master, or well, or if they're one in the same, so that's what's going on.

Clearly bad dudes. Clearly bad, but, if you're gonna use the names, a goblin isn't going to be the master of crime. The goblin is gonna be the little minion running around, but he's projecting out like master of crime now, the head of the underworld.

So he's moving past his name and maybe that's why he's changing it to the crime master.

Michael: Maybe, but it's not, again, that's not saying too, too, too, too far. I mean one name isn't supposed to explain someone's core identity. It's just that he's not good.

Edward: That's what you said point, I thought you said it all.

Not about the core identity.

Michael: No. You're saying, you're saying he's more of a minion because of his name, like No, no, he's, he's just a bad dude. I'm saying that when they tell you who they are, like say the brotherhood of evil mutants, they're probably the evil mutants. You know, if they say the Avengers, they're probably the, they're probably trying to, you know, avenge a lot.

Edward: What are they fantastic for? Think they're wonderful. What are the Avengers Avening, are they Avening? Anything in particular? Just in general?

Michael: Well, it's a positive message.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the end of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. The X-Xen claim that Magneto and Toad have been kidnapped by an inter-dimensional being, Mastermind is dead, and Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch have retired to Eastern Europe. Are any of those things okay? Should there be an investigation into Mastermind’s death? Should there be a rescue mission to recover Magneto (and Toad)? Are super-terrorists just allowed to retire? Is that a thing? Mike and Ed have some divergent opinions. Where do you stand?

Behind the issue:

Clearly this is not the true end of Magneto. He returns in X-Men #17 (February 1966) and it is eventually revealed that he escaped from the Stranger by stealing a spaceship and returning to Earth, whereupon he immediately tried to kill all of the X-Men.

In this issue:

The X-Men detect a super-powered being of unknown origin, and seem a little nervous about it. Meanwhile, a tall man with a shock of white hair moseys through the city, walking on air and through walls - he is clearly the super-powered being and is ultimately referred to as the Stranger - until he finds Magneto and his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. The Stranger battles Magneto and his team, overpowering him. He turns Mastermind into a solid block of matter, and then the X-Men burst in and start battling the Brotherhood too. Ultimately, the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver confess to the X-Men that they are quitting the Brotherhood, having repaid their debt to Magneto. The Stranger then kidnaps Magneto and Toad, flying off into space with them, with the X-Men powerless to assist.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering whether they are more safe, knowing that a super-powered alien can overpower Magneto and take him into space.

This episode takes place:

After the Brotherhood has been disbanded in a very unorthodox manner.

Full transcript:

Edward: Michael, it's the end of an era. It's the end of the brotherhood of evil mutants. They are no longer a brotherhood. They're done.

Micheal: problem solved.

Edward: I'm sure there'll be other problems out there, but it is nice that one of the big super terrorists hanging over the head of our country is no longer an issue anymore. The X-Men have reported that Magni and the towed, the leader and one of the members of the brotherhood have been kidnapped, detained by some sort of alien being. And, the three remaining members, two have retired and one is apparently dead.

Micheal: So there's a bunch of stuff that comes out of it let's. The X-men at their word and say that, what'd they say? An alien took Magni and towed away

Edward: some sort of alien or interdimensional being someone who's not from here, it was you who said that. How do you define an alien? An alien is someone not from Earth? And it sounds like this guy's not from Earth.

Micheal: So let's just call him just for sake of convenience. See, this alien is taking magni and towed away, so that's okay. Fine, but. Do we just leave it at that? If say a kindly grandmother and her,

Edward: wanna hear where you're going with this,

Micheal: kidnapped by an alien, would we just be like, oh, well, aliens, you know, aliens, they just, they just kidnap people

Edward: I think. I think, well, I think, well, hey, I think there's a difference between a grandmother and a.

Micheal: But why is there, I mean, the point is like there isn't actually like

Edward: no, there's no if, if, wait a minute, you're arguing. There's no difference between a terrorist and a grand.

Micheal: But not certainly.

Edward: Who is your grandmother?

What is your grandmother like? Michael?

Micheal: I loved my grandmother's. I did, but what I'm trying to say, I'm not comparing, I'm not saying that you've gotta treat your grandmother like a terrorist, but you probably need to treat terrorists as human beings. I mean, or criminals or accused. Criminals still have the same rights as the, as the rest of us, and so,

Edward: Do they, do they do They have the same, right?

Like do,

Micheal: of course they do.

Edward: Like I have the freedom of movement. I can go around and I could go to the grocery store, I can visit my mom, I can visit my grandmother. But if you're a terrorist and you committed a crime, we put you in jail. You don't have freedom of movement anymore. Let's, we take that right away.

Micheal: No right's been taken away. There's been no trial of Magni in towed. Like right now. Right now, they are men that might be accused it's been allegedly committed crimes, and if they're convicted of it, then sure, some of their civil liberties will be taken away restricted. My point is that if, the X-men come and say, don't worry guys, an alien stole these two people and took them away, what's the response like?

 We're now not alone in the universe and we know that and, so we must be considering. There could be these alien abductions and we need to have a response to it. I'm sure if your grandmother was kidnapped by aliens, you'd want to have some kind of response. You'd want Reed Richards to get into a spaceship and chase down those aliens and rescue your grandma.

Edward: Absolutely. Well, lemme put an asterisk. I think that's true. Unless my grandmother was a terrorist, in which case, you know what, I'm okay. You can leave her. It's a terrorist exception. Terrorist exception to grandmother kidnapping.

Micheal: Don't think there is an exception to it.

So I'm saying that the public sympathy might not be there, but if, let's just make it more earthbound. If an accused terrorist was in a boat that caught the wrong tide and the engines out and it's going out to sea, would you expect the Coast Guard to go rescue that person?

Edward: I think so,

Micheal: yes. You would

Edward: yeah. You'd want go and capture those. You wanna capture them. I wouldn't want the Coast Guard to rescue them. You. I want them to go and capture them.

Micheal: I know, but, the law works that you actually would have to, you have an obligation to try to rescue them. I think you do have an obligation to do that. How you treat them after you re rescue them is another matter.

Edward: Yeah, I think that's right. I think that's correct. I think the difference is a little bit is. That the amount of resources and effort it would take to capture a boat floating in the ocean is a little different than the amount of resources it would take to capture an interdimensional kidnapping. There are a lot of Coast Guard people that can go and help a lot of people who get trapped in boats. Mm-hmm. I think we have to be, we have limited resources for capturing interdimensional, kidnappings. We have like what, four or five people on the planet that can do that for?

Micheal: What did Reed Richards go to space for recently? Didn't he go for some kinda personal reason, like,

Edward: well, it was semi-personal. It was, his father-in-law had been killed by the scrolls and he went and negotiated a peace treaty with the scrolls as part of that peace treaty, the person who this individual scroll, who killed his father-in-law was put to justice on the scroll home world.

Micheal: Yes. So personal. So, okay, got it. So anyways, what I'm trying to say is that I understand your point, we're not gonna bankrupt the entire Earth to save Magni, but the question has to be asked, to what extent do we actually extend ourselves with respect to not just leave inside the terrorist part, which is hard to do, but leave it from the, what is, what is the extent to which we will actually take steps to address interplanetary crime or aliens. Now we don't have to worry about just bad guys on earth doing bad things to people, but people from other dimensions or other worlds doing bad things to our people. So what's our response? And I don't know what it is yet, but right now it seems to be.

Okay. It's too bad. See, later Magnis. See later tote, you're going to another planet or another dimension or something.

Edward: So, hey, maybe the answer is, we put it onto Reed, Richards to-do list and he can prioritize it versus all the other things. If there's a bunch of grandmothers but that been kidnapped, let's get to the grandmother's first. And Magni can be somewhere further down the list and maybe somewhere on his list. Getting flying cars to the masses. And personally, I'd rather have flying cars be a common consumer purchase product than save Magni. Like, that's my own personal priority list.

Micheal: Typical, typical capitalist and socialist kinda conversation. But anyways, to move on to the next point, so let's assuming that the X-men are telling the truth, right? What if they aren't? How do we know that aren't the truth?

Edward: You and your, decept, you think not everyone's a lie. Like why would they be lying about this?

Micheal: Well, because they've been fighting because Mag's been trying to kill the X-Men. And so then they come back and say, Hey guys, uh, what?

Edward: To be fair, to be fair, Mag's been trying to kill everyone. That's not just the X-Men,

Micheal: but they've been in hand, hand combat with him and they have, so the X-Men come back and say, Hey, hey guys. Uh, yeah. So anyways, you know that guy that was trying to kill us? Yeah. He's gone. Oh. Oh, really? What happened? Ah, An alien took him away. Oh, okay. Problem solve. There's no recourse or ability to investigate to see whether they're telling the truth. The expert aren't the good guys,

Edward: but, but hold on. Even if they did, so let's, let's say they were in battle with Magni. If they told us, Hey, we were in battle with Magni and towed, and in the course of that battle they were killed. Well, that seems like a defensible position as well. They didn't need to make up this alien abduction thing. They could have just said Magda was trying to kill us with his magneto powers, and in the process we blasted him to smithereens.

Micheal: I think that if the X-Men came back and admitted to killing Magni and Toad, let's not forget about Toad admitted to killing these two people.

Everyone does, but you know, I dunno what his power is.

Edward: He's like a rounding error. Hey, to Toad was like the first public he was the first public mutant. Remember back in the day, he was the one that tried to cheat. He was cheating in the track meet. And that's how we knew about mut.

Micheal: Okay, so he's not doing so well in being a valuable member of society, I guess. But my point is that if they came back and said, we killed these two people, it is different than saying we had nothing to do with them until this disappeared. I think that there is a world of difference between how the processes that have to be followed you know what I mean? So

Edward: I don't knows happening. Yeah. They killed the world's most dangerous terrorist. I don't think people would be that upset with them. And they can be reasonable as from a self-sense point of view, because we know that Magda was trying to kill them.

So they have a self-defense. I think the, the, also, also, also, one of them is dead, right? So they, the mastermind, one of the brotherhood of evil mutants, the X-Men have reported he's dead. No one seems upset about that particularly.

Micheal: I know I'm asking questions cause I find it weird. I find it to be the weirdest thing that people are just like, oh, well, oh well, oh, well the X-men say that these people are gone or disappeared or stolen away or are dead.

Oh, well the X-men say it, these people that no one knows who they are, but you know, goodbye me. But it's okay.

Edward: But it's not that. It's not, oh, well it's, congratulations. Congratulations. You've eliminated a threat. A threat. But my point is, if they're gonna lie, why wouldn't they just. All three of them got taken away by an alien.

What would they say? Two got taken away by an alien. One was killed, and two retired to Eastern Europe.

Micheal: Super criminal Mastermind Ed. I don't know. I'm not saying they're super criminals, but look, if a police officer shot somebody in the street, the special investigations unit would be involved. Sure. And it'd be a whole process. I think there should be no different than if a mass vigilante part of a group that may be associated with the government. Kills somebody that there should be an investigation as well, and it should be public.

Edward: Yeah. Look, this is different than, this is more like a soldier kills, another soldier in combat.

And so there's no crime scene investigation when that happens.

Micheal: I'm, that's because the rules of war applied. I mean, there's been an act.

Edward: This is the war, war with this brotherhood, people.

Micheal: We aren't No, no. Right now. It's right now if there're terrorists and it's crimes that they're committing, it's not actually a war.

So I think the laws, the laws also to apply. Yet there has to be an equal application.

Edward: They're terrorism laws.

Micheal: Yeah, but those are different. It's not the same as being at war with the terrorist. That's not how it works. There's still is be, if you shot somebody. He was a terrorist.

Edward: No, no. Yeah, but it's, you can't do it after the fact. You can't just go start killing people and calling them terrorists after the fact. I'm talking about these guys are identified terrorists before the fact, and they're committing terrorism and we know that they are. We need to go and shut them down somehow.

And I think the X-Men did that. So, and it wasn't like they were, they weren't like totally brutal about it. Like two of them retired. Can we talk about that for a second? How come they retire? Talk about is is retirement from terrorism an option? Is that a thing?

Micheal: Okay. Before we get there, that's a really good question. But before I do, I just wanted to finish up this one point. Just say what you're basically saying is a toad who looks kind of like an odd guy. And he's just goes down to the grocery store, you get a bag of chips and someone sees him and says, Hey, he's a terrorist, and he shoots him.

That'd be, that'd be fine, is what you're saying.

Edward: No, that wouldn't be, that would not be, because the problem is that there'd be too many mystique identities. People be, start shooting random people and being like, I thought you were to. It's not my fault. I'm sorry.

Micheal: You're just an ugly person that seems to run fast.

Edward: He looked like a runner. That's why I shot him. Look how he jumped over that aisle. Like that was the end of him.

Micheal: Or they, or they shoot, they shoot Magni. It's like, why? It's like I saw the silver War move around him and I thought he was like, instead it was just, you know, this like tremor.

Edward: There's, yeah. So that, that to me, that's the bigger issue is not that toad is dead. It's that I don't want people using that as an excuse to go and kill track.

Micheal: Right, because you want, because you want equal, equal application of the law. That's the whole point, of having, being civilized society.

Edward: I know. All I'm saying is I'm not sad that Tow and Magnier were gone and that Mag Mastermind is dead. But can we call, can we talk about the retirement? No, neither. Can we talk about retirement now? Nevermind. So Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch apparently said, Now that we, the rest of my team is gone, we're not gonna continue in our villainous ways. We're just gonna move back to Eastern Europe and what Hang out. Like that's it. We're done. Like, is that like we're hired for terrorism. That's, we're done.

Micheal: I, another odd thing, it's like, oh, well, you know what, and I don't think they even said we see the air of our ways.

They're just kind of like, I'm done with t. My boss is dead or gone. So, uh, anyways, uh, I'm just gonna go hang out at the beach or just not be arrested. Like, like, I mean, isn't this the right time for say the Avengers or the X-Men to go over and arrest them if they have the power to do so?

Edward: Yeah. You think so?

Micheal: Most of their team's gone and then they committed crimes.

Edward: Yeah, we've had this issue before, right? Where are these people even like presentable, like quick Quicksilver is like so fast. Can you actually hold them anywhere? The Scarlet Witch apparently has witch powers is able to like, Be witch things like can we actually hold them and maybe we can't hold them.

Maybe the answer is like okay, we have two choices. We can take them at their word that they're done committing crimes and let them go do something or we can murder them. Are those the two options?

Micheal: Yeah. So we're treating them like, like what? Like an angry elephant. You know what I mean? Like, just, just stay away.

Like That's right. Antagonize the elephant. They might trample, you know, your tent, but if, uh, you know, the elephant doesn't seem to be interested in us, let them walk on by the whole pride of elephants or whatever. What's it called? It's a pack. Pack of elephants.

Edward: Pack of elephants. Herd. Is it a herd of elephant?

I don't know. I don't, these are, these are questions that people wanna know, but we had a herd of mutants a herd of evil mutants murder, a murder of mutants, a murder of mutants. And, now there are two, but apparently we've done, and look, I guess I question whether or not that's actually true and whether these two are gonna come back and cause havoc in the future.

 And so I don't know what, what to do at this point. Like, I, but I think you're right. Like murdering them seems like a little overkill given the fact that they. Said that they're not gonna do any more bad things.

Micheal: So shouldn't the priority then be like, I as, you know, I don't lean towards imprisoning people, but I guess the priority should be about figuring out ways to do that, right?

Because I don't think it's consistent with my view about equal application and being equal before the law. I don't think it's a good idea for society to allow people to commit crimes and just let them walk away because they say they're done committing those crimes. I also don't think it's good for society just to murder them or let aliens kidnap them.

 But I do think that maybe you could have a system in place to imprison them, keep them away, and hopefully rehabilitate them. But like you say, I don't think we have the capacity for it, just.,

Edward: that's Mike. Just, just sitting on the fence. You won't murder them and won't let them walk away.

Micheal: Classic. Keely just refuses. Refuses to kill people. Unhappy about them getting away with their crimes. What?

Edward: Can't make a decision.

Micheal: Can't make a decision.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the Daily Bugle’s claim that Electro is Spider-Man in disguise. Both Electro and Spider-Man can climb walls, and the Bugle’s photographer claims to have seen someone change from one costume to another. If this is true, what is Spider-Man’s motivation? Is he trying to manage two super brands simultaneously? Electro seems to monetize better than Spider-Man at least…

In this issue:

The people of NYC, including the police, seem to love Spider-Man, as much as criminals fear him. At the same time, Peter Parker is worried about his elderly Aunt May. Meanwhile, Electro, a man who can channel electricity due to a freak accident and warp it to his twisted ends, robs an armored truck and a bank, and even terrorizes J. Jonah Jameson. Jameson watches Electro climb a building using his electricity powers and concludes that he must be another famous wallcrawler, Spider-Man. So much so that Jameson publishes this lurid allegation on the front page of his paper, the Daily Bugle. Spider-Man subsequently battles Electro, and the photos that Peter takes of himself in the battle are misinterpreted by Jameson to prove that Spider-Man and Electro are one and the same. Jameson eventually realizes that his slanderous allegation of Spider-Man being Electro is wrong, when he sees Spider-Man swinging by at the same time that he knows Electro is in a different location. Spider-Man then battles Electro while wearing rubber gloves and short-circuits him with a spray of water.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are skeptical of the Bugle’s claims that Spider-Man and Electro are the same person..

This episode takes place:

While the Bugle is suggesting that Spider-Man and Electro are one and the same.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss Thor’s tempter tantrum that tore up city property and demolished at least one private citizen’s car. Stark Corp. has volunteered to pay for the damage this time, but what is the long term solution when superheroes behave badly? Also, Thor went away with an alien robot; or was that the government sending the god to his room for a time out?

In this issue:

Thor acts belligerently in New York City, and people are scared. The Avengers race to the scene to see if they can placate Thor. They don’t, but nothing happens, Thor is in a mood. Meanwhile in Asgard, Loki is bending the ear of Odin and poisoning his mind about Thor. And then, Thor returns to Asgard to meet with his father, although Odin refused to see him. Loki then reaches into the future to influenced Zarrko, the Tomorrow Man, from the distant future, to return to the 20th century to battle Thor. Zarrko, who had forgotten about his interaction with Thor, remembers, and returns to our time with a giant robot, whereupon they cause wanton destruction. Thor meets them in battle and finds himself unable to overcome the robot (as Odin has halved his strength). In order to save the Earth, Thor agrees to return to the 23rd century with Zarrko to do his bidding.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering if Thor is on the level.

This episode takes place:

After Thor has departed to the 23rd century with Zarrko, the Tomorrow Man!

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the Black Knight, a 14th century themed supervillain who flies a winged horse from ancient mythology. Is the winged horse Pegasus from Greek mythology, or one of many from Norse Valkyrie myth? Also, Giant Man shrunk during the battle. Is this verification that he is really Ant-Man? And what does his change in branding mean? Who has control of Ant-Man’s ant surveillance network?

In this issue:

Giant-Man battles criminals who are planning to sell scientific secrets to the Chinese, and succeeds in defeating them. One of them is Professor Garrett who, after being charged with crimes against the U.S., flees to a small Balkan nation. He is inspired by a statue of a winged horse to mutate a horse into a flying stallion. He subsequently returns to the U.S., dresses in medieval armor, and starts committing robberies. Giant-Man battles this new Black Knight high above the city skyline. He is captured and hogtied, but escapes by shrinking down to ant size. The Wasp rescues him before he plummets to the ground below, and they engage the Knight once more, finally defeating him (although he escapes).

Assumed before the next episode:

People are making the link between Giant-Man and Ant-Man.

This episode takes place:

After the Black Knight has been defeated

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss Leopold “The Eel” Stryke. Leopold became infamous last summer when he accidentally stole a nuclear “briefcase bomb” with a deadman switch. If he had not been found in time by the Human Torch, all of New York would have been lost in an atomic explosion. Given that his crime was relatively minor, he is just now getting out on parole. But that did not stop the Human Torch from attacking him upon his release. Mike and Ed discuss the positives and negatives of our new world of vigilante justice, and whether criminals ever truly be reformed.

In this issue:

The Eel is released from prison. Although the newscaster carelessly reports that the Eel is “at large”, which the Human Torch overhears and freaks out about. The Torch heads to the prison and confronts the Eel, who has decided that it is a good idea to wear his supervillain costume as he strolls out of prison, only for the warden to intervene to explain that the Torch has been released. The Torch’s rush to judgment is reported on the news, and he is quite embarrassed. Although his instincts were not wrong; the Eel went right back to his life of crime. The Torch figures out where the Eel’s next robbery will be and confronts him once more, although the Eel escapes in his tricked out helicopter. They meet again, and the Torch comes out on top, defeating the Eel in a dramatic showdown at the aquarium.

This episode takes place:

After the Torch defeats the Eel.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering if super-criminals should be locked up in super-prisons.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss how Tony Stark’s atomic experiment caused the Angel’s personality to turn “evil”. They explore the possibility that this was a weird side effect, intentional, or purely accidental Every possibility is potentially Earth-shattering. How far along is the US military in its ability to control and shape minds? Or is this Stark tech proprietary and NOT being shared with the armed forces? Which is worse?

In this issue:

The Angel is flying near a Stark company plant where they are testing weapons. Iron Man is there, and he waves the flying young man off, as they are about to initiate an atomic blast. The Angel gets caught up in the ensuing radiation, and turns evil. He flies away and tries to join up with other bad people, abandoning the X-Men and generally proving to be quite unpleasant. Iron Man chases the Angel down and shocks him to his senses. The Angel, now once again on the side of the angels, is grateful for Iron Man’s intervention, and even more grateful that Iron Man explained to the police how the Angel became evil due to no fault of his own (and that he was back to normal).

This episode takes place:

After the Angel’s bad boy phase is over (for now).

Assumed before the next episode:

People are starting to ask more questions about mind control - and in particular, corporate mind control.

In this episode:

Ed and Mike discuss a robot artificial intelligence that attacked a science class at Midtown High on its own initiative. If a robot is self aware, should it have rights? What will its motivations be? Will it be even more alien than actual aliens (who are at least biological)? And what is Spiderman’s involvement?

In this issue:

Scientists bring a robot they call the Living Brain to Peter Parker’s high school for a demonstration. Flash Thompson keeps needling Peter during the demonstration, and their teacher tells them to box each other to sort their issues out. Peter holds back but still knocks Flash over with one punch. Meanwhile, two thugs try to steal the Living Brain and cause some damage to it, which causes it to go on a rampage in the school. Peter changes into his Spider-Man costume and, after quite the battle, finally defeats the super smart, super strong Living Brain.

In a second story, Spider-Man antagonizes the Human Torch into a fight, and acts like a real jerk to him and the rest of the Fantastic Four. Well, other than to Sue Storm, whom he clearly likes.

This episode takes place:

After the Living Brain has been defeated.

Assumed before the next episode:

People know that AI exists, and are both excited and terrified by that development.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the return of the Mole Man and his attempt to prod the world’s superpowers into World War III. Also, in the biggest press conference of the year, Reed Richards shares that he has augmented Sue Storm’s powers. In addition to turning invisible, Invisible Girl can now generate invisible force shields of tremendous strength. Will Reed be able to enhance other superpowered people? Can this same technique be used to give ANYONE powers? And are we really sure the Mole Man won’t return to strike again? Is burying a Mole Man in the Earth really the right way to contain him?

In this issue:

Reed Richards is testing Sue Storm’s incredible powers, which now include an invisible force field. Meanwhile, people are complaining about the Fantastic Four having their headquarters in downtown NYC. Eventually, the Fantastic Four fly out to an island, on the premise they may buy it for their new headquarters. It turns out that the Mole Man has led them to this location. Not only is he still alive, but he remains the ruler of the mole men people in the kingdom of Subterranea. The Mole Man plans to start WWIII by getting each side to think the other has fired first. Fortunately, the Fantastic Four are able to overcome the individual death traps set up by the Mole Man and defeat him, chasing him away.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering whether the Fantastic Four will leave town. And why they were so close to WWIII.

This episode takes place:

After Reed Richards has explained how close we came to nuclear annihilation.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed set aside their regular “in-universe” programming to come to 2021 and speak with Tom Peyer and Jamal Igle about Jack Kirby’s legacy. Jack Kirby was the most prolific artist in the Silver Age of Marvel comics. He was the co-creator of the Fantastic Four, Ant-Man, the Wasp, Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and Dr. Strange - most of the major protagonists covered on the regular episodes of the show. Jack would go on to create the Eternals, who are getting their first major film treatment premiere today (hence the timing of this episode).

Tom started reading comics in the early Silver Age. He went on to be a writer and editor at DC, Marvel, and other imprints. He was an assistant editor on Neil Gainman’s Sandman.

Jamal is the creator of Molly Danger, and is known for his penciling, inking and coloring work on Supergirl and Firestorm. In 2007, he was an artist on Countdown to Final Crisis featuring Darkseid, who was originally created by Jack Kirby. This experience led to Jamal’s interest in Jack Kirby’s legacy. He has lots to share with us today.

We are super lucky to have these two guys on the show. We hope you enjoy it!

Please feel free to reply to this email with any feedback you have. Do you enjoy these out of universe discussions? Are you impatient to get back to 1963? Let us know!

Ed and Mike (from 2021)

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss Dr. Strange, the mystical magic-user whom the police claim has helped solve multiple cases that could not be explained by modern science. Has Mike already validated his 1964 prediction that magic will be important this year? How is “magic” different from the superpowers that the Human Torch and Thor have? Also, is “Strange” his real name? How convenient! And what exactly is he a doctor of?

In this issue:

Nightmare rules over the dream dimension, and plans to conquer humanity as he studies them while they sleep. He fears Dr. Strange and his tutor the Ancient One, who are able to combat him on his terms. Back on Earth, the police visit with Dr. Strange and ask him for help with the outbreak of people who cannot wake from their slumber. Dr. Strange obliges and, upon his investigation, determines that supernatural forces are at work. He enters the nightmare world to investigate, coming face to face with Nightmare. They battle, and Dr. Strange overcomes Nightmare with the use of his magic amulet.

Assumed before the next episode:

People do not know much about the strange Dr. Strange, but they are curious as to whether magic truly exists in the world.

This episode takes place:

After the police announce their use of Dr. Strange as a consultant.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss whether it was a coincidence that Giant-Man joined the Avengers just as Ant-Man disappeared (and now seems to be working with Ant-Man’s former partner The Wasp), or are Ant-Man and Giant-Man the same person? Also, the Human Top is revealed to be David Cannon, the world champion speed skater. Was he using his speed powers to cheat in Olympic competition? How many other world class athletes are actually superhumans who are hiding their full abilities?

In this issue:

Giant-Man is desperate to capture the Human Top, so much so he creates a spinning robot which replicates the Top’s abilities for practice. Meanwhile, the Human Top continues his life of crime! Giant-Man and the Wasp eventually track the Top down, and the battle is ferocious, with the Top escaping the dynamic duo with highly secret civil defence plans. Giant-Man meets with government agents to discuss how to bring the Top down before he delivers the civil defence plans to the Russians. A sting is set, as well as a trap set by the police. The battle between Giant-Man and the Human Top is joined once more, leading to Giant-Man taking the Human Top down.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering how closely Giant-Man is working with the authorities - and how he may be related to Ant-Man.

This episode takes place:

After the Human Top is taken down.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the Iron Man vs Iron Man battle. The man in the newest suit was unmasked and revealed to be Weasel Wills, a lifetime criminal with an unfortunate name. But was Weasel the one committing the crimes? Or was he a scape goat? How did Weasel steal the suit to begin with? How did he maintain the suit? How was he defeated with an old, obsolete suit? Is there a deeper conspiracy we are not aware of? It was terribly convenient (inconvenient?) that all of the Avengers were missing during the crime spree. Mike and Ed get to the bottom of these important questions!

Behind the issue:

Many of the Captain America stories at this point are “historical stories” from back when the Captain was fighting during World War II. Perhaps that is why Stan decides to keep Captain America on the Avengers when he writes all the others off the team. It was too hard keeping track of where the heroes were in their own titles AND the Avengers title. But it was less of an issue for Captain America, whose own title was not taking place in the same time period

In this issue:

Career criminal Weasel Wills steals Iron Man’s suit, masters it easily, and starts robbing banks. Tony Stark digs out an earlier model and battles Weasel. He defeats Weasel by applying the rope a dope strategy, and unmasks him. Weasel swears he is truly Iron Man, but no one believes him.

Assumed before the next episode:

Conspiracy theories abound about the identity of Iron Man.

This episode takes place:

After Iron Man has taken down the imposter.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the impersonation of Thor by Mr. Hyde. We believe Thor because he has built up credibility and reputation over time. But how long are we going to accept these excuses or explanations for criminal behavior? Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm do NOT have Thor’s credibility, and yet they are claiming that they are not responsible for their fight (with each other) which destroyed not insignificant parts of the city because they were “mind controlled”. Are we expected to believe this as well? Also, Thor’s impersonator and the Fantastic Four’s mind controller have escaped and are still at large. Should that factor into our decisions on credibility?

In these issues:

Journey into Mystery #100

The public is unhappy with Thor, and the police actually fire their guns at him. Thor figures out that Mr. Hyde has been impersonating him while committing crimes. Thor then transforms to his mortal guise of Dr. Donald Blake, and as Dr. Blake, he takes his nurse Jane Foster out for dinner. Mr. Hyde kidnaps Donald and Jane, ties Donald up, and then takes Jane with him to steal a submarine. Donald transforms to Thor and battles Dr. Hyde, although Dr. Hyde escapes. The police then tell Thor that they had figured out that Mr. Hyde was impersonating him.

Strange Tales #116

The Puppet Master is back. He creates a Human Torch puppet and controls him to hit on his stepdaughter Alicia Masters, who is the Thing’s girlfriend. The Torch and the Thing fight, causing serious property damage in the city. Alicia figures out that her stepfather is behind the mayhem and intervenes, causing the Puppet Master to lose focus and thus control over the Torch, which causes the Torch to allow a flame fall out of the sky and burn the Torch puppet that the Puppet Master was using.

Assumed before the next episode:

The public has forgiven Thor but are not too sure about the Human Torch and the Thing.

This episode takes place:

After Mr. Hyde and the Puppet Master have been defeated.

In This Episode:

Mike and Ed give their take on what mattered in 1963, including:

* Rapid growth in the number of super powered individuals, resulting in team-ups, international expansion — and fraud!

* New Frontiers: If 1962 was the year of aliens, 1963 expanded what it meant to be alien with the discovery of three previously unknown civilizations here on Earth, plus alternate dimensions that are in some ways closer than Europe

* The Manufacturing of Superheroes: We now have a better idea how superheroes are “made”. The Sandman and Radioactive Man showed us the importance of atomic power. The Cobra showed that duplicating powers is possible. And the Russians managed to duplicate the comic-energy power generation that created the Fantastic Four

* This has led to a Technological Response to Super Powers. While 1962 saw villains like The Wizard and The Protector use technology to take on superheroes, 1963 took technology to a new level. Ironman - a normal human in a battle suit - has joined the ranks of the most powerful supers on the planet. Dr Blake’s android, while eventually being destroyed, was for a time more powerful than Thor. A half-dozen Wizard “copycats” showed that it just takes some engineering genius to enter the ranks of the super elite. Meanwhile containing supervillains has taken on a new urgency. We have not done a very good job of containing technological villains like The Vulture and Sandman, but so far super powered captives like The Vanisher and The Molecule Man, have not reemerged after whatever we did to contain their powers.

Also: Our hosts give their predictions on what the trends might be in 1964. You won’t want to miss this!

In this episode:

Ed and Mike discuss the Hate-Monger and his “Hatred Ray”. Unlike mind-control, this “emotion control” is far harder to identify. How would you know you are under the influence of a “Hatred Ray” and not just “mad and angry” for all the “normal” things that make you mad and angry? Will the effects of the Hatred Ray be permanent, or long-lasting, without an antidote? How do we know who in New York should be given the antidote? Can we force people to take the antidote? How thoroughly has this antidote been tested? Reed Richards took it, but he is not known for his caution…

In this issue:

A new villain, the Hate-Monger, causes a riot in New York City. He has whipped people into a hateful frenzy with a “Hatred Ray”. He uses it on the Fantastic Four, which leads to them acting entirely out of character, angry and hateful. Fortunately, Reed’s old army buddy Nick Fury shows up. Fury explains how the US military needs the Four’s help in San Gusto, and Reed, still feeling the effects of the Hatred Ray and antipathy towards his teammates as a result, goes alone. Meanwhile, the Hate-Monger heads to San Gusto, and he captures Reed. Fury rescues Reed and gives him the Hatred Ray antidote. The rest of the Four catch up, and Reed gives them the antidote too. Fully restored, they take down the Hate-Monger.

Assumed before the next episode:

People may still be angry, maybe due to the Hatred Ray.

This episode takes place:

After the Hate-Monger has been defeated.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the pattern of supervillains breaking out of jail. Should there be greater measures placed on these super-prisoners? What about the Vulture’s technology - is it superior to Iron Man’s flying technology? The Vulture’s technology could revolutionize society! Also: do we need to worry about superheroes assaulting members of the press, like Spider-Man apparently did with the publisher of the Daily Bugle? Where does that lead?

In this issue:

The Vulture is a model prisoner. So much so that he is allowed to work in the machine shop, whereupon he creates a rough version of his personal flying device and flies away to freedom. He thereafter returns to his life of crime, stealing from businesses. He easily defeats Spider-Man when they meet up high above the New York skyline, although the next time they meet, Spidey gets the upper hand and takes the villain down. After defeating the Vulture, Spider-Man visits J. Jonah Jameson at the Daily Bugle and webs his mouth shut, out of anger at the newsman.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering why prisons are suddenly so porous.

This episode takes place:

After the Vulture has been recaptured.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss apparent Thor’s turn to crime. The city seems to have a plan that they are putting into effect to stop the pagan god, but is it enough? This seems like the perfect opportunity to test superheroes against one another, and maybe even to use Donald Blake’s anti-Thor android against the real deal. Also, was Thor planning to break bad? If so, was that why he was allowing the military to test their weapons on himself?

In this issue:

The villainous Mr. Hyde waits for Thor to leave the city before he puts his evil plan in motion. Previously, Mr. Hyde was Calvin Zabo, a con man who tried to rip of Dr. Donald Blake, who fired him before he had the chance to do so. This frustrated Zabo to the point of inventing a serum which gave him super strength, and a monstrous appearance. As Mr. Hyde, he breaks into Blake’s office and threatens the good doctor, before pushing him out the window to his certain death. Blake is, of course, the mighty Thor, and he changes into his godly persona to rescue himself. Mr. Hyde is disappointed to learn that Thor saved Blake (in a manner of speaking), and decides to seek revenge. Thor then, uncharacteristically, robs a bank, leaving New York City in the grip of terror.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are afraid of their former hero, Thor.

This episode takes place:

After Thor robs a bank.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the Human Torch’s battle with Sandman. It is one thing for superheroes to battle supervillains to stop them, but it is another thing for the superheroes to “call out” the villains for fights in a densely populated area! If they are going to do that, is the middle of the downtown core of the city the right place to do that? (The answer is no!) Also: please put Sandman in a glass cell or something. At least try to keep the super-criminals in jail. And Spider-Man really needs some way to stop every one from impersonating him!

In this issue:

The Fantastic Four plan to take the Sandman down. He has apparently escaped his jail cell - who would have thought a man who can turn into sand could escape a conventional jail cell - and the Four are on the case. The Human Torch goes after the Sandman but cannot force a confrontation with him. And so the Torch dresses up as Spider-Man and challenges the Sandman to a bout. Sandman shows up and the two fight, with the Sandman nearly defeating the Torch more with his brains than his brawn, but ultimately the Torch prevails.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering if it is a good idea for super-powered people to fight amongst them (answer: no).

This episode takes place:

After the Human Torch has defeated the Sandman.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss “The Human Top” - a bank robber who appears to have the superhuman ability to “spin” very fast. What is unusual is that he has been “at large” since the late 1950s - long before the modern advent of superpowers. Is he superhuman, or just a very high skilled human? What is the difference between Olympic-level human abilities and “superhuman” abilities? Is every top athlete a “low powered” superhuman? Consider this - would it be ethical for the Thing to enter the boxing ring?

In this issue:

Dave Cannon has a special ability - he can spin super fast, evading anyone and everyone. He uses his special ability to commit petty crimes and then fix speed skating matches. He transitions to being a super criminal, known as the Human Top, and becomes public enemy number one! Giant Man and the Wasp decide to take him down, but are easily defeated by the whirling thief, with Giant Man causing significant property damage in New York City. The issue ends on a cliffhanger, as Giant Man and the Wasp wonder if they’ll be able to defeat this twisting menace.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering the extent to which super-powered people are in their midst.

This episode takes place:

As the Human Top terrorizes the Big Apple.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the ramifications of Iron Man working for StarkCorp (or is he working for Tony Stark himself?) Will every large corporation hire their own superhero? Do we want corporations controlling their own de facto armies? What does it cost to have a superhero on contract? Is it a case of “What is good for StarkCorp is good for America”? And what is Iron Man’s impact on the StarkCorp stock price?

In this issue:

A man named Mr. Doll is controlling people by carving miniature dolls of them. He turns his attention to Iron Man, taking control of him and sending him away. Mr. Doll then continues on with his quest to have business owners turn their fortunes over to them by taking control of them - through his dolls. Iron Man designs a new costume, which is now red and yellow, although he still finds it challenging to resist Mr. Doll’s machinations. He defeats Iron Man again. On his third try, Iron Man defeats Mr. Doll by tricking him into creating a miniature doll of himself; the shock of having done so causes him to drop the doll and incapacitate himself.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are talking about the connections between StarkCorp and Iron Man.

This episode takes place:

After Mr. Doll has been defeated.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the new monster or alien or super-powered individual in Florida. Just because he is green and scaly, why does that make him “The Lizard”? Maybe he is a giant alligator or even a time-traveling dinosaur? Who is responsible for taking care of super-powered problems that are not world-threatening? Also,why didn’t the Daily Bugle offer to pay Spiderman’s bus fare?

In this issue:

The Lizard, a green reptilian humanoid, is wreaking havoc in Florida. This leads the Daily Bugle to publicly challenge Spider-Man to defeat the Lizard. Spider-Man decides to take the Lizard on, and in order to fund the trip, he convinces the publisher of the Daily Bugle, J. Jonah Jameson, to send his alter ego Peter Parker to Florida to cover the story. Spider-Man engages the Lizard, and loses. He then learns who the Lizard really is, Dr. Curt Connors, a scientist who was researching how to regrow limbs like a lizard who experimented on himself and changed himself into a reptilian humanoid. Spider-Man figures out how to reverse the transformation with a new formula, and injects it into the Lizard, turning him back into Dr. Curt Connors. Crisis averted.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering whether the Lizard was real or not.

This episode takes place:

After Spider-Man has bested the Lizard.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the potential causes for the Hulk leaving the Avengers and being replaced by Giant Man. The Hulk’s rampage through a Stark Industries manufacturing floor was attributed to an alien impersonator, but if so, why did the Hulk leave the team immediately after? Was the impersonation claim a coverup to allow the Hulk to leave without admitting liability? Also, now that Stark Industries has admitted to having Iron Man on their payroll, do we believe the corporation is funding all of the Avengers?

In this issue:

The Avengers have a board meeting. Not the most exciting thing, but even Asgardian gods and gamma-irradiated monsters need to discuss Other Business sometimes. Meanwhile, the Space Phantom arrives on Earth from outer space, dead set on destroying the Avengers to clear the way for his people to invade the Earth. The Space Phantom is able to impersonate people, sending the originals to Limbo while he does so. He invades the Avenger headquarters and thereafter impersonates the Hulk, starting a fight and otherwise causing mayhem. The Space Phantom, as the Hulk, causes a ruckus in teh street, and interferes with a Stark company weapons test. The Avengers rush in to stop the “Hulk” from causing further harm. The Space Phantom then impersonates Giant Man, and then Iron Man, and then back to Giant Man, and then back to Iron Man, causing mayhem throughout. He is only thwarted when he tries to impersonate Thor, which he apparently cannot do because Thor is a god. The Space Phantom is shunted off to Limbo as a result of his failed attempt at replacing Thor. The Hulk then quits the Avengers, unimpressed with the Avengers after learning what they really think of him during this adventure.

Assumed before the next episode:

The world distrusts the Hulk even more due to Space Phantom’s actions while impersonating him.

This episode takes place:

After the Space Phantom has been defeated.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss when it is appropriate for a regular human to get involved in super-conflict. If you can’t help, you don’t need to show off - just run away and call 911! Also: Are all Asgardians super? If they are, why wouldn’t all of them come to Earth where they could be super powerful? Or is that just beneath their dignity?

Behind the issue:

This is the point where Stan has decided to take Thor “off the table”. He is going to leave the Avengers, and more of his stories will involve stuff happening in Asgard and the politics of the gods, rather than fighting villains of the week on Earth.

In this issue:

Thor and Loki are engaged in battle in a faraway land, at the behest of Odin to sort out who lied to him. This all came about because of a trick that Loki played on Thor and Odin. Ultimately, Odin realizes that Loki lied to him, and that Loki had put Jane Foster in harms way as part of his scheme. Meanwhile on Earth, the Enchantress and the Executioner kidnap Jane in broad daylight, and a bunch of pedestrians intervene in an ill-fated attempt to rescue her. Back to the faraway land - Loki escapes, leaving Thor stranded.

Assumed before the next episode:

People watch footage of the pedestrians being unable to take down super-powered Asgardians and realize they probably shouldn’t try that.

This episode takes place:

After Thor is stranded in another dimension.

Full transcript:

Edward: Mike, it is kidnapping week here on the show, ,

Michael: and I didn't even mark it in my calendar, but you're right. Every year it creeps up on me every year. Kidnapping week, you know, I just think really it's kidnapping week. It's been that long. Oh gee.

Edward: Yeah. Yeah. It's time for the friends and family of our heroes to be put at risk where the villains come in and, use them as leverage to. I dunno, I guess to get the heroes to fight. Why, they couldn't have just got them to fight before, it feels like most of these heroes won't turn down a chance to fight with these villains. Like I think the kidnapping part is a little unnecessary.

Michael: It does seem unnecessary and maybe that's why we're taking a little jaunty view of it, where yes, they're being kidnapped, but it usually works out , no one's really injured. It makes it seem almost like a juvenile game between the super villains and the superheroes.

Edward: And in this particular case, two of the top people at, Stark Corp, pepper Pots and Happy, I'm sorry, I don't know Happy's last name. Happy Hogan. Happy Hogan. Yeah. Happy Hogan. We're kidnapped. Everyone can, Breathe easy. They have all been rescued. Iron, Man has rescued them from the kidnapping. So they're back at home. Happy is now happy. And meanwhile, Sue Storm from the Fantastic Four, the actual superhero Sue Storm, has also been kidnapped by the Frightful four. And she's not yet been returned. So that the case is still out. Although with her powers, she's gonna be much easier to protect herself than Pepper and happier.

Michael: I guess, we'll see how it all shakes out, but on a more serious note there is a concern about these connections with these superheroes that leave them exposed to risk. You gotta wonder about what they're doing to protect themselves in the case of Iron Man, no one knows who he or she is. It's just that there's a person in a suit of armor and they just associate, but

Edward: he's associate, yeah. He's associated with Stark Corp. And so That's right. People know that Iron Man is Tony's Stark's bodyguard more than that. He's like the bodyguard for the company, the face of the company. And so, clearly if one of the top people at the company is kidnapped, Iron Man is gonna come to the rescue. And that's exactly what happened.

Michael: But I think sometimes about say a royal of family or a distant relative of say the president,, if your cousins with the president, are you worried about getting kidnapped? And do you get a security detail? And the answer is no. And if you're 20th and line of the throne. Do you need a security detail because somebody kidnapped them, then it would be news. But I guess there, there is some cold comfort for people that work at Star Corp is that they're that far removed and they're not really at risk, but then again, maybe their career's not going so well, if they're not, if they're not exposed to kidnapping.

Edward: That's right. This, this, you've been promoted and also kidnapped.

Michael: Yeah. And they're like, thank God. Finally, you know what? They gave me a corner office and that was great and all, but it wasn't until I actually was reporting directly to Tony Stark that I was kidnapped. I was kidnapped by a Russian spy

Edward: I've made it. I've made it. Mike . My career is finally taking off, and I'm a prisoner in Russia.

Michael: Keep my bonus kidnapping and take me Siberia. .

Edward: Is that like, I wonder if that's like a bullet on their resume for their next job was kidnapped four times. Therefore, it must be important.

Michael: rescued by Iron Man three times and once by Thor. It was great. You know, recommended five stars.

Edward: Yeah so this time, I dunno, we should probably cover both these kidnappings, but the first kidnapping of, pepper and Happy, was I guess a former Russian agent called Black Widow. And, someone called Hawkeye. And, Hawkeye apparently dangerous cause he did significant damage to Iron Man's Armors, Iron Man, managed to recover the two kidnappings. Black widow and Hawkeye did escape, but in the process, Iron Man's Armor was severely damaged. So this was a real threat.

Michael: It is, but it's super weird, right? So Ironman's basically a living weapon. He's a rocket gun, you know. The way I understand Hawkeye is he fights with a bow and arrow and while I accept the fact that he somehow used the bow and arrow to get acid on costume. I don't think the operative part was the bow and arrow. I think it was the acid that just could eat through the suit. And my question,

Edward: The arrow was a delivery vehicle for the.

Michael: You could get a water gun for that , you know, especially,

Edward: I'm pretty sure the wa like, I dunno if you, so I have some young children and they use water guns. Water guns do not shoot water very far. Okay. Whereas a bow and arrow, you could shoot that very far. Like maybe not as far as a sniper rifle, but a solid bow and arrow. You can shoot that thing a long wave.

Michael: I know. Okay, I get that point. But I guess what I'm saying is that it seems like the only thing he's got is a bow and arrow so if he's truly the marksman, why is he not using a gun? Not that I wanted to use a gun cuz he's a bad guy. But wouldn't it be more effective in a fight if you had a gun and an earring? Accuracy

Edward: Depends who you're, you're fighting against. I think if someone brought a gun to fight Iron, Man, those bullets would just bounce off his armor. But instead, well, he fired an acid arrow at him that melted his armor and practically took him.

Michael: But I guess. Up your game, Hawkeye bring a rocket launcher. You know, or like, it's not gonna get bone arrow. It just the acid arrow. How it seems like the only thing that might've helped again, and in a fight between Hawkeye and Iron Man, like what else, what other arrow could he have?

Edward: Maybe he has,, I could imagine many arrows, right? I can imagine. Many imagine he had like an emmp arrow that knocked out electronics. Clearly he didn't have one of those. Cause if he did, he could've taken out Iron Man with one. But he even, but maybe he should get one for next time.

Michael: A projectile, like a gun. He could use, he could shoot like a little disc or something.

Edward: Don't arrow guns don't. Guns don't have e emmp blockers. They don't have, there's no such arrow bullets. There's no acid bullets. These arrows do. These arrows do. Why not? Why not? ,

Michael: I just think it's, Silly. I just think it's silly. It seems like he's committed. He's like, you know what? I like, I like being an archer. And they're like, hold on a second, the 17 hundreds called, they want their weapons back. And they're like, yeah, forget it. I'm sticking with it. No, it's not even the 17 hundreds, like the 14 hundreds, there's been advances in technology Hawkeye. And if you're really good at aiming things and shooting things, invest in a little. You know, gun work

Edward: Well, here's my theory is that Hawkeye has some sort of incredible superpowers that'll, that give him the ability to shoot these things the same way we talked about the green goblin being able to balance on that, right? On his, on his hoverboard. I feel like Hawkeye has some sort of advanced superpowers on firing arrows. And he's combined that with incredible technology that provides these arrows that do incredible things. And I think, just because it seems silly to you, Mike, doesn't mean it's not.

Michael: No, I, acknowledge that. I just, I guess I'd like to, again, like many of these superheroes I like to talk to and say, just so I understand this, have you thought about something different? Just like, explain to me why this is the process, if it's not just a shtick that you have because you like looking like, a bad Robinhood Halloween costume.

Edward: I think, this is a case, Mike, where you are sitting here being the critic, right. Going and arguing against these guys, whereas he's out there risking his life actually doing this stuff and, and like I, the bad guy, I'm, I'm gonna, well he's doing evil, but at least he's doing something. He's, he's stepping up and he's, and he's taking action and he's making things happen in the world. And I, feel like sitting back and critiquing it. We should be trying to understand it and let's understand what he's doing and why he's doing it that way. But to, wave your hands and say what he's doing is dumb and stupid, man. I wanna see you go out there and fight Iron Man with your rocket launcher .

Michael: I'm not, but I guess, okay. I guess I was, I just still find it silly. But no, I'm ed you've really made it, you've made some headway in this discussion. Yes. Okay. Iron, Man, keep it up or no, Iron Man haw. Keep it up. Keep it up. See how, see what happens. But I'm just saying to you right now, in a year's time, he is in jail, , and it's like, and I'd be curious. And they take away his arrows. . Yeah. I'd be curious. He says like, yeah, you know what, you know what my mistake was? I used a bow and arrow in a modern world to commit crimes instead, I should have. A gun or a rocket launcher, or a flame thrower, or even a water gun. that shot.

Edward: Hey, speak. Speaking of other options, let's, let's move on to our second kidnapping of the week. So Sue Storm, kidnapped by the frightful four. All four of them, I guess, got together and took her out. Usually the fight for four are battling the entire Fantastic four. And this case they focus their efforts on one individual, on the team, kidnapped her, are now demanding the other ones come and fight them. So far nothing really exciting in the news, but I think what's interesting, maybe interesting is that, two of the dreadful four, are, if not new then rebrand.

Michael: I think they're definitely rebranded, and I find it, again, I guess the theme I'm having is that it just seems kind of silly. So like, do you know what the name is?

Edward: Like we talked about the silliness, . Let's give these guys some credit. They're battling the Fantastic Four. These are not clowns,

Michael: not silly people. Okay. Okay, let's go through this. Okay, so we know about what's his, um, what's his real name, the Wizard's real name, uh, bent. Whitman Bentley Bettman? Yes, that's correct. Okay. Okay. So he goes from Bentley Whitman very intelligent person knowing the world over to calling himself the wizard cuz he's like super smart and he wants to out Fox the Human Torch who's a teenager. And then he's rebranded himself as a Wingless wizard cuz he's using is, he's still using his anti-gravity suit, which he had before. And my first. Who are you talking to about the branding? Like boy, the wingless part is not the interesting part of this. We already know you're the wizards so you're flying, but you and I Ed are wingless. This isn't the win the Wingless radio show. You know what I mean? I'm not the wingless lawyer. You're the winless dad of your children. The Thing.

Edward: If he was, if he was armless, maybe he should call that out. But you're right, a human who is Wingless doesn't seem to be The Thing that you care about.

Michael: No, it's not. It's not like, woo. I'm really intimidated. He's wingless. Watch out. He's wingless. .

Edward: You can imagine all these other characteristics he does not have . The claws.

Michael: Claws, you know. I don't know, like the finless, like, I guess you wouldn't be good swimming. Like it's just dumb . So it's not just, it's not just silly, it's kind of dumb.

The guiltless, the guiltless wizard. , what I hope, what I hope, because he's a bad guy, he's doing bad things and he kidnapped somebody recently is, I hope that he paid a lot of money to some consultant to say, what am I missing? Why, why are people thinking I'm a bad guy, just cause I do bad things? They're like, you know what it is? It's because, you know, the wizard is so intimidating. Let's just say, to soften you up and say like, here are things you, you aren't, you're, you don't have wings, so we're gonna call you wingless and that, and everyone likes alliteration. You're the. You're the wingless wizard now. That'll be $5,000 here. Thank you very much. Goodbye, Lee. I just think it's not very good.

Edward: Okay. I think we can agree the Wingless wizard was a misfire when it comes to branding. But. The other member of the team who's come up with a new name for themselves, paste Pot, Pete, which I always have a hard time saying, and yeah. Frankly, might be the worst name in the superhero business, . And it was about, it was about time he changed and he did change to what I like. Well, it's not a worst name.

Michael: The Trapster. The Trapster. You know, I think the irony here is that they're on the same team and the Wisher goes to a worst name with alliteration and Pace Pot pete goes to a better name, and eliminates the alliteration. . Yeah. So it's no longer Pace Pot Pete, which is kind of like, again, pace Pot is not like, Ooh. Oh no. They might. Something sticky on me. The trapster is a little more, nefarious, right? And I think it's more intimidating if that's what you're going for as a super villain. And it just seems that maybe. Pete Trapster should go over talk to Wing Wizard and say, you know what, ,

Edward: as much as we all love the alliterations, it's, they're unnecessary these days. You can, like, they're, yeah, don't, you don't need to li you don't need to put yourself in that box wizard. You could call yourself the box less wizard.

Michael: Yeah, but he should say something like, Hey, I was like you before where I thought what people needed to know was have in my name was have descriptions like Pace Pot. You know, Pete wasn't enough, had to be Pace Pot, and you had to be winless, but you don't need it at all. Just go right to the name, the Wizard, and I'm the Trapster and you're Wizard. So you're smart and you're devious, and I'm. I'm gonna trap you with my pace Pot , but I'm not gonna say that part because it's just gonna happen. It's just like I'm gonna trap 'em,

Edward: talk, talk, talk, talk about what you achieve, not how you achieve it.

Michael: That's right. And I won't be tied down to the PACE pod cuz I have more than glue, not much, but I have more than glue I might have like genius plans.

Edward: I can trap you with whatever methods I choose. .

Michael: Yeah. And I might just talk to my friend, the Wizard who's super smart. He's gonna help me figure out how to do these plants and I'll just, I'll do it. Sometimes it'll evolve pace, but I'm not tied down to it. And you know what, you might just float away. But no one needs to know why. just do listen. Just do.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the most powerful super-powered villain encountered so far, the Molecule Man, can rearrange molecules and everything is made of molecules. After defeating the Fantastic Four in public, Reed Richards claims that his team defeated the villain in secret. How was a man so powerful defeated? Was he killed? If not, how can a man who can turn a jail cell into a rose garden being held against his will? Does the Molecule Man have any constitutional rights? And if not, where do we draw the line on who the Fantastic Four or the government are allowed to “deal with” extra-legally?

In this issue:

The Fantastic Four respond to a threat in the middle of New York City, which turns out to be a gateway to the dimension occupied by the Watcher, a mysterious alien whom we will learn more about as this series continues, but who for the purposes of this issue you should know simply observes but does not interfere. The Watcher explains that an Earthling known as the Molecule Man, who was accidentally created due to a mistake with atomic devices, poses an existential threat to the multiverse. Imbued with his powers to change molecules at his whim, the Molecule Man has been settling petty scores, and the Watcher is concerned that he will not stop until he destroys the solar system and beyond. The Fantastic Four return to Earth and take on the Molecule Man, who has already tried to take over the Earth. They do battle, but the Molecule Man comes out on top. He is nigh omnipotent, and has no problem demonstrating his amazing powers. All seems lost until the Thing’s girlfriend, the blind sculptor Alicia Masters, tricks the Molecule Man into believing that he cannot control the molecules in clay statues that Alicia has created of the Fantastic Four. It turns out that they are not statutes but in fact the Fantastic Four, covered in clay. The Watcher then re-enters the picture and spirits the Molecule Man away, rationalizing that because the Fantastic Four, at that very moment, technically defeated the Molecule Man, he can intercede and remove the Molecule Man from the equation.

Assumed before the next episode:

People wonder what happened to the supremely powerful Molecule Man.

This episode takes place:

After the Molecule Man disappears.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss a newly discovered dimension that exists alongside ours. This dimension has had the technology to observe us for thousands of years, and yet they do not yet have the secrets of atomic power. How rare is an understanding of atomic nuclear power among aliens and other-dimensional beings? Did humans advance in technology in some unusual way? Was it the discovery of atomic power that is causing all of these attacks on our planet? And is atomic power also why we are seeing so many super-powered people appear in such a short timeframe? Also, we welcome to the scene Giant-Man and take bets on which super hero team he will join.

In this issue:

Hank Pym decides to use his size formula in the opposite direction, and grow rather than shrink, becoming Giant-Man in the process. Meanwhile, the police are on the hunt for the Eraser, who is apparently erasing people from existence. The Eraser erases Hank Pym, who is actually transported to Dimension Z. It turns out the Eraser has been “erasing”, or transporting, human scientists to Dimension Z so that they can develop atomic power for them. Fortunately for Hank, the Wasp had shrunken and was “erased” with Hank too, unbeknownst to the Eraser. She helps free Hank, and the two of them free the scientists and bring them to Earth.

Assumed before the next episode:

People have not learned about Dimension Z, although they are grateful that their scientists are back. They’re also wondering about this new hero Giant-Man.

This episode takes place:

After the scientists have been safely returned to Earth.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the living legend, Captain America. Or, at least the guy who is impersonating him. Impersonating Capt seems like it would be even easier than impersonating Spider-Man - so why was everyone so eager to believe that the soldier from World War II had returned? And if Captain America truly did return, would he really spend his time selling used cars? Is our society and media truly that naive, or is it that the symbol of Captain America is so powerful that we refused to give voice to our doubts? Also, should the government create a new Captain America, if only as a symbol, or would that be insulting to the original? If we need a new name for a new icon, what should the name be?

In This Issue:

The town of Glenville is abuzz with the news that World War II hero Captain America has returned. Not only that, he’s making a public appearance at an antique auto show in town. Johnny Storm heads to the auto show and jumps into action as the Human Torch when he sees a robbery in place. So does Captain America, who treats Johnny pretty poorly. Nonetheless, Cap gets great press after he captures the thugs. We then learn that Cap was in on the robbery, when he breaks the thugs out of jail. Johnny tries to recapture the thugs and succeeds, whereupon he learns that Cap was in on the plan, which was all a smokescreen so that he could rob a bank. Johnny battles Cap once more and, once he defeats him, learns he is his old enemy, the Acrobat.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering if the real Captain America will return.

This episode takes place:

After the fake Captain America has been captured.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss how the X-Men have become famous celebrities, just like the Fantastic Four; what the best super power would be; and the definition of super-powered terrorism (is it the actions or the goal that make it a terrorist act?) Is the Department of Special Affairs part of the military, or does it report to the Departments of Justice or National Intelligence? Also, what do we do with super-terrorists when they are incapacitated? We do not have the jails that can hold them, or technology to neutralize their powers. Are they sedated, and if so, how can the government engage in such unethical treatment of these people?

In this issue:

The X-Men are sought after celebrities, beloved the world over. Surely this will never change. In any event, they have a new assignment from Professor X, which is to capture the Vanisher, a mutant who has the ability to teleport. The Vanisher is using his abilities to rob banks in a garish costume. He announces his intention to rob the Pentagon, which leads to much consternation. FBI Special Agent Fred Duncan reaches out to Professor X to ask him for help in preventing the Vanisher from carrying out his threat. The X-Men are sent into the field but are unable to capture the man who can disappear at will. The next time they meet is on the lawn of the White House - the X-Men versus the Vanisher and a veritable army of thugs. Before they can engage, Professor X uses his incredible telepathic powers to get the Vanisher to forget that he can teleport, and then forget who he is, leaving the X-Men to take down the thugs, which they do with ease.

Assumed before the next episode:

People breathe a sigh of relief that the Vanisher has been dealt with, although the conscientious among them wonder what became of him.

This episode takes place:

After the thugs have been cleared off the White House lawn.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the first super-powered person from India, the Cobra, who has abilities similar to Spider-Man and apparently knows how to duplicate how he developed his powers in other people. How do we handle a situation where not just countries, but individuals, have the ability to create armies of super-powered people? How long can we keep this technology secret? How will we handle terrorists when anyone can have super powers? And does the government have the right to stop experimentation on our own bodies?

In this issue:

A scientist working in India figures out how to give himself superpowers based on cobras, which is to let a radioactive cobra he had been working on bite him. Now calling himself the Cobra, he heads to the US and demands control over the entire planet. Thor intervenes and battles the Cobra, who can fly and shoot deadly venom vapour. The Cobra bests Thor twice, but on their third encounter, with the Cobra holding Thor’s friend Jane Foster hostage, Thor comes out on top. The Cobra slithers away, clearly intent on revenge another day.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering if the Cobra’s miraculous powers are, indeed, capable of replication.

This episode takes place:

After Thor finally defeated the Cobra.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss a case of mistaken identity ,and how easy it seems to be to impersonate Spider-Man. Perhaps if you want to kidnap the wallcrawler, you should ensure that your captive can spin a web? And if you want to extort someone, wouldn’t threatening poor defenseless orphans be a better choice than a superhero anyway? Does the genius Doctor Doom have a master plan that we just don’t understand? Are we walking right into his trap?

In this issue:

The Daily Bugle is trashing Spider-Man as a lawless vigilante. But that doesn’t stop Flash Thompson, Spider-Man’s #1 fan (and Peter Parker’s teenage nemesis) from sticking up for his hero. Meanwhile, Dr. Doom plots his revenge against the Fantastic Four. He figures that all he needs is Spider-Man as his partner in his plan to take down the Four. Spider-Man rebuffs Doom’s efforts to woo him into a team-up, and the two battle, with Spider-Man escaping. Later, Flash dresses up as Spider-Man, and Doom mistakes him for the real deal and kidnaps him. The real Spider-Man battles Dr. Doom once more, and saves Flash from his evil clutches.

Assumed before the next episode:

People start re-thinking their Spider-Man Halloween costumes for fear of being kidnapped by a foreign dictator.

This episode takes place:

After Spider-Man has rescued Flash Thompson from Dr. Doom.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss how everyone (other countries, aliens, other dimensional entities) seems to be kidnapping scientists. Has the United States started down this path as well? Did Professor Vanko defect voluntarily, or as a result of duress? Was his alternative a jail cell? Also, is Vanko going to mass produce armor that compares to Iron Man’s armor? If so, will Stark technology soon make the Avengers obsolete?

In this issue:

The Soviet leader visits top scientist Ivan Vanko, who has created a body armor similar to that of Iron Man. Vanko demonstrates the armor’s awesome capabilities. Vanko takes on the name Crimson Dynamo, and travels to the US and uses his armor to scramble the circuits of an experimental rocket. Iron Man springs into action and saves the pilots of the rocket just in time. Thereafter, Vanko starts attacking Stark production plants. The US government responds by cancelling their contracts with Stark, fearing over-reliance on the military contractor. Company president Tony Stark, who is secretly Iron Man, investigates and ultimately confronts the Crimson Dynamo. They do battle and, after Iron Man comes out on top, Iron Man plays a radio message that he had intercepted of the Soviet leader planning to assassinate the Crimson Dynamo. This causes the Crimson Dynamo to defect and then work for Tony Stark in his research division.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering when they might get a super-powered battle suit of their own.

This episode takes place:

After Ivan Vanko, the Crimson Dynamo, defects to the US.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the attempted take-over of New York by “The Plantman”. Where do his powers come from? Technology or some sort of innate power like the Human Torch? Also, he was stopped, but not apprehended. Do we need to stay afraid of all plant life going forward? And if the goal is world domination, why start with New York City?

In this issue:

Johnny Storm is dating a woman who basically does not like that he can turn into a literal human torch. Her father also has a problem with someone in his life - Sam the gardener - and so he fires him. Sam is actually an inventor, and late the night he is fired, he works away in his garden with a special formula that he invented to give plants intelligence. While doing so, a bolt of lightening strikes his device and gives Sam the ability to control all plant life. Armed with these strange and amazing powers, Sam goes about framing his former boss with a a crime. The Torch figures it out, and battles Sam, now going by the name Plantman. The Torch is defeated, and Plantman then heads to New YOrk City to take over the world through its plants. The Torch returns to battle Plantman once more, and after a pitched battle involving the Torch torturing plants, the Torch wins. Plantman remains at large, though.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are looking differently at their house plants and gardens.

This episode takes place:

After Plantman is defeated.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the invasion of New York City by the “Lava Man”. There is apparently an entire race of lava-based humanoids beneath the Earth’s surface who can cause dormant volcanos in the Adirondacks to explode. We should be entering diplomatic negotiations with this society as soon as possible. Also, why was Thor the last line of defense instead of the first? And where were the other nine New York-based super heroes?

In this issue:

Thor saves a jet pilot from his plane as it spirals out of control over New York City. All in a day’s work for the god of thunder, Thor! He seems somewhat agoraphobic when the city media approach him, leading him to flee and return to his mortal guise as Dr. Donald Blake. Meanwhile, people are terrified to learn that a Lava Man is causing dormant volcanoes to erupt, leading many to leave the city. Lava Man defeats the military with his intense heat, and he gives Thor a run for his money. After a ferocious battle, Thor defeats Lava Man, returning him below the Earth’s surface.

Assumed before the next episode:

People slowly return to New York City, now that Lava Man has been defeated.

This episode takes place:

After Lava Man has been defeated.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss Alex Gentry, “The Porcupine”, a government scientist who stole the Iron Man-like armor that he had built and attempts to use it for a life of crime. Ant-Man figured out who the Porcupine was, but Gentry still escaped and is at large. Who is responsible for tracking him down? Also, how dangerous are porcupines anyway?

In this issue:

Alex Gentry invents a porcupine battle suit while working for the US government and decides to throw his previous life away for a life of crime as… The Porcupine! His first order of business is to rob a bank while looking like a porcupine, which he does. Ant-Man and the Wasp happen to be at the bank in their civilian guises, and decide to investigate. Ant-Man eventually tracks down the Porcupine, who is ready for him. The Porcupine tries to drown Ant-Man, although he escapes. He and the Wasp then return to battle the Porcupine and defeat him by spraying liquid cement all over him. The Porcupine then flies away, vowing to improve his porcupine battle suit (the fact that it flies isn’t enough) and do battle once more.

Assumed before the next episode:

The world feels safer knowing an ant and a wasp can take down a porcupine.

This episode takes place:

After the Porcupine is defeated by Ant-Man and the Wasp.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss two recent kidnappings: Pepper Potts and Happy Hogan by the Black Widow and Hawkeye, and Sue Storm by the Frightful Four. How senior do you need to be at StarkCorp before you are at risk of being kidnapped? Is a bow and arrow an effective weapon in the modern age? Should a wizard be defined by a lack of wings? Isn’t lack of wings a common trait we all hold? All this and more - just don’t call us silly!

Behind the issues:

As we get further into 1965, more and more issues are multi-part stories. Tales of Suspense #64 re-introduces Hawkeye as a villain, only to have him switch to being an Avenger next month in Avengers #16. Fantastic Four #38 ends with the heroes being at the epicenter of a nuclear bomb, and the after effects of that conflict continue for the next two issues. This pattern of moving beyond “supervillain of the month” becomes more regular with all of the titles over the next few months.

In this issue:

Tales of Suspense #64

In the first story, Black Widow meets up with Hawkeye again. She explains how she has been pressed into service for the USSR, and that they have designed her fancy new costume replete with weapons and gadgets. She enlists Hawkeye with her task, to destroy Iron Man. To that end, they kidnap Happy and Pepper in an effort to attract Iron Man to their trap. Iron Man shows up, and Hawkeye and Black Widow nearly take him down. Fortunately, Iron Man rescues his friends, as the supervillains (soon to be superheroes) flee.

The second story is a Captain America tale from WWII, when he had a secret identify as a first class screwup in the US Army. In this tale, Cap and Bucky battle a team of Nazis who have set up an innocent man who shows American audiences on a large crystal ball showing the awful future that awaits the US if it joins in the war. Cap and Bucky are able to break this propaganda show up. In the course of this story, we meet Agent Thirteen for the first time.

Fantastic Four #38

The Wingless Wizard (formerly the Wizard) argues with his teammates in the Frightful Four, the Trapster (formerly Paste Pot Pete), Medusa, and Sandman, and ultimately establishes why he is their leader with his mastery of gravity (basically he can fling things around with his anti-gravity tech). The Frightful Four kidnap Sue Storm, and the world takes notice. They take her to a small atoll in the ocean, and the Fantastic Four give chase, tracking them down and attacking the other foursome. The Human Torch is captured but then rescued by Reed and Ben, and the battle between the two foursomes then begins in earnest. Ultimately, the Frightful Four leave the atoll, leaving the Fantastic Four on the island moments before it is to be blown up by a bomb. The bomb detonates, but fortunately Sue protects her teammates in a force field, floating unconscious on the water’s surface.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering what the deal is with these superpowered people and the number 4.

This episode takes place:

After the Frightful Four have bested the Fantastic Four, and assume they have been blown up.

Full Transcript:

Edward: Mike, it is kidnapping week here on the show, ,

Michael: and I didn't even mark it in my calendar, but you're right. Every year it creeps up on me every year. Kidnapping week, you know, I just think really it's kidnapping week. It's been that long. Oh gee.

Edward: Yeah. Yeah. It's time for the friends and family of our heroes to be put at risk where the villains come in and, use them as leverage to. I dunno, I guess to get the heroes to fight. Why, they couldn't have just got them to fight before, it feels like most of these heroes won't turn down a chance to fight with these villains. Like I think the kidnapping part is a little unnecessary.

Michael: It does seem unnecessary and maybe that's why we're taking a little jaunty view of it, where yes, they're being kidnapped, but it usually works out , no one's really injured. It makes it seem almost like a juvenile game between the super villains and the superheroes.

Edward: And in this particular case, two of the top people at, Stark Corp, pepper Pots and Happy, I'm sorry, I don't know Happy's last name. Happy Hogan. Happy Hogan. Yeah. Happy Hogan. We're kidnapped. Everyone can, Breathe easy. They have all been rescued. Iron, Man has rescued them from the kidnapping. So they're back at home. Happy is now happy. And meanwhile, Sue Storm from the Fantastic Four, the actual superhero Sue Storm, has also been kidnapped by the Frightful four. And she's not yet been returned. So that the case is still out. Although with her powers, she's gonna be much easier to protect herself than Pepper and happier.

Michael: I guess, we'll see how it all shakes out, but on a more serious note there is a concern about these connections with these superheroes that leave them exposed to risk. You gotta wonder about what they're doing to protect themselves in the case of Iron Man, no one knows who he or she is. It's just that there's a person in a suit of armor and they just associate, but

Edward: he's associate, yeah. He's associated with Stark Corp. And so That's right. People know that Iron Man is Tony's Stark's bodyguard more than that. He's like the bodyguard for the company, the face of the company. And so, clearly if one of the top people at the company is kidnapped, Iron Man is gonna come to the rescue. And that's exactly what happened.

Michael: But I think sometimes about say a royal of family or a distant relative of say the president,, if your cousins with the president, are you worried about getting kidnapped? And do you get a security detail? And the answer is no. And if you're 20th and line of the throne. Do you need a security detail because somebody kidnapped them, then it would be news. But I guess there, there is some cold comfort for people that work at Star Corp is that they're that far removed and they're not really at risk, but then again, maybe their career's not going so well, if they're not, if they're not exposed to kidnapping.

Edward: That's right. This, this, you've been promoted and also kidnapped.

Michael: Yeah. And they're like, thank God. Finally, you know what? They gave me a corner office and that was great and all, but it wasn't until I actually was reporting directly to Tony Stark that I was kidnapped. I was kidnapped by a Russian spy

Edward: I've made it. I've made it. Mike . My career is finally taking off, and I'm a prisoner in Russia.

Michael: Keep my bonus kidnapping and take me Siberia. .

Edward: Is that like, I wonder if that's like a bullet on their resume for their next job was kidnapped four times. Therefore, it must be important.

Michael: rescued by Iron Man three times and once by Thor. It was great. You know, recommended five stars.

Edward: Yeah so this time, I dunno, we should probably cover both these kidnappings, but the first kidnapping of, pepper and Happy, was I guess a former Russian agent called Black Widow. And, someone called Hawkeye. And, Hawkeye apparently dangerous cause he did significant damage to Iron Man's Armors, Iron Man, managed to recover the two kidnappings. Black widow and Hawkeye did escape, but in the process, Iron Man's Armor was severely damaged. So this was a real threat.

Michael: It is, but it's super weird, right? So Ironman's basically a living weapon. He's a rocket gun, you know. The way I understand Hawkeye is he fights with a bow and arrow and while I accept the fact that he somehow used the bow and arrow to get acid on costume. I don't think the operative part was the bow and arrow. I think it was the acid that just could eat through the suit. And my question,

Edward: The arrow was a delivery vehicle for the.

Michael: You could get a water gun for that , you know, especially,

Edward: I'm pretty sure the wa like, I dunno if you, so I have some young children and they use water guns. Water guns do not shoot water very far. Okay. Whereas a bow and arrow, you could shoot that very far. Like maybe not as far as a sniper rifle, but a solid bow and arrow. You can shoot that thing a long wave.

Michael: I know. Okay, I get that point. But I guess what I'm saying is that it seems like the only thing he's got is a bow and arrow so if he's truly the marksman, why is he not using a gun? Not that I wanted to use a gun cuz he's a bad guy. But wouldn't it be more effective in a fight if you had a gun and an earring? Accuracy

Edward: Depends who you're, you're fighting against. I think if someone brought a gun to fight Iron, Man, those bullets would just bounce off his armor. But instead, well, he fired an acid arrow at him that melted his armor and practically took him.

Michael: But I guess. Up your game, Hawkeye bring a rocket launcher. You know, or like, it's not gonna get bone arrow. It just the acid arrow. How it seems like the only thing that might've helped again, and in a fight between Hawkeye and Iron Man, like what else, what other arrow could he have?

Edward: Maybe he has,, I could imagine many arrows, right? I can imagine. Many imagine he had like an emmp arrow that knocked out electronics. Clearly he didn't have one of those. Cause if he did, he could've taken out Iron Man with one. But he even, but maybe he should get one for next time.

Michael: A projectile, like a gun. He could use, he could shoot like a little disc or something.

Edward: Don't arrow guns don't. Guns don't have e emmp blockers. They don't have, there's no such arrow bullets. There's no acid bullets. These arrows do. These arrows do. Why not? Why not? ,

Michael: I just think it's, Silly. I just think it's silly. It seems like he's committed. He's like, you know what? I like, I like being an archer. And they're like, hold on a second, the 17 hundreds called, they want their weapons back. And they're like, yeah, forget it. I'm sticking with it. No, it's not even the 17 hundreds, like the 14 hundreds, there's been advances in technology Hawkeye. And if you're really good at aiming things and shooting things, invest in a little. You know, gun work

Edward: Well, here's my theory is that Hawkeye has some sort of incredible superpowers that'll, that give him the ability to shoot these things the same way we talked about the green goblin being able to balance on that, right? On his, on his hoverboard. I feel like Hawkeye has some sort of advanced superpowers on firing arrows. And he's combined that with incredible technology that provides these arrows that do incredible things. And I think, just because it seems silly to you, Mike, doesn't mean it's not.

Michael: No, I, acknowledge that. I just, I guess I'd like to, again, like many of these superheroes I like to talk to and say, just so I understand this, have you thought about something different? Just like, explain to me why this is the process, if it's not just a shtick that you have because you like looking like, a bad Robinhood Halloween costume.

Edward: I think, this is a case, Mike, where you are sitting here being the critic, right. Going and arguing against these guys, whereas he's out there risking his life actually doing this stuff and, and like I, the bad guy, I'm, I'm gonna, well he's doing evil, but at least he's doing something. He's, he's stepping up and he's, and he's taking action and he's making things happen in the world. And I, feel like sitting back and critiquing it. We should be trying to understand it and let's understand what he's doing and why he's doing it that way. But to, wave your hands and say what he's doing is dumb and stupid, man. I wanna see you go out there and fight Iron Man with your rocket launcher .

Michael: I'm not, but I guess, okay. I guess I was, I just still find it silly. But no, I'm ed you've really made it, you've made some headway in this discussion. Yes. Okay. Iron, Man, keep it up or no, Iron Man haw. Keep it up. Keep it up. See how, see what happens. But I'm just saying to you right now, in a year's time, he is in jail, , and it's like, and I'd be curious. And they take away his arrows. . Yeah. I'd be curious. He says like, yeah, you know what, you know what my mistake was? I used a bow and arrow in a modern world to commit crimes instead, I should have. A gun or a rocket launcher, or a flame thrower, or even a water gun. that shot.

Edward: Hey, speak. Speaking of other options, let's, let's move on to our second kidnapping of the week. So Sue Storm, kidnapped by the frightful four. All four of them, I guess, got together and took her out. Usually the fight for four are battling the entire Fantastic four. And this case they focus their efforts on one individual, on the team, kidnapped her, are now demanding the other ones come and fight them. So far nothing really exciting in the news, but I think what's interesting, maybe interesting is that, two of the dreadful four, are, if not new then rebrand.

Michael: I think they're definitely rebranded, and I find it, again, I guess the theme I'm having is that it just seems kind of silly. So like, do you know what the name is?

Edward: Like we talked about the silliness, . Let's give these guys some credit. They're battling the Fantastic Four. These are not clowns,

Michael: not silly people. Okay. Okay, let's go through this. Okay, so we know about what's his, um, what's his real name, the Wizard's real name, uh, bent. Whitman Bentley Bettman? Yes, that's correct. Okay. Okay. So he goes from Bentley Whitman very intelligent person knowing the world over to calling himself the wizard cuz he's like super smart and he wants to out Fox the Human Torch who's a teenager. And then he's rebranded himself as a Wingless wizard cuz he's using is, he's still using his anti-gravity suit, which he had before. And my first. Who are you talking to about the branding? Like boy, the wingless part is not the interesting part of this. We already know you're the wizards so you're flying, but you and I Ed are wingless. This isn't the win the Wingless radio show. You know what I mean? I'm not the wingless lawyer. You're the winless dad of your children. The Thing.

Edward: If he was, if he was armless, maybe he should call that out. But you're right, a human who is Wingless doesn't seem to be The Thing that you care about.

Michael: No, it's not. It's not like, woo. I'm really intimidated. He's wingless. Watch out. He's wingless. .

Edward: You can imagine all these other characteristics he does not have . The claws.

Michael: Claws, you know. I don't know, like the finless, like, I guess you wouldn't be good swimming. Like it's just dumb . So it's not just, it's not just silly, it's kind of dumb.

The guiltless, the guiltless wizard. , what I hope, what I hope, because he's a bad guy, he's doing bad things and he kidnapped somebody recently is, I hope that he paid a lot of money to some consultant to say, what am I missing? Why, why are people thinking I'm a bad guy, just cause I do bad things? They're like, you know what it is? It's because, you know, the wizard is so intimidating. Let's just say, to soften you up and say like, here are things you, you aren't, you're, you don't have wings, so we're gonna call you wingless and that, and everyone likes alliteration. You're the. You're the wingless wizard now. That'll be $5,000 here. Thank you very much. Goodbye, Lee. I just think it's not very good.

Edward: Okay. I think we can agree the Wingless wizard was a misfire when it comes to branding. But. The other member of the team who's come up with a new name for themselves, paste Pot, Pete, which I always have a hard time saying, and yeah. Frankly, might be the worst name in the superhero business, . And it was about, it was about time he changed and he did change to what I like. Well, it's not a worst name.

Michael: The Trapster. The Trapster. You know, I think the irony here is that they're on the same team and the Wisher goes to a worst name with alliteration and Pace Pot pete goes to a better name, and eliminates the alliteration. . Yeah. So it's no longer Pace Pot Pete, which is kind of like, again, pace Pot is not like, Ooh. Oh no. They might. Something sticky on me. The trapster is a little more, nefarious, right? And I think it's more intimidating if that's what you're going for as a super villain. And it just seems that maybe. Pete Trapster should go over talk to Wing Wizard and say, you know what, ,

Edward: as much as we all love the alliterations, it's, they're unnecessary these days. You can, like, they're, yeah, don't, you don't need to li you don't need to put yourself in that box wizard. You could call yourself the box less wizard.

Michael: Yeah, but he should say something like, Hey, I was like you before where I thought what people needed to know was have in my name was have descriptions like Pace Pot. You know, Pete wasn't enough, had to be Pace Pot, and you had to be winless, but you don't need it at all. Just go right to the name, the Wizard, and I'm the Trapster and you're Wizard. So you're smart and you're devious, and I'm. I'm gonna trap you with my pace Pot , but I'm not gonna say that part because it's just gonna happen. It's just like I'm gonna trap 'em,

Edward: talk, talk, talk, talk about what you achieve, not how you achieve it.

Michael: That's right. And I won't be tied down to the PACE pod cuz I have more than glue, not much, but I have more than glue I might have like genius plans.

Edward: I can trap you with whatever methods I choose. .

Michael: Yeah. And I might just talk to my friend, the Wizard who's super smart. He's gonna help me figure out how to do these plants and I'll just, I'll do it. Sometimes it'll evolve pace, but I'm not tied down to it. And you know what, you might just float away. But no one needs to know why. just do listen. Just do.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the origins of Flint Marco, “The Sandman”. How easily will his powers be duplicated, now that we know how he got them? Also, given that he is a super-powered threat within New York City, why wasn’t he dispatched by one of our official super-teams? Did someone forget to “call the ball”? Why was Marco left for Spider-Man to deal with?

In this issue:

Spider-Man is… having trouble with his crime fighting career. You see, the street thugs have figured out that they can just call the cops when Spider-Man tries to stop them from committing a crime, and the cops may just believe that Spider-Man, the masked vigilante, may be the bad guy. One night, Spider-Man comes across a different problem, the Sandman, a criminal who can turn his body (and his clothing) to sand. Sandman soundly defeats Spider-Man, who races away in disgrace, leaving the Sandman to continue on with his crime spree. The Sandman also attains some notoriety as the evening news recounts how he gained his powers when he came across an atomic devices testing center and was caught in the blast (much like the Hulk). Anyway, the Sandman, while evading the police, ends up at Peter Parker’s high school. Peter changes into his Spider-Man duds and battles the Sandman, ultimately defeating him by vacuuming him up while he is in his particulate sand form.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering how easy it is to gain fantastic powers.

This episode takes place:

After the Sandman has been defeated by Spider-Man.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss a new alien race that seems to have all the powers of the Fantastic Four. Are all of their people like that, or just a subset of super-humans like us? Can WE create superheroes with ALL the powers? Is there something special about space and the power sets of the Fantastic Four? Also, not that we’re complaining, but do aliens give up their invasions after small setbacks?

In this issue:

Lightyears from earth, in the fifth quadrant of the Andromeda Galaxy, are the Skrulls, shapeshifting humanoids who are still smarting from their failed invasion of Earth the year prior. Not ones to give up, they have devoted all of their resources to creating a super being of their own, the Super Skrull, who has the powers of all four members of the Fantastic Four. They send the Super Skrull to Earth, and demonstrating a flair for the dramatic and a complete lack of self awareness, he lands in Times Square and claims the Earth for the Skrull Empire. The Fantastic Four meet the challenge and take the Super Skrull on. After a titanic battle, the Four turn tail and run. Fortunately, Reed Richards figures out that the Super Skrull is maintaining his strength through a power ray being beamed from the Skrull home world. And so he jams the beam, following which the Four are able to take the Super Skrull down. They seal him into a cave on a remote island, and that is that.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are relieved that their short time as Skrull subjects has come to an end.

This episode takes place:

After the Super Skrull is defeated.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed talk about the uniting of Iron Man, Thor, Ant-Man, the Wasp, and the Hulk into a new super team called “The Avengers”. This is clearly a PR win for the Hulk, but what is in it for Iron Man and Thor? How do the Avengers relate to the US government and military? Are they a counter-balance to the Fantastic Four? Are they going to be based in New York, and if so, why double up in that city while leaving the west coast undefended?

In this issue:

Loki plots his revenge on Thor whilst imprisoned. He figures out that the best way to seek his revenge is to manipulate the Incredible Hulk. He does so by making it appear that the Hulk is damaging public property and putting the lives of innocents in danger. This leads to Thor, Ant-Man, the Wasp, and Iron Man to separately decide that they need to take the jade giant down. The four superheroes unite and track down the Hulk, who has disguised himself as a lifelike robot at a traveling circus. The four do battle with the Hulk until Loki is revealed as the true culprit. They make peace with the Hulk, who decides to join them in the world’s latest (second?) superhero team, The Avengers!

Assumed before the next issue:

People have whiplash in going from seeing the Hulk as a villain to seeing him as a hero.

This episode takes place:

After The Avengers have announced their team up to the world!

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the most super-powered individuals to appear on the scene in a single day. Are they truly super-powered, or is this a case of more advanced technology? Is Magneto truly a villain, or is he trying to make the public aware of nefarious dealings within the US Military? Where are these super powers coming from? Are these our first Floridian super heroes? What is Magneto’s motivation? Also, what does the “X” stand for if not “10”?

In this issue:

We are introduced to the X-Men: Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Angel, Beast, and Iceman, as well as their leader Professor X. They all have strange and unusual powers which they were born with. Professor X trains them in the use of their powers at his school for these gifted youngsters, who are all in their teens. Meanwhile, Magneto, the master of magnetism, plots his next move against humanity from his secret laboratory near Cape Citadel in Florida. He has been using his amazing control over metal to cause military missile launches to misfire. And he then amps up the pressure by demanding the US military turn over the Cape Citadel base, failing which he will take it by force. The military do not capitulate, and as a result, Magneto follows through on his threat and takes the base by force. The X-Men spring into action and do battle with Magneto, working alongside the US military. They eventually defeat Magneto using their marvelous abilities, working together as a team.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are keen to learn more about America’s newest superhero team.

This episode takes place:

After the X-Men have defeated Magneto.

In This Episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the latest “scientist gone bad” - this time, an engineer working at Stark Enterprises. If even mid-tier scientists have this tendency to go bad, how are we going to identify them before they do something that cannot be stopped by people like Iron Man? Also, Iron Man was unable to save Tony Stark from a car accident. Is one super-powered bodyguard enough for the billionaire?

In this issue:

Tony Stark crashes his race car, and bystander Happy Hogan comes to his rescue. Tony hires Happy to work as his chauffeur, and so begins their long and storied friendship. We also meet Tony’s long suffering assistant Pepper Potts.

Tony, as Iron Man, stumbles upon one of his most trusted scientists, Professor Shapanka, breaking into his vault. Tony fires Shapanka for his treachery. Weeks later, Shapanka perfects his freezing technology, which allows him to coat himself in ice and freeze things. Shapanka goes on a crime spree, as Jack Frost, and proves more than a match for the city police. Iron Man and Jack Frost do battle, and Iron Man comes out on top by overheating the mad scientist.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering which super-scientist will crack next.

This episode takes place:

After Shapanka/Jack Frost is arrested.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the implications of the original Merlin from the 4th century coming back to life in the modern day. As more and more of the ancient legends appear to be true, can we say there is some sort of cycle where every 1,500 years of so magic comes back into the world? Also, was the Thor/Merlin battle some sort of turf war? A battle of the “gods”?

In this issue:

The sarcophagus of Merlin, “famed wizard of King Arthur’s Court”, is delivered to New York City. Inside, the body of Merlin remains remarkably preserved, to the amazement of all. It turns out that Merlin is alive and well - he was just in a form of suspended animation - and awakens, fully intent on taking advantage of his emergence into the modern world. It turns out that Merlin actually does have magical powers, and murderous intent. Merlin quickly decides that the best way to get the world’s attention is to cause an experimental rocket to misfire. Thor bursts into action to correct the misfire. Undeterred, Merlin travels to Washington D.C. to meet the President. Thor intercedes and battles the mad magician. They do battle across the city until Thor changes to his human alter ego Dr. Donald Blake and then convinces Merlin that his magic is ten times more powerful than that of Merlin. Stunned, Merlin surrenders to Tho, and agrees to return to his crypt. And so endeth the tale of Merlin and his criminal adventures in 1963.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are intrigued by the introduction of Merlin to the world, long thought a purely fictional character. Who else will come to life in the modern age?

This episode takes place:

After Merlin has been defeated.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the irresponsibility of the Department of Energy - why were they storing an atomic weapon in New York City, how did they allow it to be stolen by a common criminal, and why did the bomb have a deadman switch that caused it to explode an hour after being exposed to air? Also, are we demanding too much of our teenage superheroes in comparison?

In this issue:

Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, shows off his marvelous abilities high above his hometown of Glenville, and to his surprise no one pays attention to him. In fact, they are annoyed. Their annoyance at the young showboater is confirmed on the news that night - Johnny is showing off and undermining the police, apparently, in the process. The public has turned on Johnny, feeling that he is just a grandstander, and not a true hero. Johnny investigates further and learned that the police are grateful for his help. He speaks with the newscaster who is drumming up negative vibes about him, Ted Braddock, and finds that his charm does not work on this crusty journalist. Public opinion continues to sour on the Torch. That evening, a man dressed in a purple body suit and mask who goes by the name the Eel robs a famous inventor of a mystery invention. It turns out the Eel is actually a janitor at the local aquarium, who has decided to turn to a life of crime. But to make matters worse, it turns out that the mystery invention is a miniature radioactive atomic pile - an atom bomb - and the deadman switch has been pulled by accident. Johnny springs into action to find the Eel, and eventually tracks him down. They battle - the Eel has a surprising amount of cool weapons, for a middle-aged custodian - but Johnny defeats him, takes the bomb, and flies into the sky with it above the bomb, pulling the harmful radiation skyward with him in a risky maneuver that pays off and saves the town (if not the Eastern seaboard). Sadly, Johnny Storm is reported deceased as a result of this wild mission, and the world mourns. But on the same newscast, he is reported to be alive. Braddock changes his tune on Johnny - but the Eel remains at large.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are recovering from the wild swings between disliking the Torch, mourning his death, and celebrating his recovery.

This episode takes place:

After Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, has been reported to be alive and well after saving millions of people from being disintegrated by an atom bomb.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the “One Day War” with Dr. Doom and Latveria. Is this how all future wars will be fought - by destroying our ability to operate factories or use electronics? The Fantastic Four saved us this time, but what is to stop another attack? Should we take the war to Doom’s homeland? Is there a defence against this new type of attack? Or is our only defence an army of super-powered individuals fighting as “champions”?

In this issue:

The Fantastic Four are on the lookout for super-powered despot Dr. Doom. He eludes them, hiding in plain sight (somewhat), and then sends strange anthropomorphic floating creatures that are impervious to the Four’s powers, and are mainly sent to just irritate them. Dr. Doom then kidnaps the Thing’s girlfriend Alicia Masters, and also demands a post in JFK’s cabinet. JFK refuses to back down, which leads to Dr. Doom messing with their defence system. The Fantastic Four are tasked with bringing Doom down, and after a hard fought battle, they succeed, with the Invisible Girl taking Doom down through guts, guile, and strength.

Assumed before the next episode:

The world has learned of the tyranny of Dr. Doom, and are grateful for the Fantastic Four’s assistance in defeating him and restoring relative peace to the world.

This episode takes place:

After Doom has been defeated.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss Dr. Donald Blake. He has been kidnapped twice (once by communists and once by aliens), and he is a world leader is germ warfare who also makes time to work as a surgeon and a family doctor. Most recently, he invented an android that is strong enough to withstand Thor’s hammer. Is Thor guarding Dr. Blake for his protection, or is he keeping an eye on him in case he “goes bad” like so many other geniuses? Also, is the android meant to protect us from superheroes gone bad?

In this issue:

Thor is secretly Dr. Donald Blake. As Dr. Blake, he has invented an android which Professor Zaxton demonstrates to a crowd at a science convention with the assistance of Thor. The android is amazing - he is able to solve the world’s most complicated mathematical problem and also withstand a strike from Thor’s hammer. The android malfunctions, and Thor disposes of it before it can do serious harm to anyone. Thor returns to his secret identity as Dr. Blake, and heads to his office. Professor Zaxton is waiting for him in his office, and he fills in Dr. Blake on his fiendish plan. You see, Professor Zaxton has invented a machine that can create copies of anything, and he wants Dr. Blake to help him use this technology to create copies of the android that he had invented. He has kidnapped Dr. Blake’s nurse Jane Foster to solicit his assistance. Dr. Blake turns into Thor, and before you know it Professor Zaxton uses his invention to duplicate Thor. He creates an exact copy who also has the opposite of Thor’s personality, and he remains under Professor Zaxton’s control. Thor battles his doppelgänger in the skies above New York City. Thor prevails over his evil copy, and returns to deal with Professor Zaxton, who makes a copy of himself and then falls to his death. Conveniently, the Zaxton copy is the opposite of the original - kind and benevolent. Thor then rescues Jane, and our tale comes to an end.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering what makes Dr. Blake so special.

This episode takes place:

After Thor has defeated his evil doppelgänger.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the events happening in Greece. The Cyclops from Greek Legend is alive and well - and working with aliens! Could it be that the ancient gods who have suddenly appeared, including Thor and Loki, are actually aliens? And if so, are these aliens turning their attention to Earth after learning about our planet from the Fantastic Four going into outer space? also, does the first Greek superhero need a makeover?

In this issue:

Hank Pym (Ant-Man) and Janet Van Dyne (the Wasp) head to Greece for a well-earned vacation from crimefighting. While there, they try to book passage to the islands, and learn that the local sailors are too frightened to go. Apparently, a monster has been sighted in the islands, and everyone is staying away. They rent a boat and go to check it out for themselves. Sure enough, there is a giant one eyed monster - a Cyclops - on the island, who has been keeping sailors on the island. Not only that, there are aliens and spaceships on the island. Ant-Man listens in on the aliens - they were scouting ahead for an invasion. Ant-Man and the Wasp take the aliens down, and they also disable the Cyclops, which was just a big robot. The aliens reassess their plans to invade the Earth, concluding as they do that the Earthlings have greater powers than they had suspected as they were able to take control of the Cyclops robot. And that is how Ant-Man and the Wasp were able to foil an alien invasion whilst on vacation.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are scared off from traveling to Greece due to their apparent giant monster problem.

This episode takes place:

After Ant-Man and the Wasp have defeated the aliens and their robot monster.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the trial of the century! Namor the Submariner is on trial for vandalism, which seems like a minor charge for the head of state of an empire that attempted to take over the world. He is represented by celebrity lawyer Matthew Murdock. Murdock, who also represents the Fantastic Four in real estate matters and is accordingly well familiar with super-powered individuals and their super-powered issues. But regardless of client base, can one lawyer really understand civil AND criminal law? Is Murdock too specialized … or not specialized enough?

Behind the issue:

Namor continues to be one of the only “anti-heroes” in Marvel Comics at the time. He is self-righteous and impatient, but he is also honorable and motivated by more than taking over the world and being “evil”. Stan Lee clearly liked writing this character, and he will soon get his own monthly feature.

In this issue:

Namor, as leader of Atlantis, wants to find a peaceful way to take over the surface world. He visits Matt Murdock and tells him he wants to sue the human race Murdock says that’s impossible, and Namor leaves in a huff. He then causes a ruckus in New York City, causing wanton property damage, leading to his arrest after battling Daredevil (who is secretly Matt Murdock) in the streets. Murdock then represents Namor on the criminal charges brought against him, and countercharges the human race (which is quickly, and correctly, thrown out of court). Namor is then informed of a rebellion back home, which causes him to just leave the jail and attempt to return home. Daredevil battles Namor again, and does quite well, but ultimately Namor wins the battle and returns to his life below the waves.

Assumed before the next episode:

Matt Murdock rethinks his approach to the practice of law after this disastrous experience.

This episode takes place:

After Namor returns to the sea.

Full transcript:

Edward: Mike, does this mean that we're defendants? Are we defendants because we're part of the human race? ?

Micheal: Short answer, no. , no. But it's a surprising turn of events in,

Edward: is it though, is it surprising? Is it actually surprising?

Micheal: I guess we should, we should never use the word surprising when it comes to superheroes and New York City. But, the recent news. Not surprising, but unfortunate from a lawyer's perspective about the abuse of the legal system and the justice system. I would say,

Edward: Mike, you can handle it when they tear apart our cities, but when they tear apart our legal system, that's when you get upset.

Micheal: That's a long too far. Ed. That's just a, just, it's too much. It's outrageous. It's outrageous. I'll say that,

Edward: So, hey, what I'm talking about here is that, Namo, the Submariner, the Prince of Atlantis, was charged with what, with vandalism. He's going to jail for vandalism, ,

Micheal: pretty penny anti stuff, like causing a ruckus in the city and causing damage. And then he hires a pretty wellknown lawyer. A lawyer we've talked about before, Matt Murd.

Edward: Yeah. Matt Murdoch. So he represents the Fantastic four. He also had some notoriety in the past. He came forward and said that made this big claim that he could prove that Daredevil and the Matador were the same person and it turned out that that was not true. , that Daredevil is not the Matador. And, he got a little bit of egg on his face for that one, but now he's back, he's back in the public eye. Probably the most famous lawyer in the world, right. .

Micheal: Yeah. So, I've always found it confusing when I've read about Mad Murdoch, cuz I thought he was mainly a criminal lawyer. So it's odd that he would be on retainer or have anything to do with a Fantastic Four. But here at least he, it started out as being a criminal matter like NAR was charged with an offense and had to appear in criminal court. But what was confusing? Which causes me to question Matt Murdoch. As a lawyer is that he filed a counter charge. You're gonna see entire human race. No, no. Like what's, that's, that's, that's ridiculous. Like, like

Edward: so, so Mike, in your legal opinion, he can't do that.

Micheal: Yes, yes. That's my legal opinion. Like there's, there's just no way to describe it other than the criminal court involves, there's prosecutions in the simplest way, the state lays a charge against a person for an offense and that's what happens. Like the person who's been charged with the offense doesn't get to claim against this. The state , if you like, we have a whole system, we have civil litigation for that purpose. If you want to say as an individual, Sue, the United States. You can advance a claim, I guess if you're the basis for it, or Sue you, or anybody.

But you don't,

Edward: could you, could you Sue the, is the human race one of the options? Can you Sue the entire, no, not a person. But what, but what if the human race has done me wrong? What if the human race has, I don't know, killed my dog, can't I? Can I file a claim against the human race for doing that?

Micheal: No. No, ed, I'm just telling you I'm gonna entertain this. Other than like, you just can't. You can't. If you've got a problem with the human race, I guess, you know, then you should. Talk to like a therapist or something. But if you have a claim for damages that you want to advance in civil court, it would be against entities such as United States. It could be the state of New York. It could be, any number of companies. It could be any number of people. But this concept of the human race, uh, isn't, uh, a, a viable party.

Edward: How small a group do you have to go to? Like the Native Americans were treated very badly by the European settlers when they came to America. If there is a leader of the Native American tribes, can they counter Sue against the American people, the American government? Is that possible?

Micheal: I don't wanna get into that, that's a whole conversation about indigenous rights but you're talking about a group of people who have been mistreated in the past. It's not like you could just Sue a group of people you need a definable defendant. You can't counterclaim against the human race when you've been charged criminally and that's what Matt Murdoch did. And the question is why would he do that? Because he's obviously not a moron, but that's a moronic thing to do, like and it,

Edward: it's, you're not stupid, sir. But that was a stupid question, .

Micheal: That's right. And it's so why would he do it? He's not an idiot, so he knows that he shouldn't do this, and the only person that benefits from what he did is himself. For the notoriety, because we're talking about it right now. Naor doesn't benefit from it because he's, first of all, he's paying Matt Murdoch for this service, and it's a service that he can't really discharge, which is. To represent him properly in a criminal dispute where he advances a claim that they'll be dismissed right away.

Edward: Unless Namir is just doing it for publicity as well. Sure. Matt Murdoch's getting a ton of publicity from this, but so is Namir. I think everyone is talking about the fact that he believes that. Humanity owes him something. And I think that talk has happened. Clearly the judge shot it down. There's no counterclaim happening, but, we're still talking about it. Maybe that's what he wanted.

Micheal: As it relates to Murdoch. I think that he acted contrary to the duty that he owes as a lawyer, because you're an officer of the court and you can't knowingly advance something that's fundamentally inconsistent with the justice system. There is a time and a place to advance a claim, a personal claim. It's not a criminal court. And Murdoch knows that such a complete waste of time and a complete waste of judicial resources. And he shouldn't have done

Edward: but, but Mike, yeah. But it was one sentence he said in his corner or that was shot down immediately? No, no, no. As far as time wasted, like there was not that much time was.

Micheal: No, no. Ed, I know that he says he, he wanted to file that, but he had to actually file written papers. The other side being the state would've to respond to it, to dismiss it and, advance an argument. But what I'm saying is that Murdoch, if he truly wanted to discharge his duty, and he would've the same notoriety to be honest. If he could have, assisted na more as a head of states, I suppose, to navigate diplomatic world, to advance grievances, I guess between one state and the United States and perhaps advance that the United Nations or. Consider how to advance a civil claim for damages with respect to say, I don't know, the ocean or something and how the United States is interfering with their homeland. There's things that can happen countries have disputes through different processes and treaties throughout the world or on the world. You could advance these claims, but to do it in this, it's abusive of the system of justice and it's also just counterproductive and it didn't really serve what apparently name or aims are. And I think as a lawyer you have to do your best to serve the interests of your client, even if it's telling them, great idea. We can't do that. , and here's why.

Edward: Well, this is why that you're not his lawyer. Mike, if you, if he came to you , you'd be like, no, go, swim in an ocean Naor. But Murdoch was like, Hey, I'll take you for your word and we'll go and we'll actually do it. Even though to your point, it was a bad decision to do. But what of the things you touched on there, I think he's worth exploring is Nair's, a head of state. Are we allowed to charge the head of state with vandalism when they visit our country? Is that a.

Micheal: I, have limited understanding of that, but the way I understand it's that if a head of state is here on official business, I think that they have some kind of protection against prosecution, right? Because otherwise there could be some mise, I suppose, about visiting heads of state in foreign lands with different laws to what?

Edward: Yeah, like it was, it was only otherwise applied to them. It was only last year when craven, this international hunter came to New York. Craven is not the head of state, he's just a foreign national. He came into our country and then proceeded to hunt a human being, and, we didn't charge him, we just, deported him. So why was he deported? Whereas Namo. While he did many bad things, didn't hunt a human, and, uh, say what you will about namir.

Micheal: Say what? You'll about namir. He didn't hunt a human. He didn't hunt a human one bit. Not at all. .

Edward: Yeah. He just be broke down. Some, some walls and stuff caused some damage. Why does that go to court at all? Why is it happening? Does the US even have the ability to do that? Are we allowed to? Well, clearly we are. Cause we did. But is that a.

Micheal: Yet another failing of Matt Murdoch. I mean, you

Edward: shoulda dismissed. You shoulda had dismissed

Micheal: right off the bat. Yeah. I have a feeling, I have a feeling that Mr. Murdoch may run up against, a complaint at the bar, if not by name, more than perhaps by other participants in the justice system for just this complete dereliction of duty. I would say as a lawyer, just outrageous, but ultimately, maybe he doesn't care that he keeps his license. He's like, so, He has, like everyone knows who he is. He can say he's got the Fantastic Four and now name, where as his clients. And there might be, there's probably, an appeal to a lot of, clients to having a famous superhero adjacent. Lawyer and maybe Murdoch is trying to get away from the criminal work to get into the civil work or the commercial work to make more money.

Edward: I feel like we've been talking about this it's come up again and again where you keep having this idea that we need to have like specialty, specialty right people for the superhero space. Well, here, Matt Murdoch has done that and instead of specializing in insurance or criminal law or family law, Whatever else you lawyers do. He said, I'm gonna specialize in superhero law. And he's representing the Fantastic Four in I don't know, real estate contracts and he's representing Namo in criminal court. And he's like, I can do it all. As long as it's like, as long as it's superhero adjacent, I can cover across all the different legal verticals.

Micheal: Yeah, I think that, I thought, a bit more of a narrow specialty ed, like, I act for insurance companies, but it's not like Civil and commercial disputes. But it's not if, say that one of the executives was charged with murder, they would hire me to do the murder trial. Like it's just like that's a specialty, that's a unique set of, are you saying specialized area?

Edward: You are a specialist in insurance murders.

Micheal: No, . They need a murderer lawyer. They don't need a, they need, they don't need like an insurance lawyer just cuz they work in that industry. So I think that, I think Murdoch is being, I would, I'd use the word irresponsible.

Edward: I would use the word opportun.

Micheal: and you do some other op opportunistic lists. Right? But I'd imagine that he could seek, I'm sure he could specialize in doing, superpower criminal work. And maybe he could have a law, join a law firm where there'd be other people that work in that as in that field, or they service the superhero community. But a specialist does the real estate work for superpowered people. A specialist does the damages claims for superpowered people.

Edward: I think the problem, Mike, is that the insurance industry is a much bigger industry than the superhero industry. Mm-hmm. , there's just, there's, there aren't like, I dunno how many people. Work in insurance in America, but I'll bet that number is much higher than the number of superheroes there are in America. And so it feels like they need more legal support. And so there may not be enough work out there for a lawyer that specializes in like superhero real estate or superhero insurance or superhero accounts management.

Micheal: No, no, I get it. I think though, I guess what I'm trying to work out here for Murdoch , his problem is that I think what I'm seeing is that you could still be the go-to person for when, as if you're a superhero who's charged with a criminal matter. You could be the go-to person because you to that community and. would lead to more regular business. Like when I started out, I did some work at a criminal law firm with a very famous and well-known, criminal lawyer. And I, didn't want to be a criminal lawyer after that experience, but I definitely saw the business model where this lawyer serviced like very high profile cases. He serviced that industry where people would go to him. Rich and famous people if they were charged with an offense. And he did that. He acted as her lawyer. But the bread and butter wasn't that work. The bread and butter was more the regular assaults and fistfights and whatever that criminal lawyers do. So, by extension, I think that someone like Murdoch could. Service the superpower community to bring in the rest of the work. Just like a commercial. He could do the same thing, you know?

Edward: Got it. So he goes and represents the superheroes in their fights and their battles, and their disputes becomes famous, and then spends his time representing normal criminals.

Micheal: That's right. And so that way, it drives in the business what I think the irresponsible part is that he's being too broad. I don't think that you can say you're a specialist for the superhero community, but I think you can see I'm a specialist in criminal law and I've acted for these, superheroes, that's just the marketing thing that he's.

Edward: Maybe, we should take our show and expand it to talk about non superhero stuff. We bring people in for the superheroes, , and then we just talk about normal everyday things that are not as interesting. But you, you already lo know and love us, so you stick around for the other stuff.

Micheal: Come for the heroes, stick around for the, um, stuff, other stuff.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss Doctor Otto Octavius — yet another super-genius gone bad. The Fantastic Four were called in to help by the governor, but claimed that they were “too busy”. Meanwhile, the Human Torch was seen at a speaking engagement at a local high school. Why couldn’t they make the time to help? Fortunately for millions of Americans, Spider-Man was available and DID save the Eastern seaboard. Was he just a subcontractor for Reed Richards, or was it just good fortune?

In this issue:

Spider-Man casually stops some thugs who were robbing a warehouse. Meanwhile, Dr. Otto Octavious, known as Dr. Octopus, while working at an atomic research centre using his mechanical arms to conduct nuclear experiments, is injured by an explosion at the research centre, leaving his mechanical arms fused to his body and responsive to his very thoughts. Spider-Man runs into Dr. Octopus, who has been keeping his former colleagues hostage, and is defeated handily. Fresh from his victory, Dr. Octopus continues with his mad plans to take over the research facility and increase his power. Spider-Man, in his alter ego, high schooler Peter Parker, is bummed out. He is motivated by the Human Torch, who happens to be giving a lecture to the students as Peter’s high school. Spider-Man decides to take a second crack at Doc Ock, and this time, he is able to beat him by his combination of brains and brawn.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are guessing which super-genius will break bad next.

This episode takes place:

After Doc Ock has been apprehended.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the war declared by the OTHER version of Atlantis (this one under the seas). Will the new threats cause surface dwelling rivals to unite the way they did in World War II? While the invasion was thwarted by Reed Richards and the Fantastic Four, does this mean that all global shipping is at risk? How are we going to protect our global supply chains from undersea threats?

In this issue:

Namor the Submariner, ruler of the undersea kingdom of Atlantis, declares war on the surface world.Meanwhile, the FantasticFour decide to go on a cruise, with the hopes of sighting a sea monster as per the rumours abounding the seven seas. The cruise starts off all right, and when the Four see a sea monster, they head into the ocean, whereupon they are captured by Namor, who explains how he had sent the sea monsters to the surface in the hope that they would attract the attention of the Fantastic Four. Complicated mission accomplished, Namor. Namor then demands that the Four relay to the United Nations that the seas and the skies above them are his imperial domain. Reed relays the message to the United Nations, and they convene a meeting to discuss Namor’s demands. An expert on Atlantis testifies about the origins of the water-breathing Atlanteans, and how they evolved separately from humanity, below the seas, as Homo Mermanus. The Atlantis expert further explains how the Atlanteans created an advanced civilization that evolved separately from the surface world. He also explains how Namor is half Atlantean/half surface dweller, and how his unique physiology led to him possibly being the first mutant of our time. The expert is then unmasked - it was Namor all along - and he declares war on the human race. The Atlanteans invade New York City, quickly bringing it to heel. Reed Richards then figures out how to defeat the Atlanteans, who are wearing helmets with sea water in it, as that is how they breath. Reed creates a device to cause the water in their helmets to evaporate, which leads to them leaving the surface and plunging below the surface to breath in sweet, sweet water. The Four then battle Namor in an epic conflict. Ultimately the battle ends when Namor rescues Sue Storm from a watery grave. The Atlanteans feel betrayed by Namor’s decision to save his enemy, and abandon him. Sad, sad Namor reflects on how it all came crashing down, and bemoans his lonely lot in life.

Assumed before the next episode:

Humanity is feeling nervous about having an advanced civilization off their shores. And they are confused - are there now two Atlantises? Atlantes?

This episode takes place:

After the Atlanteans have been repulsed from the surface world.

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the jailbreak of the Wizard. In the past week, at least three super-geniuses have been involved in criminal activity (the Wizard, the Thinker and Egghead). Is there something about super-intelligence that leads people to becoming master criminals? Does this mean that other hyper-intelligent people like Bruce Banner and Tony Stark are at risk? What should we as a society do to prevent more geniuses from going over the edge?

In this issue:

Strange Tales #110

Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, reminisces about his short but eventful crimefighting career, including his takedown of the Wizard and Paste-Pot Pete. Meanwhile, Pete breaks the Wizard out of prison and proposes a partnership to take down the Human Torch. Their devious plan begins by planting a story about the Human Torch being a spy. It turns out that the Wizard has impersonated the Torch and committed treacherous crimes, fooling the world. Johnny tracks the villains down and singlehandedly defeats them.

Fantastic Four #15

Reed Richards summons his teammates to their headquarters for an urgent mission. He has learned that the top mobsters in the country have headed to New York for something big. Meanwhile, the Thinker meets with the same mobsters to explain how he intends to declare himself the ruler of New York. The mobsters do not believe him, citing the Fantastic Four and the threat they pose to their criminal schemes. The Thinker brushes away their concerns as he explains how he has set into motion a scheme to deal with the Fantastic Four once and for all. For you see, he has laid in motion an incredibly complicated plan to cause the Fantastic Four to break up. And his plan works, leading the Fantastic Four to all do different things, i.e. the Thing becomes a wrestler, Mr. Fantastic is hired by a top company, the Human Torch joins the circus, and the Invisible Girl becomes a star on Broadway. The Four remain broken up for some time, but they all come to the conclusion that they’d rather be part of their original team of adventurers as the Fantastic Four. And so they get back together and return to New York, whereupon they learn that the Thinker has taken over their headquarters. They try to retake their headquarters, and their attempts are originally rebuffed. At one point, an artificial life form created by the Thinker, the Living Android, battles the Four to a standstill. Eventually, Mr. Fantastic outthinks the Thinker by doing something so out of the ordinary as to completely disrupt the Thinker’s plans. Victory for the Four!

Tales to Astonish #45

Egghead, depressed and alone after his defeat at the hands of Ant-Man, is living in a flop house. He overhears criminals discussing Ant-Man and the Wasp and is inspired to devise a plan to destroy them both. He disguises himself as an expert on insects, and he then sets a trap for the two heroes, who nonetheless break free and defeat Egghead once more.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are starting to question why leading scientists are turning to lives of vice and crime.

This episode takes place:

After the Wizard and Paste-Pot Pete have been defeated.