Unpacking the Power of Power Pack – Details, episodes & analysis

Our inaugural episode! Jeff and Rick begin their podcasting journey by playing around with some recording gear, drinking some beer, and talking about the first issue of Power Pack.

Eighties Action by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3703-eighties-action License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode, Jeff and Rick attempt to break their personal record of the number of podcasts they have produced by doubling their library…..will they succeed? Who knows!! Also, they compare Skeletor to Nixon, determine the morality of babies stealing candy from adults, and some science stuff.  And the kids get some snazzy new costumes…..Whoo hoo!

Eighties Action by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3703-eighties-action License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode, Tone Deaf Rick and Pom Pom Jeff follow the kids as they dive to new depths, in the sewers? What, wait…that cannot be safe. And it is not. But they have to throw away their safety, sanity, and sense of smell in order to save a kitten……seriously…a kitten…they are like, so much better than me, which is a really low bar. Anyway. You should support us on Patreon, https://www.patreon.com/JeffandRickPresent so we can save more kittens from sewers. Do you want to hear us talk about a really cool book from the 70’s written by David Macaulay called Underground? Do you want to hear us talk like a copper with a bad accent? Do you want to hear Rick sing……Ok...nobody wants that, but you should listen anyway! Featured in this episode are shout outs to: Underground (https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/underground-by-david-macaulay/) and Secret Wars and Beyond podcast ( @Sean42AZ ) & ( @garaujo1). Oh…Support your local library!!!!

 

Eighties Action by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3703-eighties-action License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

RetroFuture Clean by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4277-retrofuture-clean License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Ritual by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4293-ritual License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Happy Halloween!!!! Would you believe that Mephisto showed up again? Yup...he is causing mischief...and he has a twisted idea. Apparently, he likes to watch cartoons to unwind, a choice we can support. He also wants us to review Friendship in Disguise. OK then, grab your sugary cereal and pull u[p the bean bag chair!

So what fresh hell is this. Transformers and My Little Ponies. Well, ok then. We are in a whole new level of insanity and I am here for it. I mean, this is crashing toys on a whole new level.

We should talk about how this happened, and who had the idea, and how many drugs the editors at IDW were doing, but that would be thinking too small. I mean. We are talking robots and ponies here. We need to be thinking bigger.

There is also the cute factor which could distract us. I mean....just look at those robots. Have you ever seen such lines, such design. Those are some sleek and wonderful machines, you just want to cuddle with them. Nothing makes me happier than cold hard steal against my cheek when I am sleeping at night. What...too much?

I guess the ponies are cute too....if you are into that type of thing.

We should talk about the round robin aspect where we have people on each others shows and how we get to spend time with our favorite podcasters, but whatever...we have been doing this for four years and.....wait...No Sean, but we have Tim Price....ugh...

In the end, we are being forced to read something that (spoiler) we absolutely love. Because of that, you should listen to all of the podcasts below as we talk about these books. And if you don't, we will have to send Shockwave to beat you.

Follow the entire crossover event “Mephisto vs The Podcasters” using the links below!

1. Married with Cartoons - My Little Pony/Transformers: Friendship in Disguise #1
2. Unpacking the Power of Power Pack - My Little Pony/Transformers: Friendship in Disguise #2
3. Resurrections, an Adam Warlock and Thanos Podcast - My Little Pony/Transformers: Friendship in Disguise #3
4. The Outcasters - My Little Pony/Transformers: Friendship in Disguise #4

Don’t forget to support us on Patreon, https://www.patreon.com/JeffandRickPresent.  We have started to release monthly episodes for our Energizer and greater tiers. We are covering the alternate versions mini-series that started in 2005.

You can also subscribe and listen to us on YouTube! 

We also have some merchandise over at Redbubble. We have a couple of nifty shirts for sale. https://www.redbubble.com/people/jeffrickpresent/?asc=u

Our show supports the Hero Initiative, Helping Comic Creators in Need.  http://www.heroinitiative.org/

Eighties Action by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3703-eighties-action License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The Pack is Back! No more minor guest stars! No more lame walk on rolls! No more multi book reviews! We are back with a Pack story, a couple of beers, and a beating stick for anyone who stands in our way!!!

Awwwww man, that was my favorite beating stick. Okay, well, I guess that we will just do what we can do....Let's start with the kids and their costumes. I mean...They have masks...MASKS MAN!!! That is a start, right!?

While there are some things that have changed, like new costumes, a change of location, skipped grades, and parents knowing about powers, there are things that are the same. Things like: there are four kids, two parents, and one blown up smartship.

Speaking of Katie, she has been surfing the Matrix and has become one with science. Or her love of Friday has really pushed her to new heights. This is all something....interesting.

Like usual though, when we are talking about Power Pack, we have to be talking about the Snarks, right? You remember the Snarks? Big, green, teethy, bureaucratic.... we all love them.

New creators new art.....and yet, a lot of the same stories. A new series has a new chance for success, if the ship is sailing the right way with the right height. What does this mean? Heck if I know, I was just trying riff on the picture.

Well, we are here to review these books. Whether good, or bad, we are here to do the dew.......or something. We will always be there, especially when Katie releases a plethora of power balls.

 

 

 

You can visit our webpage to see the pictures we talked about: https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2021/11/07/power-pack-v2-1-power-re-play/

 

Don’t forget to support us on Patreon, https://www.patreon.com/JeffandRickPresent.  We have started to release monthly episodes for our Energizer and greater tiers. We are covering the alternate versions mini-series that started in 2005.

 

You can also subscribe and listen to us on YouTube! 

 

We also have some merchandise over at Redbubble. We have a couple of nifty shirts for sale. https://www.redbubble.com/people/jeffrickpresent/?asc=u

 

Our show supports the Hero Initiative, Helping Comic Creators in Need.  http://www.heroinitiative.org/

 

Eighties Action by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3703-eighties-action License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ The Ice Giants by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5745-the-ice-giants License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

 

In art, media, and life, the Sophomore attempt is seen as the moment when the world can see what the thing is really like. They have come out, made an attempt or impression on the world, shy, new....and then they come back with their real statement for the world.

This is the second issue of what will become a four issue mini series. The first had promise, with some worry. This second issue is where we are really looking for the hook, the theme that will keep all the kids coming back for it's milkshakes.

Boy howdy......this book is selling something, and it just might be a hot mess or whatever. Their is tone problems, and issues with story beat, replaying old tunes, and other audio analogies that I will forego at the moment.

This hodgepodge of stuff has left us pretty cold on this issue, and very hesitant of the rest of the series. It is difficult to compare what is happening here, in this 2000 book, with what will happen in five years with Marc Sumerak and GuriHiru. We know what this property is capable of. We know it can be better.

There could be an argument against the property turning into a teen or tween book with a focus on romance. That would be fine, if it was done well, or done with consistency. Spoiler for the next book and the rest of the series, the romance angles really get shelved. it is not a good showing of the kids actually trying to live normal lives.

While the first issue felt like an opportunity, this one just fell flat. There was a lot happening that could have set up some story lines, but a few were rehashing of old plots while the rest were just uncomfortable. And really, it just made us want to lie down for a bit.

You can visit our webpage to see the pictures we talked about: https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2021/11/21/power-pack-v2-2-snark-attack/

Don’t forget to support us on Patreon, https://www.patreon.com/JeffandRickPresent.  We have started to release monthly episodes for our Energizer and greater tiers. We are covering the alternate versions mini-series that started in 2005.

You can also subscribe and listen to us on YouTube! 

We also have some merchandise over at Redbubble. We have a couple of nifty shirts for sale. https://www.redbubble.com/people/jeffrickpresent/?asc=u

Our show supports the Hero Initiative, Helping Comic Creators in Need.  http://www.heroinitiative.org/

Eighties Action by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3703-eighties-action License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Sweeter Vermouth by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4450-sweeter-vermouth License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Issue three of four.....we have to keep telling ourselves that.

The kids are fighting this issue. They are fighting the snarks, they are fighting each other, they are fighting logic, they are fighting the narrative. They are fighting.

They fight so much, that they ran out of pages of content. I am serious. We do not get to see the scary ships that cause them all to be in awe. We were not in awe.

You may be rolling your eye or eyes at us (depending on how you are drawn), but we are trying our best. There is good, there is bad, and there is this. We just want more from our kids.

There was some promise in this series, but as we move towards the end, we are starting to see that it is falling apart. How bad is it going.....? Well, we have one word!

Marg. That is the word. Marg. Sigh.

 

You can visit our webpage to see the pictures we talked about: https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2021/12/05/power-pack-v2-3-split-decision/

Don’t forget to support us on Patreon, https://www.patreon.com/JeffandRickPresent.  We have started to release monthly episodes for our Energizer and greater tiers. We are covering the alternate versions mini-series that started in 2005.

You can also subscribe and listen to us on YouTube! 

We also have some merchandise over at Redbubble. We have a couple of nifty shirts for sale. https://www.redbubble.com/people/jeffrickpresent/?asc=u

Our show supports the Hero Initiative, Helping Comic Creators in Need.  http://www.heroinitiative.org/

Eighties Action by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3703-eighties-action License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Quirky Dog by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4259-quirky-dog License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

And we made it to the end of this mini series, and the end of a regular all Power Pack story for a while. So, sit right back, make yourself comfortable and get ready for a tale.

Woahh there chief, not that comfortable. Remember, family show so let's keep it neat and tidy, OK! Remember, Julie is watching you and your inappropriate moves.

We are pretty sure that this series was cut short. There were a number of plots and stories that just dissipated to no where. There was a lot of "remember that" and "let's bring back this thing", and it was not....great....

What was great? Well, some of the stuff that is coming up. I mean, we should look forward to what is the good stuff. Some new stories, some new writers, some new artists. The era of this Power Pack is over.

I guess this could be seen as a new book that would give the new readers a chance to meet Power Pack, and bring in interest to the book. There are just a couple of problems with this. First, the characters as they are presented are not fun or interesting. Second, they drop the group until the alternate universe all ages book in five years later.

So as we run away from this series and towards whatever is coming up next, let's remember that we will not fight. If you liked these books more than we did, it is OK. It is alright to like something we did not like. This is our opinion only.

One last thing, we do love hearing from you, our fans. Please let us know how we are doing. We plan to keep going with our coverage of comics featuring the Power Kids, so we want to know what you think.

    You can visit our webpage to see the pictures we talked about: https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2021/12/19/power-pack-v2-4-ascension/  

Don’t forget to support us on Patreon, https://www.patreon.com/JeffandRickPresent.  We have started to release monthly episodes for our Energizer and greater tiers. We are covering the alternate versions mini-series that started in 2005.

You can also subscribe and listen to us on YouTube! 

We also have some merchandise over at Redbubble. We have a couple of nifty shirts for sale. https://www.redbubble.com/people/jeffrickpresent/?asc=u

Our show supports the Hero Initiative, Helping Comic Creators in Need.  http://www.heroinitiative.org/

Eighties Action by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3703-eighties-action License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Winner Winner! by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4630-winner-winner- License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

There comes a time in every podcast, where you need to talk about inconsequential cameo appearances made by the members of the team of heroes that you are podcasting about. Trust me, there is a law about that somewhere. I am sure I have read it. The point is, Power Pack has been mentioned or has done some drive-byes in a few issues that we wanted to mention. This is also a nice break before a change to what we have been doing.

Luke Cage is crazy because the demon Boogey Man has taken over his brain. Yeah, we have all been there. Interesting career move for a Power Pack villain. A strange issue with a cameo by Dakota North?

We are on Madripoor Island for some sexy swimsuit times. And because Alex headed over with the New Warriors....here we are. Can we appreciate how Alex has not been skipping bicep days? I really do not know what else to say here.

Remember that time when Power Pack wiped the floor with Mysterio? Well the pack does. And during one of Mysterios fights with Daredevil, he replays his entire life, all of the moments that made an impact on him....and then he disses the Pack. Seriously!!!

HYDRA is attacking and all the heroes are responding, including Power Pack. That is just about it. Thanks for coming folks!

And now we have a comic about C class super-villains who are bad at doing what they do, finding better uses for their "talents", and becoming better. And yet...AND YET....the losers still need to belittle the Pack. Man....give our kids some love.

OK, it is time for the kids to get some respect. The kids need to be part of the universe. They need to be part of some great teams. Unfortunately, this is the Great Lakes Avengers. Still, we will take it.

And that is what we have folks. Stay tuned for a new direction next episode.

 

You can visit our webpage to see the pictures we talked about: https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2022/01/02/various-issues-cameos/

 

Don’t forget to support us on Patreon, https://www.patreon.com/JeffandRickPresent.  We have started to release monthly episodes for our Energizer and greater tiers. We are covering the alternate versions mini-series that started in 2005.

You can also subscribe and listen to us on YouTube! 

We also have some merchandise over at Redbubble. We have a couple of nifty shirts for sale. https://www.redbubble.com/people/jeffrickpresent/?asc=u

Our show supports the Hero Initiative, Helping Comic Creators in Need.  http://www.heroinitiative.org/

Eighties Action by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3703-eighties-action License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Some Amount of Evil by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4388-some-amount-of-evil License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

 

Welcome to our slightly revamped format as we start to review some guest appearances in comics with our Power Pack members. That is right, we are doing full issue recaps of issues with our favorite kids. That means we are starting with Runaways.

 

So who are the Runaways? Well, they are the children of fine, upstanding citizens of our society who live happy lives with their wonderful parents. It is a story of a happy and kind group of children who strive to create a wonderful....ok....you know that I am lying.

 

They are really a group of children whose parents were super-villains. When they discovered this, they....get this....ran away. At this point, they each found out about their own special, happy fun time gifts. Does that sound like fun?

 

These kids are on their own, kicking rears, and taking names. They are making choices that are pretty special. Now that they are on their own, they are establishing their own mission statement. Save other children from other evil parents. Well, this should be fun.

 

But why are we talking about this? Sure, we like kids with superpowers, but why choose this book to cover? I have one word, Excelsior! That is right, Stan Lee.....wait....what.....?

 

No...not Stan Lee. The name is in honor of the man, but it is also the name of a support group of former child super-heroes. They meet to talk and support each other in their attempt at healing the damage done by wearing capes and tights when they were younger.

 

And one of those children who is part of this group is our favorite flier with a rainbow, Julie Power. She is hanging out in LA because she wants to be an actress, and she is networking. Sounds good...I guess. But what else should we know?

 

Oh, and don't do drugs.

 

You can visit our webpage to see the pictures we talked about: https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2022/01/16/runaways-v2-1-true-believers-chapter-1/

Don’t forget to support us on Patreon, https://www.patreon.com/JeffandRickPresent.  We have started to release monthly episodes for our Energizer and greater tiers. We are covering the alternate versions mini-series that started in 2005.

 

You can also subscribe and listen to us on YouTube! 

 

We also have some merchandise over at Redbubble. We have a couple of nifty shirts for sale. https://www.redbubble.com/people/jeffrickpresent/?asc=u

 

Our show supports the Hero Initiative, Helping Comic Creators in Need.  http://www.heroinitiative.org/

 

Eighties Action by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3703-eighties-action License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Steel and Seething by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4417-steel-and-seething License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license