You can listen to the episode by clicking: Episode 120
A tale as old as time. Man becomes a monster. Man lives as a monster. Man wishes not to be a monster. Man drinks potion made by kids to not be a monster. Yes, this is the story we all know like the back of our scarred and deformed hands.
So what are we talking about folks. My take is that it is nothing more than a retelling of Frankenstein. I mean look, you have the mad scientist with questionable social skills (looking at you Reed) trying to capture the fire of the gods and creating a monster. Hang on, I think that we are actually reading into this allegory beyond the normal childish prattle.
In this retelling of the classic story, the monster is always wishing to be human and the creator always fails. Luckily the creator has decided to get some kids to help out. Which means that there is a chance that the monster can be human again, for a short while. Now if we put that idea on the original story, would that mean that the Monster of Frankenstein would rip apart and each element would become human again.
Now that you all have that terrifying vision in your head, let’s think about the happy things you would do if you were not a monster. I mean, the first thing you need to do is make sure you have a sweet ride. Get a friend with a nice car or just steal one. It is OK, you will become a monster again in a short while and grand theft auto will not be pressed to hard.
Now you are out on the town, living it up, enjoying yourself. Nobody is pointing at you or mocking you. You are not frightening small children or little old ladies. And you certainly not throwing children into rivers for fun and profit….ok, maybe you are, but just for the profit. You are out and enjoying the awesomeness of the world with people, and you are having fun. But maybe you are still hurting inside. That might be because monsters have better metabolism and you should not eat the triple decker burrito with jalapeno sauce.
Oh…and do not forget to work on forging your connection with another human….if you know what I mean…Nuff Said!
Keep in mind, this offer is not for everyone. Some people will not have the ability to not be a monster, or they just do not want to be a human. Either way, this is special just for the monster that takes it or wants it. And if it is only for a short time, they need to seize the moment. Not unlike seizing a planet, but on a smaller scale.
Oh…and Namor is in this book, so if you want to look at something, check him out and not Ben.
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Jeff and Rick Present 
Good evening gentlemen,
I feel a bit tardy in writing this given I had listened to the episode shortly after it came out. However, my job changed to another building with a new schedule and it really has taken me a few weeks to acclimate to the change. I re-listened to this episode after recognizing the cover. I had bits and pieces of this run after all if memory serves me correct. I chalk it up to the positive notices that I read often on sites like CBR before it evolved into its current model. I have a copy of All The Marvels signed by Douglas Wolk on my bookshelf. I have been doing comic orders through Books With Pictures shop in Portland. I hope to read the book over the holiday. My curse is I have other books in different states of read that need to finish.
Listening to this episode has me contemplating in getting this run in collected editions. I took note of your comments regarding the set up of Ben and Reed being best friends in the title, and there has never seemed to be any actual connection to signify that the two of the them are buddies. I thought Jeff’s observation that they are more like acquaintances now when they were friends in college is spot on. Nice story beats played here with Ben’s day. It is a nice story where the characters come across a little like actual people for 20 pages. I’m a geek for those poker panels Marvel does or other group interactions. Little moments like that really delineate the DC and Marvel comics world.
Looking at the art, and Steve Epting has always impressed me. He has solid fundamentals, nothing too flashy, and he seems to be consistent with his work. His art gives me a Big John Buscema vibe when John was inked by Tom Palmer. Praise to the colorist on this issue as the line work feels accentuated rather than overwhelmed. I’m not wanting to knock computer coloring as a whole, but, too often it looks like it does more than it needs to in the final page. I get there are moments where it may just be a bad print or with some cartoonists, a total lack of background.
Before I sign off, I didn’t know if you got a chance to see the video I tagged you in several weeks ago on twitter. An enlightening conversation with Louise, June, and Carl Potts about Power Pack. Charming stuff which some of they covered with you both. The best news is Louise and June said the new mini is finished and ready to print. Marvel has said there’s the paper issue at the moment. Holding out hope they solicit the title in spring 23.
Until next episode,
Jeremy
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Hi Jeremy!
No worries about the tardy nature of your writing in. I mean, c’mon, look at how long it takes me to respond to you. It disappoints me every time I let them stack up like this. That said, I am feeling more and more swamped every day so that is my reasoning behind it. Changing jobs or having your routine messed with is a hard one to get around. Hoping you got a promotion or something that makes the change up all worthwhile.
The reader’s curse is a real thing. Things to read, things being read and all the future things to read. It is a challenge to get to all of them sometimes.
I love it when supers are just living their lives. Capes and clashes are good and all, but I am a sucker for the day to day stuff that twines in their abilities in subtle degrees. Being able to unwind with your peers is a great thing.
I actually haven’t been able to find the time to see the tagged video yet. I am interested and thank you for bringing it to our attention though. The problem with life right now is that I am getting “one more thinged” into the grave. Way too much to do and not enough doing of it. Still, rest assured knowing that their interview is pinging in my brain and it is in my needs doing pile.
Hope you are having a good one. Talk at you later.
-Jeff
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