What If Marvel was Real?

Latest Episodes:

Episode 117: Super Inconspicuous Spies? (Tales to Astonish #54) -- March 1964 Dec 15, 2021

Show notes

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the possibility Giant-Man and the Wasp are working for the CIA. What are the risks of having American superheroes attempt to overthrow Communist regimes overseas? And who thought it would be a good idea for a 12-foot super-strong hero dressed in bright red to be the guy who sneaks around in a foreign country? Maybe this would have been a better mission for Spider-Man, or even Ant-Man…

In this issue:

The country of Santo Rico has elected El Toro as their president. El Toro was backed by the Communist bloc of countries, and Giant-Man is unhappy about that fact. Giant-Man receive a call from the government in Washington. They want him and the Wasp to travel to Santo Rico and pose as tourists, all the while gathering evidence of a communist plot in the election of El Toro. Giant-Man and the Wasp, in their civilian secret identities, are immediately identified as spies, leading to the Wasp being kidnapped and Giant-Man changing into his superhero outfit and battling El Toro, who seems to have offensive capabilities of his own. Giant-Man tears through the country looking for his partner. He rescues the Wasp, defeats El Toro, and unearths evidence of ballot box stuffing, which leads to the overthrow of El Toro and the return of a democratically elected leader.

This episode takes place:

After El Toro has been overthrown.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering whether superheroes should be involved in foreign affairs.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superserious616.com

Episode 116: Power Laws (Strange Tales #119) -- March 1964 Dec 13, 2021

Show notes

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the new New York City law that bans “Flaming On” within the city limits. Can the city make a law targeting a single person, in this case, the Human Torch? Is a municipality the right level of government to regulate superpowers? How is regulating superpowers different from regulating weapons? Is “Flaming On” the equivalent of a flame thrower?

In this issue:

The Rabble Rouser, “a man with a powerful voice and a talented tongue”, whips New York City into a frenzy against the Human Torch and his alleged irresponsible use of his powers. The Rouser secretly uses his will-sapping wand to warp minds to his point of view. This leads to the city enacting a by-law preventing the Torch from flaming on without written permission of the Mayor. The Torch now out of the way, the Rabble Rouser continues working on his plan to use a sub-surface boring machine to capture a foreign dignitary, which he does. The Mayor gives the Torch permission to flame on, defeat the Rabble Rouser, and rescue the foreign dignitary. The Torch then destroys the Rouser’s wand, and all is back to normal for our young hero, as the Mayor rescinds the city ordinance targeted at him.

This episode takes place:

After the Torch has rescued the foreign dignitary.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are likely appalled to find that the Mayor enacted a law which sought to restrict the actions of a single person.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superserious616.com

Episode 115 - Where is Ant-Man when you need him? (Amazing Spider-Man #10) -- March 1964 Dec 10, 2021

Show notes

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the rise of organized crime in the city, and the fact that Ant-Man (as Giant-Man) does not seem to care. Spider-Man has become involved, but is that only because he was falsely accused of leading the crime syndicate? Would he be helping out if it wasn’t in his direct interests? Also, can we trust the Daily Bugle anymore, or will they change their ways now that their reporter/columnist has been outed as a master criminal?

In this issue:

Spider-Man is attacked by criminals led by a mysterious man in a mask known as the Big Man, although he escapes. This is the lead in to our introduction to the Big Man, who has a crew which includes 3 men known as the Enforcers, ordinary men with extraordinary skills. The Big Man’s crew is on a crime spree, and Spider-Man investigates, leading to him fighting the Enforcers and, surprisingly, barely overcoming them. Meanwhile, the publisher of the Daily Bugle, J. Jonah Jameson, is having his columnist Mr. Foswell write articles claiming that the Big Man is actually Spider-Man. This obviously is not true. In any event, Spider-Man again takes on the Big Man’s crew and defeats them, although the Big Man is not caught. At the end of the issue, the police arrest none other than Mr. Foswell, who was the Big Man all along.

This episode takes place:

After the Big Man has been cut down to size.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are starting to wonder if the Daily Bugle is needlessly biased against Spider-Man, and whether masked vigilantes can sue for defamation.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superserious616.com

Episode 114 - Alien Politics (Fantastic Four #24) -- March 1964 Dec 08, 2021

Show notes

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the ramifications of an alien child with the ability to destroy our entire solar system. What would happen if an army of adult aliens from this child’s planet arrived on Earth? Now that we are receiving regular visits by aliens, has it become apparent that we need to better understand the politics of our galaxy? Also, if an alien invasion won’t unite humanity, what will?

In this issue:

A bunch of weird stuff is happening in NYC. Building-sized spinning tops, giant robot figures, and other super-scaled toys are suddenly appearing in the Big Apple. The Fantastic Four investigate and learn that there is an unbelievably powerful alien behind these strange occurrences. The alien is taken in by some criminals who plan to exploit his strange powers. Mr. Fantastic figures out that the alien is actually a child who has the ability to destroy the world. He figures out a way to call the child’s parents, who arrive to pick up their errant kid.

This episode takes place:

After we all learn that it’s an alien child’s sandbox, and we just live in it.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are awed and terrified by the revelation of the destructive capabilities of this new alien civilization.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superserious616.com

Episode 113 - No Defense Against Magic (Strange Tales #118) -- February 1964 Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

In this issue:

Mike and Ed discuss the Wizard’s most recent prison escape, but quickly move on to dive into the claim that Dr. Strange is possessing people in Germany. Does the claim hold up? Does Strange have a global reputation now? What does he do other than help police solve mysterious crimes? Is he a threat, and if so, what about all the other magicians pulling rabbits out of their hats?

In this issue:

In the first story, the Wizard escapes, again, this time having created a personal flying device while in prison. His plans for world domination are put on hold, though, as the Wizard decides to battle his arch-nemesis, the teenage hero the Human Torch. He kidnaps the Torch and then disguises himself as the young hero, mimicking his powers, and also somehow fooling his sister the Invisible Girl long enough to kidnap her too. He then tells Mr. Fantastic, as the Torch, that he and his sister are taking a vacation from the Fantastic Four. The Torch is able to send up a signal for help, and Mr. Fantastic and the Thing race to their aid and free their imprisoned colleagues. The Torch then goes to confront the Wizard, who flees with his personal flying device that malfunctions, taking him into the stratosphere.

In the second story, Dr. Strange detects dark supernatural forces at work in Germany. He heads there and learns that the townspeople have been bewitched by some dark power. It turns out malicious forces from another dimension have been possessing the townsfolk, but Strange is able to defeat them with his superior command of sorcery.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are not sure what to think about actual magic and sorcery being a part of everyday life.

This episode takes place:

After the Wizard has been defeated and tales of Dr. Strange’s adventure in Germany are reported.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superserious616.com

Episode 112 - What is a Mutant? (X-Men #4) -- February 1964 Dec 03, 2021

Show notes

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss Magneto’s takeover of Santo Marco. Magneto is calling his (presumably) super-powered lieutenants “mutants”. Is that the term we should be using instead of “super-powered individuals”? It is definitely more catchy. Did he recruit his “mutants” or did he create them the way Dr. Doom did? And why did they abandon the country just as they seemed to be in full control of it?

In this issue:

Magneto has gathered four fellow mutants to his cause: Quicksilver, the Scarlet Witch, Mastermind, and Toad. Together, they take over the tiny island republic of Santo Marco. Professor X meets Magneto on the astral plane and pleads with him to stop attacking humanity, and to work with him for the betterment of all. Magneto rejects Professor X’s pleas for peace and cooperation. This leads to Professor X leading the X-Men to Santo Marco, where they plan to free the country from the iron grip of Magneto. The X-Men are outmatched by Magneto and his team, and while on the brink of defeat Professor X swoops in to save them. He shields them from an explosion and is likely concussed by it, and maybe even on death’s door. Magneto and his team leave the island.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering whether mutants are made or born.

This episode takes place:

After Santo Marco has been freed from tyranny.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superserious616.com

Episode 111 - Cap is Back (Again) (Avengers #4) -- February 1964 Dec 01, 2021

Show notes

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the return of Captain America - for real this time? Unlike last year when he was selling used cars, this time the Captain is joining the Avengers, so he MIGHT be the same hero who fought in World War II. How can we be sure? And if 1940s technology can create a super soldier who does not age, why is that technology not more common today? What is causing our science to go backwards?

In this issue:

Where to begin? All right, the issue starts with Namor escaping the Avengers and swimming to the North Pole, where he encounters the locals worshipping a petrified figure frozen in ice. Namor garbles the frozen figure and throws it into the ocean. This causes the figure to thaw. Fortunately, the Avengers happen to be driving by in their submarine and see the figure, pull it in, and realize it is actually Captain America. Cap wakes up as if from a dream, panics, and then calmly explains that he is Captain America. The Avengers do not believe him and battle him, in their submarine. Cap handles them pretty well before cooler heads prevail. He then explains how he ended up frozen in ice at the end of WWII. Eventually, they make their way back to NYC, whereupon the Avengers are turned into stone statues by some mysterious power. This happens before Cap disembarks. He thinks it odd that the Avengers have statues by the dock, but he just shrugs it off and wonders into the city. Rick Jones finds Cap at a hotel to ask him questions about the Avengers’ disappearance, and the two join forces to figure out what happened to them. They figure out that there was a strange man at the dock when the Avengers arrived, and they track that fellow down and battle him. He is revealed to be an alien who has been trapped on Earth for eons, and actually inspired the legend of Medusa (as he had a weapon that turned men to stone). He further explains that Namor put him up to taking down the Avengers with the promise of helping him free his ship from the ocean floor so that he can return home. The alien works with Cap to turn the un-stone the Avengers, and the Avengers then figure out a way to free the alien’s ship from the ocean floor. Namor and his fellow Atlanteans show up and brawl with the Avengers. The Avengers, with the help of Captain America, chase Namor and his gang away. The alien also leaves Earth in his spaceship.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are cautiously optimistic that Captain America has returned.

This episode takes place:

After people learn that Captain America has returned, seemingly from the dead.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superserious616.com

Episode 110: Super Performance Enhancing Drugs (Tales to Astonish #53) -- February 1964 Nov 29, 2021

Show notes

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the revelation that the powers of Giant-Man (and Ant-Man) come from some sort of pill. Can anyone use these pills? How small a dose can someone take? What types of societal problems could these drugs solve? What are the side effects? Also: Giant-Man is in a cast. Does he need a Giant Doctor?

In this issue:

Giant-Man and the Wasp are putting on an exhibition of their amazing powers high above the city streets. Their old nemesis the Porcupine shoots a quill at Giant-Man, causing him to fall to the street below. He is able to avoid hurting himself too much by staying in his giant form. The Porcupine then decides to infiltrate Giant-Man’s fan club when they head to see Giant-Man, all dressed up as villains from his rogues gallery. He, of course, dresses up as the Porcupine and, once he is with the club with Giant-Man, he springs into action, attacking Giant-Man. The battle spills out into the street, but the Porcupine escapes. He has actually captured the Wasp and is holding her prisoner. The Wasp escapes, but the Porcupine has marked her with a tracker. This leads the Porcupine to Giant-Man and the Wasp’s secret base, where they battle once more. Giant-Man surprises the Porcupine by shrinking and then growing. The Porcupine grabs some of Giant-Man’s size-changing pills and swallows all of them, causing him to shrink out of sight.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering when they will be able to buy pills that can turn them into superpowered giants.

This episode takes place:

After the Porcupine has been defeated by Giant-Man and the Wasp.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superserious616.com

Episode 109: Workplace Safety (Amazing Spider-Man #9 Part 2) -- February 1964 Nov 26, 2021

Show notes

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the origins of Electro’s superpowers. Were they related to his job as an electrical repairman? What responsibility does the city utility have for his transformation? Also, was his brain scrambled by the electricity that gave him his powers? How many other superpowered people have some sort of brain damage? And do all superheroes have cancer?

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 wondering about the impact of superpowers on superpeople.

This episode takes place:

After people have learned about Electro’s powers.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superserious616.com

Episode 108: Targeted Superpowers of Doom (Fantastic Four #23) -- February 1964 Nov 24, 2021

Show notes

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the latest Reed Richard press conference. Reed has claimed that Dr. Victor Von Doom has been able to create specific targeted superpowers on demand (specifically powers that counter those of the Fantastic Four). What are the implications of this technology? How powerful can these targeted powers be? Also, should we be worried about being swallowed up by random solar flare Flares wormholes?

In this issue:

A dinosaur runs through the Fantastic Four’s headquarters, having escaped through Dr. Doom’s time machine. The team catch the animal and return it to its home time period. Meanwhile, Dr. Doom drafts three criminals onto his team with the promise of transforming them into superpowered people. And he delivers- one has extra good hearing, another is super strong, and another is fireproof. These powers are clearly designed to counteract the powers of the Fantastic Four. And they do, leading to all but Reed being caught and imprisoned by Dr. Doom. Oh, and Dr. Doom also has a robot which mimics the Thing’s strength and power. Anyway, Reed races to the rescue. As they battle Dr. Doom, a solar wave washes over the spot where Doom is - he had somehow attracted the flare to pass over one specific spot that he planned to have the Four at, at the right moment - and Doom is once more lost in space.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering when they might get superpowers.

This episode takes place:

After Reed’s press conference on Doom’s superpower technology and

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.superserious616.com

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