What If Marvel was Real?

Latest Episodes:

Episode 37: Diplomatic immunity for the Hulk? Not yet, but crazier things have happened. (Incredible Hulk #5) -- January 1963 Jun 14, 2021

Show notes

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the return of Bruce Banner. Why will no one tell us where he has been? And now that he’s back, is being tasked by the President to find the Hulk the best use of this super-genius’ time? Also, the Hulk appears to be advancing American interests in China. Is he working for the US military like Thor, and if so, is this public display of “stopping the Hulk” just a show for plausible deniability?

In this issue:

In the first story, General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross tasks Bruce Banner with finding the Hulk. Meanwhile, Tyrannus, a man from ancient Roman times who has discovered the fountain of youth and lives far below the Earth’s surface with an army of enslaved creatures and monsters, spies on Betty Ross and determines that she will be able to help him take over the world. And so Tyrannus ends up kidnapping Betty and, once back underground, uses her to blackmail her father Thunderbolt Ross into not attacking him when he attacks the surface world. At the same time, Bruce turns into the Hulk and goes underground with Rick Jones to investigate Tyrannus. They end up being taken prisoner by Tyrannus, who has incredible machines at his disposal, and the Hulk is thrown into the gladiatorial ring and forced to fight. The Hulk smashes free of this forced labour, but is captured again. He then escapes, along with Betty and Rick. No word on whether Tyrannus survived this odd encounter.

In the second story, Bruce Banner decides to involve himself in international affairs by flying to the tiny nation of Llhasa (likely a stand-in for Tibet) as the Hulk, leaping out of an airplane in mid flight, and then taking on the Chinese army. At some point, the Hulk dresses up like the Abominable Snowman, although it is not clear why. In any event, the Hulk battles the Chinese army and defeats them.

Assumed before the next episode:

Everyone is wondering if the Hulk is a menace or basically a US military contractor. And debating the utility of a super powered monster involving himself in foreign affairs.

This episode takes place:

After the world has learned that Hulk has involved himself in international 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 36: Supervillains need help with branding too (Strange Tales #104) -- January 1963 Jun 11, 2021

Show notes

In this episode:

Mike and Ed talk about the latest ridiculous villain, “Paste-Pot Pete”. His abilities are far more impressive than his image. How much of his villainy is a cry for attention?

In this issue:

Paste-Pot Pete is an ordinary human who has a gun that shoots paste. And with that, he is a master criminal with a terrible supervillain name. Anyway, he robs the bank in Glenville, a small town with nothing to distinguish itself other than that the Human Torch happens to live there. The Torch chases Pete down, but before he can catch up, Pete has stolen the most powerful middle the US military has every created, the Delta-Cosmic Missile. All with a gun that shoots paste. And so the Torch chases Pete down and ends up getting pasted onto the missile, which is fired through the air. The Torch escapes but still has a hard time defeating Pete, who again, just has a gun that shoots paste. To be fair, this paste gun is pretty powerful - Pete actually shoots some paste at a passing airplane to make his escape. But the missile was returned to the military. So I guess we’ll call this a draw between the superhuman who can light himself on fire and fly through the air, and the guy with a paste gun. Way to go, Torch!

Assumed before the next episode:

People were already nervous about living in NYC because the Fantastic Four live there and seem to attract trouble - and they’re likely getting nervous about living in Glenville, where the Human Torch lives.

This episode takes place:

After the public has learned that the Human Torch lives in Glenville, and that super-powered crime is taking place there.

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 35: Gods and the City (Journey Into Mystery #88) -- January 1963 Jun 09, 2021

Show notes

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the return of Loki, and how New York City seems to be the central focus on superhuman activity.

In this issue:

The issue begins with Loki being punished by his father Odin with confinement to the paradise which is Asgard. While luxuriously imprisoned, Loki casts a spell and, through that magic, figures out that Thor has an alter ego, Dr. Donald Blake, and that he must hold his hammer to maintain his godly persona. Loki escapes Asgard and heads to Earth, whereupon he challenges Thor to a public battle. They meet, and Loki puts a magical force field around Thor’s hammer Mjolnir, which prevents Thor from touching it. Thor reverts to his Blake persona, and Loki then leaves to wreak mischievous havoc on the city. Blake finally figures out how to trick an eternal trickster god into removing the magical force field - he stations a plastic dummy that looks like Thor near the hammer, and Loki, believing this is the brother he has known for eons, removes the force field to see if the hammer is still where he left it. Once the force field is removed, Blake grabs Mjolnir and transforms into Thor, who thereafter soundly defeats Loki.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are buying into the idea that Norse gods have returned to Earth,and are spending most of their time in New York City.

This episode takes place:

After Loki has been captured again, and his destruction has been magically repaired.

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 34: Insect Attack (Tales to Astonish #39) -- January 1963 Jun 07, 2021

Show notes

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss who or what could be behind the insect attacks that have overwhelmed the city, and whether this should have been the responsibility of Ant-Man. Also: if there is a red beetle the size of a house, is his color really his defining feature?

In this issue:

A beetle is accidentally irradiated by atomic experiments. In a matter of moments, the beetle gains sentience, develops mental telepathy, and feels an overwhelming antipathy towards humanity. He battles Ant-Man, steals his growth gas, and becomes as big as a house. Now known as the Scarlet Beetle, he controls all manner of insects and directs them to attack humanity as he plots to take over the world. Ant-Man rejoins the fight and battles the Scarlet Beetle, ultimately prevailing by (cruelly) counteracting the effects of the irradiation. The Scarlet Beetle, now deprived of intelligence, sentience, and telepathy, and returned to a normal size, is left to live out his short life in Ant-Man’s front yard.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are feeling fortunate that they have Ant-Man as their guardian, but may be asking whether there is a connection between their favourite anonymous vigilante named after an insect, and an insect army that nearly took over the world.

This episode takes place:

After the city was overrun by insects and a giant beetle.

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 33: 1962 Year in Review (SPECIAL! DOUBLE SIZED!) -- December 1962 Jun 04, 2021

Show notes

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the incredible events since the Fantastic Four first appeared on the scene in a special year in review episode. 1962 - a year we’ll never forget!

In This issue:

This episode does not tie to any specific issue. Rather, we look back on everything that has happened from November 1961 through to the end of December 1962, including the introduction of the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, Thor, Spider-Man, and Ant Man. We also dive into the major events that took place in their comics over the previous year that was public knowledge, which includes two alien invasions, the destruction of lower Manhattan, a half-dozen mind control incidents, and more!

This episode takes place:

At the end of December, 1962 - after Strange Tales #103 and before Tales to Astonish #39

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 32: Fantastic Four, The Movie! (Fantastic Four #9 , Part 2) -- Dec 1962 Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the Fantastic Four’s movie, and how human capital can easily turn around a financial disaster and put people right back on top. Also, is the world ready for the Submariner, past hero and recent villain, becoming a Hollywood mogul?

In this issue:

Namor the Submariner is watching TV underwater when he hears the news rocketing around the world - the Fantastic Four are bankrupt! It turns out that Reed Richards was playing with the stock market and lost all of their money. The Fantastic Four lose all of Reed’s amazing inventions, and the future of the team is in doubt. But then, fortune shines on the Four - they receive an offer to star in a movie for an incredible amount of money. The team readily packs up for Hollywood to shoot the film and earn enough money to return to the adventuring life. Once there, they find out that none other than Namor the Submariner, their kinda enemy, is financing the movie. They nonetheless continue with the project, with Namor hitting on Sue Storm while trying to incapacitate the other three. Sue rejects Namor and, along with the rest of the team, teaches Namor a lesson. The movie ends up being finished - and it’s a hit!

Assumed before the next episode:

The world marvels at seeing the Fantastic Four in a movie, exhibiting their amazing powers and forever relegating traditional special effects to B movie status.

This episode takes place:

After the Fantastic Four emerge from bankruptcy in the greatest movie of all time. This Issue:

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 31: New York, London, and now ... Glenville? What’s so special about that town? (Strange Tales #103) - Dec 1962 May 31, 2021

Show notes

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss why there seems to be so many “incidents” in the small town of Glenville. Are super-powered heroes and villains now happening everywhere, or do people like the Human Torch attract this type of thing?

In this issue:

Houses in Glenville are sinking into the ground and no one knows why. Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, who lives in Glenville, calls Reed Richards for help and is told to figure it out on his own. Some teammate. And so Johnny investigates and is at a loss for these strange occurrences. He returns at night and sees aliens using a ray gun on a house, which causes it to sink into the ground. He confronts one of the aliens and is transported to their dimension, the Fifth Dimension. There, he meets the overlord of the Fifth Dimension, Zemu, and is swiftly imprisoned. A group of dissidents free Johnny, and he inspires the people to rise up against Zemu. Johnny then returns to Earth and the life of an ordinary high school student (whom everyone must know is “secretly” the Human Torch).

Assumed before the next episode:

This episode takes place:

After the public has learned that the Human Torch lives in Glenville, and that super-strange events are taking place there.

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 30: Yes, the ants are listening to you - Ant-Man and the police state (Tales to Astonish #38) - Dec 1962 May 28, 2021

Show notes

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the ramifications of Ant-Man eavesdropping on everyone in the city through his network of ants and insects.

In this issue:

The criminal underworld is petrified of Ant-Man. They resort to hiring Egghead, a brilliant but corrupt scientist, to figure out how to defeat their tiny nemesis. Egghead studies ants and figures out how to communicate with them much like Ant-Man. He then sets up a fake robbery and spreads the word to Ant-Man through the ants, who lead Ant-Man into a trap. Ant-Man escapes the trap and takes the fight to Egghead and his accomplices, easily besting them. It turns out that Ant-Man knew of Egghead’s plans - the ants were loyal to Ant-Man and told him all about it. Defeated and disgraced, Egghead wanders away towards a life of irrelevance.

Assumed before the next episode:

The public, having learned that Ant-Man is spying on the entire city, is wrestling with the notion of security vs. freedom, and considering whether living in a city effectively run by a masked vigilante working with the police is a good idea.

This episode takes place:

After the public has learned of Ant-Man’s extensive spy network throughout the city.

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 29: Thor rescues kidnapped scientists (good), lets them find their own way home (not so good) (Journey Into Mystery #87) -- Dec 1962 May 26, 2021

Show notes

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the return of scientists kidnapped by the Soviets. Unfortunately, Bruce Banner was not one of them. Thor rescued the scientists, although he didn’t bring them all of the way home - which seems odd. Also, why didn’t the Fantastic Four get involved - it could have been a public relations coup for them!

In this issue:

Scientist after scientist defect to the USSR, and no one can figure out why. Dr. Donald Blake, mild mannered doctor volunteers to work with Army intelligence to act as bait. His plan? Proclaim to the world that he has invented a new biowarfare weapon. The plan works, and he is kidnapped by a Soviet agent and stolen away to the USSR. There, he meets with the other US scientists, who were similarly kidnapped. Fortunately for all concerned, Dr. Blake is also the mighty Thor, god of thunder. Blake transforms into Thor, busts the scientists out, and in a strange bid to preserve his secret identity, returns to his Blake form so that he can make his way back to the west with the other scientists.

Assumed before the next episode:

The public is rightly worried about the number of Russian spies on American soil.

This episode takes place:

After the scientists have safely travelled by plane, train, and automobile back to America.

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 28: Bankrupt! (Fantastic Four #9, Part 1) -- Dec 1962 May 24, 2021

Show notes

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss how the Fantastic Four, inventors of flying cars and indestructible clothing, went bankrupt because Mr. Fantastic was playing with the stock market. What does this say about the viability of superheroes, and their independence?

In this issue:

Assumed before the next episode:

The world marvels at seeing the Fantastic Four in a movie, exhibiting their amazing powers and forever relegating traditional special effects to B movie status.

This episode takes place:

After the Fantastic Four emerge from bankruptcy in the greatest movie of all time.

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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