Issue 190 - Jack Russell

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Capes On the Couch - Where Comics Get Counseling

Issue 190 - Jack Russell

Released: May 22, 2024

Under the cover of a full moon, we shed a light on Jack Russell, WEREWOLF BY NIGHT! How many Warren Zevon references do we fit into this episode? Listen now to find out!

Intro Apologies for delays in episodes - Doc and I going thru stuff (separately)

Reminder that Shenanicon registration is now open - still no word on exact date & time of Baccano panel

Background (3:13) Jack Russell, Werewolf by Night, created by Roy Thomas, Jeanie Thomas, Gerry Conway, & Mike Ploog in Marvel Spotlight #2 (Feb. 1972)

Jacob Russoff is the son of Gregor Russoff, a Transylvanian baron whose ancestor was bitten by a werewolf working for Vlad Dracula in 1795

Gregor acquired the Darkhold and read it, triggering the latent curse and turning him into a werewolf - after he was killed, his wife Laura moved to America and remarried her brother-in-law Phillip Russell, and Jacob became Jack Russell

Jack’s curse took effect on his 18th birthday, and shortly thereafter his family’s driver sabotaged his mother’s car to crash under Phillip’s orders - before her death she told Jack the truth about his heritage and made him promise not to take revenge on Phillip (no promise was made about the driver, though…)

Spent most of the next few years on the run from the Committee, who wanted to capture him and use him for their own purposes - among the many people hired by the Committee was Moon Knight, who defeated Jack before having a change of heart and teaming up with Jack to escape

Spends a chunk of the 80s on a motorcycle driving around the country - after a battle with the Hulk, his father’s spirit tells him he must accept his beastly nature or die; he does, and gains control over his transformation and abilities

Unfortunately his control didn’t last, and he began seeing visions of Hell during his transformations - this drove him to alcoholism and suicidal thoughts until he encountered a woman similarly afflicted and under siege by a small town - they killed the leaders and agreed to help each other live free

He was given a vaccine by Michael Morbius that helped him regain control, and he joined the Midnight Sons - his new mindset was that of acceptance, and he was determined to find other “monsters” around the world and help them the way he had been helped - this includes Rahne Sinclair’s son, who she rejected because the child was feral

He had his head blown off by Deadpool after Wade found him in bed with his wife - he survived, but it took some time for his head to grow back

Issues - Theme is “a sheep in wolf’s clothing” (7:46) Finally reached an acceptance of his werewolf nature, even if the world hasn’t

Formerly suicidal alcoholic (14:10)

A drifter who’s unattached to any one place for too long (24:28)

Break (32:12) Plugs for I Am Your Target Demographic and Hops Geek News

Treatment In-universe - Treat yo self

Out of universe - Focus on the addiction issues first, and then work on the other things

Skit (41:40) Hello Jack, I’m Dr. Issues. - Hi. Man, I could have used you a long time ago.

*pause* Thaaanks? So, what can I do for you…now? - Just hear me out. I’ve hesitated to do any therapy because I didn’t think anyone would listen.

Oh, so my reputation precedes me. -You never answered my calls or emails.

I can be scant in my availability, yes. But that should be a deterrent, right?. -Every review I read said that you are the most patient psychiatrist they’ve ever met, but you’re hard to track. I like that. Maybe you can tolerate my story.

My goal is more than tolerance. I want patients to thrive. But sometimes you have to crawl, then walk, then run. -You got that right! So I did my homework. I know this is confidential as long as I’m not a threat, right?

Yup. -Well, what if I told you that there’s only a certain number of nights where I was a threat, but I kept everyone safe with an airtight plan? Makes sense, right?

I guess -*interrupting* and what if I told you that I even went so far as to meditate to harness my rage in a form that was productive. Are you with me?

Is this a metaphor for male menopause or -*interrupts again* Heck man, I even found a, uh, “alternative healer” to basically cure me. This is some wild stuff, huh?

You sound like an infomercial right now. What is your angle? Are you trying to promote some woo-woo healthy positivity or what? I’m confused. You’re way more upbeat than I thought you’d be. I just scrolled through your emails -Better late than never

*Interrupting* No wonder I blew you off. You sent me an autobiography that reads like Ann Rice decided to make out with Kafka. -*pause* So a bit melodramatic?

Therapy is supposed to be more than just venting. You say you have all of these tools to…wow this is long…survive with lycanthropy?! You could have just said “I’m a werewolf.” -Well you always use those vocab words in your writing so I was trying to match you. And how dare you try to shame a patient. I’ve come a long way, you know!

No shame, no blame. Just…*sigh* I get this a lot. You want to connect on a human level. That’s awesome. I’m impressed, because you’re clearly putting the proper energy into this. But there IS a way to swing too far on that pendulum. I want to be your trusted professional, but I’m not your buddy. There’s a difference. Let’s focus on your accomplishments so far, since that’s your focus out of the gate. -Cool! First off, I survived a family that sometimes turned feral. Lots of reconciliation.

Great. -I am on the sober path.

Wonderful. -I can live in my own skin…and fur.

Check. -No, further east than that.

Huh? -Nevermind, bad joke.

Not rushin ya -Huh?

Even worse joke. -*snaps fingers* You DO have a bright side.Anywho, what I’m trying to say is, I don’t have everything figured out. But I’ve taken care of the boulders. Now I need to take care of the smaller rocks, the pebbles…you get it?

Yup. Much better clarity. I’ll take you on as a patient under one condition -No werewolf?

How’d you guess? -Just a hunch. Oh, and here’s my local pharmacy.

I don’t think you need a prescription -It’s the only one I know willing to incorporate silver compounds.

*pause* Welp, that’s either a dark backup plan, or the wickedest joke of this encounter. *simultaneously* WHY NOT BOTH?

Ending (46:03) Recommended reading: Legion of Monsters

Next episodes: Storm, Wonder Woman, Shadowman

Plugs for social & GonnaGeek Network

Transcript

References:

“BBL Drizzy” - Anthony (2:23)

Shenanicon 2024 - Anthony (2:50)

“Werewolves of London” - Doc (8:55)