Unpacking the Power of Power Pack

Episode 171 FF #21: Ronance

Are you all ready for some bad Ronance....or Romance...or Space Opera? Well, it is what it is and this is it. We have Ronan and Crystal and two space races that really...really....really do not want them to be together. What shall they do? Why not call up Sue and Reed, cause they are the poster children of good ideas.

I could get all clever and fun, but I am not going to because I have other things to do tomorrow. So instead, I am phoning in and audible from Lady Gaga, and we are going to see what happens.

Rah, rah-ah-ah-ah
Roma, roma-ma
Gaga, ooh-la-la
Want your bad romance

I want your ugly, I want your disease
I want your everything as long as it's free
I want your love
Love, love, love, I want your love (hey)

I want your drama, the touch of your hand (hey)
I want your leather-studded kiss in the sand
I want your love
Love, love, love, I want your love (love, love, love)
(I want your love)

You know that I want you
And you know that I need you
I want it bad, your bad romance

I want your horror, I want your design
'Cause you're a criminal as long as you're mine
I want your love
Love, love, love, I want your love

I want your psycho, your vertigo shtick (hey)
Want you in my rear window, baby, you're sick
I want your love
Love, love, love, I want your love (love, love, love)
(I want your love)

I think that all makes sense. I don't know.

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

 

Check out the images at our website: https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2024/10/04/ff-21-ronance/

You can also subscribe and listen to us on YouTube! 

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/ 

Epic Intro 2015 (Original Very Short)

Episode 172 FF #22: You Are Whatever You Want to Be

We are sliding into an ending of this series, so it is time to tie up a storyline or two. In this issue, we get a nice little tale featuring Bntley. No, I did not make a mistake there. Sometimes the best little stories focus on the most evil individuals. That is why the story of my life will be awesome.

Looking at the pictures we have chosen here, I was thinking about really focusing on the story in the book, but then I had an idea, and I wanted to see if it would float. Tell me if you can see what I see.

This of course leads to a massive panic when a shark attack does occur on the crowded beach. Everybody freaks out and a giant food fight occurs. I blame John Belushi.

First up, we have a crazy man who wants to close down a beach because he is a little afraid of the water and there was just this little old shark attack. How crazy is that....and this guy?

So our heroes need to go out and find this horrible monster with sharp teeth. In order to do so, they need to board onto an appropriate vessel to carry them out onto their dangerous mission.

Farewell and adieu to you fair Spanish ladies
Farewell and adieu to you ladies of Spain
Cause we've received orders for to sail for old England,
But we hope in a short time to see you again.

This of course leads to the climax of the film. Our hero must take down the monster, but they only have a rifle. Oh no...whatever will they do?

Insert a big explosion that rocks your socks off and blows your mouth apart.

Now we come to the end our story. Our heroes are looking off into the distance, forming a new and awkward relationship

The end!

I hope you all enjoyed this reenactment. If you did not, I really do not care. Have a good day!

 

If you want this to make any sense, check out the pictures at our website: https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2024/10/18/ff-22-you-are-whatever-you-want-to-be/

 

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

 

You can also subscribe and listen to us on YouTube! 

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/ 

Cybertrooper [the better version]

Episode 173 FF #23: Run

And we did it. We made it to the last issue of FF. What a fun little series. Hickman put together some compelling stories and weaved them through this and Fantastic Four.

We should take a moment to think about what we learned from our review of this series, FF, over this past year or so. Time has been spent on this book, and beer has been drunk. That all being said, what has been read and what has been discussed.

We started with everyone thinking that the Human Torch was dead, and the hiring of one Mr. Peter Parker aka Spider-Man. This changed the team dynamics and beat of the team. We started with the team at a low point, but we end with a stronger and more knowledgeable family.

There was also the introduction of the Future Foundation. This is the team that has our boy Alex having something mover tangible than what happened to him in the New Warriors, but not by much. At least he was treated like he had intelligence and not just a paper weight.

But the Future Foundation was a great idea. A group of smart kids solving the world's problems. They were a weird group of punks who brought something different to the conversation.  THe ensemble could have been used more effectively at certain points, but it was not bad. 

We discovered that AIM (Advanced Idea Mechanics) having the bright idea to free The Wizard from prison and making him their leader proves that their ideas really aren't too advanced as they gave him back at the end of the series and asked for a do over.

We learned that having Spider-man on your team is a great idea, while having Dr. Doom is an occasionally good idea if you can stand the Doomness of him. Also, inviting The Wizard, Diablo, The Mad Thinker and The High Evolutionary to stand with you for some out of the box thinking is a great way to to get betrayed and stabbed in the back when the chips are down by people that you just fed lunch to. 

A surprising number of issues deal with Black Bolt and The Inhumans interacting with the Supreme Intelligence and the Kree...we both found these issues, storylines and interactions to be boring, unwelcome and a distraction from important things, like what the Future Foundation kids are up to in their own title. Unfortunately, what they are often up to is standing off to a side, quietly observing the actions of other characters while storylines unfurl around them and their contributions amount to them being able to say that they were there too.

Speaking of surprises, a surprising number of beings were turned into pets. Dr. Doom to a multiversal Reed Richards, a couple of multiversal Reed Richards' to a Supreme Intelligence, Johnny Storm to Annihilus, Annihilus to a resurrected Johnny Storm, and Galactus to a Franklin Richards.

All in all it was a fun series and a worthwhile read, but it really shined when it dealt with the title holders of this series, the kids. Their developments, their growths, their failings and their foibles, their interactions and all the things that make them the foundation of the future. 

 

Check out the artwork at: https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2024/10/29/ff-23-run/

 

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

You can also subscribe and listen to us on YouTube! 

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/ 

Rise Of The Kingdoms [the better version]

Episode 174 FF v2 #1: Parts of a Whole

First issue of the new volume! Are you excited? Are you entertained?
The answer is a surprising yes. I mean, Matt Fraction! C'mon now, this shall be interesting if not funny. Plus, more content!!!! Yeah, baby!

New beginning, means new storyline and new characters? But, I just got to really know the Fantastic Four. It only took me 50 years to get to really know them...do I really need to learn about new people?

I guess we need to talk about where the Terrific Three plus One are going and why they will not be here. But I think you should listen to our show or read the comic to figure out those reasons. That is my opinion, and I am making this web page, so that is what we will do.

What about these new people....who are they, why are they here, what does mac and cheese taste like on the moon? Some of these questions can be answered now, some will never be known, unless we go back to the moon. I guess we can say that one guy is Ant Man. He changes sizes and steal things.

We do have She Hulk back, so that is a big plus. It is great to have a little bit of green on the team. It would be better if they had green money, or gold, or a platinum credit card. Without that, a lawyer who can work some pro bono and punch villains is always a plus.

Royalty time. We have Medusa from the Inhumans who is taking a bit of a sabbatical from being a queen to becoming one of four. She does bring a bit of class and conditioner into the team. She also brings along her own hair nets, so that is good.

Val and Franklin are going with the Fantastic Four so I guess we don't need to talk about them. We should talk about Darla, but she really is showcased next issue, so we can ignore her for now. See, this is fun, right?

I guess that leaves the rest of the Future Foundation. The kids are all still here, including our favorite boy, Alex Power...and our second favorite boys Leech and Artie. We like seeing them. They are nice.

So, there we go. We have a new series, more issues, more storylines....and more fun! Let's suit up and riot!

 

Check out the art we have been talking about here: https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2024/11/27/ff-v2-1-parts-of-a-whole/

 

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

 

You can also subscribe and listen to us on YouTube! 

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/ 

Beast

Episode 175 FF v2 #2: The Big Goodbye

The plan was for the Fantastic Four to go on a short little trip. That was all. Just a short trip and then boom....back to the old nine to five grind. But we ran into a little problem, didn't we.

Let us tell you a little story. Once upon a time, a princess woke up and wanted someone to answer her ringing bell and make her breakfast. She rang and rang and rang, but no one showed up. It made her sad, and a little bit angry.

And where were those people who should have shown up and serve her breakfast? They were goofing around and climbing on each other because they thought it was cute. Now, is that a good reason to ignore a princess? No, no it is not.

What about the dragon? There is always a dragon in fairy stories. What was that dragon doing instead of helping are annoying the princess? He was just witting around playing with a big mechanical machine. That seems like a totally pointless waste of time.

And then, just when the ringing of the bell began to annoy the women ringing the bell, something happened. A big old monster showed up to have a conversation about something or another. It really did not matter, because nobody could speak monster.

Being bored and feeling ignored, the princess decided to jump out of a window to deal with the monster. She forgot to put pants on. which most people would find to be a problem, but the princess just thought it was a Wednesday.

Now that she has landed on the ground, she decided to deal with the monster. This was easy too easy. It was like the monster slipped on a banana peel. It was like no effort, or less than sub effort.

And the poor monster, he was not even supposed to be there that day.

The end!

Check out the pictures to go along with this story here: https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2024/12/15/ff-v2-2-the-big-goodbye/

 

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

 

You can also subscribe and listen to us on YouTube! 

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/ 

Cinema Blockbuster Trailer 41

Episode 176 FF v2 #3: Old John Storm

So, the Fantastic Four is dead....again. But this time there is an older guy who says he is John Storm that has popped back to help guide this new Fantastic Four to avenge his family. Good times, huh. What could possibly happen next?

Today, we are going to talk about towels. They are amazing inventions that may not get the exposure they deserve. We take them for granted. Towels are the cornerstone for our society, and we should celebrate them more.

Let's take a look at what we know about the majestic cloth. We know that it can dry and clean you. We know it can be used as a weapon when rolled up and whipped. And we know that it can be used to sail a boat. These are lessons given to us by Douglas Adam, and they are good things.

We also know that this collection of fibers can be used for many defensive and offensive purposes. The whip has already been described, but the shield is also available. The axe modification should only be attempted by trained professionals but can be wielded with surprising efficiency. We can only assume that the Fantastic Four would have fared better with a towel.

Then there is the fact that towels can be costumes. This is controversial because they can make people, dancers especially, look insane. This critique is usually reserved for when you make animal shapes out of towels and wear them, but you get the idea.

What about for drying yourself off after a shower? We do not recommend using towels if you are over the age of 60. It is better to drip dry in a terry cloth towel and spread your legs in order to cause horror and disgust to all around you. This also keeps the towel in reserve as a weapon when your friends and family turn on you.

Wearing a towel as a dressing gown is exclusively reserved for people of high physical beauty. This is also a rule that has been pushed forward by immature individuals who want to see the towel slip or fall off, so we cannot put too much stock in what they say.

In closing, celebrate your towel and make it the center piece of any celebration. Hoorah!

 

To see our towel related pictures, go to:  https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2024/12/29/ff-v2-3-old-john-storm/

 

 

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

 

You can also subscribe and listen to us on YouTube! 

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 Most Shocking Halloween Trailer 18

Episode 177 Interview with Matt Fraction

The best part about living in Portland Oregon is being surrounded by amazing and awesome comic creators. The town is sick with them, and they are wonderful people. It is even better when you are reviewing a book written by a fellow Portlander.

Matt Fraction is an award winning, media content creator. Having worked in all of the big companies, Matt has written some fantastic books that have put him on the map. The 2012 Hawkeye series, Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen, Sex Criminals, Casanova, and of course Fantastic Four and FF.

On top of all of that, Matt has also started to work in television. Starting as a creative consultant for the Hawkeye TV series and then as an executive producer for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. A good guy who is creative, intelligent, and interesting.

If you have not delved into the work that this creator has developed, I highly encourage you to take a chance and pick up his work. And, if you see him at a comic con, say hi. If you see him in the supermarket, leave the guy alone. He just wants some bagels.

 

Check out our website at: https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2025/01/06/interview-with-matt-fraction/

 

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

 

You can also subscribe and listen to us on YouTube! 

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/ 

Episode 178 Avenging Spider-Man #17: Untitled

Spider-man is going through some things as at the moment. He is not himself.....literally. Thanks to comic book science, Doctor Otto Octavius has taken up residence in the ole' web heads.....head. Let the comedy ensue.

Let's try and make up a story to go with these wacky pictures. Ok, let's see....Spidey has just been invited over to the worst sleepover ever. Who is to blame, the children who want a web-gun fight? Spidey for showing up? The adults for wanting to go out for drinks and assumed that they had a willing free babysitter?

The good news is that one of the games for the sleepover is Pin-the-Bentley-on-the-Donkey. This is everyone's favorite game, not only for the pun value, but also because it really annoys the clone child.

We all have that one friend whose parents are just a little too wealthy compared to all of the other friend's parents. Those wealthy parents also have bought a toy or thing that is so insane, for years you try to explain that what you saw was not a fever dream. The fact that this sleepover has a giant robotic minotaur thing is like that.

You also have that one sleepover story where one friend breaks the really weird or cool toy. As long as you were not the owner, or the one who broke the toy, it is a funny story. Tragic, YES. But still pretty funny.

Sometimes, it is better to just let a rowdy sleepover destroy one or two rooms. If you are the babysitter and were tricked into being in charge of this circus, your responsibility ends at the health and safety of the children...not property damage or international insurrections. But I am not a lawyer.

And that is also why I do not want to weigh in on stealing from the owner's home. I mean, if you did not want me to be evil, you should not have put me in a situation that made me evil. I am pretty sure that will hold up in a court of law.

 

Check out the artwork at our website:  https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2025/01/07/avenging-spider-man-17-untitled/

 

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

 

You can also subscribe and listen to us on YouTube! 

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/ 

Cybertrooper [the better version]

Episode 179 Astonishing X-Men V3 #59: Untitled

We have been invaded!!!! Hide your maple syrup and your top shelf hockey players! The boys from Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight with Chris and Tom, have invaded our studios and are imposing their Alpha Flightian ways upon us. Protect the children from their wicked ways.

Chris and Tom followed us back to the Pacific Northwest after we invaded their show. We tried to scare them away with our "no foul language" or "dirty jokes" and "PG attitude", but they showed up anyway with a bucket full of censor tape and beep sound clips. This is what we get for using cheap Canadian locks on our club house door.

Now you may be asking if drinking was involved in the making of this episode. If you are asking that question, you have not been paying attention to our show. Of course drinking was involved. Do you think we would get tangled up with people who talk about Alpha Flight without alcohol?

Focusing back on the positive, we were able to eventually find common ground to agree on. We focused on our inner well-being and looked beyond the us versus them issues and remembered the important things in life....like there was no Sasquatch in this issue. And that is something we can all be happy about.

Sometimes the best laid plans end up being a nightmare. Sometimes they end up being a disaster. Sometimes they end up being like our talk with Chris and Tom. I am not sure what I mean by that, but neither does anyone else.

At the end of the night, two bearded boys flew off to their secret layer to discuss future comic books. The other two bearded dudes did something similar. I am not sure what differences were resolved, but a promise to fight another day was made.

Oh...and lawyers will be involved in the future.

In all seriousness, check out Why Not?! Read Alpha Flight with Chris and Tom. They are two amazing fellows who have a lot of fun talking about everyone's favorite Marvel Canadian team.

 

And check out the art from this issue at: https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2025/02/02/astonishing-x-men-v3-59/

 

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

 

You can also subscribe and listen to us on YouTube! 

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/ 

Neon Fury