Unpacking the Power of Power Pack

Episode 211 Fantastic Four V5 #9: "East of Eden: Part One"

We are getting into the real meat of this Fantastic Four run. The team is torn apart, unhappy, and Reed may or may not be turning into a meth cooker. What is happening to our favorite family? And can Alex Power and Power Pack save them? Probably not the direction that the writers would take, but you never know.

So, what is this issue about? It is about a family that is putting up a fight against a variety of forces. It is them against the world. A towering inferno of force against a wonderful family. Or something.

OK, let's turn this thing upside down and talk about the rock in the room. The uncomfortable truth is that this is really bad. Everybody is not in a good way. One in prison, one with no powers, one with no children, and one doing science. Just bad, bad, bad.

Sometimes we just need to watch what is going to happen. You need to guard against the inevitable onslaught of time. You need to protect against the truth. You need to secure the facts. Do you know what I am saying?

You should fight and seize the day. You should gather your friends and become a mob for justice. That's right. Gather your powers and unleash them against the forces of the world. I dare you.

And then, when the world starts to beat you down, take heed of this advice. Cover up and protect your privates. It is the best thing to do in these situations.

And then, at the end of the day, you can celebrate with your friends. You can be pleased to know that you are alive and not beaten to a pulp. Or, if you are beaten up, you can shake it off and be happy with the fact that your nose is not bleeding anymore.

Bravo, you have made it to the end of this rant. Here is to the next one.

 

If you want to see some pictures, go to: https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2026/04/17/fantastic-four-v5-9-east-of-eden-part-one/

 

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/ 

"Mischief Maker" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 212 Nightcrawler V4 #7: "Death of Wolverine"

This is a fixed version that should not cut off. 


Oh no, it looks like Jeff and Rick have been locked in a closet and now have to talk about a selection of scenes from other comic books. They must have run out of money for their show, or lost a bet. One of the two. It does not matter. They are middle aged and can use the time to sleep or talk or do whatever it is that you do during a clip show.

To start off, I love Kurt Wagner. Nightcrawler is easily one of my favorite Marvel Comic characters. His design is fantastic. The color scheme of his OG costume, the tail, his overall look. Chief's kiss. And his characterization is wonderful. A German Errol Flynn, with charm, wit and pathos.

Being a fan of the Chris Claremont run of the X-Men, and beginning my collection just before the Fall of the Mutants, I was there for the creation of Excalibur, and seeing Kurt as a leader, and the soul of a team. Reading back through his development was a treat. I alway loved any spotlight he received.

I hunted down his original mini-series, and I looked for other appearances with him. I always appreciated the deep friendship they had, even though they were opposites. I like to read their history as Kurt being a center for Logan.

Of course, reading back into the history of the X-Men, you get the Mutant Massacre and one of the first times your see some serious consequences placed on the team. Kurt and Kitty's injuries pull them out of the X-Men and into Excalibur. This is a center piece story for all hardcore X-Men fans.

I guess I can wax Nightcrawlers car all day long. He is a great character, a great design, a great history, and just overall great. I like that he is usually not overused either. Some of his stories have been really bad, but I blame the writer, not the character for those errors.

Oh, Wolverine died and Kurt is sad.

OK, let's see what new madness next issue brings us.

 

Check out our clip show at our website:  https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2026/05/11/nightcrawler-v4-7-death-of-wolverine/

 

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/ 

"Road to Hell" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 

Episode 213 Axis: Hobgoblin #1: "Got A Problem? Call Hobgoblin!"

Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages!!! Gather around, gather around. Hear me as I speak of the new fad, the new thing, the new image. Do you have the drive to excel? Are you looking for the motivation to be more than you are? Have you been told that you are nothing but a loser wall flower? It does not matter if you have considered or answered those questions, just listen to us as we talk about this book.

Raise the flag and gather around. Listen to us talk about this criminal slash entrepreneur slash oil salesmen. He has ideas, he has catchphrases, he has an idea for a new kind of pyramid scheme. He has pants.

He also has the pulse of the gullible masses. As we all know now, there is nothing more impressive or magical than a charlatan with a microphone. If you have that charm factor, and you can speak with authority, you can hold up the phone book and entrance millions. And if you can target that in on people with money...look out.

Some people sit around and wait for their opportunity to show up. Maybe they are lazy, or maybe that is their strength. Oooh. I want that super-power. Sitting. The ability to sit and stair. For hours. Yes.....gooood.

Speaking of grabbing easy money. How about stealing other peoples ideas? I mean, they have already used them, why not clean them off and do your own twist on them. Slap your name and a price tag on it, and you have yourself an opportunity.

Now that you have your thing, go out there and bake the bread, make the money, get your cheddar, spike your football....etc, etc, etc.

Thank you for coming to our TedTalk. We hope you enjoyed the experience.

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/ 

"Sauropod Spotting " Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 

Episode 214 Fantastic Four (2014) V5 #13: "East of Eden: Part Five"

Are you blue? Do you know someone who is blue? Does blue describe the color of your world? If you answer yes to any of these questions, you probably should seek some professional help. But, you also should listen to this podcast, because we are cool.

In reading this issue, I think we all came to the conclusion that stretching is the term we should use. Stretching the truth, stretching taffy, stretching reality, stretching the metaphor. You get what I am saying, right?

If you have any idea what we are talking about, then you are ahead of us. Remember, we are not that smart, or bright, or sober. Some people question what we are doing and why. I am questioning what I am writing.

In this book, there is chaos and fighting. There is confusion. There is also plot and development. And that is something that I could be talking about. What I can say is that Alex Power is fighting in one shattered panel, and that is why we are here.

Is this upsetting you? Is this making you sad? Don't be sad. Don't get upset about us being obscure. Don't get down and depressed and sit in the dark. Don't be like Sharon

You should be happy like Ben and Sue. You should be free, not being taken over by your evil psychotic alter ego. You should be sitting in the light. You should be smiley and shiny.

Also, you should change your clothes if you are smelly and dirty.

Are you confused? So are we.

So there we are. We have written something, and it has been read. Thanks for your support.

 

If you want to see some pictures, check this out: https://jeffandrickpresent.wordpress.com/2026/06/08/fantastic-four-2014-v5-13-east-of-eden-part-five/

 

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/