Capes and Japes
a casual comics podcast

#390 – Natasha Irons

Steel/Starlight/Vaporlock

Today we talk about Natasha Irons, best known as Steel though she's had a couple other codenames as she's gained and lost superpowers, who basically apprentices under her uncle before becoming a hero in her own right when he retires.

What we were up to this week:

  • Briar picked up some comics but instead read more Les Mis, Farseer Trilogy, Hatsune Miku Colorful Stage visual novel, and watched Sinners. And started playing Sky Cards, a game where you catch planes like pokemon based off of real-time flight data.
  • Olivia picked up some comics from New England's oldest comic book store, which lives in a basement and has super cool and knowledgeable staff.

Thanks to Victoria Watkins for our icon!
Support Capes and Japes by: Checking out our Patreon or donating to the Tip jar

Find out more on the Capes and Japes website.

#389 – John Henry Irons

Man of Steel/Steel

Today we talk about John Henry Irons who stepped up as the Man of Steel when Superman died, retired (kinda) when Superman returned, started going by Steel, and has been trying to clean up his past mistakes as best he can.

What we were up to this week:

Thanks to Victoria Watkins for our icon!
Support Capes and Japes by: Checking out our Patreon or donating to the Tip jar

Find out more on the Capes and Japes website.

#388 – Lana Lang

Insect Queen/Superwoman

Today we talk about Lana Lang, Clark's childhood friend and sometimes-love-interest who through the years has gotten cool bug powers and also superwoman powers.

What we were up to this week:

  • Briar went to a My Chemical Romance concert and then saw Superman within a 24 hour period
  • Olivia was a good comics podcast host and paid attention to what was announced at San Diego Comic Con

Thanks to Victoria Watkins for our icon!
Support Capes and Japes by: Checking out our Patreon or donating to the Tip jar

Find out more on the Capes and Japes website.

#387 – Catherine Grant

Cat Grant

Today we talk about Cat Grant, best known as a gossip columnist and reporter for the Daily Planet, which of course means she's going to get roped into comic book shenanigans despite being a pretty regular lady.

What we were up to this week:

Thanks to Victoria Watkins for our icon!
Support Capes and Japes by: Checking out our Patreon or donating to the Tip jar

Find out more on the Capes and Japes website.

#386 – Whitney Frost

Giulietta Nefaria/Madame Masque/Big M

Today we talk about Whitney Frost, who is a crime nepo baby, has a complicated relationship with Tony Stark, and wears a pretty cool gold mask when she's doing her crimes.

What we were up to this week:

Thanks to Victoria Watkins for our icon!
Support Capes and Japes by: Checking out our Patreon or donating to the Tip jar

Find out more on the Capes and Japes website.

#385 – Parker Robbins

Hood/Ghost Rider/Lord Hood

Today we talk about Parker Robbins, who was a normal man doing normal crimes for normal reasons until he shot a demon and took his magical cloak and boots, so then he could do increasingly elaborate crimes as the Hood.

What we were up to this week:

Thanks to Victoria Watkins for our icon!
Support Capes and Japes by: Checking out our Patreon or donating to the Tip jar

Find out more on the Capes and Japes website.

#384 – Arnold Roth

Today we talk about Arnie Roth, who was Steve Roger's childhood friend and protector before they lost touch after the war, but they rekindled their friendship after Arnie needed help saving his good pal Michael.

What we were up to this week:

  • Briar has been dealing with Ants
  • Olivia hasn't read anything... yet. Stay tuned for Hellfire Vigil (2025) thoughts, probably.

Thanks to Victoria Watkins for our icon!
Support Capes and Japes by: Checking out our Patreon or donating to the Tip jar

Find out more on the Capes and Japes website.

#383 – Paladin

Today we talk about Paladin, who never really gets a secret identity but DOES love to do jobs for money.

What we were up to this week:

Thanks to Victoria Watkins for our icon!
Support Capes and Japes by: Checking out our Patreon or donating to the Tip jar

Find out more on the Capes and Japes website.

#382 – Amora

Enchantress/Valkyrie

Today we talk about Amora, best known as Enchantress, who really wants to date Thor but in, like, an evil way.

What we were up to this week:

  • Briar and Olivia didn't read any comics but are excited to read the Pride specials when they get their hands on them
  • Briar worked on some crochet
  • Olivia watched the Tony's

Thanks to Victoria Watkins for our icon!
Support Capes and Japes by: Checking out our Patreon or donating to the Tip jar

Find out more on the Capes and Japes website.

#381 – Ghost

Today we talk about Ghost, who was never really given a civilian identity and might be lying about his backstory, but just suuuuuper hates really rich tech companies. And he's right to do it.

What we were up to this week:

Thanks to Victoria Watkins for our icon!
Support Capes and Japes by: Checking out our Patreon or donating to the Tip jar

Find out more on the Capes and Japes website.

#380 – Tom Tresser

Nemesis

Today we talk about Tom Tresser, best known as Nemesis, who doesn't have any powers but he is a cool spy.

What we were up to this week:

  • Briar finished Translation State by Ann Leckie, and has been working on various crafts
  • Olivia caught up on some comics, including Supergirl (2025) #1 and (kinda) Thunderbolts: Doomstrike (2025) #4 and had a good time at Anime Boston!
  • also Runaways (2025) #1 comes out June 11! Very excited.

Thanks to Victoria Watkins for our icon!
Support Capes and Japes by: Checking out our Patreon or donating to the Tip jar

Find out more on the Capes and Japes website.