In Episode 38.1, the Rabbit Hole crew (Joe, Nick, and Georgia) recap the full Episode 38—The Thing About Skin—the continuing Fantastic Four series focusing on Ben Grimm, aka The Thing, and the concept of tough skin in science, comics, and culture. They revisit insights shared by special guest Jonathan Maberry, who explored skin as a site of memory, transformation, and horror.
The crew covers real-world conditions like scleroderma, calcinosis cutis, and the rare “tree bark skin” disorder (Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis), as well as the freezing wood frog and a missed conversation on non-Newtonian fluids like oobleck as a potential model for bulletproof, impact-reactive skin. They close with what they’ve been watching (from Ironheart to We Were Liars) and tease two upcoming Fantastic Four episodes on Johnny Storm and Reed Richards, along with a group theater outing and Joe’s appearance at Dragon Con.
It’s science, it’s fiction, it’s science for weirdos.
And don’t forget to Pre-order: Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories Anthology featuring a new story by Joe!
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Stay curious, stay speculative, stay safe, and we’ll catch you in the next rabbit hole. Love Y'all!
Future Episodes & Events:
Fantastic Four Science Series (Episodes 37–40) – Leading up to the MCU Fantastic Four movie (releasing July 25, 2025):
Ep. 39 – Fire and the Psychology of Power
Guest: Dr. David Pincus (University of Chicago) discussing Johnny Storm and risk-taking psychology
Ep. 40 – Stretching the Human Body
Guest: Dr. Maria Dowell (Northwestern), breaking down Mr. Fantastic, elasticity, and anatomical plausibility
Book Club Q&A – July 29:
Joe will lead a live Q&A at Reed’s Local for Will You Still Love Me If I Become Someone Else? by Jotham Austin II.
Joe at Dragon Con – Aug 28–Sep 1:
Joe appears as an Attending Professional at Dragon Con in Atlanta. Come talk comics, body horror, or biophysics at the panels!
Links, Resources, and Topics Mentioned in mini and/or full episode:
Featured Full Episode:
Jonathan Maberry’s Books:
Biological References:
Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis (tree bark skin disease)
Scleroderma (skin hardening from collagen overproduction)
Calcinosis Cutis (calcium salt buildup in skin)
Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) – survives freezing in Alaska
Non-Newtonian Fluids: Oobleck (1.5–2 parts cornstarch to 1 part water)
Other Media Mentioned:
Ironheart (Disney+/Marvel series)
We Were Liars (Amazon Prime adaptation of E. Lockhart’s novel)
Science & Fiction Connections in Episode:
Ben Grimm’s rocky skin ↔️ Scleroderma, Calcinosis Cutis, mineralization disorders
Luke Cage ↔️ Biochemical body hardening, trauma and invulnerability as cultural armor
Monk Addison ↔️ Tattoos as memory devices, grief encoded in flesh
Non-Newtonian Fluids ↔️ Bulletproof skin tech (shear-thickening response like Oobleck)
DARPA Research ↔️ Programmable dermal armor and future battlefield applications
Wood Frog ↔️ Extreme cold survival; parallels to cryogenic sci-fi concepts
Comics ↔️ Real Biology: Superpowers as metaphors for disability, resilience, and transformation
Images From the Crew:
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