Distinct Poplar is a weekly audio fiction podcast of original stories written and read by Matt Herzberg. Featuring tales of blog fiction, contemporary satire, geek fiction, fantasy, storybook fable, superhero noir, and science fiction.

About The Author

Matt Herzberg is a graduate of the Columbia College Chicago Fiction Writing Program. By day he puts his fingers back on. Matt enjoys reading books, hockey, ethiopian cuisine, metal and classical musical. Currently he lives in Chicago with 1 roomate and 0 cats. By night he writes until his fingers fall off.

Capes vs Suits Episode 5

In this episode: Glassjaw is dead...or is he? Is this his grave, does he rest in his casket...somehow aware of himself and his confined surroundings? Or has he been reborn into a world changed drastically?

 

 

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Capes vs Suits Episode 4

In this episode: Beaten and bloody, Glassjaw waits for the killing blow, as the Suits continute put the screws to him. F*ck Face Jack taunts him as an army of able bodied gangsters assemble on the eve of something big. (reposted from 2009)

 

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Capes vs Suits Episode 3

In this episode: Glassjaw suffers interrogation at the hands of his captors, his old criminal fraternity known as The Suits. Lurking in the shadows is an old friend from his past..with a dire score to settle. (reposted from 2009)

 

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Capes vs Suits Episode 2

In this Episode: Glass Jaw continues under the guide of Argenteus, facing off against the new blood from the old fraternity. Trekking the rooftops of This Stinking City, as the two continue the rounds in Flex's absence. (reposted from 2009) 

 

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Ep8 - A Diary of Better Days

In this episode: “Melissa’s” facebook tells the tale of the last 8 years of her relationship with “Thomas”. She accounts them one by one, out of order, looking for reassurance for what she must do. But is she the only one?

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Ep7 - A Diary of Better Days


In this episode: “Melissa” or PANIQQ, does she even know the difference, as she puts her feelings to paper? What would Melissa do, if their lives were switched? But Melissa is an act, a defense mechanism invented to survive, right?

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Ep6 - A Diary of Better Days

 

In this episode: “Thomas” writes of the aftermath from the PANIQQ attack. SWEETIE sits in the hospital, the deformed and mangled ear is something he cannot keep from staring at. PANIQQ’s last words rings true, he will never live a normal life ever again. 

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Ep5 - A Diary of Better Days

In this episode: “Thomas” reports that it’s his turn to jump, as he pursues PANIQQ across the rooftops. She waits for him...but why? Freedom, hesitation, confirmation. Why won’t she jump to safety, as he closes the distance? 

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Ep4 - A Diary of Better Days

  In this episode: It’s a prank...or is it? “Thomas” awakes to come face to face with his old flame, PANIQQ, caught in the act. “A Smile from you now”, she says, “is like a blurred fist, and the thought of a kiss...kills me over and over again.” The diary of better days continues.

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Ep3 - A Diary of Better Days

In this episode: “Thomas”, begins to put together the missing events from the last few days in the pages of his journal. “Melissa”, the black haired beauty in a red bandana, has been busy. Her tag is a mark left on his life like an artist’s signature.

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A Diary of Better Days Ep2

In this episode: His journal says theres more to his beloved’s departure then just a fantastic exit. Drugged and confused, he discovers he’s lost quite a bit of time that can’t be properly accounted for. And yet, he still thinks of their time together fondly. Why does he smile to himself as he searches for something unexpected?

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A Diary of Better Days Ep1

In this episode: A man’s journal tells of one very unique morning, in which he awakes to find his life has been cut to pieces. The last shred of human decency evaporates, as he walks the streets in a haze, surrounded by the weight of just one word, PUNISHED.

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You Can't Dig Deep Enough To Disguise A Dead Gurmlak

An old hunter, Ahlbrenan Aul-luc, finds a strange creature in one of his expended traps. The Gurmlak, a creature thought to be extinct for thirty years, a highly sought after treasure.

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Ellam The Coward, And The Blood of Tavalkor

The town called Middlepost, lies somewhere between the great sea and the City of Rottenfruit. Quaint and boring by appearance,  a flurry of excitement and danger besets the town beneath the notice of those who pass it by. Events seem to focus on one man in particular, Ellam, who manages to disappear when ever trouble arises.  

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Capes vs. Suits

When exiled criminal, "Glassjaw", is forced to reconcile an uneasy alliance with the hero, "Flexibility", he finds himself playing guide into the seedy fraternity of his criminal past, known as The Suits. Over his shoulder looms, "Argenteus", a silver faced classic crime fighter from the golden age, who keeps him on a short leash.

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