Matthew and original Superhero Ethics podcast co-host Paul Hoppe look back at all of the Star Wars movies and TV shows to date, ranking them and discussing what we loved or didn’t love, and the ethical questions they raise. We hope this is a great way to get an overview of all that has come up until now, as well as to engage in some good debates over them!
Here it is, our 50th episode! All three hosts, Paul, Jacob, and Matthew, come together to re-examine some of our favorite questions and discussions from past episodes.
To celebrate our 50th episode, we managed to get all three hosts—Paul, Matthew, and Jacob—together to reflect on some of our past discussions.
All three of our hosts, Matthew, Jacob, and Paul, come together to talk about Avatar: The Last Airbender. We take a deep dive into a number of characters, including Aang, Toph, and Uncle Iroh, examine the way the show portrayed martial arts and alternatives to violence, and discuss why it is so beloved by many.
Would Daredevil share information about Nazis? Would Superman or Captain Mal? How would our heroes react to Charlottesville and what can that teach us?
Babylon 5 is almost 20 years old, but the questions it raises about telepathy, fear, and how we treat the ‘other’ are still relevant. Jacob Milicic is our guest.
What is the value in fighting fair? Paul and Matthew explore the trope of the “Fair Fight,” looking at its value and its problems. What does a hero do when the opponent refuses to follow the rules?
If aliens and superpowers were real, would we need S.H.I.E.L.D.? Are Lex Luthor and Amanda Waller justified in their fear of Superman? And why do government agencies tasked with managing powered individuals often operate in secrecy?
Paul and Matthew delve into Iron Fist, exploring questions of identity, the role of martial arts in storytelling, and the complexities of accountability within an extended universe when things don’t go as planned.
Is Magneto a villain or a hero? Can we agree with his goals, even if we don’t condone his methods? How does the fight for mutant justice resonate with similar discussions in our own world? Paul and Matthew discuss Magneto and the X-Men in this thought-provoking episode.