Paul Hoppe

In the gripping narrative of Batman: Under the Red Hood, we’re compelled to question the impact Batman has on the young individuals he brings into the fold as Robins. Does his tutelage ultimately protect or endanger them? Could the Joker’s theory of “One Bad Day” be more catastrophic for one of the Robins than for Bruce himself? And where does justice end and vengeance begin? Paul and I explore these themes, taking cues from Batman: Under the Red Hood and Death in the Family Part I as our starting points for this complex discussion.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 sparked important discussions on animal treatment, and Paul Hoppe joins me to delve into these topics. This episode was inspired by listener feedback, and we also tackle a listener’s question regarding the adage “with great power comes great responsibility,” especially as it pertains to the dynamic between podcasters and their audience.

Paul joins me to talk about Batman: The Long Halloween, an animated movie based on the comics run of the same name.

It’s been 10 years since Karl Urban kept his mask on for the entire film, but the questions that this story about police acting as judge, jury, and executioner raises continue to be relevant today. We talk about the movie, the moral issues it raises, and how Karl Urban’s grunting paved the way for Pedro Pascal’s silent acting in The Mandalorian.

Matthew and Paul talk about stuff they watched in 2022, as well as the future and history of Superhero Ethics.