Matthew and Riki dive deep into one of the most compelling ethical questions in superhero media: the role of vengeance as a motivator for heroes, villains, and anti-heroes. Joined by comic book expert Jessica Plummer, they explore how vengeance shapes character arcs and storytelling across various franchises.
With this episode, we’re launching our member-bonus-episode series. Each month, we’ll tackle one of the core questions that frequently arise as we examine the ethics of superhero and genre media. Moving forward, these episodes will be for members only, but we wanted to share this one with everyone to showcase the benefits available for just $5 a month! Sign up at the link below or on our website, theethicalpanda.com.
When is vengeance justified in superhero narratives, and how does this reflect our real-world understanding of justice? Set against the backdrop of the Healthcare CEO killing, we analyze examples ranging from The Punisher to Batman and Inigo Montoya, exploring how different characters confront the temptation of vengeance and what this reveals about their moral compass.
The episode tackles the complex relationship between vengeance and justice, asking at what point pursuing vengeance becomes an obstacle to achieving true justice. Through examples like V for Vendetta and Fullmetal Alchemist, we explore how various stories navigate this delicate balance.
Other key topics discussed include:
- How different franchises portray vengeance as a motivation for female versus male characters
- The role of collateral damage in vengeance narratives
- When vengeance becomes a cycle of violence and how heroes break free from it
- The contrast between enjoying vengeance in fiction versus supporting it in reality
- How comedy and tone influence our acceptance of vengeful actions
- The evolution of vengeance narratives in modern superhero stories
- The relationship between power dynamics and our acceptance of vengeful actions
The conversation concludes with each participant sharing their favorite and least favorite examples of vengeance in media, offering insights into what makes these narratives resonate or fail.
