Superhero Ethics

Join Paul and me as we grapple with profound ethical dilemmas: Is it justifiable to commit genocide against entire civilizations based on their choices? We’ll also discuss the significance of Loki’s bisexuality becoming canon and whether the series has adequately explored his gender fluidity. Plus, we can’t talk about Loki without delving into the complexities of redemption arcs.

In honor of Pride month, we’re diving into the significance of queer representation in science fiction, fantasy, and superhero narratives. We’ll discuss why representation is crucial, its particular importance to the queer community, and Hollywood’s often flawed execution.

Mail Bag! Join Paul and me as we delve into your feedback, answering specific questions about the stories we’ve covered.

Should superheroes make a vow to never kill? Is there a moral difference between killing in battle and executing a supervillain to prevent future crimes? We explore these intense debates using Jupiter’s Legacy as a starting point for broader discussion—no need to have seen the show, as one of our guests hasn’t either! Joining me are Paul Hoppe and Jessica Plummer.

Ashley Coffin joins us to unpack the ethics of “thirst” within fandom culture.

What drives Matt Murdock to don the mantle of Daredevil? We delve into the complexities that trouble his conscience and faith when he puts on the mask and explore how these issues are portrayed differently on screen compared to the comic books.

Joining us are Will and Steve from the Hype is My Superpower podcast for the inaugural episode of our On Screen & Page series. We’ll compare and contrast how characters and ethical dilemmas are addressed in the original comic book narratives versus their adaptations on screen.

Zuhair Ali from the Animation Deliberation Podcast joins us to dissect ethical questions raised in Season 1 of Invincible. This series reimagines familiar superhero tropes, offering a fresh and thought-provoking narrative. Whether you’re a seasoned viewer or new to the show, this discussion is packed with intriguing topics for all superhero enthusiasts.

Can you be a hero while being a part of a mafia, gang, tong, or cartel? Join Paul and me as we use the HBO show Warrior to explore this complex question and more.

The Comics Code gets sidelined, teen angst and diversity rise among our heroes, and Wonder Woman graces the cover of Ms. Magazine—the Bronze Age of comic books was indeed a wild time. Jessica Plummer returns to discuss this captivating period in comic book history with me.

Proving that we can find an ethical discussion in any media (and that we haven’t forgotten how to talk about topics other than Falcon and the Winter Soldier), we’re diving deep into the ethical questions of the MonsterVerse. Are they monsters, Titans, or animals, and why does the terminology we use matter? What are the dangers of humans seeing themselves as the rulers of nature, and how does nature retaliate? Paul and I are joined by Stranded Panda regular Nate Muzzy to unpack these questions and more.