With the holidays coming up, things are a bit hectic, so we’re making this formerly members-only discussion on vengeance in superhero stories available to everyone! 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.
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.
