Superhero Ethics

Superhero Ethics

Exploring ethical questions from Superhero movies and TV shows, sci-fi, and everything else geeks love

Episodes

March 26, 2024 78 mins
Matthew recently participated in an in-depth analysis of Dune: Part Two on The Film Board podcast, also part of the TruStory FM entertainment podcast network. We're thrilled to share this discussion here, originally recorded for The Film Board, with our audience.In the vast expanse of cinematic storytelling, few tales grip the imagination quite like Frank Herbert's "Dune." With Denis Villeneuve's vision continuing to unfold in Dune...
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The Fantastic Four are finally joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe! With the recent casting announcement, fans are eagerly anticipating how these beloved characters will be portrayed. Matthew and Jessica explore the significance of this movie and why the Fantastic Four are such an essential part of Marvel's history.
  • Why has it been so challenging to adapt the Fantastic Four for the big screen? Jessica shares her insights on th...
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March 12, 2024 73 mins
Matthew, Riki, and Paul dive deep into the prequel film Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning in this episode of the podcast Superhero Ethics. We explore the complex themes of violence, redemption, and the pursuit of peace in a tumultuous era of Japanese history. Join us as we unravel the moral dilemmas faced by Kenshin, a skilled swordsman grappling with his past as an assassin during the Meiji Restoration.Key Points:
  • Can violence be ...
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March 5, 2024 47 mins
The recent passing of beloved actor Carl Weathers was a sad loss that left many fans reminiscing about his storied career. In this episode of Superhero Ethics, host Matthew Fox brought in frequent guests Paul Hoppe and Ashley Coffin to remember Weathers' varied roles across film and TV, and how an actor who almost never was the top star is still so fondly remembered.Some key discussion points from the episode:
  • Weathers left a st...
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February 27, 2024 52 mins
Matthew Fox is joined by Dr. Steven Cox to dive deep into the classic sci-fi novel Dune, and how it is often portrayed on screen and in other media. They analyze the complex themes around religion, politics, colonialism, and the dangers of charismatic leaders that author Frank Herbert weaves throughout his epic saga. Matthew and Steven compare and contrast Herbert's original vision to the various film and TV adaptations, examining ...
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    February 26, 2024 106 mins
    Matthew Fox reunites with guests Riki Hayashi and Paul Hoppe to wrap up their deep dive into Netflix's live action take on Avatar: The Last Airbender. Did the last two episodes stick the landing or fall short?In the intro, Matthew notes rising excitement across the four days while Riki felt genuine disappointment. Did Paul land closer to one side or the other?Key Discussion Questions:
    • Does Ken Leung deliver one of the all-time g...
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    February 25, 2024 81 mins
    In this episode of Superhero Ethics, Riki Hayashi and Paul Hoppe join host Matthew Fox and have an insightful discussion about the latest two episodes of Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender.We explore questions like:
    • Is the show improving overall, despite ups and downs of individual storylines?
    • How does Iroh’s characterization and backstory differ from the original animated series?
    • Does the portrayal of ...
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    February 24, 2024 88 mins
    "Secret Tunnel," Bumi, Cabbages - the whimsy is back!Riki Hayashi and Paul Hoppe join host Matthew Fox to talk about episodes 3-4 of Netflix's live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender.Topics we discuss include:
    • The show is starting to capture more of the original's whimsy and charm while still being a bit darker and more "grimdark."
    • Zuko's characterization and his relationship with Iroh.
    • The writers cram a lot of story...
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    February 23, 2024 97 mins
    The release of Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the beloved animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender has finally arrived. Join hosts Matthew Fox, Riki Hayashi, and Paul Hoppe for a spoiler-filled discussion of the first two episodes.After initial skepticism and comparison to the original animated series, the hosts agree there is promise but an overall different tone, mood and portrayal of some key characters like Aang and Iroh...
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    In this episode of the Superhero Ethics podcast, Matthew Fox, Paul Hoppe, and Riki Hayashi continue their in-depth discussion of the beloved animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender. They dive deeper into the complex characters and themes that have made the show a timeless classic, exploring the nuances that have inspired fans for decades, and how they will translate into the Netflix live action version, coming out soon.Key Point...
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    The animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, which originally ran from 2005-2008, captured the hearts and minds of viewers around the world with its groundbreaking storytelling. With the live-action Netflix adaptation on the horizon, now is the perfect time to revisit the original series and rediscover what made it so special, as well as discuss hopes and concerns about how those aspects will translate to live-action. Riki and P...
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    February 13, 2024 67 mins
    Who is the true monster in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein? Who was Mary Shelley, what was she saying in this novel, and why is the novel so different from how it is remembered and portrayed in popular culture? 19th-century English literature student extraordinaire Danielle WrittenInTheStars joins us to dissect the book, the author, and how to understand it in the context in which it was written. Plus, we debate which film adaptation w...
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    February 1, 2024 63 mins
    The final episode of the Disney+ TV show Percy Jackson and the Olympians is out, and we're discussing it. We talk about what we loved about the books and what did and didn't work in the show.Topics covered include:
    • Was Luke right? Was Luke a Magneto/Killmonger-style villain with a valid point?
    • How were the gods portrayed in the show compared to the books? Is Percy right to want the gods a chance to be better parents?
    • How was Medus...
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    January 30, 2024 82 mins
    Matthew Carroll of the MCUCast joins me to talk Marvel's Echo TV series and its connections to the wider MCU. We dive deep into the characters, the morality, the show's groundbreaking representation, and the implications for upcoming MCU stories.Topics we cover include:
    • Where Echo and Kingpin each fit on the scale of heroes and villains
    • Connections to the Netflix "Defendersverse" shows and debates around canonicity
    • Hopes for the f...
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    January 23, 2024 75 mins
    How does a Japanese pilot—and his nation—come to terms with survivor's guilt after WWII? What is the legacy of the kamikaze in Japanese culture, and how is it seen in America? And can these issues and more be explored in Godzilla Minus One, a movie about a fire-breathing monster directed by Takashi Yamazaki? Riki Hayashi joins me to discuss these questions and more!
    We’ve started the conversation. Now we want to hear from you!Want ...
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    January 11, 2024 78 mins
    As an amputee, Echo holds a special place in my heart, so I’m excited to have comics expert Will Freeland join me to discuss this meaningful new MCU show.Seeing a superhero who shares some of my experiences is incredible. Maya Lopez immediately enters the pantheon of disabled representation done right.In this episode, Will and I analyze the show’s triumphs. We discuss Maya’s thoughtful portrayal as a deaf, Indigenous American amput...
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    January 9, 2024 62 mins
    What are the different ways we can find meaning in the midst of suffering? What is the nature of myth, and can we find it in the most mundane of places? And how did Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 and a Thanksgiving podcast tradition of the McElroy brothers and friends lead us to these topics?
    We’ve started the conversation. Now we want to hear from you!Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or...
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    December 26, 2023 83 mins
    Paul and I look back on the themes that emerged during 2023 as we reflect on a year of ethics in genre media. We discuss the strike, people and communities being heard and speaking in their own voices, relatable villains, video games as interactive novels, and other topics. And somehow we manage to tie almost all of it back to Blue Beetle, which we both recently viewed.
    We’ve started the conversation. Now we want to hear from you!W...
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    December 19, 2023 65 mins
    What is a Christmas movie? Does it have to have a specific message or aesthetic feel? What is the Christmas romance, and why has it become so popular? Andy and Abby join me to dive into these questions, share each of our own favorite Christmas movies, and settle that age-old debate — is Die Hard a Christmas movie?
    We’ve started the conversation. Now we want to hear from you!Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree...
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    How did Snow become the villain he was? What role does nature versus nurture play in shaping our moral choices? What connections to our own world does this Hunger Games prequel highlight that give us insight?Fan-favorite Danielle (WrittenintheStarWars) returns to discuss The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, the Hunger Games prequel, in both book and movie form!Danielle is a PhD researcher who spends too much time thinking about St...
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