Superhero Ethics

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? J...

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 Restorat...

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 fro...

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...

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 L...

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 anim...

"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 I...

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 so...

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...

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 t...

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...

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...

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 debate...

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....

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...

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 di...

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 conversat...

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 d...

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 s...

The Boys: Superheroes, Villains, and the Complex Psychology Behind Their MoralityIn this fascinating discussion, host Matthew Fox is joined by psychologists Dr. Lynn Zubernis and Dr. Matthew Snyder, editors of the new book "Supes Ain't Always Heroes: Inside the Complex Characters and Twisted Psychology of The Boys." They dive deep into the psychological themes and moral complexities of the hit Ama...

New content returns next week! Until then, we’re kicking off the season with a rebroadcast of our episode on that classic Christmas movie — Batman Returns! Can a Tim Burton movie be TOO Tim Burton? Would Ashley Coffin have discovered blue eyeshadow if it weren't for this Catwoman? And why, oh why, does Bruce think you should bring up your ex on a first date? Paul and Ashley join me to discuss thes...

Another blast from the past during the hiatus. Enjoy this conversation with Paul, Riki, and myself, and stay tuned for new episodes, starting in December! Can a sword bring about a new era? Can a former assassin find peace? Can a beloved anime translate to live action? Whether you've seen all or none of the Kenshin movies or shows, the discussion focuses on ethical and historical questions with re...

Read more about the results of the WGA strike here. Learn more about the SAG-AFTRA strike here. An update on our hiatus, and a favorite episode from years past—The Ethics of Professional Wrestling. In this episode, we're talking about the ethics of professional wrestling—both the stories themselves, and the meta questions about wrestling as entertainment. How far can or should a heel go before it...

Read more about the results of the WGA strike here. Learn more about the SAG-AFTRA strike here. The historic Hollywood writers strike rocked Tinseltown, but it has come to an end. In this episode, I discuss the outcome with my guest Andy Nelson from the TruStory FM podcast network. We break down how the Writers Guild of America (WGA) won big at the bargaining table, gaining major concessions like...

Bionic arms, hearing so good it makes up for a loss of eyesight - AK Maiden is back to talk with me about disability representation in the stories we love. A big-time nerd, big-time philosopher, and big-time lover of all things sci-fi and fantasy, AK Maiden is a 21-year-old with a philosophy degree and a focus on disability studies and rhetoric. She creates D&D art and content about a wide var...