Superhero Ethics
Society & Culture
About
Exploring ethical questions from Superhero movies and TV shows, sci-fi, and everything else geeks love
Episodes
- The Boys • Final Wrap Up
The Boys is over — but did it actually answer the questions it spent five seasons raising? Matthew is joined by returning guest Ocean Murff, podcast host and movie theory enthusiast, to dig into the finale and wrestle with what the show ch…
- Damn the Man! Empire Records After 30 Years
“Empire Records” bombed in 1995, got panned by critics, and spent the next thirty years becoming a cult classic — which tells you something about what reviews are actually measuring. Comics writer and Book Riot contributor Jessica Plummer…
- Judges of the Card Rooms — TCGs & Poker
What does it mean to hold real authority in a card room? Matthew Fox has spent years as a judge for TCGs like Magic: The Gathering and Star Wars: Unlimited, and returning guest Paul Hoppe managed the graveyard shift at a casino poker room.…
- What Made Rob McKenzie Rebel Scum?
What made you the kind of person who questions things? Returning guest Rob McKenzie joins Matthew to trace the science fiction and fantasy that quietly shaped his ethics, and the conversation turns out to be about a lot more than books.The…
- Maul: Truth-Teller, Manipulator, or Self-Deceiver? • Maul – Shadow Lord Discussion
This conversation first aired on Star Wars Generations and we're sharing it here because it raises exactly the kind of question this show was built for.Maul is the only one in the room telling the truth and nobody will believe him. At the…
- Are Superheroes Cops? Cyclops, Green Lantern & ACAB
Is Cyclops from X-Men actually a cop, or is he just annoying? That question turns out to be the perfect entry point for a much bigger one: what does ACAB (All Cops Are Bastards) really mean when the people using violence to enforce order h…
- Project Hail Mary • Ethics in a Crisis
When the survival of every person on Earth depends on one unwilling scientist, one who explicitly said no to sacrificing his own life for humanity, does anyone have the right to override that refusal? That’s the question at the heart of Pr…
- Baseball Is Back, Along with Hard Questions
Baseball’s antitrust exemption gives team owners something no other American sport enjoys: a government-enforced monopoly — and Matthew and returning guest Paul Hoppe use the start of a new season to ask what that power actually costs the…
- Star Trek: Starfleet Academy and Its Future
Matthew and Matt Carroll discuss the Star Trek series Starfleet Academy, analyzing its handling of complex storylines, moral dilemmas, and its potential political implications. They also touch upon the show's unexpected cancellation and it…
- What Made Us Rebel Scum? with Paul Hoppe
Paul Hoppe joins Matthew on Superhero Ethics to explore the origins of rebellion, distinguishing between rebels and revolutionaries, and the concept of "mask of fear" from Andor. They discuss how media like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, an…
- Superhero Daddy Issues
Superhero Ethics discusses how parental issues like legacy pressure and attachment injury influence superhero origin stories, with guests Pete Wright and Mandy Kaplan analyzing examples like Batman, Tony Stark, and Lex Luthor.
- The Manga Bible with Author Helen McCarthy
Helen McCarthy, a long-time voice in manga and anime studies, joins Matthew to discuss her book, "The Manga Bible." They trace the history of manga, its significance to women readers, and its post-war reinvention, connecting it to themes o…
- The Ethics of Award Season
Matthew and Andy Nelson explore the complexities of award seasons, including Oscar strategy, the BAFTA controversy, category fraud, and the cultural significance of film awards.
- Dracula
This episode of Superhero Ethics discusses how Dracula has been portrayed, focusing on the ethical implications of giving villains tragic backstories. It analyzes Bram Stoker's novel, Coppola's film, and a recent adaptation, considering th…
- What Would You Pay for Safety? with Author Michael C. Bland
This episode features author Michael C. Bland discussing his novel "The Price of Safety," which explores the societal implications of pervasive surveillance and the balance between security and personal freedom. The conversation touches on…
- Black Superheroes & Black History Month
JPenumbra joins Superhero Ethics to discuss Black representation in comics and adaptations. They cover systemic issues affecting diverse characters and highlight significant Black creators and their works.
- What Would Superheroes Do About ICE?
This episode of Superhero Ethics discusses how characters such as Superman, Captain America, the Punisher, and the X-Men might react to immigration enforcement and state violence. It examines the concept of justice when laws cause harm and…
- Wonder Man
The Superhero Ethics podcast explores Marvel's Wonder Man series, highlighting its focus on a personal character study of a struggling actor, Simon Williams, and his secret superpowers. The discussion contrasts this approach with typical M…
- Wonder Man • Comics Primer & Episode 1
Matthew hosts Will and Steve to discuss the first episode of Marvel's Wonder Man, examining the character's obscure comic history and his suitability for a show focused on Hollywood and acting. They explore his 1960s origins and compare hi…
- The Copenhagen Test & The Ethics of Espionage
Superhero Ethics analyzes the spy thriller The Copenhagen Test, focusing on the ethical dilemmas of intelligence operatives, collateral damage, and the use of surveillance technology.
- Frankenstein: Exploring Ethical Questions Across Mediums
This episode of Superhero Ethics compares Mary Shelley's Frankenstein novel with Guillermo del Toro's film adaptation, examining how each medium addresses themes of parentage, responsibility, and scientific hubris. The discussion highlight…
- Marvel’s Drift, DC’s Reset: 2025 Review + 2026 Preview
This episode reviews Marvel and DC
- Theodicy & Thor: Love and Thunder
This episode of Superhero Ethics discusses the philosophical concept of theodicy, questioning whether Thor: Love and Thunder adequately addresses the problem of suffering. It contrasts the film's Gorr the God Butcher with his comic counter…
- Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery • Theology, Patriarchy, and the Church's Sins
This episode of Superhero Ethics examines Rian Johnson's "Wake Up Dead Man," exploring its theological themes, critique of Christian nationalism and toxic masculinity within the church, and the potential for authentic faith amidst institut…
- Rob Reiner and the Rom-Com
This episode of Superhero Ethics discusses Rob Reiner's contributions to romantic comedies and romance in action-adventure movies, analyzing "When Harry Met Sally..." and "The Princess Bride." The discussion explores themes of friendship,…
- Gen V and Heroic Identity
Matthew Fox and Ocean Murff analyze the series 'Gen V,' focusing on its portrayal of superheroes as commercial products, the exploitation inherent in corporate branding, and the exploration of identity, particularly through the character J…
- Vengeance: Ethics, Justice, and Superhero Narratives
This episode of Superhero Ethics features Matthew and Riki, with guest Jessica Plummer, examining the role and ethics of vengeance in superhero narratives. They analyze how vengeance shapes characters and stories, its connection to justice…
- Murderbot, or When AI Just Wants to Watch Soap Operas
This episode of Superhero Ethics discusses Martha Wells' Murderbot Diaries, comparing the books and Apple TV series. It questions whether synthetic intelligence can desire something other than freedom, focusing on Murderbot's choice to sta…
- KPop Demon Hunters: Authenticity and the Philosophy of Shame
The Superhero Ethics podcast discusses the K-Pop Demon Hunters film, examining how its narrative and production explore themes of shame, authenticity, and self-acceptance. The episode analyzes the placement of the song "Golden," the commen…
- Heroes Redeeming Villains
This episode of Superhero Ethics explores the complex ethics of villain redemption arcs, differentiating true transformation from mere alliance shifts. It examines how heroes like Spider-Man and the X-Men handle redemption and questions th…
- Voice Acting, Representation, and Nerdy Activism with JP Karliak
Voice actor JP Karliak joins Superhero Ethics to discuss how geek culture and superhero stories foster identity, community, and civic participation. Karliak shares insights from his roles and his work with Queer Vox and NerdsVote, emphasiz…
- Star Trek DS9's "Far Beyond the Stars": Race, Imagination, and Sci-Fi
The podcast episode analyzes Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's "Far Beyond the Stars," focusing on its critique of racism in science fiction, both historically and in contemporary times. It explores the episode's meta-commentary on the genre, p…
- The Natural: Redford, Baseball, & Mythology
This episode of Superhero Ethics discusses Robert Redford's career and the mythological aspects of baseball in "The Natural." It explores heroism, economics, sports fandom, and the symbolic role of athletes.
- Heretic: When Faith Meets Horror at Your Doorstep
This episode of Superhero Ethics analyzes the film Heretic, focusing on its depiction of a deadly religious debate between Mormon missionaries and a man played by Hugh Grant. It explores themes of faith, proselytizing, manipulation, and th…
- Body Snatching Through the Decades
This episode explores the Body Snatchers narrative across its film adaptations, analyzing how each version reflects the anxieties of its time, from Cold War paranoia to modern fears of replacement and AI.
- Horror & Ethics
In this episode of Superhero Ethics, Matthew and Riki delve into how horror media explores ethical discussions and societal fears, examining examples from classic films to modern thrillers and the evolution of horror tropes.
- The American Society of Magical Negroes
Matthew and Riki discuss the satirical film The American Society of Magical Negroes, examining the "magical Negro" trope, its presence in other films, and the movie's blend of social commentary and romantic comedy. They also consider the f…
- Fever Pitch and the Ethics of Fandom
Superhero Ethics explores sports fandom through the film Fever Pitch, examining its psychological and ethical dimensions, including social connections, obsession, and the lessons learned from disappointment.
- You and the Rom-Com Male Protagonist
In this episode, Matthew and Riki analyze Netflix's "You," exploring how the show critiques toxic masculinity and the problematic romantic tropes often found in 80s and 90s rom-coms. They debate the effectiveness of Joe Goldberg's unreliab…
- Andor, Cinta, and the “Bury Your Gays” Trope
This episode of Superhero Ethics analyzes the "bury your gays" trope, tracing its origins and impact on queer characters in media, including an examination of Cinta's death in Andor. It discusses social media
- Ironheart: Science, Magic, & Subverting Listener Expectations
This episode of Superhero Ethics examines Marvel's Ironheart, discussing Mephisto's nuanced role as a tempter rather than a traditional villain. The hosts explore Riri Williams' questionable moral choices and the show's subversion of audie…
- Fantastic Four: Reed as Villain?
Superhero Ethics explores the potential for Reed Richards to become a villain due to his cold logic, as seen in Fantastic Four: First Steps. The hosts debate his willingness to sacrifice his son Franklin and question whether pure logic, de…
- Superman 2025 • A Special Hiatus Episode
This episode of Superhero Ethics discusses James Gunn's Superman (2025), exploring themes of ethics, hope, and the power of choice. Hosts Matthew and Riki, joined by Jessica Plummer, delve into Superman's intervention in conflicts, Lois La…
- Thunderbolts* and Mental Illness
Hosts Riki and Matthew welcome returning guest Jessica Plummer to dive deep into Marvel's Thunderbolts* and its bold attempt to explore mental illness within the superhero genre. The discussion examines whether the film succeeds in portray…
- Severance • Season 2
Matthew and Riki dive into Severance Season 2, exploring the philosophical questions raised about identity, consciousness, and corporate culture while examining where the show succeeds and falls short in its sophomore season.Is Season 2 Li…
- Star Wars Generations: Andor Season 2 Special • Episodes 1-3
Star Wars and Superhero Ethics Crossover Episode: Andor Season 2While I try to keep the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics podcasts separate, with Andor hitting so many of the themes we talk about on Superhero Ethics, I wanted to s…
- The Making of a Nerd
Matthew and Riki welcome special guest Mandy Kaplan, comedian and host of the Make Me a Nerd podcast. They explore the journey of discovering nerd culture later in life, breaking down stereotypes about who gets to be a "nerd," and examinin…
- Fridging
"Women in Refrigerators": Understanding Fridging in Superhero MediaIn this eye-opening episode of Superhero Ethics, hosts Matthew and Riki tackle the controversial topic of "fridging" with special guest Jessica Plummer, a comic book histor…
- Remakes, Reboots, & Adaptations
Finding the Balance Between Innovation and AuthenticityMatthew and Riki dive into the complex world of remakes, reboots, and adaptations. The discussion was inspired by Matthew's disappointment with the new Daredevil series and explores wh…