Superhero Ethics

Guardians 3 raised some important questions about how we treat animals, & Paul Hoppe joins me to talk about them. This episode came out of listener feedback and we also address a listener question about great power, great responsibility, and the relationship between podcasters and listeners. Bonus content for patrons about Batman & the Flash movie. Patrons get access to bonus content with every episode!To show your support for this podcast, and all things Ethical Panda, please join us at - https://www.patreon.com/theethicalpandaWe love feedback! To ask questions or let us know what you think, contact us atEmail: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comTwitter: @EthicalPanda77Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEthicalPandaOr go to our website www.theethicalpanda.com for more information, contact info and to find all of our podcasts!

My partner and I played through The Last of Us part 2, and Danielle and Matthew joined me to talk about all the great ethical questions this story raises. Whether or not you've played the game, we lay out the issues and story details so you can follow along- but there will be spoilers!Danielle (she/her) spends her days talking too much about Star Wars, MCU, and The Last of Us. She’s also a PhD researcher in Text & Image Studies, which basically means she gets read lots of comics and call it work. You can find her on TikTok at writteninthestarwars, Twitter at danies394, and Instagram at writteninthesw. You can find more of her content on the Bad Batch on Templeofgeek.com https://templeofgeek.com/author/danielle/Matthew Wilhelm Kapell has taught everything from human genetics to film studies at universities and colleges in California, Michigan, the UK, and now New York City at Pace University. Currently he edits an academic book series on the study of digital and tabletop games. You can find out about his b

If you could turn off your brain at work, create an entirely different version of yourself to get through the day, would you? Would that work version you create have its own rights? Can the body be severed from the body? The TV show Severance explores these questions and more, and Rob McKenzie joins me to dive into them. We walk through the show so whether you've never seen it or rewatched half a dozen times, this episode is for you.Patrons get access to bonus content with every episode! To show your support for this podcast, and all things Ethical Panda, please join us at - https://www.patreon.com/theethicalpandaWe love feedback! To ask questions or let us know what you think, contact us atEmail: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comTwitter: @EthicalPanda77Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEthicalPandaOr go to our website www.theethicalpanda.com for more information, contact info and to find all of our podcasts!

Becky Allen joined me to talk Shadow & Bone, season 2!Becky Allen is the author of Bound by Blood and Sand and its sequel, Freed by Flame and Storm. They grew up outside Ithaca, New York, graduated from Brandeis University, and now work in tech and live in New York with their sister and two little black cats, Jinx and Hex.Patrons get access to bonus content with every episode! To show your support for this podcast, and all things Ethical Panda, please join us at - https://www.patreon.com/theethicalpandaWe love feedback! To ask questions or let us know what you think, contact us atEmail: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comTwitter: @EthicalPanda77Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEthicalPandaOr go to our website www.theethicalpanda.com for more information, contact info and to find all of our podcasts!

Season 1 of The Last of Us is over, but we've still got a lot more to say!Prof. Dr. Mr. (not a Rev.) Matthew Kapell joins me to dive into some of the larger issues in this show and its connected video game. We talk about the big ethical choices at the end of the story, zombies vs vampires, why Americans in particular are so drawn to dystopian stories, and more!Matthew Wilhelm Kapell has taught everything from human genetics to film studies at universities and colleges in California, Michigan, the UK, and now New York City at Pace University. Currently he edits an academic book series on the study of digital and tabletop games. You can find out about his books and other stuff at matthewkapell.com. He never forgets that too many “Hero’s Journeys” are also “Heroine’s Ordeals.”Patrons get access to bonus content with every episode! To show your support for this podcast, and all things Ethical Panda, please join us at - https://www.patreon.com/theethicalpandaWe love feedback! To ask questions or let us know what y

Danielle and Erin join me to talk about The Last of Us: the choices made by the characters and what the show (and game) says about our conception of heroes & villains.Erin McGowan is a Twin Cities based cosplayer. she/her, who is new to cosplay and LOVING it. You can find her on Tik Tok & Instagram: ladytanocreatesDanielle (she/her) spends her days talking too much about Star Wars, MCU, and The Last of Us. She’s also a PhD researcher in Text & Image Studies, which basically means she gets read lots of comics and call it work. You can find her on TikTok at writteninthestarwars, Twitter at danies394, and Instagram at writteninthesw. You can find more of her content on the Bad Batch on Templeofgeek.com https://templeofgeek.com/author/danielle/Patrons get access to bonus content with every episode! To show your support for this podcast, and all things Ethical Panda, please join us at - https://www.patreon.com/theethicalpandaWe love feedback! To ask questions or let us know what you think, contact us a

Comics Guru Extrodinaire Jess Plummer joins us to talk about DC's upcoming slate of new TV shows and movies. Jessica Plummer lives in New York and loves Superman very very much. You can listen to just how much on her Superman podcast, Flights and Tights. She also writes about comics and books in general at BookRiot.com and contributed a short story to an anthology of modern Arthurian fiction called Stone, Sword, Table. Find her on Twitter @jess_plummer.Her article on What's next for DC Studios can be found here - https://bookriot.com/whats-next-for-dc-studios/Patrons get access to bonus content with every episode! To show your support for this podcast, and all things Ethical Panda, please join us at - https://www.patreon.com/theethicalpandaWe love feedback! To ask questions or let us know what you think, contact us atEmail: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comTwitter: https://EthicalPanda77Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEthicalPandaOr go to our website www.theethicalpanda.com for more information, contact info

Returning guests Danielle and Erin join me to talk about the first four episodes of The Last of Us, and the video game up to the same point. Patrons get access to bonus content with every episode! To show your support for this podcast, and all things Ethical Panda, please join us at - https://www.patreon.com/theethicalpandaDanielle (she/her) spends her days talking too much about Star Wars, MCU, and The Last of Us. She’s also a PhD researcher in Text & Image Studies, which basically means she gets read lots of comics and call it work. You can find her on TikTok at writteninthestarwars, Twitter at danies394, and Instagram at writteninthesw. You can find more of her content on the Bad Batch on Templeofgeek.com https://templeofgeek.com/author/danielle/Erin McGowan is a Twin Cities based cosplayer, she/her, who is new to cosplay and LOVING it. You can find her:Tik Tok @amateurahsokaInstagram: lady.tano.createsWe love feedback! To ask questions or let us know what you think, contact us atEmail: Matthew@TheEthi

Paul Hoppe joins me to talk about Batman: The Long Halloween, an animated movie based on the comics run of the same name.Patrons get access to bonus content with every episode! To show your support for this podcast, and all things Ethical Panda, please join us at - https://www.patreon.com/theethicalpandaWe love feedback! To ask questions or let us know what you think, contact us atEmail: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comTwitter: https://EthicalPanda77Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEthicalPandaOr go to our website www.theethicalpanda.com for more information, contact info and to find all of our podcasts!Paul Christopher Hoppe AKA ZenMadman is a writer, teacher, and student of poker, chess, language, and life. Find out more here: http://zenmadman.com/ https://patreon.com/zenmadman https://twitch.tv/zenmadman https://twitter.com/zenmadman

Ashley, Katy, & Mark join me to try and find the good parts in the first season of Willow. We had varied success, but we had a lot of fun talking about it!Ashley Coffin claims many titles, including Stranded Panda Supreme Leader, MCU Co-Host, Empress of all Things Thirst, F*ck Around & Find Out Enforcer, co-host of Bill & Ashley's Terror Theater, and frequent guest on both this and the Superhero Ethics Podcast including this one. She would also like you to tell your dog she said hi. Terror Theater Podcast- https://www.spreaker.com/show/bill-ashleys-terror-theaterKaty Brennan is a data analyst by day and cosplaying tabletop gamer by night who claims the honor of being our Supreme Leader's BFF. She is a cast member of The Cast Die Podcast (@castdiepodcast) and Crossroad Games (@CrossroadXGames). Follow her on socials @katyoladyMark Garkusha (@markdmitri) is an actor and VO artist whose voice you’ve probably heard during a commercial break. You can hear him play TTRPGs on The Cast Die Podcast (@CastD

Its been 10 years since Karl Urban kept his mask on for a full movie, but the questions that this story about police as judge, jury, & executioner raises continue to be relevant today. We talk about the movie, the issues it raises and how Karl Urban grunted so that Pedro Pascal could tilt his head.

Matthew and Paul talk about stuff they watched in 2022, as well as the future and history of Superhero Ethics.Paul Hoppe AKA ZenMadman lives in a cave on a mountain in the mind in Las Vegas, where they frequently talk about deleting all social media, yet can still be found at zenmadman.com and on Twitch, Twitter and YouTube as ZenMadman. They either will or won't start writing a bunch of stuff.

What happens when you mix Hebrew & Greco-Roman ideas of divinity into a single mythology? How does a story of a blessing for all become a center piece of consumerism? Prof Matthew Kappel joins me to talk about the Jesus birth narrative through the lens of mythology.

What is critical theory? Can we use it to analyze the superhero & sci-fi shows we love? Gabriel Cruz is an assistant professor of media studies at North Carolina Central University. He has a PhD in Media and Communication Studies from Bowling Green State University. His research areas include critical race, class, and gender analysis of superhero narratives as well as narrative analysis of white nationalist propaganda. In addition to creating social media content, Gabriel also hosts a podcast called "Office Hours with Dr. C" which centers around the analysis of popular culture.TikTok: gacruz_phdInstagram: gacruz_phdTwitter: gacruz_phdEmail: gacruzphd@gmail.comWebsite: https://gacruzphd.com/

With the new Willow series coming out we go back to the original, looking at one of the classic fantasy movies of the 80's- Willow! Mark Garkusha & Ashley Coffin, along with first time/long time Katy O'Leary Brennan join me to talk about epic storytelling, Val Kilmer in a pink skirt, and why this movie was an important part of our childhoods. Ashley Coffin claims many titles, including Stranded Panda Supreme Leader, MCU Co-Host, Empress of all Things Thirst, F*ck Around & Find Out Enforcer, co-host of Bill & Ashley's Terror Theater, and frequent guest on both this and the Superhero Ethics Podcast including this one. She would also like you to tell your dog she said hi. Terror Theater Podcast- https://www.spreaker.com/show/bill-ashleys-terror-theaterKaty Brennan is a data analyst by day and cosplaying tabletop gamer by night who claims the honor of being our Supreme Leader's BFF. She is a cast member of The Cast Die Podcast (@castdiepodcast) and Crossroad Games (@CrossroadXGames). Follow her on

Matthew and Paul discuss the Rings of Power and possibly write a better description at some point.

Ashley and Matthew discuss Dream, Desire and the rest of the Endless, Ashley's love for the sad goth boys, and Matthew's realization that much as they want to the brooding pretty boy, they will always be the bird who keeps the brooder company.

Jessica Plummer joins me to talk Black Adam! We talk about the ethical questions and international political issues the movie comments on, and whether any of it was intentional!Here are the links Jessica mentioned during our episodeHawkman: https://bookriot.com/hawkman/Black Adam's first appearance: https://bookriot.com/first-appearance-flashback-black-adam/Adrianna/Isis's history: https://bookriot.com/who-is-isis/

Jessica Plummer and Paul Hoppe join me to mark the passing of a superhero acting legend by talking about what made Kevin Conroy's portrayal of Batman so iconic, and some of our favorite moments of his work.Jess mentioned a number of articles worth checking out, and here are the links.Kevin Conroy Obituary: https://bookriot.com/kevin-conroy-iconic-voice-of-batman-has-died/Hawkman: https://bookriot.com/hawkman/Black Adam's first appearance: https://bookriot.com/first-appearance-flashback-black-adam/Adrianna/Isis's history: https://bookriot.com/who-is-isis/

Ashley Coffin joins me to talk all things House of the Dragon.