Superhero Ethics

Who Watches the Heroes?When superheroes cause civilian casualties while trying to save the world, who holds them responsible? This episode dives deep into the complex ethics of superhero accountability, using Marvel's Civil War (the comics) and the MCU’s Captain America: Civil War (the movie) as starting points to explore broader questions about power, oversight, and responsibility.The discussion examines how superhero accountability parallels real-world debates about police, military, and government oversight. Matthew and Riki analyze different models of accountability, from internal team oversight to international bodies like the UN, questioning whether registration requirements are justified and what happens when good intentions lead to tragic outcomes.Can we trust those with extraordinary powers to regulate themselves? The hosts explore how the evolution of superhero stories mirrors changing public attitudes toward authority figures, shifting from unquestioned trust to demands for greater oversight. The c