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Artwork for Superhero Ethics

Superhero Ethics

Superhero Ethics
Marvel Cinematic Universe
Ethics
Cobra Kai
Superman
Superheroes
Daredevil
Andor
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Child Soldiers
Wonder Man
Racism
Star Trek
Artificial Intelligence
Anime
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Identity
Star Wars
Tuvix
Mental Illness
Social Commentary

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes395Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureTV & Film

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Artwork for Superhero Ethics

Latest Episodes

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.They start wit... more

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 halfway poi... more

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 have optic b... more

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 Project Hail ... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Pete Wright
Guest, Star Wars Generations contributor
Star Wars Generations
Episode: Maul: Truth-Teller, Manipulator, or Self-Deceiver? • Maul – Shadow Lord Discussion
Jessica Plummer
Regular guest on the podcast, focusing on comics and superheroes
Episode: Are Superheroes Cops? Cyclops, Green Lantern & ACAB
Becky Allen
Writer and returning guest
Episode: Project Hail Mary • Ethics in a Crisis
Matthew Carroll
Founder of Stranded Panda/MCU Podcast network; Star Trek enthusiast
Stranded Panda Network
Episode: Star Trek: Starfleet Academy and Its Future
Paul Christopher Hoppe
Guest expert on ethics and media influence
Zen Madman (writing blog)
Episode: What Made Us Rebel Scum? with Paul Hoppe
Helen McCarthy
Author of The Manga Bible; British author and publisher advocate
The Manga Bible (Book)
Episode: The Manga Bible with Author Helen McCarthy
Michael C. Bland
Author of "The Price of Safety"
Royal Castle Publishing
Episode: What Would You Pay for Safety? with Author Michael C. Bland
AK Ahab
Philosophy graduate student and returning guest
Episode: Frankenstein: Exploring Ethical Questions Across Mediums
Reverend Rachel
An Episcopal Priest and campus chaplain at Kenyon College, with a Ph.D. in Medieval Literature.
Diocese of Ohio, Kenyon College
Episode: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery • Theology, Patriarchy, and the Church's Sins

Hosts

Matthew
Host of the show with a focus on ethical analysis in superhero media.
Mandy Kaplan
Co-host of Make Me a Nerd and guest on multiple episodes, bringing a perspective on media analysis and pop culture.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 243 ratings
  • Thought Provoking!

    Update 5/27- I still love the content but Matthew needs a new/better mic. It’s incredibly difficult to hear them.

    I love this podcast! Always a great, thought provoking discussion about ethics in different movies. I’m a big Marvel fan but the movies deal with such huge ethical quandaries and it’s great t hear smart, nerdy people discuss them.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Jb.216
    United Statesa year ago
  • LOVE!!

    I’ve been listening to Superhero Ethics since 2020 and absolutely love this podcast. It’s unique from other superhero podcasts in that’s it doesn’t just say “I loved/hated this movie because…” and instead dives into the real world implications behind these pieces of superhero media. It’s insightful and honestly has made me a more thoughtful and overall better person in my day-to-day life. Matthew (the host) and all their guests are great and I would highly recommend!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sophia weasley
    United States3 years ago
  • VERY interesting content, but not accessible to listeners with misophonia. Host clears throat on mic.

    Podchaser
    3
    istillneedausernamequestionmark
    3 years ago
  • This is the place for deep dives on all your favorite geek media! Awesome hosts, awesome guests, awesome topics!!!

    Podchaser
    5
    Mark Garkusha
    4 years ago
  • Thought Provoking!

    I love this podcast! Always a great, thought provoking discussion about ethics in different movies. I’m a big Marvel fan but the movies deal with such huge ethical quandaries and it’s great t hear smart, nerdy people discuss them.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jb.216
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High-quality guests and thoughtful debates, though mic quality can occasionally be an issue in early episodes.
Thought-provoking discussions that challenge you to think deeper about ethics in cinema and television.
Smart, nerdy conversations that connect moral questions with popular stories.

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The Watch
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TV Is Good
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Blank Check with Griffin & David
Blank Check with Griffin & DavidBlank Check Productions

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What Made Us Rebel Scum? with Paul Hoppe
Q: What early media or childhood experiences shaped your rebellious worldview?
Paul explains that influences came from multiple sources, including Star Wars, Robin Hood, and Star Trek, and that often it was not a single moment but a pattern of media reinforcing a worldview that values resisting oppressive systems.
What Made Us Rebel Scum? with Paul Hoppe
Q: How do you define being a rebel?
Paul describes rebellion as a rejection of authority, but he emphasizes that this can be context-dependent and not necessarily political in every area; it involves choosing when and where to resist and when to acknowledge legitimate authority.
What Would You Pay for Safety? with Author Michael C. Bland
Q: What was the inspiration for this particular story?
The inspiration came from a realization during a subway ride in Chicago that while surveillance cameras watch us, no one is truly paying attention, which raised questions about privacy and security.
Black Superheroes & Black History Month
Q: Which Black character would you want to see adapted into a show or movie?
Curtis Metcalfe, Hardware, as he represents a multifaceted storyline exploring success through intellect and corporate challenges.
Black Superheroes & Black History Month
Q: What does it take for diversity in comic book characters to succeed?
It requires authentic storytelling, visibility through marketing, and room for creators of diverse backgrounds to develop these characters.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Superhero Ethics

What is Superhero Ethics about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show consistently centers ethical questions that arise in superhero media, sci-fi, and broader pop culture. Across episodes, conversations orbit around representation, surveillance, justice, and the moral complexities of power—often using iconic characters, films, and TV series as case studies. A notable strength is the ability to connect high-concept fantasy with real-world implications, exploring topics like consent, systemic bias, civic accountability, and the social impact of storytelling. Guests range from philosophers and theologians to critics and creators, which helps keep debates thoughtful, accessible, and applicable to both fans and professionals looking to understand how ethical questions translate into media strategies, br... more

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How many listeners does Superhero Ethics get?

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How many subscribers and views does Superhero Ethics have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Superhero Ethics?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Superhero Ethics:

1. Star Wars Generations Podcast • Beyond the Screen
2. Multiverse News
3. Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast
4. Commute | The Podcast
5. The ABINGERS - An MCU Podcast

How many episodes of Superhero Ethics are there?

Superhero Ethics launched 10 years ago and published 395 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Superhero Ethics?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Superhero Ethics?

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What guests have appeared on Superhero Ethics?

Recent guests on Superhero Ethics include:

1. Pete Wright
2. Jessica Plummer
3. Becky Allen
4. Matthew Carroll
5. Paul Christopher Hoppe
6. Helen McCarthy
7. Michael C. Bland
8. AK Ahab

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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