When two Jewish immigrants published a story in 1938 about a Superman, they birthed something that would take the 21st Century by storm: the superhero genre. And now 85 years later, many argue that the genre is running out of steam. We investigate how superheroes stay alive by blending with other genres, while wrestling with what this genre means for our lives, and whether or not it's time to move on to other kinds of stories. Join us for a celebration (and potential funeral) of a genre that's helped us all live a meaningful story.

Introduction (0:00)
Defining the Superhero Genre (4:26)
Romances & Superheroes [Spider-Man 2, The Amazing Spider-Man 2] (6:38)
Metaphysical Journeys & Superheroes [Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Across the Spider-Verse] (14:57)
Action & Superheroes [Captain America: Civil War, Kick Ass] (26:42)
Fantasy & Superheroes [Batman Returns, Zack Snyder's Justice League] (31:31)
Sci-Fi & Superheroes [Hancock, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Superman] (43:13)
War & Superheroes [X-Men: First Class, The Suicide Squad] (51:49)
Crime & Superheroes [The Dark Knight, The Batman] (59:54)
Westerns & Superheroes [Logan] (1:05:41)
Horror & Superheroes [Chronicle] (1:12:23)
Criticizing the Superhero Genre (1:16:38)