Building the Perfect Hulk

04/20/21 • 56 min

The Hulk’s creation in 1962 was partly a result of the Cold War. His origin story is not only a metaphor for the fear and tension that permeated society during that time, but also a literal depiction of the capability of nuclear power. On this episode, Evan and Lorraine trace the evolution of The Hulk through the eyes of his creators, and look at how subsequent comic book runs have added pieces to the puzzle—from carefree Professor Hulk to seedy Gray Hulk to World War Hulk. And with the help of a psychologist, they dive into the psychology of the Hulk and Bruce Banner, and what they can tell us about anger.

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The Rise and Fall and Rise of Captain Marvel

In 1977, Ms. Marvel burst onto the scene and Carol Danvers went from side character to Super Hero. Taking on the honorific “Ms.,” she embodied the identity of the women’s movement in the United States. In this episode, Lorraine and Evan explore how Carol Danvers’ evolution has reflected wider societal trends—from clothing design to larger questions of agency and power. Along the way, they chat with some of the writers who shaped Ms. Marvel’s journey, from Carol Danvers to Kamala Khan.

Audio excerpt provided by the Texas Archive of the Moving Image, www.texasarchive.org.

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Marvel Knights

How did Marvel Knights — a now-legendary imprint created by Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti — save Marvel Comics from near-extinction? On this episode, Evan and Lorraine find out from the people who made it happen. They hear a firsthand account of how Quesada and Palmiotti went from co-founding an indie comic book label to marching into a meeting with the President of Marvel Comics, Joe Calamari, and requesting to be Marvel’s new co-Editors in Chief. They delve into the imprint’s experimental style, grim and grittier aesthetic, as well as its violent, realistic tone. Plus, they explore how the imprint’s risky decisions paid off.