302. The Evolution of the Superhero Genre

In the 1950s there were the Adventures of Superman. In the 60’s it was Batman. The 70s brought us Wonder Woman on television, Star Wars, and Superman: The Movie. How did we get from that era to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Arrowverse, and today’s glutton of superhero content?

Robert Thompson is a Trustee Professor in the Television Radio Film Department of the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. He has been dubbed a “pop culture ambassador” by the Associated Press, Robert Thompson has contributed to hundreds of radio and TV programs and publications.

In this episode, Thompson traces the origins of superheroes in film and TV, and discusses how they had to cater to a mass audience, and thus lacked the substance that is seen in the current genre. He also breaks down the evolution from a 22-episode network series to a 6-, 8-, or 10-episode streaming show where each episode is a highly produced masterpiece.