we need more political superheroes

[@nicejohn8928]

A big issue I've had with most marvel (or other blockbuster superhero films) is that they feel they no longer capture any humans in their film. The films feel corporate in nature and watching them just reeks of that corporate control on a narrative. For me, Spiderman has always represented just any person who also has super powers, they're no billionaire, they're not in a giant superhero team, they are just a person.

[@makingmediamatter]

Couldn’t agree with this more!

[@luhgyzz9547]

He also happens to be a genius

[@actualnotanewbie]

I don't like seeing people make these sweeping generalizations about "modern Marvel" because you don't need to go that far back to see great Marvel media like Guardians Of The Galaxy Volume 3, X-Men '97, Loki, and more. There's still almost one excellent MCU or MCU-adjacent project that comes out each year.

[@crangejo]

That first sentence should get so much attention. This shitshow summarizes itself whenever two characters in completely black and white "good" and "bad" boxes, both hegemonically beautiful more often than not, throw punches and blasts that level buildings and crunch animators, coming out of it without even as much as a hair out of place, a drop of blood, a smear of dust on their attires. Then, you are not watching humans. Every aspect of it makes it what it is

[@Jack_Attack_2580]

Thank you for putting into words why Spider-Man is my favorite superhero, who has somehow become even more of a hero to me the older I get, and not because he can climb walls, swing from webs, and stop trains. That is something I simply couldn’t put into words myself.

[@justmickey142]

i think another point to add is hobie’s involvement in the story. i forgot the name of the youtuber, but there was a video named “when a deep character pretends to be shallow” or something like that and it breaks down how hobie goes against the spider society. though he doesn’t believe in labels, hobie’s an anarchist and in his introduction, he lists all the systems and practices he opposes, but also jokes around, painting him as an unserious character and one that’s in miles’ way. however, he never goes against miles and actually praises and uplifts miles during his highs and when he breaks canon. then, when the team goes to the spider society, hobie tries warning miles about the oppressive and inhumane nature of the society (the “go home” machine, telling miles he doesn’t need to be a part of the society to “fit in,” telling him to not join without fully understanding what the society’s about, and telling him to use his hands and not just his palms to escape the holding miguel puts him in). he knows the system’s going to get turned upside down with miles’ introduction to miguel and sees the writing on the wall. hobie does everything he can to help miles because he knows he wouldn’t be accepted because of his differences and just doesn’t believe the society is just. this is why we all love hobie and why he’s one of the best spidermen. great video 👍🏾

[@leroyjenkins3840]

Correct me if i'm wrong but are you thinking of Schnee?

[@justmickey142]

@@leroyjenkins3840 that exactly who it was. thank you 🙏🏾

[@kjj26k]

​@@justmickey142 Schnee just published another video for the first anniversary of _Across_ that is all about Gwen and it is mind-blowing good.

[@ambrosewyllt]

@@leroyjenkins3840 Schnee is so incredibly insightful

[@theIconstable]

I cannot begin to express how awesome it is to have positive anarchist representation in a piece of mass media.

[@nkosiezikalala5267]

My favorite Lines from this Movie are, and always have been: Gwen: "It's for your own good" Miles: "WHO DECIDES THAT!?" It's subtle and gets lost since Miguel berates Miles right after but encompasses the struggle people who are different (and choose to wear that difference) have to face philosophically, while choosing to be empathetic. "I'm listening to you, but it feels like you aren't listening to me. I'm willing to be convinced or have my mind changed but you won't tell me "Why". Only "What" you think is right." It's a powerful question with few real answers. Communication is only key when Understanding is present.

[@Rhetoricalquestion-m6c]

Beautifully said

[@Suited_Nat]

Honestly super well said! I feel this. People will say this about queer people constantly. “You don’t know yourself” as if my own life wasn’t my own proof.

[@c.j.lawrence7486]

One thing I really like about Gwen’s arc in this story is that there are more complex reasons given as to WHY Gwen has joined Miguel’s system. In most superhero movies, a character joins a villainous or antagonistic organization because THEY themselves BELIEVE in the cause of these villains. In this way, antagonists are clearly painted as “evil” so the good characters can oppose them in a simple, binaristic way. Gwen, however, is not really “drinking the Kool aid” of Miguel’s whole system. It’s clear she has doubts, but the main reason why she stays is because she has no where else to go. In most of Across the Spiderverse, we cannot forget the fact that Gwen is literally homeless after having run away from her home universe and deciding to join Miguel and supposedly live in his home universe. She sides with his system because it was the one thing that was able to provide her a home and security after the trauma of having to run away from a parent that had literally threatened violence to her in their last interaction. This is why seeing queer subtext in Gwen’s character was such a common thing amongst audiences, she has to grapple with the very common reality homelessness while still having to maintain the courage to challenge the system that could be providing her any kind of safety net or home in the first place.

[@Scarfgirl]

I think she also is enthralled with the idea of FATE that Miguel clings to with his Canonverse stuff. Imagine having the weight of the world on your shoulders after losing your best friend and maybe losing your father, and someone else comes along and tells you it was fate that killed him, that you couldn't have saved him no matter what.....he instantly lifted all that guilt from her.

[@leirbag1595]

Gwen's story in the film reminds weirdly about a person being dragged into a cult. She's at her lowest point, desperate for meaning and with nowhere to go, then someone presents her all this rhetoric about how her struggles are just meant to be, and it's best for everyone if it's this way. The whole Spider Society feels like a cult, really. Especially with the way that Miguel publicly berates and isolates first Miles, then Gwen, while re-asserting his position.

[@robinasterisk]

I remember watching this in theatres and being unable to stop thinking abt it for a week

[@madeeha.2006]

me but for a year atp 😭🙏🏽

[@charssfx]

same but for me it was like 6 months 💀

[@ItsAK9]

Miles is genuinely one of the best superheroes to exist in a hot minute. Spiderverse is immensely passionate and I'm extremely happy and thankful it even exists in this raw fashion.

[@Surftheweb_1]

It is a shame that majority of current superhero media in film are so scared of being a little subversive, especially when some of the greatest stories from comics came from addressing real-world problems and seeing how characters respond to it. I feel like X-Men 97 really captured that, and I loved that they kept the beating heart of what they stand for very clear. Great video!

[@Peasham]

The MCU unironically saying that Tony was right when he said the world needed to be a police state ran by superheroes was always morbidly hilarious.

[@channel45853]

Do you have proof that they are though? How could you even prove such a claim?

[@Peasham]

@@channel45853 I mean, the proof is that the movies aren't subversive and don't deal with real world problems lol

[@CyborgSnake2042]

We were able to be a little subversive back then because people were mature back then and can handle political conversations. Now, the politics today is too toxic and unhealthy for anyone to deal with. I say NO to political superheroes. It's not that I dislike politics in entertainment, it's that people cannot handle it or even do it properly.

[@thirdcoinedge]

X Men 97 really feels like the first thing in a long while out of Marvel Studios to feel like it is ABOUT something. I haven't watched anything out of Disney Marvel with this much political subtext since Black Panther, it's honestly such a breath of fresh air.

[@thenumberIX]

Fucking love spiderverse especially as a young black man that wished to have a hero like miles on the big screen when I was a kid

[@bryanmb9994]

And the fact is not just a black spiderman but his real own character is MUCH better

[@coolestbean24]

Feel that but kinda on the other side. I wish I had Puerto Rican men to look up to in the big name stuff but now that people have it now like you do its amazing :)

[@hwanniggles187]

Boy do I have news for you. Miles is also Puerto Rican. ​@@coolestbean24

[@calebsolonas6085]

​@@coolestbean24 isnt spiderman 2099 puerto rican or am i mistaken

[@malum9478]

@@calebsolonas6085 miguel is mexican and irish. they emphasized his latino roots in spiderverse(which is a good idea to me). miles and his -fine ass- ma are puerto rican.

[@Numbskill]

There’s actually been something that came out very recently that reinforces the point of this video; X-Men ‘97. And it is the best thing Marvel Studios/Marvel Animation has put out in a very long time. It doesn’t shy away from any of the political themes of the original show, and instead doubles down and really challenges the characters and their ideals against the world at large. It literally moved me to tears.

[@Doomsword0]

It also worries me for when mcu marvel does the x-men because I doubt they will let them get so real and so political

[@Numbskill]

@@Doomsword0 True. But even if that's the case, I'm glad that we got the real X-Men back in animation.

[@Doomsword0]

@@Numbskill absolutely!

[@kwakusmall5706]

Definitely the right choice to remake the title and thumbnail. Saw it at first and kind of skipped it for later but with this one i clicked it immediately

[@makingmediamatter]

Biggest thing I’ve learned about KZbin is when something isn’t working, change it! Happy to hear this thumbnail clicked with you

[@books2438]

What was it before?

[@Rahimahah]

​@@books2438 the thumbnail before wais the same words on rhe thumbnail now expect with gwen stacy

[@books2438]

@@Rahimahah Huh, weird this one has such a different impact then

[@checkeredslime9478]

Miles iin Spider-verse: Absolute king Miles in the Insomniac games: Goober

[@Chip_Are_Fun]

He is a king AND a goober

[@wormbag80]

He is both

[@crangejo]

He's SUPER based on his debut game. What he learns throughout the story really got to me

[@Cdr2002]

@@crangejo I really like his subplots in the second game as well, but I think the main story doesn’t give him much to do unfortunately

[@travisperkins9920]

With great King, Comes great Goober.

[@josiadorthestrong1031]

Kind of disappointed you didn’t talk about Hobie Brown, Spider Punk, at all, considering he’s an explicitly political character based on a political subculture. He reinforces a lot of the themes of the movie, and serves as the more experienced activist helping the new generation find their footing and start their own fight against the system.

[@SoloQueueSuffering]

One of the biggest things lost with the whole "multiverse" kick superhero films have been on recently is that they cycle out the fighting of social injustices with big explosions and ridiculous action sequences. Spider-Verse shows that you can do both at the same time, have a crazy action movie with extreme themes that are practically in your face

[@Cdr2002]

Remember when multiverse stories were “go to the universe where authoritarianism won and punch it in the face”? I miss stuff like that

[@channel45853]

@@Cdr2002 not every superhero story should do the same thing with the same concepts. If you want that, then why not go and play Injustice 1 and 2? Or read those comics?

[@Cdr2002]

@@channel45853 I hate injustice because those stories are more about being edgy and making familiar heroes evil and killing off characters gratuitously. I wasn’t saying every superhero story should be the same, what I was trying to articulate is that there was a time where the multiverse was not necessarily the antithesis to deeper themes as it’s seen as now, something SpiderVerse itself is proof of, and I used one archetype of story as an example

[@Jack_Attack_2580]

As a white, straight, cisgender male, who grew up middle class, the entirety of this video (as well as both Into and Across the Spider-Verse) resonates with me on a very personal level. I remember a year ago when I watched Across the Spider-Verse in theaters with my dad, and how I got a crazy amount of goosebumps at Miles’ “everyone keeps telling me what I’m ‘supposed’ to be! Nah, imma do my own thing” sequence in the film. For so long, I have felt like society, my family, my peers, friends, girlfriends, and even complete strangers have been trying to tell me what I should be or do with my life. No, I’m not going to drop out of college to chase some crazy dreams, because I don’t have any of those, but I have dropped out of 2 semesters of college now, because of anxiety and depression I was diagnosed with, thanks to a world that continues to beat me down, right after I feel like I have accomplished something great. I am a Christian, and I do believe strongly in a God who is real and loves all of us here on earth, no matter what kind of lives we lead. But even if I do believe He has a plan for me, I still feel like sometimes there’s something “wrong” with me because I don’t “fit” into His plan. And I’m not saying I know better than Him (I have never nor would ever claim so) but I know now that He doesn’t want me to “fit perfectly” into anything; because I’m not a puzzle piece, I’m a human being. All of this being said, even if I do work up the courage to say “nah, imma do my own thing” I still feel like Miles does when all the people he thought he could trust turn against him, when Gwen, someone he genuinely believed in and trusted and was in love with and (probably) loved, lied to him. When he lands in the wrong universe, and nothing is as it’s supposed to be. But every now and then, thanks to a rallying pep talk from my mom (similar to Rio’s “little boy to little man” pep talk in the first act) or someone believing in my VERY unconventional way of doing things (like how Peter B. loves Miles for his individuality when it comes to being Spider-Man) or if it’s trying to balance responsibility and power and/or fun, while always trying to look on the bright side, mostly with my very awkward sense of humor (“unless you bake two cakes” or “well… there’s a first time for everything, right?”) something helps me to *always get back up.* And that something is how, at the end of the day, like Gwen, I can be myself, and accept myself for who I am, even if others or society or even my own family may be against me, and still mend/fix/heal those relationships I have with my family; both those who I didn’t choose, and those who I *do* choose. I have hope, that like Miles, I can say “nah, imma do my own thing”, and those who truly love me will stand by my side. And my mistakes, how I’ve been hurt, etc., will never change who I am, just like how nothing will ever be able to change that *Miles IS SPIDER-MAN* Thank you for this video. And thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.

[@oongloose-moogloose-rl3dm]

My man literally going on a Man vs God character arc there, woah. Really relate to the college thing, I'm in a similar situation right know. I know I must get the degree but I also know that if I come back to that sinkhole barely trying to disguise itself as an university that would be only to burn this place down. Also, you're right about there being a greater purpose to people's lives. Stay strong, you will figure out how to fit in into yours your own way one day👊

[@KaynaSketches]

Watching itsv in theatres at 9 years old will always be something I consider a huge moment in my life. I've rewatched it multiple times a year since, it means so much to me. I wasn't able to watch atsv in theaters, but when I was finally able to watch it a few months later, ive rewatched THAT movie at least 5 times since.

[@TheLongestTake]

Both soundtracks of Into and Across have been FIREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[@windghost2]

I'm so excited for the soundtrack for BTSV.

[@crangejo]

yeah like the level of artistic expression and beauty is just integral throughout

[@senspideyfan]

We need more stories as unapologetic as Superman Smashes the Klan

[@guzax729]

Jon Favreau wanted to do alcoholic Iron Man, but RDJ’s wife said no because she was afraid he might relapse

[@immanuel7925]

What I think makes superhero content struggle with politics is that the superhero itself is a highly questionable role to take. I've recently been thinking about it, but 'Who Watches the Watchmen?' as a sentence just slaps the idealization of the superhero away. The concept that a lone individual, gifted some divine moral compass along with his abilities, gets to be a hero is anti-revolution. There is no collective organizing around Spider-Man. He never gets anyone's permission to do any hero activity, even when he could be doing so at the detriment of others. He hands perps over to the police system, believing they will somehow help. And that's all because a superhero is a libertarian fantasy. At least from my view. Libertarian fantasies often involve a struggle against a system for its inability to mobilize effectively -- not because of it's particular beliefs. So Spider-Man may be a bug to Police, but he helps cops because they ineffective. He doesn't actually oppose or even really question police investigation. Furthermore, the focus on an individual rising to the occassion emphasizes the self-regulatory ideas in libertarian thought. In other words, Libs often argue that government steps in where individuals would be perfectly capable of self-regulating. The superhero is literally society producing a more effective police officer than any government sanctioned authority. This is also why I hesistate to consider this film actually political in an anti capitalist, leftist way. The film's clearest message is anti conformity, anti authoritarian, but in what direction? The last film will probably answer that question.

[@makingmediamatter]

Very interesting point, certainly something to think about and I agree that some superheroes are a libertarian fantasy. I will say, for Spider-Man though, I believe interpretation can run a bit different because it is so much about an average person being given a great responsibility and putting it to good use. Spider-Man is always about the community and helping the little guy, kind of setting him apart from a more libertarian superhero.

[@thewrens_]

@@makingmediamatter And not only that, but across the spiderverse DOES show a Spiderperson going against a corrupt justice system - Gwen. Her and her father's arcs in this film start with him betraying his own daughter for the police force, and the culmination of those arcs is that he quits - and they reconcile. It is honestly insane how these two films manage to completely deconstruct the entire idea of a superhero and rebuild it from the ground up as a metaphor for a billion different things.

[@sageoverheaven]

Your comment comes off as intensely jaded, specifically on the point that superheroes are 'gifted' their moral compass. Let's talk in Spider-man's context. His moral compass and overwhelming sense of duty come from the death of Uncle Ben, which happened because he looked the other way that night at the wrestling stage backroom. He learned at the cost of his father figure's life that with great power, there must also come great responsibility, and this sense of duty is something that constantly fucks with his life-Peter Parker's life. Maintaining a moral compass is a focal point of conflict in so much Superhero media. The core lesson is that one man gaining such power has an even larger duty to his fellow man to use that power to leave the world a better place than it was before the power manifested. For characters like Spider-man and Batman, they are the furthest thing from a libertarian fantasy. Their no-kill rule and constantly doing things by the book when it comes to apprehending criminals represents a faith in the establishment, and more often, a faith in these wayward villains-who took a dark path and abdicated on the responsibility that comes with the great power they were gifted-to turn their lives around and re-integrate into society. Respectfully, I think the point of superheroes went extremely far above your head. They are not an indictment of the common man's ability to mobilise. Some of the best scenes in Superhero media come from places like Spider-Man 2 (the citizens protecting an unmasked Spider-man after he stopped the train) and the JLU Episode, "Patriot Act" (where the citizens rally to protect the B- and C-list heroes from General Eiling, who was launching a pre-emptive strike against their parade so he can prove capable of protecting the people he's resultantly tormenting, from those heroes who are protecting them in the moment-that old woman standing up for Shining Knight hammers the point of superheroes home).

[@immanuel7925]

@@sageoverheaven @sageoverheaven I think my point of view is not jaded. First, I want to say I am not a libertarian. My understanding of libertarianism draws from a mix of meeting actual libertarians and of course some Ayn Rand books. From this, I synthesized the idea of a libertarian fiction. And Second, your view of libertarianism is incredibly jaded. Let's view the concept of communities helping and saving the superheroic individual. Libertarians actually do encourage community aide through charity. In fact, one large part of libertarian views of society is that the rich and better off have a natural duty to be charitable, and should be charitable on their own terms. Your point about superheroes wanting to help their fellow man and having a righteous responsibility to to do so? It fits the libertarian view. Let's go further. Communities protecting the superhero. This is a common trope in superhero content, but it's mostly symbolic-- that society naturally sides with superheroes isn't developed deeply in Marvel Comics. Spider-Man doesn't engage in community activism on a consistent level, nor involves the community in how to tackle crimes or particular criminals in most media. Batman, Superman, Green Arrow, Wonder Woman etc are even further from the community orientation. Even the idea of some form of community / governmental regulation is consistently shot down in comics. Waller and the Super Hero Registration act are great exhibitions about how comics have been anti regulation (even though miller intended for Pro Reg to be the right side, his writing leans heavily anti Registration). The Film Civil War emboldens this anti regulation ethos. Communities protect the superhero, sure, but it is a symbolic act. At the end of the day, the superheroes are still those unique individuals who are incredibly charitable to the everyman. And at the end of the day, community involvement is limited to consent or non consent. Even when people seem to not consent, they are often misconstrued as wrong or misled. There rarely super hero comics where the idea that a superhero has messed up is taken with serious, long term repercussions on their affect with their community at large. As for the principles of self regulation I brought up, you never really answered that. Superheroes are inherently a self regulatory principle. They pop out to fight the crime thay formalized police and governments fail to do. I also never claimed the common man could not mobilize. In fact, Libertarians claim that common people are often more effective than systems. Spider-Man, a common man with power, is more effective that police. Batman can't trust Arkham Asylum, because the place barely helps its patients. The whole point I made earlier was about systems like the police, government anti crime programs etc. Superheroes actively work alongside the police but never with them, in Hope's they aren't limited by the red tape of the system. An example is in the Dark Knight, where Batman compromises the red tape to bring a criminal back to Gotham. Iron Man also massively distrusts the gov in Iron Man 1 such that when they ask him for access to weapons he decline, arguing him alone having access to it is good. I'd argue Libertarians are actually TOO optimistic in their view of the natural kindness of individuals. All of what you said (natural moral compass coming from trauma, superheroes have faith in people etc) doesn't contradict the focus of a libertarian narrative : on the (almost) endless moral and self regulatory power of the individual, which overrides any government power. Individuals can, according to libertarians, on their own have little incentives to be charitable and be charitable anyway. Isn't that the entire view of being a superhero? On the other hand, I will admit more radical forms of superheroes do exist. The new Static Shock comic opens with a BLMprotest, and has most of Statics's community know he is a superhero. They consent to his action, which often involves saving members of the community from a government wanting to oppress them. Static is so tapped in with his community that he is indeed a legt leaning superhero by definition. The 1993 comic also emphasizes restorative views on justice over actual crime, with Static often pausing throughout the run before handing criminals over to cops to actually talk about why they are criminals. To be fair, Spider-Man does have some traits of Static in some comic runs (see the JMS run). However they are fe and far between in modern comics.

[@danielfletcher706]

same, the message is there it's just superficial

[@darksoulsthanos9940]

Spider-Man has always been woke, except for that weird Ayn Rand phase Peter went through but theres a reason nobody talks about that.

[@makingmediamatter]

Lollll yes the Ayn Rand Peter arc was crazy I forgot about that

[@immanuel7925]

Ayn Rand Peter was a product of Steve Ditko writing the books. But I actually appreciate it, because it allowed us to understand people can have flawed models that still lead to some sort of heroism. Peter grows out of it, but the idea of a teenager sort of believing he's better than others never fazed me. Peter was an introverted nerd who (in his introduction) claims people are going to regret it when he gets on top (something similar to this). What is really sad is that Peter's character arc from nerdy asshole with a chip on his shoulder and a 'woe is me' perspective into a much more mature adult is gone. Peter's been flattened down into a comfortable, consumable 'nice guy' whose worst traits are 'trying to save everyone' or 'forgetting to go out with his girlfriend'.

[@ummmmmmmmmmmnmmmm]

I've never heard of the Ayn Rand Peter arc but it sounds like the type of story that would be adapted if we ever got a "Zack Snyder's: Spider-Man"

[@Nortarachanges]

@@immanuel7925, yes this! I feel the same about trying to pretend Sue Storm has always been a strong, independent, fearless, serious woman. We can have a submissive woman learn to stand on her own two feet. That can and does happen

[@crangejo]

@@immanuel7925 don't recall if it was exactly like that, but those ideas are what makes me love Spectacular Spidey so much, I consider it the best adaptation of Peter Parker. At a lot of moments, he's just flawed, even shitty, authentically a teenager in those aspects. His maturing throughout the episodes, sometimes even revisiting specific growth from previous episodes (I'm envisioning the "antidote" thing), are what make me respect his character SO much on that one

[@randomguyonyt1009]

theres a reason that movies end up failing more and more we don't need politics in superheroes

[@Peasham]

One of the most successful movies, superhero and not, of all time is the one where the message is that the world should be a Fascist police state.

[@erictrobin]

The fringe and derange politics of a cabal of lunatics... of course it'll fail!

[@randomguyonyt1009]

@@erictrobin nah im talking about trying to force real world politics into movies will make it bad shit like the hunger games and other movies like that are great

[@NealaBeala]

Amazing video. I feel like the MCU, the avengers specifically, has a very pro authority undertone. As I've grown up more I've actually leaned more towards the X-Men and the Justice League, people who were not brought together through government for a supersoldier authority, but all individually chose to do good coming together to support each other, with both teams having very openly pushed against authority and fight for the rights of those who are left behind by political figures.

[@Cdr2002]

What I find kind of interesting that there was a time where the Avengers, including Captain America himself, were very anti-authority. Steve Rogers broke away from the US government, eventually reclaimed his mantle that they took legal ownership of, and self-sanctioned the parole of three former criminals as members of the Avengers. I think the push to bring the team more in line with answering to an authoritative body (Civil War comic, the Ultimates, MCU for the most part) has been a response to 9/11 and the increase of patriotism/nationalism and rallying towards this country’s authoritative bodies rather than away from them that we saw happen a lot after the attacks. The Avengers as I see it are still seeing the affects of that. I definitely recommend their books from the 60s-90s. You might find something closer to what you get out of the X-Men and Justice League, who I love as well don’t get me wrong

[@NealaBeala]

@@Cdr2002 Thank you so much for the recommendations! I'm definitely going to look up these plotlines more! 💕 I knew very early Captain America had a different tone but it's been hard with the popularity of the MCU to find and talk about more of these comics.

[@Cdr2002]

@@NealaBeala I would again skew to prior decades regarding Cap, especially the books that released around the time of the Watergate scandal. You may be very surprised by what you find. I would also highly recommend the Captain America and the Falcon books from the 70s

[@WarpSonic]

...I didn't feel that. Considering how many conflicts in the MCU are caused by evil politicians. Not to mention the first two iron Man movies seem unapologetically libertarian to me ("I have privatized world peace")

[@DionPanday]

But only the politics I agree with of course

[@TheMan05555]

They’ll look for anything. In LOTR, the men of the West have to remove monsters and less civilized men, along with restoring the Gondorian Monarchy, everything that liberals hate.

[@Peasham]

Would be extremely hard to make right wingers into heroes yes

[@DionPanday]

@@Peasham only because you don’t agree with their politics

[@Peasham]

@@DionPanday Nah, because they'd be fighting innocent people and any form of societal progress.

[@DionPanday]

@@Peasham Why would you think that?Anyone can be a hero, no matter their race, sex, religion or political affiliation, that’s the entire point of a hero 🤦‍♂️

[@cat5220]

I don't think making a superhero movie political is necessarily the recipe for success. I think it comes down to HOW the writers sneak the message into the story. Absolutely nobody likes being told what they should think. Having a message shoved down your throat isn't entertaining. Buttttt when the message is well-incorporated into the themes, character arcs and defining plot points, it becomes powerful. _Especially_ if it's written in such a way that you get to make up your own mind.

[@Peasham]

You say that, and yet God Loves Man Kills is highly regarded as one of the best comic books ever made, to say nothing of Watchmen. And no, neither of these are subtle, and both focus infinitely more on telling their message than on any aspect of storytelling.

[@nscott1234]

Your channel definitely deserves more recognition, I always love your perspective and analysis on media

[@suga1180]

Naaah, I think we are good.

[@xaviercopeland2789]

I don’t see how this has to do with politics. Culture, yes, but politics, no.

[@Peasham]

What else do you think culture is?

[@thomasbardoux1692]

​@@Peasham many thing. Politic is an extremely p Specific thing

[@erictrobin]

For activists, everything is political. And anything is political enough.

[@DoneFo]

Spider verse analysis videos are always top class. There’s just so much to talk about and dig into. Also I love the chill intro.

[@VvEdits137]

“I know writers who use subtext, and they're all cowards.” ― Garth Marenghi

[@standowner6979]

That's pretty dumb

[@thirdwheel9938]

I feel like the average person rn is a bit too dumb to deserve subtext tbh, like you could literally spell out a message and it'd still fly over their heads

[@nononope75]

​@@thirdwheel9938 Fallout, _cough_ The Matrix, _cough cough_ there's really just so much that goes over people's heads

[@fakeartgoddess_]

@@nononope75 Ok honestly whenever stories use subtext I'm always confused or misinterpret it so yeah ig only smart ones can interpret them

[@Here_is_Waldo]

Is the subtext or allegory better or worse than just telling the message outright? Is Gwen's story about being kicked out of home a better way to point out what people go through, or would just having an LGBT person kicked out of home for being gay be more meaningful and productive?

[@Someguywithalotoftism]

I love your analysis of this film! It really goes to show how good art can be when handled with care and thought

[@wynneoverbeck]

I absolutely adore this movie. When I saw it I was overwhelmed by how much I loved it. Gwen’s story in particular spoke to me as a Trans Woman. I’m generally not much of a fan of Superhero movies, more often than not I tend to be underwhelmed by them, That said I love superhero Comics and Cartoons and like yourself I’m a huge fan of the X-Men and am very wary of how the MCU will handle them. This movie embodied for me everything I love about Marvel Comics from the humanity of the characters, the gorgeous and breathtaking Art, the world that’s simultaneously grounded and fantastic, to the transgressive quality that in its political and thematic messaging world building and even its narrative construction. It reminds me so much of the marvel comics from the 60s-80s that were always shaking up the idea of what could be done in a superhero comic. The whole film can be summed up by a speech Steve Rogers gave In Captain America #130 “There’s nothing sacred about the status quo - and there never will be”. Miles’s stand against Canon and the systems it represents is so wonderfully poignant in a world that trying to beat us down and make us conform every day for just being who we are, “ Nah I’ll do it my own way” That aspect of the film is what made it for me, that transgressive take felt so fresh and so true to its source material and source medium in way that other superhero films especially live action ones don’t. The MCU is so bland by comparison, the lack of bite or even true humanity in its films leaves me unable to really remember them or care. But this and other animated superhero projects like X-Men 97 or My adventures with Superman have given me hope for this genre.

[@wynneoverbeck]

Also don’t mean to imply there aren’t great and inventive comics coming today or since the 80s from marvel there totally are and have been. To name a few in the last few years there’s the Krakoa era of the X-men, Immortal Hulk, the current Ultimate Spider-man, the Original Ultimate Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel 2014, Gwenpool, Jason Aaron’s Thor, Alias, Spider-man Life story are just some of the many other great books that have come out in the last 20 years to today. I specifically refer to that era as that’s where a bulk of my reading has been but also because these were times where the industry began to rapidly evolve creatively after the CCA was implemented.

[@wynneoverbeck]

Continued from above Particularly in comparison to the generally safer and more corporate DC comics of the era.

[@stadic5311]

Eh I perfer escapism we already have a lot of films with identity politics whats Important is character and making them feel human idc what their social political views are.

[@Peasham]

Why do you wanna escape from different identities

[@stadic5311]

@@PeashamEscape from the real world Is what I meant

[@kingkwon8002]

@@Peasham🤦🏾‍♂️

[@Peasham]

@@stadic5311 Oh, so you don't watch media with humans in it?

[@rodrigo_tm]

@@Peasham are you stupid?

[@Kat-ff6bg]

Fantastic work on the analysis! You really captured some of the reasons I resonated with this film so much, and I've generally loved how much love people are giving ATSV as it sets itself apart from the genre. Great job!

[@braxtoncruz831]

So huge of you to use your platform for activism. Such an important message to share, too. Major respect earned right now. Great job on the video too. It looks great and helped open my eyes to some things I didn't even see when watching the movie. Thank you.

[@jenniferpowell597]

Israel needs help not Palestine

[@braxtoncruz831]

@@jenniferpowell597 Ok, boomer.

[@thomasantrobus8261]

I can’t help but get emotional when I see people sharing the way I’m feeling. Thank you for this video.

[@Ghost-Toast819]

I don’t know that more political messaging is necessary in the media in general and especially it in movies. The beautiful thing about this movie and its message is that it’s Al vaguely tied together. Gwen as far as we know is a heterosexual and cis gendered woman but her struggle is similar to that of queer people. Isn’t that what we are missing from that debate? That we all have struggles as that ones you strip away the labels and filters they are all the same. I think defining the messages that are being presented in the movie as being for one demographic or another only creates more division. This kind of hammering of messages is also what spurs opposition and makes people not want to listen. It’s a key component of a persuasive narrative. If they are too overbearing people throw their guard up and often refuse to change but when you draw connections between struggles they begin to consider the similarities and if they don’t align their beliefs the do still respect the beliefs of others. Against this movie accomplishes this rather well and I think it’s because they focused on the narrative and message RATHER than focusing on politics like so many other movies today.

[@Peasham]

The entire movie's conceit is political, as it's there to humiliate people who hate Miles for political reasons. Further, you can't reach people who argue against basic human rights in the first place.

[@Ghost-Toast819]

@@Peasham they don’t hate miles for political reasons at all. Also stating you can reach people who argue against human rights is both defeatist and untrue. If that were the case we would not have made the progress we have in recent decades or even centuries. Yes sometimes you fight for them but in recent history it’s been far more common to persuade people.

[@Peasham]

@@Ghost-Toast819 They explicitly hate Miles for political reasons. All the progress we've achieved so far has exclusively been a result of violence.

[@Ghost-Toast819]

@@Peasham did people die for women to get the right to vote? Did people die for homosexual marriage to be legalized? Both are examples of things changing in a civil manner. Do people still disagree? Yes but not enough to turn to violence in most cases. (Select cases are exceptions to the rule and offer very little data on society as a hole). Also miles is disliked because he is “not Canon” not because he’s black. Sure you can argue that they have a “in universe political agenda of maintaining the canon” but that doesn’t support the original videos claim that we should have more political movies/heros. If they hated him for being black than hobie would be discriminated against too, and Miguel ojera is also a minority and he’s the main villain. So in what way is miles opposed in a political way?

[@Peasham]

@@Ghost-Toast819 Yes, both of those groups had thousands dead in the ground before actual change happened and both of those groups had used violence to have change happened. The suffragettes and stonewall were the opposite of peaceful. Also uh.. no, Miles is canon, that has nothing to do with anything. What Miguel says to Miles when insulting him is partly why people hate him, and the "canonicity" concerns the fact that Miles is different to other Spider-Men, not that he's non-canon.

[@MaxNeck]

We really do live in a politically addicted generation that can't perceive issues, characteristics, and life styles that exist outside of politics.

[@Peasham]

Oh no, the existence of minorities and women was always politicized by the right wing

[@AnyaMae027]

Fantastic per usual!! So sad we didn't get to watch these movies together before I left school, but I loveee hearing your thoughts on it!

[@makingmediamatter]

Thank you!!!

[@lyudmilapavlichenko7551]

As a gen X and T, Spiderman was my favorite Saturday morning cartoon. The Ramones cover of the theme song is still on my Playlist.

[@MetatronsRevenge613]

As a Jewish person, Magento was and is the goat

[@malum9478]

...there's a joke somewhere in here about the irony of a jewish person talking up a genocidal jewish superhero who believes that he and his ilk are the masterrace and that all humans should die.

[@thirdwheel9938]

Oh man Magneto is so cool...!! The x-men in general make me question if any of the annoying "I don't want politics in my comics" crowd have actually touched a comic in their lives or if they're just posers lol

[@channel45853]

But Magneto is supposed to, ironically, be a mutant with Hitler's idelogy. The point of his character is to show how the oppressed can become oppressors.

[@DionPanday]

@@channel45853 don’t try to tell them, they won’t understand Magneto is not a good guy

[@ManniLive]

Tunnel Jew

[@GingerAle4Life]

Hell no! I don't want politics in my entertainment is that so hard?

[@Peasham]

It is actually, as your favorite entertainment contains politics.

[@Kyorinmaru]

I don't want it contain the politics I don't like. That's it. I don't want to be force fed lies.

[@RJH755]

Assuming the third film sticks the landing, Spider-Verse will probably be my favourite film trilogy of all time

[@makingmediamatter]

Same

[@Theresa-uj4le]

Its so amazing to watch a film that hits me as a hopeful but impassioned answer to the stuggles of real life, and give me more to take home with me! Spiderverse and Everything Everywhere felt close to home and gave me a new perspective

[@HunterXHunterLover4]

Everyone is sick and tired of politics nowadays, no one wants to have filthy rich corporations shove politics down our throats

[@Peasham]

See that's funny considering the most popular and profitable movies of the modern era, not sure that checks out.

[@HunterXHunterLover4]

@@Peasham nowadays people would want to see your live destroyed, just because of your politics, not sure if that’s what the world and movie industry should focus on

[@Peasham]

@@HunterXHunterLover4 "Nowadays" lmaoo back in my day if you were any flavor of LGBTQ+ you'd have gotten lynched and god forbid you were an outspoken minority or an atheist, you have no idea what you're talking about

[@justchan2443]

I understand gatekeeping now

[@eta_carithebrightlord3396]

💀

[@1stdagree946]

If you think politics needs to be in a super hero movies, you need to find a different genre.

[@Peasham]

Bro's never read a comic book in his life saying this shit lmao

[@rodrigo_tm]

@@Peasham movies aint comic books

[@Peasham]

@@rodrigo_tm We're talking about comic book movies.

[@Matiasfv]

as a latino I personally never cared about miles' race, and I bet there were people who hated him because of it but let's not forget he was conceived in the raceswap era of marvel and his comics, in case anyone haven't read them, are a pile of burning trash like most marevl comics of that era. Now miles thanks to spider-verse Miles is a proper character, and a really good one, if people hate the spider-verse version of him, yeah, I can't think of other reason other than justt racism. But again, his first comic iteration deserves all the criticism it got, the movies saved the character.

[@Peasham]

Ah yes, Marvel comics had never raceswapped characters previously and you've definitely read the comics

[@Matiasfv]

@@Peasham so what. I'm specifically refering to that certain era in which that was the only thing they could do while writing the worst stories imaginable

[@BlaxkSun]

No tf we do not

[@Digi.destined]

Love this video!! Your analysis helped me to put a lot of my thoughts on the movie into words. It really connected aspects of the movie that I was thinking about. -I also wanted to add that I view Hobie almost like a more matured Miles. Outwardly on the side of rebellion and radical action. I’m really excited to see more of Hobie in the next one!!!

[@vi8799]

Yeah, only if their “politics” matches yours.

[@Peasham]

Well yeah, right wing superheroes would inherently be villains.

[@eta_carithebrightlord3396]

​@@Peasham why do u believe that.

[@LinkLink-wx5hh]

​@@eta_carithebrightlord3396Because the values of the modern day right winger don't align with the common morals of superheros. Right wing ideology aligns more with villainous ideals than it does heros.

[@sabersin7694]

@@Peasham Oh yeah I forgot, Batman is a villain, Superman is a fascist, and Captain America is the beckon of white supremacy.

[@Peasham]

@@eta_carithebrightlord3396 Right wingers and their ideology demand society be returned to an imagine golden past, with said golden past meaning the rolling back of societal progress, a right wing superhero would therefore fight against the progress of society and for its regression.

[@neofromthewarnerbrothersic145]

I love these films so much. I don't really do "favorites," but if I did, these would easily be among them. The first was already great, and the 2nd just levels up in every way. Im sad that I've already watched it so many times. I can't wait for the 3rd... but I will, very patiently, because this kind of greatness takes time.

[@thirdcoinedge]

I was literally laughing to myself when I came out of the theater. I kept thinking, "This is the best movie experience I've ever had." Nothing has topped it since.

[@KalebPeters99]

I loved your point about the film speaking directly to young people today... We all have great power in the age of the internet and mass media, and it's our duty to weild it responsibly. You're very much doing your part in this respect, keep it up! 💖🙏

[@DomeStik-he2gn]

Oh come on.

[@KalebPeters99]

@@DomeStik-he2gn huh??

[@DomeStik-he2gn]

@@KalebPeters99 I am a comic book and superhero dork. And I find it difficult to see drama, documentary, and romcom writers bringing their cynicism to escapism culture... And then wonder why they fail on all platforms. Xavier and Magneto were good friends. Not lovers. And Jubilee needs to grow her powers not lure and groom teen into the xxx-men. And man... What did they do to Morph🥺

[@jquesblaze115]

Damn i near cried at the end there. Beautiful video

[@Sharkstorm390]

This film has changed my life for the better. Before this film I had always been confused about who i am and everything that comes with but watching this film and seeing the scene with Gwen and her father helped me understand who I am as up until that point I’d never felt like i related to a character more than I did at that moment.

[@thelaughingstormbornagain1297]

I wish Batman fans would take to heart the lessons in this movie. You'd think there's only one acceptable version of Batman or his villians(Joker) and it's incredibly frustrating. As a lifelong comic fan I've always been open minded about all of the various ways to interpret these characters. I absolutely love Into The Spider Spiderverse for tackling that subject head on.

[@grandarkfang_1482]

You're right, we need more characters like Stormfront from The Boys.

[@Peasham]

There's plenty of Nazis that get mutilated in comics already though

[@skyofbob]

you make such thoughtful + quality videos! idk how you don't have more surprising

[@sorin_thesun]

As someone whos very ideologically punk.... I dont mind giving money to movies that actively have a message against conformity and preach resistance. Now superheroes movies have become so hollow that their whole purpose is just to generate the most money with the least creativity as possible. But spiderverse was so different and as a punk artist, I appreciate it. However, I still condemn the studios exploitation of their workers, the fans need to start upholding the voices of those workers so their testimonies of injustice are heard. I do want another spiderverse, but I dont want the movie if it means exploitating more people.

[@dl-zf9dj]

Everyone here needs to go read the Immortal Hulk omnibus

[@DozerfleetProd]

A pretty consistent theme in all of The Gerosha Chronicles: The worship of self is a root unto almost all evils imaginable. Combine that with political power, and you have a recipe for madness. Gerosha Chronicles heroes, especially Ciem, fight a lot of different adversaries. But the most persistent antagonist that they can never seem to defeat easily, is the self-absorbed, corrupt politician or bureaucrat, as well as any orthonoid sheep that support said politician or bureaucrat. Blind worship of the state is the fuel of the fire to most human evils, and is the poison of the Dark Thrones and Principalities in the soul of all the human race. It's more dangerous than any shallow supervillain-of-the-week. No matter how many monsters Ciem puts down, her political enemies always prove a greater danger. They don't hate her because she's woman, or because she's half-black and half-white. They hate her because she's quasi-trad. They hate her for wanting to settle down, start a family, start a homestead, and be self-sufficient, and be left alone. They don't hate her entire family because they're mutants or what-not. They hate her family, because her mother frustrated the efforts of some sexual predators trying to infiltrate the education system to gain access to children faster. So they murdered Candi's mother, and made posthaste to undo Shalia's legacy, then decided to try to kill Candi as an additional form of revenge-by-proxy. And the end result of them hating God, is that they love death - especially death brought about by sexual perversions, especially committed against children. Thus, with sensuality and pride being the foundations of atheism, all rebels against God eventually risk succumbing to the urge to define themselves entirely around nihilistic hedonism. Defeating that entire worldview becomes a moral imperative that challenges Candi more than any supervillain alone ever could. And she faces it knowing full well it's a fight she can't hope to win on her own - and that many others, with or without powers, also have to fight. So it's not only political, it's spiritual / religious in its implications!

[@eta_carithebrightlord3396]

But ofc since the poster of the video doesn't agree with that ur not getting hearted. Hell I don't agree with all of it but I should still hear u out right.

[@kazacorn]

No we don't.

[@attackofthecopyrightbots]

im reading authority/stormwatch and i agree the comic that start off the whole "realistic superheroes" in all the mcu, the boys etc 2:25 that was the real great moments in the comic whenever they deconstructed that casual acceptance of the military the superheroes always did

[@Cdr2002]

To provide some context, I think many early superheores were cool with the military because at the time World War 2 was starting up or already happening, and soldiers were seen as heroes battling the Nazis. While in the comics, many characters like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and even Captain America, moved away from this military association in some form or another, because American culture never really lost its appetite for war movies and “hero soldier” stories, much of that militarism reappeared in a few of their movie adaptations

[@iconicfreezegaming3989]

This was such a a well made video! I love these spider verse movies and how their for everyone!!

[@toothbrushfromnisemonogatari]

Noooo thank you. In fact I think the superhero genre should remain one of the least political genres.

[@Peasham]

The most successful and praised superhero stories of all time are extremely political. The most successful and praised Marvel product in a half decade, X-Men 97, is extremely and unsubtly political.

[@toothbrushfromnisemonogatari]

@@Peasham I don’t give a fuck about X-Men 97. My favorite Superhero movies are the Raimi Spider-Man movies and those weren’t political, at least in any overt way. Superhero movies are the quintessential escapist genre, I don’t mind political subtext like in The Dark Knight or X Men, but it shouldn’t be anywhere near the main focus. If I wanted a political movie, I’d watch something by made by an Auteur like Michael Haneke or someone like that.

[@Peasham]

@@toothbrushfromnisemonogatari I'm sorry, you think X-Men has political SUBtext? Tf do you consider political TEXT then??

[@toothbrushfromnisemonogatari]

@@Peasham I mean it’s not subtle, but it’s also not in your face to the point of being annoying. And on the second point, if we’re talking about movies than I’d probably say something like Dr Strangelove or Do the Right Thing or The White Ribbon are more overtly political. Not to say they aren’t still using subtext, but they’re just much more fundamentally political films than even something like an X-Men film, which has political themes but is still much more focused on escapist entertainment. At least that’s how I view it.

[@Theresa-uj4le]

congrats, you have a billions films to choose from! You don't need to watch every movie

[@mikeplayz4601]

As a history buff and a nerdy politics kid heading into high school, I have always thought of and even drawed some Poltical superhero characters that I just love! Maybe someone else does the same? No one problem does but maybe..?♥️🙏

[@JonnyBDope]

exactly what i thought. please make a part 2 on this if u have anymore to say. picking up a miles morales comic back in 2011-12 will always be a canon event for me 🖤

[@adif8747]

Its kind of sad to me to go and watch superhero movies in part because I grew up with the comics, and was taught to analyze the political and philosophical messages behind them. Watching the films it feels like they forego those messages and themes for the sake of a sanitized product that can be capitalized on. The spider-verse films are the first ones in a long time that I 've felt like they returned to those messages that can be found in the comics, just in a modern way.

[@imhappy5266]

Ill stand by it that the overt political nature is what makes XMen comics runs (generally) the best

[@corenlavolpe6143]

No the fuck we don't.

[@lockedcross]

i would be fine with the more political themes and stories if it wasn’t all far left bullshit or DNC propaganda. i agree there needs to be more themes and topics explored (and not just from a right wing perspective), but the current trend with “subversive politics” really just being a branch of left wing politics is getting out of hand

[@Peasham]

Oh the MCU advocates for workers owning the means of production?

[@erictrobin]

@@Peasham This was the far left 60+ years ago. Are you that old?

[@StoryBird2]

Miguel O Hara; Calling kids mistakes since 2099 But really Spiderman holds such a nostalgic place in my childhood, yeah the MCU films were cool and fun but after Spiderverse came out they felt less 'fun'. Spiderverse showed what Spiderman could be using villains from his own roster in creative ways! I'm interested to see what the MCU does with their Peter because it seems like they realized Spiderman is supposed to be 'friendly neighborhood'.

[@stefansauvageonwhat-a-twis1369]

I know not everyone liked the later seasons, but Young Justice was always high intensity on that Human trafficking, political espionage, but mixed in with therapy, flawed people trying to go through it all, its not just vague metaphors its real life with metaphors on top to enhance it even more, and with the hope and fantasy of such a world

[@anderson.ribeiro]

HELL YES!!!!

[@alexoxo1]

My main issue with the whole miles vs miguel thing is that nothing REALLY justifies miles' rebellion. The characters dont know that miguel's theory for the canon is potentially wrong. so miles' only reason for disobeying is an act of childish desperation. Its a fruitless lose-lose effort. They had to make miguel uncharacteristically abusive to justify vilifying him. I'd be more on miles' side if he KNEW something was up with the theory of canon events. But NO ONE has any reason to doubt the canon events until gwen at the very end. if they were going for a "you can defy your destiny no one can dictate your story but you" thing it doesnt really work because the "destiny" has extra stipulations. This isnt a "bad things will happen to you in the future" thing that the character can defy its a "bad things will happen to you in the future and if you stop it EVERYONE will die" thing which is very different. The difference between these two is that in the typical destiny defying story theres no direct consequence for defying your destiny. the character just does it out of sheer willpower. with miles there is a confirmed consequence (at least as far as they know) for breaking the canon. which is the death of the multiverse. and miguel's side has more evidence to prove it. and i dont know if thats a fault of the storytelling or a me thing. Considering i'm the only one who feels this way its probably a me thing. and if the narrative tells us miguel is wrong then miguel is wrong. I just feel like its very hard to root for miles in this scenario :/ like yeah i can empathize with him wanting to save his dad but there actually is nothing he can do because his dad will die either way. There ISNT "another way" (that they know of). So basically miles is just taking a desperate gamble. like i said i would empathize wayyy more if miles knew something that the other spider people didnt. but the only reason he rebelled is because he's immature and highly emotional. Miles legit has no idea what he's even doing. He doesnt KNOW anything he's just throwing a childish tantrum when he doesnt get his way. im sorry miles but as far as you know there's nothing you can do. and its noble to WANT there to be a solution but as much as you want one, there isn't. Like it IS for his own good and everyone's good. miles rebelling is like if miguel told him he has to get vaccinated or if he doesnt he and everyone he loves will get sick and miles being like 'nO! I wont listen to some dumb books there has to be another way!" and dont even get me started on the other characters. Peter doesnt take anything seriously even though the multiverse is at stake, hobie rebels for the hell of it even though he's potentially putting the multiverse is at stake. and dont even get me started on miles being angry at gwen and peter. i dont really see that as betrayal especially since they had his best interest in mind. They didnt LIE they just didnt tell him info. Info that mind you is extremely earth shattering knowledge like how tf could you know how to tell someone that. I hope this is all cleared up in beyond the spiderverse because i loves miles but i dont like how he was portrayed here. this issue frustrates me and the fact im the only one who feels this way only adds to it. I've talked about this to many of my friends and many people and no one is yet to be able to put the final piece in to make me understand. I think its because i'm personally overthinking and most people are taking "miguel is obviously the bad guy" at face value and thats enough justification for them

[@robertmarianomolina295]

Very refreshing to finally see a video that isn't about the beef, Istg my feed is just filled with drake and kendrick stuff. Edit: Just finished the video, amazing analysis, I thought the reason why I watched this film a bit too many times was because I love the animation and production value. But through the lens of this video I saw that this movie was written in a way that resonates to a lot of people in some shape or form. So maybe that's why I keep coming back to the spiderverse movies.

[@maniacalclefable1354]

A recommendation I have if you enjoy Spider-Verse is Shin Kamen Rider. It’s a zany and powerful Japanese superhero film about processing trauma and rejection. It’s available on Prime, and I think it’s one of the best superhero films, and another great superhero film of 2023! It got me into Kamen Rider, which has itself as a franchise opened my eyes to a fresh side of the superhero genre that most western comic movies don’t usually tap into.

[@Peasham]

While it ain't half bad, if we're talking proper political? Kamen Rider Black Sun all the way baby

[@maniacalclefable1354]

@@Peasham oh my god another black sun enjoyer I’m not alone

[@maniacalclefable1354]

Also Drive handles corruption in the police force pretty damn good. The original Black also, even if unintended, kind of works as a queer allegory? After Kotaro becomes Kamen Rider Black, no matter how much he wants to save his brother and be a family again, his brother has made up his mind and will continue to hate him and refuses to call him his brother again.

[@froman464]

You're playing a dangerous game with the title 💀 Great video, though. Very well made and researched. This enlightened me to some of the deeper meanings of the film.

[@bryanmb9994]

Yoo the movie shots in your essay are high quality wtf

[@Peasham]

True actually

[@theprotagonist2775]

I hope they don’t get together.

[@basilreid257]

I wasn’t going to watch this but glad I did yet another level to this great movie.

[@SkeletalCommissar]

The fuck we dont.

[@ponfi0275]

I can't tell you how many people I've seen miss the point entirely. So many god damned Miguel supporters, that it makes me wonder if they even saw the film-- if they even saw the 'Nah, I'mma do my own thing' scene...

[@channel45853]

I have, and many others have to. The problem with supporting Miles is supporting him wanting to possibly destroy a whole universe full of people just for his dad. When fighting against the system harms more people than it helps, is it a good fight?

[@dabi8895]

No we dont ask marvel how it went for them

[@Peasham]

Considering Marvel surgically removed all politics from the source material they were adapting, it didn't go at all for them.

[@seiser42]

ANOTHER 20 BILLION FOR ISRAEL

[@white_man1352]

ur actually right we need more right wing superheroes

[@Peasham]

Got the whole ass MCU right there

[@RicardoPetinga]

For the people saying that no, we don't: superheroes have always been political, and your preference for them being "apolitical" is political too. The point here is that there's status quo political, which goes unnoticed as such because it merely reflects what we're used to back to us, and there's conscious political, which is the kind of political that counters the status quo and actually aims for something better (or worse, which is a possibility too).

[@mdwis6106]

No we don’t. The issue is that you misuse the word political. The word political directly relates to activities associated with a government. If something is political then it must be within that definition. For example politicians are political because they are directly related to the functions and activities surrounding a government same with law and votes. A bed of flowers isn’t political even if we vote for what happens to said bed of flowers. you can however say that the bed of flowers are related to politics due to the fact that the outcome of the bed of flowers are decided by the government; you cannot however claim that the bed of flowers ARE or IS political due to the fact that a bed of flowers inherently are not a activity of the government. A lot of Superhero’s are related to politics but aren’t inherently political. Even if captain America wears the American flag on his body he ultimately stands for something much larger than politics, captain American stands for truth and unwavering determination in what you believe in. That meaning that a character stands for isn’t political, it’s human, which is why so many comic book characters are so relatable to us because we are also human. If characters are simply political tools and nothing else then they are inherently bad characters because they are impossible to relate to. If a characters meaning is simply a pin on their shirt with an ideology on it then it’s very surface level. But if a character wears a BLM pin because they stand for equality then that’s not something political it’s something human. Politics can be used as a funnel to convey human ideas and emotion that doesn’t mean they are political it means they are human

[@atheahatshizume658]

The only problem I have with the movie is seeing the HEAVILY PREGNANT LADY being thrown into battle and waggled around like- MISS ¡YOU ARE PREGNANT! GET OFF FROM THAT BIKE AND GO HOME! TAKE A BREAK FOR THE SAKE OF THAT BABY T0T

[@Peasham]

I mean the heavily pregnant lady thinks reality will literally collapse if she doesn't do her job is the thing

[@atheahatshizume658]

@@Peasham Her job is to leave certain people to die, I'm very sure someone can be her back up on that 😭

[@Peasham]

@@atheahatshizume658 Yeah it's more about how she feels about the situation lol

[@atheahatshizume658]

@@Peasham lol yeah. But I don't know if it is because my mother instincts skyrocketed when I saw the pregnant lady jumping around on a friking motorcycle and getting tossed around as if she wasn't pregnant. But I'm worried by that baby. XD

[@lokimiguel2452]

​@@atheahatshizume658Shut the hell up. Literally children have been spiderman

[@hlogilehlogonolo5438]

The scene where Miles’s mom is talking to him and Basically telling him that even though the world may reject you stand your ground and stay true to yourself makes me emotional all the time

[@Radhaun]

The Spiderman Spiderverse series is definitely one of my favorite trilogies so far. Miles is a fantastic protagonist and I love his story arc so far. That said, I really appreciate the niche Hobie fills as well. His character is so well written to be the background support. Everything he does, particularly in front of Miles, is done with intention and Miles is smart enough that when it becomes relevant, he figures out what Hobie was trying to tell him. A character that comes from a world where the fascists win and has had to learn more oblique ways to fight back is invaluable to Miles' story, and is a good lesson for the rest of us. We can't always be the person fighting directly, but we /can/ support those who are, whether giving advice borne of experience or providing physical support.

[@Eris1987]

Blue Beetle is a really good one

[@Stegosaurus4452]

I know people want to say theres a bunch of messages but in reality their wrong. Miles getting called an anomaly is true the spider was meant to bite Prowler miles. Gwen isn't a representation of queer kids her best friend died and now she's distant to everyone because she doesn't want it to happen again. It's not like there isn't any political stances but South park said it best. People will make a message even if there isn't one.

[@nenohuh]

didnt the directors of the film say that it was? at least for the miles stuff

[@al_eggs]

Miles being labelled an anomaly mirrors the real-world reaction to his debut and reflects how his story and outlook are fundamentally different than every other Spider in the Society. Gwen’s story will be relatable to queer kids whether it was intended or not, since many go through the same experience of isolation and finding joy in community.

[@Stegosaurus4452]

@@nenohuh nah

[@Stegosaurus4452]

@@al_eggs Thats what the first ones about. Miles beat himself up thinking he can't be like Peter but learns to live with it there just isn't any subtle messaging for his debut. He also wasn't hated during his debut people liked him. It was when the ultimate universe crashed with the 616. Its close thing for subtle for miles is anxiety. Unable to hild his life together. Always getting grounded feels like he can't do anything. Sony even made the short film month ago about it. People will relate to gwen if someone you knew was going to die. She's not shunned from the world she shunned herself. She still deals with the loss of Peter they say that in the intro.

[@Peasham]

The creators of the movie unequivocally stated that the movie was created to debunk the political movement claiming Miles to be an inferior raceswap of Peter Parker, so, no.

[@Rogynisme]

Yay for new upload!

[@OctaviaLIVE]

incredible video! keep it up :3

[@zxrzFC]

ur videos never miss

[@shadowsingularity]

If we had more of those the more we would realised how bad our current ones are

[@alexandredesouza3692]

0:58 My sister forgot Iron Man 2. Still gonna watch the rest of the video because it looks like a good one. Edit: Is, in fact, a good video. Props!

[@makingmediamatter]

Thank you! I got a few comments like this and I will say I remembered the parts of Iron Man 2 where he was getting drunk but I just meant to say that story wasn’t fully covered in the film, it was more a momentary thing that was brushed off and never given it’s proper coverage. Happy to hear you enjoyed the video!

[@johnathanram2468]

This video in its entirety was so pleasantly surprising. This type of commentary and discussion is a bit uncommon in the comic book movie sphere, where political commentary of this fashion is so readily shut down. There is so much glorified "subtlety" that I feel is many times performative and surface level, its so heartwarming to see a creator who dives into the ins and outs of the work with attention and care, while grounding each comment in reality, there's is not a more beautiful example of that than you using your platform to share to your audience a plea for Palestine. Instant subscriber, love the content, love the creator, looking forward to more.

[@actualnotanewbie]

Okay I don't wanna dog you too hard without being more than a minute into your video but 0:59 Iron Man 2 DEFINITELY tackled Tony's alcoholism.

[@k._.26]

Instant sub. Defo gon check out more of your videos

[@giosbizarreart9048]

Since you love the X-Men(the goats) could you do a video on X-Men 97’? I think it’s easily some of the best superhero like spider verse

[@makingmediamatter]

From what I’ve seen of X-Men 97’ it’s great, once I get around to finishing the show I’ll definitely consider it! If not, then I’m sure an X-Men video of some type will come out on here eventually since they are my favs

[@giosbizarreart9048]

@@makingmediamatter great to hear🕴

[@hapitoons1515]

I usually avoid politics, i dont know I just usually just see people just yell at each other then actually talking to each other. Sometimes tho I do choose to listen different viewpoints of current issues and make my own thoughts internally. I was hesitant to listen to this because I love Spider-Man, I didn't think he is a political character or Spider-verse's message of "anyone can wear the mask or you don't have to be part of a status quo" was a political message. I generally believe that anyone can be a great hero like Spider-Man, even in their own unique ways. Glad I chose to listen to this, got me thinking for a while after finishing this video 👍