Episode 36: Between the Panels

The adage states that art imitates life. True to the stage, the novel, the canvas, the screen, we see the influences of events and subjects of societal importance relative to the time each creative work is crafted. Often, the influence is worn as clear as a scarlet letter, as a clear and unequivocal statement from creator to audience about their observations of the world of that time, and the people within it. Other times, the impact of cultural impression, social nature and mindset are more nuanced, but can be identified by a more objective eye. If Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice and Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird can exemplify the lens of art focusing upon a point in humanity's behaviors, state of mind, triumphs and tragedies, is there anything that says the same could not be true for the comic book and graphic novel medium? Can superhero stories really teach us anything about ourselves as a community, a nation, a species? Joined this time by and , we look at the past, present & future of comic books as a societal lens.