On this episode of Hostile History, David Borys is joined by historian Cord Scott to explore how the world wars became a catalyst for the mass production of comic books. While the First World War saw their introduction as comic strips, the success of these ‘strips’ resulted in a comic book boom in the inter-war period. Superheroes like Batman and Superman were the result, making their debut in the late 1930s. When the Second World War broke out comic books were mobilized for the war effort. Even before the United States entered the war superheroes like Captain America were already gracing the pages of comic books both in the United States and all over the world. 

Guest: Cord Scott 

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On this episode of Hostile History, David Borys is joined by historian and drag queen Karla Marx as they dive deep into the reasons that the myth of the clean Wehrmacht became so powerful in the years after the war. The war became both a landscape for righteousness by those who fought against the Nazi’s but also a vehicle by which morality and ideology could be judged and justified. As a post-war Germany sought to rebuild itself and as a post-war United States sought to defend the values of democracy the way the war was remembered and discussed became crucial to both national and international objectives. 

Guest:

Karla Marx @karla.marx1917 

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How much of the German army’s conduct during the Second World War can really be separated from Nazi Germany’s crimes?

In this episode of Hostile History, David Borys is joined by historian Waitman Beorn to examine one of the most persistent myths surrounding the Second World War: the idea that the German armed forces were largely honourable and professional, while responsibility for Nazi atrocities rested almost exclusively with the SS.

Why did the myth emerge after the war, and why did it prove so enduring? What did the Wehrmacht actually know, do, and tolerate? And what happens when we separate the image of the professional soldier from the reality of the war he was fighting?

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The Woman Who Went to War Show Notes: Hannah Snell was an 18th-century English woman who defied every expectation, disguising herself as a man to join the British military. She fought in brutal battles, survived multiple wounds while hiding her identity, and returned home to reveal one of history's most astonishing stories of courage, endurance, and reinvention.

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History remembers the generals, the kings, and the men who marched beneath national flags. But buried are other stories of support systems and networks that included spies, resistance fighters, smugglers, and revolutionaries. Women, who stepped into battle while the world tried to erase them from it.

In this episode, we are joined by Margaret Hunt, emeritus from Uppsala University in Sweden, as we travel Europe between the 15th and 17th centuries to tear down misconceptions and uncover the forgotten story of Europe’s women at war.

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On this episode of Hostile History, David Borys is joined by broadcaster, comic writer, and lifelong Star Wars fan Fred Kennedy to explore how George Lucas's space opera evolved from a simple adventure story into one of the most influential cultural phenomena in modern history. Along the way, they discuss how the franchise has reflected our world and the generations of fans who have made it their own.

Whether you're a Jedi Master, a scruffy-looking nerf herder, or someone who simply loves great stories, this is a deep dive into the saga that changed pop culture forever. May the Force be with you.

Guest:

Fred Kennedy (@fearless_fred)

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Instagram: @canyonentertainment  

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When George Lucas created Star Wars, he imagined a space fantasy filled with laser swords, galactic empires, and battles between good and evil. But beneath the aliens and starships was something far more grounded and shaped by real-world war, political paranoia, insurgencies, and the machinery of modern conflict.

In this episode, we investigate the surprisingly direct connection between Star Wars and modern warfare. From the jungles of Vietnam to the rise of authoritarian governments, from drone warfare to insurgent tactics, we explore how one of the most beloved franchises in history mirrors the way empires actually rise, fight, and collapse.

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How closely did Hollywood capture the remarkable life of Baldwin IV, the leper king of Jerusalem? Separating fact from fiction, this exploration examines his leadership, military skill, political challenges, and the dramatic liberties taken by Kingdom of Heaven, revealing the complex and important historical figure behind the cinematic legend.

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Instagram: @canyonentertainment  

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The Crusades are often remembered as a holy war between Christianity and Islam with images of armored knights marching east beneath blood-red crosses, driven by faith, glory, and the promise of salvation.

In this episode I’m joined by historian Niall Christie, as we travel back to the Holy Land between the 11th and 13th centuries to try and to help me understand what exactly happened during this time because nearly a thousand years later, the echoes of the Crusades still shape politics, religion, and cultural memory across the world.

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Christopher Nolan’s epic film The Odyssey  released in July 2026  made much ado about casting and approach to Homer’s epic. In this episode David chats with author and host of the podcast  Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby Liv Albert about one of the oldest surviving works of literature. 

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Liv Albert https://www.mythsbaby.com/books-by-liv-albert

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