Alona, @DrOfComics, joins me to explore the world of superheroes and antiheroes and how comic storytelling offers a revealing window into society, including many ableist assumptions that often shape it.

She made a particularly insightful point: unlike many other genres, comics tend to treat emotions more realistically. The traditional “happy ending” that dominates so much of film and television is rarely the final destination in comics. Instead, characters have lives that constantly fluctuate through the range of emotions. Happiness, sadness, and all other feelings are not final destinations in fantasy or reality.

That idea mirrors a widespread ableist belief about disability. The assumption that people with disabilities are simply waiting to be cured so their story can finally reach its “happy ending.” But real life, much like comics, is so much more than that.

In the next episode, I talk to @DannyKurtzman and @TheSteveWay!

Catch new episodes on Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube! If you are part of the disability community (any part!) and are interested in a guest appearance, please DM @Dr.TyeDMartin on Instagram!

- Your friendly neighborhood PhD