Have you ever been exposed to radiation and walked away all the better for it? Or maybe you have a coworker who’s secretly an alien from another planet… and thankfully, one of the good ones?

On this week’s episode, we examine the thin line between the iconic and the absurd as we rank the best—and worst—superhero origins.

We talk about why, as kids, we were so obsessed with where these heroes came from—so much so that Marvel and DC built entire issues around origin stories. We debate the scientific accuracy behind how our favorite characters gained their abilities, while also exploring what truly motivates them. For instance, Batman and Spider-Man are driven by loss, while Captain America and Wonder Woman are fueled by duty and a sense of mission.

Along the way, we ask a few questions: Have certain superhero origins been rebooted too many times? Do heroes like Zatanna and Ghost Rider feel less “super” because their origins are rooted in magic and the occult? And why do some origin stories sound completely ridiculous when reduced to a single sentence: “Scientist makes himself tiny… on purpose.”

Special guest: Ernesto Figueroa.