Are superheroes the moral leaders of our time?

Superheroes have been saving the day for more than a century, from comic books to Hollywood blockbusters that earn billions worldwide. But why do we love them so much? Are these narratives a secular version of religious stories, offering moral guidance in an increasingly secular age? Or are they propaganda tools conveying specific ideologies—from patriotism and militarism to even fascism—that deserve closer examination?

This episode explores whether superhero stories are forging a new moral compass or simply reinforcing the status quo. Are superheroes secular prophets? Do these narratives spread Western individualism and militarism? And what does it mean when our moral leaders are billionaires and kings—characters created by massive entertainment companies? As antiheroes like the Joker become more compelling than traditional heroes, what does that say about us?