Podcast
Fandom Presents: Superman vs. the KKK
Hosted by Fandom Inc · EN
Nearly eight decades ago, The Adventures of Superman radio show pitted the Man of Steel against the forces of hate and white supremacy while exposing the inner workings of the Ku Klux Klan. Now, Fandom is releasing a new five-part serial podcast, looking at the creation and historical significance of Superman vs.The KKK.
The podcast--which is partially inspired by author Rick Bowers’ book, Superman vs. The Ku Klux Klan--chronicles the way that the 1946 storyline, “Clan of the Fiery Cross” confronted the entangled history of the KKK in American life, and disavowed the reality of its racist violence; offering a new, powerful version of “The American Way” that would last for generations.
The podcast explores the inception and rise in popularity of both Superman and the Klan, how they each used the tools of the media to brand and sell their version of what it means to be “100% American,” and how the two became intertwined in this iconic story arc. In this series, we discover how the clash between these two versions of “The American Way”--and the ensuing battle for the heart’s of the United States citizens--developed, and why that fight has never been more relevant. It's a fascinating exploration for anyone who is a fan of the Man of Steel, comic-book culture, and the complexities of American history.
Executive producer Roth Cornet hosts the podcast alongside celebrated journalist, writer, and podcaster Marc Bernardin.
“This story is an incredible mix of journalism, brand activism, and the power of pop culture to change the world,” said Cornet. “We live in an era where fans identify themselves by the things they love, so there is incredible power in harnessing this passion to make an impact.”
Even after 80 years, Superman remains a stalwart fixture at the forefront of pop culture as we await DC studios newest iteration of the iconic hero. Whether another version of Superman can ever again cross from his fictional universe to impact ours, remains to be seen
The podcast--which is partially inspired by author Rick Bowers’ book, Superman vs. The Ku Klux Klan--chronicles the way that the 1946 storyline, “Clan of the Fiery Cross” confronted the entangled history of the KKK in American life, and disavowed the reality of its racist violence; offering a new, powerful version of “The American Way” that would last for generations.
The podcast explores the inception and rise in popularity of both Superman and the Klan, how they each used the tools of the media to brand and sell their version of what it means to be “100% American,” and how the two became intertwined in this iconic story arc. In this series, we discover how the clash between these two versions of “The American Way”--and the ensuing battle for the heart’s of the United States citizens--developed, and why that fight has never been more relevant. It's a fascinating exploration for anyone who is a fan of the Man of Steel, comic-book culture, and the complexities of American history.
Executive producer Roth Cornet hosts the podcast alongside celebrated journalist, writer, and podcaster Marc Bernardin.
“This story is an incredible mix of journalism, brand activism, and the power of pop culture to change the world,” said Cornet. “We live in an era where fans identify themselves by the things they love, so there is incredible power in harnessing this passion to make an impact.”
Even after 80 years, Superman remains a stalwart fixture at the forefront of pop culture as we await DC studios newest iteration of the iconic hero. Whether another version of Superman can ever again cross from his fictional universe to impact ours, remains to be seen
6episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Which American Way Wins? | Episode 05
Sep 6, 202401:42:42Tap to summarizeWe enter the modern era, and look at the state of superheroes and the rise of white supremacy today, and ask ourselves: Is there any such thing as The American Way anymore? And if so, whose America is it?______________This podcast was hosted by Marc Bernardin and Roth Cornet.Created and Executive ProducedRoth Cornet Executive ProducersMax Dionne and Michael ChiangProducers and Writers:Nancy RosenbaumLoretta WilliamsTeru BrachMichelle DunnEileen GuoBilly PattersonGordie LoewenBrett Boham Roth Cornetand Marc BernardinAudio EngineerBrett BohamResearchersLauren SchweinIlana StraussFact CheckerSteven CrightonRecording was done byForever Dog ProductionsVoice TraxSpecial Thanks To:Caleb SchneiderSasha Perl-RaverBrett WeinerEric EisenbergSoni BensonAnne BrashierShanna WhitlowJoe StarrAvital AshDena CrowderDanielle RadfordSpencer GilbertLon HarrisPei Chiu
Transcribe →Superman Takes on the Klan | Episode 04
Sep 6, 202401:10:03Tap to summarizeIt's all been building to this, but as Superman goes up against the Klan, will audiences listen? And what will that mean for the real people struggling to find their own American Dream in a world in the midst of remaking itself?_____________This podcast was hosted by Marc Bernardin and Roth Cornet.Created and Executive ProducedRoth Cornet Executive ProducersMax Dionne and Michael ChiangProducers and Writers:Nancy RosenbaumLoretta WilliamsTeru BrachMichelle DunnEileen GuoBilly PattersonGordie LoewenBrett Boham Roth Cornetand Marc BernardinAudio EngineerBrett BohamResearchersLauren SchweinIlana StraussFact CheckerSteven CrightonRecording was done byForever Dog ProductionsVoice TraxSpecial Thanks To:Caleb SchneiderSasha Perl-RaverBrett WeinerEric EisenbergSoni BensonAnne BrashierShanna WhitlowJoe StarrAvital AshDena CrowderDanielle RadfordSpencer GilbertLon HarrisPei Chiu
Transcribe →Selling the American Way | Episode 03
Sep 6, 202400:58:49Tap to summarizeSuperman's catch phrase became "Truth, Justice, and The American Way," but in reality, Superman's American Way was a part of a much bigger national campaign that was crafted and marketed utilizing the tools of the media - just like the KKK's version of America. Discover who was behind the creation of this set of ideals, how Superman became a face of it, and why.______________This podcast was hosted by Marc Bernardin and Roth Cornet.Created and Executive ProducedRoth Cornet Executive ProducersMax Dionne and Michael ChiangProducers and Writers:Nancy RosenbaumLoretta WilliamsTeru BrachMichelle DunnEileen GuoBilly PattersonGordie LoewenBrett Boham Roth Cornetand Marc BernardinAudio EngineerBrett BohamResearchersLauren SchweinIlana StraussFact CheckerSteven CrightonRecording was done byForever Dog ProductionsVoice TraxSpecial Thanks To:Caleb SchneiderSasha Perl-RaverBrett WeinerEric EisenbergSoni BensonAnne BrashierShanna WhitlowJoe StarrAvital AshDena CrowderDanielle RadfordSpencer GilbertLon HarrisPei Chiu
Transcribe →KKK: Your Money for Your Hate | Episode 02
Sep 6, 202400:55:25Tap to summarizeThe original KKK lay fallow and in decline when it was rebranded and monetized hate with so much success that it made what would be hundreds of millions of dollars in today's terms. All the while, they dangerously, violently, changed American life. This is how they did it.____________This podcast was hosted by Marc Bernardin and Roth Cornet.Created and Executive ProducedRoth Cornet Executive ProducersMax Dionne and Michael ChiangProducers and Writers:Nancy RosenbaumLoretta WilliamsTeru BrachMichelle DunnEileen GuoBilly PattersonGordie LoewenBrett Boham Roth Cornetand Marc BernardinAudio EngineerBrett BohamResearchersLauren SchweinIlana StraussFact CheckerSteven CrightonRecording was done byForever Dog ProductionsVoice TraxSpecial Thanks To:Caleb SchneiderSasha Perl-RaverBrett WeinerEric EisenbergSoni BensonAnne BrashierShanna WhitlowJoe StarrAvital AshDena CrowderDanielle RadfordSpencer GilbertLon HarrisPei Chiu
Transcribe →Creating Superman: How Two Nerds Changed the World | Episode 01
Sep 6, 202400:40:48Tap to summarizeDiscover the surprising origins of the world's first Superhero, and how, in many ways, he was always on an inevitable collision course with America's most insidious vision of itself.___________This podcast was hosted by Marc Bernardin and Roth Cornet.Created and Executive ProducedRoth Cornet Executive ProducersMax Dionne and Michael ChiangProducers and Writers:Nancy RosenbaumLoretta WilliamsTeru BrachMichelle DunnEileen GuoBilly PattersonGordie LoewenBrett Boham Roth Cornetand Marc BernardinAudio EngineerBrett BohamResearchersLauren SchweinIlana StraussFact CheckerSteven CrightonRecording was done byForever Dog ProductionsandVoice TraxSpecial Thanks To:Caleb SchneiderSasha Perl-RaverBrett WeinerEric EisenbergSoni BensonAnne BrashierShanna WhitlowJoe StarrAvital AshDena CrowderDanielle RadfordSpencer GilbertLon HarrisPei Chiu
Transcribe →Superman vs KKK | Trailer
Sep 6, 202400:02:26Tap to summarizeDiscover the surprising origins of the world's first Superhero, and how, in many ways, he was always on an inevitable collision course with America's most insidious vision of itself.
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