Podcast
The Protagonist Podcast
Hosted by Dueling Genre Productions · EN
Each week we discuss a great character in a great story. Hosted by Joseph J. Darowski.
33episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman from Kingdom Come (comic 1996)
6d ago00:52:50Tap to summarizeDescription Returning guest Nicole Freim joins Joe to discuss the classic comic book mini-series Kingdom Come. This non-canon story is set in a dystopian future that sees some of the classic DC superheroes come out of retirement to confront a reckless new generation of anti-heroes. Support Patreon Show Notes Kingdom Come – Wikipedia Alex Ross – Wikipedia Mark Waid – Wikipedia
Transcribe →Comics Theory (Special 2026)
2w ago00:53:55Tap to summarizeDescription First-time guest Neil Cohn joins Joe to discuss an academic perspective on comic books. Cohn recently published Speaking in Pictures, and we discuss his work and analysis of the comic book form. Support Patreon Show Notes Visual Language Lab – Neil Cohn website
Transcribe →Conan Edagawa from Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine (film 2023)
3w ago01:14:16Tap to summarizeDescription Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss a film in the Detective Conan anime series, which is about a high school detective who was turned into a first grader but who still fights crime. That’s the general premise, and this particular film is also odd. This is one of the stranger texts we’ve ever discussed on the podcast. Support Patreon Show Notes Case Closed – Wikipedia
Transcribe →Mrs. Danvers, the unnamed narrator, and Max from Rebecca (novel 1938)
4w ago00:58:18Tap to summarizeDescription Returning guest Allsion Epstein joins Joe to discuss Daphne de Maurier’s 1938 novel Rebecca. Told from the point of view of an unnamed protagonist, the story follows a young woman falling in love with an older widower and the gothic adventure she finds herself in. Support Patreon Show Notes Allison Epstein – Author website Daphne de Maurier – Wikipedia Rebecca – Wikipedia
Transcribe →Sam and friends from Starfleet Academy (television 2026)
Jul 600:59:14Tap to summarizeDescription Returning guest Branden Ushio joins Joe to discuss Starfleet Academy, one of the many streaming Star Trek tv shows that can be found on Paramount+. We’re discussing “The Life of the Stars,” which tells the story of some Starfleet cadets discovering emotional empathy and personal insights from ancient earth texts. Support Patreon
Transcribe →Scarlett and Snake Eyes from G.I. Joe (comic 1984)
Jun 2900:51:46Tap to summarizeDescription Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss the famous “silent issue” of G.I. Joe. Focusing on a story about Snake Eyes and Scarlett, Larry Hama scripted and drew a scomic book with no text where the story is still very easy to follow. Hama’s run on G.I. Joe created most of the characters and mythology the franchise is known for, and this is one of the most iconic single-issues issues in comic book history. Support Patreon Show Notes G.I. Joe – Wikipedia Larry Hama – Wikipedia
Transcribe →600th Episode! (special 2026)
Jun 2201:14:47Tap to summarizeDescription Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack joins Joe and Producer Andrew for our special 600th episode. To celebrate 600 weekly episodes of the podcast, all three of us answer The Dinner Guest Question: if we could host a dinner party with a handful of fictional characters, who would we want to hang out with for one evening?
Transcribe →David Dunn and Elijah Price from Unbreakable (film 2000)
Jun 1500:58:32Tap to summarizeDescription Returning guest Kestra Darowski joins Producer Andrew and Joe to discuss Unbreakable, M. Night Shyamalan’s superhero film from 2000. We discuss the marketing around the film, the way the film engages the superhero genre, and the strengths of the storytelling. Support Patreon Show Notes Unbreakable – Wikipedia M. Night Shyamalan – Wikipedia
Transcribe →Teaching Comics (special 2026)
Jun 801:05:58Tap to summarizeDescription Returning guest Chris “Mav” Maverick joins Joe to discuss teaching comics. What texts do we use, what topics do we cover, and how do students react? Support Patreon
Transcribe →Kent, Beck, and Miriam from Escape! (novel 2025)
Jun 101:02:23Tap to summarizeDescription First-time guest Stephen Fishbach joins us to discuss his debut novel Escape! The novel tells the story of a washed up reality television star and a disgraced reality tv producer who are each trying to find fresh opportunities on a remote island where a new reality tv show is filming. Fischbach is a veteran of two seasons of Survivor, and draws on his familiarity with the reality tv industry to write this fictional tale. Support Patreon Show Notes Stephen Fishbach – Author website
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