03.31.2025 THE FUTURE OF SUPERHEROES!!! With BRIAN COPELAND!

Mar 31

Written By Stephanie Morgan

**MONSTER PARTY GETS TIME STONED!**

**JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE**, and **MATT WEINHOLD** use **THE EYE OF AGAMOTTO** to predict the fate of the current trend of meta-human films. It's a cacophony of caped crusading conjecture, presenting the question, "What is ... **THE FUTURE OF SUPERHEROES!!!**"
In this episode, we chronicle the fantastic evolution of screen superheroes from past to present, and what might lie ahead. Expect some mutant level banter about the racist Batman serials of the 1940's, TV offerings including **THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, WONDER WOMAN**, and **THE INCREDIBLE HULK**, the lightning in a bottle that was **SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE,** the unrivaled success of the **MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE,** the hit-but-mostly-miss offerings of the **D.C. EXTENDED UNIVERSE**, and so much more!
But is the world's obsession with superheroes dwindling? Have recent big-budget failures contributed to this "cape fatigue." Will D.C. ever get its superpowered act together? And is the MCU's Phase IV a gamble that will pay off? We're talkin' to you **FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS!**
Graciously helping us tackle these questions is a first-time guest of **MONSTER PARTY!** He's a critically acclaimed comedian, talk show host, political satirist, actor, podcaster, author, and superhero aficionado, who happens to be great at just about everything. Please welcome... **BRIAN COPELAND! (COPELAND'S CORNER, OUTRAGED, SHADOWS OF JUSTICE, NOW BRIAN COPELAND, 7LIVE, THE BUCKET LIST, VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE)**
**AVENGERS ASSEMBLE! OR SHOULD THEY?**

Guest(s): Brian Copeland

Follow Brian: https://briancopeland.com | Brian Copeland

KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED:

The hosts and guest Brian Copeland discuss the future of the superhero genre, debating whether "superhero fatigue" is a real phenomenon or if the issue is the quality of recent films.
The conversation explores the evolution of comic book conventions, noting how events like Comic-Con have shifted from being comic-centric to encompassing broader pop culture.
There is considerable discussion about the upcoming Superman movie directed by James Gunn, with the hosts expressing both excitement and concern over its potential success and what it means for Warner Bros.
Guest Brian Copeland shares personal anecdotes from his career, including his experience as an actor in Venom: Let There Be Carnage and a memorable encounter with Christopher Reeve.
The panel members each pitch a superhero film they would like to see made, including ideas for Man-Bat , Hawkman , a darker version of Doctor Strange , Alan Moore's Supreme, and a serious take on Ghost Rider.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:18 The hosts welcome the listeners and introduce the episode's topic: the future of superheroes.
00:01:36 Guest Brian Copeland is introduced, highlighting his work as a comedian, talk show host, author, and podcaster, as well as being a "giant superhero nerd".
00:02:36 The conversation begins with a look at how comic conventions have changed over the years, becoming more mainstream and attracting a more diverse audience than in the past.
00:04:18 The panel discusses how San Diego Comic-Con specifically has evolved from a comic book-focused event to a broader pop culture celebration, featuring panels for television shows like Grey's Anatomy and How I Met Your Mother.
00:07:43 The hosts debate whether there is an "oversaturation" of superhero movies. The consensus is that the problem isn't the quantity, but the varying quality of the films being released.
00:11:22 Brian Copeland argues that the success of a superhero film depends on execution, not the character's popularity, citing the Ant-Man franchise as a prime example.
00:13:05 Brian shares personal stories from his time as an actor on the set of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, including his experience working with Tom Hardy and director Andy Serkis.
00:19:02 The group discusses the importance of having filmmakers who genuinely love the source material, like James Gunn, to keep the genre fresh.
00:21:50 The conversation shifts to the upcoming James Gunn-directed Superman movie. The hosts discuss the casting, the inclusion of Krypto the Superdog, and the immense pressure on the film to succeed for the future of Warner Bros.
00:35:05 Host Matt Weinhold tells a story about a memorable and awkward encounter he had with Christopher Reeve while wearing a Batman costume, which Brian Copeland witnessed.
00:41:38 Brian shares his theory that Marvel movies took longer to become successful because filmmaking technology and CGI needed time to catch up to the stories, whereas DC's characters were easier to adapt in earlier eras.
00:45:19 The panel offers their opinions on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, with some finding it uneven while others praised its emotional depth. They also debate the film's portrayal of the character Namor.
00:54:15 The hosts react to the news that Robert Downey Jr. is slated to play Doctor Doom, with most feeling it's a "gimmick" or a "casting stunt" that could take them out of the movie.
00:57:59 A debate begins over the best action sequence in the Avengers films, with Brian championing the airport scene from Captain America: Civil War.
01:00:45 The panel gives their final thoughts on the future of the genre, predicting that it will move in cycles and the tone may shift to more unconventional superhero stories like Deadpool and Peacemaker.
01:02:40 Each member of the panel pitches a superhero movie they would like to see made, including Batman vs. Man-Bat, a dark horror version of Doctor Strange, and a serious take on Ghost Rider.
01:07:36 Brian Copeland plugs his podcast, Copeland's Corner, and his series of crime fiction novels.
01:12:51 The hosts provide a listener shout-out and encourage listeners to vote for Monster Party in the Rondo Awards.
01:19:15 In the post-show segment, the hosts and Brian reminisce about their early days in the comedy club circuit, specifically a venue called Casa Carlitas.
01:23:40 The episode concludes with a discussion about the bygone era of camping out overnight for movie tickets and whether that tradition is now extinct.

RESOURCES/LINKS MENTIONED:

Film

Captain America (Reb Brown TV movies): Remembered as an early, clumsy adaptation of the character, notable for its large helmet.
Wonder Woman (Cathy Lee Crosby TV movie): Cited as an early adaptation where the invisible plane's special effect was just the character saying you couldn't see it.
Wonder Woman 1984: Several hosts express intense dislike for the film, calling it a "complete, direct, absolute misfire in every way".
Joker: Folie à Deux: Listed as one of several recent DC films that has been a disaster at the box office.
Black Adam: Also listed among recent DC films that performed disastrously.
Kraven the Hunter: Questioned as a "tone deaf" choice for a standalone film, with the hosts wondering why this particular villain was chosen.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods: Mentioned as another recent DC sequel that failed at the box office.
Ant-Man (franchise): Used as an example of how a film about a seemingly lower-tier character can become a successful franchise if the execution is good. The third film, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, is defended by the hosts as being "very unfairly trashed".
Venom: Let There Be Carnage: Guest Brian Copeland details his experience as an actor in the film, sharing stories about working with Tom Hardy and Andy Serkis.
The Matrix Resurrections: Mentioned as having been filmed in San Francisco at the same time as Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Hailed as an "amazing movie" and an example of a modern superhero success. It's also noted that its successful use of humor was often poorly imitated by subsequent films.
The Avengers (2012): Praised as a great film and cited as one host's favorite in the series for perfectly capturing the tone and character dynamics.
Thor (franchise): Mentioned as a series that has largely failed to impress some of the hosts.
Thor: The Dark World: One host singles out this sequel as the best of the Thor films.
Deadpool (franchise): Used as an example of a film series where the humor works because it is organic to the characters and universe.
Avengers: Age of Ultron: The film is debated, with one host finding the humor "forced," while another host defends it as a fun popcorn movie.
Superman (1978): Held up as the definitive version for the hosts, particularly Christopher Reeve's portrayal. The groundbreaking nature of its opening credits is also recalled.
Superman II: Brian Copeland's favorite of the series, which he claims to have seen "a hundred times".
Superman III & IV: Briefly dismissed as "horrible" sequels that are typically skipped during re-watches.
The Batman (2022): Mentioned as a recent success for Warner Bros., leading to a spin-off series.
Earthquake: Used as an example of an older film featuring a large age gap between its romantic leads.
Love Actually: Discussed for the notable age difference between the actors in the famous "billboard" scene.
The Marvels: Listed as one of Marvel's recent "shitty movies," though one host admits to being "pleasantly surprised" by it.
Eternals: Described as "god awful" and "dull" by the hosts, though Brian Copeland defends it as being "okay". The primary criticism is the plot hole of why the Eternals didn't intervene during the conflict with Thanos.
Morbius: Included in the list of recent "shitty movies" from the Marvel franchises.
Captain America: Brave New World: Mentioned as a film that "tanked," with the guest suggesting this was due in part to a political controversy involving its star, Anthony Mackie.
Snow White: Discussed alongside Brave New World as another recent film whose box office was allegedly damaged by political statements made by its lead actor.
The Incredible Hulk (2008): Referred to as the "bastard child" of the MCU. One host praises it as a "great movie" and says he preferred Edward Norton's portrayal of Bruce Banner.
Fantastic Four (films in general): The design of The Thing in the movies is criticized for being "softened" compared to the comics.
Black Panther: The first film is praised and used as a benchmark for its less-favored sequel.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: The hosts have mixed feelings; one found it "uneven," while another said it was very emotional and "made me cry twice".
James Bond (franchise): Discussed at length, with Brian Copeland expressing fear that Amazon's new creative control will lead to a glut of content and cheapen the brand.
Casino Royale: Mentioned as a high point of the Daniel Craig era.
Skyfall: Also praised as a "great" entry in the Bond series.
Chances Are: Mentioned as an early film in Robert Downey Jr.'s career.
Some Kind of Wonderful: Another early Robert Downey Jr. film that is mentioned.
Chaplin: Praised as a "brilliant" performance that proved Robert Downey Jr.'s acting talent long before Iron Man.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice: The infamous "Martha" scene is called out as the "absolute worst motivation ever for a film".
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness: Praised for leaning into horror, which leads to a host's wish for a superhero movie that is even darker and scarier.
Ghost Rider (films): The Nicolas Cage movies are called a "disaster," leading to a pitch for a new version that is genuinely scary.
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi: Mentioned as a film a host camped out in line for.
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace: The hosts recall the experience of waiting in long lines for the premiere, only to be profoundly disappointed by the film.
Batman Returns: The last movie one host remembers waiting in a long line for.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Called the "biggest comic adaptation disappointment ever" by one of the hosts.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home: A host mentions waiting in line for this film's premiere.

Television

The White Shadow: The hosts compare the podcast's cast to the cast of this 1970s drama.
Grey's Anatomy: Mentioned as an example of a non-genre television show having a panel at San Diego Comic-Con, which was traditionally focused on comics.
Breaking Bad: Also cited as a show whose cast had no business being at Comic-Con, in the hosts' opinion.
How I Met Your Mother: The hosts recall seeing the cast of this sitcom at Comic-Con and agree that it was an inappropriate venue for the show.
Electra Woman and Dyna Girl: Recalled as an example of an old, low-budget superhero show from the 1970s.
Captain America (TV Movies with Reb Brown): Mentioned as a cheesy early adaptation, notable for the hero's oversized helmet.
Wonder Woman (TV Movie with Cathy Lee Crosby): Brought up as an early adaptation with primitive special effects, particularly for the invisible plane.
The Incredible Hulk (1970s series): Mentioned in the context of older superhero shows that were on the air before technology allowed for more extravagant productions.
The Spider-Man (1970s series): Discussed alongside The Incredible Hulk as another early, low-budget superhero show. It is mentioned again later for its silly special effects, such as using "silly string" for webs.
The Penguin: The hosts praise the spin-off series from The Batman, with particular acclaim for Colin Farrell's "incredible" performance.
Ms. Marvel: One host mentions being "pleasantly surprised" by the Disney+ series.
Adventures of Superman (serials): Discussed as early superhero media. The guest, Brian Copeland, recalls watching marathons of the George Reeves series with his children every Labor Day weekend.
Batman and Robin (serial): Mentioned for being "so incredibly racist". The hosts recall specific racist lines from the World War II-era serial, including a reference to the internment of Japanese Americans.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man: Named as a new animated series that will be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Eyes of Wakanda: Mentioned as another upcoming animated series that will be set within the MCU.
Marvel Zombies: The hosts note this will be an animated series spinning off from an episode of What If...?.
What If...?: Mentioned as the origin series for the upcoming Marvel Zombies show.
Loki: The hosts give it a high rating, though one host argues that the story could have been told in a two-hour movie rather than a long-form series.
WandaVision: The hosts liked the show and admired its unique structure, which emulated sitcoms from different decades. However, they also felt it was an example of a show stretching out a story that didn't need to be that long.
Peacemaker: Cited as an example of the edgier, more humorous direction superhero adaptations might take in the future.
The Big Bang Theory: The guest asks the hosts for their opinion on the show, which they say they don't care for. They criticize it for its "hackneyed" and "misleading" portrayal of nerds.

Print & Other Media

Starlog (Magazine): A host recalls reading an article in this magazine as a kid that discussed the problems and limitations of superhero TV shows and movies at the time.
Superman for All Seasons (Comic Book): Mentioned as the reported source material for James Gunn's upcoming Superman film.
Supreme (Comic Book): Host James Gonas pitches an adaptation of Alan Moore's meta comic book series as a film he would love to see made.
Cosmic Ghost Rider (Comic Book Series): Host Matt Weinhold describes this "crazy" series where The Punisher becomes Ghost Rider, serves as the herald of Galactus, and goes back in time to raise baby Thanos.
Outraged (Novel): Guest Brian Copeland's first crime fiction novel, which he wrote during the pandemic.
Shadows of Justice (Novel): The upcoming second book in Brian Copeland's crime novel series.
Copeland's Corner (Podcast): Brian Copeland's podcast, which features comedians discussing the news of the week.
The Great American Shit Show (Stage Show): Brian Copeland's one-man stage show, described as "monologues on life in the age of Trump"