Let's Talk "Superman": How the '78 Film Shaped the Superhero Genre (For Better or Worse)

Why superhero stories are timeless when origin stories are strong

In this episode, we’re nerding out about the iconic 1978 film Superman, exploring its impact on superhero storytelling and its legacy. The OBA team and their special guest, composer and filmmaker Brian Henderson, share personal experiences with the character and analyze the hero's journey as depicted in the film. Our conversation highlights the evolution of Superman's persona across adaptations, the themes in the character’s origin story, the skill of distinguishing characters through speech patterns, and the significance of character struggles. We also explore the portrayal of villains, particularly Lex Luthor, and how modern audiences perceive hope and storytelling. At the end of our discussion, hopefully you’ll recognize the need for relatable characters and the impact of tone in storytelling, as well as understand how timeless stories can be adapted for contemporary audiences.

We take time to record these discussions because we don’t gatekeep the power of storytelling here. Subscribe if you want to learn how to tell your story well.

Chime in the comments and tell us: Why do you think superhero stories matter?

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