26 episodes
Marvel's Declassified Marvel
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4.4 • 96 Ratings
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Marvel's Declassified is a non-fiction narrative podcast focusing on the rich, dynamic, and evolving history of Marvel Comics - as told through a contemporary lens. Each episode is hosted by writer and comic book expert, Lorraine Cink (author of Powers of a Girl , co-author of Marvel Absolutely Everything You Need to Know, and Ultimate Marvel) and acclaimed journalist and critic Evan Narcisse (author of Marvel’s Rise of the Black Panther). Utilizing unique access to writers, artists, editors, and industry insiders who have shaped key storylines and witnessed firsthand the historical shifts within the comic book industry, we get the real story of Marvel Comics it could only be told by the House of Ideas itself.
For access to Marvel's Declassified and more incredible Marvel shows, subscribe on Marvel Podcasts Unlimited right here in Apple Podcasts!
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Origins
Today we associate Marvel almost exclusively with Super Heroes and Super Villains, but there was a time when Marvel Comics came in a wide range of genres: comedy, romance, western, sci-fi, horror, and more. In this premiere episode, Lorraine Cink and Evan Narcisse take a deep look into the way heroes like Captain America helped forge a new medium--until they were run out of their own comics by deep societal changes that eventually triggered the return of heroes, an eruption of talent... and the birth of the Marvel Age!
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Origins
Today we associate Marvel almost exclusively with Super Heroes and Super Villains, but there was a time when Marvel Comics came in a wide range of genres: comedy, romance, western, sci-fi, horror, and more. In this premiere episode, Lorraine Cink and Evan Narcisse take a deep look into the way heroes like Captain America helped forge a new medium--until they were run out of their own comics by deep societal changes that eventually triggered the return of heroes, an eruption of talent... and the birth of the Marvel Age!
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The World Outside Your Window
Lorraine and Evan explore the unique, sprawling neighborhoods of the Big Apple to uncover how the Five Boroughs and their inhabitants helped illustrate the fundamental idea that the Marvel Universe reflects the world outside your window.
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The World Outside Your Window
While other heroes were saving fictional metropolises, Marvel’s always thrived by putting our characters squarely in the real world. In this episode, Lorraine and Evan explore the unique, sprawling neighborhoods of the Big Apple to uncover how the Five Boroughs and their inhabitants helped illustrate the fundamental idea that the Marvel Universe reflects the world outside your window. The stakes may be impossibly high for characters like Spider-Man, Black Widow or the Fantastic Four, but their adventures unfold in a living, breathing New York City that was not only the birthplace of the Marvel Universe but is also our most important supporting character!
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War Stories
With World War II and the Vietnam War as benchmarks, Lorraine and Evan look at how Marvel has responded to military conflict on its pages. Along the way, they explore the relationship between art and propaganda, and how a good idea can be used for both good and evil.
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War Stories
Marvel’s predecessor Timely Comics was founded in 1939, the same year World War II began. From the earliest days, our creators were thinking about battles overseas and close to home. With artists, writers, and editors experiencing the war, sometimes on the frontlines, the pages flooded with patriotism, heroes, and horrors. With World War II and the Vietnam War as benchmarks, Lorraine and Evan look at how Marvel has responded to military conflict on its pages. Along the way, they explore the relationship between art and propaganda, and how a good idea can be used for both good and evil.
Archival clip of the 1939 Nazi rally courtesy New York Public Radio.
Archival clip of “This Is Our Enemy” courtesy Municipal Archives, City of New York.
Paul S. Hirsch’s upcoming book, Pulp Empire: The Secret History of Comic Book Imperialism, will be available in February 2021 from the University of Chicago Press. The book is available for preorder on Amazon here, and more information is available via his website.
Customer Reviews
Interesting
The in-depth details about Marvel are very interesting. They are mostly things that I never knew before listening to this. Personally, I think the episodes toward the end of the season got slightly less good, but mostly it is a very enjoyable podcast.
Honestly come on
Jeez we don’t need for you guys making this podcast having a conversation in the podcast interrupting the episode. For the spider verse episode you could have just listed each Spider-Man and state their origin powers and first appearance. Why did you have to talk To the creator of the spider verse? You could have just listed a few spidermen or spider women. Come on guys? Also p.s could you please talk to marvel about making a wastelanders type podcast but it has Spider-Man and the spider verse? Please? If you do that I will give you a five star review. Goodbye.🫥
Well-produced and very informative / Very scripted and "safe"
Note: (Review written 8 episodes in)
THE GOOD: This is an enjoyable and informative listen. Their audio quality is first rate and are covering a range of subjects including comic history, character deep-dives (the Hulk episode was particularly thoughtful), and how this content relates to the broader context of the real world.
THE MIXED: Unlike most comic podcasts, the two hosts don't just have an impromptu conversation — its meticulously prepared. This has its pros and cons: at times, it feels VERY scripted to the point where its apparent the hosts are reading from a script. Scripted podcasts can be great — (This American Life, 99% Invisible) and the hosts have charisma — but I hope the producers will give them a little more latitude to incorporate more natural "off-script" moments.
THE DISAPPOINTING: A listener should realize that this is officially-sanctioned content produced by the parent company and sometimes the tone feels a bit like it was composed by a PR department rather than unbiased experts of the comics medium. While I certainly don't expect (or want) any hit-pieces; the always-sunny view of Marvel's history feels a bit artificial — and certainly not worthy of the name "Declassified." Also, not acknowledging the existence or the impact of other publishers (apart from one mention Action Comics #1) removes necessary context to fully understand some of the history-focused episodes they create. I hope future episodes can do better.