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Here at “The Alternate Reality” we indulge in a weekly round table discussion/good natured debate of cool comics, movies, TV and other pop culture related foolishness. Recorded in the heart of beautiful downtown Mount Greenwood at the Alternate Reality Studio Center, “The Alternate Reality” is hosted by our regular contributors of south-sides sages and the occasional guest. We’re coming to you weekly so give us a listen at the player link below, or click here to download.

Feb 8, 2016

After taking a week off we’re back with some weighty questions. What can one man do? What can one character or comic do? Sometimes a lot. Social issues have been the grist of comics stories going back to the days of EC Comics, through the “relevant 70’s” and into today’s push for diversity. Like movies and music, comics have been a force for social change almost from their beginning. Sometimes it work’s, sometimes its heavy handed and the fabulous foursome returns sort it out as only they can. From Rock and Roll comics to female-centric characters creating social change to original characters vs race or gender flipped characters and much more are all dissected and explored. Should writers work outside their comfort zones or can that lead to stereotyping? How are metaphors used as vehicles for social justice? Why markets don’t always support the books that are marketed to them. Will capitalism ultimately be the great equalizer? Heavy stuff? Don’t worry-we always provide enough fart jokes to grease the wheels.

Also discussed during the course of this episode: Dr.Who and Steven Moffat, the Wicker Man, Marvel Super Special and KISS, Rock & Roll Biography Comics, Phonogram, Punk Rock Jesus, Jem and the Holograms, Mad Magazine music parodies, Rocket Raccoon, Must there be a Superman?, EC Comics and social commentary, Black Panther, Miles Morales, Angela, black actors as white characters, Idris Alba as 007, Vibe and Hispanic characters, black was the original gray in Marvel, stereotypes as bad writing, ethnic characters passing as white, the “just another superhero” syndrome Bitch Planet, LumberJanes, V for Vendetta, Pride of Bagdad.

And after all that we wrap the show up with our regular weekly, unscripted, and totally unrehearsed “sad or luxurious” challenge. This week: SAD or LUXURIOUS: Universe Re-Boots.