I am your host Dr. Jon and I’m joined by my best friend Eric. We are here to explore and discuss different aspects and ideas floating around in the MCU as we on our other podcast explore the films, here, we will explore some of the ideas that stick out in some vigorous debate. Starting by asking: Why?
Comic Book Origins
Hulk came first. Dr. Robert Bruce Banne/Hulk was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and appeared in May 1962 in his own title, The Incredible Hulk. The Bruce and Hulk dynamic comes off in much of his early stories as a clear case of DID, dissociate identity disorder (what we used to call split personality disorder). Powers unlocked by Gamma Bomb exposure after saving a young man, Rick Jones.
Lee admitted that his inspiration behind Hulk was a combination of Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Iron Man and Anthony Edward “Tony” Stark is based on brilliant inventor/manufacturer/all around recluse Howard Hughes. The character was created by Stan Lee, his brother Larry Lieber, Don Heck, and Jack Kirby. He first appeared in Tales of Suspense #39 in March 1963. Originally captured in Vietnam, not Afghanistan, he develops the armor to stay alive before escaping. It is noted that Stan Lee envisioned Tony Stark as a means to explore Cold War themes, American technology and industry engagement in the fight against Communism.
In the MCU
There is a lot to say, and there will be more to discuss, but with their emergences in the MCU, we find two men who are qualified geniuses seeking to experiment on themselves. One, Tony Stark is the picture of necessity in his development of Iron Man. Two, Bruce Banner, a man driven to prove his experiment end up backfiring on his.
Both realize that mistakes were made. Tony, it is his weapons who he becomes Iron Man to do away with and make things right. Bruce, once he becomes the Hulk is concerned about the dangers of his own blood being used to hurt others.
Premise of Discussion
How do we feel about this look considering their origins and place in our culture today?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
