Skip to content
Original Air Date
Part 1 Begins
- Good morning. You’ve waited all week, and here it finally is: Another great episode of Superhero Smash on WIUP FM 90.1!
- Featuring “The Best in Superhero Music and Comic Book Lore”
- Superhero Smash is a musical force for good!
- I’m your host, Dr. Gian Pagnucci, but you can call me The New Professor X
- All summer long, I’ll be playing great music about superheroes as well as music that is featured in superhero movies and shows
- I’ll also be talking about comic book history and heroism
- And I’ll have plenty of great guest stars this summer, too
- But no matter what cool stuff I discuss, you don’t have to worry because this is a NO SPOILERS show
- Contact me, the new Professor X, via email: SuperheroSmash3000@gmail.com
- I love to hear from the Legion of Superhero Smash Fans!
Issue Theme
- Doing Good in a Dark World
Heroic Spotlight: Spider-Man Noir! (1:00)
- The past 2 weeks, I’ve been talking about dark night detectives: Batman, Jessica Jones, Harry Dresden, and in today’s episode: Spider-Noir
- That’s right! Today I’ll be featuring the new Amazon Prime show Spider Noir which stars Nicholas Cage as The Spider
Time for Spider-Man Noir (1:00)
- The Spider-Noirshow is set in alternate dimension of the Marvel Universe
- It’s dark. It’s cool. And it is a LOT of fun.
- I watched the first episode, and you are definitely going to want to check it out, especially after today’s episode of Superhero Smash
- To kick things off, I thought I should feature a song that has both Spider-Man and Batman in it
- I have featured it a few times before on Superhero Smash
- And don’t worry, it’s not the “Super Friend” song
- But it is a classic
- And probably my all time favorite song
Heroic Opening Song for Dark Night Detectives (4:07)
- “Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay
Spider-Man: The Dark Detective (2:00)
- So we don’t normally think of Spider-Man as a dark detective
- He does solve some crimes and mysteries, especially in the comics
- But mostly, he fights supervillains sporting colorful costumes and incredible powers
- The new Spider-Noir show is a little more down to earth
- In this story, rather than calling himself Spider-Man, the hero of the story goes by the name The Spider
- Now don’t worry, listeners, Superhero Smash is, as it has always been, a no spoilers show!
- So I’m not going to give anything important away
- Plus, I’ve only watched the first episode, so I don’t know too much about the story yet myself
- I’m just going to cover some basics to get us into the swing of things, pun intended!
- At least in the first episode, The Spider seems to have the same basic powers that Spider-Man has always had: He is strong, he can shoot webs, he can swing around buildings and climb like a spider
- And he has that spider-sense that warns him of impending danger
- The Spider does have a different costume, though
- He dresses all in black, wears a black trench coat and gloves, dark glasses, and a black fedora hat
- In fact, he looks a lot more like a classic private eye than a superhero
- Which is pretty cool if you ask me
- So let’s play The Spider’s theme song to get us going
Heroic Opening Song for Spider-Noir (2:37)
- “Spider-Man Noir” by Vinnie Chocha
Part 1 Ends (@13 minutes)
Part 2 Begins (@13 minutes)
The Time Period of Spider-Noir (2:00)
- You probably noticed at the end of Vinnie Chocha’s song a few references to, “it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing”
- That’s because Spider-Noir is set in 1932 during the Great Depression
- The story is set 15 years after the end of World War I and the characters talk about the depression going on
- Technically, prohibition ended in December of 1933, but everybody in Spider-Noir seems to drink, especially the main character, private investigator Ben Reilly a.k.a. The Spider
- These hard times make things very bleak in New York City where the show takes place
- Of course, the Big Apple has always hardened the people who lived there
- New York City was especially dark and dirty during the depression, but it also was home to some great music
- This was the era of jazz, and there was great music to be heard all over America in those days
- Sadly, most of those fine jazz clubs have vanished, but you can still here great jazz here on WIUP FM 90.1, jazz like this next classic song
Noir Song 1 (3:53)
- “t Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) [Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, March 7, 1965]” by Ella Fitzgerald & Duke Ellington
Superhero Smash Super Shout-out: To Zach in Indiana, PA (2:00)
- And since I just played some jazz, this is the perfect moment for me to give a Superhero Smash Super Shoutout to Zach Stiegler, who is the WIUP FM 90.1 Station Manager and Professor in IUP’s Department of Communications Media
- Zach hosts his own WIUP FM 90.1 show called “Jazzish” on Saturday evenings at 10:00 p.m.
- Zach also taught me the basics for getting on air and gave me a chance to host my very own radio show
- Four seasons later, Superhero Smash has become the best part of my job at IUP
- I love bringing great superhero music and comic book lore to the Legion of Superhero Smash Fans!
- And hosting this radio show has helped me focus on a new kind of public scholarship, what my friends Alex Romagnoli and Sandy Eckard have labeled Social Scholarship: Scholarship that helps people learn about academic research in public forums like blogs, podcasts, and radio shows
- So thanks, Zach, for helping being Superhero Smash‘s Origin Story!
The Color of Spider-Noir’s World (4:00)
- The song you just heard talks a lot about black and white, with a touch of gray
- It’s partly because, of course, The Spider is trying to fight for good, the white, against a world of darkness, the black
- But often, as he goes, things get murky and gray
- Also, the series is called Spider-Noir
- “Noir” is the French word for “black” or “dark”
- And film noir or cinema noir is a term used to describe the cynical and darkly moody Hollywood crime dramas of the 1940s and 1950s
- Cinema noir is defined by its bleak themes of moral ambiguity
- The cinematography is shadowy, high-contrast black-and-white visuals
- The protagonists of these films are usually cynical, world-weary anti-heroes
- These anti-heroes are hard-boiled character archetypes
- Spider-Noir has all of these classic cinema noir features
- And one really cool thing about Spider-Noir is that they released versions in both color and black and white
- While both versions are supposed to be great, I did some research to decide what version to watch
- In the article “I watched Spider-Noir in Black and White and Color, and There’s a Clear Winner,” writer Belen Edwards for the entertainment website Mashable says there’s no question that you should watch Spider-Noir in black and white
- As Edwards explains in her article,
- “The show is chock-full of chiaroscuro, a technique that contrasts bright highlights with dark shadows, and the result is a visual feast. Light frames detective Ben Reilly’s (Cage) head in a darkened bar, cut occasionally by the blades of a fan. Street lamps cast long shadows down New York City streets. Lounge singer Cat Hardy’s sparkly gowns stand out against pitch-black mirrors [more on her later]
- “These images and more immerse you fully in the world of Spider-Noir, drawing you back into a bygone era. Here, the power of good lighting is more apparent than ever, especially in a growing crowd of underlit TV shows.”
- Finally, Edwards says, “To put it more bluntly, Spider-Noir just looks cooler in black and white. That option most clearly matches the show’s inspirations, plus it offers viewers the novelty of seeing a new show that’s mostly missing from the current TV landscape.”
- I’ll say I totally agree with Edwards that watching Spider-Noir helps you experience the series in all its cinema noir glory
- I watched the first episode in black and white and it felt perfect, just like a classic private eye film
- And Nicholas Cage works to channel the spirit of Humphrey Bogart, who played Sam Spade and Philip Marlow, two of the most famous hard-boiled detectives of all time in cinema noir
Noir Song 1 (3:53)
- “Scared of the Dark” by Lil Wayne & Ty Dolla $ign and Featuring XXXTENTACION
Part 2 Ends (@30 minutes)
Part 3 Begins (@30 minutes)
The Superhero Smash Comic Book Vault: First Appearance of Spider-Man Noir (1:00)
- The Comic Book Vault Sound Effect (0:12)
- Spider-Man Noir First Comic Book Appearance: Spider-Man Noir #1
- Publication Date: December 17, 2008
- Publisher: Marvel Comics
- Writers: David Hine and Fabrice Sapolsky
- Artist: Carmine Di Giandomenico
- Value: You could get last week’s Harry Dresden comic for only $25 on eBay, but I’m afraid Spider-Man Noir #1 is more like $140 on eBay
- The issue has a great cover by Patrick Zircher of Spider-Man Noir all in black with his goggles glowing white and his dark trench coat billowing out behind him
- And, since this is a dangerous New York City, he’s holding up a pistol
The Origin of Spider-Man Noir (3:00)
- The first Spider-Man Noir comic book was a blending of pulp fiction and hardboiled detective stories with classic Marvel lore, tackling darker themes like economic inequality, systemic corruption, and political violence
- Set in 1933 New York City, like on the Spider-Noir show, the world is dominated by organized crime, corrupt politicians, and brutal gangland bosses rather than futuristic cityscapes
- While investigating a smuggling ring in one of Norman Osborn’s warehouses, Peter Parker breaks an ancient spider idol. A swarm of spiders is released, and one bites him, giving him a vision of a Mesopotamian spider-god and granting him arachnid superpowers.
- After Peter’s Uncle Ben, who was a social reformer and World War I airman in this universe, is brutally murdered by a cannibalistic crime enforcer named the Vulture, Peter decides to fight back
- Since this is an alternate dimension, there are no costumed superheroes, so instead Peter fashions his dark costume out of his Uncle Ben’s World War I aviator uniform, a trench coat, and a mask fitted with goggles
- This version of Spider-Man is far more cynical and angry than the wise cracking youthful hero we are used to
- Spider-Man Noir relies on athleticism, stealth, and occasionally guns to wage a one-man war against the mob
- He might even be more vengeful than Batman, though I doubt he’s angrier
- There’s also an X-Men Noir comic book series set in this world!
- Spider-Man Noir might be struggling and angry in a dark, corrupt New York City, but he still has plenty of saving grace and do-good spirit, as this next song from the new show reminds us
Noir Song 2 (2:47)
PSA: Visit the IUP Kathleen Jones White Writing Center (1:00)
- If you’re an IUP student struggling to make ends meet in New York City or here in Indiana county, the good news is you can at least get help with your writing for free!
- Just head to the IUP Kathleen Jones White Writing Center
- The Writing Center is open all summer long, and the Writing Center tutors will help IUP students with any writing challenge, no matter how dark and forboding
- You can get help from the Writing Center remotely this summer, via Zoom, where you can talk directly with a tutor, or asynchronously, where a tutor will give you comments on your paper
- Let me cue that Writing Center Theme Song!
Writing Center Theme Song (0:30)
- “I Love the Writing Center” by Dr. Weinstein
Superhero Smash Super Shout-out: To Dr. Dan Weinstein (0:10)
- And let me also give a Superhero Smash Super Shout-out to Dr. Dan Weinstein, the Director of the Writing Center and LLW Associate Professor
- Just throw a trench coat and some dark glasses on him, and Dan can help track down the source of whatever problem is challenging you as a writer
Spider-Man Noir’s First Animated Appearance (2:00)
- Spider-Man Noir first appeared on screen in the brilliant animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
- As with the new Spider-Noir series, in the animated movie, the character was voiced by Nicholas Cage
- Interestingly, in that alternate animated dimension, New York City is literally all black-and-white; that animated dimension has no color
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is about Miles Morales, who is another alternate dimension version of Spider-Man
- When Spider-Man Noir appears in the movie, Miles asks, “Is he in black and white?” and then Peter Parker asks, “Where is that wind coming from? We’re in a basement.”
- To which, Spider-Man Noir dramatically replies: “Wherever I go, the wind follows. And the wind… smells like rain.”
- Spider-Man Noir also appeared in the sequel, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, but he didn’t have a speaking role, which was a shame since Nicholas Cage was so great in the first movie
- Lucikly, though, we get Cage back for the new live-action series
- And we still have some great music from the animated film to enjoy while we wait for the third movie in Mile’s animated story
Noir Song 3 (3:42)
- “What’s Up Danger” by Blackway & Black Caviar from the soundtrack Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Super Romantic Interlude: The Femme Fatale (1:00)
- One other element of cinema noir I need to talk about is the concept of the femme fatale
- A femme fatale is a seductive and dangerous woman who uses her charm to achieve her own selfish and sometimes deadly ambitions
- Femme fatales are always beautiful and falling in love with them can be fatal
- Spider-Noir does indeed have a beautiful femme fatale
- Her name is Cat Hardy and she is played by Li Jun Li
- This is a reimagining of the Spider-Man character Felicia Hardy a.k.a. The Black Cat
- The original Black Cat had a form fitting black costume lined with white fur to match her long white hair
- Cat Hardy doesn’t have the same striking costume, but she does have a striking voice, as you will hear in this next song from the show
Heroic Opening Song for Spider-Noir (2:37)
- “Dream a Little Dream of Me” by Li Jun Li
Part 3 Ends (@47 minutes)
Part 4 Begins (@47 minutes)
Super Event: 3 Rivers Comicon–Saturday & Sunday, June 6 & 7 (1:00)
Super Event Details
- Back in Season II I brought you an interview with Jon Engle who organizes Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Comicon
Jon Engle (1:00)
- When Jon was on the show, he told listeners all about what it’s like to organize and promote a comicon
- As you can imagine, it’s a huge undertaking
- Jon is an IUP alum, so I’ll have to try and get him back on the show to tell us how 3 Rivers Comicon has been evolving
- Meantime, as a special treat, here’s just a little taste from my original interview with Jon Engle
- I hope it wets your appetite to head to downtown Pittsburgh’s David L. Lawrence Convention Center this weekend, June 6 & 7 to enjoy the con!
Jon Engle Clip (1:45)
- “Jon Engle Puts the Comics Back into Comicon!”
- Hope you enjoyed that short clip
- I also want to thank Jon for giving me and my Sound Engineer, Loughlin, our very own Press Badges so we could cover 3 Rivers Comicon in style the last time we went
- That Press Pass is now one of my all time prized positions, so thanks, Jon for recognizing Superhero Smash as an important part of today’s media landscape!
- As Jon says, 3 Rivers Comicon “puts the comics back into comicon!”
- And they really do
- They have so many comic book vendors selling tons of great comic books, new and old
- You’re bound to find something great for your comic book collection there
- Or bring your kids and help them get started on comics from the dollar bins!
- 3 Rivers Comicon is fun for all ages!
- And since we’re talking about comic books, that leads to my Super Good Deed for the Week
Super Good Deed for the Week: Buy somebody a comic book! (2:00)
- Superhero stories are about doing good
- And in that spirit, this summer I’ve been working to make Superhero Smash be a musical force for good
- Last week’s Superhero Move in Honor of the magical wizard Harry Dresden was: Small Favor. No Marker. Just Pass It On.
The Superhero Move
- This week, in celebration of 3 Rivers Comicon and my friend Jon Engle, let me encourage you to do this:
- Head to your local comic book shop, book store, or comicon and buy someone a comic book or graphic novel
- Most comic books are only $3.99
- Even Sheetz gas stations has been carrying them
- Comic books are a great way to encourage kids to enjoy reading
- In fact, reading comics led me to become an English professor
- So buy someone you know a comic book, and give them a world of adventure and heroics
- Free Comic Book Day, my favorite holiday, is always the first Saturday in May, but you can give someone a surprise free comic book day this week
- That’s this week’s Superhero Smash Move: Buy a comic book for somebody you love! Super good deed!
Super Show ID 6: Superhero Smash To Be Continued Next Issue! (1:00)
- Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel: Moon Knight!
- If you are enjoying today’s show, you can catch more Superhero Smash on Thursday mornings at 11:00 a.m. all summer long on WIUP FM 90.1
- Moon Knight: Next issue I’ll be featuring another superhero of the night, Moon Knight!
- Moon Knight is probably my favorite superhero, and I realized I haven’t done a show about him yet
- So tune in next Thursday at 11:00 a.m. to hear all about him
- Listen to Superhero Smash on WIUP FM 90.1
- Featuring “The Best Superhero Music and Comic Book Lore” in the Marvel Universe, the DC Universe, and our U-niverse too!
- Superhero Smash is a musical force for good!
- Check out pagnucci.org and click the big Superhero Smash button
- Or email the New Professor X using the address SuperheroSmash3000@gmail.com
- And remember, while Superhero Smash is about the exploits of amazing individuals,
- “You don’t need superpowers to be a hero. The only thing it takes to be a hero is the courage to do what’s right when someone needs your help.”–Gian Pagnucci
Heroic End Credits Song for Spider-Noir (3:04)
- “Spider-Man Theme (Junkie XL Remix)” by Michael Bublé
Part 4 Ends (@60 minutes)
