Superhero Smash Season IV—Audio Issue 69: The Superhero Smash Saving Summer Adventure!

For several seasons, you’ve been the Legion of Superhero Smash Listeners. But every great team eventually grows into something new.

So today, I’m officially welcoming all of you into The Smash Brigade!

That’s right. Every time you tune in, share a kind word, lend a helping hand, or put a little more good into the world, you’re part of the Brigade.

And today, Smashers, the Brigade is being called into action for its first official mission! Get ready to suit up!

But before we begin, let’s take a quick trip to the Back Issue Bin and revisit the last time we faced a super-sized adventure together.

Last winter, listeners of Superhero Smash helped save Christmas.

The Snow Miser and Heat Miser learned to work together, the holidays were saved, and peace was restored across the seasons.

But every superhero knows that one victory doesn’t stop trouble from finding its way back into the world.

And now, as summer begins to draw to a close, a new crisis has emerged.

Reports are coming in from across the Superhero Smash Universe.

Beaches are empty.

Ice cream is melting too fast.

Fireflies are disappearing before sunset.

And worst of all… summer itself appears to be fading away.

Smashers, it’s time for our first official mission.

We must save summer!

Wait. What? What’s happening to our sunshine?

Gathering the Heroes (5:00)

Smashers, the situation is worse than we thought.

Doctor Doom’s Seasonal Suppression Device is still blocking the sun.

Dark clouds cover the Superhero Smash Universe.

The beaches are empty.

The ice cream is melting.

Summer is slipping away.

But if Doom thinks we’re facing this crisis alone, he’s made a terrible mistake.

Because all season long we’ve been learning from heroes.

And now it’s time to call them together.

Supergirl: Growing Into Who You Are

The first hero to answer the call is Supergirl.

Supergirl reminds us that heroes aren’t born knowing exactly who they are.

They grow into who they become.

When others begin to panic, Supergirl refuses to give up.

“If summer is worth saving,” she says, “then we can do this.”

And with that, she gives the team something they desperately need:

Courage.

Dark Night Detectives: Noticing What Others Miss

Next come two of the world’s greatest detectives: Batman and Jessica Jones.

While everyone else is staring at the clouds, they start looking for clues.

Hours later, they uncover an important discovery.

Doctor Doom hasn’t destroyed the sun.

He’s hidden it.

Somewhere in the Superhero Smash Universe, the missing sunshine still exists.

Now the heroes finally have a lead.

Harry Dresden: Standing Up Anyway

The heroes gather to discuss a plan.

Some aren’t sure they can win.

After all, this is Doctor Doom.

But Harry Dresden stands up.

“Doing the right thing isn’t about knowing you’ll succeed,” he says. “It’s about standing up anyway.”

And with that, Harry volunteers to lead the mission, against his better judgment.

Spider-Man Noir: Doing Good in a Dark World

As the heroes begin their search, the darkness grows deeper.

But Spider-Man Noir reminds everyone of an important truth.

Even in a dark world, good people can still shine.

And so the search continues.

The heroes have courage.

They have a clue.

They have a mission.

Now all they need is a way to find Doom.

But first, let’s hear from one of the heroes who taught us how to keep going when the world gets dark.

Superhero Song 3 (3:49)

• “We Can Be Heroes” by Ozark Henry

The Monsters Join the Fight! (5:00)

Smashers, our heroes have uncovered an important clue.

Doctor Doom hasn’t destroyed the sun.

He’s hidden it.

Somewhere deep within the Superhero Smash Universe, Doom’s Seasonal Suppression Device is stealing the world’s sunshine and locking summer away.

But finding it won’t be easy.

Because the only path to Doom’s secret hideout leads through lands so dangerous that even superheroes rarely travel there.

And that’s when some unexpected heroes arrive.

Not every hero wears a cape.

Sometimes heroes come with claws, fangs, footprints the size of cars, and a reputation for causing trouble.

Godzilla: The Consequences of Our Actions

The ground begins to shake.

Trees sway.

Mountains tremble.

And rising over the horizon comes Godzilla.

Some heroes prepare for battle.

But Godzilla isn’t here to fight.

He’s here with a warning.

Using senses only he possesses, Godzilla discovers that Doom’s Seasonal Suppression Device is destabilizing the planet itself.

“If the machine keeps running,” the heroes learn, “the damage won’t stop with summer.”

The oceans will change.

The weather will change.

The balance of the world will change.

Everything has consequences.

And Doom’s actions are creating consequences for everyone.

The heroes realize they have even less time than they thought.

Summer isn’t the only thing at stake anymore.

King Kong: More Than a Monster

As Godzilla provides his warning, another giant figure appears.

King Kong.

The moment people see him, panic breaks out.

Some run.

Some hide.

Others assume the giant ape has come to cause chaos.

But King Kong does something unexpected.

He rescues stranded travelers trapped by a landslide caused by Doom’s machine.

He lifts fallen trees.

Clears blocked roads.

Protects people who are afraid of him.

Soon the heroes understand an important lesson.

Sometimes appearances can fool us.

Being different doesn’t make someone dangerous.

And being misunderstood doesn’t make someone a villain.

King Kong’s strength helps the heroes continue their journey toward Doom’s hidden fortress.

Tarzan: Finding Where You Belong

Even with Godzilla’s warning and Kong’s help, the heroes still don’t know where Doom has hidden the sun.

Then a voice calls out from the trees.

“I know the way.”

It’s Tarzan.

For years Tarzan has explored places others could never reach.

And he knows of a forgotten jungle valley hidden beyond the maps of ordinary travelers.

A place where sunlight once shined brighter than anywhere else.

If Doom wanted to hide the world’s missing sunshine, that’s where he’d do it.

Guided by Tarzan, the heroes journey through thick jungles, ancient pathways, and hidden passages until they finally reach the valley.

And there they find it.

The Seasonal Suppression Device.

A massive machine towering over the landscape.

And trapped inside it…

The sun.

The Phantom: Legacy and Honor

The heroes prepare for the final battle.

But even now, some begin to doubt.

The machine is enormous.

Doctor Doom is waiting.

And defeating him will not be easy.

That’s when a mysterious figure steps forward from the shadows.

The Phantom.

The Ghost Who Walks.

The Phantom reminds the heroes that they are part of something larger than themselves.

Heroes have faced impossible odds before.

Others carried the torch before us.

Others stood against darkness.

Others refused to quit.

Now it’s our turn.

The heroes stand taller.

The Smash Brigade stands ready.

And for the first time all day…

Hope returns.

Because the heroes have found Doom.

They’ve found the machine.

And they’ve found the missing sun.

Now there’s only one thing left to do.

Save summer.

Superhero Song 3 (3:06)

“Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles

Super Mission ID: Superhero Smash (0:30)

• You’re listening to Superhero Smash on WIUP FM 90.1.
• Featuring the best music, stories, and comic book lore from every superhero universe!
• Superhero Smash is a musical force for good!

Superhero Smash Super Shout-out: To Surya & Sarah (0:30)

• I want to give a quick Superhero Smash Super Shout-out to Surya, who just celebrated his 8th birthday and is a Spider-Man fan, and to Sarah who is setting out on a big adventure today. Have fun and stay safe out there, Smashers!
• And now back the final battle is about to commence!

The Final Battle

Smashers, we’ve found it!

Deep within the hidden valley, surrounded by storm clouds and strange machines, stands Doctor Doom’s Seasonal Suppression Device.

And trapped inside a giant sphere of crackling energy…

The sun.

Doctor Doom appears on a towering platform overlooking the valley.

His green cape snaps in the wind as he laughs.

“At last,” Doom declares. “The age of summer is over! Soon every season will bow before Doom!”

The heroes prepare for battle.

But Doom has one final surprise waiting.

The machine is protected by energy shields, robotic defenses, and enough power to keep even the strongest heroes at bay.

For a moment, it seems impossible.

That’s when the X-Men step forward.

X-Men: Strength Through Diversity

Cyclops studies the battlefield.

Storm studies the weather patterns around the machine.

Beast analyzes the technology.

Nightcrawler scouts ahead.

Wolverine sharpens his claws.

Each hero sees a different piece of the puzzle.

And suddenly they realize something important.

No single hero can stop Doom.

Not Superman.

Not Batman.

Not Spider-Man.

Not even the entire Fantastic Four.

This mission is simply too big.

But when every hero contributes their unique strengths, the impossible suddenly becomes possible.

The X-Men remind everyone that teams succeed because people bring different skills, different perspectives, and different experiences.

The heroes stop trying to do everything themselves.

They start working together.

And for the first time, Doom begins to look worried.

Redemption: Venom & Second Chances

As the battle rages, another figure appears.

Venom.

The heroes are stunned.

Because earlier that day, Venom had been helping Doctor Doom guard the valley.

Whether he had been tricked, manipulated, or simply made a bad decision, nobody is completely sure.

And now many of the heroes don’t trust him.

Venom lowers his head.

“I made a mistake,” he says.

For a moment, nobody speaks.

Then Venom points toward a hidden power conduit feeding Doom’s machine.

“But I can help fix it.”

The heroes exchange uncertain looks.

Finally, Spider-Man steps forward.

Everyone deserves the chance to do better.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to make things right.

Venom charges into action.

Using his strength, he tears apart a key section of the machine’s defenses.

The energy shield flickers.

Then weakens.

Then begins to fail.

Doom shouts in frustration.

For the first time, the machine is vulnerable.

And Venom has helped make it happen.

Final Lesson: Spider-Man & Responsibility

The heroes gather around the exposed machine.

The shield is down.

The sun is within reach.

But someone still needs to shut the device down.

And doing so will be risky.

For a moment, everybody hesitates.

Then Spider-Man steps forward.

“You know,” he says, “I’ve learned something over the years.”

The heroes listen.

“Sometimes we wait around hoping somebody else will solve the problem.”

“Somebody else will help.”

“Somebody else will save the day.”

“But nobody else is coming.”

Spider-Man looks around at the assembled heroes.

Then at the members of The Smash Brigade listening from across the Superhero Smash Universe.

“Saving summer is our responsibility.”

“Not because we’re the strongest.”

“Not because we’re perfect.”

“But because helping others is what heroes do.”

The heroes nod.

And together they charge toward the machine.

Supergirl provides courage.

The detectives provide insight.

Harry Dresden stands up anyway.

Spider-Man Noir shines in the darkness.

Godzilla warns of consequences.

King Kong proves appearances can be deceiving.

Tarzan helps everyone find where they belong.

The Phantom reminds them to honor those who came before.

The X-Men combine their strengths.

Venom earns a second chance.

And Spider-Man reminds everyone to serve others.

Every lesson from the season comes together.

Every hero contributes.

Every member of The Smash Brigade contributes.

With one final effort, the machine overloads.

Lights flash.

Energy erupts across the valley.

Doctor Doom howls in disbelief.

And then…

BOOM!

The Seasonal Suppression Device explodes into a shower of sparks.

The clouds begin to break apart.

Golden sunlight pours across the sky.

The beaches warm again.

The fireflies return.

The ice cream stops melting.

And Summer 2026 is saved.

Doctor Doom shakes a fist toward the sky.

“Curse you, Smash Brigade!”

Then he disappears in a cloud of smoke, undoubtedly plotting some future scheme.

But today belongs to the heroes.

Today belongs to summer.

And today belongs to all of you.

Because once again, the Smash Brigade answered the call.

Superhero Song 5 (3:17)

“Best Day of My Life” by American Authors

Super Community ID: Superhero Smash (0:30)

• You’re listening to Superhero Smash on WIUP FM 90.1.
• Smash the big button at pagnucci.org to enter the Superhero Smash Universe and join The Smash Brigade!
• Superhero Smash is a musical force for good!

Finale: Saving Summer! (2:00)

And that’s when everything comes together.

Supergirl’s courage.

Batman’s insight.

Harry Dresden’s determination.

Spider-Man Noir’s hope.

Godzilla’s warning.

King Kong’s heart.

Tarzan’s sense of belonging.

The Phantom’s honor.

The X-Men’s teamwork.

Venom’s redemption.

And Spider-Man’s responsibility.

Each hero contributes something the others cannot.

Each lesson matters.

Each strength matters.

No one hero saves the day.

Together, they are stronger than Doctor Doom ever imagined.

The heroes launch their final attack.

Storm unleashes powerful winds.

Cyclops blasts the machine’s control systems.

Venom tears apart the damaged power conduits.

Tarzan races across cables and platforms.

King Kong rips away massive support towers.

Godzilla’s atomic breath strikes the machine’s core.

And Spider-Man swings through a shower of sparks to activate the emergency shutdown.

For a moment, everything is silent.

Then…

BOOOOOM!

The Seasonal Suppression Device explodes in a burst of light.

Cracks spread across the dark clouds.

The sky brightens.

The shadows retreat.

And high above the Superhero Smash Universe, the sun is finally free.

Golden sunlight pours across beaches, parks, forests, cities, and small towns everywhere.

Children run outside.

Fireflies return to the evening sky.

Ice cream stops melting.

The waves sparkle once more.

And Summer 2026 gets one final glorious day.

Doctor Doom shakes his fist toward the sky.

“You may have won this time, Smash Brigade, but Doom shall return!”

With that, he vanishes in a cloud of smoke.

The heroes laugh.

The crisis is over.

Summer is saved.

And all across the Superhero Smash Universe, members of the Smash Brigade celebrate another heroic day.

Superhero Smash Super Shout-out: To Cormac (0:30)

• Before we dive into The Last Panel, I have time for one lastSuperhero Smash Super Shout-out to Cormac, who’s celebrating his birthday today in the best way anyone possibly could, by listening to Superhero Smash
• Happy birthday, Cormac!

The Last Panel (1:30)

And that’s the lesson of the summer Season, Smashers.

No single hero saved the day.

It took courage.

It took observation.

It took standing up anyway.

It took hope.

It took accepting consequences.

It took looking beyond appearances.

It took finding where you belong.

It took honor.

It took teamwork.

It took second chances.

And it took responsibility.

Those aren’t just superhero lessons.
They’re lessons we can use at school, at work, at home, and in our communities.
Because being a hero isn’t about superpowers.
It’s about the choices we make, the kindness we show, the responsibility we accept, and the ways we help others when they need us most.

It’s about the choices we make.

The kindness we show.

The responsibility we accept.

And the ways we help others when they need us most.

So wherever you are today, remember this:

You don’t have to wear a cape to make a difference.

You don’t have to be bitten by a radioactive spider.

You don’t have to come from Krypton.

You just have to choose to do some good.

And every time you do, you’re helping make the world a little brighter.

That’s what heroes do.

And that’s what members of the Smash Brigade do, too.

Thanks for joining me for Season IV of Superhero Smash.

Until our Thanksgiving and Winter specials, this is Doctor Smash reminding you that Superhero Smash is a musical force for good.

Super Mission ID: Superhero Smash (0:30)

Remember: “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 (Doctor Smash)

Until next time, this is Doctor Smash reminding you that superhero stories teach us how to be heroes in our everyday lives. Keep learning, keep growing, and keep smashing!

What a summer adventure it’s been, Smashers. Here’s one more song before we turn the page to the next chapter…

Act 5 Ends @ 60 Minutes