The Thinking Machines: Ultron, the Sentinels, and the Growing Fear of Artificial Intelligence

Heralds of Doom: The Rogues Gallery of the Fantastic Four

In this episode of Untold Origin -- the last for our first season -- we turn our attention from Marvel's First Family to the unforgettable villains they faced. From the sympathetic despot, Doctor Doom, to the godlike hunger of Galactus, these villains weren't just evil for evil's sake. Like the Fantastic Four, they were a reflection, not of our hopes, norms, and ideals, but of our anxieties. We explore how these characters embodied the fears of their era, and how, as those fears evolved, so too did the villains who represented them.  Show image: Bagel Boy Arts -- https://bsky.app/profile/bagelboyy.bsky.social Music sourced: Track: Slow Flamenco by PineAppleMusic Track: Mysterious Symbols by Rage Sound Track: Time Loop by Nuclear Wave Track: Honor and Valor by Rage Sound Track: Last Warrior by VensAdams Media sourced: The Apprentice (Film) (2024) Der Fuehrer's Face (Cartoon) (1942) C-Span 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis (2012) Fantastic Four (Cartoon) (1994) Social Media: @untoldorigin on Instagram @untoldoriginal.bsky.social on Bluesky

Marvel's First Family: The Fantastic Four

In this episode we take a look at the Fantastic Four, not just as superheroes, but as a time capsule of a specific moment in history. I examine how their timeliness makes them iconic, but also acts as a shackle to the past. How the norms, hopes, and tropes they embodied reflect an age that was grappling with the Space Race, Cold War anxieties, and shifting gender dynamics. Marvel's First Family wasn't created to be political, but their very existence couldn't help but capture the spirit of early 1960's America Show image: Bagel Boy Arts -- https://bsky.app/profile/bagelboyy.bsky.social Music sourced: Track: Moon Landing by Finval Track: Modern Nostalgia by Squares MP Track: Laboratory by Finval Track: Memories by Romanov_Studio Track: Sunny California by uhanoffski Media sourced: Fantastic Four (Film) (2005) Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (Film) (2007) Fantastic Four (Film) (2015) The Fantastic Four: First Steps (Film) (2025) The Wild One (Film) (1953) Glass Onion: A Knives Out Myster (Film) (2022) Fantastic Four Audio Drama (1975) Fantastic Four (Cartoon) (1967) Norm Macdonald, Ridiculous (Album) (2006) Social Media: @untoldorigin on Instagram @untoldoriginal.bsky.social on Bluesky

Atomic Monsters: Hulk, Spider-Man, and the End of the Atomic Hero

The Atomic Age marked not just a turning point in geopolitics, but a sea change in the American imagination. In popular culture throughout the age, mystery gave way to wonder, and eventually to the stark reality of potential nuclear annihilation. In this episode, we explore the atomic origins of comic book characters beginning in the Silver Age, and see how evolving understanding of radiation and nuclear capability was reflected in the characters that owed their origin to that powerful phenomenon.  Show image: Bagel Boy Arts -- https://bsky.app/profile/bagelboyy.bsky.social Music sourced: Track: The Last Fight by MelancholicBird Track: Feeling of the End by Anton Kramar Track: Timelapse  by Abstract_Solar Track: Last Warrior by VensAdams Media sourced: The Incredible Hulk (1978) -- television series Them! (1954) Spider-Man (1967) -- cartoon Spider-Man the Animated Series (1994) Cosmos (1980) -- television series Watchmen (2009) -- film Dredd (2012) -- film Social Media: @untoldorigin on Instagram @untoldoriginal.bsky.social on Bluesky

Even an Android Can Cry: Vision, Jarvis, and the Ghost in the Machine

Not all artificial intelligences found in comic books are villains. In this follow-up to last week's episode, we'll explore those artificial creations that sought to assist humanity. Those characters and assistants that strove to aid not only in humanity's goals, but in its betterment. From characters like Vision and Machine Man to the more personalized interfaces like Jarvis and Skeets, we will focus on the promise of A.I., always interwoven with the very anxieties it tends to cause.   Show image: Bagel Boy Arts -- https://bsky.app/profile/bagelboyy.bsky.social Music sourced: Track: The Last Fight by MelancholicBird Track: Feeling of the End by Anton Kramar Track: Night City by CloudSystem Track: Timelapse  by Abstract_Solar Track: Arasaka Tower by AHOAMI Track: Last Warrior by VensAdams Media sourced: Justice League Unlimited Avengers: Age of Ultron Iron Man Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Man & Computer, IBM 1965 "The Thinking Machine" from MIT and CBS Celebrating the Cell Phone, CNN Social Media: @untoldorigin on Instagram @untoldoriginal.bsky.social on Bluesky

The Thinking Machines: Ultron, the Sentinels, and the Growing Fear of Artificial Intelligence

Anxiety surrounding artificial intelligence is nothing new. In fact, we can see its early depictions in the Silver Age of comics with characters like the Sentinels and Ultron. This episode explores how early computing technology stoked these fears, and how those fears evolved through the 1980's, 90's, and into the 21st century. This first part in a two part series highlights those anxieties, while the second part will focus on the hope that exists with regards to computing and artificial intelligence.   Show image: Bagel Boy Arts -- https://bsky.app/profile/bagelboyy.bsky.social Music sourced: Track: The Last Fight by MelancholicBird Track: Feeling of the End by Anton Kramar Track: Night City by CloudSystem Track: Timelapse  by Abstract_Solar Track: Arasaka Tower by AHOAMI Media sourced: Superman: The Animated Series Avengers: Age of Ultron "The Thinking Machine" from MIT and CBS Social Media: @untoldorigin on Instagram @untoldoriginal.bsky.social on Bluesky