There Was An Idea... A Marvel Cinematic Universe Podcast

I don't know what Christmas is but Christmastime is here! And so is long-time friend of the show Danny to discuss the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special and the teaser trailer for Guardians Volume 3. If you're curious about what your host TK has been up to while on hiatus from There Was An Idea..., check out a couple of recent appearances on other shows: The Captioned Life: https://www.thecaptionedlife.com/75-marvel-phase-4-review/ The Infinity Film Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-infinity-film-podcast/id1524585569 MCU Need To Know: https://www.mcuneedtoknow.com/episodes Follow There Was An Idea: @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia: https://demetersalvia.bandcamp.com/album/monachopsis-emergence-single

This week, TK is joined by professor and writer Jonathan Evans who shares an adapted version of his 2022 Popular Cultural Association presentation "The MCU versus the Snyderverse: Ideological Conceptions of the Superhero." Jonathan shares such nuggets of insight as "Superheroes' greatest power is their ability to model for us in the real world the behaviors that we should deem important and want to imitate." We also discuss Moon Knight, Multiverse of Madness, and all of the doors that the MCU has opened for future storytelling. Learn more about Jonathan Evans and his work: https://www.arhetoricaleducation.com and @archingwithaphd on Twitter and @esoteric_by_design and @rhetorical_education_beyond on Instagram Check out his full PCA Presentation: https://youtu.be/GwHKKHjM4bo Follow There Was An Idea: @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia: https://demetersalvia.bandcamp.com/album/monachopsis-emergence-single

It's been two years since There Was An Idea... launched and your host TK is back from hiatus with an update about what's next for the podcast. Tune in to hear how YOU can contribute to the upcoming 100th episode of the show! Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia: https://demetersalvia.bandcamp.com/album/monachopsis-emergence-single

This is an organizing principle. This week TK is joined by writer and podcaster Sean Winnigham to dig into the big ideas of episodes 5 and 6 of Moon Knight. We explore the thematic resonance of Marc's and Steven's identity story and talk about our favorite moments from the show's penultimate episode and finale. Follow Sean @TheSeanHulk and @CaptionedLife on Twitter Read Sean's TV and Film reviews for Comic Watch: https://comic-watch.com/author/sean-winningham Listen to Sean's podcast The Captioned Life: https://www.thecaptionedlife.com/ Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia: https://demetersalvia.bandcamp.com/album/monachopsis-emergence-single

TK shares her first impressions of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Spoilers ahead! Stay tuned for more in-depth analysis of this film and other MCU installments. Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

I know I'm bloody not alone. This week TK is joined by teacher and theologian Daniel to dig into the big ideas of episodes 3 and 4 of Moon Knight. We talk about our favorite moments from these two mid-season episodes and discuss how the show diverges from the rest of the MCU in its conceptions of gods and the divine. Article referenced: https://www.polygon.com/23023575/moon-knight-episode-3-disney-plus Oscar Isaac's hippopotamus song: https://nerdist.com/article/oscar-isaac-playing-the-guitar-hippopotamus-song/ Stay tuned for information about Daniel's upcoming podcast @astarwarspod on Twitter Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia: https://demetersalvia.bandcamp.com/album/monachopsis-emergence-single

Hello, the man in the mirror. This week TK digs into the big ideas of episode 2 of Moon Knight, "Summon the Suit." The second episode of this new MCU series answers some questions and raises a whole bunch more. Join me as I reflect on Steven Grant's identity story and the other emerging themes of Moon Knight. Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia: https://demetersalvia.bandcamp.com/album/monachopsis-emergence-single

Oh. The idiot's in control. This week TK digs into the big ideas of episode 1 of Moon Knight, "The Goldfish Problem." How refreshing and reinvigorating to meet a new character within the MCU and to navigate his corner of the universe as he is figuring out who he is and how he fits in. I've only had Steven Grant for a week but if anything happened to him... Join me as I reflect on the emerging themes of Moon Knight and share my thoughts on the series premiere. Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia: https://demetersalvia.bandcamp.com/album/monachopsis-emergence-single

Da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da Batman! TK is joined by novelist and podcaster Darby Harn to talk about the world's OTHER most popular superhero. What is it about Batman that has resonated with audiences for decades? What are the elements of a good Batman story? What makes a successful portrayal of the character? We explore these questions and highlight some of our favorite Batman stories and depictions before digging into Matt Reeves's The Batman. Note: This episode contains major spoilers for The Batman and minor spoilers for other Batman movies and comics. Darby Harn: https://darbyharn.com/ and @darbyharn on Twitter Darby's latest book "In Between: Stories of the Eververse" hits stores on May 6, 2022! The Shelf Warmers podcast: https://anchor.fm/darby-harn Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia: https://demetersalvia.bandcamp.com/album/monachopsis-emergence-single

This week TK is joined by writer and return-guest Danny to examine the character arc of our favorite MCU character, Steve Rogers. We discuss what we love about him and dig into the central themes of his identity story. We consider the many ways Steve describes himself and the ways others describe him as we highlight significant moments from Captain America's journey in the Infinity Saga. Danny and I also work together to build a Steve Rogers character playlist! Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia: https://demetersalvia.bandcamp.com/album/monachopsis-emergence-single

TK shares some first impressions of The Batman and talks about her viewing experience. Spoilers ahead! Stay tuned for more in-depth analysis of The Batman and, of course, a return to MCU content! Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

TK shares a brief update about what's coming next for the podcast.

This week we're kicking off a new miniseries within There Was An Idea! TK is joined by Ellie of the Oh Shoot! podcast to trace Peter Parker's character arc in the MCU. We discuss what we love about this character and examine the central themes of his identity story. We consider the many ways Peter describes himself and the ways others describe him as we highlight significant moments from his journey. Ellie and I also work together to build a Peter Parker character playlist AND, in honor of Valentines Day, discuss our MCU crushes. Oh Shoot!: https://linktr.ee/ohshootpodcast and @ohshootpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia: https://demetersalvia.bandcamp.com/album/monachopsis-emergence-single

This week, TK branches out of the MCU to discuss some of the best films of 2021 that were not executive-produced by Kevin Feige. Check it out if you are looking for some recommendations and/or want to hear more about the types of stories, characters, and aesthetics that resonate with me. Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

In the beginning... before the six singularities and the dawn of creation, came the CELESTIALS. And, this week, TK is joined by return-guest, teacher and theologian Daniel, to discuss the big ideas of Chloe Zhao's ETERNALS. We analyze how each character grapples with the questions "Who am I?" and "Why am I here?" and discuss the movie's approach to and commentary on storytelling and mythmaking. We also share our favorite scenes and picks for superlatives such as "Best Costume" and "Best Use of Music." Articles cited in this episode include: https://www.npr.org/2021/10/30/1049694376/new-marvel-eternals-chloe-zhao-gemma-chan https://www.themarysue.com/eternals-humanity-sci-fic-arthur-c-clarke/ https://medium.com/humungus/eternals-isn-t-just-a-blockbuster-it-s-marvel-s-first-cult-classic-d8bb70c124b Hear Daniel on episodes of MCU Need To Know such as this one: https://www.mcuneedtoknow.com/episodes/what-if-leech-and-daniel-hosted-the-show Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

This week, TK is joined by Wayne, one of the hosts of the VoxPopcast, to reflect on the Hawkeye series. Wayne has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the world of comics -- as a reader, writer, fan, and academic. He shares a bunch of super compelling examples from years of comics history that capture why Hawkeye has always been one of his favorite characters AND identifies the connective tissue between those portrayals and the Hawkeye(s) we see in the series. We also discuss the themes of the show that resonate with us so deeply and share some of our season faves, including MVP and Best Trick Arrow! Hear Wayne on the VoxPopcast: https://voxpopcast.com/ and @voxpopcast on Instagram and Twitter Wayne's website: http://www.wayne-wise.com/ Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

In this crossover episode with The Marvelous Madames, Kris and I dig into Sam Raimi's Spider-Man (2002). This movie set up the rules of modern, live-action, archetypal superhero storytelling that the MCU has since broken. But to what extent does it hold up? (There are no spoilers for No Way Home here!) The Marvelous Madames: https://themarvelousmadames.com and @marvelmadames on Instagram, Twitter, Tumbr, and TikTok Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

When we look back on it, what will we remember most about the MCU in 2021? What big ideas tie the year's installments together? Was 2021 the best year for the Marvel Cinematic Universe? I'm joined by Sean of The Captioned Life and Ellie of Oh Shoot! to dig into the characters, moments, and themes that encapsulate the past year in the MCU. Then (44:57), we share our picks for some 2021 MCU superlatives, including: Rookie of the Year, Best Quote, Best Dressed, MVP, and more! Note: This episode contains spoilers for movies and shows across the MCU, including all of the 2021 releases. The Captioned Life: https://www.thecaptionedlife.com and @CaptionedLife on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok Oh Shoot!: https://linktr.ee/ohshootpodcast and @ohshootpodcast on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

Is this what heroes do? Arrest their mothers on Christmas? This week TK digs into the big ideas of episode 6 of Hawkeye, "So This Is Christmas?" I share some brief thoughts on how the finale successfully put a bow (ha!) on the thematic threads of the series and talk about my favorite character moments from the episode. I'm also interrupted by a very special surprise guest, so keep your ears open for that! Stay tuned for a full Hawkeye series (season?) retrospective in which I promise to remember to talk about the Rolex. Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter Hear my appearance on the Infinity Film Podcast, episode 89: https://anchor.fm/infinity-bros There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

TK shares some first impressions of Spider-Man: No Way Home and talks about her viewing experience. Spoilers ahead! Stay tuned for more in-depth analysis of Spider-Man: No Way Home! Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

Hiiiiii! This week TK is joined by brand new guest Shannon Camarda to dig into the big ideas of episode 5 of Hawkeye, “Ronin." Shannon brings a unique perspective to the podcast as a ride-or-die Clint Barton fan. That's right; she's loved MCU Hawkeye since the very beginning! And she's got some really compelling reasons to support her claim that he has always been highly underrated and misunderstood. We discuss the commonalties that Clint, Kate, Maya, and Yelena share and muse on the enduring There Was An Idea question: "What does that word [Avenger] even mean?" Now excuse me while I dramatically fall out of a window. (Spoilers for Hawkeye and other MCU projects.) Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

Why is there an Avenger in my dining room?. This week TK is joined by longtime friend of the podcast CH and newcomer Rae Cerulean to dig into the big ideas of episode 4 of Hawkeye, “Partners, Am I Right?” What does CH look for in an MCU miniseries and has Hawkeye delivered? And why is it this series that has finally brought Rae into the MCU? Join us for a discussion that captures the combination of shenanigans and depth that we so loved about Clint and Kate's holiday-cheer-frozen-daiquiri-coin-trick-emotions party. Plus! Like Kate, we are DEFINITELY not chill. Specifically when it comes to the return of one of our favorite MCU characters! (Spoilers for Hawkeye and other MCU projects.) Check out Rae's art: @rae.cerulean on Instagram and https://www.etsy.com/shop/RaeCerulean Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram

Look out! Here comes the Spider-Man episode. TK is joined by Trey of MCU Need to Know to talk about the world's most popular superhero. What is it about Spider-Man that resonates with such a universal audience? Who IS Peter Parker? What makes a good Spider-Man depiction? We also share some of our Spider-Man superlatives, including favorite portrayals, favorite villains, and our top 3 Spider-Man movie moments. Note: This episode contains varying degrees of spoilers for all of the live-action Spider-Man films and Into the Spider-verse. "Inside the Magic" article mentioned in the episode: https://tinyurl.com/4jn29zsp MCU Need to Know: www.mcuneedtoknow.com and @mcuneedtoknow on Instagram and Twitter Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

Good thing they call you Hawkeye and not Hawkear. This week TK is joined by writer and listener-turned-contributor Danny to dig into the big ideas of episode 3 of Hawkeye, "Echoes." Danny shares what he he looks for in an MCU miniseries and the extent to which Hawkeye has delivered so far. Then (8:01), we discuss the theme of communication and the development of Clint and Kate's relationship through the awesome action scenes. Plus! The incredibly effective introduction of Maya. The car chase. TRICK ARROWS. And I reflect on my day job and totally geek out about the episode's depiction of teaching and learning. (Spoilers for Hawkeye other MCU projects. Some discussion of the Fraction/Aja Hawkeye comics.) Check out Danny's articles at Comic Book Resource: https://www.cbr.com/author/danny-damico Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

A little girl in a ninja costume stole my Christmas. This week TK is joined by pop-culture scholars Christopher Maverick and Hannah Rogers of the VoxPopcast to dig into the big ideas of episode 2 of Hawkeye, "Hide and Seek." Mav and Hannah share their thoughts on what makes an effective MCU miniseries and how Hawkeye has succeeded so far. Then(15:50), we talk about the episode's commentary on branding, fandom, inspiration, and sincerity as we analyze the evolving relationship between Clint and Kate. Also: Mav has pro wrestling experience and Hannah has spent a lot of time thinking and writing about the Victorians. You'll have to listen to find out how these things fit into the episode! (Spoilers for Hawkeye and many other MCU projects. Some discussion of the Fraction/Aja Hawkeye comics.) Hear Mav and Hannah on the VoxPopcast: https://voxpopcast.com/ and @voxpopcast on Instagram and Twitter Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

I know what happens. I was there. This week TK digs into the big ideas of episode 1 of Hawkeye, "Never Meet Your Heroes." I am so excited for this series, bro! The first episode alone ticks so many of the boxes for what makes a successful MCU show. Listen to hear me reflect on this and the emerging themes of the series. How does Clint's relationship to New York reflect his legacy? What do Clint Barton and Kate Bishop have in common? What does the mantle of "Hawkeye" mean? There's so much to dig into that I could do this all daaaaaaay. Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

In anticipation of the upcoming Hawkeye premiere, TK uses the Marvel Legends special to provide some analysis of Clint Barton's arc in the MCU so far. Plus, I talk about the FANTASTIC comic book, Hawkeye vol. 1 My Life as a Weapon by Matt Fraction and David Aja, and how I hope its characterization of Clint and Kate will inspire the series. Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

Host TK is not done talking about the Eternals. Check out some of my developing thoughts on the film after repeat viewings AND hear my take on each of the main characters as I rank them according to how much they resonated with me. TK's appearance on the VoxPopCast Eternals episode: https://voxpopcast.com/wp/2021/11/15/e188-the-eternals-and-the-mcu-this-year-so-far/ Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

Host TK shares her reactions to the Disney+ Day special look into the upcoming MCU series as well as some thoughts on Assembled: The Making of Shang-Chi. Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

The "There Was An Idea You Need To Know" team that brought you the MCU Movie Draft is back! This time, TK is joined by Trey and Jude of MCU Need To Know to draft teams of characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Who do you think ended up with the best roster? Will this be #Jude'sRedemption? Which group of characters would you most like to party with? Keep an eye on our socials and vote for your favorite list! Note: This episode does contain spoilers for movies and shows across the MCU, NOT including Eternals. MCU Need to Know: www.mcuneedtoknow.com and @mcuneedtoknow on Instagram and Twitter Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

Host TK shares her first impressions Eternals and talks about her viewing experience. Spoilers ahead! (Plus I talk a little bit about Dune and the book Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari. I promise, it all connects back to Eternals!) Stay tuned in a few weeks for a full-length deep dive into the big ideas of Eternals. Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @delta.mush on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

In this bonus episode, TK announces what's coming up on the podcast and shares some thoughts on Marvel Studios Assembled: Black Widow and Marvel Studios Assembled: What If...? Etsy shop mentioned in the episode: https://tinyurl.com/bnx74dfe Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @bpenderillustrations on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

Grab your copy of the Book of Cagliostro, hop aboard the Ship of Theseus, and get ready to meet the Supreme Intelligence because this week TK is joined by return-guest Daniel to dig into the academic side of the MCU. Daniel shares what inspired him to pitch the premise of this episode and we discuss what it is about the MCU that tickles the analytical sides of our brains. I also take some time to revisit the "origin story" and intent of There Was An Idea and reflect on how the podcast has evolved. Then (34:50), we count down our top 5 favorite installments in the MCU from a “snooty academic lens.” If you want to hear more of Daniel's thoughts, check out his past and future appearances on MCU Need to Know: https://www.mcuneedtoknow.com/ Articles cited in this episode include: https://daily.jstor.org/the-marvel-cinematic-universe-and-our-cultural-values/ https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-narrative-experiment-that-is-the-marvel-cinematic-universe https://law.stanford.edu/2018/02/27/black-panther-afrocentric-ethical-fable/ https://jessicadavidson.co.uk/2018/05/28/doctor-strange-time-and-the-meaning-of-life/ Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @bpenderillustrations on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

It's a mess. Thank you. Host TK is joined by Al and Tony, hosts of the comprehensive Marvel review podcast MCU Rewind, for this What If…? Season 1 wrap-up. We discuss what worked for us (and what didn't) about the MCU's first foray into animation and consider the role of this series in Phase 4. We also talk about standout moments from the finale, “What If… The Watcher Broke His Oath?” Finally, we share our picks for some season "Best Ofs," including standout characters, favorite vocal performances, and more! Follow MCU Rewind: https://www.mcurewind.com/ and @mcu_rewind on Twitter Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea Merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @bpenderillustrations on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

Host TK is joined by an MCU podcaster's best friend, return-guest Daniel, to discuss what's coming up in the MCU for the rest of 2021. First, Daniel catches us up on his favorite MCU installments since we last heard from him (episode 5.4) and we talk about what Phase 4 seems to be all about. Then, we share our expectations for Eternals, Hawkeye, and Spider-Man: No Way Home (13:32), before listing our top 5 big or little things we're looking forward to seeing in the MCU before the year is out (58:13). Finally ,it's Daniel turn to share his top 5 favorite MCU characters and movies (1:05:23). If you want to here more of Daniel's thoughts, check out his most recent appearance on MCU Need to Know: https://tinyurl.com/4m84vkzw Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @bpenderillustrations on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

Host TK shares her first impressions of Venom: Let There Be Carnage. Spoilers ahead! Follow: @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter Podcast merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @bpenderillustrations on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

No party poopers here! Host TK is joined by comic book writer Michael J. Tanner to reflect on the big ideas of the episodes 6, 7, and 8 of What If…? Michael is the author of Junior Braves of the Apocalypse and Orcs in Space, among other works that you can find on his website linked below. He shares his perspective as a longtime Marvel comics fan as we discuss standout moments from What If... Kilmonger Rescued Tony Stark?, What If... Thor was an Only Child?, And What If… Ultron Won? Follow There Was An Idea @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter Michael Tanner: @mikeisernie on Twitter and https://www.bymichaeltanner.com/ Michael's podcast Burn After Pitching: https://tinyurl.com/exx9k8d3 There Was An Idea merch: https://there-was-an-idea.creator-spring.com/ Artwork by Brooke Pender: @bpenderillustrations on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

Host TK is joined by Trey, one of the hosts of MCU Need To Know to discuss the big ideas of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. We discuss the context of the film's release and dig into some of the many reasons why the MCU's latest theatrical release has resonated with us and other audiences so deeply. Then, (33:13) we trace Shang-Chi's identity journey over the course of the film while focusing on themes of family, legacy, and purpose. Like all episodes of the show, this one is fully spoiled! Article by Kat Moon: https://time.com/6095108/shang-chi-asian-representation/ Follow: @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter MCU Need To Know: @mcuneedtoknow on Instagram and Twitter Artwork by Brooke Pender: @bpenderillustrations on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

The recent success of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has prompted much discussion among MCU fans about ranking and re-ranking our favorite installments of the franchise. In this mega episode, host TK assembles some longtime friends of the podcast to discuss MCU Top 5s. Interspersed among the guest segments, TK shares her top 5 favorite characters, villains, and films in the MCU. Listen to hear some HOT TAKES from return-guests Lori, Kevin, CH, and Rob and find out where we have choices in common and where we drastically differ. This episode does contain spoilers for many installments of the MCU, including Shang-Chi, so proceed with caution if you're not caught up! Follow There Was An Idea...: @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter Artwork by Brooke Pender: @bpenderillustrations on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

Crème brulée and zombies?! Host TK is joined by empathy educator and Marvel enthusiast Dr. Kristen Donnelly to talk about the beauty of fandom and transformative works and to reflect on the big ideas of the episodes 4 and 5 of What If…? Kristen talks about why comic books and fanfiction resonate more with her than movies and what draws her specifically to Marvel characters and the MCU fandom. We also discuss standout moments from What If... Doctor Strange Lost his Heart Instead of his Hands? And What If… Zombies?! The online fanwork auction that Kristen mentions in this episode can be found at https://www.marveltrumpshate.com/ Follow There Was An Idea...: @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter Artwork by Brooke Pender: @bpenderillustrations on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

Host TK shares her first impressions of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and talks about her viewing experience. Spoilers ahead! Stay tuned in a few weeks for a full-length deep dive into the big ideas of Shang-Chi. Follow: @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter Artwork by Brooke Pender: @bpenderillustrations on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

Keep your good eye on the bigger picture. Host TK is joined by return guest Emily Calloway to reflect on the big ideas of the first three episodes of What If…? We talk about standout moments from What If... Captain Carter Were The First Avenger?, What If...T'Challa Became Star-Lord, and What If… The World Lost Its Mightiest Heroes? We also discuss the pros and cons of the animated format and ponder the role and impact of the series on the future of the MCU. Follow There Was An Idea...: @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter Artwork by Brooke Pender: @bpenderillustrations on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

In this bonus episode, host TK counts down her top 10 favorite needle drop moments in the MCU. Stay tuned each week as TK and guest-of-the-week discuss What If…?, Shang-Chi, and all of the latest series and movies of the MCU! Follow: @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter Artwork by Brooke Pender: @bpenderillustrations on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

Host TK is joined by pop culture scholar Christopher Maverick to discuss the big ideas of Phase 4 of the MCU so far... and a whole lot more. After Mav catches us up on the exciting happenings over on his pop culture and comics podcasts, we talk about what we think is working (or not working - Mav explains why he didn't like the final of Loki) about Phase 4 so far. This leads us to consider: To what extent should we evaluate a Marvel Disney+ series for its value as an individual story versus for its role in the overarching story web? What makes a good series a good series and is there a different metric for the MCU? Will the MCU's experiment in translating comics-style storytelling (i.e. the multiverse!) to screens big and small continue to succeed? In discussing the emerging themes of Phase 4, we respond to the Nerdist.com article: "The MCU's Unanswerable Question: Freedom or Security?" Finally, we discuss a little bit of moral philosophy, including Kantianism versus utilitarianism in the MCU. And shoutout to Friend Daniel who inspired me to bring Dostoevsky's "The Grand Inquisitor" into the conversation. Oh, and we talk about Hawkeye a surprising amount! Follow: @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter Christopher Maverick: chrismaverick.com The VoxPopcast: voxpopcast.com/wp and @voxpopcast on Instagram and Twitter The Oh Gosh, Oh Golly, Oh Wow! Podcast: goshgollywow.com Artwork by Brooke Pender: @bpenderillustrations on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

Turns out I have 2. Episodes on Black Widow, that is. Once again, host TK is joined by “Madame” Amy, one of the hosts of The Marvelous Madames podcast to discuss the big ideas of Black Widow. We continue to dig into key moments from the film, this time through the conceptual lenses of family and autonomy. We examine the intricacies of the dinner table scene and gush about how much we love Yelena. We also consider how choice has been taken away from each member of the family and how their love for each other is at odds with their conditioning. Finally, we discuss Dreykov, Taskmaster, and the Widows and explore where the real villainy lies. Make sure you check out part one if you haven't already! Note: This episode contains spoilers for Black Widow as well as other installments in the MCU. Follow: @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter The Marvelous Madames: themarvelousmadames.com and @marvelmadames on Instagram, Twitter, Tumbr, and TikTok Artwork by Brooke Pender: @bpenderillustrations on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

Such a poser! Host TK is joined by “Madame” Amy, one of the hosts of The Marvelous Madames podcast to discuss the big ideas of Black Widow. In this part, we talk about the timing and context of the film, consider how the character's portrayal over the years serves as an intriguing case study in the evolution of female superheroes, and share our likes and dislikes about the movie. Then (29:30), we get into the “There Was An Idea…” treatment and discuss our first big idea: identity. We examine the development of Natasha's identity story, including the impact of her early years on her journey toward becoming an Avenger and how this movie embraces the human being behind the moniker “Black Widow.” Stay tuned for part two! Note: This episode contains spoilers for Black Widow as well as other installments in the MCU. Follow: @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter The Marvelous Madames: themarvelousmadames.com and @marvelmadames on Instagram, Twitter, Tumbr, and TikTok Artwork by Brooke Pender: @bpenderillustrations on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

For this MCU movie draft, host TK is joined by Trey and Jude, hosts of the review and analysis podcast MCU Need To Know. We recorded this on July 6 so you'll hear us discuss Loki (1:50), our excitement around Black Widow, and our thoughts on podcasting about the TV series versus the movies (7:41). Then, we go over the rules and categories (13:50) before diving into the draft (19:45). Who do you think ended up with the best roster? Keep an eye on our socials and vote for your favorite list! Note: This episode does contain spoilers for movies and shows across the MCU. Follow: @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter MCU Need to Know: www.mcuneedtoknow.com and @mcuneedtoknow on Instagram and Twitter Artwork by Brooke Pender: @bpenderillustrations on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

You know you can't get to the end until you've been changed by the journey. This week, host TK reflects on the big ideas of episode 6 of Loki, “For All Time. Always.” I discuss the fantastic introduction of He Who Remains, share the ways in which I think the episode successfully wraps up the season, and bring up the function of this episode in the MCU as a season finale rather than a series one. Follow: @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter Artwork by Brooke Pender: @bpenderillustrations on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

Host TK shares her first impressions of Black Widow and talks about her viewing experience. Spoilers ahead! Stay tuned in a few weeks for a full-length deep dive into the big ideas of Black Widow. Follow: @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter Artwork by Brooke Pender: @bpenderillustrations on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

Which one of us are you? This week, host TK is joined by brand-new guest Danny to discuss the big ideas of episode 5 of Loki, “Journey Into Mystery." Danny, a writer for Comic Book Resources, shares his insights on all of the Lokis and the many Easter eggs in the Void as we dig into the themes of individuality, change, and purpose. Glorious purpose! Follow: @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter Artwork by Brooke Pender: @bpenderillustrations on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia

I've definitely been spending too much time with Lokis. This week, host TK is joined by return-guest Daniel to discuss the big ideas of episode 4 of Loki, “The Nexus Event.” Daniel shares his insights as a lover of philosophy and pop culture as we discuss our favorite episode of the series so far. We reflect on the ways in which episode 4 ties thematic threads together and how each episode of the series has revealed something new that reframes what's come before. You can catch Daniel's second appearance on the podcast MCU Need to Know next month! Follow: @anidea_podcast on Instagram and Twitter Artwork by Brooke Pender: @bpenderillustrations on Instagram Music by Demeter Salvia