Are you suffering from superhero fatigue? The summer of 2025 might be the antidote you need. In this minijam, Sebastian Gomez analyzes how James Gunn's "Superman" and "Fantastic Four: First Steps" have sparked a joyful rebirth for the genre.

Leaving darkness and cynicism behind, these films return to aspirational heroism, focusing on characters and their relationships. We explore the tonal shift, the importance of supporting characters, and why hope is the new superpower.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The big tonal shift: from the cynicism of previous phases to hope and optimism.

  
  

• "Superman": A hero who is once again a symbol of kindness and inspiration.

  
  

• "Fantastic Four": A story where family and exploration come first.

  
  

• The importance of the supporting characters who bring Metropolis and the Baxter Building to life.

  
  

• The theme of collaboration: heroes can't save the world alone.

  
  

• Superman's villain: Lex Luthor as a dark reflection of our era's billionaire cult leaders.

  
  

• Is this the future that DC and Marvel need?