When subjects like rape, domestic violence, and bigotry make their way into the pages of American superhero comics, they don’t just grab readers’ attention—they make headlines. Today, we revisit some of the most controversial moments in superhero comics history.

From the sexual assault of Barbara Gordon at the hands of the Joker, to Yellow Jacket physically abusing the Wasp, to the Punisher’s brief and baffling transformation into a Black man, these moments forced fans and publishers alike to confront where the line should be drawn.

We also discuss a crisis of consciousness with Captain America putting down his shield and becoming Nomad, only to later be fired by the government and replaced with John Walker

We wrap things up by asking: Were these moments bold statements or just stunts for attention? How has the definition of “controversial” shifted over the years?

This week, we’re talking about those moments in film, television, and comics when everything shifted. From The Matrix redefining action movies, to Netflix establishing binge culture, to Neal Adams reshaping comic book art—we break down the creative breakthroughs that changed the game forever.

We also discuss game changers in modern music and art like rise of music videos in the 80s, the use of sampling and autotune, and the impact of illustrator Frank Frazetta on generations of young painters.

Finally, we look at so-called negative game changers: the Comic Book Speculator Boom, the slow death of physical media, and how streaming reshaped (and maybe even hurt) how we experience TV, film and music.

Everyone longs for the glory days—that moment in life or career when everything clicked and it felt like you couldn’t miss. On this episode, we’re talking about actors and filmmakers who decided, decades later, to try and capture that magic again.

From Tom Cruise revving back up as Maverick, to Michael Keaton slipping on the wig and makeup for Beetlejuice once more, to icons like Harrison Ford, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Mark Hamill stepping back into their legendary roles—we’re digging into what it means when stars revisit past hits.

We also look at directors like Tim Burton, Ridley Scott, and Roland Emmerich returning to the worlds that made them famous, and comic book legends Frank Miller, Chris Claremont, and Jim Starlin revisiting their signature creations and stories.

Oh, and we’ve got a confession about this version of Sidebar that fits right in with this theme.

Plus, we ask: – What really drives these creative run-backs—fan service, nostalgia, or the quest for relevance? – Do these returns add to a legacy, or water it down? – And is there any "nostalgia porn" we’d actually welcome?