Matt Bors and Ben Clarkson, the creative minds behind the graphic novel Justice Warriors, dive into the absurdities of political engagement and activism. They humorously reflect on the waning influence of online personalities, contrasting it with real-world action. The duo discusses their dystopian comic set in Bubble City, exploring themes of class consciousness and societal critique. They also touch on character complexities, touching upon social justice and the challenges of voting. Finally, they hint at an exciting potential TV adaptation of their work.
The hosts discuss the declining influence of social media personalities, highlighting a generational disconnect that affects audience engagement.
They explore the challenges digital creators face in legitimizing their careers, reflecting broader societal values placed on traditional occupations.
Through their comic 'Justice Warriors,' they critique political systems and emphasize the complexities of change while encouraging readers to question societal norms.
Deep dives
The Decline of Influencers
The discussion highlights the diminishing influence of social media personalities, with the hosts reflecting on how the concept of 'influencers' is losing its power. They liken this shift to a generational disconnect, illustrated through a humorous anecdote involving the speaker's grandfather mistaking a YouTube video title about influencers for a terrorist threat. This trend suggests that audiences are increasingly disengaging from traditional influencer-driven content, leading to a complex dynamic where content creators are left questioning their relevance and livelihood. The irony is acknowledged, as the hosts advocate for grassroots organizing while facing the consequences of their audience spending less time consuming their content.
The Challenges of Self-Description
The hosts grapple with the difficulty of explaining their unconventional careers to outsiders who may not understand podcasting or content creation. Various strategies are discussed, from claiming to be political analysts to framing their work as animation production. This exchange reflects a broader dilemma faced by many digital creators: the struggle to define, validate, and legitimize their professional identities in a society that often values traditional occupations. The conversation serves as a commentary on the evolving nature of work in the digital age, particularly within creative industries.
Justice Warriors: A Satirical Comic Exploration
The hosts provide an engaging overview of their comic series, 'Justice Warriors,' which merges elements of absurdist humor with sharp political satire. The comic follows the adventures of characters like Swamp Cop and Officer Shit in a dystopian city, intertwining social commentary with entertaining narratives. They draw comparisons between their work and iconic series like 'Rick and Morty,' emphasizing the thematic depth that underpins the irreverent humor. This blend of comedy and critique reflects their intention to not only entertain readers but also provoke thought about societal structures and inequalities.
Political Context of Bubble City
The political landscape in the comic series is fleshed out, showcasing a fabric of power struggles and satirical commentary on electoral systems. Key characters represent various facets of this political world, including a self-absorbed pop star mayor and a mutant tank candidate who embodies radical change. This layered narrative illustrates how the comic critiques real-world political dynamics, essentially calling into question the efficacy of conventional electoral processes. The characters and their interactions mirror the complexities and often absurdities of contemporary politics, highlighting how these elements are deeply intertwined.
Complexity of Change and Social Commentary
The hosts consider the themes of change and agency within their comic, recognizing that radical actions may not yield the desired transformations in society. They argue that, while individual efforts and events may be high-profile, the systemic nature of society often absorbs and neutralizes radical change. This reflects the broader frustrations felt by many in real life, where the desire for significant change is frequently met with institutional inertia. As a result, the work encourages readers to critically analyze their roles within societal structures and consider alternative pathways for achieving meaningful change.
You are listening to this episode 1 week after it was released. To get episodes on time, up to 2 exclusive episodes a month, discord access, merch discounts and plenty more - check out our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheDeprogram
