Superman (2025) generated far too much discussion for us to contain it in a single episode. In part 2 we return to the series. We discuss the Justice Gang, what we think of the individual members, and why an unkind person doing good is a great thing to showcase. We also talk about the themes of winning versus saving and how that was modeled throughout the series. We also get into Jimmy weirdness, canine implications, and Gunn violence.
As this is the second part of a two-part episode there is no five-minute controversy this week.
This week Ryan, Shaun, Nate, and Cammie join the cast.
Show Notes:
Shaun’s Business – Popcycled Baubles
Like what you heard? Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/42cast. You can also find us on X as @42cast, Instagram/Threads as 42cast, or Blue Sky as 42cast.bsky.social. We can also be found on Pandora, Amazon Music, Youtube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Please, leave us a review. Have a question for the Ultimate Answer? E-mail us at [email protected].
Superman is the first full entry into James Gunn’s DCU. Facing backlash from those who wished the DCEU to continue, the film had a lot riding on it to prove the narrative vision of this new version of the DC universe across multiples forms of media. In this episode we have part one of our examination of this film. We discuss how it works as an initial outting for the DCU. We talk about some of the themes inherent within the character of Superman and shown in this film. We also dive into several of the controversies in the movie and give our takes on them. 
Superman is high in the public consciousness today, so we’re taking a step back and looking at the movie series that many still site as the quintessential version of the character. In this episode we discuss all four of the Superman movies that starred Christopher Reeve as well as Superman Returns, a movie intended to be a sequel to those earlier films. We talk about Reeves in the roles of both Clark Kent and Superman. We discuss his co-stars from each film as well as how they either added to or detracted from the movies. We also get into the various film plots and how we feel that they showcased the character. Before we wrap up we explain what’s in each of the versions of the first two films and we debate the merits of Superman Returns. We also give our rankings for these movies. 
Superman & Lois was the final DC series produced by the CW. Originally meant to be part of the Arrowverse, the series blazed its own path once it was determined that crossovers wouldn’t be possible with Covid production restrictions. In this episode we talk about the fourth and final season of the series. We discuss the comic origins of the series. We talk about the use of Lex Luthor and Doomsday and how they added to the overall series. We also get into the various production restrictions for this scaled back season and how we felt that effected the story and our enjoyment. We also give our opinions on the ending of the series and how we felt about the various resolutions. 
My Adventures with Superman is an animated take on the man of Steel that airs on the Cartoon Network and HBO Max. The series provides a slightly different take on Superman, following his adventures as a young intern at the Daily Planet and featuring an anime inspired style. In this episode we review about both seasons of the series. We talk about the characters and how the different lens of the series reimagines characters who are typically part of Superman’s supporting cast and ones who aren’t. We discuss the art style and what we like and don’t like about the anime-inspired take. We also get into performances and what we want to see from the series in season three. 
Superman and Lois season 4 has already premiered, so we have some catching up to do with our review of season 3! In this action-packed episode we discuss the introduction of Bruno Manheim and Intergang into the narrative. We also talk about the very real plotline around cancer and how Superman faces an enemy that he can’t defeat. We also debate the merits of a tougher, less intellectual Lex Luthor. Along the way we discuss teenagers with powers, family dynamics, dealing with physical illness and it’s effect on mental health, how scary a Superman at the end of his tether can be, and giving people their space. 
Supergirl was a mainstay of DC’s CW offerings for years. Starting as a CBS show, it was moved to the CW with its second season and eventually integrated into the Arrowverse during the Crisis on Infinite Earths event. In this episode we discuss the final season of the series. We talk about the efforts that had to be made to write around star, Melissa Benoist’s pregnancy as well as the Covid-19 pandemic. We also get into the overall plot of the season and whether we felt that this was fitting for a series finale. Finally, we discuss the characters and their interactions and mention what we liked and didn’t about the season. Along the way we also discuss the cameos and who we’re most satisfied seeing and not in this final outing for the series. 
Last year a new series took the Arrowverse by storm. That series was Superman and Lois. Although the character of Superman has been adapted numerous times in numerous media, this series broke the mold by focusing on Superman and Lois as parents of teenage children. Along the way superhuman threats emerge, but the heart of the show is about family. In this episode we talk about that family dynamic, how we felt about the portrayals, the surprise reveal of who “The Stranger” is, and the overall plot of the series. We also discuss that Diggle cameo and our thoughts for season two. 
The 42cast is proud to welcome one of the stars of the hit CW series, Superman & Lois with 
Supergirl was the series most effected by Crisis on Infinite Earths in the 2019-2020 season. Kara’s entire world was rewritten to fit it into the Arrowverse, and Lex Luthor had a hand in altering his own status as well. In this episode we discuss the two halves of the season, first discussing Earth-38’s swan song and then discussing the new status quo of the combined Earth Prime. We talk about the character arcs and performances with a strong focus on Lex and Lena Luthor. We also debate the series’ choices with villains and end things with our predictions of where season 6 will go.