Untold Origin
@untoldoriginal.bsky.social
I'm a historian and lifelong comics fan, and my new podcast Untold Origin explores the culture behind the capes. Follow for updates on future episodes!
Our next two episodes look at Marvel's First Family, the Fantastic Four!
I think these pinups from the end of Fantastic Four Annual 2 do a pretty good job of showing us the essence of what Stan Lee and Jack Kirby were going for.
Our first episode in this series is out today!
#MarvelComics
I think these pinups from the end of Fantastic Four Annual 2 do a pretty good job of showing us the essence of what Stan Lee and Jack Kirby were going for.
Our first episode in this series is out today!
#MarvelComics
October 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Our next two episodes look at Marvel's First Family, the Fantastic Four!
I think these pinups from the end of Fantastic Four Annual 2 do a pretty good job of showing us the essence of what Stan Lee and Jack Kirby were going for.
Our first episode in this series is out today!
#MarvelComics
I think these pinups from the end of Fantastic Four Annual 2 do a pretty good job of showing us the essence of what Stan Lee and Jack Kirby were going for.
Our first episode in this series is out today!
#MarvelComics
Atomic Monsters: Hulk, Spider-Man, and the End of the Atomic Hero, our 4th episode, drops tonight at midnight!
We dive into the radioactive roots of some of Marvel's most iconic heroes, and the dubious science behind their origins.
Tune in, let me know what you think!
#MarvelComics
We dive into the radioactive roots of some of Marvel's most iconic heroes, and the dubious science behind their origins.
Tune in, let me know what you think!
#MarvelComics
October 11, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Atomic Monsters: Hulk, Spider-Man, and the End of the Atomic Hero, our 4th episode, drops tonight at midnight!
We dive into the radioactive roots of some of Marvel's most iconic heroes, and the dubious science behind their origins.
Tune in, let me know what you think!
#MarvelComics
We dive into the radioactive roots of some of Marvel's most iconic heroes, and the dubious science behind their origins.
Tune in, let me know what you think!
#MarvelComics
In the West, we see characters like Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet and Rosie from the Jetsons, and of course the artificial intelligences found in comic books discussed in Untold Origin began to appear.
October 7, 2025 at 9:12 PM
In the West, we see characters like Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet and Rosie from the Jetsons, and of course the artificial intelligences found in comic books discussed in Untold Origin began to appear.
By the 1950’s and 60’s, robots were everywhere in popular culture. Astro Boy was maybe the first to represent the ideals we begin to see in comic books — kind, powerful, emotional, and almost human.
October 7, 2025 at 9:12 PM
By the 1950’s and 60’s, robots were everywhere in popular culture. Astro Boy was maybe the first to represent the ideals we begin to see in comic books — kind, powerful, emotional, and almost human.
In 1927, a robot first appears in the Weimar science fiction film Metropolis, the first depiction of one on the big screen. Called a “machine-human” or “robotrix,” it was again associated with labor and acts as an instigator to both the working classes and their bosses to cause a social revolution.
October 7, 2025 at 9:12 PM
In 1927, a robot first appears in the Weimar science fiction film Metropolis, the first depiction of one on the big screen. Called a “machine-human” or “robotrix,” it was again associated with labor and acts as an instigator to both the working classes and their bosses to cause a social revolution.
The word “robot” first appeared in 1920, in the Karel Čapek’s play Rossum’s Universal Robots or R.U.R. (1920). This creature was not a computerized being, but rather an artificial laborer.
October 7, 2025 at 9:12 PM
The word “robot” first appeared in 1920, in the Karel Čapek’s play Rossum’s Universal Robots or R.U.R. (1920). This creature was not a computerized being, but rather an artificial laborer.
In the spirit of our exploration into artificial beings, I present a quick history of the “Robot” in popular culture, a creation not from a laboratory, but from our imagination and rooted solidly in the history of labor.
October 7, 2025 at 9:12 PM
In the spirit of our exploration into artificial beings, I present a quick history of the “Robot” in popular culture, a creation not from a laboratory, but from our imagination and rooted solidly in the history of labor.
Our next episode begins in the age of Marvel monsters, the same place as the lovable Groot!
Ever notice how so many Marvel heroes owe their origins to radiation? This episode will explore the nuclear roots of comic characters, from freakish powers to fear and fallout. Tune in!
#MarvelComics
Ever notice how so many Marvel heroes owe their origins to radiation? This episode will explore the nuclear roots of comic characters, from freakish powers to fear and fallout. Tune in!
#MarvelComics
October 7, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Our next episode begins in the age of Marvel monsters, the same place as the lovable Groot!
Ever notice how so many Marvel heroes owe their origins to radiation? This episode will explore the nuclear roots of comic characters, from freakish powers to fear and fallout. Tune in!
#MarvelComics
Ever notice how so many Marvel heroes owe their origins to radiation? This episode will explore the nuclear roots of comic characters, from freakish powers to fear and fallout. Tune in!
#MarvelComics
Three episodes in, and I just want to say thank you!
To everyone who's listened, shared, or reached out, it means the world to me.
This has been a passion project for me, and hearing that it resonates means a lot, and I'm excited to keep this train rolling.
To everyone who's listened, shared, or reached out, it means the world to me.
This has been a passion project for me, and hearing that it resonates means a lot, and I'm excited to keep this train rolling.
October 6, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Three episodes in, and I just want to say thank you!
To everyone who's listened, shared, or reached out, it means the world to me.
This has been a passion project for me, and hearing that it resonates means a lot, and I'm excited to keep this train rolling.
To everyone who's listened, shared, or reached out, it means the world to me.
This has been a passion project for me, and hearing that it resonates means a lot, and I'm excited to keep this train rolling.
I know this cover is from 2002, but it's what I can contribute to the MLB playoffs this year.
One year removed from their historic 116 win season - still a good team, but not a playoff one.
This year's team: a playoff team, and a great one!
Let's get it done, M's!
#Mariners
One year removed from their historic 116 win season - still a good team, but not a playoff one.
This year's team: a playoff team, and a great one!
Let's get it done, M's!
#Mariners
October 3, 2025 at 4:55 AM
I know this cover is from 2002, but it's what I can contribute to the MLB playoffs this year.
One year removed from their historic 116 win season - still a good team, but not a playoff one.
This year's team: a playoff team, and a great one!
Let's get it done, M's!
#Mariners
One year removed from their historic 116 win season - still a good team, but not a playoff one.
This year's team: a playoff team, and a great one!
Let's get it done, M's!
#Mariners
October 1, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Last time, we explored the villains wrought by humanity's pursuit of artificial intelligence. But not every A.I. turns against us.
Next episode we look at those creations that chose to believe in humanity.
Awesome images from Machine Man 1-4, covers by Barry Windsor-Smith
#MarvelComics
Next episode we look at those creations that chose to believe in humanity.
Awesome images from Machine Man 1-4, covers by Barry Windsor-Smith
#MarvelComics
September 30, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Last time, we explored the villains wrought by humanity's pursuit of artificial intelligence. But not every A.I. turns against us.
Next episode we look at those creations that chose to believe in humanity.
Awesome images from Machine Man 1-4, covers by Barry Windsor-Smith
#MarvelComics
Next episode we look at those creations that chose to believe in humanity.
Awesome images from Machine Man 1-4, covers by Barry Windsor-Smith
#MarvelComics
From silly little guy to nightmare machine, Ultron has always embodied humanity's fear of artificial intelligence 🤖
Episode 2 of Untold Origin -- The Thinking Machines -- drops at midnight tonight!
#MarvelComics #histsci #history
Episode 2 of Untold Origin -- The Thinking Machines -- drops at midnight tonight!
#MarvelComics #histsci #history
September 27, 2025 at 3:39 PM
From silly little guy to nightmare machine, Ultron has always embodied humanity's fear of artificial intelligence 🤖
Episode 2 of Untold Origin -- The Thinking Machines -- drops at midnight tonight!
#MarvelComics #histsci #history
Episode 2 of Untold Origin -- The Thinking Machines -- drops at midnight tonight!
#MarvelComics #histsci #history
September 26, 2025 at 4:31 PM
And way better than the cover of his first appearance!
September 24, 2025 at 7:14 PM
And way better than the cover of his first appearance!
Long before A.I. became a headline, comics wrestled with the threat posed by "thinking machines." Take this silly little guy -- Ultron-1 -- who would grow into one of Marvel's most dire threats to humanity.
Untold Origins: The Thinking Machines drops Sunday!
Untold Origins: The Thinking Machines drops Sunday!
September 24, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Long before A.I. became a headline, comics wrestled with the threat posed by "thinking machines." Take this silly little guy -- Ultron-1 -- who would grow into one of Marvel's most dire threats to humanity.
Untold Origins: The Thinking Machines drops Sunday!
Untold Origins: The Thinking Machines drops Sunday!
AND! Magneto's skin from this season referencing his costume from Uncanny X-men #200!
September 23, 2025 at 4:30 AM
AND! Magneto's skin from this season referencing his costume from Uncanny X-men #200!
I've been consistently thrilled with how nerdy Marvel Rivals has been, and this season is no exception. Not just a Dark Phoenix skin, but an emote emulating the classic X-men #135 cover!
September 23, 2025 at 4:30 AM
I've been consistently thrilled with how nerdy Marvel Rivals has been, and this season is no exception. Not just a Dark Phoenix skin, but an emote emulating the classic X-men #135 cover!
Not your typical villain crossover!
Our first episode dives into the evolution of Professor X and Magneto -- from clunky Civil Rights metaphor to nuanced icons of Marvel Comics.
Episode 1 of Untold Origin drops Sunday!
Our first episode dives into the evolution of Professor X and Magneto -- from clunky Civil Rights metaphor to nuanced icons of Marvel Comics.
Episode 1 of Untold Origin drops Sunday!
September 19, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Not your typical villain crossover!
Our first episode dives into the evolution of Professor X and Magneto -- from clunky Civil Rights metaphor to nuanced icons of Marvel Comics.
Episode 1 of Untold Origin drops Sunday!
Our first episode dives into the evolution of Professor X and Magneto -- from clunky Civil Rights metaphor to nuanced icons of Marvel Comics.
Episode 1 of Untold Origin drops Sunday!
Ooh boy, first post on Bluesky! Why not introduce myself with an image that springs to mind far too often in my anxious mind?
My name is Al, and I'm a historian and comics fan, and currently producing a podcast where the two meet! Please check out Untold Origin on your favorite podcast service!
My name is Al, and I'm a historian and comics fan, and currently producing a podcast where the two meet! Please check out Untold Origin on your favorite podcast service!
September 19, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Ooh boy, first post on Bluesky! Why not introduce myself with an image that springs to mind far too often in my anxious mind?
My name is Al, and I'm a historian and comics fan, and currently producing a podcast where the two meet! Please check out Untold Origin on your favorite podcast service!
My name is Al, and I'm a historian and comics fan, and currently producing a podcast where the two meet! Please check out Untold Origin on your favorite podcast service!