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August 15, 2025 85 mins
This week on Men of Steel, Case and Jmike are joined by writer and critic Jesse Fresco to dig into the early 2000s series Cla$$War. We unpack the political fury, superhero deconstruction, and lasting relevance of this overlooked gem from the Bush-era boom in gritty, socially charged comics.

#MenOfSteelPod #Cla$$War #RobWilliams #SupermanAdjacent #JesseFresco #ComicsPodcast
 
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Men of Steel Full Episode
Originally aired: August 15, 2025
Edited by Sophia Ricciardi
Scored by Geoff Moonen
 
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Overview
  • Class War comic serves as a political commentary on post-9/11 America, initially conceived as a 12-issue series but only 6 issues were published between 2002 and 2004.
  • Writer Rob Williams influenced by Bill Hicks and Marvel's Miracle Man, blending humor with serious themes of government superhero programs.
  • Characters feature a Superman-like hero and an Enola Gay team reflecting various archetypes, but backstory is minimal focusing more on action.
  • The commentary emphasizes American superheroes as 'deterrents' entangled in corruption and drug operations rather than showcasing true class conflict.
  • Artwork utilized innovative computer coloring for the early 2000s, with notable scenes praised for their intensity and execution.
  • The series is linked to broader cultural events, including the Patriot Act and militarized entertainment, creating a lasting impact on the genre.
  • Story arcs reveal escalating tensions, ending ambiguously without showing direct conflict or resolution in the finale.
  • Hosts reflect on the comic's themes feeling 'adolescent' today, yet resonate with current events like rising political tensions and violence.
  • Class War recommended alongside classics like The Authority and Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, highlighted for its unfinished nature and mystique.
  • The discussion underscores a shift in superhero portrayals, questioning the effectiveness of traditional heroes in the current socio-political landscape.

 

Notes
️ Introduction and Setup (00:00 - 09:36)
  • Discussion of Class War comic as political commentary on post-9/11 America, described as 'what if Superman was pissed off about 9/11'.
  • Jesse Fresco returns after Jaguar Sharks podcast ended in January, currently working on a novel after crossing 200 pages.
  • Class War intended as 12-issue series but only 6 issues published - first 3 in 2002, final 3 in 2004 by Com X publisher.
  • Notable art style change between Trevor Harrison (issues 1-3) and Travel Foreman (issues 4-6), both considered high quality for indie publication.
Historical Context and Influences (09:36 - 18:49)
  • Comic written before 9/11 but published after, coincidentally capturing post-9/11 American sentiment perfectly.
  • Received major attention from Wizard magazine and early comic websites despite being small indie publication.
  • Writer Rob Williams heavily influenced by comedian Bill Hicks, directly copying Kennedy assassination joke in comic.
  • Williams cited Marvel Man/Miracle Man as major influence, both featuring government superhero programs with Nazi scientist connections.
‍️ Character Analysis and Comic Structure (18:49 - 27:56)
  • Superman-type character design with mostly white bodysuit, blue stripe, and star pattern - described as 'patriotic Apollo'.
  • Minimal backstory provided beyond brief flashback showing protagonist's brother died of heroin overdose.
  • Enola Gay superhero team includes The American, Heavyweight (Luke Cage-type), Icon (Wonder Woman analog), and Confusion (psychic character).
️ Political Commentary and Themes (27:56 - 38:02)
  • Reveals American superheroes used as 'deterrents' rather than
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