iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

If they added this skin to Marvel Rivals, it's all I'd play

Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

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

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

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

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

In the period our episode studies, robots have evolved beyond simply being stand-ins for workers, though the name remains. Instead they have become a complex category, capable of reflecting our fears and insecurities, embodying ethical dilemmas, and sometimes even acting as humanity’s savior.

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

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.

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

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.

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

In short stories collected in an anthology called I, Robot, Asimov shed the spotlight on this speculative technology and asked many of the questions we face today about artificial beings. Like the stories we see in episodes 2 and 3, these stories held a mirror up to humanity and its creations.

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

In the 1940’s and 1950’s, robots had begun to fascinate science fiction writers and fans, and during this time Isaac Asimov produced maybe the most pivotal works in popular culture regarding robots.

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

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.

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

The term itself comes from the word “Rabotnik” or “Rabota” in Czech, which has many cognates in different languages all associated with labor (often forced). You can see this in both Rabota (работа) in Russian and Arbeit in German. Robots, then, symbolized not helpful assistants, but forced labor.

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

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.

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

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.

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

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

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

Episode 4 drops Sunday! This one will deal with the dubious scientific origins of our heroes: atomic monsters and the heroes that followed. After that, the show will shift to a bi-weekly schedule, with episodes slated through November. Thank you again for joining me on this journey!

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

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.

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Kirkman and Finch?? I'll have to check that out!

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

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

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

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

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

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

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

The new Magic: the Gathering Spider-Man set is so-so, but this Counterspell? 🔥🔥 #MarvelComics #mtg

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

And way better than the cover of his first appearance!

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

One of the best covers ever, and love this project!

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

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!

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

One of the more interesting finds I've made as I've been researching episodes. This is a radio drama from 1975 that recaps the first issue of the Fantastic Four. The most interesting thing about it? Bill Murray is the Human Torch!

youtube.com

The Fantastic Four : Episode 01/13 : Meet The Mole Man

YouTube video by Overlord Radio

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

AND! Magneto's skin from this season referencing his costume from Uncanny X-men #200!

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

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!

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

With completely no sponsorship, I absolutely support Scrivener! I've recommended it to everyone. I've used it for Nanowrimo, for DMing my D&D campaign, and for this podcast I've started. It's just such a great writing tool.

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

We are live! At least on Spotify... Our first episode should also soon be available on other streaming services. Please give it a listen, let me know what you think! I'm going to try and put episodes out every week or two -- with some previews coming for our next episode soon!

open.spotify.com

Episode 1: By Any Means Necessary

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

One of the first comics I owned, loved it! Still remember it fondly.

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

Thank you! Hopefully people find something fun and interesting in it, but the first episode is out Sunday! I plan on releasing them every two weeks or so. I'll post the link soon!

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

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!

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

It's weird how many of those old "What If" issues just became plot lines later on!

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Untold Origin @untoldoriginal.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

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!

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