Superhero Smash: A Live Radio Show
The Music of the Superheroes
- Featuring the best superhero music and comic book lore in the MCU, the DCU, and our U-niverse too!
- Stream Superhero Smash Live on WIUP 90.1 FM!
Current Episodes
- Audio Issue #40: The Summer of Superman! (5/22/25)
- In this action-packed audio episode, Superhero Smash returns for its third spectacular season and features the superhero who started it all, Superman
- Audio Issue #41: The Thunderbolts* (5/29/25)
- In this action-packed audio episode, Superhero Smash talks about that hilarious new Marvel superhero team The Thunderbolts
- Audio Issue #42: The Western Heroes Ride Again! (6/4/25)
- In this action-packed audio episode, Superhero Smash returns to thrilling stories of yesteryear
- No Show: (6/11/25)
- No Show: (6/19/25)
- Audio Issue #43: Italian Superheroes (6/26/25)
- In this action-packed audio episode, Superhero Smash travels to bella Italia!
- No Show: (7/3/25)
- Audio Issue #44: The Super Family (7/10/25)
- In this action packed episode, Superhero Smash takes a look at Superman’s friends and family members to celebrate the arrival of the new Superman movie as the DCU begins!
- Audio Issue #45: Aquaman Returns! (7/17/25)
- In this action-packed audio episode, Superhero Smash dives back into the ocean to cover the King of the Seven Seas!
- Audio Issue #46: The Fantastic Four (7/24/25)
- In this action-packed audio episode, Superhero Smash travels to outer space with the world’s first super family!
- No Show: (7/31/25)
- Audio Issue #47: Blade the Vampire Hunter (8/7/25)
- In this action-packed audio episode, Superhero Smash fights hordes of vampires!
- Audio Issue #48: Secret Identities with Special Guest Star Dr. David Henningsen (8/13/25)
- In this action-packed audio episode, Superhero Smash uncovers secret identities!
- Audio Issue #49: Back-to-School Super Special #2 with Special Guest Stars Dr. Sandra Eckard & Dr. Alex Romagnoli
- In this action-packed audio episode, Superhero Smash explores superhero scholarship!
Superhero Smash Radio Show Host
- Dr. Gian Pagnucci, a.k.a. The New Professor X
- “You don’t need superpowers to be a hero. The only thing it takes to be a hero is the courage to do what’s right when someone needs your help”–Dr. Pagnucci (June 12, 2023)
- Dr. Pagnucci is Co-Author of Enter the Superheroes: American Values, Culture, and the Canon of Superhero Literature with Dr. Alex Romagnoli
Stream Superhero Smash Live on WIUP 90.1 FM!
- Listen to Season III of Superhero Smash all Summer 2025 long!
- Airs live Thursdays from 11:00 a.m.-Noon during the Summer of 2025
- WIUP 90.1 FM Website
- “Alternative music for the MCU, the DCU, and our U too!”
Superhero Smash Returns for Season III in Summer 2025!
- Because listeners demanded it, Superhero Smash will be back live in Summer 2025!
- Thursdays 11:00 a.m.-Noon
- All summer long starting in May
- Featuring amazing episodes of the best superhero radio show in the MCU, the DCU, and our U too!
- Superhero Smash can be heard exclusively on WIUP 90.1 FM
Future Superhero Smash Shows
- You can hear Dr. Pagnucci’s show live during IUP’s Summer Break, Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break
- Watch this page for announcements about upcoming show airings
The Superhero Smash Archive
- Too excited to wait for a new show? You can check out past Superhero Smash shows here:
Make a Hero or Music Request!
- Have a superhero song request?
- Want me to talk about a particular superhero on the show?
- Just email me here:
About the Show
- Superhero Smash focuses on music and stories about popular superheroes and current hit superhero movies and shows.
- In each audio issue, Dr. Pagnucci, a.k.a. the New Professor X, plays tons of great songs and talks about comic book origin stories, comics history, superhero romances, and long-lost superheroes (and supervillains too).
- Professor X also covers all the latest heroic news from the MCU, the DCU, and our own U too!
- Tune in to go on an audio adventure!
Grant Gustin says Superhero Smash Sounds Cool!
- I met Grant Gustin, former star of CW’s show The Flash, at GalaxyCon 2023 in Raleigh, NC. When I told him about Superhero Smash, he said the show “sounds cool.” Here I am in a photo with The Flash. Better look quick before he dashes off at super speed! The DCU should put Gustin on the big screen in the next Justice League movie.
Want to Hear a Recording of a Previous Show?
- Want to hear a past show? Due to space limitations on my website, I’m not able to make every episode of Superhero Smash available.
- Fortunately a small selection of past shows linked below do include the broadcast recording. These are primarily shows featuring Superhero Smash Special Guest Stars.
- I have noted below which Audio Issue links have a recording by noting with Audio next to the date the show originally aired. Hope you enjoy these special episodes of Superhero Smash.
- These selected shows are posted for teaching purposes in keeping with the educational mission of Superhero Smash.
- If you want to hear a specific show and it is not available on this website, I am happy to share the recording with you if it is available. To request a past episode of Superhero Smash, please send a request to my email:
Super Smash Storyboard
Some Great Musical Reads
If you like Superhero Smash, you may also like books about music and the music industry. Here are a couple of my favorites:
- The Tompo of the Ringing by Tracy Santa
- Tracy is an IUP alum and a terrific former graduate student of mine
- His rock memoir is a fascinating read
- Musical Intimacy: Construction, Connection, and Engagement by Zach Stigler & Todd Campbell
- Zach is station manager for WIUP FM 90.1
- His book talks about why pop music evokes such strong emotions in listeners
