There’s no denying that the 2020s have been off to a rough start for Marvel adaptations due to the floundering of the MCU. While X-Men 97 and Deadpool and Wolverine have found success, the best Marvel adaptation of the decade isn’t a show or movie at all; it’s a podcast. Squirrel Girl: The Unbeatable Radio Show is a fun, comic-accurate, heartfelt podcast adaptation that was largely overlooked and deserves more credit.
An In-Universe College Radio Show
Unlike Marvel’s other podcasts, which are straightforward audio dramas, Squirrel Girl: The Unbeatable Radio Show is presented as a college radio show hosted by the characters. This gives the show a unique structure, functioning largely as a call-in show set inside of the Marvel universe. This sets the show apart and makes its universe feel more lived in than any other adaptation I’ve ever experienced.
A Window Into The Mundane
While the Squirrel Girl podcast has an overarching plot about a villain named Fine Art taunting the show, its best moments are when it’s working as a window into the mundane lives of Marvel characters. In one episode, Shocker calls in, claiming to be a superhero, tricking the hosts into giving him advice about fighting Spider-Man. An ongoing bit features Magneto, who has confused their number for the Xavier Institutes, leaving increasingly dramatic threats for Charles Xavier for not returning his calls.
The Comic’s Creative Team
The characters in the Squirrel Girl podcast also shine through, feeling true to their comic book selves due to the show being written by comic writer Ryan North. Dorren Green is joined by her supporting cast from North’s comics including her roommate Nancy Whitehead, fellow heroes Chipmunk Hunk and Koi Boy, as well as reformed villain Brain Drain. Each character is given enough room to show off their personalities through individual segments and frequent guest appearances.
In addition to characterization, Ryan North brings the heartwarming positivity and sincerity of his comics to the Squirrel Girl podcast. The show explores its heroine’s belief in empathy, logic, and communication as tools for superheroism. Its positivity is infectious, and it never feels saccharine or preachy despite its clear sense of morality.
The Live-Action Squirrel Girl We Never Got
The voice cast for the Squirrel Girl podcast does a stellar job of bringing the characters to life. Milana Vayntrub (Lily from the AT&T commercials) reprises her role as Doreen Green after playing the rodent-themed superhero in the famously unaired New Warriors pilot. Vayntrub is joined by voice actors Crystal Lucas Perry, Leo Sheng, Davied Morales, Peter Hermann, Erica Schroder, and Tina Benko.
Captures The Spirit Of The Legendary Comic Run
When I listened to Squirrel Girl: The Unbeatable Radio Show, I was reminded of the early MCU movies that adapted B-list Marvel characters with a focus on comic accuracy. The podcast is a pitch-perfect adaptation of Ryan North’s comic run, rooted in the character’s definitive comic arc. However, unlike most adaptations, it doesn’t just adapt a story from that comic but picks up where North’s run ended, making it feel like a genuine part of the canon.
A great adaptation is defined by its ability to capture the source material’s spirit while leaning into the strengths of its new medium, and the Squirrel Girl podcast manages to do both expertly. At a time when the MCU has drifted from comic accuracy with characters like Ms. Marvel, it’s a reminder that direct adaptations can still work. It’s also a testament to the value of involving comic creators in the creative process.
