‘PBS Idea Channel’ Compares Writing for Comics to Running a ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Campaign

PBS Idea Channel host Mike Rugnetta compares writing for comics to running a Dungeons & Dragons campaign in the latest episode of the series. Specifically, Rugnetta explores the concept of agency and what it means to essentially run the lives of other people’s characters.

Dungeon Masters rule over Tabletop RPGs, but who watches the Watchmen? Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Spiderman, Thor… all famous comic book characters, but famous not technically because of the actions they perform, but for those that comic book creators and writers choose for them. How is this like the players of a RPG, who experience what they may perceive as agency over their actions, despite their routes being carefully orchestrated by the Dungeon Master. So, who’s really in control?