Caped Crusaders 101: Composition Through Comic Books, 2d ed.

by Jeffrey Kahan, Stanley Stewart

Overview

This updated and expanded textbook inspires a greater appreciation for literature by studying important literary themes found in comics. By deconstructing comics, it raises critical thinking about literature, a crucial skill for understanding language and composition. Chapters discuss DC, Marvel and other comics' varied attempts at portraying race, politics, economics, business ethics and democracy; responses to the Cold War and the events of September 11; and portrayals of prisons and capital punishment. New to this edition, an additional chapter explores how the deaths of Captain America, Superman and Batman offer insightful commentary on the nature of heroism. Each chapter offers a series of questions that stimulate further reading, writing and discussion.

Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786447749
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	04/22/2010
Series:	Humanities/Comics
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	249
Sales rank:	298,347
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Jeffrey Kahan is a professor of English at the University of La Verne in California. The late Stanley Stewart was a distinguished professor in the English Department of the University of California at Riverside.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     
Introduction: Why Comics Can Save Us from Illiteracy    

1. Black Heroes for Hire: Serializing Social Construction in the Comics     
2. Comic Books, Cold Wars, and Desert Storms     
3. Spider-Man and Corporate Responsibility     
4. The Comic Book Code and American F-agg     
5. Dr. Strange, or, How I Learned to Love Metaphysics     
6. 9/11 and the Man Without Fear     
7. Comics and the Prison System     
8. Killing Off the Hero     

Coda: Our Heroes, Ourselves     
Chapter Notes     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

Reviews of the first edition: “highly recommended, valuable”—SFRA Review; “this book needs to be on every comic book collector’s book shelves...detailed...a great read, an essential comic...highly recommend[ed]”—Jaxma Online; “interesting and worthwhile”—The Compulsive Reader; “an amazing piece of analysis”—Curledup.com.

From the Publisher

interesting and worthwhile

The Compulsive Reader

this book needs to be on every comic book collector's book shelves...detailed...a great read, an essential comic...highly recommend[ed]

Jaxma Online

Reviews of the first edition: "highly recommended, valuable"

SFRA Review