The Mythology of the Superhero

by Andrew R. Bahlmann

Overview

Superheroes have been an integral part of popular society for decades and have given rise to a collective mythology familiar in popular culture worldwide. Though scholars and fans have recognized and commented on this mythology, its structure has gone largely unexplored. This book provides a model and lexicon for identifying the superhero mythos. The author examines the myth in several narratives--including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Green Arrow and Beowulf--and discusses such diverse characters as Batman, Wolverine, Invincible and John Constantine.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476625188
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	04/27/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	216
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Andrew R. Bahlmann is an assistant professor at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. His interests include medieval literature, popular culture, and mythology and folklore. He lives in Ephraim.
Andrew R. Bahlmann is an assistant professor at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. His interests include medieval literature, popular culture, and mythology and folklore. He lives in Ephraim.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction: Superheroes as a New Mythology
1. Building a Framework: The Lexicon of Superhero Mythology
2. Green Arrow as an Exemplar of the Superhero Myth Structure
3. Buffy Summers and the Superhero Myth: Reading a Popular Culture Icon Through a Mythological Lens
4. Finding the Superhero: Reading SyFy’s Alphas Through the Mythological Lexicon
5. The Superhero Before the Superhero: Finding Superhero Mythology in the Old English Beowulf
6. The Superheroic Structure: Examining the Mythological Character of the Superhero
Appendix: Superhero Tropes
Chapter Notes
Bibliography and Television Shows and Films
Index