War, Politics and Superheroes: Ethics and Propaganda in Comics and Film

by Marc DiPaolo

Overview

Superhero adventure comics have a long history of commenting upon American public opinion and government policy, and the surge in the popularity of comics since the events of September 11, 2001, ensures their continued relevance. This critical text examines the seventy-year history of comic book superheroes on film and in comic books and their reflections of the politics of their time. Superheroes addressed include Batman, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, Superman, the Fantastic Four and the X-Men, and topics covered include American wars, conflicts, and public policy.

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Product Details

ISBN-13:	2900786447182
Publication date:	04/14/2011
Pages:	342
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 1.25(h) x 9.00(d)

About the Author

Marc DiPaolo is an assistant professor of English at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He has written books on Jane Austen and on environmentalist science fiction and fantasy. DiPaolo has been interviewed on NPR, BBC4, and appeared in the AMC documentary Robert Kirkman’s Secret History of Comics.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     
Preface     
Introduction: Are Superheroes Republicans? On The Avengers, Star Trek, and Watchmen     

1. Batman as Terrorist, Technocrat and Feudal Lord     
2. Wonder Woman as World War II Veteran, Feminist Icon, and Sex Symbol     
3. Spider-Man as Benedict Arnold, Objectivist, and Class Warrior     
4. The Punisher as Murderous Immigration Officer and Vietnam War Veteran     
5. Superman vs. Ronald Reagan and the Ku Klux Klan     
6. The Special Relationship: Britain and America in James Bond, Doctor Who, and Hellblazer     
7. Tortured Consciences: Jack Bauer, the Invisible Woman, and George W. Bush’s America     
8. Gay Rights, Civil Rights, and Nazism in the X-Men Universe     
9. In Brightest Day, in Darkest Knight: President Obama vs. the Zombie Apocalypse     

Chapter Notes     
Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

a thorough, thought-out treatise that offers new ways of looking at comics and film. It will take its place in the annals of exceptional comic book/film scholarship...essential”—Choice; “this unique work on popular culture is a seamless, well-constructed, deeply researched, sharply written, and politically insightful academic book”—Religious Studies Review; “examines the 70-year history of comic book superheroes as they are presented in print and on celluloid”—CBQ; “DiPaolo’s command of real-world politics as well as the broad knowledge of so many superhero stories (with “superhero” also defined in a very broad sense) really sells the project. I don’t think there is another book like it, and my hope is that it will inspire fanboys who love the superhero narratives to also take more of an interest in the political intrigues and relationships that genuinely affect our lives.”—Will Brooker, Kingston University, author of Batman Unmasked and Using the Force.

From the Publisher

"DiPaolo's command of real-world politics as well as the broad knowledge of so many superhero stories (with "superhero" also defined in a very broad sense) really sells the project. I don't think there is another book like it, and my hope is that it will inspire fanboys who love the superhero narratives to also take more of an interest in the political intrigues and relationships that genuinely affect our lives."

Kingston University, author of Batman Unmasked and Using the Force - Will Brooker

this unique work on popular culture is a seamless, well-constructed, deeply researched, sharply written, and politically insightful academic book

Religious Studies Review

a thorough, thought-out treatise that offers new ways of looking at comics and film. It will take its place in the annals of exceptional comic book/film scholarship...essential

Choice