On the Origin of Superheroes
On the Origin of Superheroes

Author: Chris Gavaler

Publisher: University of Iowa Press

Published: 2015-11-01

Total Pages: 306

ISBN-13: 1609383818

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Most readers think that superheroes began with Superman’s appearance in Action Comics No. 1, but that Kryptonian rocket didn’t just drop out of the sky. By the time Superman’s creators were born, the superhero’s most defining elements—secret identities, aliases, disguises, signature symbols, traumatic origin stories, extraordinary powers, self-sacrificing altruism—were already well-rehearsed standards. Superheroes have a sprawling, action-packed history that predates the Man of Steel by decades and even centuries. On the Origin of Superheroes is a quirky, personal tour of the mythology, literature, philosophy, history, and grand swirl of ideas that have permeated western culture in the centuries leading up to the first appearance of superheroes (as we know them today) in 1938. From the creation of the universe, through mythological heroes and gods, to folklore, ancient philosophy, revolutionary manifestos, discarded scientific theories, and gothic monsters, the sweep and scale of the superhero’s origin story is truly epic. We will travel from Jane Austen’s Bath to Edgar Rice Burroughs’s Mars to Owen Wister’s Wyoming, with some surprising stops along the way. We’ll meet mad scientists, Napoleonic dictators, costumed murderers, diabolical madmen, blackmailers, pirates, Wild West outlaws, eugenicists, the KKK, Victorian do-gooders, detectives, aliens, vampires, and pulp vigilantes (to name just a few). Chris Gavaler is your tour guide through this fascinating, sometimes dark, often funny, but always surprising prehistory of the most popular figure in pop culture today. In a way, superheroes have always been with us: they are a fossil record of our greatest aspirations and our worst fears and failings.

Superhero Origins
Superhero Origins

Author: Robin S. Rosenberg

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781482015805

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"Dr. Rosenberg explores the importance of origin stories and what they tell us about the characters and real people. She reveals the origins stories of seven superheroes, how those stories have evolved over time, and what they can tell us about ourselves"--

What is a Superhero?
What is a Superhero?

Author: Robin S. Rosenberg PhD

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2013-07-01

Total Pages: 200

ISBN-13: 019933952X

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It's easy to name a superhero--Superman, Batman, Thor, Spiderman, the Green Lantern, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Rorschach, Wolverine--but it's not so easy to define what a superhero is. Buffy has superpowers, but she doesn't have a costume. Batman has a costume, but doesn't have superpowers. What is the role of power and superpower? And what are supervillains and why do we need them? In What is a Superhero?, psychologist Robin Rosenberg and comics scholar Peter Coogan explore this question from a variety of viewpoints, bringing together contributions from nineteen comic book experts--including both scholars in such fields as cultural studies, art, and psychology as well as leading comic book writers and editors. What emerges is a kaleidoscopic portrait of this most popular of pop-culture figures. Writer Jeph Loeb, for instance, sees the desire to make the world a better place as the driving force of the superhero. Jennifer K. Stuller argues that the female superhero inspires women to stand up, be strong, support others, and most important, to believe in themselves. More darkly, A. David Lewis sees the indestructible superhero as the ultimate embodiment of the American "denial of death," while writer Danny Fingeroth sees superheroes as embodying the best aspects of humankind, acting with a nobility of purpose that inspires us. Interestingly, Fingeroth also expands the definition of superhero so that it would include characters like John McClane of the Die Hard movies: "Once they dodge ridiculous quantities of machine gun bullets they're superheroes, cape or no cape." From summer blockbusters to best-selling graphic novels, the superhero is an integral part of our culture. What is a Superhero? not only illuminates this pop-culture figure, but also sheds much light on the fantasies and beliefs of the American people.

Super Hero Origin Stories
Super Hero Origin Stories

Author: Michael Robin

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2022-07-12

Total Pages: 72

ISBN-13: 1950587258

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Where did Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and their super hero friends come from? How did they get their powers? Who were they before they were super heroes? Each origin story is a thrilling, self-contained bedtime story. Baby Kal-El makes a dramatic escape from the planet Krypton, arriving on Earth in a rocket ship. Wonder Woman and Nubia are shaped out of clay by their mother Hippolyta, and given their powers by the gods. Each Green Lantern—Hal Jordan, John Stewart, and Jessica Cruz—came by their power rings in interesting ways. Young super heroes will love learning about how their favorite characters came to be.

Super Heroes
Super Heroes

Author: Richard Reynolds

Publisher: Univ. Press of Mississippi

Published: 1994

Total Pages: 140

ISBN-13: 9780878056941

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A study of one of popular culture's superstars whose enchanting mystique pervades the modern world

Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer

Author: J. Michael Straczynski

Publisher: Marvel Entertainment

Published: 2008-07-23

Total Pages: 110

ISBN-13: 0785170979

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For untold years Norrin Radd has surfed the galaxy, exploring the darkness between stars, witnessing the rise and fall of vast civilizations. Now his ride is about to come to an end. It starts with a small spot - a blemish that will spread until he is no more. Until then, the Silver Surfer would undertake his final voyage - to the one destination that has always eluded him. His journey starts where it began. Guest-starring the Fantastic Four! Collects Silver Surfer: Requeim (2007) #1-4.

Astonishing Times
Astonishing Times

Author: Frank Barbiere

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Published: 2022-09-27

Total Pages: 132

ISBN-13: 1506730833

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A modern superhero story that celebrates the genre and redefines heroes for a new generation. In a world where superheroes are common place, Noah Sans, a young reporter trying to live up to the legacy of his father, investigates a mystery involving missing superheroes that quickly turns into a thrilling conspiracy. Noah Sans, a young reporter living in the shadow of his father, lives in a world full of superheroes—but no one seems to care. After a world changing event called The Cataclysm, people moved on, and now heroes are old news. But when Noah begins investigating a mysterious murder, he comes face to face with his most revered heroes and is forced to confront a secret past that could change the world forever. Astonishing Times is a love letter to the medium of comics and a celebration of superheroes old and new. Award-winning writer Frank J. Barbiere returns to creator-owned comics alongside Arris Quinones, host of YouTube's Variant, to craft a modern classic that redefines superheroes for a new era with stunning art by Ruairí Coleman and color artist Lauren Affe. Together, the team hopes to inspire a new generation of fans young and old, and remind us all that heroes are everywhere. Collects Astonishing Times #1–#5.

The League of Regrettable Superheroes
The League of Regrettable Superheroes

Author: Jon Morris

Publisher: Quirk Books

Published: 2015-06-02

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13: 1594747830

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Meet one hundred of the strangest superheroes ever to see print, complete with backstories, vintage art, and colorful commentary. You know about Batman, Superman, and Spiderman, but have you heard of Doll Man, Doctor Hormone, or Spider Queen? So prepare yourself for such not-ready-for-prime-time heroes as Bee Man (Batman, but with bees), the Clown (circus-themed crimebuster), the Eye (a giant, floating eyeball; just accept it), and many other oddballs and oddities. Drawing on the entire history of the medium, The League of Regrettable Superheroes will appeal to die-hard comics fans, casual comics readers, and anyone who enjoys peering into the stranger corners of pop culture.

Superhero
Superhero

Author: Peter Coogan

Publisher:

Published: 2024-02-29

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781774430767

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Peter Coogan's 'Superhero: The Secret Origin of a Genre' unravels the evolution of superheroes. Discover the history, powers, and hero-villain dynamics in this concise, engaging read for comic fans and scholars.

Not All Supermen
Not All Supermen

Author: Tim Hanley

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2022-07-15

Total Pages: 251

ISBN-13: 1538152746

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An eye-opening exploration of the toxic masculinity and sexism that pervades the superhero genre. Superheroes have been exciting and inspirational cultural icons for decades, dating back to the debut of Superman in the 1930s. The earliest tales have been held up as cornerstones of the genre, looked upon with nostalgic reverence. However, enshrining these tales also enshrines many outdated values that have allowed sexist gender dynamics to thrive. In Not All Supermen: Sexism, Toxic Masculinity, and the Complex History of Superheroes, Tim Hanley examines how anger, aggression, and violence became the norm in superhero comics, paired with a disdain for women that the industry has yet to fully move beyond. The sporadic addition of new female heroes over the years proved largely ineffective, the characters often underused and objectified. Hanley also reveals how the genre’s sexism has had real-world implications, with many creators being outed as sexual harassers and bigots, while intolerant fan movements are awash with misogynistic hate speech. Superheroes can be a force for good, representing truth, justice, and courage, but the industry is laden with excessive baggage. The future of the genre depends on what elements of its past are celebrated and what is left behind. Not All Supermen unravels this complex history and shows how superheroes can become more relevant and inspiring for everyone.