Superheroes Beyond

Contributions by Mitchell Adams, Frederick Luis Aldama, Jason Bainbridge, Djoymi Baker, Liam Burke, Octavia Cade, Hernan David Espinosa-Medina, Dan Golding, Ian Gordon, Sheena C. Howard, Aaron Humphrey, Naja Later, Cormac McGarry, Angela Ndalianis, Julian Novitz, Alexandra Ostrowski Schilling, Maria Lorena M. Santos, Jack Teiwes, and Enrique Uribe-Jongbloed In recent years, superheroes on the page and screen have garnered increasing research and wider interest. Nonetheless, many works fall back on familiar examples before arriving at predictable conclusions. Superheroes Beyond moves superhero research beyond expected models. In this innovative collection, contributors unmask international crimefighters, track superheroes outside of the comic book page, and explore heroes whose secret identities are not cisgender men. Superheroes Beyond responds to the growing interest in understanding the unique appeal of superheroes by reveling in the diversity of this heroic type. Superheroes Beyond explores the complexity and cultural reach of the superhero in three sections. The first, “Beyond Men of Steel,” examines how the archetype has moved beyond simply recapitulating the “man of steel” figure to include broader representations of race, gender, sexuality, and ableness. The second section, “Beyond Comic Books,” discusses how the superhero has become a transmedia phenomenon, moving from comic books to toys to cinema screens and beyond. The final section, “Beyond the United States,” highlights the vibrant but often overlooked history of global superhero figures. Together, the essays in this collection form important starting points for taking stock of the superhero’s far-reaching appeal, contributing the critical conversations required to bring scholarship into the present moment and beyond.

Superheroes remain the most popular genre of characters in comics and comics-inspired movies. Superheroes & Beyond by Chris Hart shows aspiring artists how to create a huge array of original comic book heroes and villains. The characters found within these pages are broken down into step-by-step constructions that help the student of comics visualize the basic forms and individual features of comic book superheroes. The subjects covered include: drawing faces, drawing the head from all angles, expressions, light and shadow and its effect on the face, heroes, villains and supporting characters, hands and fee; foreshortening poses, the dynamics of drawing action; sexy gals; talking in speech balloons, placement of speech balloons and captions, storytelling, use of light and dark in silhouettes, superhero environments, and drawing the splash page."

The Thing. Daredevil. Captain Marvel. The Human Fly. Drawing on DC and Marvel comics from the 1950s to the 1990s and marshaling insights from three burgeoning fields of inquiry in the humanities—disability studies, death and dying studies, and comics studies—José Alaniz seeks to redefine the contemporary understanding of the superhero. Beginning in the Silver Age, the genre increasingly challenged and complicated its hypermasculine, quasi-eugenicist biases through such disabled figures as Ben Grimm/The Thing, Matt Murdock/Daredevil, and the Doom Patrol. Alaniz traces how the superhero became increasingly vulnerable, ill, and mortal in this era. He then proceeds to a reinterpretation of characters and series—some familiar (Superman), some obscure (She-Thing). These genre changes reflected a wider awareness of related body issues in the postwar United States as represented by hospice, death with dignity, and disability rights movements. The persistent highlighting of the body’s “imperfection” comes to forge a predominant aspect of the superheroic self. Such moves, originally part of the Silver Age strategy to stimulate sympathy, enhance psychological depth, and raise the dramatic stakes, developed further in such later series as The Human Fly, Strikeforce: Morituri, and the landmark graphic novel The Death of Captain Marvel, all examined in this volume. Death and disability, presumed routinely absent or denied in the superhero genre, emerge to form a core theme and defining function of the Silver Age and beyond.

A fascinating written exploration of the superhero phenomenon, from its beginnings in the depths of Great Depression to the blockbuster movies of today. For over 90 years, superheroes have been interrogated, deconstructed, and reinvented. In this wide-ranging study, Robb looks at the diverse characters, their creators, and the ways in which their creations have been reinvented for successive generations. Inevitably, the focus is on the United States, but the context is international, including an examination of characters developed in India and Japan in reaction to the traditional American hero. Sections examine: the birth of the superhero, including Superman, in 1938; the DC family (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and The Justice Society/League of America), from the 1940s to the 1960s; the superheroes enlistment in the war effort in the 1940s and 50s; their neutering by the Comics Code; the challenge to DC from the Marvel family (The Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, and The X-Men), from the 1960s to the 1980s; the superhero as complex anti-hero; superheroes deconstructed in the 1980s (The Watchmen and Frank Miller?s Batman), and their politicization; independent comic book creators and new publishers in the 1980s and 90s; superheroes in retreat, and their rebirth at the movies in blockbusters from Batman to Spider-Man and The Avengers.

Occupying a corner office shouldn't make a business leader feel overwhelmed, underprepared, or anxious about failing. Still, we unfairly set up impossible expectations for senior leaders to drive the success of their enterprises. Jason Randall offers an alternate path to success based on his unusually diverse career managing teams big and small. Beyond the Superhero: Executive Leadership for the Rest of Us is part memoir, part handbook. Writing with extraordinary clarity, Randall debunks myths and explores the strategies that he uses every day to strengthen his team, care for his clients, and overcome chaos. This is a book for anyone in leadership--and anyone who plans to be. It offers practical tactics for exercising humility, building confidence, clarifying purpose, and creating a human-centered company culture.

Collecting Marvel Super Hero Adventures: Spider-Man And The Stolen Vibranium; The Spider-Doctor; Webs And Arrows And Ants, Oh My!; Ms. Marvel And The Teleporting Dog; And Inferno. Spider-Man introduces his fellow Marvel super heroes to a whole new generation! The friendly neighborhood hero teams up with friends old and new in action-packed adventures for the ages - all ages! And he begins by swinging into Wakanda - home of the Black Panther! When Doctor Octopus goes on the hunt for the incredible metal Vibranium, it'll take the combined might of the webslinger and the warrior king to keep the prize out of Ock's many arms! Then, Spidey joins Doctor Strange on a magical mission to save the world from Hela, goddess of the Asgardian underworld! But when the two become trapped on the astral plane, can they help each other find the hero within? Marvel's greatest characters take the spotlight in tales you can share with anyone - from your kids to your friends!

DC: BEYOND HEROES AND VILLAINS: THE SYMBOLIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF DC COMICS CHARACTERS Introducing “DC: Beyond Heroes And Villains: The Symbolic And Psychological Significance Of DC Comics Characters” - the ultimate guide for fans of DC Comics and anyone interested in exploring the psychological and philosophical themes present in their stories. This book offers an in-depth analysis of the characters, their development, and how they relate to the human experience. This book is important because it offers a unique perspective on the world of DC Comics and allows readers to gain a deeper understanding of the characters they love. It also provides insights into the human psyche and philosophical theories, making it a valuable resource for students of psychology and philosophy. With its rich analysis, “DC: Beyond Heroes And Villains” is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the intersection between comic book storytelling, psychology, and philosophy. CONTENT (39 CHAPTERS) The Intersection Of Dc Comics And Psychology Superman: The Man Of Steel's Psychological Struggles And Symbolism Superman: The Psychology Of Morality And Identity Batman: The Dark Knight's Trauma And The Concept Of The Vigilante Batman: The Dark Knight's Psychological Complexities Wonder Woman: The Warrior Princess And The Psychology Of Gender Wonder Woman: The Psychology Of Female Empowerment The Joker: The Clown Prince Of Crime And The Nature Of Evil The Joker: An Analysis Of Villainous Insanity Harley Quinn: The Harlequin Of Hate's Journey From Victim To Villain Harley Quinn: The Psychology Of Abuse And Trauma The Flash: The Speedster's Motivation And The Psychology Of Heroism The Flash: The Psychology Of Speed And Time Green Lantern: The Power Of Will And The Psychology Of Fear Green Lantern: The Psychology Of Fear And Willpower Robin: The Psychology Of Sidekicks And The Development Of Identity Robin/Nightwing: The Psychology Of Sidekicks And Identity Formation Catwoman: The Femme Fatale's Complex Personality And The Psychology Of Crime Catwoman: The Psychology Of Criminal Behavior And Redemption Lex Luthor: The Super-Villain's Motivations And The Psychology Of Narcissism Lex Luthor: The Psychology Of Narcissism And Power Darkseid: The Lord Of Apokolips And The Psychology Of Tyranny Aquaman: The Psychology Of Identity And Belonging Aquaman: The King Of The Sea's Identity Crisis And The Psychology Of Belonging The Suicide Squad: The Psychology Of Antiheroes And The Ethics Of Morality The Suicide Squad: The Psychology Of Villain Rehabilitation Comparing Dc Comics To Philosophical Theories: Utilitarianism, Deontology, And Virtue Ethics Archetypes In Dc Comics: The Hero's Journey And Psychological Development The Multiverse: The Psychology Of Reality And Perceptions Of Self Dc Comics And Social Issues: Representation, Diversity, And Social Justice The Psychology Of Dc Comics The Justice League: The Psychology Of Team Dynamics And Group Cohesion Justice League: The Psychology Of Team Dynamics And Leadership Philosophical Theories And Dc Comics: A Comparative Analysis Existentialism In Dc Comics: Navigating The Human Condition Ethics And Justice In Dc Comics: Moral Dilemmas And Decision-Making The Psychology Of Superheroes In Popular Culture: A Societal Perspective The Riddler: The Psychology Of Obsession And Compulsion Martian Manhunter: The Psychology Of Alienation And Assimilation

Superheroes have been the major genre to emerge from comics and graphic novels, saturating popular culture with images of muscular men and sexy women. A major aspect of this genre is identity in the roles played by individuals, the development of identities through extended stories and in the ways the characters inspire audiences. This collection analyses stories from popular comics franchises such as Batman, Captain America, Ms Marvel and X-Men, alongside less well known comics such as Kabuki and Flex Mentallo. It explores what superhero narratives can reveal about our attitudes towards femininity, race, maternity, masculinity and queer culture. Using this approach, the volume asks questions such as why there are no black supervillains in mainstream comics, how second wave feminism and feminist film theory may help us to understand female comic book characters, the ways in which Flex Mentallo transcends the boundaries of straightness and gayness and how both fans and industry appropriate the sexual identity of superheroes. The book was originally published in a special issue of the Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics.