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What is a Superhero?

Robin S Rosenberg editor Peter Coogan editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press Inc

Published:19th Sep '13

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

What is a Superhero? cover

What is a superhero? Everyone knows, right? And yet everyone seems to have a different answer. If asked, most people will say that a superhero is a fictional character with "superhuman" abilities or powers -- and one who uses those abilities for the common good. Some might add that superheroes wear costumes. But this is only part of the story. In this innovative collection of essays, renowned psychologist Robin Rosenberg and comics scholar Peter Coogan explore the question "What is a superhero?" from a variety of viewpoints. What is the role of power and superpower? Heroism? The environment? How is the superhero a metaphor? Perhaps most intriguing, what are supervillains and why do we need them? These and many other fascinating topics are taken up in this exciting new book. With essays from scholars and commentary by the writers and creators themselves, including exclusive material from Stan Lee, Danny Fingeroth, and their peers, What is a Superhero? is the first volume to provide a true synthesis and reflection of the state of superheroes in our culture today.

This collection is a helpful glimpse into the current opinions on the nature and meaning of the superhero among scholars and creators. * Anthony R. Mills, Independent Scholar, Journal of American Culture, June 2015 *

ISBN: 9780199795277

Dimensions: 236mm x 157mm x 23mm

Weight: 408g

200 pages