The 21st Century Superhero : Essays on Gender, Genre and Globalization in Film

Superhero films are one of the most enduring genres of cinema, and their popularity is only increasing in the 21st century. These ten critical essays explore the phenomenon through the lenses of numerous academic disciplines, and cover topics such as the role of globalization in the formation of superhero narratives, the shifting nature of masculinity and femininity in the superhero world and the state of the genre today. Of particular interest is the way these narratives, however fantastic, abstract, futuristic or simplistic, resonate with specific events in the world and function as starting points for discussion of contemporary sociopolitical conflicts. These Ten Critical Essays Explore The Phenomenon Of The Superhero Film In The 21st Century Through The Lens Of Numerous Academic Disciplines, And Cover Topics Such As The Role Of Globalization In The Formation Of Superhero Narratives, The Shifting Nature Of Masculinity And Femininity In The Superhero World And The State Of The Genre Today--provided By Publisher. Introduction / Richard J. Gray Ii And Betty Kaklamanidou -- Globalization. Exceptional Recognition: The U.s. Global Dilemma In The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, And Avatar / Anthony Peter Spanakos -- You Took My Advice About Theatricality A Bit -- Literally: Theatricality And Cybernetics Of Good And Evil In Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, And X-men / Johannes Schlegel And Frank Habermann -- Power, Choice, And September 11 In The Dark Knight / Christine Muller -- Gender. The Mythos Of Patriarchy In The X-men Films / Betty Kaklamanidou -- Vivacious Vixens And Scintillating Super-hotties: Deconstructing The Superheroine / Richard J. Gray Ii -- Evolving Portrayals Of Masculinity In Superhero Films: Hancock / Christina Adamou -- Genre. Genre And Super-heroism: Batman In The New Millennium / Vincent M. Gaine -- Super-intertextuality And 21st Century Individualized Social Advocacy In Spider-man And Kick-ass / Justin S. Schumaker -- The Watchmen, Neo-noir And Pastiche / Phillip Davis -- Smallville: Super Puberty And The Monstrous Superhero / Shahriar Fouladi. Edited By Richard J. Gray Ii And Betty Kaklamanidou. Includes Bibliographical References, Filmography And Index. Acknowledgments......Page 7 Table of Contents......Page 8 Introduction......Page 10 Exceptional Recognition......Page 24 “You Took My Advice About Theatricality a Bit ... Literally”......Page 38 Power, Choice, and September 11 in The Dark Knight......Page 55 The Mythos of Patriarchy in the X-Men Films......Page 70 Vivacious Vixens and Scintillating Super Hotties......Page 84 Evolving Portrayals of Masculinity in Superhero Films......Page 103 Genre and Super-Heroism......Page 120 Super-Intertextuality and 21st Century Individualized Social Advocacy in Spider-Man and Kick-Ass......Page 138 The Watchmen, Neo-Noir and Pastiche......Page 153 Smallville......Page 170 Films and Television Programs......Page 188 Works Cited......Page 196 About the Contributors......Page 206 Index......Page 208