War, Politics and Superheroes
Ethics and Propaganda in Comics and Film
by Marc DiPaolo
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Book Presentation:
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.
Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.
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.
Press Reviews:
Choice Outstanding Academic Title
"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.
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