Disability and the Superhero
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About This Book
This is a collection of essays that analyze the presence of ableism in superhero narratives from television shows, films, and comics. Contributors use critical disability studies, media studies, cultural studies, and other interdisciplinary fields to unveil the misinformation, stigma, and exclusion caused by ableist representations of disability or disability-related experiences. Ableism is unmasked in media franchises such as DC Comics, Marvel, Sesame Street, and more. These essays go beyond wh
Our Review
This collection of critical essays tackles the pervasive ableism embedded within our most popular superhero stories, from blockbuster Marvel films to iconic DC Comics. Using the frameworks of disability studies and media analysis, the contributors dissect how franchises from the MCU to even Sesame Street perpetuate harmful stereotypes, misinformation, and systemic exclusion through their portrayals of disability and bodily difference.
The book's power lies in its direct confrontation of narratives we often take for granted, revealing how superhero media frequently equates disability with villainy or something to be "overcome." Readers interested in pop culture criticism, social justice, and a more inclusive media landscape will find this a vital and eye-opening read. It effectively reframes the entire genre, challenging audiences to see the heroes and the world they defend in a radically new, and necessary, light.
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