The Modern Superhero in Film and Television
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About This Book
Hollywood’s live-action superhero films currently dominate the worldwide box-office, with the characters enjoying more notoriety through their feature film and television depictions than they have ever before. This book argues that this immense popularity reveals deep cultural concerns about politics, gender, ethnicity, patriotism and consumerism after the events of 9/11. Superheroes have long been agents of hegemony, fighting for abstract ideals of justice while overall perpetuating the America
Our Review
This insightful analysis of contemporary superhero media examines how these blockbuster films and television shows function as cultural barometers, reflecting and shaping societal anxieties in a post-9/11 world. Jeffrey A. Brown argues that beneath the spectacle of CGI battles and spandex costumes, these modern superhero narratives are deeply entangled with complex issues of politics, gender, and national identity. The book meticulously dissects how these popular characters, despite their surface-level heroics, often act as agents of hegemony, reinforcing specific power structures while paying lip service to justice.
What sets this work apart is its sharp focus on the ideological underpinnings of the genre, moving beyond simple plot summaries to reveal how superhero stories perpetuate specific values around patriotism and consumerism. Readers who enjoy digging into the "why" behind their favorite films and shows will find a compelling framework here, one that transforms passive viewing into an act of cultural critique. This is essential reading for any fan ready to question the politics behind the power fantasy.
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