Superheroes and Masculinity: Unmasking the Gender Performance of Heroism

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Superheroes and Masculinity: Unmasking the Gender Performance of Heroism explores how heteropatriarchal representations of gender are portrayed within superhero comics, film, and television. The contributors examine how hegemonic masculinity has been continually perpetuated and reinforced within the superhero genre and unpack concise critiques of specific superhero representations, the industry, and the fan base at large. However, Superheroes and Masculinity also argues that possibilities of resistance and change are embedded within these problematic portrayals. To this end, several chapters explore alternative portrayals of queerness within superhero representations and read the hegemonic masculinity of various characters against the grain to produce queer possibilities. Ultimately, this collection argues that the quest to unmask how gender operates within superheroes is a crucial one.

Reviews

With the influx of superhero multimedia saturating our culture, the time has come for a serious analysis of masculinity that underscores both the harmful and empowering aspects of heroism. This text explains what is missing in our popular conceptions of the superheroes genre and tells us how to fix itan essential read for anyone interested in social justice, media, and gender studies. -- Amber E. George, Gallen College
In this current era of superhero trends in media literaciesof film, television series, toys, and comicsthere are generations that are (re)connecting with new takes on hero identities and representations that go further and further into a much-needed critical understanding of justice and equity. This timely and pertinent book brings a deeper level of analysis to superheroes and offers fresh takes on the real and symbolic impact of the superhero genre on our understandings of the complex relationships in our everyday lives. Parson and Schatz edit this collection of pivotal chapters from authors in ways that direct our attention to the powerful potentials of both how superheroes aid and undermine how we understand masculinities at a time where toxic forms of identifying as male have for too long dominated politics of heroism, personhood, species, and the planet. -- Johnny J. Lupinacci, Washington State University
As the culture of comic books increasingly becomes 'culture,' this important text explores the issue of gender construction in comics. While comic characters are frequently only perceived in terms of traditional masculinity, this manuscript helps to uncover the complicated, and often conflicting, gender dynamics at play. It is hard to imagine a more timely or significant text. -- Vasile Stnescu, Mercer University

Author Bio

Sean Parson is assistant professor of politics and international affairs at Northern Arizona University. JL Schatz is director of speech and debate at Binghamton University.