The X-Men films : a cultural analysis / edited by Claudia Bucciferro.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Bucciferro, Claudia, editor.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

X-Men films--History and criticism.

X-Men films.

Physical Description:

xxii, 241 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Lanham : Rowman & Littlefield, [2016]

Summary:

Originally appearing as a comic book in the 1960s, X-Men has been a cultural touchpoint for decades. Since the release of the first film in 2000, the series has enjoyed an even greater transnational presence. With each successive film, the franchise has secured its place within global popular culture, becoming one of the most profitable and complex superhero series to date. While much of the research that has been published on X-Men focuses on the comics, the movies constitute their own cultural text and deserve special attention. In-The X-Men Films: A Cultural Analysis, Claudia Bucciferro has assembled essays that draw from work in communication, cultural studies, and media studies. With contributions from a diverse group of scholars, the chapters analyze issues that include gender, sexuality, disability, class, and race and pose intriguing questions about the franchise: What do "mutants" really represent? What roles do women and people of color play in the narratives? Why does it matter that Professor X is disabled? Why is Mystique often shown naked? What facilitated Wolverine's rise to prominence? How do topics regarding identity, trauma, and bioethics figure into the stories? w, Exploring issues relevant in a multicultural world and connecting thematic elements from the films to political debates and social struggles, this book makes a thoughtful contribution to the scholarship of popular culture. The X-Men Films will appeal to media scholars and students, as well as to anyone interested in the X-Men series. Book jacket.

Contents:

Part I Utopian and Immersive Experiences 1

1 Mutopia: American Utopianism and the Mutant Superhero / Matt Yockey Yockey, Matt 3

2 The Immersive Marketing Campaign for X-Men: Days of Future Past / Nicolò Gallio Gallio, Nicolò 17

Part II Agency and Authority 31

3 Superhuman Authority: Fascism and Bioethics in the X-Men Films / Evan Hayles Gledhill Gledhill, Evan Hayles 33

4 Magneto's Dilemma: The Technological Limitations of Mutant Transhumanism / Ron Von Burg Burg, Ron Von, D. Stokes Piercy Piercy, D. Stokes 49

5 PTXD: Gendered Narratives of Combat, Trauma, and the Civil-Military Divide / Christina M. Knopf Knopf, Christina M., Christine M. Doran Doran, Christine M. 63

Part III Women and Power 77

6 Containing the X-Women: De-powering and De-queering Female Characters / Carolyn Cocca Cocca, Carolyn 79

7 Shape-Shifting Identity: Mystique's Embodied Agency / Jason Zingsheim Zingsheim, Jason 93

8 The "Stolen" Superpowers of Marvel's Rogue / Julie Davis Davis, Julie, Robert Westerfelhaus Westerfelhaus, Robert 107

9 The Curious Case of "Dr." Jean Grey, Mystique, and Mariko / Barbara Cook Overton Overton, Barbara Cook, Athena du Pré Pré, Athena du, Loretta L. Pecchioni Pecchioni, Loretta L., John H. Overton Overton, John H. 121

Part IV Masculinity and Race 135

10 Wolverine in Transition: Shifting Portrayals of Masculinity and Identity / Nathan Miczo Miczo, Nathan 137

11 Techno-Orientalist Villains and White Masculinity in the Wolverine Movies / David C. Oh Oh, David C. 151

12 Refraining Disabled Masculinity: Xavier as Marvel's Supercrip / Jessica Benham Benham, Jessica 165

13 Mutating Minorities: White Racial Framing and Group Positioning / Jason Smith Smith, Jason 179

Part V Passing and Otherness 193

14 Passing While Homo Superior / Kat Overland Overland, Kat 195

15 Mutancy, Otherness, and Empathy in the X-Men / Claudia Bucciferro Bucciferro, Claudia 209.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781442265332

1442265337

OCLC:

926050607