On the Origin of Superheroes : From the Big Bang to Action Comics No. 1 / Chris Gavaler.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gavaler, Chris.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Heroes--Mythology.

Heroes.

Heroes--History.

Heroic virtue.

Superheroes in literature.

Heroes in literature.

Genre:

Electronic books.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (306 p.)

Place of Publication:

Iowa City : University of Iowa Press, [2015]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

"Most readers think that superheroes began with Superman in 1938, but that Kryptonian rocket didn't just drop out of the sky. By the time Superman's creators were born, the superhero's most defining elements--secret identities, aliases, disguises, signature symbols, traumatic origin stories, extraordinary powers, self-sacrificing altruism--were already well-rehearsed standards. Superheroes have a sprawling, action-packed history that predates Superman by decades and even centuries. On the Origin of Superheroes is a quirky, personal tour of the mythology, literature, philosophy, history, and grand swirl of ideas that have permeated western culture in the centuries that led up to the first appearance of superheroes as we know them today: Superman's appearance in Action Comics, no. 1 in 1938"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Contents; Introduction: Origin Story; 1. In the Beginning; 2. Revolution; 3. A Parliament of Monsters; 4. Indians & Cowboys; 5. Evolution; 6. Thou Shalt Not Kill; 7. The Superhero Guide to Love & Sex; 8. Best of Both Worlds; Epilogue: Magneto's Giftshop; Bibliography; Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9781609383824

1609383826

OCLC:

921843528