What is a superhero? /
Rosenberg, Robin S.,editor of compilation.
Coogan, Peter  M.(Peter MacFarland),editor of compilation.
"In this innovative collection of essays, renowned psychologist Robin S. Rosenberg and comics scholar Peter Coogan explore the question 'What is a superhero?' from a variety of viewpoints. With essays from scholars and commentary by the writers and creators themselves, including extensive material from Stan Lee, Danny Fingeroth, and their peers, What is a Superhero? is the first volume to provide a true synthesis and reflection of the state of superheroes in our culture today."--Book jacket.
Includes index.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Introduction / Robin Rosenberg and Peter Coogan -- Section I. Super and hero: powers and mission. The hero defines the genre, the genre defines the hero / Peter Coogan ; We could be heroes / Will Brooker ; What is a female superhero? / Jennifer Stuller ; Straddling a boundary: the superhero and the incorporation of difference / Clare Pitkethly ; Save the day / A. David Lewis -- Section II. Context, culture, and the problem of definition. Superheroes and the modern(ist) age / Alex Boney ; Heroes of the superculture / Richard Reynolds ; Superheroes by design / John Jennings ; The experience of the superhero: a phenomenological definition / Dana Anderson ; What is a superhero? No one knows -- that's what makes 'em great / Geoff Klock -- Section III. Superheroes need supervillains. Why supervillains? / Paul Levitz ; Superheroes need supervillains / Frank Verano ; Superheroes need superior villains / Stanford W. Carpenter ; The subjective politics of the supervillain / Chris Deis ; Supervillains who need superheroes (are the luckiest villains in the world) / Andrew Smith ; Sorting out villainy: a typology of villains and their effects on superheroes / Robin S. Rosenberg -- Section IV. From the experts: comic book writers define the superhero. More than normal, but believable / Stan Lee ; Making the world a better place / Jeph Loeb ; Power and responsibility ... and other reflections on superheroes / Danny Fingeroth ; Superheroes and power / Dennis O'Neil ; The importance of context: Robin Hood is out and Buffy is in / Kurt Busiek ; Superheroes are made / Tom DeFalco ; Extraordinary / Joe Quesada ; The superprotagonist / Fred Van Lente ; Superheroes and supervillains: an interdependent relationship / Ivory Madison.
"In this innovative collection of essays, renowned psychologist Robin S. Rosenberg and comics scholar Peter Coogan explore the question 'What is a superhero?' from a variety of viewpoints. With essays from scholars and commentary by the writers and creators themselves, including extensive material from Stan Lee, Danny Fingeroth, and their peers, What is a Superhero? is the first volume to provide a true synthesis and reflection of the state of superheroes in our culture today."--Book jacket.
Superheroes.
Comic books, strips, etc.