Title: On the origin of superheroes : from the big bang to Action Comics no. 1 /
Authors: Gavaler, Chris
Year: 2015
Subjects: Heroes in literature; Superheroes in literature.; Heroic virtue.; Heroes History.; Heroes Mythology; SOCIAL SCIENCE / Popular Culture.; Heroes; Heroes in literature; Heroes Mythology; Heroic virtue; Superheroes in literature.
Abstract: "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"--
Contents: Introduction: Origin story -- In the beginning -- Revolution -- A parliament of monsters -- Indians & cowboys -- Evolution -- Thou shalt not kill -- The superhero guide to love & sex -- Best of both worlds -- Epilogue: Magneto's giftshop.