Captain America and the nationalist superhero
Subtitle: metaphors, narratives, and geopolitics
By: Jason Dittmer
Publisher: Temple University Press
Published: 2013
Place of publication: Philadelphia
Language: eng
Number of pages: 229
ISBN-13: 9781439909768; 9781439909775; 9781439909782
Subjects: History and criticism; Social aspects; Geopolitics; Popular culture; Captain America (Fictitious character); Comic books, strips; Nationalism and literature; Political aspects; Superheroes in literature
Description: "Nationalist superheroes--such as Captain America, Captain Canuck, and Union Jack--often signify the 'nation-state' for readers, but how do these characters and comic books address issues of multiculturalism and geopolitical order? In his engaging book Captain America and the Nationalist Superhero, geographer Jason Dittmer traces the evolution of the comic book genre as it adapted to new national audiences. He argues that these iconic superheroes contribute to our contemporary understandings of national identity, the righteous use of power, and the role of the United States, Canada, and Britain in the world. Tracing the nationalist superhero genre from its World War II origins to contemporary manifestations throughout the world, Captain America and the Nationalist Superhero analyzes nearly one thousand comic books and audience responses to those books. Dittmer also interviews key comic book writers from Stan Lee and J.M. DeMatteis to Steve Englehart and Paul Cornell. At a time when popular culture is saturated with superheroes and their exploits, Captain America and the Nationalist Superhero highlights the unique relationship between popular culture and international relations."--Publisher's website.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Introducing nationalist superheroes; title: Gendered nation-state, gendered hero; title: Embodying multiculturalism; title: Origins; title: Narratives of continuity and change; title: Grounding the nation-state; title: Geopolitical orders; title: Alternate worlds; title: Parody and subversion.