Enter the Superheroes

American Values, Culture, and the Canon of Superhero Literature

Alex S. Romagnoli and Gian S. Pagnucci

Ever since the first appearances of Superman and Batman in comic books of the late 1930s, superheroes have been a staple of the popular culture landscape. Though initially created for younger audiences, superhero characters have evolved over the years, becoming complex figures that appeal to more sophisticated readers. While superhero stories have grown ever more popular within broader society, however, comics and graphic novels have been largely ignored by the world of academia.

In Enter the Superheroes:American Values, Culture, and the Canon of Superhero Literature, Alex S. Romagnoli and Gian S. Pagnucci arguethat superheroes merit serious study, both within the academy and beyond. By examining the kinds of graphic novels that are embraced by the academy, this book explains how superhero stories are just as significant. Structured around key themes within superhero literature, the book delves into the features that make superhero stories a unique genre. The book also draws upon examples in comics and other media to illustrate the sociohistorical importance of superheroes—from the interplay of fans and creators to unique narrative elements that are brought to their richest fulfillment within the world of superheroes. A list of noteworthy superhero texts that readers can look to for future study is also provided.

In addition to exploring the important roles that superheroes play in children’s learning, the book also offers an excellent starting point for discussions of how literature is evolving and why it is necessary to expand the traditional realms of literary study. Enter the Superheroes will be of particular interest to English and composition teachers but also to scholars of popular culture and fans of superhero and comic book literature.

Scarecrow Press

Pages: 246 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼

978-0-8108-9171-5 • Hardback • June 2013 • $98.00 • (£75.00)

978-0-8108-9172-2 • eBook • June 2013 • $93.00 • (£72.00)

Subjects: Literary Criticism / Comics & Graphic Novels

Enter the Superheroes

American Values, Culture, and the Canon of Superhero Literature

Hardback

eBook

Summary

Ever since the first appearances of Superman and Batman in comic books of the late 1930s, superheroes have been a staple of the popular culture landscape. Though initially created for younger audiences, superhero characters have evolved over the years, becoming complex figures that appeal to more sophisticated readers. While superhero stories have grown ever more popular within broader society, however, comics and graphic novels have been largely ignored by the world of academia.

In Enter the Superheroes:American Values, Culture, and the Canon of Superhero Literature, Alex S. Romagnoli and Gian S. Pagnucci arguethat superheroes merit serious study, both within the academy and beyond. By examining the kinds of graphic novels that are embraced by the academy, this book explains how superhero stories are just as significant. Structured around key themes within superhero literature, the book delves into the features that make superhero stories a unique genre. The book also draws upon examples in comics and other media to illustrate the sociohistorical importance of superheroes—from the interplay of fans and creators to unique narrative elements that are brought to their richest fulfillment within the world of superheroes. A list of noteworthy superhero texts that readers can look to for future study is also provided.

In addition to exploring the important roles that superheroes play in children’s learning, the book also offers an excellent starting point for discussions of how literature is evolving and why it is necessary to expand the traditional realms of literary study. Enter the Superheroes will be of particular interest to English and composition teachers but also to scholars of popular culture and fans of superhero and comic book literature.

Details

Scarecrow Press

Pages: 246 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼

978-0-8108-9171-5 • Hardback • June 2013 • $98.00 • (£75.00)

978-0-8108-9172-2 • eBook • June 2013 • $93.00 • (£72.00)

Subjects: Literary Criticism / Comics & Graphic Novels

Author

Alex S. Romagnoli, M.Ed., teaches Composition and TESOL at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Gian S. Pagnucci is chair of the Department of English at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of Living the Narrative Life: Stories as a Tool for Meaning Making (2004) and co-editor of Re-Mapping Narrative: Technology’s Impact on the Way We Write (2008).

Reviews

Enter the Superheroes is a valuable and unique contribution to the field of comics' studies . . . The authors' knowledge of the medium shines through in the many and varied examples of the debates and issues in the superhero genre, as does their infection enthusiasm and eagerness to share their passion. This is an important book. . . .The authors call for a greater academic acceptance of superheroes and their argument for its pedagogical utility echoes well beyond the pages.
— Studies In The Humanities

Enter the Superheroes

American Values, Culture, and the Canon of Superhero Literature

Alex S. Romagnoli and Gian S. Pagnucci

Enter the Superheroes

American Values, Culture, and the Canon of Superhero Literature

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