How Superheroes Model Community

Philosophically, Communicatively, Relationally

Nathan Miczo

From the perspectives of positive psychology and positive communication, superheroes are often depicted as possessing virtues and serving as inspirational exemplars. However, many of the virtues enumerated as characterizing the superhero (e.g., courage, teamwork, creativity) could just as easily be applied to heroes of other genres. To understand what is unique to the superhero genre, How Superheroes Model Community: Philosophically, Communicatively, Relationally looks not only to the virtues that animate them, but also to the underlying moral framework that gives meaning to those virtues. The key to understanding their character is that often they save strangers, and they do so in the public sphere. The superhero’s moral framework, therefore, must encompass both the motivation to act to benefit others rather than themselves (especially people to whom they have no relational obligation) and to preserve the public sphere against those who would disrupt it. Given such a framework, Nathan Miczo argues that superheroes are not, and could not, be loners. They constantly form team-ups, super teams, alliances, partnerships, take on mentorship roles, and create sidekicks. Social constructionist approaches in the communication field argue that communication, in part, works to shape and create our social reality. Through this lens, Miczo proposes that superheroes maintain themselves as a community through the communicative practices they engage in.

Lexington Books

Pages: 172 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½

978-1-4985-1680-8 • Hardback • August 2016 • $103.00 • (£79.00)

978-1-4985-1682-2 • Paperback • May 2019 • $46.99 • (£36.00)

978-1-4985-1681-5 • eBook • August 2016 • $44.50 • (£35.00)

Subjects: Comics & Graphic Novels / Superheroes, Language Arts & Disciplines / Political Communication, Philosophy / Ethics & Moral Philosophy

How Superheroes Model Community

Philosophically, Communicatively, Relationally

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

From the perspectives of positive psychology and positive communication, superheroes are often depicted as possessing virtues and serving as inspirational exemplars. However, many of the virtues enumerated as characterizing the superhero (e.g., courage, teamwork, creativity) could just as easily be applied to heroes of other genres. To understand what is unique to the superhero genre, How Superheroes Model Community: Philosophically, Communicatively, Relationally looks not only to the virtues that animate them, but also to the underlying moral framework that gives meaning to those virtues. The key to understanding their character is that often they save strangers, and they do so in the public sphere. The superhero’s moral framework, therefore, must encompass both the motivation to act to benefit others rather than themselves (especially people to whom they have no relational obligation) and to preserve the public sphere against those who would disrupt it. Given such a framework, Nathan Miczo argues that superheroes are not, and could not, be loners. They constantly form team-ups, super teams, alliances, partnerships, take on mentorship roles, and create sidekicks. Social constructionist approaches in the communication field argue that communication, in part, works to shape and create our social reality. Through this lens, Miczo proposes that superheroes maintain themselves as a community through the communicative practices they engage in.

Details

Lexington Books

Pages: 172 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½

978-1-4985-1680-8 • Hardback • August 2016 • $103.00 • (£79.00)

978-1-4985-1682-2 • Paperback • May 2019 • $46.99 • (£36.00)

978-1-4985-1681-5 • eBook • August 2016 • $44.50 • (£35.00)

Subjects: Comics & Graphic Novels / Superheroes, Language Arts & Disciplines / Political Communication, Philosophy / Ethics & Moral Philosophy

Author

Nathan Miczo is professor of communication at Western Illinois University.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Preface
Chapter 1: Introduction: Superheroes in the Public Sphere
Chapter 2: The Disinterested Superhero: Freedom and Security in Marvel’s Civil War
Chapter 3: The Powerful Superhero: Sovereignty and Slavery in Batman Returns
Chapter 4: The Empathic Superhero: Transformation of Character in Batman Begins and Iron Man
Chapter 5: Superheroes in Action: Forgiveness and Commitment in Wonder Woman
Chapter 6: The Thoughtful Superhero: Spider-Man and Intrapersonal Communication
Chapter 7: The Thoughtless Supervillain: Banality and the Roots of Evil
Chapter 8: Conclusion: Great Power, Great Relationships
Bibliography
About the Author

Reviews

How Superheroes Model Community is aninteresting read that bridges topics in philosophy and communication, while centering on popular culture items of enormous appeal: superheroes and their character, their relationships, and their dilemmas.
— Claudia Bucciferro, Gonzaga University

In How Superheroes Model Community: Philosophically, Communicatively, Relationally, Nathan Miczo extends the reading of superheroes by linking them with the broad discipline of communication studies. He provides a clear argument that superheroes are not only protectors of communities but should also be read as communities themselves. They also offer critical insight into how relationships are created and maintained through that notion of community. This book is a must-read for media, popular culture, and communication scholars.
— Norma Jones, Kent State University

Nathan Miczo presents unique observations about the superhero genre through the application of communication studies. Comic book events and blockbuster films are analyzed alongside philosophers and theorists to yield one of the most thought-provoking texts on the superhero genre. Miczo provides a deeper understanding of both complex concepts and popular entertainment in How Superheroes Model Community.
— Joseph J. Darowski, Brigham Young University

How Superheroes Model Community

Philosophically, Communicatively, Relationally

Nathan Miczo

How Superheroes Model Community

Philosophically, Communicatively, Relationally

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