What Role Do Superheros Play In Pop Culture
Introduction
Comic book characters have always been an important part of the pop culture phenomenon. Many of these characters have been in publication for over five decades and now are transformed into multibillion dollar movie franchises. Superhero comics started gaining popularity from the 1930s with the arrival of Superman in Action Comics volume one published by Detective Comics (now known as DC Comics). The wave was carried forward by other contemporary superhero characters like Batman, Wonder Woman and Captain America who gave comic books a cult status among the young generation. The comic book scene has experienced a huge change over time with evolving storylines, media censorship and introduction of anti-hero characters who have redefined …show more content…
After the Atom Bomb attack on Japan in 1943, a whole new line of heroes who got their power from the radiation. Political propaganda and American nationalism were also clear in the comic book storylines where they showed Captain America holding Hitler by his collar or Superman fighting the Japanese military in the World War. Similarly, the 1970s saw the superheroes deal with real-world issues like drugs, violence and alcoholism which became a major threat to society.
Thus, it is impossible to overlook the socio-political undertones of the superhero characters who have thrived over ages and now have gained cult status.
References:
1. Russell, Christian, Heroic Moments: A study of comic book superheroes in real-world society, Dissertation, Greensboro College.
2. Retrieved From: http://www.scribd.com/doc/189672338/Ages-of-Comics-Davey-Beauchamp (Accessed on: March 09th, …show more content…
Peter in December 1941. At this point of time, female characters were expected to stay at home and support the male superheroes in their quest to save the world. But Wonder Woman was an exception with her star spangled skirt and lasso of truth which she used to directly fight domestic criminals and spies. According to the majority of literary historians, she stood for significant advancement when it came to woman empowerment, and she was the first to break into a scene which can safely be called a ‘men’s club’ till then. For the war effort, however, she encouraged both boys and girls to do their part for the country, either through combat or through working for the country back home. [4]
References:
1. Retrieved From: http://www.scribd.com/doc/189672338/Ages-of-Comics-Davey-Beauchamp (Accessed on: March 09th, 2015)
2. Greenberger, Robert (2008), The Essential Batman Encyclopedia, New York: Ballantine Books.
3. Scott, Cord A., "Comics and Conflict: War and Patriotically Themed Comics in American Cultural History from World War II through the Iraq War" (2011), Dissertations, Loyola University Chicago.
4. Kerr, Sarah(2014), Wonder Woman: The Weird, True Story, The New York Review of Books, November
Comic book characters have always been an important part of the pop culture phenomenon. Many of these characters have been in publication for over five decades and now are transformed into multibillion dollar movie franchises. Superhero comics started gaining popularity from the 1930s with the arrival of Superman in Action Comics volume one published by Detective Comics (now known as DC Comics). The wave was carried forward by other contemporary superhero characters like Batman, Wonder Woman and Captain America who gave comic books a cult status among the young generation. The comic book scene has experienced a huge change over time with evolving storylines, media censorship and introduction of anti-hero characters who have redefined …show more content…
After the Atom Bomb attack on Japan in 1943, a whole new line of heroes who got their power from the radiation. Political propaganda and American nationalism were also clear in the comic book storylines where they showed Captain America holding Hitler by his collar or Superman fighting the Japanese military in the World War. Similarly, the 1970s saw the superheroes deal with real-world issues like drugs, violence and alcoholism which became a major threat to society.
Thus, it is impossible to overlook the socio-political undertones of the superhero characters who have thrived over ages and now have gained cult status.
References:
1. Russell, Christian, Heroic Moments: A study of comic book superheroes in real-world society, Dissertation, Greensboro College.
2. Retrieved From: http://www.scribd.com/doc/189672338/Ages-of-Comics-Davey-Beauchamp (Accessed on: March 09th, …show more content…
Peter in December 1941. At this point of time, female characters were expected to stay at home and support the male superheroes in their quest to save the world. But Wonder Woman was an exception with her star spangled skirt and lasso of truth which she used to directly fight domestic criminals and spies. According to the majority of literary historians, she stood for significant advancement when it came to woman empowerment, and she was the first to break into a scene which can safely be called a ‘men’s club’ till then. For the war effort, however, she encouraged both boys and girls to do their part for the country, either through combat or through working for the country back home. [4]
References:
1. Retrieved From: http://www.scribd.com/doc/189672338/Ages-of-Comics-Davey-Beauchamp (Accessed on: March 09th, 2015)
2. Greenberger, Robert (2008), The Essential Batman Encyclopedia, New York: Ballantine Books.
3. Scott, Cord A., "Comics and Conflict: War and Patriotically Themed Comics in American Cultural History from World War II through the Iraq War" (2011), Dissertations, Loyola University Chicago.
4. Kerr, Sarah(2014), Wonder Woman: The Weird, True Story, The New York Review of Books, November