1970′s “Hard-Traveling Heroes” fight the bad guys… and each other!
For week two, we’re considering Rushing & Frentz’s “Mythic Perspective” and Peter Coogan’s “Superhero Genre” approach, which make for an interesting contrast. While Rushing & Frentz have us reflecting upon how we can find and make meaning from these tutelary archetypes, Coogan argues for Mission, Powers, and Identity (and Supervillains) as unique and distinguishing literary elements of superhero narratives (with notable challenge by Henry Jenkins to his historical typology). Some questions for discussion can be found here and here!
We’ll also be reading the legendary GREEN LANTERN/GREEN ARROW series “Hard-Traveling Heroes” and by the end of the week discuss Frank Miller‘s revolutionary DARK KNIGHT RETURNS epic that reimagines Batman and his mythos (MoreFun Tim brings some context). These readings will inform and illustrate Lawrence & Jewett’s Myth of the American Superhero critique! Together we’ll explore what kind of “A Better World” these supersaviors may imagine.
As mentioned in class, since most of you are reading the pulp trade of GL/GA, you all will read pp.1-81 then choose either the ‘Speedy saga’ (p.217) or the John Stewart issues (p.266).
By: Doc T on June 7, 2012
at 2:50 pm
My normal casual comic book reading has officially been corrupted by Cougan and Lawrence and Jewitt’s arguments today as we learned Aquaman broke the No Kill Code. I was devastated on an academic level.
By: ravingnerd on June 29, 2012
at 10:24 pm
I’ve posted about the superhero’s “No Kill Code” before, but Chris at Comics Alliance gives a solid run-down of how MOVIE action-(super)heroes abide by a different narrative logic as a differing medium. IMHO, at the end of the day, L&J collapse all American action heroes with superheroes to the detriment of the genre’s unique potentials (i.e. Jenkins’ multiplicity).
By: Doc T on June 30, 2012
at 2:58 pm
Is that link also on your blog, I suspect that would be an interesting and enjoyable article.
By: ravingnerd on June 30, 2012
at 3:02 pm
Links embedded!
By: Doc T on June 30, 2012
at 6:38 pm
Links now embedded for easy click-and-read reference!
By: Doc T on June 30, 2012
at 3:07 pm