Superman : the persistence of an American icon /
Gordon, Ian, 1954-
Superman : the persistence of an American icon / Ian Gordon. - pages cm. - Comics culture .
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Machine generated contents note: Acknowledgments -- Introduction Superman: The Persistence of an American Icon -- 1 Superman Mythos and History -- 2 Ideology and Morality -- 3 Superman: The Object of Nostalgia -- 4 Production, Authorship, and Ownership -- 5 Readers and Audiences -- 6 Superman the Brand and Beyond -- Epilogue -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index.
"After debuting in 1938, Superman soon became an American icon. But why has he maintained his iconic status for nearly 80 years? And how can he still be an American icon when the country itself has undergone so much change? Superman: Persistence of an American Icon examines the many iterations of the character in comic books, comic strips, radio series, movie serials, feature films, television shows, animation, toys, and collectibles over the past eight decades. Demonstrating how Superman's iconic popularity cannot be attributed to any single creator or text, comics expert Ian Gordon embarks on a deeper consideration of cultural mythmaking as a collective and dynamic process. He also outlines the often contentious relationships between the various parties who have contributed to the Superman mythos, including corporate executives, comics writers, artists, nostalgic commentators, and collectors. Armed with an encyclopedic knowledge of Superman's appearances in comics and other media, Gordon also digs into comics archives to reveal the prominent role that fans have played in remembering, interpreting, and reimagining Superman's iconography. Gordon considers how comics, film, and TV producers have taken advantage of fan engagement and nostalgia when selling Superman products. Investigating a character who is equally an icon of American culture, fan culture, and consumer culture, Superman thus offers a provocative analysis of mythmaking in the modern era"--
9780813587523 (hardback) 9780813587516 (pbk.)
2016025796
Superman (Fictitious character)
Superman (Comic strip)
Superheroes--Social aspects.
Heroes in mass media.
Myth in mass media.
Popular culture--History.--United States
Comic books, strips, etc.--History and criticism.--United States
PN6728.S9 / G67 2017
741.5/973
Superman : the persistence of an American icon / Ian Gordon. - pages cm. - Comics culture .
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Machine generated contents note: Acknowledgments -- Introduction Superman: The Persistence of an American Icon -- 1 Superman Mythos and History -- 2 Ideology and Morality -- 3 Superman: The Object of Nostalgia -- 4 Production, Authorship, and Ownership -- 5 Readers and Audiences -- 6 Superman the Brand and Beyond -- Epilogue -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index.
"After debuting in 1938, Superman soon became an American icon. But why has he maintained his iconic status for nearly 80 years? And how can he still be an American icon when the country itself has undergone so much change? Superman: Persistence of an American Icon examines the many iterations of the character in comic books, comic strips, radio series, movie serials, feature films, television shows, animation, toys, and collectibles over the past eight decades. Demonstrating how Superman's iconic popularity cannot be attributed to any single creator or text, comics expert Ian Gordon embarks on a deeper consideration of cultural mythmaking as a collective and dynamic process. He also outlines the often contentious relationships between the various parties who have contributed to the Superman mythos, including corporate executives, comics writers, artists, nostalgic commentators, and collectors. Armed with an encyclopedic knowledge of Superman's appearances in comics and other media, Gordon also digs into comics archives to reveal the prominent role that fans have played in remembering, interpreting, and reimagining Superman's iconography. Gordon considers how comics, film, and TV producers have taken advantage of fan engagement and nostalgia when selling Superman products. Investigating a character who is equally an icon of American culture, fan culture, and consumer culture, Superman thus offers a provocative analysis of mythmaking in the modern era"--
9780813587523 (hardback) 9780813587516 (pbk.)
2016025796
Superman (Fictitious character)
Superman (Comic strip)
Superheroes--Social aspects.
Heroes in mass media.
Myth in mass media.
Popular culture--History.--United States
Comic books, strips, etc.--History and criticism.--United States
PN6728.S9 / G67 2017
741.5/973