The Evolution of the Costumed Avenger: The 4,000-Year History of the Superhero

Comics & Graphic Novels
Cover of the book The Evolution of the Costumed Avenger: The 4,000-Year History of the Superhero by Jess Nevins, ABC-CLIO
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Jess Nevins ISBN: 9781440854842
Publisher: ABC-CLIO Publication: January 30, 2017
Imprint: Praeger Language: English
Author: Jess Nevins
ISBN: 9781440854842
Publisher: ABC-CLIO
Publication: January 30, 2017
Imprint: Praeger
Language: English

How has the concept of the superhero developed over time? How has humanity's idealization of heroes with superhuman powers changed across millennia—and what superhero themes remain constant? Why does the idea of a superhero remain so powerful and relevant in the modern context, when our real-life technological capabilities arguably surpass the imagined superpowers of superheroes of the past? The Evolution of the Costumed Avenger: The 4,000-Year History of the Superhero is the first complete history of superheroes that thoroughly traces the development of superheroes, from their beginning in 2100 B.C.E. with the Epic of Gilgamesh to their fully entrenched status in modern pop culture and the comic book and graphic novel worlds.

The book documents how the two modern superhero archetypes—the Costumed Avengers and the superhuman Supermen—can be traced back more than two centuries; turns a critical, evaluative eye upon the post-Superman history of the superhero; and shows how modern superheroes were created and influenced by sources as various as Egyptian poems, biblical heroes, medieval epics, Elizabethan urban legends, Jacobean masques, Gothic novels, dime novels, the Molly Maguires, the Ku Klux Klan, and pulp magazines. This work serves undergraduate or graduate students writing papers, professors or independent scholars, and anyone interested in learning about superheroes.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

How has the concept of the superhero developed over time? How has humanity's idealization of heroes with superhuman powers changed across millennia—and what superhero themes remain constant? Why does the idea of a superhero remain so powerful and relevant in the modern context, when our real-life technological capabilities arguably surpass the imagined superpowers of superheroes of the past? The Evolution of the Costumed Avenger: The 4,000-Year History of the Superhero is the first complete history of superheroes that thoroughly traces the development of superheroes, from their beginning in 2100 B.C.E. with the Epic of Gilgamesh to their fully entrenched status in modern pop culture and the comic book and graphic novel worlds.

The book documents how the two modern superhero archetypes—the Costumed Avengers and the superhuman Supermen—can be traced back more than two centuries; turns a critical, evaluative eye upon the post-Superman history of the superhero; and shows how modern superheroes were created and influenced by sources as various as Egyptian poems, biblical heroes, medieval epics, Elizabethan urban legends, Jacobean masques, Gothic novels, dime novels, the Molly Maguires, the Ku Klux Klan, and pulp magazines. This work serves undergraduate or graduate students writing papers, professors or independent scholars, and anyone interested in learning about superheroes.

More books from ABC-CLIO

Cover of the book The Rise of Fascism: History, Documents, and Key Questions by Jess Nevins
Cover of the book American Political Culture: An Encyclopedia [3 volumes] by Jess Nevins
Cover of the book The Murder Mystique: Female Killers and Popular Culture by Jess Nevins
Cover of the book An Introduction to the Psychology of Dreaming, 2nd Edition by Jess Nevins
Cover of the book African Kingdoms: An Encyclopedia of Empires and Civilizations by Jess Nevins
Cover of the book High Impact School Library Spaces: Envisioning New School Library Concepts by Jess Nevins
Cover of the book Makers with a Cause: Creative Service Projects for Library Youth by Jess Nevins
Cover of the book Syria in Ruins: The Dynamics of the Syrian Civil War by Jess Nevins
Cover of the book Artifacts from Medieval Europe by Jess Nevins
Cover of the book Library Robotics: Technology and English Language Arts Activities for Ages 8–24 by Jess Nevins
Cover of the book Foods that Changed History: How Foods Shaped Civilization from the Ancient World to the Present by Jess Nevins
Cover of the book Models of Proposal Planning & amp;Writing, 2nd Edition by Jess Nevins
Cover of the book Pancho Villa by Jess Nevins
Cover of the book Tibetan Folktales by Jess Nevins
Cover of the book Minority Voting in the United States [2 volumes] by Jess Nevins
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy