Comic Book Studies 2018

HIGHLIGHTS

THE AGES OF… EDITED BY JOSEPH J. DAROWSKI

NEW ASSEMBLING THE MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSEEssays on the Social, Cultural and Geopolitical DomainsEdited by Julian C. Chambliss, William L. Svitavsky & Daniel FandinoMar 2018 217pp

9781476664187 Paperback £38.95 / €44.00

Despite the recent success of Marvel Studios and the rising academic interest in superheroes, there has not previously been a comprehensive examination of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In response, this collection of essays examines the ways the Marvel Cinematic Universe represents, constructs, and distorts American culture.

NEW JESSICA JONES, SCARRED SUPERHEROEssays on Gender, Trauma and Addiction in the Netflix SeriesEdited by Tim Rayborn & Abigail KeyesApr 2018 207pp9781476666846 Paperback £33.95 / €38.00

Jessica Jones barged onto our TV and computer screens in November 2015, courtesy of Marvel and Netflix, presenting a hard-drinking female protagonist who wrestles with her own inner (and outer) demons. The show has won a large following and critical acclaim. This collection of new essays offers insight into Jessica Jones’ complex themes and storylines.

BESTSELLER MARVEL COMICS INTO FILMEssays on Adaptations Since the 1940sEdited by Matthew J. McEniry, Robert Moses Peaslee & Robert G. Weiner2016 280pp9780786443048 Paperback £33.95 / €38.00

Marvel Studios’ approach to its Cinematic Universe has become the template for successful management of blockbuster film properties, but films featuring Marvel characters can be traced back to the 1940s, when the Captain America serial first appeared on the screen. This collection of essays is the first to explore the historical, textual and cultural context of the larger cinematic Marvel universe.

THE AGES OF THE AVENGERSEssays on the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in Changing Times2014 204pp9780786474585 Paperback £19.50 / €22.00

Examines stories from one of Marvel Comics’ most popular franchises in light of the contemporary cultures at large when

those comic books were originally produced. This book features essays that address tales from some of the very first issues of The Avengers through to Avengers Arena, which concluded in 2014.

THE AGES OF THE INCREDIBLE HULKEssays on the Green Goliath in Changing Times2015 220pp9780786497331 Paperback £19.50 / €22.00

This collection of new essays explores over half a century of Marvel’s Hulk comics. The contributors analyse the Hulk and his supporting cast in their shifting historical contexts, offering insights into both popular entertainment and cultural history.

THE AGES OF IRON MANEssays on the Armored Avenger in Changing Times2015 236pp9780786478422 Paperback £19.50 / €22.00

Billionaire industrialist, cold warrior, weapons designer, alcoholic, philanthropist, Avenger – Tony Stark, alter-ego of Marvel Comics’ Iron Man, has played many roles in his five decades as a superhero. This collection of essays provides an historical overview of an important figure in American popular culture.

THE AGES OF THE JUSTICE LEAGUEEssays on America’s Greatest Superheroes in Changing Times2017 220pp9781476662251 Paperback £19.50 / €22.00

Examines over fifty years of Justice League comics and related titles. Exploring both the popular culture and relevant events

of the day, the contributors discuss how the Vietnam War was addressed in Justice League comics, how the Cold War transformed the roles of superheroes in the DC universe, and how the post-9/11 political climate affected a crossover character.

BESTSELLER THE AGES OF SUPERMANEssays on the Man of Steel in Changing Times2012 246pp9780786463084 Paperback £19.50 / €22.00

Explores the evolution of Superman, demonstrating how his alterations mirror historical changes in

American society. Beginning with the original comic book and ending with the 2011 Grounded storyline, these essays examine Superman’s Depression-era stint as a crusading social avenger, his patriotic heroism during World War II, his increase in power in the early years of the Cold War, and his recent dramatic reimagining.

BESTSELLER THE AGES OF WONDER WOMANEssays on the Amazon Princess in Changing Times2013 248pp9780786471225 Paperback £19.50 / €22.00

Seventy years after her debut, Wonder Woman remains a popular culture

icon. In this collection, each chapter examines a specific period or storyline from Wonder Woman comic books and analyses those stories in regards to contemporary issues in American society.

THE AGES OF THE X-MENEssays on the Children of the Atom in Changing Times2014 248pp9780786472192 Paperback £19.50 / €22.00

Each essay in this collection examines a specific era of X-Men related comic books in relationship to

contemporary social concerns. The essays range from an analysis of popular science at the time of the launch of the first comic book to an essay that interprets a storyline in light of the rhetoric used during President Obama’s first presidential campaign.

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ARROW AND SUPERHERO TELEVISIONEssays on Themes and Characters of the SeriesEdited by James F. Iaccino, Cory Barker & Myc Wiatrowski2017 243pp9780786497874 Paperback £19.50 / €22.00

This collection of new essays focuses on The CW network’s hit television series Arrow - based on DC Comic’s Green Arrow – and its spin-offs. The contributors explore the reasons behind Arrow‘s success, the series’ representation of bodies, portrayal of women, shifting political ideologies, and audience influence on storylines.

THE ASCENDANCE OF HARLEY QUINNEssays on DC’s Enigmatic VillainEdited by Shelley E. Barba & Joy M. Perrin2017 200pp9781476665238 Paperback £19.50 / €22.00

Those interested in a deeper understanding of Harley Quinn’s bubbly and sometimes malicious character will delight in reading the first book dedicated to her in all her duality.

AT HOME IN THE WHEDONVERSEEssays on Domestic Place, Space and LifeEdited by Juliette C. Kitchens2017 197pp9781476667027 Paperback £33.50 / €38.00

Focusing on Whedon’s television series, films and comics, this collection of new essays explores the diversity of home spaces in Whedon’s many universes, and the complexity these spaces afford the narratives, characters, objects, and relationships within them.

NEW THE FORENSIC COMICOLOGISTInsights from a Life in ComicsJamie NewboldMay 2018 180pp9781476672670 Paperback £28.50 / €32.00

Chapters delve into the history of comics, coupled with the history of

collecting those comics. This book also explains why some comics are popular and others are not.

BESTSELLER GOTHIC IN COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELSA Critical ApproachJulia Round2014 268pp9780786449804 Paperback £28.50 / €32.00

Explores the connections between comics and Gothic from four different critical angles: historical, formal, cultural, and textual. It identifies structures, styles, and themes drawn from the literary Gothic and discusses the presence of these in British and American comics today.

NEW JOSS WHEDON VERSUS THE CORPORATIONBig Business Critiqued in the Films and Television ProgramsErin GianniniJan 2018 176pp9781476667768 Paperback £33.50 / €38.00

Traces Whedon’s use of corporate culture as the primary antagonist under which all of his protagonists struggle, from the fast food horrors in Buffy and Roseanne, to the corporate-funded technology used in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

FORTHCOMING LOVE ON THE RACKSA History of American Romance ComicsMichelle NolanSep 2018 246pp9781476675305 Paperback £28.50 / €32.00

Includes information on several types of romance comics and their creators, plus the history, numbers, and publishing frequency of dozens of romance titles.

MARVEL’S BLACK WIDOW FROM SPY TO SUPERHEROEssays on an Avenger with a Very Specific Skill SetEdited by Sherry Ginn2017 277pp9780786498192 Paperback £19.50 / €22.00

First appearing in Marvel Comics in the 1960s,

Natasha Romanoff – Black Widow – was introduced to movie audiences in Iron Man 2. This collection of new essays is the first to examine Black Widow and her development, from Cold War-era comics to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

THE MYTHOLOGY OF THE SUPERHEROAndrew R. Bahlmann2016 216pp9781476662480 Paperback £28.50 / €32.00

Over time, superheroes have developed their own mythology, which has gone largely unexplored until now. The lexicon at the heart of this book offers a structure that can be used to identify the mythology as it applies to characters, stories, and other forms of narrative.

NATIVE AMERICANS IN COMIC BOOKSA Critical StudyMichael A. Sheyahshe2017 223pp9781476667997 Paperback £28.50 / €32.00

Takes an in-depth look at the world of comic books through the eyes of a Native American reader, and offers frank commentary on the medium’s cultural representation of the Native American people.

SUPERHEROINES AND THE EPIC JOURNEYMythic Themes in Comics, Film and TelevisionValerie Estelle Frankel2017 296pp9781476668789 Paperback £19.50 / €22.00

The heroine’s journey echoes through ancient legend, as each young woman combats her dark side and emerges stronger. Of course, this quest is also a staple of the most American of mythologies – comic books. From Jessica Jones and Catwoman to the new superwomen of cutting-edge web-comics, each heroine must descend into the darkest place of all, not to become a warrior-hero, but a saviour.

FORTHCOMING UNTAMEDThe Psychology of Marvel’s WolverineSuzana E. FloresSep 2018 147pp9781476674421 Paperback £28.50 / €32.00

Marvel Comics’ most complex and captivating antihero, Wolverine, is paradoxically the most deviant yet humane of all mutants. From his greatest triumphs to his most disheartening downfalls, through loves and losses, victories and defeats, Untamed delivers, for the first time, the psychological exploration of a myth, a purposeful creation, a modern legend.

BESTSELLER VISIONS OF THE FUTURE IN COMICSInternational PerspectivesEdited by Francesco-Alessio Ursini, Adnan Mahmutovic & Frank Bramlett2017 207pp9781476668017 Paperback £38.50 / €43.00

Across generations and genres, comics have imagined different views of the future, from unattainable utopias to worrisome dystopias. These presaging narratives can be read as reflections of their authors’ and readers’ hopes, fears, and beliefs about the present. This collection of new essays explores the creative processes that bring plausible futures to the page.

NEW THE WHEDONVERSE CATALOGA Complete Guide to Works in All MediaDon MacnaughtanApr 2018 228pp9781476670591 Paperback £42.95 / €49.00

The director, producer, and screenwriter Joss Whedon is acclaimed as

a major creative force in television, movies, comic books, and a host of other media. His output has been so vast and diverse that tracking everything he has created has become an ongoing challenge. This inventory and bibliographic guide provides a complete, accurate, and authoritative survey of Whedon’s work.