What is a Superhero?

What is a Superhero?
Author: Robin S. Rosenberg PhD
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 200
Release: 2013-07-01
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 019933952X

It's easy to name a superhero--Superman, Batman, Thor, Spiderman, the Green Lantern, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Rorschach, Wolverine--but it's not so easy to define what a superhero is. Buffy has superpowers, but she doesn't have a costume. Batman has a costume, but doesn't have superpowers. What is the role of power and superpower? And what are supervillains and why do we need them? In What is a Superhero?, psychologist Robin Rosenberg and comics scholar Peter Coogan explore this question from a variety of viewpoints, bringing together contributions from nineteen comic book experts--including both scholars in such fields as cultural studies, art, and psychology as well as leading comic book writers and editors. What emerges is a kaleidoscopic portrait of this most popular of pop-culture figures. Writer Jeph Loeb, for instance, sees the desire to make the world a better place as the driving force of the superhero. Jennifer K. Stuller argues that the female superhero inspires women to stand up, be strong, support others, and most important, to believe in themselves. More darkly, A. David Lewis sees the indestructible superhero as the ultimate embodiment of the American "denial of death," while writer Danny Fingeroth sees superheroes as embodying the best aspects of humankind, acting with a nobility of purpose that inspires us. Interestingly, Fingeroth also expands the definition of superhero so that it would include characters like John McClane of the Die Hard movies: "Once they dodge ridiculous quantities of machine gun bullets they're superheroes, cape or no cape." From summer blockbusters to best-selling graphic novels, the superhero is an integral part of our culture. What is a Superhero? not only illuminates this pop-culture figure, but also sheds much light on the fantasies and beliefs of the American people.

Animal Man

Animal Man
Author: Grant Morrison
Publisher: Vertigo
Total Pages: 252
Release: 1991
Genre: Comics & Graphic Novels
ISBN:

Collects the first nine issues of the "Animal Man" comic, in which Buddy Baker uses his ability to transform into any animal he touches to help save mankind.

It Gets Better . . . Except When It Gets Worse

It Gets Better . . . Except When It Gets Worse
Author: Nicole Maines
Publisher: Dial Press
Total Pages: 225
Release: 2024-10-15
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 0593243137

The irreverent and candid coming-of-age memoir of Nicole Maines, trailblazing trans actress, activist—and sometimes someone who’s just existing, which is actually pretty hard! Nicole Maines knows a little something about “happily ever after”—not just because she’s a self-professed expert in the Disney princess canon, but because she’s lived it. After coming out at an early age, her family had not only to educate themselves, but also those around them as they fought and won a landmark court case in the state of Maine before she graduated high school. She made it into college, got the guy, and finally had The Surgery™. She achieved her lifelong goal of becoming an actress when she landed a major role in the CW’s Supergirl, playing television’s very first live-action transgender superhero. Cue sappy music and sunsets, because we’ve got ourselves a happy ending, right? Ha! As if. For the first time, in her own words, Nicole tells the story of her journey from childhood in rural Maine to the spotlights of Hollywood, sharing the lessons she’s learned along the way. With clever wit and unflinching honesty, she tackles some of the most insidious messaging absorbed by queer kids and all young women, from the idea that any one thing can (or should) ever really “fix” you, to wondering what’s wrong with you when things don’t always feel better, and reminding us that, sometimes, a happy ending is only the beginning of the story.

Narrative in Social Work Practice

Narrative in Social Work Practice
Author: Ann Burack-Weiss
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Total Pages: 323
Release: 2017-08-01
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0231544723

Narrative in Social Work Practice features first-person accounts by social workers who have successfully integrated narrative theory and approaches into their practice. Contributors describe innovative and effective interventions with a wide range of individuals, families, and groups facing a variety of life challenges. One author describes a family in crisis when a promising teenage girl suddenly takes to her bed for several years; another brings narrative practice to a Bronx trauma center; and another finds that poetry writing can enrich the lives of people living with dementia. In some chapters, the authors turn narrative techniques inward and use them as vehicles of self-discovery. Settings range from hospitals and clinics to a graduate school and a case management agency. Throughout, Narrative in Social Work Practice showcases the flexibility and appeal of narrative methods and demonstrates how they can be empowering and fulfilling for clients and social workers alike. The differential use of narrative techniques fulfills the mission and core competencies of the social work profession in creative and surprising ways. Stories of clients and workers are, indeed, powerful.

Disability and the Superhero

Disability and the Superhero
Author: Amber E. George
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 194
Release: 2023-06-23
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1476680973

This is a collection of essays that analyze the presence of ableism in superhero narratives from television shows, films, and comics. Contributors use critical disability studies, media studies, cultural studies, and other interdisciplinary fields to unveil the misinformation, stigma, and exclusion caused by ableist representations of disability or disability-related experiences. Ableism is unmasked in media franchises such as DC Comics, Marvel, Sesame Street, and more. These essays go beyond what is currently available in critical disability superhero studies, and explore both the well-known and lesser-known characters including Iron Man, Daredevil, Dr. Strange, Thor, Nick Fury, Jessica Jones, War Machine, Wonder Woman, Dr. Poison, the Joker, Bucky Barnes, Punisher, Rocket and Groot, Luke Cage, Captain America, and Sesame Street's Super Grover. They also offer insightful intersectional analyses of entire series, films, and shows such as Arrowverse and The Ables.

Superheroes and Excess

Superheroes and Excess
Author: Jamie Brassett
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 211
Release: 2021-11-29
Genre: Comics & Graphic Novels
ISBN: 1351396927

Finding the superhero genre in need of further investigation from philosophical standpoints that value excess as a creative drive, rather than denigrate it as a problem to be resolved, this book opens up discussions that highlight different approaches to ‘the creative excess of being’ as expressed through the genre. While superheroes are an everyday, culturally dominant phenomena, philosophical methods and investigations have a reputation for lofty superiority. Across 13 chapters, this book facilitates a collision between the superhero genre and the discipline of philosophy, resulting in a voyage of exploration where each illuminates the other. The contributions in this book range from new voices to recognized scholars, offering superhero studies a set of critical interventions that are unusual, conceptually diverse, theoretically grounded and varied in practice. These chapters consider ‘excessive’ traits of superheroes against schools of thought that have attempted to conceptualize and understand excess by analysing texts and figures across a variety of mediums, such as The Fantastic Four, Captain America, The Vision, Logan, Black Panther and Super Hero Girls. With its unique approach to the superhero genre, this book will be an invaluable read for students and scholars working on comic studies, transmedia studies, cultural studies, popular culture and superhero studies.

The Look of Love: The Sullivans 1

The Look of Love: The Sullivans 1
Author: Bella Andre
Publisher: Oak Press, LLC
Total Pages: 145
Release: 2014-01-01
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0983720207

"With THE LOOK OF LOVE bestselling author Bella Andre introduces you to a fun and emotional contemporary romance series about the Sullivan family. Because when a Sullivan bad boy falls...he falls hard. And it's forever. Chloe Peterson is having a bad night. A really bad night. The large bruise on her cheek can attest to that. And when her car skids off the side of a wet country road straight into a ditch, she's convinced even the gorgeous guy who rescues her in the middle of the rain storm must be too good to be true. Or is he? As a successful photographer who frequently travels around the world, Chase Sullivan has his pick of beautiful women, and whenever he's home in San Francisco, one of his seven siblings is usually up for causing a little fun trouble. Chase thinks his life is great just as it is-until the night he finds Chloe and her totaled car on the side of the road in Napa Valley. Not only has he never met anyone so lovely, both inside and out, but he quickly realizes she has much bigger problems than her damaged car. Soon, he is willing to move mountains to love-and protect-her, but will she let him? Chloe vows never to make the mistake of trusting a man again. Only, with every loving look Chase gives her-and every sinfully sweet caress-as the attraction between them sparks and sizzles, she can't help but wonder if she's met the only exception. And although Chase didn't realize his life was going to change forever in an instant, amazingly, he isn't the least bit interested in fighting that change. Instead, he's gearing up for a different fight altogether...for Chloe's heart."

Superman

Superman
Author: Alan Moore
Publisher: Titan Publishing Company
Total Pages: 128
Release: 2010-09-01
Genre: Superhero comic books, strips, etc
ISBN: 9781848563971

He is the world's most powerful being. The sole survivor of a doomed planet, he has made our protection his life's work. And although his never-ending battle for truth and justice continues to this day, one question has always haunted his shining legend: How would the story of Superman finally end?

Superhero Playbook

Superhero Playbook
Author: Randall Lotowycz
Publisher: duopress
Total Pages: 137
Release: 2019-10-15
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1947458760

Do you want to be a great leader like Black Panther, or perhaps a great warrior striving for peace like Wonder Woman? You can be that and much more without even having the superpowers of Captain Marvel or Spider-Man. Remember: What makes you different makes you great. You are more than your mistakes. Protect those who need it. Take care of the planet. And, above all, love and respect yourself. Each of the 20 lessons is taught by a familiar character and showcased in lively full-color illustration. Whether you want to be a role model like Superman, control your emotions like Hulk, or stand up to bullies like Captain America, this book is for you. Be you, be better, and learn these life lessons from your favorite superheroes.

Salaam, Love

Salaam, Love
Author: Ayesha Mattu
Publisher: Beacon Press
Total Pages: 249
Release: 2014-02-04
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0807079766

From the editors of the groundbreaking anthology Love, InshAllah comes a provocative new exploration of the most intimate parts of Muslim men’s lives Muslim men are stereotyped as either oversexed Casanovas willing to die for seventy-two virgins in heaven or controlling, big-bearded husbands ready to rampage at the hint of dishonor. The truth is, there are millions of Muslim men trying to figure out the complicated terrain of love, sex, and relationships just like any other American man. In Salaam, Love, Ayesha Mattu and Nura Maznavi provide a space for American Muslim men to speak openly about their romantic lives, offering frank, funny, and insightful glimpses into their hearts—and bedrooms. The twenty-two writers come from a broad spectrum of ethnic, racial, and religious perspectives—including orthodox, cultural, and secular Muslims—reflecting the strength and diversity of their faith community and of America. By raising their voices to share stories of love and heartbreak, loyalty and betrayal, intimacy and insecurity, these Muslim men are leading the way for all men to recognize that being open and honest about their feelings is not only okay—it’s intimately connected to their lives and critical to their happiness and well-being.