I've always been intrigued by literary criticism and analysis of popular culture, and lately, I've been indulging this interest by reading books that examine the meaning and reach of superheroes. In many ways, these books act both as literary analysis and social commentary. While literature, and the arts and humanities, have always shaped and reflected culture, this seems to be especially true when it comes to thinking about comics. Superman, Batman, and others not only cater to the needs and interests of their readers, they also leave indelible marks on popular culture and society's mindset.
The following books would be great to offer as options for independent reading or as a way of engaging reluctant readers (even though they are a bit on the long side). Additionally, they can provide a fun way of introducing students to literary criticism and analysis while using texts and subjects students are familiar with.
Superman: The Unauthorized Biography by Glen Weldon is an informative and humorous look at the history of Superman. Just by reading in the first few pages, it becomes clear that Weldon is not just knowledgeable about his subject but also has great affection for it. This is not to say that he is overly reverent. Weldon freely acknowledges Superman's many foibles, missteps, and fallacies, but he does so in a way that manages to be funny and critical without devolving into viciousness. Additionally, like many of the books on this list,
Superman: The Unauthorized Biography does a great job helping the reader see the connections between social context and the superhero in question. For instance, Weldon details how Superman's personality and portrayal has evolved over time in the introduction:
in his first few years of life, he was our hot-headed, protective big brother; he spent the forties and fifties assuming the role of our coolly distant father; he morphed in the sixties and seventies into our bemused, out-of-touch uncle; and he even became — mercifully briefly, in the benighted nineties — our mulleted, hillbilly cousin.
The Caped Crusade: Batman and the Rise of Nerd Culture, which is also by Glen Weldon, is similar in tone and approach to Weldon's previous book. However, he adds another layer to his examination of Batman by also considering the role this superhero played when it comes to shaping fans who are both devoted to and hypercritical of the Caped Crusader. To be clear, Weldon does not position himself to be a proponent that there is only one true Batman. Instead, he looks at all of the different iterations of Batman, from his early days as a knockoff of other comic book characters to the goofy 1960's television show to the dark and brooding Batman of today, and asserts that all of these versions have validity. Weldon argues against a narrow and possessive view of the character, which is a premise that offers a great deal of promise in the classroom, since it encourages different, and perhaps conflicting, views.
The Secret History of Wonder Woman by Jill Lepore isn't so much about Wonder Woman as it is about the man who created her, William Moulton Marston. Lepore examines how Marston's academic and professional experiences (he was a lawyer and American psychologist who is credited with inventing the lie detector) and his personal life influenced Wonder Woman and was reflected in his stories about her. A prime example of Wonder Woman manifesting Marston's interests is her Lasso of Truth. Beyond the obvious connection between his focus on lie detection and truth, the lasso, as well as the tendency for Wonder Woman and others in the comics to get tied up, not-so-subtly hints to Marston's proclivity towards bondage. Moreover, Lepore explores the influence of the women in Marston's life, especially his wife Elizabeth Holloway Marston and his partner Olive Byrne, on his most well-known creation. While this book does include some controversial elements, such as the nature of Marston's polygamous relationships, it could be of interest for mature readers.
If you want a book that is more about Wonder Woman, rather than her creator, Tim Hanley's
Wonder Woman Unbound: The Curious History of the World's Most Famous Superheroine could be the book for you. While Hanley does include some information on Marston and how he came to create Wonder Woman, his focus is definitely on the character as he traces her history from the 1940s to the present day. Hanley's writing is lively and engaging, and he manages the book's scope in a masterful way. In addition to looking at the character, he also considers how her comic books and adventures reflected and reacted to the events and cultural mindsets that were going on at the time. The end result is a fun and informative read on an important superhero and feminist icon. This book is also more classroom-friendly than Lepore's work, but it still contains references to Marston's romantic relationships and his interest in bondage, so be certain to read it before assigning it as a whole-class read.
While she doesn't (usually) have superpowers, Lois Lane is an integral part of the Superman mythos and, many would argue, a hero herself. However, too often, she is seen as a damsel in distress or a needlessly reckless woman who gets into trouble and must be rescued by Superman. Tim Hanley's
Investigating Lois Lane: The Turbulent History of The Daily Planet's Ace Reporter wants to address these conceptions of Lois. While Hanley does not shy away from Lois's more problematic portrayals (the most egregious ones tended to occur in the the series she headlined,
Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane, where she was constantly scheming to get her guy and was duly punished for it), he also highlights her intelligence and courage as well as her significant reporting skills. Besides looking at the portrayals found in the comics, Hanley also examines Lois in other media from the early Superman comics and television shows to the recent film versions. This book, or excerpts from it, could be very useful when it comes to having students consider gender roles in literature or when having them think about reading and analyzing different forms of media.
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