Description
Book SynopsisTrade Review"With a fan's instincts and a scholar’s passion, Ian Gordon delivers a highly readable and insightful treatment of the comic book and cinematic Superman, the most American of superheroes." -- Viet Thanh Nguyen * Pulitzer Prize winner and author of The Sympathizer *
"This is the most thoughtful and thoroughly researched study about one of the most iconic characters of the last century. Ian Gordon – Superman expert – has produced a stellar book on Superman: his history and significance in popular culture; his cross-media and cross-generational reach; and his continued mythic significance for global culture. This is a must read for academics and fans alike!" -- Angela Ndalianis * author of Batman: Myth and Superhero *
"This startling new study brings a new perspective and shows us Superman as a process: a shared, and often fought-over, element of American culture. The next time I teach on Superman, or superheroes in general, this will be my go-to book." -- Charles Hatfield * author of Alternative Comics *
"
Superman: The Persistence of an American Icon is an interesting read and well worth the time for any Superman fan interested in the character’s past, his growth, his icon status and his success over the years." * supermanhomepage.com *
Included in The Top 75 Community College Titles: September Edition "This is not just another superhero study; it is one of the most comprehensive, well-thought-out analyses of the Man of Steel. Concisely packed, this book covers all dimensions of Superman: mythos, history, ideology and morality, object of nostalgia, production, authorship, ownership, audiences, and brand.
Superman: The Persistence of an American Icon is extraordinarily rich, the analysis is meticulously conceived and implemented, and the writing is clear and interesting, spiced with anecdotes, asides, and quotes." -- John Lent, Temple University * Choice360 *
"Gordon’s
Superman will be most useful in the undergraduate classroom – it leaves plenty of room for instructors to flesh out the material as they see fit, making it a good textbook candidate in a variety of first- or second-year courses in disciplines such as Cultural Studies, American Studies and Media Studies." * Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics *
"Highly recommended for scholars, nerds, and casual fans." * The Journal of American Culture *
"The book is not only a crucial new resource for anyone interested in the history of Superman, but also an important contribution for the way it situates comics in general, and superheroes specifically, within a broader culture." * The Journal of Comics and Culture *
"Gordon displays his considerable skills as a media historian...[A] fine book." * Inks *
"Superman at 80," by Karen McCally * University of Rochester *
"For a real insider look at what makes Superman tick be sure to pick up a copy of this book. It looks like superman will be around for a very long, long time." * Collector's Corner *
"A fun read that can appeal to the casual reader as well as academic scholars and students. His thread of 'iconic status' is woven throughout the book to tie all of the chapters together well. As a result, this book offers a solid overview of the history of Superman while approaching the material with some new insight and interesting examples that will appeal to a variety of readers looking to learn more about not only the Man of Steel—but why his character has thrived for over 80 years."
* Journal of American Culture *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
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
