Caped Crusaders 101: Composition Through Comic Books [Paperback]

Stanley Stewart Jeffrey Kahan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 27, 2006

The comic-spawned Spider-Man franchise, despite its “pop” status, demonstrates important trends in literature. It raises numerous key questions for developing a better understanding of literary elements and devices. How, for example, do writers involved with the franchise reconcile divergent plotlines and characterizations that appear in multiple serials, and in a number of concurrent depictions of the hero in comic series, television series and films? Readers may be surprised to realize that Shakespeare grappled with similar topics in his Henry VI series, and, for instance, in the character Falstaff’s reemergence from death in The Merry Wives of Windsor. This textbook inspires a greater appreciation for literature by studying important literary themes found in comics. By deconstructing comics, it raises critical thinking about literature, a crucial skill for understanding language and composition. Chapters discuss DC, Marvel and other comics’ varied attempts at portraying race, politics, economics, business ethics and democracy; responses to the Cold War and the events of September 11; and portrayals of prisons and capital punishment. Each chapter offers a series of questions that stimulate further reading, writing and discussion. Photographs are included as well.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jeffrey Kahan is an associate professor in the English department at the University of La Verne in La Verne, California. Stanley Stewart is a professor in the English Department of the University of California at Riverside.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers (January 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786425326
• ISBN-13: 978-0786425327
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,979,729 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars all plot, no visuals (4 stars, actually), February 14, 2008

By 

trout7 "trout7" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Caped Crusaders 101: Composition Through Comic Books (Paperback)

Interesting and knowledgeable reading of major comic book superhero comics series in light of cultural and social issues (race, class, gender, sexuality)--actually, for this alone the book is worth 4 stars (amazon wouldn't let me revise the stars). Very useful plot summaries and analysis of major themes in specific time periods, up through post-9/11. Would have been much strengthened by a sustained analysis of the fundamental visual qualities of these works. Also (since this book seems to be aimed, at least in part, at composition class use) with the plots and themes so thoroughly and insightfully interpreted here, it is hard to see where any room remains for students' own written argument or interpretation, at least not without the actual comic books in hand.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Marvel'ously Unique, February 6, 2007

By 

word4word (Pasadena, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Caped Crusaders 101: Composition Through Comic Books (Paperback)

A delightful read for English majors, I should think, as it proceeds much like a very long essay with all the intellectual humor of an "A" student. While sometimes long-winded and repetitive, the publication maintains interest through what is perhaps the most academically under-assessed literary genre in our pop-culture. Kahan and Stewart's knowledge behind comic books and graphic novels impressively highlights the historical, political, social, religious, and sometimes philosophical themes behind past and present forms of the most renowned superheroes. Movies, television series, cartoons, and recreations are all brought out to the challenge of what themes changed and which stayed the same.

Some desireables would be: to improve the organization of ideas and to add more current comic book titles to those reviewed.

With proper permission and research, I think there's room and interest for a sequel.