Web-Spinning Heroics: Critical Essays on the History and Meaning of Spider-Man [Paperback]

Robert Moses Peaslee (Author, Editor), Robert G. Weiner (Author, Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 22, 2012 | ISBN-10: 0786446277 | ISBN-13: 978-0786446278

This volume collects a wide-ranging sample of fresh analyses of Spider-Man. It traverses boundaries of medium, genre, epistemology and discipline in essays both insightful and passionate that move forward the study of one of the world's most beloved characters. The editors have crafted the book for fans, creators and academics alike. Foreword by Tom DeFalco, with poetry and an afterword by Gary Jackson (winner of the 2009 Cave Canem Poetry Prize).

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Intriguing...a must...highly recommended." --Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Robert Moses Peaslee is an assistant professor in the College of Mass Communications at Texas Tech University. He has written for Visual Communication Quarterly, Tourist Studies,and NMEDIAC: Journal of New Media & Culture, and edited volumes related to visual culture. He lives in Lubbock, Texas. Robert G. Weiner is associate humanities librarian at Texas Tech University. His works have been published in the Journal of Popular Culture, Public Library Quarterly, Journal of American Culture, International Journal of Comic Art and Popular Music and Society. He lives in Lubbock, Texas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 271 pages
• Publisher: McFarland (May 22, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786446277
• ISBN-13: 978-0786446278
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.7 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,709,665 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Collection; Something for Every Spider-Man Fan June 18, 2012

By John M. Oyerbides

Format:Paperback

I have to admit that Spider-Man is not my favorite when it comes to comic book heroes; Luke Cage has that place for me. However, This collection is a unique combination of both good scholarship as well as an entertaining read. The collection is divided into seven sections each dealing with a specific aspect of the Spider-Man genre, if you will.

My favorite article, found in the first section, is the Lisa Holderman piece dealing with the science (physics) of Spider-Man. "Hegemonic Implications of Science in Popular Media: Science Narratives and Representations of Physics in the Spider-Man Film Trilogy" may imply a complex article, unreadable for many, however, the piece is clear, entertaining and just good.

The best section of the book overall is part three entitled "The J. Jonah Jameson Problem." Three very well-written essays make up this section and cover everything from censorship (as Jameson commentary) to the business style of JJJ and "The Daily Bugle."

I was also very happy to see a section dealing with gender issues. Too often comics are seen to be dominated by over-the-top male heroes. When, in reality, some of the best characters being written are found in the people who surround said heroes; often female ones.

Again, a great read and a good value for the price. Anyone interested in sequential art scholarship, Spider-Man academia, or just a fan of comics will find something enjoyable in this collection.