Title American theology, superhero comics, and cinema : the marvel of Stan Lee and the revolution of a genre / Anthony R. Mills

Published New York : Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2014

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Description 1 online resource (205 pages) Series Routledge studies in religion and film ; 2 Routledge studies in religion and film ; 2. Contents The Historical and Theological Background of the Anthropology of the American Monomyth -- The Anthropology of the American Monomyth in Golden Age Superhero Comics (1938-1961) -- The "Turn to Relationality" in American Theological Anthropology -- The "Turn to Reality" in Silver Age Superhero Comics and Beyond (1961-present) -- Subverting the Anthropology of the American Monomyth in Marvel Comics Superhero Films (1998-2012) -- Conclusion: Anthropological Proposals Summary "Stan Lee, who was the head writer of Marvel Comics in the early 1960s, co-created such popular heroes as Spider-Man, Hulk, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Thor, and Daredevil. This book traces the ways in which American theologians and comic books of the era were not only both saying things about what it means to be human, but, starting with Lee they were largely saying the same things. Author Anthony R. Mills argues that the shift away from individualistic ideas of human personhood and toward relational conceptions occurring within both American theology and American superhero comics and films does not occur simply on the ontological level, but is also inherent to epistemology and ethics, reflecting the comprehensive nature of human life in terms of being, knowing, and acting. This book explores the idea of the 'American monomyth' that pervades American hero stories and examines its philosophical and theological origins and specific manifestations in early American superhero comics. Surveying the anthropologies of six American theologians who argue against many of the monomyth's assumptions, principally the staunch individualism taken to be the model of humanity, and who offer relationality as a more realistic and ethical alternative, this book offers a detailed argument for the intimate historical relationship between the now disparate fields of comic book/superhero film creation, on the one hand, and Christian theology, on the other, in the United States. An understanding of the early connections between theology and American conceptions of heroism helps to further make sense of their contemporary parallels, wherein superhero stories and theology are not strictly separate phenomena but have shared origins and concerns"-- Provided by publisher Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index Notes Print version record Subject Lee, Stan, 1922-2018 -- Criticism and interpretation SUBJECT Lee, Stan, 1922-2018 fast Subject Comic books, strips, etc. -- Religious aspects. Comic books, strips, etc. -- United States Comic books, strips, etc. -- Moral and ethical aspects -- United States Motion pictures -- Religious aspects. Motion pictures -- United States. Motion pictures -- Moral and ethical aspects -- United States Superheroes -- United States Superhero films -- United States RELIGION -- General. ART -- Techniques -- Cartooning. ART -- Film & Video. ART -- Techniques -- Drawing. Comic books, strips, etc. Comic books, strips, etc. -- Moral and ethical aspects Comic books, strips, etc. -- Religious aspects Motion pictures Motion pictures -- Moral and ethical aspects Motion pictures -- Religious aspects Superhero films Superheroes United States Genre/Form Electronic books Criticism, interpretation, etc. Form Electronic book ISBN 9781135014360 1135014361 9781135014377 113501437X 9780203754047 0203754042

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