Step into the extraordinary world of superheroes with ‘Superhero: The Secret Origin of a Genre, ‘ a masterful exploration by Peter Coogan. This book is not just a history but a deep analysis of the superhero genre, from its earliest incarnations to its modern-day prominence. Unravel the complex web of superhero conventions, from their extraordinary powers to iconic costumes and secret identities.
Delve into the origins of these characters in ancient myths, epics, and legends, and see how they evolved through the Antediluvian Age into the figures that captivate audiences today. Coogan skillfully navigates through the different ages of superhero history, from the Golden Age’s rise of characters like Superman and Batman to the Silver and Bronze Ages and finally to the contemporary Renaissance Age, offering a comprehensive understanding of how superheroes reflect and shape societal values.
Discover the intricate relationships between superheroes and their archenemies, exploring the psychology and motivations behind iconic supervillains across various types. Learn about the five types of supervillains – from Mad Scientists to Criminal Masterminds – and their unique roles in shaping superhero narratives.
Coogan also examines the superhero as a metaphor, revealing how these figures represent deeper themes and societal issues. The book’s detailed analysis extends to exploring the superhero’s role in media, its impact on culture, and its enduring appeal across generations.
Perfect for comic book enthusiasts, scholars, and casual readers alike, ‘Superhero: The Secret Origin of a Genre’ is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the cultural significance of one of the most enduring and influential genres in modern storytelling. Join Peter Coogan on this captivating exploration of superheroes and discover the hidden layers behind these beloved popular culture icons.
This expanded description offers a more detailed glimpse into the book’s content, making it more appealing to potential readers interested in the superhero genre.
Table of Content
Foreword – pg. ix
Introduction – pg. xi
CHAPTER 1 – pg. 1
THE SUPERHERO RENAISSANCE
Conclusion – pg. 26
CHAPTER 2 – pg. 29
THE SUPERHERO GENRE
Naming – pg. 30
Parody – pg. 32
Imitation and Repetition – pg. 34
Conclusion – pg. 36
CHAPTER 3 – pg. 37
THE DEFINITION OF THE SUPERHERO
The Primary Conventions – pg. 37
Mission – pg. 38
Powers – pg. 38
Identity – pg. 39
Costume – pg. 40
Generic Distinction – pg. 47
Luke Cage, A Case Study – pg. 51
Ruling In and Ruling Out – pg. 57
Conclusion – pg. 70
Conclusion II – pg. 72
CHAPTER 4 – pg. 73
THE SUPERVILLAIN
The Five Types – pg. 73
The Monster – pg. 74
The Enemy Commander – pg. 75
Mad Scientist – pg. 80
Criminal Mastermind – pg. 81
The Inverted-Superhero Supervillain – pg. 87
Four Subtypes – pg. 89
Definition – pg. 92
Mission – pg. 93
Criminal Artistry – pg. 94
Mania – pg. 97
The Wound – pg. 99
Monologue and Soliloquy – pg. 105
Power – pg. 111
Identity – pg. 113
Hero/Villain Relationships – pg. 114
Self-Worth – pg. 114
Archenemy – pg. 115
Doppelganger – pg. 115
Oedipal – pg. 117
Displacement – pg. 120
Rogues Gallery – pg. 129
Proactive and Reactive – pg. 130
Conclusion – pg. 135
CHAPTER 5 – pg. 137
THE PREHISTORY OF THE SUPERHERO: THE ROOTS IN MYTH, EPIC, AND LEGEND
The Pre-Genre Stage – pg. 137
The Proto Age – pg. 138
Conclusion – pg. 146
CHAPTER 6 – pg. 147
THE PREHISTORY OF THE SUPERHERO: THE ANTEDILUVIAN AGE
The Pregenre Stage – pg. 147
The Antediluvian Age – pg. 148
The Science-Fiction Superman – pg. 148
The Dual-Identity Crime-Fighting Avenger-Vigilante – pg. 168
The Avenger-Vigilante – pg. 169
The Dual-Identity Crime-Fighter – pg. 177
The Pulp Ubermensch – pg. 180
Conclusion – pg. 186
CHAPTER 7 – pg. 187
THE PREHISTORY OF THE SUPERHERO: COMICS PREDECESSORS
Conclusion – pg. 196
CHAPTER 8 v199
THE FIRST SUPERHERO
Superman – pg. 199
Contenders for the Title – pg. 201
Spring-Heeled Jack – pg. 201
Hugo Hercules – pg. 202
Popeye – pg. 204
Hugo Danner – pg. 204
The Phantom – pg. 206
Phantom Magician – pg. 210
Olga Mesmer – pg. 211
The Superhero Genre – pg. 213
Etymology of Superhero – pg. 217
Conclusion – pg. 220
CHAPTER 9 – pg. 221
THE EVOLUTION OF THE SUPERHERO: THE AGES AND STAGES OF THE SUPERHERO GENRE
The Evolutionary Cycle – pg. 222
Genre, Parody, and Minicycles – pg. 223
The Reconstructive Stage – pg. 226
The Golden Age – pg. 227
Batman and the Flood of Superheroes – pg. 228
Formal Transparency – pg. 229
The Close of the Golden Age – pg. 233
The Silver Age – pg. 234
Crisis of Authority – pg. 237
The End of the Silver – pg. Age 239
The Bronze Age – pg. 240
The Iron Age – pg. 244
The Renaissance Age – pg. 249
Rebuilt Conventions – pg. 252
Conclusion – pg. 263
CHAPTER 10 – pg. 265
THE SUPERHERO AS METAPHOR
Conclusion – pg. 268
Afterword – pg. 269
Notes – pg. 275
Works Cited – pg. 299
Acknowledgments – pg. 309
About the author
Peter Coogan earned his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in American Studies with his dissertation: The Secret Origin of the Superhero: The Emergence of the Superhero Genre in America from Daniel Boone to Batman. While still a graduate student, he cofounded the Comics Arts Conference with Dr. Randy Duncan (Henderson State University) in 1992. The CAC has been held in conjunction with the San Diego Comic-Con International ever since and expanded to biannual meetings by expansion to Wonder Con. It is the largest and longest-running academic conference on comics in America. Since 1998 he has lived in St. Louis and taught comics, superheroes, writing, and American Studies at area universities, particularly Webster University and Washington University in St. Louis. Since 2012, he has served as the Communication Lab Coordinator at the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis.
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