Superwomen: Gender, Power, and Representation Contributor(s): Cocca, Carolyn (Author) |
|
ISBN: 1501316567 ISBN-13: 9781501316562 Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic OUR PRICE: $188.10 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: September 2016 |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Literary Criticism | Comics & Graphic Novels - Performing Arts | Film - History & Criticism - Social Science | Media Studies |
Dewey: 741.597 |
LCCN: 2016007660 |
Physical Information: 1.1" H x 6.1" W x 9.1" (1.15 lbs) 288 pages |
Themes: - Sex & Gender - Feminine |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: Over the last 75 years, superheroes have been portrayed most often as male, heterosexual, white, and able-bodied. Today, a time when many of these characters are billion-dollar global commodities, there are more female superheroes, more queer superheroes, more superheroes of color, and more disabled superheroes--but not many more. Superwomen investigates how and why female superhero characters have become more numerous but are still not-at-all close to parity with their male counterparts; how and why they have become a flashpoint for struggles over gender, sexuality, race, and disability; what has changed over time and why in terms of how these characters have been written, drawn, marketed, purchased, read, and reacted to; and how and why representations of superheroes matter, particularly to historically underrepresented and stereotyped groups. Specifically, the book explores the production, representations, and receptions of prominent transmedia female superheroes from their creation to the present: Wonder Woman; Batgirl and Oracle; Ms. Marvel and Captain Marvel; Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Star Wars' Padmé Amidala, Leia Organa, Jaina Solo, and Rey; and X-Men's Jean Grey, Storm, Kitty Pryde, Rogue, and Mystique. It analyzes their changing portrayals in comics, novels, television shows, and films, as well as how cultural narratives of gender have been negotiated through female superheroes by creators, consumers, and parent companies over the last several decades. |
Contributor Bio(s): Cocca, Carolyn: - Carolyn Cocca is Associate Professor in the Department of Politics, Economics, and Law at the State University of New York, College at Old Westbury, USA. She is the author of Jailbait: The Politics of Statutory Rape Laws in the United States and various articles and book chapters about gender and superheroes. |