Superhero Comics

A complete guide to its history, form and contexts, Superhero Comics delves into the most successful and familiar of comic book genres. Chris Gavaler discusses a wide range of topics, starting with the history of the genre, from the early “Golden Age” to blockbuster 21st-century adaptations. Throughout this history he uncovers the genre’s cultural contexts, from anti-Nazi and Cold War politics to the rise of organized fandom and multi-media brand building. With the use of important theoretical and critical approaches to superhero comics, the book covers the form’s most celebrated series, exploring the legacy of superheroes such as Superman, Batman, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men and Alan Moore’s Watchmen.