Superman on the Couch: What Superheroes Really Tell Us about Ourselves and Our Society

by Danny Fingeroth

Book Overview

Why are so many of the superhero myths tied up with loss, often violent, of parents or parental figures? What is the significance of the dual identity? What makes some superhuman figures "good" and others "evil"? Why are so many of the prime superheroes white and male? How has the superhero evolved over the course of the 20th and early 21st centuries? And how might the myths be changing? Why is it that the key superhero archetypes - Superman, Batman,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0826415407
• ISBN13: 9780826415400
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: Continuum
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

FABULOUS

This book is unusual, but great for relating comic book heros and society! I had to use it for class and ended up reading it from cover to cover! such an interesting read!

Superheros R Us

What do superheroes mean to culture? In `Disguised As Clark Kent', Danny Fingeroth established the basis of Superman and other heroes in Jewish and Eastern mythologies. `Superman On the Couch' takes a step back, and discusses what superheroes tell us about ourselves and society. For instance, this tome contains fascinating discourses on The history of superheroes, dual identities, the storm of the orphan, our amazing feminine superheroes, the groups like the Justice League of America, The X Men, and Fantastic Four, anger and superheroes, changing of the guard, and villains. Now, as a `mature' reader, I can understand how superhero mythology developed. So much for a simple comic book I guess. But, all things in balance. Comics can be comics, and enjoyment is enjoyment. As a reader, I still enjoy reading comics. So here comes Mr Fingeroth and his verbalization of arguments that have been around in academic circles for years. Did the early creators and writers of comic books know what they were doing when they produced the books of our youth? Were they that smart? Did they research their stories in advance? Are modern educated writers with college and university degrees any more thoughtful in drawing on classic influences? Whether we are more intelligent or not, we draw on our references. Shuster and Siegel drew on Zorro, Gladiator, Doc Savage, and Gladiator for Superman. Modern writers use Superman, Batman, and Spiderman as templates. We stand on what has gone on before. Superhero convention and archetypes will always be present. I guess that is the point of the book. Superheroes reflect how we see what our potential is with respect to our own limitations. Even Jesus reflected on that when he compared faith the size of a mustard seed that could move a mountain. Tell a man he cannot triumph against forces of evil, and constrain him, and he will not. Give him `superhuman' abilities, and he will. Such are superheroes, and Mr Fingeroth presents strong arguments on the validity of superheroes for today. Are you a superhero? Read this book and find out how close you might be! Tim Lasiuta [...]