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Koronowicz, Anna. "Loner, Lover, Hero: Superhero Reads Hemingway." Cultural Excavation and Formal Expression in the Graphic Novel. Eds. Jonathan C. Evans and Thomas Giddens. At the Interface, Probing the Boundaries. Oxford: Inter-Disciplinary Pr. 2013. 3–11. Added by: joachim (27/09/2025, 11:30) |
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| Resource type: Book Chapter Language: en: English BibTeX citation key: Koronowicz2013 Email resource to friend View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: "Batman", Hemingway. Ernest, Literature, Superhero, USA Creators: Evans, Giddens, Koronowicz Publisher: Inter-Disciplinary Pr. (Oxford) Collection: Cultural Excavation and Formal Expression in the Graphic Novel |
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The first issue of Superman was published in 1938. Although not the first of superheroes, Superman soon became the epitome of the genre. Other masked heroes soon followed: Batman, Flash or Captain Marvel, to name a few. However, as unique the concept of the superhero may have been, the very construction of the character was already deeply rooted in narrative. A close look at Superman or Batman reveals a number of familiar features - those of the Hemingway code hero. Both superheroes and the code heroes are loners and outcasts. Superman is a sole survivor of Krypton; Batman lost his parents when he was a child. Even though they have friends and work in a team, they remain isolated. Just like Hemingway code hero they have a ‘safe place’ where they can be cut off from the world. Superman has Fortress of Solitude. Batman has his Batcave. A code hero is a ladies’ man. He would be worshipped by a good woman but could be hurt and dominated by a dangerous one. Superhero often saves his love interest from danger and equally often fights a femme fatale. Batman’s stormy relationship with Catwoman is but one example of the trope. Finally, both a code hero and a superhero are men of action. They cannot stand still and refuse to be inactive. Hemingway’s Santiago and Bruce Wayne from Batman: The Dark Knight Returns face similar challenges fighting their old age. They overcome obstacles and refuse to fade away. On the basis of the comparison it can be stated that there exists a certain model of a hero in the American culture. This shows how closely the popular culture is connected to the so-called highbrow literature.
Added by: joachim |