BOBC |
Cunningham, Phillip L. "The absence of black supervillains in mainstream comics." Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics 1. (2010): 51–62. Added by: joachim (6/4/10, 5:46 PM) |
Resource type: Journal Article Language: en: English Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1080/21504851003798330 BibTeX citation key: Cunningham2010 Email resource to friend View all bibliographic details |
Categories: General Keywords: Ethnicity, Narratology, Superhero Creators: Cunningham Collection: Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics |
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Abstract |
Both the DC and Marvel universes feature a litany of supervillains who wield great power and great intellect and who pose a true threat to the superheroes in these respective universes. However, relatively few of these supervillains are black. As this essay shall suggest, a number of narratological constraints and tendencies that historically have been replete in mainstream comics are largely the cause of this absence. Following a delimiting of the terms black and supervillain, this essay – through an overview of some of the more prominent black villains in DC and Marvel comics – shall evidence why these villains have yet to achieve the same powerful status as their white counterparts. The essay shall conclude by providing a rationale for the creation of more black supervillains.
Added by: joachim |