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Saunders, Ben. Do The Gods Wear Capes? Spirituality, Fantasy, and Superheroes. New Directions in Religion and Literature. London, New York: Continuum, 2011. 
Added by: joachim (1/26/11, 12:17 PM)   Last edited by: joachim (8/20/11, 2:07 AM)
Resource type: Book
Language: en: English
ID no. (ISBN etc.): 9780826435569
BibTeX citation key: Saunders2011a
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Categories: General
Keywords: "Iron Man", "Spider-Man", "Superman", "Wonder Woman", Philosophy, Religion, Superhero, USA
Creators: Saunders
Publisher: Continuum (London, New York)
Views: 5/1093
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Abstract
Brash, bold, and sometimes brutal, superheroes might seem to epitomize modern pop-culture at its most melodramatic and mindless. But according to Ben Saunders, the appeal of the superhero is fundamentally metaphysical – even spiritual – in nature. In chapter-length analyses of the early comic book adventures of Superman, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, and Iron-Man, Saunders explores a number of complex philosophical and theological issues, including: the problem of evil; the will-to-power; the tension between intimacy and vulnerability; and the challenge of love, in the face of mortality. He concludes that comic book fantasies of the superhuman ironically reveal more than we might care to admit about our human limitations, even as they expose the falsehood of the characteristically modern opposition between religion and science. Clearly and passionately written, this insightful and at times exhilarating book should delight all readers who believe in the redemptive capacity of the imagination, regardless of whether they consider themselves comic book fans.

Table of Contents

Serie’s Editors Preface (ix)
Acknowledgements (x)

Introduction: The Power of Love (1)
1. Superman: Truth, Justice, and All That Stuff (16)
2. Wonder Woman: Bondage and Liberation (36)
3. Spider-Man: Heroic Failure and Spiritual Triumph (72)
4. Iron Man: Techno-Faith (104)
Coda: Modern Gods (142)

Appendix: On the Place of Superhero Studies within Comics Studies (144)

Notes (152)
Index (175)
Added by: joachim  Last edited by: joachim
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