ENGL 255 - Superheroes

FDR: HL
Credits: 4
Planned Offering: Spring 2011 and alternate years

This course explores the development of the superhero character, genre and form, focusing especially on pulp novels published before the first appearance of Superman in 1938. The cultural context, including Nietzsche’s “Superman” philosophy and the larger eugenics movement, is also central. Students read, analyze, and interpret literary and cultural texts to produce their own analytical and creative writing. Likely works include: Superman Chronicles, Vol. 1, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster; Batman Chronicles, Vol. 1, Bob Kane, Bill Finger; The Scarlet Pimpernel, Baroness Orczy; Tarzan of the Apes, Edgar Rice Burroughs; The Adventures of Jimmie Dale, Frank L. Packard; Gladiator, Philip Wylie; Doc Savage: Man of Bronze, Lester Dent; Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1; Essential The Punisher, Vol. 1.; The Watchmen, Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons; and The Dark Knight, Frank Miller.Gavaler.