Non-Lethal Heroes and the Return of Deadly Force

[BentonGrey]

Howdy guys, I'm not entirely sure that this is the proper forum for this question, but it seemed the best fit for me.  Feel free to move it if greater powers disagree.

So, Reborners, I'm appealing once more to the community's collective wisdom.  I'm beginning to prepare my grad school application for the next year.  The plan at the moment is to teach here at our university as an adjunct (slightly above slave labor) for this year, and start earning my doctorate the next.  Now, I have been focusing on what I really love for the last four years, teaching.  The folks here really appreciate that, and, at the risk of sounding really awful, I think I'm pretty good at it.  Anyway, folks here at OBU have been really supportive, and my wife and I really love this school and its faculty.  The powers that be like me, appreciate my work, but it seems likely that a full-time position isn't in the cards until I earn my PhD. 

That fits in fine with my plans, but the trouble is that, to be honest, I'm really rusty with the other side of scholarly life.  I've been reading and teaching, and reading about teaching, but I've done zero publishing and haven't messed around with journals and the like.  That kind of stuff carries a lot of weight in the extremely competitive world of English grad school.  I'm starting to feel the pressure of those choices now, as I think it would be really helpful to get a few articles at least into review by the time my application is due (Dec./Jan.).  I've been dragging my feet because, honestly, there is so much ridding on this that I've been scared about it.  I'm out of practice, and I don't have any real experience with this kind of stuff to begin with.

Anyway, I'm writing for a few reasons, one to ask those of you who pray to keep me in your prayers for the next few months as I work on this stuff, and two to ask advice from the scholars/readers of the community.  I know there are a few of us in academia, and there are a lot more of us who are just really well read in general.  I've got a few articles that I'm going to try to bang out soon here, some in greater states of completion than others.  I could really use some help finding sources for two of them that center on comics and superheroes.

You see, I know how to research criticism on Tennyson or other literary figures, but the usual suspects don't really do the job for more pop-culture oriented subjects.  I'm thinking about doing some work with the rise and fall of the non-lethal heroes that defined American superheroics, probably specifically focusing on Superman and dealing with the latest crop of superhero movies and the more violent bent of the New 52.  What I really need are suggestions for relatively scholarly books that deal with the history of American superheroes.  I've got This Book Contains Graphic Language, but it's more a general text.  Does anyone have suggestions?

In time I'll also likely be picking the community's collective brains about instance of lethal force with marquee characters, but at the  moment I'm just looking to get an overview.

On more of a long-shot, does anyone know if there's been anything written about Astro City?  I've got another piece in the works talking about the shift from pessemistic heroism to what I'm thinking of calling a pragmatic idealism, comparing the different atmospheres that gave birth to the Watchmen and Astro City.

Well guys, thanks for reading all of this and for any help you can offer. 

[spydermann93]

Benton, I just want to say that I have full confidence that you will do very well in your future and that you will be most pleased with its outcome.

I will pray for you so that you may get what you are wishing for, and I wish you the best of luck.

As for books to help you with your endeavors, I found this: http://www.amazon.com/Super-history-Superheroes-American-Society-Present/dp/0786465646

I have not read it, and there has only been one review on it (a 5-star rating from that one review), but it seems like the type of book and analysis that you are searching for.

It does seem like an interesting book, but I cannot say from personal experience.

Again, I wish you the best of luck to you, Benton, and I have full confidence in you

[hoss20]

Benton, I don't know if this relevant for what you are needing, but the documentary, Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked, that aired on the History Channel in 2003 gave some fascinating insight on the history of comics in a decade by decade fashion. It included such things as the role of comics during WWII, the Comics Code, the somewhat revolutionary depiction of superheroes dealing with real life problems by Stan Lee and Marvel in the 60's, the portrayal of real life issues, such as drug use and racism by Green Lantern/Green Arrow in the 70's, and the emergence of the anti-hero in more current years.

Honestly, whether it assists you or not right now, it is definitely worth checking out. I found it quite interesting and informational. It was also very enjoyable seeing the legends of comic books, such as Stan Lee and Will Eisner, along with the more current influential creators like Frank Miller and Neil Gaiman. Here is a link to the IMDB page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0373763/

It is available on DVD, I believe, and a search on the History Channel site might produce some results. I hope this can be helpful, I just wasn't sure if you were looking for strictly literary references. Watching this may give you some ideas on where to look, though.

[Cyber Burn]

Sorry Benton, but unfortunately, all I can give you is my best wishes at this time. I don't have any really helpful information here, but I will definitely keep you in my prayers.

[thalaw2]

Heck!  I wrote a message from the heart about your studies Big B, but I accidentally closed the browser just after pressing post....anyway.

Good luck and God bless.  Go with passion and you'll be alright