Women in Marvel Films - by Miriam Kent (Hardcover)

Number of Pages: 328
Genre: Performing Arts
Sub-Genre: Film
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
Age Range: Adult
Book theme: History & Criticism
Author: Miriam Kent
Language: English

About the Book

Women in Marvel Films provides the first rigorous analysis of the portrayals of women, heroic and otherwise, in films based on Marvel comics from the 1980s to the present.

Book Synopsis

The concept of identity in superhero narratives has become a burgeoning field in academic studies of this increasingly popular cinematic genre. Women in Marvel Films provides the first rigorous analysis of the portrayals of women, heroic and otherwise, in films based on Marvel comics from the 1980s to the present. It explores the relationships between this cultural phenomenon and wider issues of gender equality, considering the cultural moments in which Marvel films are made and incorporating complex histories of the comic book and Hollywood industries. The book also asks how feminist issues surface within superhero adaptations and how they are dealt with via Hollywood and comic book conventions. Women in Marvel Films shows how the Marvel superhero film taps into political complexities regarding gender and related identity issues, such as women's roles in society and their relation to men, and provides a fascinating insight into gendered power dynamics in contemporary American popular culture.

From the Back Cover

'Miriam Kent's book is a welcome addition to gender and comics studies. A thorough and progressive approach to the often overlooked women who populate the Marvel universe. This study deserves a spot on the bookshelves of anyone serious about superheroes.' Jeffrey Allan Brown, Bowling Green State University 'Kent's Women in Marvel Films illuminates the tensions between feminism and postfeminism in multiple studios' representations of superheroines, wives, girlfriends, sisters, antiheroines, and villainesses. Its theoretically-rich formal analyses and character analyses make for a comprehensive contribution to film studies, comics studies, and gender studies.' Carolyn Cocca, author of Superwomen: Gender, Power, and Representation The concept of identity in superhero narratives has become a burgeoning field in academic studies of this increasingly popular cinematic genre. Women in Marvel Films provides the first rigorous analysis of the portrayals of women, heroic and otherwise, in films based on Marvel comics from the 1980s to the present. It explores the relationships between this cultural phenomenon and wider issues of gender equality, considering the cultural moments in which Marvel films are made and incorporating complex histories of the comic book and Hollywood industries. The book also asks how feminist issues surface within superhero adaptations and how they are dealt with via Hollywood and comic book conventions. Kent shows how the Marvel superhero film taps into political complexities regarding gender and related identity issues, such as women's roles in society and their relation to men, and provides a fascinating insight into gendered power dynamics in contemporary American popular culture. Miriam Kent has a PhD in Film Studies with a focus on Marvel superheroes from the University of East Anglia, where she has taught a wide range of Film, Media and Gender Studies courses. Cover design: Paul Smith and Miriam Kent [EUP logo] edinburghuniversitypress.com ISBN 978-1-4744-4882-6 Barcode

About the Author

Miriam Kent has a PhD in Film Studies with a focus on Marvel superheroes from the University of East Anglia, where she has taught a wide range of Film, Media and Gender Studies courses. She has published on superhero media with an interest in gender, representation and adaptation. Her previous work has appeared in academic journals, including Feminist Media Studies.