The heroine's journey echoes throughout ancient legend. Each young woman combats her dark side and emerges stronger. This quest is also a staple of American comic books. Wonder Woman with semi-divine powers gives us a new female-centered creation story. Batgirl, Batwoman and Black Widow discover their enemy is the dark mother or shadow twin, with the savagery they've rejected in themselves. Supergirl similarly struggles but keeps harmony with her sister. From Jessica Jones and Catwoman to the new superwomen of cutting-edge webcomics, each heroine must go into the dark, to become not a warrior…mehr
The heroine's journey echoes throughout ancient legend. Each young woman combats her dark side and emerges stronger. This quest is also a staple of American comic books. Wonder Woman with semi-divine powers gives us a new female-centered creation story. Batgirl, Batwoman and Black Widow discover their enemy is the dark mother or shadow twin, with the savagery they've rejected in themselves. Supergirl similarly struggles but keeps harmony with her sister. From Jessica Jones and Catwoman to the new superwomen of cutting-edge webcomics, each heroine must go into the dark, to become not a warrior but a savior. Women like Captain Marvel and Storm sacrifice all to join the ranks of superheroes, while their feminine powers and dazzling costumes reflect the most ancient tales.
Valerie Estelle Frankel teaches English at Mission College and San Jose City College. The author of 75 popular culture books and more than 100 stories and essays, she lives in Sunnyvale, California.
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Table of Contents Foreword: The Heroine with a Thousand Faces by Trina Robbins Introduction: Considering Superheroes and Heroines Chapter 1-Growing Hero Birth: Wonder Woman (DC Comics, 1941) Ordinary World: After the Golden Age (Novel, 2011) Adolescence: Ms. Marvel (Marvel Comics, 2014) Call to Rescue: Go Girl! (Dark Horse Comics, 2002) Refusal of the Call: X-Men (Film, 2000) Making the Choice: Runaways (Marvel Comics, 2003-2008) Chapter 2-Superhero Tools Superpowers: Wild Cards (Book Series, 1987-) Talisman: Witchblade (TV, 2001-2002) Self-Naming: Captain Marvel (Marvel Comics, 1977-2012) Secret Identity: Supergirl (DC Comics, 1959) Costume: Miss Fury (Timely Comics, 1941) Shadow Side: Savage She-Hulk (Marvel Comics, 1980) Chapter 3-Family Foils Grandmother-Mentor: Miss Harkness (Marvel Comics, 1970-1989) Evil Mentor: Birds of Prey (DC Comics, 2004-2011) Brutal Patriarchy: Spider-Woman (Marvel Comics, 1977) Leaving the Father: Aurora West (First Second Comics, 2014-2015) Finding the Mother: Batgirl (DC Comics, 2005-2006) Killer Mother: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (TV, 2013-2015) Sister Teamwork: Supergirl (TV, 2015) Evil Twin: Black Widow (Marvel Comics, 1999-2002) Chapter 4-Male Influences Friendship: White Tiger (Marvel Comics, 2007) Animus Growth: Spider-Gwen (Marvel Comics, 2014) The Good Boy: Dark Angel (TV, 2000-2002) Shapeshifter Romance: Batman Returns (Film, 1992) Bluebeard: Scarlet Witch (Marvel Comics, 1994) Government Persecution: Echo (Abstract Studios Comics, 2011) Shrinking Down: She-Hulk (Marvel Comics, 2005) Take Back the Night: Priya's Shakti (Web Comic, 2014) Chapter 5-Descent to the Self Entering the Otherworld: Daredevil/Echo (Marvel Comics, 2004) Into the Desert: Vixen (DC Comics, 2011) Hearing the Inner Voices: Power Girl (DC Comics, 2009-2010) Casting Off Illusions: Donna Troy (DC Comics, 2005) Healing: Jessica Jones (TV, 2015) Empathy: Batwoman (DC Comics, 2013-2014) Chapter 6-Facing the Shadow Descent into Death: Pretty Deadly (Image Comics, 2013-2014) Dying to Save the World: Kitty Pryde (Marvel Comics, 2004-2008) Shadow Transformation: Dark Phoenix (Marvel Comics, 1975) Embracing the Self: Wonder Woman (DC Comics, 2011) Return to Life: Danger Girl (IDW Comics, 2014) Finishing the Battle: "Call Her Savage" (Short Story, 2010) Finding Balance: Supergirl (DC Comics, 1996) Chapter 7-Motherhood and Enlightenment Becoming Supermom: Invisible Woman (Marvel Comics, 1968-1973) Evil Child: Ms. Marvel (Marvel Comics, 1980-1981) Losing the Child: Scarlet Witch (Marvel Comics, 1986-2012) Death Crone: Claire Voyant (Timely Comics, 1940-1942) Mistress of Dark and Light: Storm and Illyana (Marvel Comics, delete1983-1984) Apotheosis: Promethea (America's Best Comics, 2001-2005) Guiding the Next Generation: Birds of Prey (TV, 2002-2003) Conclusion Glossary Works Cited Index
