Michael Goodrum - Superheroes and American Self Image

From War to Watergate

MICHAEL GOODRUM

Canterbury Christ Church University, UK

First published 2016 by Ashgate Publishing

Published 2016 by Routledge

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Copyright Michael Goodrum 2016

Michael Goodrum has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the author of this work.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

The Library of Congress has cataloged the printed edition as follows:

Goodrum, Michael D., 1983-

Superheroes and American self image : from war to Watergate / by Michael Goodrum.

pages cm. (The cultural politics of media and popular culture)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-4724-3550-7 (hardback) 1. Comic books, strips, etc.United StatesHistory and criticism. 2. Superheroes in literature. 3. Literature and societyUnited States. 4. National characteristics, American, in literature. I. Title.

PN6725.G586 2016

741.5973dc23

2015033036

ISBN 9781472435507 (hbk)

This book has been a long time coming. Sections of it are based on my doctoral research, undertaken in the Department of History at the University of Essex from 200610, but others were freshly researched and written during my first year in post at Canterbury Christ Church University, 201415. The range of people requiring my thanks is therefore relatively broad. First and foremost, my undying gratitude must go to my supervisor John Haynes for his patience, his insight, and his steady stream of musical suggestions. As with so many things, he was right about the Durutti Column: it is good music to chill out to. Others who suffered at my hands while at Essex must be mentioned here, most notably Shohini Chaudhuri, Mary Ellen Curtin, Fiona Venn and Hugh Brogan. Fiona and Hugh in particular influenced not just the material but me, and I am grateful for that, if unworthy of such continued investment of time and effort. I thank Hugh for helping me to distinguish the good from the impenetrable bilge in my development as a writer and Fiona for her tireless attempts to make me a better historian and teacher. Any remaining bilge or poor history is my fault, not theirs. I am also grateful to those who listened to me largely of their own free will, such as Amanda Flather, Elena Hore, Rachel Duffett, Kayleigh Page, and most of all Jon Vallerius, who was an invaluable friend in my final year at Essex. Thanks must also go to Martyn and Maria Rayner for their hospitality over three years. I miss our lengthy conversations about nineteenth century prostitution. I also cannot forget my Waterstones chums: Mark Bird, Senator James Hammond, Oliver Shaw, Hannah Wiggans, Chloe Giordano, Joan Avens, Stuart Godman, Elizabeth Brophy, Josh Clarke, and Charlotte Queen of the Basement Nichols. Thanks, guys. Thanks also to Uncle Rehan Sheikh, who probably still knows more about comic-books than I do. You should come round, Anna misses your face. I also thank Amos for never answering any of my calls or texts and therefore forcing me to work instead.

On the business front, I am grateful to Neil Jordan, my editor at Ashgate, and hope I have not been too much bother. I must also express my gratitude to Gregory Pan and all at Marvel Entertainment, LLC, for giving their permission to reproduce the images in this book.

Canterbury Christ Church has been a great next step and I am grateful for that opportunity. Particular thanks must go to John Bulaitis and Leonie Hicks for making my transition as smooth as possible. Considerations must also be made for Sara Catwolfson Wolfson and Steve Long, the latter of whom provides most excellent distractions from stress in the form of guitars, burritos, beer that tastes like biscuits, and Star Wars. All of you are too kind. I humbly offer this book as thanks.

Lastly, I must turn to those who ultimately made this possible. My parents provided constant support, emotional and financial, as I worked through the PhD and the early stages of my career. Thank you. My wife, Emma, paid for virtually everything while I finished my PhD and then got used to never seeing me as I divided my time between teaching in Essex and working in Waterstones in Oxford. She has read more of my work than anyone should have to, with (mostly) good humour. I also thank my daughter, Anna. The sleepless nights and the noise were far from helpful, but the frequent visits to my study to smile at me and show me what you had found were the best distractions of all. I hope you enjoy this book as much as Jampires and Major Problems in American History 19201945.