Week 2 Superhero Genre: Definitions, Identity, and Cultural Frameworks

Why does a vigilante fail the definition of a genre superhero?

He lacks the core triad of a selfless mission, extraordinary powers, and an iconic identity.

Which author's framework is applied when a protagonist has superpowers but faces mundane problems?

Stan Lee.

What gives the X-Men their narrative power according to Clive Pitkethly?

Straddling the boundary between the socially ostracized 'other' and the empowered hero.

How is a protagonist who steals from corporations but helps an orphanage classified?

An antihero.

Why are characters like Buffy the Vampire Slayer considered 'super heroes' rather than genre 'superheroes'?

They are rooted in other genres and lack the iconic identity conventions of the superhero genre.

Which author recognized the importance of colorful costumes for superheroes?

Stan Lee.

What function does a superhero's costume serve according to Coogan's framework?

It visually externalizes and announces the character's specific powers and origin.

What dynamic tension characterizes Superman according to Clive Pitkethly?

Being both a foreign alien and the ultimate American citizen simultaneously.

What concept does the 'Hawkeye Initiative' demonstrate?

The social construction of normativity and gender expectations.

What concept does the oversight in the 'Women in Business' program illustrate?

Kimberlé Crenshaw's Intersectionality.

Why is a superhero still considered one despite lacking powers?

They possess a preponderance of the genre's other conventions.

What strategic error does a marketer make by only targeting consumers based on visible characteristics?

Ignoring the culturally constructed values, ideologies, and beliefs that exist below the waterline.

Why is a villain being significantly weaker than the hero a flaw in the superhero formula?

The villain must be equally or more powerful than the hero to maintain narrative tension.

According to Clive Pitkethly, Wonder Woman derives her narrative power by straddling which specific societal boundary?

The boundary between female-only Amazonian utopia and the patriarchal 'world of men.'

Why is the antihero formula commercially successful according to Jerry Jenkins?

It reflects the moral ambiguity and flawed nature of real human beings, allowing audiences to connect with characters who aren't perfectly idealistic.

What does it mean to say that identity is 'socially constructed'?

Our understanding of who we are is shaped by historical context, social norms, and our interactions with institutions and media.

What tension does a superhero who is a billionaire CEO by day and a vigilante by night embody?

Civilization and madness/the beast.

What differentiates Superman's selfless mission from a generic action hero like James Bond according to Peter Coogan?

Superman's mission is universal, prosocial, and proactive, whereas Bond serves the interests of his employer.

What psychological need did Stan Lee believe superheroes fulfill for the audience?

The enduring human desire to read about larger-than-life figures who can conquer problems that normal people cannot.

What disciplinary lens is used when analyzing a comic book for labor exploitation and marketing strategies?

Business (Management/Marketing).

What does the 'Identity Atom' exercise in Week 2 teach students?

We hold multiple social roles, and our behavior, power, and expectations change depending on which role we are currently occupying.

Why does a character like 'The Hulk' fit the superhero genre despite lacking a prosocial mission?

Because he possesses a preponderance of other generic conventions like extraordinary powers and exists in a shared superhero universe.

What theory does a marketing campaign featuring Miles Morales highlight?

Kimberlé Crenshaw's theory of Intersectionality.

How does Clive Pitkethly explain Iron Man through his framework of boundaries?

Iron Man straddles the boundary between human frailty and cold, synthetic machinery.

What is 'Normativity' according to the Week 2 lecture?

A system where society designates certain actions or traits as 'desirable' or 'normal' to preserve social acceptability.

How does an antihero differ from a straight villain according to Jenkins?

The antihero is the protagonist whose goals are somewhat justified, retaining audience empathy despite unethical methods.

What does Stan Lee argue about characters with spider-powers who use them for evil?

They automatically become a supervillain, reinforcing that a selfless, prosocial mission is the defining moral separator between hero and villain.

What boundary does a character who changes size from sub-atomic to a 60-foot giant straddle?

The physical boundary between large and small, solid and fluid.

Why is understanding the 'social construction of identity' critical for business leaders?

Businesses must navigate, represent, and sell to a diverse society; failing to understand identity construction leads to alienated consumer bases.

What must a superhero's mission fit within according to Coogan?

The professed mores of society, meaning the hero's actions must align with what the culture considers 'good' or 'just.'