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The State of the Genre - September 2022 Panel Discussion

On the cusp of its 85th anniversary and globally dominant in pop culture, is the superhero genre still ascendant or is there imminent danger of oversaturation? This session provides the opportunity for all SUPER delegates to air their thoughts and identify the current concerns of discourse. All views welcome!

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Friday 9th September 2022

13:30

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Danny Graydon and Torsten Caeners

14:00

Session 1: FRAGMENTATION & ARCHETYPES (Chair: Torsten Caenars)

1. Danny Graydon (University of Hertfordshire) The Ring of Steel: Fragmentation as Reinforcement in the Myth of Superman

2. Alex Van Ommen (Independent) Fragmentation of the Metanarrative: Captain America as a man out of time

3. Aanchal Vij (University of Sussex) “American God” to a Soviet Superman: Exploring the Cathartic Function of Counterfactual Narratives.

15:30

Coffee Break

16:00

SESSION 2: FRAGMENTATION & THE MCU (Chair Mikayla Laird)

1. Torsten Caeners (University of Duisburg-Essen) The Haunting of Achievement – The Tension between Unity and Fragmentation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

2. Vincent Gaine (Lancaster University) Liminal Bodies as Sites of Fragmentation and Evolution in the MCU

3. Eva Thury (Drexel University) “I am your father, Tony”: Walt Disney and the Stark Expo in the Neo-Baroque Narrative of Iron Man.

18:00

Dinner


Saturday 10th September 2022


09:00

SESSION 3: FRAGMENTATION & INTERTEXTUALITY (Chair: Danny Graydon)

1. Irene Zarza Rubio (University of York) “We are Not Gods”: Intertextuality and Fragmented Mythologies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

2. Daniel J. Connell (Independent) To Gaze Upon the Infinite Remainder is Death – Intertextual Entropy Wears a Cape & Will Never Stop Punching You in the Face.

10:00

Coffee Break

10.30

SESSION 4: FRAGMENTATION & IDENTITY (Chair: Robert Hyland)

1. Ashika Paramita (Deakin University) “Not my Captain America!”: Race and National Identity in Captain America: Sam Wilson (2015) (VIA ZOOM)

2. Owen Farrington (Edge Hill University) “Sometimes it takes dyin' to teach a fella how to live”: A comparison of the fragmentation and reassembling of identity in Kraven's Last Hunt and Batman: Noël.

3. Laura Crossley (Bournemouth University) The Star-Spangled Man: Race, Patriotism and Identity in the Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)

12:00 to 13.00

Lunch

13:00

SESSION 5: FRAGMENTATION & SUPERVILLAINY (Chair: Eva Thury)

1. Teresa Forde (University of Derby) WandaVision: Cultural and Visual Fragmentation of the Female Superhero/Villain (VIA ZOOM)

2. Mark Hibbett (University of Arts London) The Fragmented Supervillain: Dimensions of Doctor Doom

14:00

SESSION 6: FRAGMENTATION OF EXHIBITION (Chair: James Taylor)

1. Robert Hyland (Queen’s University) Diversification; Saturation: The Impact of Disney and Marvel’s Marketing Strategy on the China Film Market.

2. Bruno Porto (Tilburg University) Writer, Penciller, Inker, Colourist, Letterer …. Who Makes it to the Cover? Authorship and Credits in Superhero Comics. (VIA ZOOM)

3. Carl Wilson (Independent) From DLC to NFT: The Digital Franchising and Fragmentation of Spider-Man. (VIA ZOOM)

15,30

Coffee Break

16:00

SUPER VI GROUP DISCUSSION: STATE OF THE GENRE

On the cusp of its 85th anniversary and globally dominant in pop culture, is the superhero genre still ascendant or is there imminent danger of oversaturation? This session provides the opportunity for all SUPER delegates to air their thoughts and identify the current concerns of discourse. All views welcome!

18:00

Dinner


Sunday 11th September 2022


09:00

SESSION 7: FRAGMENTATION & THE BATMAN (Chair: Dan Connell)

1. Joao Senna Teixeira (Federal University of Bahia) From Multiples to One: Pan-Batmanism in Grant Morrison’s Run (VIA ZOOM)

2. Marco Favaro (University of Bamberg) Flesh and Scars – The Role of Pain and Bodies in the Creation of Identity and Meaning

10.00

Coffee Break

10:30

SESSION 8: FRAGMENTATION & GENRE DYNAMICS (Chair: Laura Crossley)

1. James C. Taylor (University of Warwick) “Or is he Both?”: (Re)connecting the Superhero and Horror genres in The Immortal Hulk.

2. Caleb Turner (Richmond University) Negotiating the Fragmented Stereotypes, Genre Hybridity and (Resisting) ‘Superhero Fatigue’. (VIA ZOOM)

3. Mikayla J. Laird (University of Hertfordshire) The Fractured Tabula Rosa: The Continual Cycle of Reboot and Retroactive Continuity of the DC Universe.

12:00

Lunch

13:00

CLOSING SESSION: Closing Remarks / Publications (Super Cultures IV) / Introducing: The International Society of Superhero Studies / SUPER VII Dates for 2023 / Q & A

14:00

Conference Ends

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS

The Superhero Project: 6th Global Meeting

“THE FRAGMENTED SUPERHERO”

Friday 9th to Sunday 11th September, 2022.

Hotel Moers Van Der Valk (Moers, Germany)

“Who are you in this vast multiverse, Mr. Strange…?” – The Ancient One, Doctor Strange (2016)

The superhero genre has evolved far, far beyond its origins in the late 1930’s within American comics as disposable entertainment for young children. Eighty-four years after the debut of Superman in Action Comics #1, the superhero today represents one of the dominant discourses of global popular culture, embodied via thousands of characters worldwide negotiated in and through all types of media.

Alongside successive incursions into multiple media over the last eight decades – notably cinema, where Christopher Reeve’s Superman (1978-1987) or Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man (2008-19) are seen to have provided “quintessential” portrayals of their respective characters – the superhero has also negotiated significant expansions of their audience via exposure to multiple generations and an increasingly broad age range of target groups.

With the genre’s evolution and diversification having significantly accelerated since the turn of the millennium, generating a vast diversity of creative expressions, the superhero discourse has to contend not only with highly different and often conflicting expectations directing the character’s various portrayals but also stringent demands regarding their alignment with real world issues. Consequently, this has resulted in an increasing fragmentation within the genre.

While the superhero genre has negotiated fragmentation throughout its history, the genre’s current status as a dominant example of global popular culture has exacerbated these tendencies and processes. This in turn has allowed the discourse to adapt meaningfully to a globalized postmodern world that is itself characterized by continuous processes of economic, social, technological, communal as well as individual fragmentation.

Identity can be seen as a core arena for such fragmentation within the superhero genre, given the centrifugal tensions between the superhero’s crime-fighting persona and their civilian alter-ego that provide the basis of teeming narratives. Fragmentation provides the basis – and can be employed as an analytical framework for – the investigation of individual identities such as Batman and The Joker in White Knight (2017-18) or the array of intertextual versions of a single character, as seen in the Spider-Man series Spider-Geddon (2018). Yet, this can also extend into political and communal identities (Captain America: Civil War), gender identities (Loki, Captain Marvel), race and ethnicity (the Miles Morales incarnation of Spider-Man, Falcon), Capitalism and Technocracy (Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark) and family (Superman, Black Widow).

Fragmentation is also a direct consequence of the superhero genre’s formidable transmedial presence. Serialised superhero narratives now occupy such a wide array of media platforms, the characters and story worlds are spread far and wide intertextually, leading to a mosaic presence and distinct facets via medium, be it comics, video games, social media etc. The recent cinematic release of Spider-Man: No Way Home and forthcoming releases of The Flash and Dr Strange In The Multiverse of Madness indicate a rise in combining fragmented story worlds

For its sixth edition, The Superhero Project invites inter-disciplinary discussion on the theme of “The Fragmented Superhero”. From a broad understanding of the concept of fragmentation, indicative themes for discussion in the context of the superhero discourse across all media and prior decades may include but are not limited to:

· Processes and effects of fragmentation in/and Identity

· Disguise as a means and an expression of fragmentation

· Fragmentation in the Context of Sexuality, Gender and Ethnicity

· Fragmentation and Adaptation

· Fragmentation as / and Deconstruction

· Fragmentation and Globalisation

· Patriotism

· Fragmentation and Postmodernity

· Social Responsibility / Cultural Diagnosis through Processes of Fragmentation (individual, social, genre, etc.)

· Processes and effects of fragmentation in the context of Diversity and Inclusion

· Fragmentation and / in Fan Cultures and Audiences

· Fragmentation in / through Cross- and Transmedia

· Fragmentation and Mythology

· Fragmentation via Intertextuality

What to Send:

300 word abstracts should be submitted by Monday 28th February, 2022 to the following e-mail addresses: d.graydon@herts.ac.uk and torsten.caeners@uni-due.de .

E-mails should be entitled: SUPER VI Abstract Submission.

Abstracts should be submitted simultaneously to both Organising Chairs; abstracts should be in MS Word formats with the following information and in this order: a) author(s), b) affiliation as you would like it to appear in programme, c) email address, d) title of proposal, e) body of proposal, f) up to 10 keywords.

Accepted proposals will be notified by Monday March 14th , 2022.

We acknowledge receipt and answer to all proposals submitted. If you do not receive a reply from us in a week you should assume we did not receive your proposal, If this is the case, please do resend to both e-mail addresses. We believe it is a mark of personal courtesy and professional respect to your colleagues that all delegates should attend for the full duration of The Superhero Project: 6th Global Meeting. If you have any questions, the Organising Chairs will be only to happy to assist.

Organising Chairs:

Danny Graydon (University of Hertfordshire): d.graydon@herts.ac.uk

Torsten Caeners (University of Duisburg-Essen): torsten.caeners@uni-due.de

Important Update from The Superhero Project - Change of Location

Dear Super-Friends:


We hope this finds you well!

Since 2019, The Superhero Project has had a wonderful home at The Wolfsburg in Mülheim an der Ruhr in Germany. We have held, suitably, a trilogy of truly splendid and dynamic global meetings devoted to all areas of scholarly discourse relating to the superhero genre, with dozens of papers presented with clarity and academic rigor by delegates from around the globe.

The energized discussions that emerged from the conference panels continued well into the night at the Wolfsburg’s cistern via an abundance of good beer and fine wine, which made the conference even more special, providing a strong and hugely enjoyable social element that has become a hallmark of The Superhero Project.


Sadly, the Wolfsburg has been unable to offer us spot on its schedule for next year and this has necessitated the search for a new venue for The Superhero Project. Happily, we are pleased to announce that we have found a new home for our growing enterprise in the Van der Valk Hotel in nearby Moers (https://moers.vandervalk.de/en).


Therefore, the next conference – The Superhero Project: 6th Global Meeting – will take place at the Van der Valk Hotel in Moers, Germany, from Friday 9th to Sunday 11th Sept, 2022.


Rest assured, our efforts to find a new location for the conference were primarily driven by a desire to stay wholly true to the spirit of our project and find a venue that could facilitate a professionally-run academic conference while also offering the social and communal amenities akin to our very pleasant experience with The Wolfsburg. We think you’ll agree that The Van der Valk ticks all these boxes and is easy to get to either via public transport or by car.


Changing location does, of course, also bring about changes in structure and organization. So, what can you expect for SUPER VI?

1) The Call for Papers will henceforth be released earlier in the year, with the CFP for SUPER VI scheduled to be released the week of 10 January 2022.

2) Abstract submission, evaluation and acceptance/rejection will be concluded by early April, 2022.

3) Per the new financial arrangement with the venue, Conference Fees will have to be paid by the end of May 2022.

4) As past delegates are aware, the Wolfsburg offered reduced prices due to being subsidized as a church-owned venue. Obviously, the Van der Valk does not offer the same reductions. Consequently, the conference fee will rise by about €100 - €150 (sans conference dinner) compared to last year. Having looked at many venues as part of our relocation efforts, we can assure you that this is the cheapest we could find while maintaining our usual quality.

5) The more expensive fees, however, do reflect an array of benefits for our delegates. The rooms are, as you’ll see, more stylish and offer more amenities. We will also be able to offer a wider range of food options and also snacks in our coffee breaks.

6) A significant benefit comes with an altogether more atmospheric and culturally-rich locale, as the Van der Valk is located next to the medieval town of Moers which offers a plethora of opportunities for shopping, sight-seeing or simply strolling around. Our conference dinner will be at the local Irish pub in the center of Moers.


The Superhero Project is growing and the Steering Group feels that our new location at The Van der Valk will facilitate that growth while maintaining – indeed, augmenting - the convivial and memorable experience that delegates have come to expect from us.

We are always exceedingly humbled by the very kind words you extend to us after each conference passes and it’s a sincere thrill knowing that we have fostered such enthusiasm in our delegates, whether new or returning. We are wholeheartedly dedicated to maintaining this at every opportunity.


SUPER VI marks the start of a new era for our conference and we look forward to welcoming many of you to The Van der Valk in September 2022 for a sixth round of intellectual engagement and, as is simply glorious tradition at this point, some monstrously late nights at the bar…


With very best wishes to you all and, as ever… ACADEMICS ASSEMBLE!


Danny & Torsten

Conference Schedule for SUPERV

Greetings all!

We hope this finds you well. With Superhero V just a few short weeks away, we are proud to post the conference schedule for you all. It is sure to be a fantastic conference, with a wide array of amazing papers. We look forward to seeing you all soon!

Mikayla J. Laird

The Superhero Project: Fifth Global Meeting - Conference Schedule

Friday 10th to Sunday 12th September 2021

We would like to welcome delegates to the Fifth Global Meeting of The Superhero Project and very much hope you enjoy what has become a vibrant showcase of diverse scholarly perspectives from around the world! We are proud to have created an ongoing and dedicated (and vigorously social!) space for the exploration and celebration of the superhero genre in all its forms and thank you for both your contributions and support.

Up, Up and Away...!


Friday 10th September 2021


14:00

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Danny Graydon and Torsten Caeners


14:15

Session 1: SUPERHERO DYNAMICS

  1. Danny Graydon (University of Hertfordshire): “The Son Becomes The Father, And The Father Becomes The Son…”: Parenthood As An Evolution of The Superman Mythology

  2. Sara K. Ellis (Meiji University): From Farm to Tablet: Superman as the Great Provider.

  3. Alex Van Ommen (Independent Researcher): Captain America as a vessel for American Cultural yearning.


15:45

Coffee Break

16:00

SESSION 2: EXISTENTIAL SUPERHEROES

1. Torsten Caeners (University of Duisburg-Essen): “Is this an old Message?” – Ant-Man’s Ghostly Return and The Marvel Cinematic Universe as a Hauntological Space.

2. Rafael Alves Azevedo (Technical University of Dresden): "In Heaven, there are no pearly gates, but instead revolving doors" Geoff Johns, Death and Resurrection in New Sincerity Comics

3. Matthias Keidel (Independent): Don't Mess With the Devil! Is there a devil in human form at the Daredevil Netflix series?


18:00

Dinner



Saturday 11th September 2021

08:30

SESSION 3: FORM & FUNCTION

1. Mikayla J. Laird (University of Hertfordshire): “Because He’s My Father, You Idiot”: Batman as Literal and Figurative Father Figure to the Dark Age of Comics.

2. Nicholas T. James (Morehead State University) "Only You Can Save the World! You Must (Not) Read this Comic!" Reader Agency in Narrative Completion in Grant Morrison's Multiversity.

3. Bruno Porto (Tilburg University): The Variant Cover.


10:00

Coffee Break

10:15

SESSION 4: SUPERHEROES & OTHERNESS

1. Martine Klein (University of Duisburg-Essen): Vanya Haargreeves - Negotiating the depiction of bisexuality and supernatural abilities for future superhero representations.

2. Ranhild Salzer (University of Vienna): An early exercise in progressive action? Black Power Masculinity and Marvel Comics' Black Panther.

3. Ashika Paramita (Deakin University): "Make Comics Great Again": Discourse of Otherness in Alt-Hero


12:00

Lunch

13:00

SESSION 5: SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

1. Kristin Aubel (TU Dortmund): With Great Power Comes Social Responsibility: Precarity in Marvel's Spider-Man (2018) and Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales (2020)

2. Marco Favaro (Universitat Bamberg): Dystopic Heroes: Exploring the possibility of heroism in the dystopias, from Alan Moore to WandaVision.

3. Jessica Hoffman (University of Duisberg-Essen): Perfect Imperfect (Anti-) Heroines: Harley Quinn and the Birds of Prey.


14:30

Coffee Break

14:45

SESSION 6: DIVERSITY OF HEROISM

1. Caleb Turner (Richmond University): Super White Lies: Power, Privilege, Post-Truth and (Caucasian) Heroism Onscreen.

2. Yago Paris (Eotvos Lorand University): Diversity and the Super heroic Figure: Studying Frozen's Elsa as a Superheroine.

3. Eva M. Thury (Drexel University): Katabasis in The Boys as an expression of the Progressive Age of the Superhero.


16:15

Coffee Break

16:30

SESSION 7: VIOLENCE & PROPAGANDA

1. Rory Bines-Morris (University of Warwick): Military Marvel: Reading Captain Marvel as Propaganda for the US Military.

2. Daniel J. Connell (Independent): "That was diabolical!" - Ultraviolence, Hypermasculinity and Depravity in The Boys.

3. Svenja Kolpack (University of Duisburg-Essen): "There is no Man like me" - Loki as the Embodiment of the Medieval Vice.


18:00

Dinner



Sunday 12th September 2021

8:30

SESSION 8: SUPERHEROES AT WAR

1. Robert Hyland (Queen's University): Big in Japan: Giant Monsters and Cold War Rhetoric in Japanese Superhero text.

2. Rabeb Touihri (American Studies): American National Identity through the Lens of the Superhero and the Supervillain in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)


09:30

Coffee Break

09:45

SESSION 9: TEXTUAL MANOEVURES

1. Laura Antola (University of Turku): Marvel Studio's WandaVision as the Ultimate Transmedial Text.

2. Stefanie Dullisch (University of Dusseldorf): Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation from Traditional Genre Conventions

3. James C. Taylor (University of Warwick): The Strangest Continuity of All: Traversing Timelines in the X-Men Films.

11.15

Coffee Break

11:30

SESSION 10: SUPERHEROES & TRANSMEDIA

1. Carl Wilson (Independent) Do you Wish to Save or Delete Your Progress?: Representation of DC Comic Book Women in Contemporary Video Games.

2. Daneil Trottier and Sarah Young (University of Rotterdam): The Superhero and the Digital Vigilante

3. Irene Zarza Rubio (University of York): WandaVision: a Tale of Fan Theories.

13.00

Closing Remarks / Publishing

13:30

Conference Ends