Alaniz, Jose. Death, Disability, and the Superhero. The University Press of Mississippi, 2014. Print.
The book, Death, Disability, and the Superhero: The Silver Age and Beyond looks at the genre of superheroes from a disability theory. Alaniz discusses how during this era, the superhero started to become more vulnerable. Professor Xavier is discussed in this book as well. This book will help me trace the development of the superhero genre, and perhaps why they started to become more vulnerable during this era. Bradford Wright, "From Social Consciousness to Cosmic Awareness: Superhero Comic Books and the Culture of Self- Interrogation, 1968–1974," English Language Notes 46.2 (Fall/Winter 2008): 155-174—PDF Bradford discusses how the superhero genre often reflects the current social and political issues of what is happening during the time the comic is made. He traces the comic throughout history, and grapples with how it evolved into a more adult experience. This would contribute to my paper because I could explore Kirby’s intention of trying to reflect society standards. I could then question whether Kirby was ahead of his own time concerning disability studies. Reynolds, Richard. “Masked Heroes.” The Superhero Reader. Hatfield et. al. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2013. 99-113. Print. Reynolds sheds light on the superhero genre and how it has evolved throughout the years. He talks about seven components that make the superhero genre what it is. He discusses how to distinguish it from “regular” society. This would help my argument because professor Xavier does not fit all of these components, and it would show how he deconstructs this metanarrative. Rollin, Roger B. “The Epic Hero and Pop Culture.” The Superhero Reader. Hatfield et. al. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2013. 84-98. Print. Rollin discusses the way people think about comics and movies. They often see them as a means of “escape” from reality. He then questions the idea of what this escape really means. He defends comics in the sense that they should not be viewed in this way because it devalues their art. This could help my argument by pointing out that comics like X-Men can really reshape the way we think about society and how valuable this comic is.
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In the movie, X-Men: Days of Future Past, the character of professor Xavier is a very interesting one. We get introduced to Xavier when he was significantly younger when Wolverine goes back in time to try and stop Raven. Xavier can walk, but he has no powers. The reason why he can walk is due to the fact that he takes medication everyday. When we see Xavier taking his daily dose of his medication, it resembles that of an addict shooting up heroin in their own arm. Later on in the movie, he tries to save Raven but cannot due to the fact that he has no powers. He becomes frustrated, and decides to no longer take his medication in order to regain his powers and true self. When he stops taking this medication, he experiences many symptoms of relapsing that is similar to those of what a recovering addict would experience.
This is important to understand because the character of professor Xavier helps assist to deconstruct the metanarrative that we are use to seeing in regards to superheroes. He sheds new light on disability studies, and can cause us to look at superheroes differently. Even though he is not physically strong, he is mentally strong. Superheroes tend to be judged by their physicality, but we judge Xavier through his mental strength. For my paper, I want to argue that the character of professor Xavier has potential to help readers look at superheroes from a different lens. Even though superheroes have certain components to them, Xavier can help give voice to the people who are not abled. I still have not yet decided what I want to use for my primary source, however. |
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