Relationality and Masculinity in Superhero Narratives Kevin Lee Chiat Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies) with Second Class Honours
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i Being a Superhero is Amazing, Everyone Should Try It: Relationality and Masculinity in Superhero Narratives Kevin Lee Chiat Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies) with Second Class Honours This thesis is presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of The University of Western Australia School of Humanities 2021 ii THESIS DECLARATION I, Kevin Chiat, certify that: This thesis has been substantially accomplished during enrolment in this degree. This thesis does not contain material which has been submitted for the award of any other degree or diploma in my name, in any university or other tertiary institution. In the future, no part of this thesis will be used in a submission in my name, for any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution without the prior approval of The University of Western Australia and where applicable, any partner institution responsible for the joint-award of this degree. This thesis does not contain any material previously published or written by another person, except where due reference has been made in the text. This thesis does not violate or infringe any copyright, trademark, patent, or other rights whatsoever of any person. This thesis does not contain work that I have published, nor work under review for publication. Signature Date: 17/12/2020 ii iii ABSTRACT Since the development of the superhero genre in the late 1930s it has been a contentious area of cultural discourse, particularly concerning its depictions of gender politics. A major critique of the genre is that it simply represents an adolescent male power fantasy; and presents a world view that valorises masculinist individualism. In an attempt to challenge this critique, this thesis argues that relationality – an understanding of subjectivity that emphasises how interpersonal relationships are key to subject formation – is a key aspect of the genre, which also modifies its masculinist tendencies in significant ways. The key argument of this thesis is that the superhero genre is a space through which dialogues on masculinity and relational thinking take place amongst creators, readers and the broader public. The thesis also argues that the development of the genre has increasingly moved in the direction of modelling positive visions of masculinity and relational thinking. Primarily, the study relies on textual analysis, with a focus on the superhero comic book. The thesis explores key relationships modelled within superhero comics to make its argument. The first two chapters focus upon the figures of Batman and Spider-Man, examining the heroes’ personal relationships as well as the metatextual relationship between fan and superhero. The later chapters explore the evolution of the Superhero Team and the relationship dynamics between superheroes and the civilians they protect. Overall, this thesis seeks to add to the sub-field of superhero studies by adopting frameworks of gender and cultural studies to examine the underexplored relationality of superhero narratives, and the possibility that they model a more open and inclusive masculine ideal than is often acknowledged. To write the superhero comic off as a purely masculinist power fantasy demonstrates a lack of engagement with the ways in which stories within the genre have directly deconstructed these power fantasies. iii iv TABLE OF CONTENTS THESIS DECLARATION ...................................................................................................................... II ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................................... III TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................... IV ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS..................................................................................................................... V LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................................. VI “CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON”: INTRODUCTION TO SUPERHERO NARRATIVES, RELATIONALITY AND MASCULINITY ............................................................................................... 2 I AM BATMAN/I AM GOTHAM: THE DARK KNIGHT AS AN EXAMPLE OF GOTHIC SUBJECTIVITY AND RELATIONAL THINKING ............................................................................... 24 THE GOTHIC BATMAN ........................................................................................................................ 28 Gothic Origins .............................................................................................................................. 31 The Gothic Elements of Batman .................................................................................................. 35 Gothic Excess .............................................................................................................................. 44 THE RELATIONAL BATMAN .................................................................................................................. 48 Batman and Robin – The Dynamic Duo....................................................................................... 48 Batman and Superman – The World’s Finest Friendship/Rivalry ................................................. 58 Batman – The Team Leader ........................................................................................................ 68 BATMAN AND CARE ............................................................................................................................ 74 CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................................... 82 SPIDER-MAN’S TANGLED WEB: AN AUTO-ETHNOGRAPHIC REFLECTION ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPIDER-MAN AND HIS FANS ............................................................ 85 SPIDER-MAN AND ME......................................................................................................................... 87 THE OBJECTIVIST SPIDER-MAN VS THE LIBERAL SPIDER-MAN .............................................................. 91 SPIDER-MAN – THE YOUTH ICON ...................................................................................................... 102 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN - MY TEENAGE SUPERHERO .......................................................................... 117 AN ALL-NEW SPIDER-MAN ............................................................................................................... 124 CONCLUSION – THE SPIDER-VERSE .................................................................................................. 133 SUPERTEAMS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY ........................................................................... 137 JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA ......................................................................................................... 137 THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA ................................................................................................... 150 THE FANTASTIC FOUR ...................................................................................................................... 162 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................... 178 SUPERTEAMS OF THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY ..................................................................... 180 THE AUTHORITY .............................................................................................................................. 180 THE ULTIMATES ............................................................................................................................... 200 YOUNG AVENGERS .......................................................................................................................... 216 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................... 229 STREET LEVEL HEROES: COMMUNITY AND DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES IN SUPERHERO NARRATIVES................................................................................................................................... 232 WATCHMEN ..................................................................................................................................... 235 GOTHAM CENTRAL........................................................................................................................... 247 HAWKEYE ....................................................................................................................................... 269 “OPERATION: JUSTICE INCARNATE” CONCLUSIONS ON SUPERHERO CULTURE .............. 293 PRIMARY SOURCES ....................................................................................................................... 306 SECONDARY RESEARCH SOURCES ........................................................................................... 315 iv v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Firstly, I would like to thank and acknowledge my family. My Mum, Dad and brother Joshua. Thank you for the lifetime of support and love; even when I’ve made it difficult for you. I want to acknowledge and thank my supervisors; Dr. Chantal Bourgault du Coudray and Dr. Tauel Haper. Thank you so much for the years of support, the help with thinking through my ideas, editorial support and for helping me through the