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Superheroes
  • ISSN: 2045-5852
  • E-ISSN: 2045-5860

Abstract

The television adaptation of , originally a comic book series written by Garth Ennis, has garnered attention for its graphic violence and satirical treatment of the superhero genre. engages with a number of critiques of the superhero genre and its tropes, one of which is the recurring presence of a Nazi supervillain. This article links to previous examples of comic books and screen adaptations which feature Nazis or similar fascist organizations, such as and . In particular, it argues that ’s status as a subversive superhero narrative impacts the portrayal of Nazism in new ways, further troubling the distinction between superhero and supervillain and providing insight into contemporary cultural concerns. Through its representation of the superhero origin story and the Nazi character Stormfront, draws upon the memories of the Second World War in order to condemn the rise of fascism in the twenty-first century. Despite this ostensibly worthy goal, it is also important to consider criticisms of this type of representation of the historically specific atrocities of the Second World War, the role of exploitation and its resulting reception by viewers.

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2023-08-02
2024-09-12
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/content/journals/10.1386/ajpc_00066_1
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  • Article Type: Article
Keyword(s): comics; exploitation; fascism; gender; satire; television

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