Superheroes and American Self Image From War to Watergate

'Michael Goodrum has provided a fantastic resource on the historical evolution of American self-image in the twentieth century. Particularly striking is his deployment of superhero comics as a fun-house mirror that actively reworks American self-image, indicating how identities must be actualised in specific forms. By cutting back and forth between the political struggles and the superhero narratives of the time, Goodrum articulates the complex geopolitics of the twentieth century with verve and charm.' - Jason Dittmer, University College London, UK

'... a lucid and compelling narrative of the evolution of one subgenre of the comic book genre and how it interacted with American society and culture over a significant span of American history.' - John H. Barnhill, 49th Parallel