![]() | Captain America, Masculinity, and Violence: The Evolution of a National Icon Subjects: America Captain (Fictitious character); Superheroes in literature; Masculinity in literature; Violence in literature; Comic books strips etc. -- United States -- History and criticism; Since 1940, Captain America has battled his enemies in the name of American values, and as those values have changed over time, so has Captain America's character. Because the comic book world fosters a close fan-creator dialogue, creators must consider their ever-changing readership. Comic book artists must carefully balance storyline continuity with cultural relevance. Captain America's seventy-year existence spans from World War II through the Cold War to the American War on Terror; beginning as a soldier unopposed to offensive attacks against foreign threats, he later becomes known as a defender whose only weapon is his iconic shield. In this way, Captain America reflects America's need to renegotiate its social contract and reinvent its national myths and cultural identity, all the while telling stories proclaiming an eternal and unchanging spirit of America. J. Richard Stevens is assistant professor in media studies at the University of Colorado Boulder. |
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