Stan Lee; who was the head writer of Marvel Comics in the early 1960s; co-created such popular heroes as Spider-Man; Hulk; the X-Men; the Fantastic Four; Iron Man; Thor; and Daredevil. This book traces the ways in which American theologians and comic books of the era were not only both saying things about what it means to be human; but; starting with Lee they were largely saying the same things. Author Anthony R. Mills argues that the shift away from individualistic ideas of human personhood and toward relational conceptions occurring within both American theology and American superhero comics and films does not occur simply on the ontological level; but is also inherent to epistemology and ethics; reflecting the comprehensive nature of human life in terms of being; knowing; and acting. This book explores the idea of the "American monomyth" that pervades American hero stories and examines its philosophical and theological origins and specific manifestations in early American superhero comics. Surveying the anthropologies of six American theologians who argue against many of the monomythrsquo;s assumptions; principally the staunch individualism taken to be the model of humanity; and who offer relationality as a more realistic and ethical alternative; this book offers a detailed argument for the intimate historical relationship between the now disparate fields of comic book/superhero film creation; on the one hand; and Christian theology; on the other; in the United States. An understanding of the early connections between theology and American conceptions of heroism helps to further make sense of their contemporary parallels; wherein superhero stories and theology are not strictly separate phenomena but have shared origins and concerns.
#3710845 in eBooks 2012-01-25 2012-01-25File Name: B00FJMTY2Y
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The Chicago Blues In Images Of AmericaBy Robin FriedmanThe Images of America Series offers short photographic histories of local American places. As the series website states in explaining the value of local histories in understanding the United States: "each town; city; and neighborhood of America has its own piece of the puzzle to offer when it comes to the bigger picture."Some of the histories in the series are much broader than local. Among them is this short photographic introduction; "Chicago Blues" (2014). The blues and Chicago blues have become integral parts of American culture. Chicago blues has a long; varied tradition and it has been the subject of long and continued study and scholarship.This book by Wilbert Jones is not a scholarly work; but it offers a good; moving overview of its background; places and people by a writer with a love for the music. Jones is a Chicago entrepreneur who has written soul food cookbooks and other Images of America books about African American Chicago. His book on the blues is written from the perspective of a blues lover more than a scholar.The book offers a good background to the Chicago blues. I found the first section of the book the most moving. Jones offers many photographs of the Mississippi Delta; its plantations; small towns; fields; juke joints; and people. Many performers who became famous in Chicago had roots in the Mississippi Delta and came to the city as part of the Great Migration. The book captures this move to Chicago well in pictures in a small space.The second part of the book similarly offers photographs of the lives the immigrants faced and made for themselves in Chicago. There are photographs of tenements; streets; boarding houses; churches; and nightclubs. The book shows places such as the Maxwell Street Market which became a haven for newcomers to Chicago and for the performance of the blues. Here again; the book gave me a feeling for the city and of the lives of the people who made; played; and loved the blues in "Sweet Home; Chicago."The final part of the book shows Chicago blues after the music had achieved worldwide recognition. It includes photographs and discussions of famous bluesmen and blueswomen even though many are through limitations of space; left out. The book shows further iconic blues sites in Chicago including Buddy Guys nightclub; Willy Dixons Blues Heaven Foundation; the former building of Chess Records; where many blues artists recorded; and the home of Muddy Waters. There is a brief discussion of the Chicago Blues Festival; the largest event of its kind in the United States. In sum; the book offers a good compilation of photographs of the origins; people; and places of the Chicago blues that introduces and that respects the music and that is probably not duplicated in longer studies.This is a fine book for what it does as part of a photographic series devoted to local American history. It shows something of the music and it celebrates its deserved place in American culture. The book reminded me of why I love the music -- as well as our country and the many different types of art and cultures it has encouraged. The book might encourage its readers to explore both the music and the Great Migration in more detail. A short bibliography for those moved to do so would have been a welcome addition to the book.Robin Friedman;1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Th thoroughly enjoyed the pictures and the dialog of this authorBy Garland FloydI have read this book cover to cover. Th thoroughly enjoyed the pictures and the dialog of this author. Its light and informative. I passed this on to my friend; Legendary Bluesman Eddy Clearwater. Eddy loved it and insisted on meeting this author. I think this is an effort by a person moved by a deep and lasting love of the culture and the music of the Blues. I would urge anyone who is interested in learning about the culture to read this book.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Jones shows you the Blues from the Backcountry to the Big City ...By Kevin M Sanders(This review is for the paperback; not Kindle version.)Welcome to a mini-pictorial history of Black folk and the Blues in Chicago. Across more than 120 pages of pictures and commentary; Wilbert Jones cooks up an archive of musical and immigration history in America; from the Mississippi Delta to Black Chicago. Although primarily paying homage to the Blues and its artists (Robert Johnson; Muddy Waters; Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup; Magic Sam; Koko Taylor; Big Bill Broonzy; Willie Dixon; and; obviously; many others); his visual voyage also highlights significant aspects of Chicagos jazz and gospel history; which are too often underplayed aspects of Black Chicagos seminal contributions to American culture.My only regret with Mr. Joness book was that it was not planned as a coffee-table size book. His sensitive craftsmanship would have been well served by such a larger hardcover tome that could be laid side by side with Wayne F. Millers excellent "Chicagos South Side 1946-1948."Nonetheless; "Chicago Blues;" a richly informative volume; should find a place in your library.