The Trans and Non-Binary Hero's Journey
Quests for Empowerment in Science Fiction and Fantasy
by Valerie Estelle Frankel and Dean Leetal
Average rating:
0 | rating | ![]() |
0 | rating | ![]() |
0 | rating | ![]() |
0 | rating | ![]() |
Your rating: -
Book Presentation:
A brave heroine whose quest involves living her true gender. A genderqueer knight who battles the transphobic court to save their prince. Often fearing discovery, the trans hero embarks on adventure, aided by an accepting mentor and other allies, and challenged by transphobic villains and sometimes uncomprehending family members. Ultimately, the trans hero triumphs, finding love, selfhood, and affirmation.
This book adapts Joseph Campbell’s classic pattern of comparative mythology and applies it to trans and non-binary heroes in modern popular media who are traversing multiple worlds. Analyzed are works for the screen such as Steven Universe, The Matrix, Sense8, and Sandman; print materials such as DC and Marvel comics; and television, fantasy books, and graphic novels from trans and non-binary creators worldwide.
About the authors:
Valerie Estelle Frankel teaches English at Mission College and San Jose City College. The author of more than 90 popular culture books and more than 100 stories and essays, she lives in Sunnyvale, California.
Dean Leetal was the first out non-binary person in Israel, and organizer of the first group and activist campaign. They are a teaching assistant at Kibbutzim College in Tel Aviv.
See the publisher website: McFarland & Co
> From the same authors:
Adapting Bridgerton (2024)
Essays on the Netflix Show in Context
Subject: One Film > Bridgerton (TV Series)
The Villain's Journey (2021)
Descent and Return in Science Fiction and Fantasy
Subject: On Films > Characters
Star Wars and the Hero's Journey (2021)
Mythic Character Arcs Through the 12-Film Epic
Wonder Women and Bad Girls (2020)
Superheroine and Supervillainess Archetypes in Popular Media
Subject: Sociology
Fourth Wave Feminism in Science Fiction and Fantasy (2019)
Volume 1. Essays on Film Representations, 2012–2019
Subject: Genre
Superheroines and the Epic Journey (2017)
Mythic Themes in Comics, Film and Television
Subject: Sociology
> On a related topic:
Robots That Love (2025)
Artificial Amours in Myth, Folklore, Literature, Popular Culture and the Real World
Subject: Genre > Science Fiction
Societies in Space (2025)
Essays on the Civilized Frontier in Film and Television
Dir. Gary Westfahl
Subject: Genre > Science Fiction
Pandemics, Authoritarian Populism, and Science Fiction (2023)
Medicine, Military, and Morality in American Film
Subject: Genre > Science Fiction
Industrial Society and the Science Fiction Blockbuster (2016)
Social Critique in Films of Lucas, Scott and Cameron
Subject: Genre > Science Fiction
From Utopia to Apocalypse (2010)
Science Fiction and the Politics of Catastrophe
Subject: Genre > Science Fiction
Science Fiction, Imperialism and the Third World (2010)
Essays on Postcolonial Literature and Film
Dir. Ericka Hoagland and Reema Sarwal
Subject: Genre > Science Fiction