Religion and Myth in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Add to my list

by Michael D. Nichols

Type: Studies
Subject: Genre > Fantasy
Keywords: Marvel, religion, myth
Publishing date: 2021
Publisher: McFarland & Co
Language: English

Relative size

Physical desc.

Paperback • 208 pages
6 x 9 inches (15 x 23 cm)

ISBN

978-1-4766-8159-7

User Ratings

(0 vote)

Average rating:

0	rating	= We can do without
0	rating	= Good book
0	rating	= Excellent book
0	rating	= Unique / a reference

Your rating: -

Report incorrect or incomplete information

Book Presentation:
Breaking box office records, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has achieved an unparalleled level of success with fans across the world, raising the films to a higher level of narrative: myth. This is the first book to analyze the Marvel output as modern myth, comparing it to epics, symbols, rituals, and stories from world religious traditions. This book places the exploits of Iron Man, Captain America, Black Panther, and the other stars of the Marvel films alongside the legends of Achilles, Gilgamesh, Arjuna, the Buddha, and many others. It examines their origin stories and rites of passage, the monsters, shadow-selves, and familial conflicts they contend with, and the symbols of death and the battle against it that stalk them at every turn. The films deal with timeless human dilemmas and questions, evoking an enduring sense of adventure and wonder common across world mythic traditions.

About the Author:
Michael D. Nichols is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Cornerstone Integrated Liberal Arts program at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Press Reviews:
"This book contributes to a fuller understanding of what the first three phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, both as a whole and with its individual films, has accomplished"—Vince Tomasso, assistant professor of classical studies, Trinity College
"Deserves a place in classrooms to engage younger audiences studying folklore."—Journal of American Folklore

See the publisher website: McFarland & Co

> On a related topic: