1 / 17

Superheroes & the Great Depression

Superheroes & the Great Depression. “The difference between a hero and a coward is one step sideways.” ~ Gene Hackman. Superheroes & the Depression. Stock Market Crash of 1929. 10/24/1929 = Crash begins…banks do nothing 10/28/1929 = Fallout continues as prices continue to drop

madra
Download Presentation

Superheroes & the Great Depression

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Superheroes &the Great Depression “The difference between a hero and a coward is one step sideways.” ~ Gene Hackman

  2. Superheroes & the Depression

  3. Stock Market Crash of 1929 • 10/24/1929 = Crash begins…banks do nothing • 10/28/1929 = Fallout continues as prices continue to drop • 10/29/1929 = The market fell 43%...it is known as BLACK TUESDAY

  4. Four Factors of the Great Depression • OVER-EXPANSION…farmers produced too much…farmers would use the new equipment to grow better and more food without thinking of what over-production would do overall • DECLINING FOREIGN TRADE…America had high tariffs because they were trying to protect farmers and give them a market overseas for their goods

  5. Four Factors of the Great Depression • OVER-EXPANSION • DECLINING FOREIGN TRADE • AUTOMATION…America was becoming more and more efficient…business turned from people to machines…they could produce more goods more cheaply with a machine • MALDISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH…1% of the country had 90% of the wealth…there was a small group of wealthy people, a larger middle class, and a vast majority were pitifully poor

  6. Creating the First Heroes

  7. Superman • An influence on early Superman stories is the context of the Great Depression • The liberal perspective of creators Shuster and Siegel is reflected in early storylines • Superman took on the role of social activist, fighting crooked businessmen and politicians and demolishing run-down tenements

  8. Batman • The first Batman story, “The Case of the Chemical Syndicate,” was originally written in the style of the pulps • This influence was evident with Batman showing little remorse over killing or maiming criminals

  9. Black Widow • Madame Claire Voyant is a spirit medium who communicates with the dead through supernatural means • Satan gives her power to kill with a single touch of her fingers to the head • She later kills corrupt arms manufacturers and aids governments against the Nazis

  10. Captain America • Captain America was the alter ego of Steve Rogers • An intentionally patriotic creation who was often depicted fighting the Axis powers • Captain America was Timely Comics' most popular character during World War II

  11. Green Arrow • His secret identity is Oliver "Ollie" Queen, billionaire • In the late 1960s, however, writers chose to have him lose his fortune, giving him the then-unique role of streetwise crusader • Friends with the enigmatic female Japanese archer, Shado

  12. Wonder Woman • Created during World War II, the character was initially depicted fighting the Axis military forces • Some writers updated the series to reflect an ongoing "present day“ • Steve Trevor is re-introduced as a Vietnam War veteran

  13. Spiderman • The Spider-Man series broke ground by featuring Peter Parker, a teenage high school student • His "self-obsessions with rejection, inadequacy, and loneliness" young readers could relate • Marvel used Spiderman to issue a story dealing with the aftermath of the September 11th, 2001 attacks

  14. Iron Man • Anthony Edward "Tony" Stark is a wealthy industrialist and genius inventor who created military weapons • His metal suit is laden with technological devices that enable him to fight crime • Iron Man was a vehicle for Stan Lee to explore Cold War themes

  15. White Tiger • Created as a kung-fu master, White Tiger is the first Puerto Rican superhero in the history of comics • Discovered the tiger amulets that were formerly worn by the Sons of the Tiger • In his alter-ego, Ayala fought foes such as the Corporation crime cartel

  16. Gravedigger • Ulysses Hazard suffered from polio as a child, but was able to condition his body to an optimum with a regimen of exercise • Ulysses joined the army but found himself in a segregated military, in which all Black soldiers were put to work in menial units: burying bodies, supply delivery, or kitchen work

  17. After the White House… • 25 years of service to the Boys’ Club • Fed 300,000 children through the Polish Relief Commission • Traveled 35,000 miles through 38 countries in 57 days for Truman • Gave over 50 years of his life to public service

More Related