e126. Reconstructing Deconstructed Superheroes

by Christopher "Mav" Maverick, Wayne Wise, Matthew Brake and A. David Lewis
September 7, 2020

Ever since the mid 1980s and the publication of Watchmen comics, their creators, and their fans, have been obsessed with the idea of “deconstruction.” Director Zack Snyder is extremely fond of the term. He argues that he is “deconstructing superheroes” every time he gets the chance. But what does that really mean? To most fans, it honestly probably means “there’s a bunch of murder in this book, a lot of destruction, and if we’re lucky, maybe a boob or two.” To many deconstruction means “grim and gritty,” and that’s it. But that’s not really accurate. On today’s show, Wayne and Mav are joined by Matthew Brake and A. David Lewis to talk about exactly what superhero deconstruction is, from its roots in the literary theory of Jacques Derrida through its modern usage in the comic book medium. And if we can deconstruct superheroes, then what does it mean to put them back together? Join us as we try to reconcile the popular usage of the term with the academic and discuss what we can really get out of superhero deconstruction anyway. Listen and then let us know what you think in the comments below.

Citations and Links:

This episode’s Call for Comments
The British Invasion! by Greg Carpenter
Supergods by Grant Morrison
The Planetary Omnibus by Warren Ellis
Zot! by Scott McCloud
How to Read Superhero Comics and Why by Geoff Klock
Revision and the Suphero Genre by David Hyman
Classics on Infinite Earths: The Justice League and DC Crossover Canon by Julian Darius
Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt vol. 1 by Kieron Gillen

Thank you to Maximilian’s thoughtForm Music for our theme
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