Confrontations and exchanges of virtue ethics
A study of dialectical friendship between superman and batman in comic books
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22003533 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Manatchai Amponpeerapan (National Institute of Development Administration), Jaray Singhakowinta (National Institute of Development Administration, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2022 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 408-431 |
| Publication date | 2022-05-04 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Graphic Novels & Comics (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2150-4857 • E-ISSN: 2150-4865 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/21504857.2021.1925719 |
| OpenAlex | W3173233611 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 23 |
In the superhero genre, there has arguably not been any heroic partnership that is more oxymoronic than that of Superman and Batman, for both characters simultaneously are ‘enemies’ with opposing ethics and ‘best friends’ who trust each other with their lives. As such, this study applied a mixed methodology based on the Dialectical Theory of Friendship (DTF) and Critical Narrative Analysis (CNA) to analyse communications, images, and implications of Superman-Batman relationship and identify it as a reflection of friendship and ethical exchanges between American men. Purposive samples of 96 (74.21%) comic books from a total of 128 issues of Superman/Batman and Batman/Superman were analysed. The quantitative results show that the protagonists exhibited ‘expressiveness’, ‘judgment’, ‘affection’, and ‘freedom to be dependent’ patterns in communication, thereby revealing openness and directness in friendship. The qualitative results highlight that the protagonists used these patterns to create an intimate bond instead of destroying it. This study expands upon literature in the superhero genre. It argues that the Superman-Batman dichotomy embodies the image of postmodern heroes who seek mutual relationship despite ethical differences; the belief that may solve or lessen socio-political issues and polarisation in real life
Aesthetics · Affection · Art · Art history · Comics · Dialectic · Epistemology · Friendship · Literature · Narrative · Social science · Sociology · Superman · Virtue · Comics and Graphic Narratives · Narrative Theory and Analysis · Philosophy · Psychology · Shakespeare, Adaptation, and Literary Criticism · Social Psychology
You Just Don't Understand
Aristotle and the Philosophy of Friendship
We have experienced a tragedy which words cannot properly describe’
Japan's emerging role as a 'global ordinary power
Critical narrative analysis
Superhero History
Holding Out for a Hero
Ulrich Beck, `Risk Society' and the Media
Styling the worker
Relationship Maintenance Strategies and Dialectical Contradictions in Personal Relationships
The Melting Pot
America's Melting Pot Reconsidered
Living in the world risk society
| Highly cited | No |
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