The superhero genre DOMINATES popular culture: superhero narratives in comics are some of the most widely consumed stories, and superhero films gross billions of dollars worldwide. Clearly, we all love the idea of swooping in to save the day... so much so that superheroes have become something of a global obsession !!

Join me for discussion with Dr Claudia Bucciferro (Rochester Institute of Technology, New York) as we unpack one of the most critically acclaimed superhero franchises of all time: X-men!!!

With 13 films released, the X-men media franchise is the 7th highest-grossing film series, and looking at superheroes through the lens of X-men offers opportunity for reflection on themes of otherness, difference, and intersectional identities. Why the series has been so successful? How is the mutant metaphor so malleable? And what is the ability of the genre to promote social change?

We also discuss the future of the superhero genre in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. In an era of social distancing and self-isolation, how inspiring are these empowerment fantasies of strength ? Will the superhero genre continue to draw in larger audiences than ever?

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