‘We Are Forever in Debt to the Dynamic Duo’: The Role of the Superhero in Gothic Science Fiction

Abstract

Given the long history of both Gothic and science fiction the Superhero is a relatively recent addition to the large and often complex genre of Gothic science fiction. Traditionally the Superhero was limited to the world of comic books — appearing in the worlds of Marvel and DC back in the 1930s. But more recently they have become the focus of many other forms of media with film and fiction now becoming real money spinners for the likes of ABC, CBS, Warner Bros and Sony Pictures to name but a few. On average there are several big Superhero blockbuster movies released each year, and it seems that the Superhero has achieved a place in modern consciousness and modern media that far exceeds almost any other genre or type of character. Put simply it seems that we can’t get enough of Superheroes, or the villains that they must defeat in order to save us from destruction.