An ongoing series dedicated to the superhero. Host Umapagan Ampikaipakan takes an in depth look at how this uniquely American invention has grown, over the last century, to become a global cultural phenomenon and how this modern mythology has come to bear such an incredible influence over our collective cultures.
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Episode #4: Who Watches the Watchmen? (When We Last Left Our Heroes)
The Golden Age superheroes were pure escapist fantasies, a response to the great depression, they were modern day Gods who were motivated by altruism and an overwhelming desire to do good. They were characters that were aspirational. The were supposed to be the best of us. And, for the better part of a decade, they thrived. But in the 60s, everything changed. There was a stagnation in the art form. And the superhero needed a revival. Along came the postmodern superhero; a more naturalistic style of character with human failings, fears, and inner demons. This was the new wave.
Now in crafting the postmodern superhero narrative, there is but one undisputed master: Alan Moore. Miracleman, V for Vendetta, Promethea, Watchmen, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. The vast and varied works of Alan Moore are nothing less than landmarks in the history of comic books.
On this episode of When We Last Left Our Heroes, Umapagan Ampikaipakan, along with Annalisa Di Liddo, take an in depth look at the postmodern superhero, at the canonical work of Alan Moore, and how it inspires and intersects with contemporary popular culture.