Faculty Scholarly Dissemination Grants

Stan Lee Had a Dream: Race, Difference, and the Original X-Men

Department

Writing Department

College

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Date Range

2014-2015

Disciplines

Arts and Humanities

Abstract

Critics commenting on the original X-Men are quick to note the connection between the mutant group hated and feared by humans and the struggles of minorities during the 1960s. Yet, as appealing as it is to see X-Men creator Stan Lee as a crusader for equality and his stories as political statements, an analysis of the texts offers a less rosy picture. This paper will examine the ways in which the characters and typical themes actually sever the idea of difference from race, making that difference more familiar and less threatening. Ultimately, rather than a place in the vanguard, these texts remain on safe political ground.

Conference Name

Popular Culture/American Culture Association

Conference Location

New Orleans

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