Gendered Defenders

<div> <p><i>Gendered Defenders: Marvel's Heroines in Transmedia Spaces</i> delivers dynamic and original analyses of how women perform in super heroic spaces. Contributors from a range of disciplinary perspectives-communications international relations cultural and media studies English history and public policy-take on Marvel's representations of women and gender to examine how relations of power are (re)produced understood and challenged. Through vivid retellings of character-based scenarios these essays examine Carol Danvers Jessica Jones Ms. Marvel Shuri Pepper Potts Black Widow and Squirrel Girl across media forms to characterize and critique contemporary understandings of identity feminism power and gender. Collectively <i>Gendered Defenders</i> challenges notions about female identity while illuminating the multidimensional portrayals that are enabled by the form of speculative fiction. Making explicit the connections between women's lived experiences and the imagined exploits of superheroines contributors explore how these pop culture narratives can help us understand real-world gender dynamics and prepare pedagogical political and social strategies for dealing with them. Contributors: Bryan J. Carr Meta G. Carstarphen Julie A. Davis Rachel Grant Annika Hagley Amanda K. Kerhberg Gregory P. Perreault Mildred F. Perreault CarrieLynn D. Reinhard Maryanne A. Rhett Stephanie L. Sanders J. Richard Stevens Anna C. Turner Kathleen M. Turner-Ledgerwood Robert Westerfelhaus</p> </div>