This volume takes an interdisciplinary perspective when positioning the impact of hypermasculinity on toxic masculinity and the vilification of identities outside of hypermasculinity through several mediums and genres, including film, TV and print comic book literature. The focus lies on heroes within popular culture, and the book argues for a reconsideration of the hero in popular media through an analysis of representation of masculinity, the demonization of femininity, and LGBTQIA+ identities, providing examples of progress and new ways to conceptualise superheroism. By unpicking toxic masc ... More

This volume takes an interdisciplinary perspective when positioning the impact of hypermasculinity on toxic masculinity and the vilification of identities outside of hypermasculinity through several mediums and genres, including film, TV and print comic book literature. The focus lies on heroes within popular culture, and the book argues for a reconsideration of the hero in popular media through an analysis of representation of masculinity, the demonization of femininity, and LGBTQIA+ identities, providing examples of progress and new ways to conceptualise superheroism. By unpicking toxic masculinity and its effect on others, and comparing it to more positive forms of masculinity, the volume will help develop a broader understanding of how the sociological phenomenon of toxic masculinity and its participation in hegemonic masculinity presents itself in our culture, providing a platform on which calls for a more diverse presentation of creators, characters, and actors can be ideologically supported. This volume contributes to wider discourses concerning popular media’s advances and shortcomings in accommodating diversity.