Bøker av Valerie Estelle Frankel

This book analyzes Jewish themes, characters, and contributions in science fiction and fantasy of the post-Holocaust period, from the U.S., Europe, the Soviet Union, South America, and Israel. The author explores the ways in which comic books, parody films, and emerging literary subgenres contested prejudice and embraced counterculture.

In the beloved cartoon Avatar: The Last Airbender, Aang undergoes a deep otherworldly journey to become a leader, as he faces all he's buried and learns what it means to rise to the role of Avatar and spiritual guide. At the same time, paralleling him, is Zuko on the classic villain's journey. Just as battling Zuko teaches Aang, the reverse is true, until Aang's example shows Zuko how to find heroism. All the while, eastern symbolism, culture, myth and mysticism reflect their adventures. This exploration is a fun look at deeper meanings in the show and comics, for casual and devoted fans.

The beloved television show Bridgerton breaks racial barriers as it explores an alternate history in which biracial Queen Charlotte elevated people of color to dukes and earls, welcoming new perspectives in Regency London. Essays in this work examine in detail the hit Netflix series. Topics covered include Bridgerton's unique, racially conscious casting and its effect on common tropes and roles; the overt sexuality in the context of prim Jane Austen films and historical shows like Downton Abbey, Outlander, and recent nineteenth-century adaptations; dueling; art; manners; dress; social conventions; feminism; privilege; power; dreamcasting; colorism; and yes, the sex scenes.

A brave heroine whose quest involves living her true gender. A genderqueer knight who battles the transphobic court to save their prince. Often fearing discovers, the trans hero embarks on adventure, aided by an accepting mentor and other allies, and challenged by transphobic villains and sometimes uncomprehending family members. Ultimately, the trans hero triumphs, finding love, selfhood, and affirmation. This book takes Joseph Campbell's classic pattern of comparative mythology and applies it to trans and non-binary heroes in modern popular media who are traversing multiple worlds. Analyzed are works for the screen such as Steven Universe, The Matrix, The Umbrella Academy, Sense8, and Sandman; print materials such as DC and Marvel comics; and television, fantasy books, and graphic novels from trans and non-binary creators worldwide.

This book analyzes Jewish tropes in popular science fiction ranging from Star Trek and Marvel to other prominent franchises. Sometimes the representation is subtle and thought-provoking; other times, it is limited to cliche and oversimplification of characters. The chapters in this collection examine the representation of Jewish characters in films and franchises including Superman, Lord of the Rings, The Mandalorian, The Twilight Zone, and more to shed light on the broad range of representations of the Jewish experience in popular science fiction and fantasy.

The villain's journey is rare in popular culture--most characters are fully-formed tyrants with little to no story arc. This book examines the villain's decline and subsequent struggle toward redemption, asking why these characters are willing to cross moral lines that 'good' characters are not.

Science fiction first emerged in the Industrial Age and continued to develop into its current form during the twentieth century. This book analyses the role Jewish writers played in the process of its creation and development. The author provides a comprehensive overview, bridging such seemingly disparate themes and figures as the ghetto legends of the golem and their influence on both Frankenstein and robots, the role of, Jewish authors and publishers in developing the first science fiction magazine in New York in the 1930s, and their later contributions to new and developing medial forms like comics and film. Drawing on the historical context and the positions Jews held in the larger cultural environment, the author illustrates how themes and tropes in science fiction and fantasy relate back to the realities of Jewish life in the face of global anti-Semitism, the struggle to assimilate in America, and the hope that was inspired by the founding of Israel.

The original Star Wars trilogy follows Joseph Campbell's model for the hero's journey, making Luke Skywalker's story the new hero quest for a modern age. With the film saga complete, new story patterns have emerged as the hero's journey is imagined over and over. This book tracks the journeys of over 20 characters throughout the franchise.

In this in-depth analysis of female characters in superhero media, the authors begin by identifying ten eras of superhero media defined by the way they portray women. Following this, the various archetypes of superheroines are classified into four categories: boundary crossers, good girls, outcasts, and those that reclaim power.

Fan Phenomena: Harry Potter is a journey - yes, a magical one - through one of the largest fanbases of all time and its efforts to ensure that The Boy Who Lived would live forever.

Star Wars defined popular, big-screen science fiction. Still, what many viewers best recall is assertive, hilarious Leia, the diminutive princess with a giant blaster who had to save them all. As the 1977 film arrived, women were marching for equality and demanding equal pay, with few onscreen role models. Leia echoed their struggle and showed them what they could be. Two more films joined in, though by the early eighties, post-feminism was pushing back and shoving the tough heroine into her pornographic gold bikini. After a sixteen-year gap, the prequels catered to a far different audience. Queen Amidala's decoy power originates in how dominated she is by her massive royal gowns. This obsession with fashion but also costuming as a girly superpower fits well with the heroines of the time. The third wavers filled the screens with glamorous, mighty girls strong but not too strong, like the idealistic teen Ahsoka of Clone Wars. However, space colonialism, abusive romance, and sacrifice left these characters a work in progress. Finally, the sequel era has introduced many more women to fill the galaxy: Rey, Jyn, Rose, Maz, Qi'ra, Val, L3-37, Captain Phasma, Admiral Holdo, and of course General Leia. Making women the central warriors and leaders while keeping them powerful and nonsexualized emphasizes that they can share in the franchise instead of supporting male Jedi. There's also more diversity, though it's still imperfect. Hera and Sabine on the spinoff cartoon Rebels and the many girls in the new franchise Forces of Destiny round out the era, along with toys, picture books, and other hallmarks of a new, more feminist fourth wave for the franchise.

Over the past half-century Doctor Who has defined science fiction television. The women in the series - from orphans and heroic mothers to seductresses and clever teachers - flourish in their roles yet rarely surmount them. Covering all of the series - classic and new - this book examines the women archetypes in Doctor Who.

BBC's Orphan Black shattered conventions with one actress - Tatiana Maslany - playing a host of main characters. At the same time, it burst through the expectations of a crowd that anticipated male heroes and female victims. This volume provides an analysis of the series.

The heroine's journey echoes through ancient legend, as each young woman combats her dark side and emerges stronger. Of course, this quest is also a staple of the most American of mythologies - comic books. From Jessica Jones and Catwoman to the new superwomen of cutting-edge webcomics, each heroine must descend into the darkest place of all, not to become a warrior-hero but a saviour.

Enter the world of myth behind Outlander, from the Fair Folk and the Loch Ness monster to the magic and lore of standing stones and the pagan Sun Feasts that control them. Reach into the original legends of culture hero Fionn Mac Cumhaill and the prophecy of the Brahan Seer that inspire parts of the saga.

Exploring the universal heroine's journey as she quests through world myth, this book includes numerous stories from cultures such as Scotland and Africa to reveal heroines who battle for safety and identity, thereby upsetting popular notions of the passive, gentle heroine.

The worlds of Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, and other modern epics feature the Chosen One--an adolescent boy who defeats the Dark Lord and battles the sorrows of the world. Television's Buffy the Vampire Slayer represents a different kind of epic--the heroine's journey, not the hero's. This provocative study explores how Buffy blends 1990s girl power and the path of the warrior woman with the oldest of mythic traditions. It chronicles her descent into death and subsequent return like the great goddesses of antiquity. As she sacrifices her life for the helpless, Buffy experiences the classic heroine's quest, ascending to protector and queen in this timeless metaphor for growing into adulthood.