Race, War, and the Cinematic Myth of America: Dust That Never Settles

Eric Trenkamp's book explores why superheroes are so popular in American cinema, arguing that the genre perpetuates a subtextual myth about what it means to be an "American" in the contemporary world. He demonstrates how the image of the White male savior has evolved in Hollywood films, from the earliest silent Westerns to the modern day comic book genre, and how these films can act as propaganda to support dehumanizing U.S. policies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 180 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

In his book, Eric Trenkamp delves into a thought-provoking question that has lingered among American cinema enthusiasts for the past two decades: "Why is everything superheroes now?" It would be simplistic to categorize Hollywood's recent output of comic book movies as mere morality tales, as the reality is far more intricate. Trenkamp argues that the pervasive presence of the comic book genre in American culture perpetuates a subtle myth about what it means to be an "American" in the contemporary world. At the heart of this myth lies the image of the White male savior, which Hollywood has deemed as the ideal American hero. This book explores the evolution of this ever-changing portrayal of White superiority in American cinema, spanning from the earliest silent Westerns to decades of war films and culminating in the modern-day comic book genre. Through a provocative and engaging analysis of a diverse range of Hollywood films, Trenkamp uncovers the industry's history of popularizing White supremacy and its potential to serve as propaganda for supporting dehumanizing U.S. policies, both abroad and domestically. Scholars specializing in film studies, comic studies, genre studies, American studies, race studies, pop culture, and history will find this book invaluable.

Weight: 290g
Dimension: 230 x 154 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793647528