Superheroes, Orphans and Origins: 125 Years in Comics

Orphans and abandoned children are common characters in comics and graphic novels, often facing challenges that even superpowers cannot overcome. Superheroes, Orphans & Origins: 125 Years in Comics explores the representation of these characters in sequential art over the past 125 years, including examples from Little Orphan Annie, Superman, and Batman. The book examines how care-experience is depicted in these stories from various perspectives and encourages a new way to experience comics.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Unicorn Publishing Group

Many of the most inspiring characters in comics and graphic novels began their epic journeys as orphaned or abandoned children. In these stories, the loss of a parent inflicts challenges that even superpowers cannot easily resolve. For over a century and millions of readers, the comic strip has been a space in which this narrative has been continuously reimagined. Superheroes, Orphans & Origins: 125 Years in Comics offers a richly illustrated and thought-provoking exploration of the representation of orphans, foundlings, adoptees, and foster children in sequential art. Surveying 125 years of creative practice and an international cast of characters, this book examines how care-experience is depicted in early comic strips like Little Orphan Annie, celebrated superhero narratives including Superman and Batman, and popular Japanese manga, among other examples. The complex issues and identities that feature in these stories are considered from a variety of perspectives, ranging from art historical to activist. Contributing authors include Lemn Sissay, MBE, and award-winning artists Carlos Giménez and Lisa Wool- Rim Sjöblom, all drawing inspiration from their own experiences in care. Bringing together critical essays, candid conversations, and outstanding artwork, this book encourages a new way to experience comics. This book is published on the occasion of the first major exhibition to focus on the representation of care experience in comics, produced by the Foundling Museum in London (April – August 2022).

Dimension: 240 x 196 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781914414244