(R)Evolution of the Television Superhero: Comparing Superfriends and Justice League in Terms of Foreign Relations

The archetypical character of the superhero has time and again taught readers and viewers about the values and behaviors needed to become a positive force for society. As superhero narratives are passed down and developed over time, much has been written on how these comics have changed, and have reflected the political and social values of each era. Unfortunately, little has been written on the portrayal of superheroes on television and what changes have taken place since the early days of superhero cartoons. This is surprising as the superhero genre has the ability to reach a much larger audience through television than the printed comic. A closer examination of television's portrayal of superheroes will reveal important information about how American values have been portrayed over time. The focus of this study is to analyze how American values regarding foreign policy are portrayed. Adapted from the source document.