The rise of the superhero is one of the most significant cultural developments of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Since the debut of Superman in Action Comics #1 (April 18, 1938), superheroes have evolved from colorful comic-book figures into powerful global symbols that shape conversations about politics, morality, identity, technology, gender, race, mythology, trauma, and resistance. What began with the imaginative vision of Jerry Siegel (writer) and Joe Shuster (artist) has expanded into a worldwide phenomenon spanning comics, film, television, literature, gaming, digital media, and academic discourse.

 

The Superhero Symposium: Exploring the Cultural Significance of Heroes Across Texts and Cultures invites scholars, educators, students, artists, and fans to explore the enduring significance of heroes and superheroes across texts and cultures. This interdisciplinary symposium seeks to examine how heroes, especially superheroes, reflect societal anxieties and aspirations while simultaneously redefining concepts of justice, power, humanity, and even heroism itself. We welcome proposals (250-300 words) that engage with superheroes and other heroes through literary criticism, cultural studies, rhetoric, philosophy, psychology, media studies, mythology, history, pedagogy, gender studies, political theory, or related disciplines.

 

Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

• The evolution of the superhero genre

• Heroes/superheroes and mythology

• Race, gender, and representation in comics and film

• Trauma, identity, and the dual self

• Heroes/superheroes as political or ideological symbols

• Fan culture and participatory media

• Adaptation from comic page to screen

• Ethics, vigilantism, and justice

• Global heroes/superheroes and transnational narratives

• Teaching heroes/superheroes in the classroom

 

Along with presentations on our super theme, the symposium also welcomes traditional papers, roundtable discussions, creative presentations and readings, as well as multimedia projects. Join us as we examine the stories and symbols that continue to shape modern culture and redefine what it means to be heroic.

 

Proposal Due Date: Friday, November 20th, 2026

 

Proposal Email: pceaconference2027@gmail.com

 

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