The Avengers and Philosophy

An engaging look at the philosophical underpinnings of Earth's Mightiest Heroes

Avengers assemble! Tackling intriguing dilemmas and issues that no single great philosopher can withstand, this powerful book enlists the brainpower of an A-list team of history's most prominent thinkers to explore the themes behind the action of Marvel Comics' all-star superhero team.

• Arms you with new insights into the characters and themes of The Avengers
• Deepens your appreciation both of The Avengers comics and the Joss Whedon movie adaptation
• Answers the philosophical questions you've always had about Earth's Mightiest Heroes, including: Can a reformed criminal become a superhero? Can an android love a human? If a hero beats his wife, is he still a hero?
• Helps you think differently about the members of the superhero team—Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, and the others

This thought-provoking book will help you understand this band of superheroes better, whether you've followed the Avengers for years or are a Joss Whedon fan just getting to know them.

Was denken Philosophen über "The Avengers", die Superhelden der US-amerikanischen Comicserie des Verlags Marvel Comics? Antworten gibt dieses Buch und lässt das Superheldenteam in einem ganz neuen Licht erscheinen.

Introduction: Earth’s Mightiest Philosophers 1

Part One What Would An Avenger Do?

1 Superhuman Ethics Class with the Avengers Prime 5
Mark D. White

2 Shining the Light on the Dark Avengers 18
Sarah Donovan and Nick Richardson

3 The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Family 28
Jason Southworth and Ruth Tallman

Part Two Who Is An Avenger?

4 Superhero Identity: Case Studies in the Avengers 43
Stephen M. Nelson

5 I Am Made of Ink: She-Hulk and Metacomics 57
Roy T. Cook

6 The Self-Corruption of Norman Osborn: A Cautionary Tale 71
Robert Powell

Part Three Should the Avengers Do More Than Avenge?

7 Forgivers Assemble! 83
Daniel P. Malloy

8 Gods, Beasts, and Political Animals: Why the Avengers Assemble 98
Tony Spanakos

9 Cap’s Kooky Quartet: Is Rehabilitation Possible? 113
Andrew Terjesen

Part Four Do the Avengers Ever Go Too Far?

10 Fighting the Good Fight: Military Ethics and the Kree-Skrull War 131
Christopher Robichaud

11 Secrets and Lies: Compromising the Avengers’ Values for the Good of the World 142
Louis P. Melançon

12 The Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D.: The Problem with Proactive Superheroics 154
Arno Bogaerts

Part Five What Kind of World Do The Avengers Live In?

13 Can Kang Kill His Past Self? The Paradox of Time Travel 171
Andrew Zimmerman Jones

14 “No Other Gods Before Me”: God, Ontology, and Ethics in the Avengers’ Universe 183
Adam Barkman

15 Love Avengers Style: Can an Android Love a Human? 194
Charles Klayman

16 The Way of the Arrow: Hawkeye Meets the Taoist Masters 204
Mark D. White

Aooendix: Why Are There Four Volumes of Avengers? 217

Contributors: Avengers Academy 221

Series Editor:
William Irwin (Wilkes-Barre, PA) is a professor of philosophy at King's College. He originated the philosophy and popular culture genre of books as coeditor of the bestselling Simpsons and Philosophy.

Volume Editor:
Mark D. White (Staten Island, NY) is a professor in the Department of Political Science, Economics, and Philosophy at the College of Staten Island/CUNY, co-editor of Batman and Philosophy and Green Lantern and Philosophy, and editor of Watchmen and Philosophy and Iron Man and Philosophy.

Can a reformed criminal become a superhero?

What are the military ethics of the Kree-Skrull war?

Is Hank Pym morally responsible for Ultron's behavior?

Can Kang really go back in time and kill himself?

Can an android love a human?

Avengers assemble! Confronting your most essential philosophical questions about Earth's Mightiest Heroes, this powerful book will vanquish any confusion you may have regarding the many issues and conflicts involving your favorite band of superheroes and their crime-fighting adventures. Enlisting the help of an A-list team of history's most prominent thinkers including Aristotle, John Locke, and Immanuel Kant, this book tackles the dilemmas no single great philosopher can withstand, whether in The Avengers comics, film, or animated television series. Armed with the insights and reflections of these formidable minds, you'll understand Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, and the other members of Marvel's all-star superhero team as never before, no matter where the quest for justice leads them next.

To learn more about the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series, visit www.andphilosophy.com