This paper was presented at the Superheroes Beyond conference held at ACMI, Melbourne, Australia from 6-8 December 2018. At the Superheroes Identity Symposium in 2016, I presented a paper on the conceptualisation of Felicity Smoak — a previously minor character on DC comics turned leading character on the CW’s Arrow — as a superhero, or […]
In the days leading up to the release of Crazy Rich Asians, I was fascinated by how the reviews were framing the film. There was plenty that remarked on how historically monumental it was, given its contemporary setting and all-Asian cast. Indeed it was. And yet, there were some that mused on the fantastical aspects […]
Earlier today Mashable published a features piece that looks at the ‘phenomenon’ of fans clamouring for the attention of their favourite celebrities by aiming to be the first person to respond to their tweets or Instagram post. The article points out that social media has created the illusion that fans can foster an intimate relationship […]