Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
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Comic-book superheroes have once again invaded America's movieplexes, with Batman and the Fantastic Four fighting the good fight in theaters.
Beyond their simple entertainment value is something more - much more, according to "Superheroes and Philosophy: Truth, Justice and the Socratic Way." The new book, which views superheroes through a scholarly but lively prism, is the latest in a series of "Philosophy and Popular Culture" books from Open Court Publishing.
The best superhero comics, editors Tom and Matt Morris write in their introduction, raise important questions as they entertain - issues ranging from personal and social responsibility to the importance of friendship and the notion of destiny.
Comic-book creators and fans with an intellectual bent and scholars with a passion for comics come together in "Superheroes and Philosophy."
Comic-book writer Mark Waid, known for his knowledge of all things Superman, delves deeply into the question of why the Man of Steel does what he does and finds an answer that surprises even him. Tom Morris, a former Notre Dame philosophy professor, examines how Daredevil's Catholic faith affects his crimefighting mission. James B. South, chairman of the philosophy department at Marquette University in Milwaukee, explores the quest for "moral perfectionism" by Barbara Gordon, the former Batgirl.
The book gets a bit repetitive, with too many essays exploring why superheroes choose to do good. The best chapters explore questions that obsessed comic-book fans tend to debate among themselves: Is Bruce Banner to blame for the actions of the rampaging Hulk? Which identity is Superman's "real" identity: Superman or Clark Kent?
It isn't always easing reading. You're forgiven if you stumble over lines such as, "Perdurantists aggregate temporal parts of individuals - they conceptually put together distinct temporal parts as parts of one ongoing thing - and in principle they can aggregate further." But don't be scared. Overall, it's a fun book - while offering enough food for thought to chew on for some time.
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A TRIO OF WARS: "The War of the Worlds" is raging not only on the big screen, but at your friendly neighborhood comic-book shop:
-Like the new movie, Best Sellers Illustrated's "War of the Worlds" ($13.99) is a modernized version of the H.G. Wells novel. Instead of Tom Cruise's Ray Ferrier, the main character is TV science-news reporter Geoff Wills, who becomes among the first to learn of the Martian threat and leads a group of feisty New Yorkers in confronting the invaders. The graphic novel is written by Stephen Stern, writer and creator of "Zen Intergalactic Ninja." The black-and-white art, which is dynamic in spots but seems rushed in others, is illustrated by Arne Starr, known for his work on DC's "Star Trek" comics.
-"Little Book of Horror: War of the Worlds" (IDW, $15.99) is an abbreviated but faithful retelling of Wells' classic tale - sort of the Reader's Digest version. It's the second in a series that pairs writer Steve Niles with various artists to revisit classic horror tales. Artist Ted McKeever, in full-page spreads that accompany Niles' prose, gives "War of the Worlds" a suitably nightmarish, feverish atmosphere; a few of the illustrations are not for the squeamish.
-Jack Lake Productions has published a special anniversary edition of the Classics Illustrated "War of the Worlds" comic from 1955. It's available in hardcover ($14.99) and softcover ($9.99) at www.jack lakeproductions.com.
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(Bill Radford writes for the Colorado Gazette. Contact him at comics(AT)gazette.com.)
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(c) 2005, The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.). Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service.
