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2007 Smart Pop Books
2003 & 2004 Smart Pop Titles |
2005 Smart Pop Titles |
2006 Smart Pop Books | 2008 Smart Pop Books
Books below and on the left are listed in order of pending or actual
publication date, starting with the most recent. Click on any of the
links directly on the left to view any title.
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Jack Bauer for President: Terrorism
and Politics in 24
December 2007
Edited by Richard
Miniter
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Special Smart Pop
Price:
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24
is one of the most gripping, dramatic, addictive shows on television,
and has been for more than five seasons. But how much of it is
realistic? And what does the show have to say about modern politics and
foreign policy in America’s fight against terrorism?
Jack Bauer for President: Terrorism and Politics in 24
looks at the way 24 reflects, distorts, and comments upon our
modern political landscape. Multiple sections take on the show’s images
of terrorism, the ethics and effectiveness of counterterrorism
practices, and government and politics. Does it take a terrorist to
fight a terrorist? How much do “the people” have a right to know in
life-threatening circumstances? How effective do we really want our
heroes to be?
With contributors drawn from fields like philosophy, psychology,
political science, counterterrorism, and others, Jack Bauer for
President uses our current political climate to enrich viewers’
experience of 24 . . . and 24 to enrich viewers’
understanding of our current political climate.
Contributors Include:
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Jeanne Cavelos
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Steven Rubio
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Brett C.
Patterson
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Paul Lytle
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Jim Rapoza
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Lorie Byrd
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Aaron Nelson
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Alan
Dershowitz
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Daveed
Gartenstein-Ross
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Kristine
Kathryn Rusch
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Eric Greene
Richard Miniter is the author of two New York Times
bestselling books, Losing Bin Laden and Shadow War, and is
an internationally recognized expert on terrorism. He lives in
Arlington, Virginia.
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The Psychology of Joss Whedon: Unauthorized Exploration of Buffy, Angel,
and Firefly
December 2007
Edited by Joy Davidson,
PhD
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First there was
Buffy the Vampire Slayer; then its spin-off Angel; then the
cult hit Firefly and its follow-up film, Serenity. They
all had two things in common: their creator, Joss Whedon . . . and their
surprising psychological depth.
Revisit the worlds
of Joss Whedon . . . with trained psychologists at your side. What are
the psychological effects of constantly fighting for your life? Why is
neuroscience the Whedonverse’s most terrifying villain? How can watching
Joss’s shows help you take on your own psychological issues?
It’s all the best
parts of Psych 101—without Professor Walsh.
·
Robert Kurzban
explains how Mal’s morals are a form of evolutionary pornography, and
why we like to watch
-
Thomas Flamson
explores free will in the Whedonverse—with prophecies, sacred
duties, and the long arm of the Alliance, does anyone actually have
any?
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Carole Poole
demonstrates how Buffy and Spike’s season six relationship could be
considered metaphor for narcissistic personality disorder—and
concludes that Buffy may have been better off continuing it
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Bradley J.
Daniels
looks at River’s
Alliance-altered brain, and the real effects of “stripping” the
amygdala
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Mikhail
Lyubansky
shows why,
psychologically, death really is Buffy’s gift
- And editor
Joy Davidson takes on Angel’s mommy issues—how the course of his
whole extraordinary existence can be traced back to the woman who
made him a vampire
Other contributors
include:
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Robert Kurzban
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Nicholas R. Eaton and Robert F. Krueger
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Tracy R. Gleason and Nancy S. Weinfeld
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Brian Rabian and Michael Wolff
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Wind Goodfriend
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C. Albert Bardi and Sherry Hamby
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Misty K. Hook
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Siamak Tundra Naficy and Karthik Panchanathan
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Stephanie R.
deLusé
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Ed Connor
Joy Davidson, PhD, is a psychologist, sex therapist, advice
columnist, speaker, and author who has written for Cosmopolitan,
New Woman, Family Circle, Men’s Fitness, Seasons,
and First for Women, to name a few. Dr. Davidson holds a
doctorate in clinical psychology and a masters degree in counseling
psychology. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an
AASECT certified sex therapist, as well a member of AASECT’s Board of
Directors. |
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House Unauthorized: Vasculitis, Clinic Duty, and Bad Bedside Manner
November 2007
Edited by Leah
Wilson
Suggested Retail Price:
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Special Smart Pop Price:
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What do you
get when you combine CSI science, the medicine of ER, and an
acerbic Vicodin addict with a cane? House, MD.
What do you
get when you bring together 24 writers to talk about the hot new
medical drama with more than 19 million loyal weekly viewers, and
encourage them to be as quirky and outrageous as the main character
of their favorite television show? House Unauthorized.
Inside:
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Bradley
H. Sinor
explores the possibility that Wilson is actually House’s
imaginary friend
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Shanna
Swendson
souses out the real reasons House hired Foreman, Cameron, and
Chase
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Glenn
McDonald
imagines House’s other callings: baseball player,
telemarketer, and heating and plumbing repairman
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Virginia Baker
looks at the real antipathy behind House’s cracks about Cuddy’s
clothing
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Craig
Derksen
presents a fool-proof guide to the characters’—and the
show’s—deceptions
-
And
Nancy Franklin explains why House’s “calls” are so much
better than everyone else’s
Gregory House
is the biggest mystery in modern medicine. House Unauthorized
puts him, and the show he anchors, on the exam table. The prognosis?
One heck of a good read.
Other contributors include:
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Steven Rubio
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Jill Winters
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Karen Traviss
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Geoff Klock
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Lois Winston
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Nick Mamatas
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Robert T. Jeschonek
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Linda
Heath, Lindsay Nichols, and Jonya A. Leverett
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Susan
Engel and Sam Levin
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Mikhail
Lyubansky and Elaine Shpungin
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James Gilmer
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Joyce Millman
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Donna Andrews
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Jillian Hancock
Leah Wilson graduated from Duke University with a degree in
Culture and Modern Fiction and is currently the senior editor at
BenBella Books in Dallas. Leah is the editor of Welcome to Wisteria
Lane: On America’s Favorite Desperate Housewives and the co-editor
on Mapping the World of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice: Science Fiction
and Fantasy Writers Explore the Bestselling Fantasy Series of All Time
and James Bond in the 21st Century: Why We Still Need 007.
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Serenity Found:
More Unauthorized Essays on Joss Whedon's
Firefly Universe
October 2007
Edited by "Mutant
Enemy" screenwriter Jane Espenson
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A lot has happened
since Finding Serenity. We learned River’s secret; Mal took on
the Alliance. Our favorite crew became Big Damn Heroes. And the
Browncoats proved that hard work, passion, and a little fan coordination
can do the impossible.
Serenity Found
takes the contents of Finding Serenity even further, exploring
not just the show but the events of the film as well, to create an
anthology that’s even more thought-provoking, fascinating, and
far-thinking than its predecessor.
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Acclaimed
science fiction author Orson Scott Card lauds Serenity
as film sci-fi finally done right
-
Writer and
comedian Natalie Haynes reveals the real feminist savvy of
the Firefly universe: the girls get the guns and the
gags
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Pop culture
critic Michael Marano connects damaged, ass-kicking River to
the other weaponized women of the Whedonverse
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Multiverse
executive producer Corey Bridges explains why the world of
Firefly is the perfect setting for an MMORPG
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Mutant Enemy’s
visual effects wizard Loni Peristere relates what he’s
learned from Joss about telling stories, and tells a story of his
own about Serenity’s design
-
Television
Without Pity recapper Jacob Clifton frames Serenity as
a parable about media: how it controls us, how we can control it,
and how to separate the signal from the noise
-
And Nathan Fillion, Firefly and Serenity’s
Captain Malcolm Reynolds, shares his affinity for Mal and his love
of Mal’s ship and crew.
Other contributors include:
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Jane Espenson
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Maggie Burns
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P. Gardner Goldsmith
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Shanna Swendson
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Eric Greene
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Alex Bledsoe
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Lani Diane Rich
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Natasha Giardina
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Ken Wharton
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Geoff Klock
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Bruce Bethke
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Evelyn Vaughn
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Jane Espenson
has been a television writer for the last 15 years. She has written
episodes of shows including Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Ellen,
Gilmore Girls, The O.C., and many others. She is
especially proud of her work on Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire
Slayer, Angel, and, of course, Firefly. She is
currently co-executive producer of Battlestar Galactica and has a
development deal with NBC/Universal Television.
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This is My
Funniest 2: Leading Science Fiction Writers Present Their Funniest Stories
Ever
October 2007
Edited by Mike
Resnick
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Special Smart Pop Price:
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Award-winning
science fiction writer Mike Resnick asked 29 of the genre’s most
side-splitting writers which of their stories was their favorite and the
responses became This is my Funniest, the hilarious anthology
that was so outrageous, so satisfying, that comic science fiction fans
wanted more!
Editor Resnick answers their plea with another collection of stories,
This is my Funniest 2. This time around there are new authors, new
stories, and new introductions that provide refreshing insight into the
authors’ stories, their writing, and themselves.
Discover the secret of the teaching staff at Effingdale High (tasteless
cafeteria food may be no accident). Prepare to be entertained by a few
Frankenstein-like monsters that seem to understand the Christmas spirit
better than their human masters. Cringe while Princess Karelia is forced
to kiss hundreds of frogs. And most of all, enjoy reading this
collection of laugh-out-loud essays from science fiction’s top comedic
writers.
Contributors include:
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Mike Resnick
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Rob Goulart
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Mercedes Lackey
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Janis Ian
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Jack Dann
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Gregory Benford
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Kevin J. Anderson
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Kay Kenyon
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Alan Dean Foster
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Tobias S. Buckell
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D. S. Moen
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Eric Flint
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Terry Busson
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Linda Dunn
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Dean Wesley Smith
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Sarah Hoyt
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Michael Bishop
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Chris Roberson
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Barbara Delaplace
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Michael J. Flynn
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Pat Cadigan
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Anthony R. Lewis
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Louise Marley
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Mike Resnick is the winner of five Hugos, as well as other major
awards in the USA, France, Japan, Spain, Croatia, and Poland, and
according to Locus currently stands fourth on the all-time award
list. He is the author of 52 novels, 200 short stories, 14 collections,
two screenplays, and has edited 44 anthologies. His work has been
translated into 22 languages.
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The Psychology of Survivor
August 2007
Leading Psychologists Take an Unauthorized Look
at the Most Elaborate Psychological Experiment Ever Conducted… Survivor!
Edited by Richard J.
Gerrig, PhD
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Survivor has proven to be one of
the most popular shows to ever hit television screens. What has this pop
culture phenomenon shown us – by placing a few hundred people on islands
around the world – about the psychological make-up of the average
American?
In Psychology of Survivor, the
third installment of BenBella Books’s Psychology of Popular Culture
series, leading psychologists – and fans of Survivor – unite to
offer up their expertise on the show that started the reality show
craze.
From why macho alpha males rarely win to
stress and body image, from situational ethics to the dreaded Rob
Cestaries factor, Psychology of Survivor is a broad look at
cutting-edge psychological issues through the lens of Survivor.
The tribe has spoken – Psychology of
Survivor is the best book for Survivor fans and psychology
enthusiasts alike!
Inside:
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How important are first impressions to
becoming the Sole Survivor? Benjamin Le, PhD, and
Gary Lewandowski, PhD, weigh in!
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Loneliness, hunger, lying – Anne
Moyer, PhD, examines the stresses of life as a Survivor
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How, after hundreds of reality show
variations, does Survivor manage to still hold our attention?
Amanda Dykema-Engblade, PhD, says arousal is the
reason
-
Survivor may be full of deceit,
shaky alliances, and back stabbing, but Renee Engeln-Maddox,
PhD, thinks it’s an ideal environment for positive body image
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Did Richard Hatch’s personality
help him outwit and outlast the rest of his tribemates? Vivian
Zayas, PhD, gives an answer
Editor
Richard J. Gerrig, PhD, is a professor of psychology at Stony Brook
University. He received his BA from Yale in 1980 and his PhD from
Stanford in 1984. Gerrig’s
primary research focuses on readers’
experiences of narrative worlds. He considers both the basic cognitive
psychological processes that enable readers to understand discourse and
the broader consequences of readers’ experiences of being transported to
narrative worlds. With Philip Zimbardo, he is the author of the
introductory textbook, Psychology and Life.
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Grey's Anatomy 101
August 2007
Seattle Grace, Unauthorized
Edited by Leah Wilson
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Class:
Grey’s Anatomy 101
Overview:
Grey’s Anatomy 101 is an upper-level class designed for fans of
the hit show Grey’s Anatomy. This course will explore the wild
popularity of the interns at Seattle Grace (and the doctors they sleep
with), as well as delve into Derek and Meredith’s relationship, Bailey’s
potential as feminist role model, Cristina’s drive to succeed, and what
it takes to write for a show like Grey’s.
Prerequisites:
A love of Grey’s Anatomy, a keen interest in McDreamy, and a
sense of humor are required.
Syllabus:
·
Women’s fiction writer Tanya Michaels forwards a new rule of
medicine (at least for Meredith Grey): First, do no tequila
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Television Without Pity recapper Erin Dailey recounts what she’s
learned from the gang at Seattle Grace: Don’t forget you’re
supposed to actually be treating patients; Do avoid sleeping with
your boss
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New York Times
bestselling romance author Carly Phillips explains why Derek and
Meredith owe Addison a thank-you card
·
Chick-lit writer Beth Kendrick considers why, at Seattle Grace,
scalpels and sippy cups don’t mix
·
Bestselling fantasy author Jacqueline Carey celebrates sex in
Seattle—especially the kind of sex we regret
·
Chick-lit writer Eileen Rendahl details Meredith’s concept of
safety in sluttiness, and why George really ended up with the
Syph
·
And
author Kevin Smokler looks at why 20 million of us watch
Grey’s Anatomy, and—more importantly—why now
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Perfectly Plum
June 2007
Unauthorized Essays on the Life,
Loves, and Other Disasters of Stephanie Plum, Trenton Bounty Hunter
Edited by Leah Wilson
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Can’t Get Enough of Stephanie Plum?
Plum the depths, and heights, of
Janet Evanovich’s bestselling series with Perfectly Plum.
Life
Was Stephanie always destined for life as
a disaster-prone bounty hunter? According to Bev Rosenbaum, it’s
pretty probable. Carole Nelson Douglas compares Stephanie’s life
to that of another gutsy, klutzy female icon: Lucy Ricardo. And Tanya
Michaels considers the reason why Stephanie sometimes seems to keep
running in circles.
Loves
Should Stephanie just settle down already
with Morelli? (Shanna Swendson sure thinks so.) Though maybe,
points out Nancy Tesler, she doesn’t have to choose between Joe
and Ranger at all. Or is Rex the hamster, as Rhonda Eudaly
suggests, the only man Stephanie really needs?
Other Disasters
Plum series audio book abridger Brenda
Scott Royce shares what she’s learned about Stephanie Plum’s success
at bounty hunting—and it’s not just luck. JA Konrath checks up on
Stephanie’s car insurance options. Karen Kendall nominates Ranger
for the role of Stephanie’s Fairy, er, Hairy Godmother. And
Natasha Fondren tosses aside her self-help books in favor of a new
up-and-coming inspirational guru: Lula.
Celebrating Stephanie and a whole cast of
supporting characters as colorful as the series’s covers, Perfectly
Plum is the perfect way to go “Plum Crazy” . . . and learn a little
more about Stephanie’s world in the process! |
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Coffee at Luke's
May 2007
An Unauthorized Gilmore Girls
Gabfest
Edited by Jennifer
Crusie
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Mother-daughter best friends Lorelai and
Rory Gilmore, laughing and sharing coffee at Luke’s: it’s been the last
scene of Gilmore Girls’s opening credits from the beginning. Men
may come and go (and come, and go), but coffee at Luke’s remains.
For seven seasons
Gilmore Girls’s appeal has transcended genders and generations with
its signature banter and irresistibly quirky characters. Now, Coffee
at Luke’s raises a glass to the citizens of Stars Hollow, animatedly
debating and discussing the show in true Gilmore fashion.
Sit down and stay
awhile; join the conversation.
Have some Coffee
at Luke’s.
On the menu:
-
Author
and mother Stephanie Lehmann analyzes Rory and Lorelai’s
relationship as “best friends first . . . mother and daughter
second,” and wonders whether Lorelai’s parenting philosophy is truly
a recipe for success
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City girl
and chick-lit author Heather Swain confesses which Stars
Hollow resident she’d leave the Big Apple for in a New York minute:
Kirk?
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Television Without Pity recapper and amateur economist Sara
Morrison pits the mom-and-pop shops of Stars Hollow against
real-world small town businesses—would Luke’s diner stand a chance
against an International House of Pancakes?
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Television writer Charlotte Fullerton takes first chair for
the defense in the most controversial case of the century: Emily
Gilmore’s
-
Pop
culture theorist Gregory Stevenson shows how the Gilmore
Girls best communicate . . . not with words, but with walnuts,
Danishes, and the occasional Friday Night Dinner pudding
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Entertainment Weekly’s Jennifer Armstrong explains why
successful Lorelai Gilmore may be her own worst enemy when it comes
to marital bliss
-
Plus . .
. “Coffee at Luke’s-isms,” a snarky guide to the pop
culture references used in the book
Jennifer Crusie
is a New York Times bestselling author whose novels include
Bet Me, Faking It, and Don’t Look Down (with Bob
Mayer). She is a frequent contributor to the Smart Pop series, and
editor of Flirting with Pride and Prejudice and Totally
Charmed. She holds an MA in women’s lit and an MFA in fiction. For
more information visit www.jennycrusie.com. |
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Neptune Noir
May 2007
Unauthorized Investigations into
Veronica Mars
Edited by Veronica Mars
Creator Rob Thomas
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“This is a must-read for Veronica Mars fans.”
—Rob Thomas
Neptune (n):
California home of teen sleuth Veronica Mars
Noir (n): Film
style characterized by moral ambiguity, corrupt authority . . . and a
tiny blonde armed with a quip and a taser?
Veronica Mars—both
the show and its titular lead—has won the hearts of a small but devoted
fanbase drawn to Veronica’s class-torn hometown, where the high-school
landscape echoes adult patterns of power and privilege and your best bet
for justice is a teenage girl and her private detective father. The show
is so snarky, so smart, and so savvy, that the detective show’s biggest
mystery is why more people aren’t watching.
This collection of
essays on the show’s first two seasons explores the noir roots of
Veronica’s blond locks, and the sharp writing and killer plot twists
that have catapulted Veronica Mars to the top of smart viewers’
must-watch list.
Inside:
-
Neptune Noir editor and Veronica Mars creator Rob
Thomas recounts how Veronica Mars saved his soul, not to
mention his career
-
Psychologist Misty Hook is in love with LoVe—and she tells us
why Veronica Mars wouldn’t be half the show it is without
Logan and Veronica’s epic romance
-
Watcher Junior editor Lynne Edwards confesses to sneaking
around behind Buffy’s back with another California blonde, and
explains what Veronica does for her that the Slayer can’t
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Television Without Pity’s Couch Baron, John Ramos, outlines
all the reasons Veronica lies—and why we can’t help but forgive her,
every time
-
Author
Evelyn Vaughn posits Veronica as the love child of Raymond
Chandler . . . and Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw
-
Pop
culture theorist Geoff Klock analyzes the plot structure of
“Leave It to Beaver,” one of the best television season finales ever
written
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And
Salon.com’s TV writer Heather Havrilesky hits on the real
reason for Veronica’s cool: she’s the epitome of that cynicism to
which every high schooler aspires
Rob Thomas
is the creator and executive producer of the critically acclaimed film
noir, teen detective drama Veronica Mars. Thomas also produced
and created the short-lived television series Cupid, wrote
scripts for television shows Dawson’s Creek and Space Ghost
and the film Drive Me Crazy, and has written several novels for
young adults.
SAVE VERONICA MARS! For more
information, visit
saveveronicamars.tv!
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The Psychology of Harry Potter
May 2007
An Unauthorized Examination of the
Boy Who Lived
Edited by Neil
Mulholland, PhD
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Harry Potter on the Couch . . .
Harry Potter has
provided a portal to the wizarding world for millions of readers, but an
examination of Harry, his friends, and his enemies will take us on yet
another journey: through the psyche of the Muggle (and wizard!) mind.
The twists and turns
of the series, as well as the psychological depth and complexity of J.
K. Rowling’s characters, have kept fans enthralled with and puzzling
over the many mysteries that permeate Hogwarts and beyond.
Now, in The
Psychology of Harry Potter, leading psychologists delve into
the ultimate Chamber of Secrets, analyzing human mind and motivation by
examining the themes and characters that make the Harry Potter books the
bestselling fantasy series of all time.
Grab a spot on the
nearest couch, and settle in for some fresh revelations about our
favorite young wizard!
Explored Inside:
-
Do the Harry Potter books encourage
disobedience? Melanie Green looks at resisting social
influence—the Hogwarts way
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Why is everyone so fascinated by
Professor Lupin? Siamak Tundra Naficy traces the evolution
and psychological impact of the werewolf myth, from ancient times to
today
-
What exactly will Harry and his
friends do when they finally pass those N.E.W.T.s? Shoshana D.
Kerewsky, Psy.D., and Lissa Joy Geiken, M.Ed.,
take Hogwarts to task for not providing adequate career counseling
to ease students’ anxiety about the future
-
Is Harry destined to end up alone? And
why did it take Ron and Hermione so long to get together? Wind
Goodfriend, Ph.D., explores attachment styles and how they
affect romantic relationships
-
Do even wizards live by the ticking of
the clock? Peter A. Hancock and Michelle K. Gardner
examine the nature of time
-
Jessica Murakami looks at the
role of madness and other mental illnesses in Harry’s world and our
own
Neil Mulholland,
Ph.D.,
was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland. He is presently a senior
psychologist in child and family psychiatry at the Glenrose
Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton, Canada, and consults for several
health teams in the region. He also runs a small private practice for
kids and adults, where he often uses Harry Potter as a therapeutic tool.
Dr. Mulholland graduated from Arizona State University in 1979 after
spending 10 years in the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico. He then
returned to Vancouver, Canada, and spent 20 years there before moving to
the prairies of Alberta. According to the online quizzes, he’s a bit of
a Mr. Weasley. |
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Halo Effect
April 2007
An Unauthorized Look at the Most
Successful Video Game of All Time
Edited by Glenn Yeffeth
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You’re the lone survivor of a genetically
engineered race of super-soldiers, trying to save humanity before it is
destroyed by the alien Covenant. You’ve got a voice in your helmet, a
potentially genocidal robot on your ship, and enemies on your tail.
But then you put down
the controller. You haven’t been at war, you’ve simply been consumed by
Halo, the first-person shooter that transformed the landscape of
gaming when Microsoft released it in 2001.
Halo: Combat
Evolved, along with its sequel, shattered sales records and swept
gamers deep into a fictional galaxy full of danger and deceit. Millions
of players stepped up to the controls of the Pillar of Autumn
with the Master Chief, captivated by the graphics, storyline, and
innovative gameplay.
Now, in The Halo
Effect, science fiction authors, scientists, critics, and even
fellow gamers explore Halo’s hold on players and its influence on
the world of gaming.
What’s behind the
helmet of the superhuman Master Chief is a mystery. What’s behind
Halo is the story of the most popular video game of all time.
-
Even the U.S.
military makes time for Halo—Peter A. Smith and
Alicia Sanchez reveal how the armed forces use video games to
train our troops
-
David Thomas
defends the popularity of Halo against high-brow critics
-
How would Halos
actually exist in space? Kevin R. Grazier, Ph.D.,
explains the science behind the science fiction
-
Do you ever
really have to grow up and set gaming aside? Paul Kix tells
of one gamer who makes his living from playing Halo
-
Science is more
closely tied to religion than we thought—and Charlie W. Starr
tells us how Halo is a prime example
-
Forgotten
something about 343 Guilty Spark? Wondering what forms the Flood
takes? Daniel Barbour has the answers for casual to hardcore
gamers in his comprehensive appendix
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Webslinger: SF and
Comic Writers on Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
March 2007
Edited by Gerry
Conway
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Get caught in Spider-Man’s web!
From humble comic beginnings to blockbuster feature films, Peter Parker
and his alter ego Spider-Man have fascinated fans for decades. Whether
catching thieves like flies, quipping at villains from Doc Ock to the
Green Goblin, and struggling with his guilt over Uncle Ben’s death, on
the big screen or on the page, his appeal is undeniable.
Webslinger
explores what
makes Spider-Man worthy of his wild popularity, drawing from both
40-plus years of comics and the first two feature films to gain insights
into Peter Parker’s psyche. With wit, intelligence, and an uncanny
spider-sense, Webslinger’s essayists show us just what it is
about the Amazing Spider-Man that makes his struggles resonate so deeply
with so many.
·
Spider-Man novel writer Keith R. A. DeCandido explains why he’d
turn down Superman’s dinner invitation for Spider-Man’s any day of the
week
·
Comic Book Culture author Matthew Pustz explains Spider-Man’s appeal as a hero for
the working class
·
SF
writer Robert B. Taylor compares Raimi’s big-screen
interpretation to Brian Michael Bendis’s recent comic reboot and finds
Raimi significantly lacking
·
SpideyKicksButt.com’s J. R. Fettinger imagines Spider-Man’s
future if Uncle Ben (or Captain Stacy, or even Ezekiel Sims) had lived
·
Comic
writer Robert Greenberger asks why ultimate loner Spider-Man
spends so much time working with other people
·
SF
writer Michael A. Burstein compares Peter Parker’s Forest Hills
home to the Forest Hills of his own childhood
·
And
movie critic Michael Marano explains why Spider-Man is a monster
. . . and what that may teach us about ourselves
Gerry Conway
has worked in comics since the age of 16 and is best known in Spider-Man
circles for scripting the death of Gwen Stacy and for his co-creation of
the Punisher. In addition, Conway has written several novels and worked
in both film and television as a writer and producer. He lives in Los
Angeles.
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