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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 Smart Pop Books title.
Scroll down to
view all Smart Pop Comics titles.
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The Psychology of
Superheroes:
An Unauthorized Exploration
March 2008Edited by Robin
Rosenberg, PhD
Suggested Retail Price:
$17.95 US | $22.95 CAN
Special Smart Pop Price:
$14.36 US | $18.36 CAN
People love
superheroes—they love to read about them, and they love to watch them.
Superheroes have survived in comics for more than 70 years, and the
recent slew of superhero films (Spiderman, Batman, Superman, the X-Men .
. . ) have almost all been box-office successes. But what is it that
makes superheroes tick?
In The Psychology of Superheroes, almost two dozen psychologists
get into the heads of today’s most popular and intriguing
superheroes. Why do superheroes choose to be superheroes? Where does
Spider-Man’s altruism come from, and what does it mean?Why is there so
much prejudice against the X-Men, and how could they have
responded to it, other than the way they did? Why are super-villains so
aggressive?
From psychoanalyzation of specific superheroes to shrewd interrogations
of why superheroes strike such a chord in us, The Psychology of
Superheroes exposes the inner workings our heroes usually only share
with their therapists.
Contributors Include:
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Christopher Peterson
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Wind Goodfriend
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Robin Rosenberg
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Michael Spivey
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Robert Biwas-Diener
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Mikhail Lyubansky
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Bryan Jay Dik
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Peter Hancock
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William J. Ickes
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Chuck Tate
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Andrew R Getzfeld
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Siamak Naficy
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Stephanie DeLusé
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Bradley Daniels
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Christopher Patrick
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Kerri Johnson
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Robert Kurzban
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Robin Rosenberg, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and coauthor of
Abnormal Psychology, Fundamentals of Psychology, and
Psychology in Context. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. |
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Batman
Unauthorized: Vigilantes, Jokers, and Heroes in Gotham City
March 2008Edited by Dennis
O'Neil
Suggested Retail Price:
$17.95 US | $22.95 CAN
Special Smart Pop Price:
$14.36 US | $18.36 CAN
Edited by
sixteen-year Batman writer and Batman Begins novelization writer
Dennis O’Neil, Batman Unauthorized explores Batman, one of the
most recognized superheroes ever created. The iconic superhero, one of
DC Comics’s “Big Three,” Batman has survived through campy TV shows and
dark reinventions, through Adam West, Michael Keaton, and Christian
Bale.
Batman
Unauthorized: Vigilantes, Jokers, and Heroes in Gotham City
explores Batman’s
motivations and actions, and those of his foes covering the entire
Batman spectrum, from silly to solemn. Why is the Joker so good at
pushing Batman’s buttons? What does Batman’s technology say about the
times? Why are Batman’s villains crazier than average? And why is Batman
the perfect iconic American hero?
This collection of
essays and unique perspectives on Batman, creature of the night, more
about vengeance than justice, more plagued with doubts than full of
self-assurance, and more darkness than light is a must-read for fans.
Devoid of superpowers, but armed with skill, drive and a really
well-made suit, Batman is no Superman. Fans can be grateful for that.
Contributors Include:
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Dennis O’Neil
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Robert Brian Taylor
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Mike W. Barr
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Lou Anders
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Nick Mamatas
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Darren Hudson Hick
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Michael Marano
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Alan Porter
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Chris Roberson
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Paul Lytle
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Jake Black
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Mary Borsellino
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Robin Rosenberg
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Daniel Kimmel
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Alex Bledsoe
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John C. Wright
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Kristine Kathryn Rusch
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David Seidman
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Dennis O’Neil is a former comic book writer and editor for Marvel
Comics and DC Comics; wrote the novelization for the film Batman
Begins; and is the author of Batman: Shaman and Batman: Sword of
Azrael. He wrote the main Batman title in the 1970s and 1980s and is
the former group editor for the Batman family of books. He lives in
Nyack, New York. |
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Webslinger: SF and
Comic Writers on Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
March 2007
Edited by Gerry
Conway
Suggested Retail Price:
$17.95 US | $24.95 CAN
Special Smart Pop Price:
$14.36 US | $20.36 CAN
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.
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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
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Comic Book Culture author Matthew Pustz explains Spider-Man’s appeal as a hero for
the working class
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SF
writer Robert B. Taylor compares Raimi’s big-screen
interpretation to Brian Michael Bendis’s recent comic reboot and finds
Raimi significantly lacking
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SpideyKicksButt.com’s J. R. Fettinger imagines Spider-Man’s
future if Uncle Ben (or Captain Stacy, or even Ezekiel Sims) had lived
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Comic
writer Robert Greenberger asks why ultimate loner Spider-Man
spends so much time working with other people
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SF
writer Michael A. Burstein compares Peter Parker’s Forest Hills
home to the Forest Hills of his own childhood
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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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The Unauthorized
X-Men: SF and Comic Writers on Mutants, Prejudice and Adamantium
April 2006Edited by Len Wein,
Co-Creator of Wolverine
Suggested Retail Price:
$17.95 US | $24.95 CAN
Special Smart Pop Price:
$14.36 US | $19.96 CAN
From the beginning, X-Men's creators set out to offer not just a
fantastical comic book, but a social revolution with characters whose
core is stronger than their strength. At the heart of X-Men is the
metaphor of difference: how do ordinary humans cope with what sets them
apart from one another?
The Unauthorized X-Men looks
within the heart of the X-Men series and also at the external, and
sometimes controversial, topics the series tackles. Not only popular,
the X-Men series is important to its audience, as it addresses racism,
relationships, science and more.
From a letter to Magneto to gender in the X-Men series, from what the
writers did wrong to nostalgia over all that has been dead on, from
essays focused on the stars of X-Men to the X-Men series possibly being
Semitist, nothing is off limits in The Unauthorized X-Men. After four
decades the X-Men are still astonishing, shocking and entertaining fans,
and it's time to find out why!
Topics Include:
- Comic book and former X-Men writer
Joe Casey describes how his X-Men writing attempt and
subsequent failure led to the discovery of his own mutant kinship
- Science of the X-Men co-author
Karen Haber pleads for less explanation and more mystery, and
identifies the real difference between Dr. Xavier and his old friend
Magneto
- Science fiction writer Adam
Roberts explains what X-Men is really all about and what the
series has to do with a Roman poet named Ovid
- Literature and film scholar
Charlie W. Starr describes how Wolverine's appeal is so great
it's actually mythic
- Cultural critic Carol Cooper
traces the evolutions of Jean Grey, Storm and Kitty Pryde
CONTRIBUTORS INCLUDE:
- Len Wein
- Adam-Troy Castro
- Karen Haber
- Marie-Catherine Caillava
- Carol Cooper
- Christopher Allen
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- Charlie W. Starr
- Christy Marx
- James Lowder
- Keith DeCandido
- Joe Casey
- Robert Weinberg
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- Nick Mamatas
- Max More
- Lawrence Watt-Evans
- Adam Roberts
- Bob Skir
- Don Debrandt
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Len Wein is the co-creator of
the New X-Men. In his work for Marvel, Wein had a hand in the creation
of such classic X-Men characters as Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Colossus
and Storm, as well as writing for Amazing Spider-Man, Fantastic Four and
The Incredible Hulk. In addition, he has worked as Editor-in-Chief of
Marvel Comics, Disney Comics and Top Cow Comics, as well as Senior
Editor at DC Comics. |
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The Man From Krypton: A
Closer
Look at Superman
May 2006Edited by Glenn Yeffeth
Suggested Retail Price:
$17.95 US | $24.95 CAN
Special Smart Pop Price:
$14.36 US | $20.36 CAN
Boys want to grow up to be him and girls adore him.
He’s the ultimate superhero, the ultimate man and the ultimate
American icon. He’s as representative of America as baseball and apple
pie and he has entered the lives of millions for more than six decades
through comic books, the small screen and feature films. Yet, there is
much about Superman that has never been examined.
Until now.
In The Man From Krypton, leading writers discuss, debate and
celebrate the legend of Superman. Is Superman too violent? Is Lex Luthor
the world’s greatest villain? What has The WB done for the
Superman property? And is Superman even human? All these questions and
more are answered in this in-depth look at all things related to the Man
of Steel.
Funny, philosophical, insightful and personal, The Man From Krypton
explores every aspect of the Superman legend and is perfect for fans,
young and old, of America’s greatest superhero.
Topics Include:
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Lawrence Watt-Evans
explores Superman’s many issues, ranging from cleanliness to
loneliness
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He’s the Man of Steel, but just why can’t Superman find a
girlfriend? Larry Niven suggests some theories on Superman’s
constant trouble with women
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There have been many men to tackle the role of Superman over the
years, but who was the best one? Keith R.A. Candido offers
his opinion
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Lou Anders
compares the Man of Steel to the Caped Crusader. What does Superman
have in common with Batman and why has their relationship been
strained over the years?
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What could Superman be without the nagging presence of his
alter-ego, Clark Kent? John G. Hemry explains
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Is it possible for Clark and Lois to live happily ever after? Or
will a happy ending kill the adventure? Evelyn Vaughn finally
gives an answer
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Peter B. Lloyd
shows how Superman has morally evolved in a constantly changing
world
Contributors Include:
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Lou
Anders
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Bob Batchelor
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Adam-Troy Castro
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Keith
R.A. DeCandido
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Larry Dixon
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Steven Harper
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John G. Hemry
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David Hopkins
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Paul Levinson
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Peter B. Lloyd
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Paul Lytle
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Joseph McCabe
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Larry Niven
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Gustav Peebles
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Chris Roberson
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Evelyn
Vaughn
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Lawrence Watt-Evans
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Sarah Zettel
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