Word count: 917 Brodman, B. Doan, J.E. (2013) The Universal Vampire: Origins and Evolution of a Legend, Fairleigh Dickinson University Press. p3-p4 In The Universal Vampire, The very history of the concept of Vampires is explored not only the classical appreciation of the beast as known and popularised by the Nosferatu or Dracula but historically comparable […]

Mathews, R. (2002) Fantasy: The Liberation of Imagination, Routledge. A useful way to begin learning about the genre and various franchises and successful or notable works of the fantasy genre, however I found that it was precisely that, an entry point rather than the in depth piece I was expecting. It was useful in helping […]

Hsieh, I.H. (2012) Filial Daughter, Woman Warrior, or Identity-Seeking Fairytale Princess: Fostering Critical Awareness Through Mulan. Children’s Literature in Education Journal, Vol 43, Issue 3, p213-222. This journal examines the the ways in which the tale of Mulan has been altered over time and distance. I found the idea that the tale as known by […]

Brodman, B. Doan, J.E. (2013) The Universal Vampire: Origins and Evolution of a Legend, Fairleigh Dickinson University Press. An in depth examination of the Vampiric tropes and history within legend and contemporary media as well as offering explanations for the success and longevity of the vampire. This text actually posits that the vampire is a […]

Mathe, N. (2018) “Are you Thor, God of Hammers?” – Mixing the Posthuman and Old Norse Mythology in Thor: Ragnarok, Caietele Echinox, Vol 34, p200-p206, Echinox Cultural Foundation. This article examines Thor from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and ignores his other depictions across the Marvel comic franchises etc. The points raised in this article are […]

Jonasen, P.K. Schmitt, D.P. Crysel, L. Webster, G.D. Li, N.P. (2012) ‘The Antihero in Popular Culture: Life History Theory and The Dark Triad Personality Traits’ Review of General Psychology, Vol 16, No. 2, p192-p199, American Psychological Association. I found the psychological breakdown of the dark triad of character traits not only fascinating but incredibly useful […]

Heit, J. (2011) Vader, Voldemort and Other Villains: Essays on Vader, Voldemort and Others in Popular Media, Macfarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers. A really rewarding examination of villains in pop culture, not only do these texts examine how evil is portrayed but also it’s necessity to our culture. This examination of these villains and evil […]

Packer, S. Pennington, J.W. (2014) History of Evil in Popular Culture: What Hannibal Lecter, Stephen King, and Vampires Reveal about America, ABC-CLIO, LLC. This text is quite the piece, covering pop culture from film and television to books and music. It was most useful in comparing the types of evil displayed from the intelligent and […]

David, C. Wright, Jr. Austin, A.W. (2010) Space and Time: Essays on Visions of History in Science Fiction and Fantasy Television, Macfarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers. This collection of essays was particularly useful for examining the range of possibilities in Science Fiction, with essays on Star Trek and the concepts of time in fantasy and […]

Kuchler, U. Maehl, S. Stout, G. (2015) Alien Imaginations: Science Fiction and Tales of Transnationalism, Bloomsbury Academic & Professional. I found this text particularly useful in relation to my reading on H.G. Wells and his use of science fiction for social commentary. This text focuses on using the concept of alien species as a substitute […]