From 1985 to 1995, Mark Gruenwald was the head writer for Captain America. During this decade, Gruenwald wrote some of the most essential stories in Captain America's history and guided the comic through an eventful period of both world history and comic book history. This book dissects the influence of the world at large on Gruenwald's stories and the subsequent influence of Gruenwald's work on the world of comics. The book's ten chapters discuss a wide range of topics including the generational tensions inherent in a comic about a G.I. Generation hero, written by a baby boomer, for an audience of Gen Xers; the enduring threat of the Red Skull and the never-ending aura of World War II; the rising popularity of vigilante characters during the '90s; and how Captain America fits into the war on drugs and its "just say no" mentality. Set against the declining American patriotism of the 1980s and 1990s, this book places special emphasis on the symbolism of the most American of superheroes.

The idea of a heavenly double—an angelic twin of an earthbound human—can be found in Christian, Manichaean, Islamic, and Kabbalistic traditions. Scholars have long traced the lineage of these ideas to Greco-Roman and Iranian sources. In The Greatest Mirror, Andrei A. Orlov shows that heavenly twin imagery drew in large part from early Jewish writings. The Jewish pseudepigrapha—books from the Second Temple period that were attributed to biblical figures but excluded from the Hebrew Bible—contain accounts of heavenly twins in the form of spirits, images, faces, children, mirrors, and angels of the Presence. Orlov provides a comprehensive analysis of these traditions in their full historical and interpretive complexity. He focuses on heavenly alter egos of Enoch, Moses, Jacob, Joseph, and Aseneth in often neglected books, including Animal Apocalypse, Book of the Watchers, 2 Enoch, Ladder of Jacob, and Joseph and Aseneth, some of which are preserved solely in the Slavonic language.

Eighty years ago, as the free world was threatened by fascism, a Super Hero was created to boost morale, offering a symbol of hope. Created by master storytellers Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, Captain America wore the colors of the bold red, white, and blue of the American flag. This deluxe volume explores Captain America's adventures decade by decade as he is reinvented in the 1960s by Kirby himself and Stan Lee to become a modern symbol of justice. With vintage art from the Marvel vaults and profiles of the creators behind the icon, this special tribute presents a unique guide to one of Marvel's most enduring heroes.

Peter Coogan's 'Superhero: The Secret Origin of a Genre' unravels the evolution of superheroes. Discover the history, powers, and hero-villain dynamics in this concise, engaging read for comic fans and scholars.

The final installment in Shandril’s Saga sees the fledgling spellfire-mage get one more chance to escape those who wish to claim her power All Shandril Shessair ever wanted was a taste of adventure—but she received much more than a mere taste. Now the wielder of a rare magic that could destroy the world, Shandril has enemies watching her every move, devising ways they can steal her power. Chased across the Realms by wizards, warriors, and priests more evil than she can imagine, Shandril’s last hope is to find refuge in the city of Silverymoon. The Gem of the North is known far and wide for its magic—and for being a sanctuary for those who use their power for good. If Shandril can just make it to the city's gates, will she finally be saved?

The first look at the philosophy behind the Captain America comics and movies, publishing in advance of the movie release of Captain America: The Winter Solider in April 2014. In The Virtues of Captain America, philosopher and long-time comics fan Mark D. White argues that the core principles, compassion, and judgment exhibited by the 1940’s comic book character Captain America remain relevant to the modern world. Simply put, "Cap" embodies many of the classical virtues that have been important to us since the days of the ancient Greeks: honesty, courage, loyalty, perseverance, and, perhaps most importantly, honor. Full of entertaining examples from more than 50 years of comic books, White offers some serious philosophical discussions of everyone’s favorite patriot in a light-hearted and accessible way. Presents serious arguments on the virtues of Captain America while being written in a light-hearted and often humorous tone Introduces basic concepts in moral and political philosophy to the general reader Utilizes examples from 50 years of comics featuring Captain America, the Avengers, and other Marvel superheroes Affirms the value of "old-fashioned" virtues for the modern world without indulging in nostalgia for times long passed Reveals the importance of the sound principles that America was founded upon Publishing in advance of Captain America: The Winter Soldier out in April 2014.

What happens when a world's greatest heroes are left without a world? The late, great Mark Gruenwald's final Squadron Supreme saga sees the super heroes save their universe, only to be ejected from it in response! In the more mainstream Marvel Universe, mind control and manipulation put them both against and alongside the Avengers, but the greatest shock comes when they return to their home universe and see just how it's been saved without them! Featuring material from the critically acclaimed Kurt Busiek/ George Perez run of Avengers! Collects Squadron Supreme: Death Of Universe, Thor #280, Avengers #5-6, Avengers/Squadron Supreme Annual '98 & Squadron Supreme: New World Order

Andrei A. Orlov examines the tradition about the seventh antediluvian patriarch Enoch, tracing its development from its roots in the Mesopotamian lore to the Second Temple apocalyptic texts and later rabbinic and Hekhalot materials where Enoch is often identified as the supreme angel Metatron. The first part of the book explores the imagery of the celestial roles and titles of the seventh antediluvian hero in Mesopotamian, Enochic and Hekhalot materials. The analysis of the celestial roles and titles shows that the transition from the figure of patriarch Enoch to the figure of angel Metatron occurred already in the Second Temple Enochic materials, namely, in 2 (Slavonic) Enoch, a Jewish work, traditionally dated to the first century CE. The second part of the book demonstrates that mediatorial polemics with the traditions of the exalted patriarchs and prophets played an important role in facilitating the transition from Enoch to Metatron in the Second Temple period.

A controversial, declassified novel about African American men involuntarily subjected to the US War Dept.'s "Super soldier" project covering the time from the Pearl Harbor attack in the Second World War to the present. It reveals the tragic sacrifice made by a black infantry unit for its country.