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Comic Book Superheroes

Why are we so fascinated with the likes of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman - the superheroes which populate our cinema screens and comic-books?

Why are we so fascinated with the likes of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman - the superheroes which populate our cinema screens and comic-books? These modern, mythical, magical titans emerged from 20th century comic books but they鈥檙e descended from ancient heroes鈥� Hercules and Odysseus, the Nordic Thor, the Babylonian Gilgamesh. Today they help keep film companies afloat by inspiring billion dollar blockbusters.

Mike talks to Jim Higgins is a writer and editor of comics, Nina Nazionale from the New York Historical Society, Steven Walsh, a bookseller at Gosh Comics, Jason Ditmer, a professor of political geography at University College London and Dr Casey Brienza, a sociologist at City University in London.

(IMAGE - Superman, Robin and Batman standing in a booth. Credit - Hulton Archive / Handout, Getty Images)

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18 minutes

Last on

Mon 26 Sep 2016 14:32GMT

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  • Fri 23 Sep 2016 21:32GMT
  • Mon 26 Sep 2016 01:32GMT
  • Mon 26 Sep 2016 02:32GMT
  • Mon 26 Sep 2016 03:32GMT
  • Mon 26 Sep 2016 04:32GMT
  • Mon 26 Sep 2016 06:32GMT
  • Mon 26 Sep 2016 14:32GMT

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