[Commlist] CFA: Theology and Spider-Man

Call for Papers

Theology and Spider-Man
Volume Editor: George Tsakiridis, PhD
Send Abstracts to: (theologyandspiderman /at/ gmail.com) 
<mailto:(theologyandspiderman /at/ gmail.com)>
Abstract and CV Due: December 30, 2019
Final Paper Due: May 1, 2020

He’s the classic superhero of the Marvel age: Spider-Man. Marvel comics 
wouldn’t be the titan of content it is without him. He’s been portrayed 
in multiple comic books, television series, and movies. His marketing is 
ubiquitous. There are few superheroes of the last fifty years that match 
his prominence. Spider-Man is a perfect match for the Theology and Pop 
Culture series.

Spider-Man has always been a fun superhero. He exemplifies youthful 
innocence combined with deep love and loss. This volume will explore 
themes of identity, happiness, and relationship, as well as look at 
bioethical issues. After all Peter Parker is a scientist at heart, and 
bioethics and science are interwoven into the narrative and the villains 
in ways far greater than other superheroes of his prominence. Salvation 
and anthropology will be central also, as most all superhero 
explorations are. The nuance and flavor changes, but the key themes 
remain the same. In complement to a themed volume, I encourage essays 
that look at individual presentations of Spider-Man and the theology 
contained therein. For example, looking at the theology of the multiple 
cartoon series, the comic books, and many multiple series of movies.

Some potential topics will include:

- Bioethics in Spider-Man (I can foresee more than one entry on this 
topic given the fact that science and experiments are such a central 
part of the series, i.e. Lizard, Doctor Octopus, Spider-Man, etc.).
- Harmatiology/Soteriology in Spider-Man
- Theological Anthropology in the Villains of Spider-Man (and Spidey 
himself!)
- Identity as a Theological Construct in the Various Incarnations of 
Spider-Man
- Theology and Religious Themes in the 1967 Cartoon Series
- Theology and Religious Themes in Television and Movies
- An Iconography of Spider-Man: Toys and Marketing
- The Icon of Spider-Man: Differing Portrayals by Different Artists – 
The Visual Theology of Steve Ditko to Todd McFarlane and Beyond
- Feminist Theology and the Women of Spider-Man: Mary Jane, Gwen Stacy, 
and The Black Cat (to name a few)
- J. Jonah Jameson: An Examination in (not so much) Care for the Other
- Applying Theological Categories to Spidey in Video Games.
- Spidey in Two-Natures: The Symbiosis of the Black Suit and Peter 
Parker (and Venom)

Other topics, theses, and overall great essay ideas are welcome, but the 
predominate focus should be on the portrayals of Spider-Man in various 
media forms and the theological categories that transcend those forms.

Send Abstracts to: (theologyandspiderman /at/ gmail.com) 
<mailto:(theologyandspiderman /at/ gmail.com)>

Abstracts should be between 500 and 750 words and should present a basic 
outline of your potential contribution to the volume and potential 
methodology. If you make the initial cut, you will be contacted by Dr. 
Tsakiridis to discuss and finalize your contribution to the volume. Send 
an abstract and a CV to (theologyandspiderman /at/ gmail.com) 
<mailto:(theologyandspiderman /at/ gmail.com)>. Final drafts will be 
approximately 5,000 to 8,000 words, but exact word counts for each 
article will be discussed at the time of acceptance.

Send Abstracts to: (theologyandspiderman /at/ gmail.com) 
<mailto:(theologyandspiderman /at/ gmail.com)>

George Tsakiridis holds a PhD in theology from the Lutheran School of 
Theology at Chicago and is a Lecturer of Philosophy and Religion at 
South Dakota State University. He is currently working on another volume 
in the Theology and Pop Culture Series, Theology and The Americans. 
George is also a contributor to www.popularcultureandtheology.com 
<http://www.popularcultureandtheology.com> (check out his essay on 
Fleabag!). He has been a fan of Spider-Man since he was a young child 
and looks forward to your proposals!

Send Abstracts to: (theologyandspiderman /at/ gmail.com) 
<mailto:(theologyandspiderman /at/ gmail.com)>

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