Given the dearth of research on superheroes and supervillains, questions concerning the extent and nature of (apparent) normative and contextual features that influence people’s understanding of these characters are open ones. Are evaluations of certain acts committed by superheroes and supervillains more prone to certain localized cultural norms and understandings than others? What about attributions of certain traits?

Martin, J. (2024, April). Something from Nothing?: Joker and Moral Development. Guest lecturer for 

Comparative Cultural Studies 2: Seminar 120 IBM at University of Europe for Applied Sciences, Berlin, Germany (Pre-Recorded on April 5th, 2024).

Both of these features [separating moral from nonmoral understandings of social interactions and applying those understandings to complex situations]...are suggested through Mr. Freeze’s motivations to use cryogenics to save and improve people’s lives, his sense of unjust treatment, his sometimes selective use of harm, and his expressions of vulnerability….Therefore…we can learn a little something about ourselves through villains like Mr. Freeze.

Martin, J., & Kapoor, H. (2021, May). It’s worse if Superman does it: Perceptions of moral transgressions committed by superheroes and supervillains. Paper presented at the third biennial Heroism Science Conference, Online.

• Relevant publication(s): U.S. and Indian Adults’ Moral Evaluations of Superheroes and Supervillains (2024)