Overview

"Action figures are more than toys or collectibles--they are statements on race, gender, class, body positivity and more. This collection of nine new essays and one interview argues that action figures should be analyzed in the same light as books, movies, television shows and other media. Through an examination of the plastic bodies that fill our shelves and toy boxes, ""Action Figure Studies"" can inform the next generation of toys."

Full Product Details

Author:   Jonathan Alexandratos
Publisher:   McFarland & Co Inc
Imprint:   McFarland & Co Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 1.00cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.254kg
ISBN:  

9781476664279

ISBN 10:   1476664277
Pages:   188
Publication Date:   31 March 2017
Recommended Age:   From 18 years
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Available To Order  
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Table of Contents

Table of Contents Preface Introduction. Posing the Question: An Action Figure Studies Manifesto Thirteen Ways of Looking at an Action Figure: Part One Daniel F. Yezbick The (Re)Resurrection of Captain Action: Will Justice Be Done? Thomas G. Endres Plastic Military Mythology: Hypercommercialism and Hasbro’s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero J. Richard Stevens The Same Aisle: The Intersection of Resistance and Discipline in Brony Fandom, or, Friendship Is Mythological Tracy L. Bealer Selling Girl Power in the 1980s: ­She-Ra and the Gendered Dimensions of Action Figures Keith Corson “Seeing into the life of things”: Toy Story, The Lego Movie and the Wordsworthian Imagination Geoff Klock Get Your Freak On: The Monstrous Seduction in Mattel’s Monster High Cathy Thomas All Dolled Up: Monster High, Project MC2 and “Action” Figures Christopher Bell “Toys with brains”: Skylanders and the Growth of the ­Toys-to-Life Market Kimberly A. Owczarski Thirteen Ways of Looking at an Action Figure: Part Two Daniel F. Yezbick “I was always Wonder Woman”: An Interview with IAmElemental’s Julie Kerwin Jonathan Alexandratos About the Contributors Index

Reviews

These toys have been literal figures in the discussion of race and politics...[offers] food for thought on the connection between action figures and gender bias and body positivity...hyper-commercialism is also considered, including a look at Hasbro, which was famously one of the first to target both children and parents.... While much is covered pertaining to how action figures stand as cultural history artifacts, through which we can explore much deeper themes, the mere mention of She-Ra and the like will send readers down a meandering and nostalgic rabbit hole. Though the sturdy foundation of this book is highly academic, the soft underbelly of bygone birthday party themes is certain to keep readers intrigued. --Booklist

These toys have been literal figures in the discussion of race and politics...[offers] food for thought on the connection between action figures and gender bias and body positivity...hyper-commercialism is also considered, including a look at Hasbro, which was famously one of the first to target both children and parents.... While much is covered pertaining to how action figures stand as cultural history artifacts, through which we can explore much deeper themes, the mere mention of She-Ra and the like will send readers down a meandering and nostalgic rabbit hole. Though the sturdy foundation of this book is highly academic, the soft underbelly of bygone birthday party themes is certain to keep readers intrigued. --Booklist ; Alexandratos presents a collection of essays written by scholars who discuss action figures and the various ways they relate to culture, gender, literature, and society at large --ProtoView.

These toys have been literal figures in the discussion of race and politics...[offers] food for thought on the connection between action figures and gender bias and body positivity...hyper-commercialism is also considered, including a look at Hasbro, which was famously one of the first to target both children and parents.... While much is covered pertaining to how action figures stand as cultural history artifacts, through which we can explore much deeper themes, the mere mention of She-Ra and the like will send readers down a meandering and nostalgic rabbit hole. Though the sturdy foundation of this book is highly academic, the soft underbelly of bygone birthday party themes is certain to keep readers intrigued. --Booklist Alexandratos presents a collection of essays written by scholars who discuss action figures and the various ways they relate to culture, gender, literature, and society at large --ProtoView

These toys have been literal figures in the discussion of race and politics...[offers] food for thought on the connection between action figures and gender bias and body positivity...hyper-commercialism is also considered, including a look at Hasbro, which was famously one of the first to target both children and parents.... While much is covered pertaining to how action figures stand as cultural history artifacts, through which we can explore much deeper themes, the mere mention of She-Ra and the like will send readers down a meandering and nostalgic rabbit hole. Though the sturdy foundation of this book is highly academic, the soft underbelly of bygone birthday party themes is certain to keep readers intrigued. --Booklist Alexandratos presents a collection of essays written by scholars who discuss action figures and the various ways they relate to culture, gender, literature, and society at large --ProtoView.

“These toys have been literal figures in the discussion of race and politics...[offers] food for thought on the connection between action figures and gender bias and body positivity...hyper-commercialism is also considered, including a look at Hasbro, which was famously one of the first to target both children and parents.... While much is covered pertaining to how action figures stand as cultural history artifacts, through which we can explore much deeper themes, the mere mention of She-Ra and the like will send readers down a meandering and nostalgic rabbit hole. Though the sturdy foundation of this book is highly academic, the soft underbelly of bygone birthday party themes is certain to keep readers intrigued.”—Booklist ; “Alexandratos presents a collection of essays written by scholars who discuss action figures and the various ways they relate to culture, gender, literature, and society at large”—ProtoView.

"""These toys have been literal figures in the discussion of race and politics...[offers] food for thought on the connection between action figures and gender bias and body positivity...hyper-commercialism is also considered, including a look at Hasbro, which was famously one of the first to target both children and parents.... While much is covered pertaining to how action figures stand as cultural history artifacts, through which we can explore much deeper themes, the mere mention of She-Ra and the like will send readers down a meandering and nostalgic rabbit hole. Though the sturdy foundation of this book is highly academic, the soft underbelly of bygone birthday party themes is certain to keep readers intrigued.""--Booklist ; ""Alexandratos presents a collection of essays written by scholars who discuss action figures and the various ways they relate to culture, gender, literature, and society at large""--ProtoView."

Author Information

Jonathan Alexandratos is a playwright and essayist who lives, teaches, and writes in New York City. His plays, like his academic work, usually involve action figures and pop culture, and have been produced internationally.

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