The Ground Zero Superhero

Surely, the superhero movie contains certain intrinsic narrative structures and regularly offers an embodied cinematic experience with which it intends to determine its success, but this thesis proposes another influential factor. The traumatic event of 9/11 has undoubtedly shifted the world into another zeitgeist, which consequentially alters our thoughts, our emotions and our state of minds. America has a long history of dealing with these kind of national traumas through their popular culture. It is through film, comic books, music and television that the American people seem to find catharsis in times of fear, anger and despair. This thesis intends to illuminate and explain the superhero movie hype by projecting its success against the post-9/11 zeitgeist, the war on terror and all that this new timeframe entails. This thesis endeavours to clarify how these superhero movies appeal to the post-9/11 public, how they connect with their interests and how they reflect what is on their minds. To support this research, the Spider-Man trilogy will function as case studies throughout the three chapters.