Superheroes aren’t just saving the day on the big screen; they’ve been shaping American culture for nearly a century!
These characters have always reflected the times in which they were created, from Superman’s debut in the 1930’s comic books, to today’s Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC blockbusters. During this presentation, we will dive deeply into surprising connections between comic book plots and historical events and real moments in the U.S. history. Through a lively lecture you will see how comic book icons have mirrored America’s struggles, triumphs, and changing values, all while entertaining millions around the world, and why superheroes still matter today. Your lecturer will be Brian Gibel, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, who has had seven diplomatic assignments abroad. Brian is not only a comic book hero expert – he graduated from Harvard University, was an NCAA Division I wrestler, and has master’s degrees from the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy and the University of Sydney in Australia.
