Kalamazoo 2012 Roundtable Update

We have finalized our comics roundtable for the 2012 International Congress on Medieval Studies. Details as follows:

The Comics Get Medieval at Kalamazoo: New Perspectives for Incorporating Comics into Medieval Studies Teaching and Research

Organizer: Michael A. Torregrossa, The Virtual Society for the Study of Popular Culture and the Middle Ages

Presider: Mikee Delony, Abilene Christian University

1. “Grotesque in Comics”

Fabio Mourilhe, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

2. “Caliber (2008), or Arthur’s Mystical Six-Shooter and the Gunslingers of the O.K. Corral”

Karen (Casey) Casebier, St. Mary’s College of Maryland

3. “Arthurian Themes in DC Comic’s Demon Knights (2011-)”

Jason Tondro, University of California, Riverside

Contents Update for Superheroes of the Round Table

McFarland has yet to provide further details on Jason Tondro's upcoming book Superheroes of the Round Table: Comics Connections to Medieval and Renaissance Literature, but I came across the following list of contents in the Library of Congress online catalog:

• Introduction 
• Double identities and Arthegall's Yron Man
• Kirby's masque
• "By my so potent art"
• Arthur, the four-color king
• Grant Morrison's Grail quest

Sadly a new subject heading was not created for the volume as occurred for studies of medieval film, and the book is listed instead under the following headings:

• Comic books, strips, etc.--History and criticism
• Heroes in art 
• English literature--Early modern, 1500-1700--History and criticism
• Renaissance--England
• Art and literature

Note also (a fact also true with studies of medieval film) the lack of cross-reference to studies on medievalism and, perhaps, most confusing any cross-reference to either Arthurian or medieval subjects.  

Medieval Comics at NEPCA

Three papers devoted to medieval-themed comics will be presented in November at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the Northeast Popular Culture/American Culture Association at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury Connecticut, from 11-12 November. The complete program is now available online.

FRIDAY, 11 NOV., 4-5:30 PM
8) Science and Technology I/Symposium: Geeks, Gadgets and Games: The Influence of Technology on Media Entertainment in Contemporary Culture (ROOM: WHITE 024)

PAPER 1 OF 3: “From Mighty Thor to Thor: Problematizing the Inherent Societal Values and Individual Identities of “Geek” Culture Artifacts Appropriated by Mainstream America” – Jessica Eckstein and David Kazibut, Western Connecticut State University

SATURDAY, 12 NOV., 8:30-10 AM

6) Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Legend II: Legends Old and New (ROOM: WARNER 320)

PAPER 3 OF 4: “What Do Vampires Have to Do with the Holy Grail? The Transformation of the Grail Legend in Undead Arthuriana”—Michael A. Torregrossa, The Virtual Society for the Study Of Popular Culture and the Middle Ages

SATURDAY, 12 NOV., 1:30-3 PM

2) Comics and Graphic Novels II: Damsels Causing Distress (ROOM: WARNER 226)

PAPER 2 OF 4: “Vampiric Viragoes: Villainizing and Sexualizing Arthurian Women in King Arthur v. Dracula (2005) and Madame Xanadu (2008)”—Kate Allocco, Western Connecticut State University

Thor DVD/Blu-ray Update

Amazon still has not posted the details on the extras for the Thor DVD and Blu-ray releases, but, as the film was released to home video this week, helpful Amazoners have posted images of the back cover of each. Here are the details as I can best surmise. Notice that the DVD release does include some important extras, notably the director's commentary, (but not everything) also featured on the Blu-ray:

DVD:
-4 Deleted Scenes
-Road to Avengers Featurette
-Director's Commentary


Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy:

-Director's Commentary

-Marvel One-Shot: The Consultant HD

-7 Featurettes HD

-11 Deleted Scenes HD

-And More!

Comics Get Medieval at Kalamazoo Last Call

We're still looking for some papers for "The Comics Get Medieval at Kalamazoo" round table. If interested, please see the initial call for details.