John Benjamins Publishing Company
Chapter 12. Representing the state of exception
Abstract
This article explores the relationship between the superhero and the state and the subversive potential within that relationship, both thematically and visually. The superhero must act above the law in order to uphold it, and thus question the legitimacy of authority. The comic book narrative has to convey the illusion of causality, movement and sound through the means of consequent still, silent images. Both examples here show a paradox that must somehow be resolved in order to make sense of them. The article approaches these questions through Giorgio Agamben’s concept of the state of exception, which is used to analyse the problematics presented by the visual narrative and the questions raised by the political status of the superhero.
Abstract
This article explores the relationship between the superhero and the state and the subversive potential within that relationship, both thematically and visually. The superhero must act above the law in order to uphold it, and thus question the legitimacy of authority. The comic book narrative has to convey the illusion of causality, movement and sound through the means of consequent still, silent images. Both examples here show a paradox that must somehow be resolved in order to make sense of them. The article approaches these questions through Giorgio Agamben’s concept of the state of exception, which is used to analyse the problematics presented by the visual narrative and the questions raised by the political status of the superhero.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
-
Part I. Approaches to visual communication and the question of power
- Chapter 1. Images 11
- Chapter 2. The critical tradition in visual studies 39
- Chapter 3. The map, the mirror and the simulacrum 55
- Chapter 4. Disenchantment with politics and the salience of images 69
-
Part II. Case studies
- Chapter 5. Organising political consensus 91
- Chapter 6. Walls, doors and exciting encounters 113
- Chapter 7. The politics of visual representation 151
- Chapter 8. The politics of identity and visuality 181
- Chapter 9. Visual politics and celebrity humanitarianism 199
- Chapter 10. The economics of gay reality television 225
- Chapter 11. Mending endings 245
- Chapter 12. Representing the state of exception 269
- Index 291
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
-
Part I. Approaches to visual communication and the question of power
- Chapter 1. Images 11
- Chapter 2. The critical tradition in visual studies 39
- Chapter 3. The map, the mirror and the simulacrum 55
- Chapter 4. Disenchantment with politics and the salience of images 69
-
Part II. Case studies
- Chapter 5. Organising political consensus 91
- Chapter 6. Walls, doors and exciting encounters 113
- Chapter 7. The politics of visual representation 151
- Chapter 8. The politics of identity and visuality 181
- Chapter 9. Visual politics and celebrity humanitarianism 199
- Chapter 10. The economics of gay reality television 225
- Chapter 11. Mending endings 245
- Chapter 12. Representing the state of exception 269
- Index 291
