CFP Marvel Cinematic Universe - Phase One (Update) (7/31/15)

CFP - Edited Collection on Marvel Cinematic Universe - Phase One
https://networks.h-net.org/node/13784/discussions/75807/cfp-edited-collection-marvel-cinematic-universe-phase-one
Discussion published by Kris Barton on Sunday, July 19, 2015

Your network editor has reposted this from H-Announce. The byline reflects the original authorship.

Type: Call for Papers
Date: July 31, 2015
Location: United States
Subject Fields: Film and Film History, Cultural History / Studies

As one of the biggest and most successful film franchises of all time, Marvel’s approach to developing an interconnected film universe has seemingly revolutionized the way superhero films are being made. Creating a shared universe with elements that crossover and interconnect individual films (culminating in perhaps the ultimate “team-up” film, The Avengers), this approach to filmmaking changed the way characters and storylines are developed. Marvel’s foresight has resulted in a long-term plan for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which at this point consists of three distinct phases.

With that said, there has been relatively little exploration of how this approach to filmmaking affects both the stories being told and the way they are being consumed by audiences. This collection seeks to investigate these issues, but in a way that mirrors the approach that Marvel has laid out for its properties. To that end, this edited collection is the first in a proposed trilogy of books, each volume of which will explore a distinct phase of the MCU and dissect how the characters evolve, how storylines grow, and how the success of the franchise continually expands the scope of the stories being told. Specifically, this proposed collection will look at Phase One of the MCU, which is comprised of the following films:

Iron Man (2008)
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Thor (2011)
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
The Avengers (2012)

While a number of chapters have already been completed for this collection, we are still looking specifically for the following:

1. Hawkeye/Black Widow – How do the non-super powered Avengers fit into the MCU? Are their roles different given they lack any paranormal enhancements?
2. Villains – What role/function do the villains of Phase One play in the MCU and/or how are the depicted?
3. Franchise building – How has the MCU shaped other comic book properties’ approach to film narrative (DC, X-Men) or other properties in general?
4. Linkages – A general look at how different elements of the MCU (Tesseract, Nick Fury, Coulson, S.H.I.E.L.D.) are used to bridge films and create a cohesive cinematic universe.
5. A limited number of other topics will be considered. Please e-mail with questions regarding topics not listed above.

Please note: the chapters contained in the collection will focus exclusively on events in Phase One of the MCU, so discussion of development or events from subsequent films should be avoided.

Chapters should be 5,000-7,000 words (MLA format, no footnotes or endnotes please) that fit into one of the above sections. Article abstracts (500+ words) and a brief CV should be submitted by July 31, 2015 to Dr. Kristin Barton at kmbarton@daltonstate.edu. Submissions with detailed outlines or in draft form will be given stronger consideration. Completed essays must be submitted by September 30, 2015. Brief queries are welcome should there be questions about appropriate submission topics. Selected authors will be notified by August 2015, and please note that invitation to submit a full essay does not guarantee inclusion in the volume. A contract for this book through a university press is pending a review of proposed chapters.

Contact Info:
Kristin M. Barton
Chair and Associate Professor
Dalton State College
Contact Email: kmbarton@daltonstate.edu

Hickman's Avengers

A quick post:

As part of the Marvel NOW! relaunching of the Avengers franchise, Jonathan Hickman offers an engaging rebirth of the Avengers team in the new Avengers title, and he comments in depth on his vision in a December 2012 interview on Newsarama at http://www.newsarama.com/10587-jonathan-hickman-brings-the-world-to-marvel-now-avengers.html.

So far. the series has been collected into two hardcover editions: Avenger's World and The Last White Event. The story thus far is reminiscent of aspects of Warren Ellis's oeuvre and offers, in part, an incorporation of Marvel's New Universe (last revived by Ellis) within the Marvel NOW! Marvel Universe. The collected editions include numbers 1 through 11 of the series and are an entertaining read, for the most part; however, the series falters a bit towards the end of volume 2 and grinds to a halt with the (apparently) unrelated and very mundane story in issue 11. Based on the ending, I'm not sure I'll pick up volume 3.

Iron Man: Rise of Technovore

In connection with the upcoming release of Iron Man 3, Marvel is promoting a new direct-to-video anime-inspired film called Iron Man: Rise of Technovore, due out on 16 April 2013. Marvel has a detailed press release on their website (http://marvel.com/news/story/20068/iron_man_rise_of_technovore_coming_to_blu-ray_416); however, it is unclear as to whether the story is based on previous comics narratives, ties into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or is meant to stand on its own.  Official trailer follows: 



The film is sold as either Blu-ray or DVD with the following extras:

• Blu-ray exclusive: Conceptual Art Gallery
• Blu-ray and DVD bonus features: Two featurettes, "Tale of Technovore" and "S.H.I.E.L.D.: Protecting the Marvel Universe"

Iron Man 3 Trailer

Lots of news; so little time...

But, here's the latest from Marvel Entertainment:

Teasers