Myth, Media, and Culture in Star Wars An Anthology

In 1977, Star Wars blazed across the screen to become one of the highest grossing and most beloved movies of all time. It was followed by two sequels and three prequels, all of which became blockbusters. Comic books, novels, graphic novels, and magazines devoted to the films added to the mythology of George Lucas's creation. Despite the impact of the franchise on popular culture, discussion of the films from a scholarly perspective has not kept pace with the films.In Myth, Media, and Culture in Star Wars: An Anthology, Douglas Brode and Leah Deyneka have assembled an intriguing collection of essays that address the influences that shaped the films, as well as the impact the franchise has had on popular culture. Contributors in this volume discuss the Star Wars universe and what its connection to various cultural touchstones-from fairy tales and Joseph Campbell to Disneyland and Marvel comics-mean to viewers.Essays in this volume examine both the films in the franchise as well as incarnations of the Star Wars universe in video games, comic books, and television programs, including its influence on new generations of filmmakers. This diverse collection of criticism investigates the dynamic force that Star Wars has become in popular culture from every imaginable angle.

Douglas Brode teaches popular culture at Syracuse University's New-house School of Public Communications, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and Our Lady of the Lake University (also in San Antonio). He has published more than 35 books, including Rod Sterling and The Twilight Zone (2009). Leah Deyneka holds a master's degree in 19th-century literature from King's College, London, and has written extensively on literature, film, media, and popular culture.