CONTENTS
Senior Editor’s Foreword
Preface
Contributors
Introduction
Finding Thanos in “Thanatology” and the Transformative Power of the Visual Arts
Jill A. Harrington
Part I:
Historical Backgrounds: Grief, Loss and The Creation of Superheroes
Chapter 1: The Rippling Effects of the Holocaust: The Jewish Influence on the Development of Superheroes.
Howard R. Winokuer & Fred C. Fowler
Chapter 2: And Then Came Superman: Parallels with the Man of Steel and His Creators
Jill A. Harrington & Howard R. Winokuer
Part II:
Understanding Superhero Grief Through Post Modern Grief Theory
Chapter 3: Transformations in the Field of Grief and Bereavement: From Clark Kent to Beyond Kübler-Ross
Christiane Manzella
Chapter 4: Loss and the Heroic Quest for Meaning: A Conversation with Robert A. Neimeyer
Robert A. Neimeyer & Jill A. Harrington
Chapter 5: Continuing Bonds Across the Universes: Superheroes and Enduring Connections.
Christopher Hall
Chapter 6: Understanding Grieving Styles: Batman on the Couch
Kenneth J. Doka & Terry L. Martin
Chapter 7: Bruce Wayne, Batman and Attachment-Informed Grief Work
Phyllis Kosminsky
Part III
Types of Grief: Brief Case Studies of Superheroes
Chapter 8: Deadpool and Anticipatory Grief
Cheryl Hogsten Dodson
Chapter 9: Superman and Secondary Losses
Belinda M. Gonzalez-Leon
Chapter 10: Magneto and Ambiguous Loss
Cori Bussolari
Chapter 11: Batman and Masked Grief
Jon K. Reid
Chapter 12: Wonder Woman and Delayed Grief
Pamela A. Malone
Chapter 13: The Flash and Disenfranchised Grief
William Feigelman, Beverly Feigelman & Justin Colon
Chapter 14: Iron Man and Chronic Grief
Rebecca S. Morse & Jacob Halbert
Chapter 15: Avengers Infinity War and Endgame: Cumulative and Collective Grief
Mark de St. Aubin
Part IV
Grief and Culture: Cultural Influence in the Superhero Universes
Chapter 16: A Tale of Two Funerals: Funeral Rites, Rituals and Customs Across the Superhero Universes
William G. Hoy
Chapter 17: Black Panther: Exploring Grief, Ancestral Connection and the Duty to Carry-On
Tashel C. Bordere & Marshall Allen
Part V
Grief and Family Systems: Superheroes and Relationship Types
Chapter 18: Observations on a Hero’s Response to Homicide
Laura Takacs & Edward Rynearson
Chapter 19: What Drax the Destroyer and Cable Help Us Understand About Grieving Fathers and Survivors of Familial Homicide
Selin Santos & Louis A. Gamino
Chapter 20: Parents and Caregivers: The Everyday Heroes Behind Superheroes
Irwin Sandler & Donna Gafney
Chapter 21: Katana: Spousal Bereavement and Continuing Bonds
Kathleen R. Gilbert & Andy H.Y. Ho
Chapter 22: Sibling Grief and Complex Relationships: Thor and the Death of Loki
Rayna Vaught Godfrey
Part VI
Challenges in Bereavement: Facing Adversity
Chapter 23: Deadpool 2 and Suicide After Bereavement: Lessons Learned from the Merc with a Mouth
Jill A. Harrington, Kim A. Ruocco & John R. Jordan
Chapter 24: Complicated Grief, Bruce Wayne and Batman: A Conversation with M. Katherine Shear
M. Katherine Shear & Jill A. Harrington
Chapter 25: Traumatic Loss and How the Flash Could Benefit from Restorative Retelling
Sharon Strouse
Part VII
Posttraumatic Growth, Superheroes and Personal Stories Addressing the Five Factors
Chapter 26: Posttraumatic Growth, Superheroes, and the Bereaved
Melinda M. Moore
Chapter 27: Relating to Others: In the Aftermath of Loss, I am STORM
Toya Clebourn-Jacobs
Chapter 28: New Possibilities in Life: Superman and Finding Hope after Loss
Gloria Horsley
Chapter 29: Personal Strength: Combat Death, Love, Loss and the Emergence of the Wonder Woman Within
Malia Fry
Chapter 30: Spiritual Growth After Loss: Dr. Strange and My Spiritual Journey Amidst Profound Loss
Brendan Prout
Chapter 31: Appreciation for Life: We Rise Like the Dark Knight
Ashlynne Haycock & Weston Haycock
Part VIII
Superheroes, Grief Leadership, Social Justice, and Advocacy
Chapter 32: Grief Leadership: Examples from the Life and Service of Captain America
James A. Martin, David F. Carey & Stephen J. Cozza
Chapter 33: Parental Grief and Activism: On Becoming Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man
Joyal Mulheron
Chapter 34: X-Men: What They Teach Us about Oppression and Marginalization of the Bereaved
Erica Goldblatt Hyatt
Part IX
Superhero-based Strategies of Care: Interventions and Creative Approaches
Chapter 35: Avengers Endgame: What It Can Teach Us about Individuals and Families Facing the End-of-Life
Lisa Holland Downs
Chapter 36: Childhood Grief and the Healing Power of Superheroes
Donna Gaffney
Chapter 37: Using Superheroes in Grief Counseling with Children and Adolescents
Rachel A. Kentor & Julie B. Kaplow
Chapter 38: The Superpower of the Expressive Arts
Rebekah Near & Barbara E. Thompson
Chapter 39: Grief and the Masks We Wear: Secret Identities are Not Only for Superheroes
Sharon Strouse and Sarah Vollmann
Chapter 40: Art Therapy Superhero Dolls: Totems of Strength and Remembrance
Sarah Vollmann
Chapter 41: Mindfulness as Your Grief Superpower
Heather Stang
Part X
Conclusion
Chapter 42: Finding Super Heroes All Around Us
Jill A. Harrington
