Superhero Smart

In a fast-paced, accessible narrative, award-winning young adult author Paul Volponi explores the real-life science, history, and literature behind comic book superheroes’ powers and origins.

Paul Volponi is a bestselling author, journalist, and educator. His twelve novels for young adults have received a dozen American Library Association honors and his novel Black and White was a winner of the International Reading Association Children's Book Award. Volponi is also the author of multiple nonfiction books for young adults, including The Great G.O.A.T. Debate: The Best of the Best in Everything from Sports to Science; SpongeBob SquarePants: The Unauthorized Fun-ography; and Famous First Impressions: The Power of Perfect Opening Lines. Volponi resides in New York City.

CONTENTS Introduction Chapter One: Superman (1938) Profile: DC Comics Chapter Two: Batman (1939) Profile: The Orphan Chapter Three: Captain Marvel/SHAZAM and Green Lantern (1940) Profile: Marvel Comics Chapter Four: Captain America, Sub-Mariner and AquaMan (1941) Chapter Five: Wonder Woman (1942) Chapter Six: A Scarcity of New Supers and Comics Under Attack (1943-1945) Chapter Seven: The Rise of Stan Lee and Fantastic Four (1960-1961) Chapter Eight: Spider-Man (1962) Chapter Nine: Hulk (1962) Chapter Ten: Thor and Ant-Man/Wasp (1962-1963) Chapter Eleven: X-Men and Iron Man (1963) Chapter Twelve: Black Widow (1964-1965) The Graphic Novel Chapter Thirteen: Black Panther (1966-1968) Collector's Call Chapter Fourteen: Shang-Chi (1969-1975) Unexpected Surprise and Safety Valve Chapter Fifteen: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1976-1984) Chapter Sixteen: Rise of the Anti-Heroes (1985-1999) What is Manga? Chapter Seventeen: Heroes of Inclusion (2000-2023) Conclusion: Final Thoughts About the Author