Abstract
The following study used sales data to ascertain the presence of a link between current socio-political tensions (as measured by the Bulletin of Atomic Sciences’ Doomsday Clock and national crime statistics) and the prevalence and acceptance of so-called “vigilante justice” portrayed in the top-selling comic books during the period between 1989 and 2001. The purpose of this study is to understand what, if any, relationship exists between dark times and desperate measures; between a feeling of powerlessness in world affairs, and the belief that justice outside of the system is acceptable when that system, at home or abroad, fails to keep people safe.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Comic books, strips, etc.--History and criticism; Vigilantes in literature; Comic books, strips, etc.--Social aspects; Comic books, strips, etc.--Moral and ethical aspects; Stress (Psychology)
Publication Date
5-11-2018
Document Type
Thesis
Student Type
Graduate
Degree Name
Communication and Media Technologies (MS)
Department, Program, or Center
School of Communication (CLA)
Advisor
Andrea Hickerson
Advisor/Committee Member
Grant Cos
Advisor/Committee Member
Rudy Pugliese
Recommended Citation
Heerkens, Gregory, "Justice by any Means: The Relationship Between Societal Stress and the Rise of Vigilantism in Comic Books" (2018). Thesis. Rochester Institute of Technology. Accessed from
https://repository.rit.edu/theses/9760
Campus
RIT – Main Campus
Plan Codes
COMMTCH-MS
