Publication: An analysis of the commodification of superheroes in the boys series
2
0
Issued Date
2021-05-14
Resource Type
Language
eng
File Type
application/pdf
Access Rights
Open Access
Rights
ผลงานนี้เผยแพร่ภายใต้ สัญญาอนุญาตครีเอทีฟคอมมอนส์แบบ แสดงที่มา-ไม่ใช้เพื่อการค้า-ไม่ดัดแปลง 4.0 (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
Rights Holder(s)
Srinakharinwirot University
Suggested Citation
Pakapol Chomsaeng, ภคพล ชมแสง (2021). An analysis of the commodification of superheroes in the boys series. Retrieved from: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14740/53660
Alternative Title(s)
การวิเคราะห์การเปลี่ยนซุปเปอร์ฮีโร่เป็นสินค้าในซีรี่ส์ The Boys
Author(s)
Advisor(s)
Abstract
This study is an analysis of the Amazon Prime Video television series, The Boys
(Season One) by Eric Kripke in order to identify how corporate capitalism is portrayed in
the series and how the commodification of superheroes in a capitalist society can
corrupt the concepts of heroes and superheroes. In a capitalist world, many big global
companies gain profits through the exploitation of labour and ideas. Many companies
implement corporate social responsibility projects and publicize them as an evidence of
their contribution to social and community development, with the ultimate aim of building
a positive public image of the company and making more money. Meanwhile, the
exploitative nature of capitalism is rarely visible to the eyes of the public. The Boys
depicts the exploitative nature of capitalism in parallel with the portrayals of corrupted
superheroes. The series introduces a world in which superheroes do not selflessly save
the world, they only perform their ‘heroic acts’ for money and popularity. Through an in-
depth analysis and discussion of corporate capitalism, commodification and hero
culture, the study concludes that Vought International has created a vicious cycle in
which superheroes are created and commodified for the benefits of the company which
spends the profits on the creation of more superheroes. The process results in a
change in the consciences of the superheroes. Aiming for money and popularity, they
become selfish and start to drift from their heroic path, and some even perform non-
heroic acts to maintain their status in the society.
-
-
Description
MASTER OF ARTS (M.A.)
ศิลปศาสตรมหาบัณฑิต (ศศ.ม.)
ศิลปศาสตรมหาบัณฑิต (ศศ.ม.)
Degree Grantor(s)
Srinakharinwirot University