cfp.english.upenn.edu

The deadline for our edited collection on Smallville has been extended to January 31, 2012. Please take this additional time to submit an abstract!

Call for Submissions: Edited collection on the recently-concluded WB/CW television series Smallville (01/31/12, 06/01/12)

Editors: Cory Barker, Chris Ryan and Myc Wiatrowski, Bowling Green State University

When the WB/CW television series Smallville ended its unprecedented 10-year run this past May, it was the longest-running comic-book based series and the longest-running North American science fiction series in television history. The televised story of Clark Kent’s long, complicated journey to becoming Superman survived dysfunctional networks, actor and creator departures and two years in the “Friday night death slot.” Yet, despite the series’ decade-long stay on the air, very little has been written about Smallville in critical and academic circles. This collection of essays seeks to rectify this academic blind spot and examine Smallville from multiple perspectives and disciplines.

Potential topics for discussion include, but are not limited to:

*Clark Kent’s journey to becoming Superman within Smallville
*Character arcs for Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, Chloe Sullivan, Oliver Queen and other Smallville supporting characters
*Clark Kent’s relationships with Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, Chloe Sullivan and other supporting characters
*Relationships between other characters (i.e. Lex and Lionel, Chloe and Lois, Oliver and Chloe, etc.)
*Representations of masculinity, femininity, race, sexuality and family within Smallville
*Explorations of good and evil, heroes and villains and the concept of justice within Smallville
*Explorations of the role of legend and folklore within the diegetic framework of Smallville
*Smallville’s relationship to the Superman mythology or other Superman-related productions
*Smallville’s usage and representation of known DC Comics characters and stories
*Smallville’s narrative techniques, including “Freak of the Weak” stories and long-term story arcs
*Smallville’s visual style and practices, including special effects, direction and costuming
*Smallville as an example of the science fiction, superhero and teen drama genres
*Chapters discussing individual episodes or story arcs
*Critical reception to Smallville
*Smallville in popular culture
*Fan readings, productions and activities related to and about Smallville

The deadline for proposals of 500 words is now January 31, 2012. Please email your abstract and a short biography to Smallville.Book@Gmail.com. The subject line should contain the writer’s surname followed by “Smallville Abstract.” If an abstract is selected for the collection, the full essay of 5,000-7,000 words will be due June 1, 2012.