Joss Whedon has much to teach his fans, as he unfurls epics of sacrifice
and heroism for superheroes and ordinary people. Firefly, like Alien:
Resurrection, was his anti-authoritarian dystopia, while Buffy the
Vampire Slayer emphasized girl power and individuality in a world of
monsters. Dollhouse tackled identity, memory and the soul, reaching
from fantasy into philosophy, just as The Cabin in the Woods satirized
the nebulous "Greater Good." Now, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and The
Avengers explore heroism, teamwork, and personal responsibility.
Whedon has independent works too, all explored from the paranormal
romance film In Your Eyes to his feminist skits for Equality Now. In
comics, such as X-Men, Runaways, Sugarshock, and Buffy, he explores
unconventional teams and chosen families. From Angel's quest for faith
and redemption in a world of nihilism to the smaller stories of family
and friendships in The Office, Glee, Parenthood, and Roseanne, not
to mention Much Ado About Nothing, Whedon offers lessons to improve
the world and our roles within it. This book compares themes, motifs,
and archetypes across all his works, teasing out the common threads and
the messages within.
