About The Conference... and Superheroes Fancy Dress Ball

Superheroes and supervillains -- whether human or god, born or created, product of nature or creature of science -- they have existed as cultural icons for centuries. Why have they endured? How have they transformed over the decades? What is their cultural or mythic function? Where does the hero end and the superhero begin?

This interdisciplinary conference will address the varying roles, identities, and social functions that these enduring beings serve. A diversity of approaches will be undertaken including: historical approaches; censorship codes; industry and franchise differentiation (e.g. DC vs. Marvel Comics); mythology; national and cultural specificity; gender identity and power shifts; ethnicity, class and race; diverse media formats (cinema, comics, computer games, television) and their distinctive versions of superheroes; the female superhero; serial form and the cliff hanger; the resurgence in the cult of superpowers in recent cinema; the supervillain; the super-collective; super-auteurs (e.g. Frank Miller, Alan Moore, Tezuka Osamu, Grant Morrison);  superhero universes (e.g. Matrix, Star Wars); fan culture and superheroes; the science and physics of the superhero; ancient superheroes; and the 'hero' who isn't 'super'.

The conference will be held between 9th-12th June 2005 and is hosted by the Cinema Studies Program, School of Art History, Cinema, Classics & Archaeology, University of Melbourne.

4-day registration :: Students $130 // Full Fee $260

Our super-partner in the events is the Australian Center for the Moving Image who, during the conference, are running FOCUS on SUPERHEROES, a festival of films and television shows. Discount prices to the screening program will be offered to conference delegates on presentation of proof of registration. So cap off a day of intellectual rigour by visiting those men and women in tights on the big screen. Special appearances: Superman, Harvey Birdman, Duck Dodgers, Batman, Flash Gordon, Wonder X-Men, Power Puff Girls, and Astroboy. More information?

On the evening of the 11th June, a Superhero (+Villain) Fancy Dress Ball will also be held in the Grand Buffet Hall, 1st Floor, Union Building, Melbourne University. So bring along your costumes, your secret identities and your dancing shoes. Visit COSTUMED CAPERS, suppliers of fancy dress costumes and mention you need a costume for the Ball and you'll receive a discount. More information?

Miramax Films, the University of Melbourne and ACMI present a special preview screening of Frank Miller's Sin City courtesy of Buena Vista International. Co-directed by Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez, Sin City will premiere (by invitation-only) on Friday 10th June. The first 200 to register for the conference will receive a ticket to see the film. The screening will take place at ACMI, Federation Square at 7.30pm. Sin City is due for national release on July 14. For more information and the trailer, go to: http://www.incinemas.com.au