The Aluminum Age: Postmodern Themes in American Comics Circa 2001-2018

This thesis seeks to update the fan-made system of organization for comic book history. Because academia ignored comics for much of their history, fans of the medium were forced to design their own system of historical organization. Over time, this system of ages was adopted not only by the larger industry, but also by scholars. However, the system has not been modified to make room for comics published in the 21st century. Through the analysis of a selection modern comics, including Marvel’s Civil War and DC Comics’ Infinite Crisis, this thesis suggests a continuation of the age system, the Aluminum Age (2001-the present). Comics published during the Aluminum Age incorporate Postmodern themes and are unique to the historical context in which they were published. By analyzing the content of comics and the historical context in which they were published, this thesis proves the necessity of a new age

Contradictions and Dualities in Ohiyesa’s “The Ghost Dance War”

In the 1800s, many Native Americans, including the doctor/writer Ohiyesa, or Charles Eastman, chose to live their lives according to white customs rather than their traditional values for a variety of reasons, including ease of living, and social and cultural acceptance. Naturally, the cultural duality that Eastman experienced on a daily basis led to some startling contradictions, in his own behavior as well as that of the people around him, both white and native. As a doctor, rather than attempting to integrate his two warring identities, Eastman chose to suppress his Native culture in favor of whole-heartedly adopting the customs of the white men. Yet, as a writer attempting to reconcile his two selves in “The Ghost Dance War,” Eastman reveals the disturbing inconsistencies in thought and behavior patterns that he experienced and observed. This study analyzes Eastman\u27s autobiography as an expression of his dual identity and the challenges it presented