Toxic Geek Masculinity in Media - Sexism, Trolling, and Identity Policing

Preface

Acknowledgements

Contents

List of Figures

1 Introduction: Actually, It’s about Toxic Geek Masculinity…

Defining the Geek

Playing at Hero

Identity Warfare

Overview

References

2 “Dick in a Box”: Hypermasculine Heroism in Geek TV and Film

Defining Hypermasculinity

Modern Manhood: Celebrating the Hypermasculine

Hypermasculinity and the Cultured Noble

The Geek Hero and His Band of Admirers

References

3 Beauty and the Geek: On-Screen Representations of Geeks

A Big Bang

The Big Bang Theory and Televised Masculinity

Amy and Penny or How to Woman

Chuck: From Geek to Hero

Imagining Silicon Valley

Conclusion

References

4 Come Get Some: Damsels in Distress and the Male Default Avatar in Video Games

Game Characters and Masculinity

Duke Nukem, Leisure Suit Larry and the Problem of “Parody”

Gender in Gamer Identity

Anita Sarkeesian and Gamergate

Conclusion: Playing the Savior

References

5 Through the Boob Window: Examining Sexualized Portrayals in Transmedia Comic Franchises

Invisible Geek Girls

Gendered Superbodies

Women in Refrigerators

Being Batgirl

Kilgrave and Jessica Jones

Superheroes in the Mainstream Gaze

References

6 Bronies on the Iron Throne: Perceptions of Prosocial Behaviors and Success

Women as Rewards

Playing the White Knight

Women as People

Conclusion

References

7 One of Us, One of Us!: Representations and Dialogues with “Fanboys” and “Fangirls”

Fan Girls on the Margins

Johnlock in Sherlock

Crazy Fan Girls, Fan Boy Auteurs

Supernatural and the Fan Girl’s Gaze

Fan Girls as “Auteur”

References

8 Conclusion: That’s Not How Geek Masculinity Works!

Defining Geek Fragility

The Fandom Awakens

Revenge of the Geek

Heroes in a Dying Earth

References

Index