These essays consider the way that heroes and the domestic spaces they defend have been represented in 20th and early 21st century popular forms, especially film, comic books and material culture. The authors work in various academic disciplines such as English, film studies, history and human geography, thus bringing a rich variety of theoretical vantage points to the reader in a single collection. Topics covered include ""Tales of Suspense"", ""Captain America"", gender and popular culture during World War II, ""Iron Man"" and the military-industrial complex, ""Batman"", ""Xena: Warrior Princess"", ""The Ring"", Ridley Scott, and many others.