Why Superman Doesn't Take Over the World: What Superheroes Can Tell Us about Economics (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780198829478)

Why do heroes fight each other?

Why do villains keep trying even though they almost never win?

Why don't heroes simply take over the world?

Economics and comics may seem to be a world apart. But in the hands of economics professor and comic book hero aficionado Brian O'Roark, the two form a powerful alliance. With brilliant deadpan enthusiasm he shows how the travails of superheroes can explain the building blocks of economics, and how economics explains the mysteries of superhero behavior.

Spider-Man's existential doubts revolve around opportunity costs; Wonder Woman doesnt have a sidekick because she has a comparative advantage; game theory sheds light on the battle between Captain America and Iron Man; the Joker keeps committing crimes because of the Peltzman effect; and utility curves help us decide who is the greatest superhero of all.

Why Superman Doesn't Take Over the World probes the motivations of our favorite heroes, and reveals that the characters in the comics may have powers we dont, but they are still beholden to the laws of economics.

Author: J. Brian O'Roark
ISBN-10: 0198829477
ISBN-13: 9780198829478
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Language: English
Published: 05/21/2019
Pages: 224
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 0.75lbs
Size: 8.60h x 5.40w x 1.00d

Review Citation(s):
Booklist 05/01/2019 pg. 54