Ep 4 - Super Heroes

Marvel or DC universe? Iron Man or Batman? Wonder Woman or Black Panther? Our cinema culture has for over a decade been dominated by our love of super heroes. Julia Golding explores how each era makes the heroes suited for its own day. She goes back to the novelists writing before Jane Austen to look at the big rivalry: Richardson Universe v Fielding Universe. Following their negotiation about the nature of the hero, Austen picks this up when she explores what it means to be a heroine in her early novel, Northanger Abbey. So are there any super heroes to be found in Jane Austen? There is indeed - and you'll be surprised by a guest appearance from General Zod (Man of Steel) if you stick around for the big battle at the end.