Modern Czech Superheroes: Miracle and the Spring Man as the
Defenders of the Nation

C 2025

Modern Czech Superheroes: Miracle and the Spring Man as the Defenders of the Nation

WEISS, Michaela

Basic information

Original name

Modern Czech Superheroes: Miracle and the Spring Man as the Defenders of the Nation

Authors

WEISS, Michaela

Edition

1. vyd. London, New York, The Routledge Companion to Superhero Studies, p. 247-256, 10 pp. Routledge Companions, 2025

Publisher

Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Chapter(s) of a specialized book

Field of Study

60206 Specific literatures

Country of publisher

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Confidentiality degree

is not subject to a state or trade secret

Publication form

printed version "print"

Marked to be transferred to RIV

Yes

RIV identification code

RIV/47813059:19240/25:A0001532

Organization unit

Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava

ISBN

978-1-032-43354-7

DOI

https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003366911

Keywords in English

Czech superheroes; Breathtaking miracle; the Spring Man; Bohemian folklore

Abstract

In the original language

The chapter discusses the historical rootedness and social significance of two Czech comics superheroes, Dechberoucí zázrak (the Breathtaking Miracle) and Pérák (the Springman) created by Petr Macek and Petr Kopl. In the Czech Republic (including the former Czechoslovakia), the superhero comics does not have a long tradition. Under the communist regime, the form was considered as a bourgeois, politically hostile propaganda. The major Czech comics artist, Kaja Saudek, was persecuted by the regime for being too American, kitchy, and politically subversive. The first Czech superhero comics, Breathtaking Miracle, thus emerged as late as in 2015. Miracle draws on Bohemian legends and folklore, bringing to life supernatural (and superheroic) characters, including the Golem, White Lady, and the Spring Man. Macek and Kopl thus did not seek to imitate the existing rich universe of superheroes but rather, drew their inspiration from regional sources. Both Czech superheroes inhibit the same socio-cultural space and are firmly embedded in the national history, politics, and culture.

Cite

WEISS, Michaela. Modern Czech Superheroes: Miracle and the Spring Man as the Defenders of the Nation. In Lorna Piatti-Farnell, Carl Wilson. The Routledge Companion to Superhero Studies. 1st ed. London, New York: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group, 2025, p. 247-256. Routledge Companions. ISBN 978-1-032-43354-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003366911.

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   author = {Weiss, Michaela},
   address = {London, New York},
   booktitle = {The Routledge Companion to Superhero Studies},
   doi = {https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003366911},
   edition = {1.},
   editor = {Lorna Piatti-Farnell, Carl Wilson},
   keywords = {Czech superheroes; Breathtaking miracle; the Spring Man; Bohemian folklore},
   howpublished = {tištěná verze "print"},
   language = {eng},
   location = {London, New York},
   isbn = {978-1-032-43354-7},
   pages = {247-256},
   publisher = {Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group},
   title = {Modern Czech Superheroes: Miracle and the Spring Man as the Defenders of the Nation},
   year = {2025}
}

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TI  - Modern Czech Superheroes: Miracle and the Spring Man as the Defenders of the Nation
VL  - Routledge Companions
PB  - Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group
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N2  - The chapter discusses the historical rootedness and social significance of two Czech comics superheroes, Dechberoucí zázrak (the Breathtaking Miracle) and Pérák (the Springman) created by Petr Macek and Petr Kopl. In the Czech Republic (including the former Czechoslovakia), the superhero comics does not have a long tradition. Under the communist regime, the form was considered as a bourgeois, politically hostile propaganda. The major Czech comics artist, Kaja Saudek, was persecuted by the regime for being too American, kitchy, and politically subversive. The first Czech superhero comics, Breathtaking Miracle, thus emerged as late as in 2015. Miracle draws on Bohemian legends and folklore, bringing to life supernatural (and superheroic) characters, including the Golem, White Lady, and the Spring Man. Macek and Kopl thus did not seek to imitate the existing rich universe of superheroes but rather, drew their inspiration from regional sources. Both Czech superheroes inhibit the same socio-cultural space and are firmly embedded in the national history, politics, and culture.
ER  -

WEISS, Michaela. Modern Czech Superheroes: Miracle and the Spring Man as the Defenders of the Nation. In Lorna Piatti-Farnell, Carl Wilson. \textit{The Routledge Companion to Superhero Studies}. 1st ed. London, New York: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group, 2025, p.~247-256. Routledge Companions. ISBN~978-1-032-43354-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003366911.

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