--an independent research study focused on the unique relationship between the superhero comic book genre and issues of mortality. The field of Thanatology - the study of a society's perceptions of and reactions to death & dying - has lead in recent decades to the creation of hospice care, enhanced care for the elderly, and increased understanding for victims of loss and trauma. As a mirror to certain aspects of culture, superhero comic books are a fertile yet untapped source of thanatological exploration.