What to Wear When Saving Ukraine: Folkloric References and National Symbolism in Ukrainian Superhero Comics

Abstract This paper reviews the development of Ukrainian comic book superheroes, with a focus on the period between 2014 and 2019. Ukrainian superhero comics serve as a popular medium for the continued construction of a national and civic Ukrainian identity that incorporates a range of contemporary symbols, including elements of folklore that are imbued with national significance. Since 2014, these representational practices have increasingly pulled not only from imagery associated with Ukrainian tradition, but also from emerging folk narratives related to the war with Russia.