The following content is created with Intermediate level classrooms in mind with access to Britannica School. Contact your library staff or curriculum administrator to see if your institution already has access, or click here to claim your own free product trials.
In our time of need, who will save educators? Who will be the champion to bring contemporary resources and supplementary resources to classrooms all over the world? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No…it’s Britannica! 
Our head office received a pleading email, a desperate cry to us to bring some updated, relevant content for them to use.
“Help! My students want more superhero content! Oh, won’t somebody save me!”
Our 100-strong editorial team (our personal Avengers) leapt in to action, and using their special powers of super-speed research and genius-brained curriculum standards combined they crafted a mighty weapon to add to the Britannica arsenal: the brand new superheroes at a glance entry available at the Intermediate level in Britannica School.
Within it are inscribed these prophetic words: “Superheroes have roots in the semi-divine heroes of myth and legend. Heroes with extraordinary strength, fighting abilities, and cunning are commonplace in sacred religious writings and early literature alike.”
“Comic strips of the early 20th century provided the perfect visual medium for the development of heroic characters,” it reads. “Superheroes proved to be an enduring addition to popular culture, eventually spreading to radio, film, television, and electronic games.”
In addition to this new primer on all things superhuman, middle and high school students can now explore the Marvel and DC universes with new profiles on the heroes Superman, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Daredevil, and Elektra.
Biographies of Marvel creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby also join the ranks, as well as expansions and updates to the continuing adventures of the popular characters Black Panther, the Avengers, Wonder Woman, and more.
Finally, other new faces from the world of popular culture include new entries on Pokémon and Japanese animation—or “anime“—and updates to the expanding saga of the Star Wars article.
Whether you need a buy in for students hesitant to engage with literature and research or just want a fresh angle for an existing lesson, pop culture topics like graphic novels and films offer endless opportunities to explore modern storytelling.
If you want a free demo or trial of any Britannica resources, just click here and one of our team will be in touch to arrange a time to suit you.
Tried it with your class? How did it go? Send us feedback on Facebookor Twitter and tag us @Britannica_UK.
