Popular transformations: the introduction of an Arab American superhero and negotiation of a popular iconic change in the civil sphere

Scholars have demonstrated that art has been effectively mobilized for political action and plays a significant role in civil life. But does this hold true when examining popular culture icons instead of high aesthetic objects? Sociological work has heretofore been largely silent on popular culture’s place in iconicity and aesthetics. Situated in a strong cultural perspective, this article examines the creation of Simon Baz, a new DC Comics superhero, and in doing so adds a layer of complexity to existing literature on aesthetics and civil society. It argues that iconic shifts in popular culture impact civil discourse similarly to other forms of iconic disruptions and aesthetic public discourses. I bring nuance to this dialogue by considering layers of the aesthetic public—specialty news media and fan forum discussions. I show that the creation of Simon Baz stimulated discourse at all three levels: mainstream civil discourse, specialty media, and fan forums. I further show that the discourse is nuanced at each level, and the relationship between layers is multifaceted. I ultimately identify two different responses and demonstrate their application: symbolic appreciation and aesthetic criticism. This approach foregrounds popular culture and has strong implications for the structure of cultural power in society.