Bio

Scott Bukatman is a cultural theorist and Professor of Film and Media Studies at Stanford University. His research explores how such popular media as film, comics, and animation mediate between new technologies and human perceptual and bodily experience. His books include Terminal Identity: The Virtual Subject in Postmodern Science Fiction, one of the earliest book-length studies of cyberculture; a monograph on the film Blade Runner commissioned by the British Film Institute; and a collection of essays, Matters of Gravity: Special Effects and Supermen in the 20th Century. The Poetics of Slumberland: Animated Spirits and the Animating Spirit, celebrates play, plasmatic possibility, and the life of images in cartoons, comics, and cinema. Bukatman has been published in abundant journals and anthologies, including October, Critical Inquiry, Camera Obscura, Science Fiction Studies, and the Journal of Cinema and Media Studies.

Hellboy's World: Comics and Monsters on the Margins shows how our engagement with Mike Mignola's Hellboy comics also a highly aestheticized encounter with the medium of comics and the materiality of the book. Scott Bukatman’s dynamic study explores how comics produce a heightened “adventure of reading” in which syntheses of image and word, image sequences, and serial narratives create compelling worlds for the reader’s imagination to inhabit. His most recent book, Black Panther, part of the 21st Century Film Essentials series (University of Texas Press), explores aspects of the 2018 Ryan Coogler film, including the history of Black superheroes, Black Panther's black body, the Wakandan dream, and the controversies around the Killmonger character.

Academic Appointments

  • Professor, Art & Art History

Administrative Appointments

  • Visiting Professor, University of Pennsylvania (2012 - 2012)
  • Visiting Faculty, Yale University (2008 - 2008)
  • Professor, Film and Media Studies Program, Department of Art and Art History, Stanford University (1997 - Present)
  • Visiting Prof, Der Freien Universität Berlin, J. F. Kennedy Institut. (1996 - 1996)
  • Assistant Professor, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque (1994 - 1997)
  • Visiting Prof, Der Freien Universität Berlin, J. F. Kennedy Institut. (1994 - 1994)
  • Visiting Assistant Professor, New York University (1992 - 1994)
  • Instructor, School of Visual Arts, New York City (1985 - 1990)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

  • Curator, “Jerry Lewis: A Film and Television Retrospective.”, American Museum of the Moving Image, New York
  • Editorial Board, Animation: An Interdisciplinary Journal The Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics
  • Member, text/Image
  • Member, Committee in Charge of the Program in Modern Thought and Literature, Stanford University (2009 - Present)
  • Director of Undergraduate Studies, Film and Media Studies Program, Stanford University (2005 - Present)
  • Member, Steering Committee, Modern Thought and Literature, Stanford University (1997 - Present)
  • Member, Steering Committee, Bill Lane Center for the Study of the American West, Stanford University (1997 - Present)
  • Member, Steering Committee, American Studies, Stanford University (1997 - Present)
  • Co-curator, “And Justice For All.”, Fund for Open Information & Accountability and The Collective for Living Cinema (1982 - 1982)

Program Affiliations

  • American Studies
  • Modern Thought and Literature

Professional Education

  • B.A., Brown University; Providence, Rhode Island, Semiotics (1978)
  • Ph.D., New York University; New York City, Cinema Studies (1992)

Contact

  • Academic
    xbody@stanford.edu
    University - Faculty Department: Art & Art History Position: Professor
    • CUMMINGS ART BLDG.
    • Stanford,  California  94305-2018 
    (650) 725-0140 (fax)

Additional Info

  • Mail Code: 2018

Links

2024-25 Courses

All Publications

  • TELLING DETAILS Feminine Flourish in Midcentury Illustration and Comics COMICS AND MODERNISM Bukatman, S., Najarian, J. 2024: 157-183

    View details for Web of Science ID 001215998000009

  • Films in Which Nothing Very Much Happens: Unstable Knowledge in Lubitsch’s Late Silent Work New Approaches to Ernst Lubitsch: A Light Touch Bukatman, S. Amsterdam University Press. 2024: 285-302
  • We Are Ant-Man: The Digital Body in a Superhero Comedy JCMS-JOURNAL OF CINEMA AND MEDIA STUDIES Bukatman, S. 2023; 62 (2): 9-30

    View details for DOI 10.1353/cj.2023.0002

    View details for Web of Science ID 000942786000003

  • Black Panther 21st Century Film Essentials Bukatman, S. University of Texas Press. 2022
  • Sculpture, Stasis, the Comics, and Hellboy CRITICAL INQUIRY Bukatman, S. 2014; 40 (3): 104-117

    View details for Web of Science ID 000337849200007

  • Some Observations on Cartoon Physics, or The Cartoon Cat in the Machine Animating Film Theory Bukatman, S. edited by Beckman, K. Duke University Press. 2014
  • The Poetics of Slumberland: Animated Spirits and the Animating Spirit Bukatman, S. University of California Press. 2012
  • Little Utopias of Disorder AMERICAN ART Bukatman, S. 2011; 25 (2): 11-14

    View details for DOI 10.1086/661962

    View details for Web of Science ID 000208619100003

  • Why I Hate Superhero Movies CINEMA JOURNAL Bukatman, S. 2011; 50 (3): 118-122

    View details for Web of Science ID 000292058100016

  • Statement Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions Bukatman, S. 2011: 44-50
  • Disobedient Machines: Animation and Autonomy Beyond the Finite: The Sublime in Art and Science Bukatman, S. edited by Hoffmann, R., Boyd-White, I. Oxford University Press. 2011
  • Disobedient Machines: Animation and Autonomy Beyond the Finite: The Sublime in Art and Science Bukatman, S. edited by Hoffmann, R., Boyd-White, I. Oxford University Press. 2011
  • The Second Krazy Kat Team Cul de Sac zine Bukatman, S. 2011
  • Secret Identity Politics Holy Men in Tights - Superheroes Conference Bukatman, S. ROUTLEDGE. 2009: 109–125

    View details for Web of Science ID 000275594900006

  • Rio Bravo (Book Review) CINEMA JOURNAL Book Review Authored by: Bukatman, S. 2009; 48 (2): 166-168

    View details for Web of Science ID 000263092400016

  • Disobedient Machines: Animation and Autonomy Beyond the Finite: The Sublime in Art and Science Bukatman, S. edited by Hoffmann, R., Boyd-White, I. Suhrkamp. 2009
  • Secret Identity Politics. Men in Tights: the Comic Book Superhero. Bukatman, S. edited by Ndalianis, A. Routledge Press. 2008
  • Brushstrokes in CinemaScope: Minnelli’s Action Painting in Lust For Life Vincente Minnelli: The Art of Entertainment. Bukatman, S. edited by McElhaney, J. Wayne State University Press. 2008
  • Spectacle, Attractions, and Visual Pleasure The Cinema of Attractions: 1986-2006. Bukatman, S. edited by Strauven, W. University of Amsterdam Press. 2006
  • Comics and the Critique of Chronophotography, or ‘He Never Knew When It Was Coming!’ Animation Bukatman, S. 2006; 1
  • A Day in New York: On The Town and The Clock City That Never Sleeps: New York in the Movies Bukatman, S. edited by Pomerance, M. Rutgers University Press. 2006
  • Garbage: The stuff that dreams are made of - Response to Michael Shanks, David Platt, and William L. Rathje MODERNISM-MODERNITY Bukatman, S. 2004; 11 (1): 85-87

    View details for Web of Science ID 000220168300007

  • Matters of Gravity: Special Effects Bukatman, S. Duke University Press. 2003
  • Terminal Idiocy (the comedian is the message) Commissioned for Enfant Terrible: Jerry Lewis in American Film Bukatman, S. edited by Pomerance, M. New York University Press. 2002: 181–191
  • Online Comics and the Reframing of the Moving Image The New Media Book. Bukatman, S. edited by Harries, D. British Film Institute. 2002: 1333–143
  • Now Where Is England? Paradoxa Bukatman, S. 2000: 377-382
  • Taking Shape: Morphing and the Performance of Self Meta-Morphing Bukatman, S. edited by Sobchack, V. University of Minnesota Press. 2000: 225–249
  • The Artificial Infinite: On Special Effects and the Sublime Alien Zone II Bukatman, S. edited by Zone, A. Verso Press. 2000
  • Terminal Penetration The Cybercultures Reader Bukatman, S. edited by Bell, D., Kennedy, B. M. Routledge. 2000
  • Boys in the Hoods: Glossing the Urban Superhero Iconics Bukatman, S. 2000
  • Blade Runner Bukatman, S. Artemídia, Brazil. 2000
  • Postcards from the Posthuman Solar System Posthumanism Bukatman, S. edited by Badmington, N. St. Martin’s Press. 2000
  • Now Where Is England? Paradoxa Bukatman, S. 1999; 5: 13-14
  • Syncopated City: New York in Musical Film 1929-1961 The Spectator Bukatman, S. 1998: 8-23
  • Zooming Out: The End of Offscreen Space The New American Cinema Bukatman, S. edited by Lewis, J. Duke University Press. 1998: 284–272
  • The Ultimate Trip: Special Effects and the Visual Culture of Modernity IRIS, Special Issue on Film Theory and the Digital Image Bukatman, S. 1998; 25: 75-97
  • Syncopated City: New York in Musical Film 1929-1961 The Spectator Bukatman, S. 1998
  • Who programs you: The Science Fiction of the Spectacle Postmodern afterimages: A Reader In Film, Television and Video. Bukatman, S. edited by Brooker, P., Brooker, W. London: Arnold. 1997
  • Blade Runner Bukatman, S. The British Film Institute. 1997
  • 'AFTER YESTERDAYS CRASH' - THE AVANT-POP ANTHOLOGY - MCCAFFREY,L (Book Review) SCIENCE-FICTION STUDIES Book Review Authored by: Bukatman, S. 1996; 23: 133-135

    View details for Web of Science ID A1996TY65600009

  • Ann-Margret is My Copilot: A Desert Odyssey Lusitania Bukatman, S. 1996; 7: 95-108
  • Mondo Babes & Wired Boys Educom Review Bukatman, S. 1995: 7-18
  • The Artificial Infinite: On Special Effects and the Sublime Visual Displays: Culture Beyond Appearances Bukatman, S. edited by Cook, L., Wollen, P. The Bay Press. 1995: 255–289
  • Cut-Ups, White Noise and Cyberblitz in Spectacular Science Fiction Continuum Bukatman, S. 1994; 7 (2): 131-163
  • Virtual Textuality: Hypertext and Virtual Reality Artforum International Bukatman, S. 1994: 13-14
  • X-Bodies (The Torment of the Mutant Superhero). Uncontrollable Bodies: Testimonies of Identity and Culture Bukatman, S. edited by Sappington, R., Stallings, T. The Bay Press. 1994: 92–129
  • Gibson’s Typewriter Flame Wars: The Discourse of Cyberculture. Edited by Mark Dery. Bukatman, S. edited by Dery, M. Duke University Press. 1994: 71–89
  • DINOSAUR BYTES + REMARKS ON 'JURASSIC PARK' ARTFORUM Bukatman, S. 1993; 32 (2): 14-15

    View details for Web of Science ID A1993MA81700006

  • GIBSON TYPEWRITER + CYBERCULTURE, COMPUTERS AND SCIENCE-FICTION SOUTH ATLANTIC QUARTERLY Bukatman, S. 1993; 92 (4): 627-645

    View details for Web of Science ID A1993MH59000005

  • Electrotecture: Architecture and the Electronic Future ANY (Architecture New York) Magazine Bukatman, S. 1993: 44-51, 54-55
  • Terminal Identity: The Virtual Subject in Postmodern Science Fiction Bukatman, S. Duke University Press. 1993
  • FRACTAL GEOGRAPHIES + MARKING THE 10TH-ANNIVERSARY OF SCOTT,RIDLEY 'BLADE RUNNER' ARTFORUM Bukatman, S. 1992; 31 (4): 6-7

    View details for Web of Science ID A1992KA81200003

  • COMPUTERS AS THEATER - LAUREL,B (Book Review) SCIENCE-FICTION STUDIES Book Review Authored by: Bukatman, S. 1992; 19: 257-260

    View details for Web of Science ID A1992HZ80700009

  • STRANGE WEATHER - CULTURE, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE AGE OF LIMITS - ROSS,A (Book Review) AMERICAN BOOK REVIEW Book Review Authored by: Bukatman, S. 1992; 14 (2): 6-7

    View details for Web of Science ID A1992JF83600010

  • AMIDST THESE FIELDS OF DATA - ALLEGORY, RHETORIC, AND THE PARASPACE CRITIQUE-STUDIES IN CONTEMPORARY FICTION Bukatman, S. 1992; 33 (3): 199-219

    View details for Web of Science ID A1992HZ27100003

  • Review of Storming the Reality Studio: A Casebook of Cyberpunk and Postmodern Science Fiction. Science Fiction Eye Bukatman, S. 1992; 10: 88-89
  • cybersubjectivity and cinematic being Crisis Cinema: The Apocalyptic Vision in Postmodern Narrative Film Bukatman, S. edited by Sharrett, C. Maisonneuve Press. 1992: 97–102
  • POSTCARDS FROM THE POSTHUMAN SOLAR-SYSTEM SCIENCE-FICTION STUDIES Bukatman, S. 1991; 18: 343-357

    View details for Web of Science ID A1991GM36600005

  • THERES ALWAYS TOMORROWLAND - DISNEY AND THE HYPERCINEMATIC EXPERIENCE OCTOBER Bukatman, S. 1991: 55-78

    View details for Web of Science ID A1991FZ37700003

  • Paralysis in Motion: Jerry Lewis’s Life as a Man Comedy/Cinema/Theory Bukatman, S., Horton, A. Andrew Horton. University of California Press. 1991: 188–205
  • Thrash and Hack: Lewis Shiner’s novel SLAM American Book Review Bukatman, S. 1991; 13 (3): 1, 4-8
  • Who programs you: The Science Fiction of the Spectacle Alien Zone: Cultural Theory and Contemporary Science Fiction Cinema Bukatman, S. edited by Kuhn, A. Verso. 1990: 196–213
  • Incompletion, Simulation, and the Refusal of the Real: The Last Films of Orson Welles Persistence of Vision Bukatman, S. 1989; 7: 83-90
  • The Cybernetic (City)State: Terminal Space Becomes Phenomenal The Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts Bukatman, S. 1989; 2 (2): 43-63
  • PARALYSIS IN MOTION - LEWIS,JERRY LIFE AS A MAN CAMERA OBSCURA Bukatman, S. 1988: 195-205

    View details for Web of Science ID A1988Q846500009

  • Battles With Songs: The Soviet Historical Film as Historical Document. Persistence of Vision 3/4 Bukatman, S. 1986: 23-33
  • Play Misty for Me Magill's Cinema Annual Bukatman, S. 1986: 532-535
  • THX 1138 Magill's Cinema Annual Bukatman, S. 1985: 638-643