Abstract
Superheroes, recurring characters in contemporary media, bring conflicting elements into their narratives: their goals are prosocial (helping those in need), but their means are violent. The question then arises, how does this duality impact consumers? The present study aimed to carry out a systematic literature review regarding the relationships between superhero media, aggression, prosocial behavior, and related variables. Studies from the last ten years, published in English and Portuguese, were considered, and the final sample went through a qualitative synthesis. The results showed that all studies in the sample pointed to positive impacts of superhero media on prosocial behavior. Data on aggression, on the other hand, were inconclusive. Finally, the variables gender and level of character identification stand out in understanding the effects of superhero media. We highlight the need for a deeper investigation on prosocial violent media and its outcomes.
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