Abstract
One of the most peculiar phenomena of the recent culture industry is the appearance of Walter Benjamin, for decades a forgotten thinker, as the object of iconization and mass consumption. Over the last 20 years, this eccentric critic has not only stood at the centre of intense academic scrutiny but has also become the protagonist of comic books, popular novels, films, monuments and musical projects, in a cascade of images that shows no sign of exhaustion. This article explores the symbolic meanings invested in Benjamin's image, and the semantic tactics that are used to grant it its mythic aura. It seeks to shed light on the multi-layered function of Benjamin as a signifier, and points to hidden political elements and traditions that characterize the Benjamin industry.
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