This book investigates the ontology as well as the social and cultural impact of US icons. American Studies scholars from various nations have come together to explore origins, maintenance, and manipulation of icons and to trace their hegemonic as well as subversive impact. Icons experience mutation, modulation, adjustment, and diversification until they either fade or join the pantheon of core US icons, becoming almost eternal. Contributions include analyses of iconic figures such as Billy the Kid, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. They cover stereotypes from obese bodies (Aunt Jemima) to iconic women, and they examine material icons such as the Dollar Bill and the Zapruder footage of the JFK assassination. Walter W. Hlbling is professor at and chair of the Institute of American Studies at the University of Graz. Klaus Rieser and Susanne Rieser are researchers there.