Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight

( 8 )

Overview

A journey behind the mask and into the mind of Gotham City’s Caped Crusader, timed for the summer 2012 release of The Dark Knight Rises

Batman is one of the most compelling and enduring characters to come from the Golden Age of Comics, and interest in his story has only increased through countless incarnations since his first appearance in Detective Comics #27 in 1939. Why does this superhero without superpowers fascinate us? What does that fascination say about us? Batman and ...

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More About This Book

Overview

A journey behind the mask and into the mind of Gotham City’s Caped Crusader, timed for the summer 2012 release of The Dark Knight Rises

Batman is one of the most compelling and enduring characters to come from the Golden Age of Comics, and interest in his story has only increased through countless incarnations since his first appearance in Detective Comics #27 in 1939. Why does this superhero without superpowers fascinate us? What does that fascination say about us? Batman and Psychology explores these and other intriguing questions about the masked vigilante, including: Does Batman have PTSD? Why does he fight crime? Why as a vigilante? Why the mask, the bat, and the underage partner? Why are his most intimate relationships with “bad girls” he ought to lock up? And why won't he kill that homicidal, green-haired clown?

  • Gives you fresh insights into the complex inner world of Batman and Bruce Wayne and the life and characters of Gotham City
  • Explains psychological theory and concepts through the lens of one of the world’s most popular comic book characters
  • Written by a psychology professor and “Superherologist” (scholar of superheroes)
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Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

This summer, Batman will once again burst onto the screens with the July release of Warner Brothers' The Dark Knight Rises. By this time, many of us have wondered about our culture's seven- decade fascination with the Caped Crusader. "Superherologist" Travis Langley has done so more tellingly than most. In this singular book, he writes about Batman as a superhero with no superpowers, a hero who taps into our most primal fears and our deepest wishes. Dr. Langley puts this masked vigilante and his admirers on the analyst couch to examine what makes him—and us tick. A revealing look at Bruce Wayne and his alter-ego.

From the Publisher

*

“As a result, the book is much less dry and much more entertaining than many of the others which populate the ever-growing field of texts about pop culture and the sciences. Rather than just telling us what we should know or think about Batman, the book supplements our own interest in the hero, and provokes us to think more about what's going on in his head.”  (Starpulse.com, 28 July 2012)

“Each book up there is worthwhile reading, and I heartily recommend every one. Pointing out that they’re either not about psychology or not specifically about Batman does not detract from any of the great things they have to say.”  (Geek Nation, 12 June 2012)

“Simply speaking, this is my pick for the best book of 2012. A fantastic look into the inner workings of one of comic book's most compelling, dynamic characters; a masterfully written analysis/love note to the Dark Knight."  (MoviesWithButter.com, 21 July 2012)

“Langley’s excellent book is interesting in that — unlike most writers who’ve written about Wertham and the Comics Code, he allows that Dr. Wertham was, in most respects, quite a valuable member of society. Wertham did a lot of good — he was a civil rights advocate whose work was cited in the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education.”  (Blood, Dirt & Angels, 21 July 2012)

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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781118167656
  • Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
  • Publication date: 6/13/2012
  • Edition description: First Edition
  • Edition number: 1
  • Pages: 352
  • Sales rank: 110,319
  • Product dimensions: 6.00 (w) x 8.90 (h) x 1.00 (d)

Meet the Author

TRAVIS LANGLEY is a professor of psychology at Henderson State University. An organizer for the Comics Arts Conference, he is a psychologist who speaks regularly on the psychology of superheroes at conventions like San Diego Comic-Con—especially the psychology of Gotham's Dark Knight.

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgments: My Bat-Family vii

Foreword by Michael Uslan, Bat-Films executive producer xi

Introduction by Dennis O’Neil, comic book writer/editor 1

1 Beneath the Cowl: Who Is Batman? 5

2 Which Batman? 8

Case File 2–1: King Tut

Case File 2–2: Mr. Freeze

3 The Trauma 35

4 Why the Mask? 54

5 Why the Bat? 67

Case File 5–1: Scarecrow

Case File 5–2: Hugo Strange

6 The “Superstitious, Cowardly Lot”: Criminal Nature 90

Case File 6–1: Bane

7 The Halloween Party: Why All the Costumed Crooks? 110

Case File 7–1: The Riddler

Case File 7–2: The Penguin

Case File 7–3: Poison Ivy

8 The Madhouse: What Insanity? 130

Case File 8–1: The Mad Hatter

Case File 8–2: Harley Quinn

Case File 8–3: The Joker

9 The Psychodynamic Duo: Freud and Jung on Batman and Robin 158

Case File 9–1: Two-Face

10 The Kids: Why Robin? 178

Case File 10–1: Red Hood

Case File 10–2: Dr. Fredric Wertham

11 The Women: Why the Cat? 211

Case File 11–1: Catwoman

12 The Fathers: Why Do We Fall? 237

Case File 12–1: Ra’s al Ghul

13 Why So Serious? 257

14 The Assessment: Bats in His Belfry? 266

Notes 272

References: Comic Books and Graphic Novels 291

References: Not Comic Books or Graphic Novels 304

Index 332

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 8 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(6)

4 Star

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3 Star

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2 Star

(1)

1 Star

(1)

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Sort by: Showing all of 8 Customer Reviews

  • Posted June 22, 2012

    A book about the psychology of Batman - two great tastes that ta

    A book about the psychology of Batman - two great tastes that taste great combined.

    Seriously, Batman more than any other superhero is driven by the psychology of the character. This book masterfully analyzes Batman, his enemies, his long history. The author knows his Batman. He know his psychology too and explains it in such clear text, respecting the readers' intelligence but without making the material tough. Heck of a balancing job. Smart and entertaining, this book is spellbinding. I could not put it down.

    8 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted April 7, 2013

    I was given this as a gift, and I was disappointed. It was just

    I was given this as a gift, and I was disappointed. It was just ok.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted April 5, 2013

    I am not sure who has been writing these reviews (perhaps the au

    I am not sure who has been writing these reviews (perhaps the author) but this is really not a very well crafted book. I am a huge fan of Batman, and this attempt at analysis does both a huge disservice to both the character and psychology. Large portions of this book had nothing to do with Batman, and the reading was dry. I would not recommend this book if you are a fan of Batman.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 25, 2013

    Doc

    No she didnt dont make papa feel bad i sounded complete opposite of you and we all know you wouldnt do tht

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 9, 2013

    Good morning all

    Chey

    0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 7, 2013

    Stewart

    ?...

    0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 3, 2013

    To sloan

    U horni?

    0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 29, 2013

    Sloan

    Yo

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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