Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight

by Travis Langley

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)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781118239513
Publisher:	Turner
Publication date:	05/22/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	352
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Dr. Travis Langley, distinguished professor of psychology at Henderson State University, is best-known as the author of the acclaimed book Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight. He has edited 12 Popular Culture Psychology anthologies. Documentaries such as AMC Visionaries” Robert Kirkman’s Secret History of Comics, Morgan Spurlock’s Superheroes Decoded, and Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics have featured him as an expert interviewee; Legends of the Knight spotlighted how he uses stories such as Batman’s to teach real psychology; and Batman & Bill on Hulu presented him among those who helped see Bill Finger finally recognized as Batman’s co-creator. Dr. Langley regularly speaks on media and heroism at universities, conferences, and conventions throughout the world. Psychology Today carries his blog, “Beyond Heroes and Villains.” He was also an undefeated champion on the Wheel of Fortune game show even though none of the puzzles were about psychology or superheroes.

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

Editorial Reviews

*

“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)

From the Publisher