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 numbered 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? It gives you fresh insights into the complex inner world of Batman and Bruce Wayne and the life and characters of Gotham City. It explains psychological theory and concepts through the lens of one of the world's most popular comic book characters. It is written by a psychology professor and Superherologist (scholar of superheroes).

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9781118167656

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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)

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)

Author Information

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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