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)

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? Combining psychological theory with the latest in psychological research, Batman and Psychology takes you on an unprecedented journey behind the mask and into the dark mind of your favorite Caped Crusader and his never-ending war on crime.

Why doesn't Batman just kill the Joker and end everyone's misery? Can we hold the Joker morally responsible for his actions? Is Batman better than Superman? If everyone followed Batman's example, would Gotham be a better place? What is the Tao of the Bat? Batman is one of the most complex characters ever to appear in comic books, graphic novels, and on the big screen. What philosophical trials does this superhero confront in order to keep Gotham safe? Combing through seventy years of comic books, television shows, and movies, Batman and Philosophy explores how the Dark Knight grapples with ethical conundrums, moral responsibility, his identity crisis, the moral weight he carries to avenge his murdered parents, and much more. How does this caped crusader measure up against the teachings of Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Kierkegaard, and Lao Tzu?

A fun, frightening, and fascinating deep dive into the psyche of a madman: Batman’s nemesis, the Clown Prince of Crime. Since he first fought Batman in 1940, The Joker has evolved into one of popular culture's most complex and confounding psychological creations: both a criminal mastermind and an unhinged psychopath. In The Joker Psychology: Evil Clowns and the Women Who Love Them, Dr. Travis Langley, author of the bestselling Batman and Psychology, returns to Gotham City to explore the twisted psyche of this great supervillain, as well as the personalities who are inexorably drawn to it. Paying special attention to the strange dynamics of relationships like the one between The Joker and Harley Quinn, this collection includes some very special interviews with people who brought The Joker and Harley Quinn to life in comics and onscreen, and analyzes: · Why a bright, laughing monster who looks like a clown could be the ultimate antagonist to a grim, brooding hero who looks like a monster · The relationship between a therapist and her patient—and what happens when a therapist crosses the line, as Harley Quinn does when she falls for The Joker · How a smart person could fall for the most dangerous of criminals · Why so many fans find Harley Quinn inspirational · How different kinds of therapy could (or could not) help twisted minds like Mister J and Harley Quinn The development of a fictional character that so completely embodies psychopathy (including interviews with creators who have shaped The Joker’s character over the years), and more

Batman dresses in costume, spends a good part of his wealth to support the lifestyle of his bat-alter ego, and puts his life on the line nightly. There must be something wrong with him, right? This question is that heart of "What's the Matter With Batman?" Clinical psychologist and Abnormal Psychology author Robin Rosenberg delves into the mind of Batman. She examines his problems, "issues," and possible symptoms to determine whether he suffers from any of a variety of psychiatric disorders such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and others. Dr. Rosenberg also addresses why he trains minors to be sidekicks in his dangerous profession, as well as his disappointing love-life. Dr. Rosenberg is uniquely qualified to examine Batman in this light; she writes college-level psychology textbooks and writes extensively about psychology and superheroes. She is series editor of the Superhero series with Oxford University Press and has been featured discussing psychology and superheroes in various media including The Discovery Channel, The History Channel, the Financial Times, National Public Radio, Pacific Standard magazine, the Boston Phoenix and the documentary "Superheroes."

Battling bad guys. High-tech hideouts. The gratitude of the masses. Who at some point in their life hasn't dreamed of being a superhero? Impossible, right? Or is it? Possessing no supernatural powers, Batman is the most realistic of all the superheroes. His feats are achieved through rigorous training and mental discipline, and with the aid of fantastic gadgets. Drawing on his training as a neuroscientist, kinesiologist, and martial artist, E. Paul Zehr explores the question: Could a mortal ever become Batman? Zehr discusses the physical training necessary to maintain bad-guy-fighting readiness while relating the science underlying this process, from strength conditioning to the cognitive changes a person would endure in undertaking such a regimen. In probing what a real-life Batman could achieve, Zehr considers the level of punishment a consummately fit and trained person could handle, how hard and fast such a person could punch and kick, and the number of adversaries that individual could dispatch. He also tells us what it would be like to fight while wearing a batsuit and the amount of food we'd need to consume each day to maintain vigilance as Gotham City's guardian. A fun foray of escapism grounded in sound science, Becoming Batman provides the background for attaining the realizable—though extreme—level of human performance that would allow you to be a superhero.