Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight [Paperback]

Travis Langley (Author), Dennis O'Neil (Introduction), Michael Uslan (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 13, 2012

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)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"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." - Stephen Harvey, FindYourGeek.com

"Langley cleverly combines his two loves, as evinced by the title, to create a work that will draw the most disinterested psychology students in by using the seemingly universally loved Byronic hero of Batman." - Geekscape.net

"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." - Barnes & Noble

"If you love Batman you will love this book. If you love psychology you will love this book! Do not worry about getting lost though, as Langley does an excellent job explaining everything he discusses... A book you shouldn't pass up, as once you start reading it you simply will not be able to put it down!" - International House of Geek

"...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

From the Author

"I'll never get to meet the late Bob Kane or Bill Finger. We can't chat about their creations. I can't watch them greet fans, hear them recount anecdotes from their amazing lives, or thank them for everything they set in motion and all that their legacy has meant - not face-to-face anyway. This book is more than my answer to a question Adam West, the man who played my childhood hero, once asked me. It's my heartfelt 'thank you' to Bob and Bill. Jerry too." - Travis Langley, author of Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight, from his acknowledgments.

"...scholarly and insightful... His professional credentials, mixed with his love for the comic books and the character of Batman, create a fascinating, entertaining, and educational read." - Bat-Films executive producer Michael Uslan (Batman, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight Rises), from his foreword to Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight.

"It is a terrific book. It explores the psychological implications of Batman's various incarnation, in print and on screens both large and small, and in the process gives us a pretty thorough biography of Batman, his friends, and his enemies... It serves as a witty and absolutely clear introduction to psychology, especially clinical psychology." - comic book writer and editor Dennis O'Neil (Batman, Detective Comics), from his introduction to Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (June 13, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1118167651
• ISBN-13: 978-1118167656
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,328 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Movies > History & Criticism

More About the Author

Superherologist Travis Langley, the author of BATMAN AND PSYCHOLOGY: A DARK AND STORMY KNIGHT, is a psychology professor who teaches on the psychology of crime, mental illness, social behavior, and media (including comic books), not to mention a course titled BATMAN, at Henderson State University. He received his bachelor's degree from Hendrix College and his doctorate in psychology from Tulane University.

Travis has also been a child abuse investigator, courtroom expert, and undefeated champion on the Wheel of Fortune game show even though none of the puzzles they gave him were about psychology or superheroes.

Thousands follow him as @Superherologist on Twitter. An organizer of the Comics Arts Conference, he regularly speaks as a panelist discussing the psychology of superheroes at conventions like San Diego Comic-Con International, WonderCon, and New York Comic Con, joined by great people like Bat-Films executive producer Michael Uslan, legendary comic book writer Dennis O'Neil, Batman actor Adam West, and West's Catwoman Lee Meriwether. As part of their ongoing ERIICA Project (Empirical Research on the Interpretation and Influence of the Comic Arts), Travis and his students investigate how fans see themselves and their heroes. Psychology Today runs his column, "Beyond Heroes and Villains."

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Psych Eval of The Ultimate (fictional) Patient June 17, 2012

By Sean

Format:Paperback

This book combines two of my loves into one well thought out and well organized book. Dr Langley provides well thought out justifications for diagnoses of Batman and many of his rogues, examines the root cause of their behaviors, and provides a lovingly thorough and surprisingly accurate rundown of Batman's history in all forms of media. This book is up to date with Flashpoint, which is quite impressive when considering how recent said story is, and also discusses some of the themes in the upcoming Dark Knight Rises without giving spoilers. This book is something I've craved for a long, long time!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Oustanding! June 20, 2012

By Ace of Babes

Format:Paperback

I'm a student of psychology, and am also an avid Batfan. I'm going to be honest. I may have sacrificed some personal commitments (not a wedding or anything) to finish this book. For those interested in the topics at hand, it's nearly impossible to put down.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A unique look at a very well known character... February 20, 2013

By Gamal Hennessy

Format:Paperback

There are few pop culture icons that are more well known than Batman. His popularity transcends comics, TV and movies and has been built up for more than 80 years. While there have been many books written about the cultural impact of this character, the most recent one explores the underlying psyche of Batman and how readers relate to him. Batman and Psychology isn't an overly technical book, but it does shed some new light on this well known shadow.

Travis Langley's book serves two audiences very well; it exposes fans of Batman to basic concepts about psychology and introduces the Batman mythos to people who have a background in psychology. Langley achieves this balance by using the 80 years of Batman's "post industrial mythology" as the case studies for various mental conditions and experiences including:

1) Post traumatic stress disorder, the stages of grief and childhood development - Bruce Wayne watching his parents killed
2) Anti-social, sociopathic and psychotic behavior - The Joker
3) The impact of symbolism and identity issues - Creating the bat tailsman and wearing the mask
4) Intimacy issues - Batman's romantic endeavors and lack of deep connection
5) Family dynamics including surrogate parents, adopted children and birth order dynamics - Batman's relationship with Alfred, Commissioner Gordon and the various Robins

One of the most interesting aspects of the book is the exploration of how these stories remain popular. Langley explores the effects that the stories have on the psychology of fans including discussions of Jungian archetypes, the hero's journey and plausible escapism.... Once you reach the end of the book, you come away with a greater appreciation of the impact that Batman in particular and comics in general have on popular culture.

As a writer, I can't hope to create a world that will be as enduring in popularity as Batman, but I can apply the lessons of his character development to my work and imagine the possibilities of my characters becoming cultural icons if I just keep writing.

Have fun.
Gamal Read more ›

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!! June 23, 2012

By Manny152

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

As a comic and psychology geek, I have to say that this book is an amazing read and excellent psychological exploration in to the Dark Knight and his rouge of villains and supporting characters. The amount of research and psychological analysis really shines through. The trauma section was especially revealing and well-supported... Highly recommend it!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book is ...AMAZING August 14, 2012

By Raymond G. Ward

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

When I first picked this up I thought that it would just be an interesting way to pass a day or two. I've had a few college courses in psychology and thought it'd be neat to read about mental disorders in Batman's universe. This book is so much more than that. This could literally be the foundation of the most interesting college class EVER. Langley does a fantastic job of detailing various mental disorders and motivations not just in the Batman universe but also in the real world. The real pleasure in reading this book is that it's not just comic books and pop psychology but a primer for understanding real mental issues, and why some people are the way they are. It also explains why Batman only works inside of the universe he's in. The book is excellent.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful August 16, 2012

By Super Beast

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This should appeal to anyone in to psychology and/or batman. It is more for reference than a story, obviously. Just know what you are buying before you buy it.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Possibly the best book ever written about Batman. Ever. October 28, 2012

By Beardyjin

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Having been a Batman fan for nearly 30 years, I've come to form some concrete opinions on the character. Through his various iterations on TV (both live-action and animated), film, and in the comics, Batman has had core elements that make up what is Bruce Wayne/Batman. In his aptly titled 'Batman and Psychology,' Dr. Langley examines these core elements (and a few of the variables or fringe elements the character has picked up along the way as well) in a detailed, professional, and entertaining way.

I've read some other great "superherology" books like `Wisdom from the Batcave' and 'The Psychology of Superheroes,' and Langley references them both in his book. However, Langley's book is the first in-depth professional psychological analysis of Batman and the Batman "universe" or mythos that's ever been published. Langley is an unabashed Batman fan, but in the book he takes a look at Bruce Wayne from an objective psychologist's perspective and draws some interesting conclusions--some of which may change the way fans look at the character--about Batman in all of his iterations from the first comics Bob Kane and Bill Finger put out in 1939 all the way to Christopher Nolan's 2012 film `The Dark Knight Rises.' However, Langley is a professional and he doesn't come to his conclusions lightly. He goes in to great detail with his analysis and makes sure his conclusions are on solid footing. The man has 40 pages (Forty!) of listed references, so this book isn't simply some collection of fanboy riffing or factless, opinion fueled blogging.

And not only is this book great for Batman fans, it's also a wonderful primer for the study of psychology. What is PTSD really? How much of a factor is fear in shaping our decisions?... Langley delves in to these aspects of psychology and so much more while using Batman as his case study. How would Piaget, Freud, Erikson, or Kohlberg all rank the Caped Crusader on their developmental scales? Langley attempts to find out. And if you've no idea who any of those guys are, Langley does a great job of introducing their theories to the uninitiated in an entertaining way.

Another great aspect of this book is that Langley recognizes no man is an island, and Batman is influenced and changed by the people he interacts with. Batman's relationship with all of his various sidekicks and mentors are examined by Langley in the book as well. The positive people who influenced Batman are not the only ones to get review either; peppered throughout book are 12 intriguing mini-case files on all the great villains from Batman's Rogues Gallery.

Langley's book is a fun, fascinating read and one I'll go back to again and again. This is a must have for any Batman fan! Read more ›