Batman and Psychology : A Dark and Stormy Knight

by Langley, Travis

• ISBN13: 9781118167656
• ISBN10: 1118167651
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-06-13
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

Untangle the complex web of philosophical dilemmas of Spidey and his world-in time for the release of The Amazing Spider-Man movie Since Stan Lee and Marvel introduced Spider-Man in Amazing Fantasy #15 in 1962, everyones favorite webslinger has had a long career in comics, graphic novels, cartoons, movies, and even on Broadway. In this book, some of historys most powerful philosophers help us explore the enduring questions and issues surrounding this beloved superhero: Is Peter Parker to blame for the death of his uncle? Does great power really bring great responsibility? Can Spidey champion justice and be with Mary Jane at the same time? Finding your way through this web of inquiry, youll discover answers to these and many other thought-provoking questions. Gives you a fresh perspective and insights on Peter Parker and Spider-Mans story lines and ideas Examines important philosophical issues and questions, such as: What is it to live a good life? Do our particular talents come with obligations? What role should friendship play in life? Is there any meaning to life? Views Spider-Man through the lens of some of historys most influential thinkers, from Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, and Immanuel Kant to Nietszche, William James, Ayn Rand, and Alasdair MacIntyre

Author Biography

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 or the psychology of superheroes at conventions like San Diego Comic-Con-especially the psychology of Gotham's Dark Knight.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments: My Bat-Family	p. vii
Foreword	p. xi
Introduction	p. 1
Beneath the Cowl: Who Is Batman?	p. 5
Which Batman?	p. 8
Case File 2-1: King Tut
Case File 2-2: Mr. Freeze
The Trauma	p. 35
Why the Mask?	p. 54
Why the Bat?	p. 67
Case File 5-1: Scarecrow
Case File 5-2: Hugo Strange
The "Superstitious, Cowardly Lot": Criminal Nature	p. 90
Case File 6-1: Bane
The Halloween Party: Why All the Costumed Crooks?	p. 110
Case File 7-1: The Riddler
Case File 7-2: The Penguin
Case File 7-3: Poison Ivy
The Madhouse: What Insanity?	p. 130
Case File 8-1: The Mad Hatter
Case File 8-2: Harley Quinn
Case File 8-3: The Joker
The Psychodynamic Duo: Freud and Jung on Batman and Robin	p. 158
Case File 9-1: Two-Face
The Kids: Why Robin?	p. 178
Case File 10-1: Red Hood
Case File 10-2: Dr. Fredric Wertham
The Women: Why the Cat?	p. 211
Case File 11-1: Catwoman
The Fathers: Why Do We Fall?	p. 237
Case File 12-1: RaÆs al Ghul
Why So Serious?	p. 257
The Assessment: Bats in His Belfry?	p. 266
Notes	p. 272
References: Comic Books and Graphic Novels	p. 291
References: Not Comic Books or Graphic Novels	p. 304
Index	p. 332
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