Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight (2nd Edition) (Popular Culture Psychology)

Batman and Psychology returns! This updated edition of the acclaimed best-seller shares fresh insights and truths about human nature by investigating Batman, one of the world's most compelling and enduring characters since his debut in 1939. Why does this superhero without superpowers fascinate us? What does that fascination say about us? Explore these and other intriguing questions about the masked hero, including: Does Batman show PTSD or posttraumatic growth? 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 clown?

With new chapters and updated information throughout along with a re-introduction by Michael Uslan (executive producer - Batman, The Dark Knight, The Batman), Batman and Psychology combines psychological theory and research to dive into his city's shadows and his cave's depths to know the mind of the Dark Knight, along with his power to inspire.

Praise for Travis Langley's Batman and Psychology 

"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

Does the Dark Knight have bats in his belfry? Why does Batman really wear a costume to fight crime? Why are his most intimate relationships with "bad girls" he ought to lock up? And why won't he kill that homicidal clown?
Batman and Psychology returns! This updated edition of the acclaimed bestseller shares fresh insights and truths about human nature by investigating Batman, one of the world's most compelling and enduring characters since his debut 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 Batman and Bruce Wayne, along with the life and characters of Gotham City.
Is Batman psychotic? Neurotic? Does he have PTSD, OCD, or any other mental illness? How about posttraumatic growth? Why does he fight crime? Why as a vigilante? Why the mask, the bat, and the underage sidekick? What psychopathologies lurk in the minds of supercriminals such as the Joker, the Riddler, Two-Face, and Catwoman? Do Batman and his foes depend on each other?
With new chapters and updated information throughout the book, Batman and Psychology combines psychological theory as it continues an unprecedented journey behing the mask to explore the mind of the Dark Knight, his never-ending war on crime, and his power to inspire.

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.