Batman Unmasked - by Will Brooker (Paperback)

About the Book

A work of scholarship and a labor of love. "This is the definitive history of the Batman in all media: comics, film, television and the internet. The books combination of rigorous historical research and a witty, fluid writing style make it both vastly instructive and vastly entertaining."--Roberta Pearson, editor of The Many Lives of the Batman "Will appeal to avid students of pop culture and comics, and a gay cult audience...Brookers impressive overview of Batmans history reflects on the masked ones origins, early arch rivals and the introduction of Robin, and concentrates on four periods: WWII, the mid 1950s, the 60s and the 90s. In 1954, child psychologist Fredric Wertham attacked the comic book industrynoting homoerotic undercurrents between Batman and Robin; Brookers lengthy and fascinating gay reading supports Werthams claim, albeit with a positive, postmodern twist. After recalling the campy image of Batman spawned by ABCs 1960s TV show, the author takes a look at Batman writers, fans, fanzines and the Net, concluding with a hilarious chapter on how his research was ridiculed by the British media." -Publishers Weekly Brookers account is bolstered by his fan expertise. This book usefully expands uponThe Many Lives of Batman. Recommended--Library Journal"A historical, detailed, deep analysis of Batman as a cultural icon in America. This isn't a simple polemic or surface-shallow analysis. This is deep stuff-analyzing art styles, histories, individual panels, cultural concepts, and historical documents. plenty of startling revelations and analysesThis is a stunningly well-done, intelligent book. It's proof that comics are not throwaway ephemera, but real, vital, analyzable parts ofour culture. It's also a must-have for the hardcore Batman fan and comics fan-who doesn't mind some idea

Book Synopsis

Over the sixty years of his existence, Batman has encountered an impressive array of cultural icons and has gradually become one himself. This acclaimed book examines what Batman means and has meant to the various audiences, groups and communities who have tried to control and interpret him over the decades. Brooker reveals the struggles over Batman's meaning by shining a light on the cultural issues of the day that impacted on the development of the character. They include: patriotic propaganda of the Second World War; the accusation that Batman was corrupting the youth of America by appearing to promote a homosexual lifestyle to the fans of his comics; Batman becoming a camp, pop culture icon through the ABC TV series of the sixties; fans' interpretation of Batman in response to the comics and the Warner Bros. franchise of films.

Review Quotes

"A historical, detailed, deep analysis of Batman as a cultural icon in America. This isn't a simple polemic or surface-shallow analysis. This is deep stuff-analyzing art styles, histories, individual panels, cultural concepts, and historical documents . plenty of startling revelations and analyses This is a stunningly well-done, intelligent book. It's proof that comics are not throwaway ephemera, but real, vital, analyzable parts of our culture. It's also a must-have for the hardcore Batman fan and comics fan-who doesn't mind some ideas being challenged." www.super-heroes.net

"Brooker cuts through the mumbo jumbo to deliver incisive analysis and very sharp reporting, particularly on the comic book's homoerotic subtext and on the 60's TV show's knowing self-mockery, as well as on how the 'official' 21st Century Batman nods to both. Entertainment Weekly

"Brooker s account is bolstered by his fan expertise. This book usefully expands upon The Many Lives of Batman. Recommended" Library Journal

"Eloquent and reasoned." Popmatters.com

"This is the definitive history of the Batman in all media: comics, film, television and the internet. The book s combination of rigorous historical research and a witty, fluid writing style make it both vastly instructive and vastly entertaining." Roberta Pearson, editor of The Many Lives of the Batman

"Eloquent and reasoned."--Popmatters.com

"Brooker cuts through the mumbo jumbo to deliver incisive analysis and very sharp reporting, particularty on the comic books homoerotic subtext and on the 60's TV show's knowing self-mockery, as well as on how the official" 21 st. Century Batman nods to both

About the Author

Will Brooker is Director of Film Studies and Television at Kingston University, UK. He is the author of several books, including studies of Batman, Star Wars, Blade Runner, and Lewis Carroll.