The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More

It's taken 40 episodes, but we're FINALLY introduced to The Riddler and it's worth the wait, as we talk about the battle of wits between Batman and the newest member of his Rogues Gallery. But is Batman off his game a little in Round 1? Or is he giving Robin the chance to step up? Is either scenario a healthy one? Find out in this episode of The Arkham Sessions !

Wayne Enterprises is working on Artificial Intelligence, but this a good idea? After all, the man responsible for teaching Bruce everything he knows about electronics has already developed his own supercomputer and it's not working out well. We talk about A.I., hypothesize that this episode isn't really about A.I. at all, discuss Roko's Basilisk and more on this episode of The Arkham Sessions .

Is Batman stressed out? During this episode of The Arkham Sessions , we take a look at relaxation therapy with Dr. Hugo Strange. We also take a moment to sample one real relaxation technique. Listen to this episode for a chance to get de-stressed!

On this episode of The Arkham Sessions , we revisit the weird love triangle between Bruce Wayne, Selina Kyle and... Batman. Will Bruce ever win Selina's heart? Does he even really want to? And will he ever be able to look past her criminal history?

In this episode of The Arkham Sessions , we revisit the relationship between Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson. Once again, resentment is exhibited by Dick as he tries to deal with Bruce's perfectionistic and strict mentoring style. Dick may be on to something--Bruce appears to be closed off when it comes to the expression of his emotions. In fact, he may have deficits in the area of emotional intellig...

We revisit our analysis of The Joker, this time taking into account his relationship with Harley Quinn. Harley is dangerously in the way of The Joker's wild, impulsive antics. Is The Joker compassionate enough to save her? Listen to the episode for the full psychological analysis of this villainous pair!

This episode of The Arkham Sessions covers the final act of the highly-acclaimed 2-part episode of Batman: The Animated Series, which explores the story of how Dick Grayson becomes Batman's sidekick. In the emotional conclusion, Robin is faced with a decision that could change his life forever.

On this episode of The Arkham Sessions , we take a look at just how similar the Batman and Robin are, psychologically speaking. It's the highly-acclaimed, Emmy-winning episode of Batman: The Animated Series , "Robin's Reckoning, Part 1," in which we investigate the death of Robin's family and how he ultimately joined forces with Batman. How's he coping now? Take a listen to find out! This week, we...

Based on the 1975 Detective Comics story "The Cape and Cowl Death Trap" by Elliot S. Maggin, this episode of Batman: The Animated Series features a relatively unknown crook by the name of Wormwood. Full of grandiosity and egoism, Wormwood quickly bites the bait when he's propositioned by a colleague into getting Batman's cape and cowl. Although we see Riddler-esque trickery and brain-teasers withi...

In this episode of The Arkham Sessions , we gently put aside the VHS and screen a contemporary work from the DC animated universe. This is our spoiler-free anaysis of Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, King Shark, Black Spider, Killer Frost and, of course, the Joker. This is Batman: Assault on Arkham ! In this episode of The Arkham Sessions, we gently put aside the VHS and screen a contemp...

In this episode of The Arkham Sessions , we discuss the fascinating neuroscience of dreams and the growing research supporting our ability to control our own actions within them! In our analysis, we discuss the fascinating neuroscience of dreams and the growing research supporting our ability to control our actions in dreams. Furthermore, by raising the scenario of being “plugged into a dream mach...

In this episode of The Arkham Sessions , we delve deeper into Poison Ivy's psychology by exploring her predilection for plants and her fanatic, destructive level of devotion to protect them.

If Batman ended up in an Arkham Asylum cell, would he be deemed "normal?" Or would the Gotham facility known for housing the "criminally insane" keep him under lock and key? Fighting the onset of paranoid delusions and vivid hallucinations, Batman struggles to reveal the real cause of his insanity: The Scarecrow . In this episode of  The Arkham Sessions , we discuss the experience of being hospita...

How far would you go to earn the affection of someone you love? Send them a roomful of gifts? Surprise them at their doorstep? Advance the science of neurotechnology to a whole new level by developing mind-controlling head accessories? In this episode of The Arkham Sessions , we explore the delusions and dangers of obsessive, unrequited love as only personified by the Mad Hatter. The Arkham Sessio...

Are Bruce and Dr. Leslie Thompkins enacting a healthy coping method by commermorating the Waynes every year in "Crime Alley?" Or is this a sign of prolonged grief and their inability to move on? In this episode of The Arkham Sessions,  we discuss how some people who experience trauma and negative life events can get "stuck" on bad thoughts which keep them from overcoing the tragedies in their live...

It's about time! The Arkham Sessions returns to the analysis of Batman: The Animated Series with a classic favorite, "The Clock King." The title villain is a seemingly harmless, time-obsessed efficiency expert who learns the unfortunate lession that one small change in his schedule can turn him into a vengeful killer. The show delves into the traits and states of people who are obsessive-compulsiv...

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Tim Burton's Batman , The Arkham Sessions takes a break from Batman: The Animated Series to pay special tribute to the legendary film that influenced the style, music, and dark themes of the animated show. Is the film, as Burton once described, a story about the intertwined paths of Batman and the Joker, culminating in a "fight between two disturbed people...

The menacing, sadistic villain Scarecrow escapes from Arkham Asylum and targets all of Gotham's star athletes. But Scarecrow's fear-inducing crimes are actually not the highlight of this episode. Rather, it's the sudden onset of Robin's panic attacks, his struggle to overcome his fears and Batman's surprising expertise in anxiety treatment that take center ring in this satifying episode! Did you k...

Hidden behind the vicious exterior of sharp teeth and menacing claws is a man who has dealt with disfigurement from a medical condition his whole life. How did this physical deformity impact him psychologically? How realistic is his uncontrollable anger and thirst for revenge? The doc explains how biological, cognitive, emotional and social "pathways" interact to explain how the Croc's life choice...

To owe the Joker a favor is never good. Unless, of course, that favor is listening to The Arkham Sessions . In this week's episode, we talk about folks that "snap," we continue to explore the Joker's diagnosis and we're introduced to the Joker's very special numero uno, Harley Quinn!

You know the story. You start with an attractive, successful actor who finds a "supplement" that helps his career. The "miracle pharmaceutical" happens to have a permanent, insidious side effect. And horrifically, our friend turns into the monstrous villain CLAYFACE and tries to destroy Batman! In this episode of The Arkham Sessions , we discuss the components of substance abuse disorders, vulnera...

Batman's no fool. He's a man of science. In this episode of The Arkham Sessions , we talk about the psychology of persuasion, the principles that con artists use to deceive and defraud us, and the research that shows just who is susceptible to this kind of victimization.

In a very realistic take on hero worship, this episode introduces us to Batman's idol: The Gray Ghost and shows us that even Batman can be an avid fan of a fictional character, down to his collection of costumes, memorabilia, and toys. But there's more to his fanboy adoration of this T.V. idol-- we discuss how the Gray Ghost represents justice and hope, and how he helped instill Bruce's moral beli...

A father with a criminal history and a restraining order against him returns to Gotham City after serving jail time. He begins sneaking into his daughter's room at night and devises a plan to kidnap her without his ex-wife knowing. His strategy? An invisibility suit. Of course, Batman will do everything he can to protect the young girl. In this psychologically-rich episode of The Arkham Sessions ,...

In this episode of The Arkham Sessions , we delve deeper into Bruce Wayne's struggle with his alter identity as Batman, how he deals with emotional vulnerability, his hunger for romantic connections, and rejection.