The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More

Add a little dark humor, several talking animals and insects, and a some intense flashbacks, and you'll get this bizarre episode of Doom Patrol! Our dark heroes are struggling to save the world, now that the apocalypse they were warned about begins to emerge as a real threat. Do the needs of the many truly outweigh the needs of the few? We discuss the trolley problem and announce our brand-new Pat...

Inter-dimensional portals. A battle with an army made of unsent letters. A singing horse head. Cyborg's inflated ego. Our examination of the show Doom Patrol moves forward with one of the oddest episodes yet!

The team goes to Paraguay to rescue the Chief, but instead, come across the infamous lab created by Heinrich von Fuchs--which is now a spa-like experience for all of your customized metaphysical needs. This episode is all about control. Who's in it? And who's not? Visit our new shop (https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-arkham-sessions?ref_id=11228) for t-shirts, stickers, totes, and more!

In this episode, we get to focus on Robot Man and his relationship with Crazy Jane, the girl with 64 individual personalities--each with its own set of powers. We also meet Cyborg, a hero who's trying to live up to a promise his mother will never hear. Meanwhile, we dive further into the deep, dark recesses of Rita and Larry's psyches, as they explore an unusual dimension with their new cybernetic...

The time has finally come! Dr. Andrea Letamendi and Brian Ward begin their analysis of DC Universe's  Doom Patrol!  Join us, as we discuss Robotman, Elasti-Woman, Negative Man, and each of their lives and traumas leading up to this glorious moment!

After a couple of weeks at the top of the box office, Drea and Brian finally get to cover Joaquin Phoenix's take on the Clown Prince of Crime in Todd Phillips'  Joker . Up first, we get into a little conversation about our thoughts on the film; followed by Drea's complete Los Angeles Comic Con panel with  History of the Batman 's Londyn Jackson!

Drea's panel on parasocial relationships, from New York Comic Con 2019, "I Love You 3000: Managing Real Feelings About Fictional Characters," with guest panelists Dan Slott ( Spider-Man ); Danielle Paige (Dorothy Must Die ) and Kieron Gillen ( Wicked + Divine ). Moderated by the Daily Dot's Michelle Jaworski.

There's a sinister new presence in Gotham. He has a grudge and... he appears to know Batman's alter ego. But how? It's a mystery that must be solved, before Bruce Wayne's world comes crashing down. It's the animated adaptation of one of the most popular Batman stories ever told and we're analyzing it--and the original book--on this episode!

Batman returns to Metropolis to stop Ra's al Ghul from draining the Man of Steel of his strength, once again, prolonging life for the villain. But we explore alternatives to Ra's' addiction to life. We also question Talia's loyalty and Lois' and Superman's cultural sensitivity. Finally, we discuss Brian's Death Clock. Wait, what?! All of that, plus the start date for our analysis of DOOM PATROL, i...

In an effort to uncover the truth about Bruce Wayne's disappearance and dismantle the new criminal regime in Gotham City, Superman confidently dives into the crime-ridden streets of Gotham City to play detective. Though this lighthearted episode of  Superman: The Animated Series  pokes fun at Batman's obvious mood swings, it carries some deeper messages around what it is truly like to be in Batman...

Writers Brenden Fletcher and Cecil Castellucci join us for an amazing in-depth look at a character with which they're both very familiar: Barbara Gordon, a.k.a. Batgirl. Brenden, along with Cameron Stewart and Babs Tarr, introduced us the world to the mega-popular "Batgirl of Burnside," taking over for Gail Simone. Cecil has only just begun her tenure as the new writer for DC's  Batgirl , starting...

We're taking an ever-so-brief break from Batman and the DC Universe to analyze the X-Men show that, many say, shares the title of the most influential animated series of the '90s. And we're not alone! Joining us for this amazing live panel is the husband-and-wife team of showrunner Eric Lewald and writer Julia Lewald.

Excited to examine Batman when he's out of his element, we eagerly turn to Superman: The Animated Series to see how Bats and Supes interact when they have similar goals but very different missions.

It's the end of an era. Now that we've seen all of  Batman: The Animated Series,  including  The Adventures of Batman & Robin  and The New Batman Adventures , we're answering the questions you've submitted and revisiting some of our favorite rogues, heroes and moments from the show. We'll also tell you where the podcast is going next!

Dubbed by fans "The Lost Episode," the  Adventures of Batman & Robin video game, released for the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis, was written by Paul Dini and directed by Bruce Timm and incorporated brand-new cut scenes that were fully animated sequences that put the story directly within the world we've been covering. Therefore, we just  had to take a look and we're glad we did, as it gave us th...

Our Caped Crusader is ticked off to learn there is a new female vigilante in Gotham City. Her strong-arm tactics and masked identity make her a clear counterpart to Batman. In our discussion, we explore the concept of the "inner voice" based in self-determination theory. What does our internal self instruct us to do, and how are we motivated by ourselves? Finally, what is Batman's inner voice and...

It's our final official episode covering  Batman: The Animated Series and  The New Batman Adventures !  The Judge is on a spree to serve his own version of justice throughout Gotham City, targeting some of the most infamous and dangerous rogues and a corrupt Gotham City council member asserts that this harsh approach is more effective than sending each criminal to the "revolving door of Arkham." B...

What happens when a charismatic investigative journalist is exposed to both the Joker's laughing toxin AND the very chemicals that transformed the dastardly mobster into the Joker? The Creeper! We've got some serious topics ahead in this one; including sexual assault and mania. So tune in to hear what we have to say about the Creeper.

Bruce Wayne finally finds the perfect romantic partner to drive him out of the crime-fighting game for good! In this episode of  The Arkham Sessions , one member of the duo's opinion of Bruce Wayne changes dramatically, while both acknowledge the tragedy that is the betrayal Bruce feels when he discovers that his wife is actually one of Poison Ivy's pod creations, entangled in a plot to kill Bruce...

It's the episode many have been waiting for! "Mad Love" introduces us to the origin of Harley Quinn, formerly known as Harleen Quinzel. And Drea has a TON to say about this tale, so buckle up and settle in for this extra-long, extra-special eagerly anticipated episode of  The Arkham Sessions !

"Girls' Night Out" is an unapologetic celebration of the feminine superhero. In this episode, we explore important perspectives on gender differences in cooperation and fighting, including concepts from evolutionary psychology and feminist psychology.

This is a strikingly divergent episode, portraying three distinct, stylized representations of Batman: the Golden Age, Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns , and, of course, Batman: The Animated Series . This smart episode can be seen as a celebration of the Batman mythology, legacy, and core aspects of character. In our discussion, we explore the concept of Parasocial Relationships and the feel...

Were you unable to attend San Diego Comic-Con last week? No problem! We have you covered. This week, we present our 2018 Comic-Con panel: The Psychology of Robin, Batman's First Sidekick; featuring our very special guest, Mr. Loren Lester, the voice of Dick Grayson!

We're BACK! In this episode Drea and Brian revisit Dr. Philip Zimbardo and the controversial Stanford Prison Experiment to discuss the demon, Etrigan, and his lack of "intelligent disobedience." Plus, you can find out what we're up to at San Diego Comic-Con next week! Tune in now!

It's our live panel from WonderCon 2018, entitled "The Psychology of  Batman: The Animated Series ," with our very special guest Londyn Jackson (@BlueLondynSkies), from the stellar  History of the Batman podcast.