The Arkham Sessions: Psychology of Batman & More

We take a break from the Arkham video games and return to  The New Batman Adventures  for one of our all-time favorite episodes, "Old Wounds." This is the story of the rift between Bruce and Dick that we've all wanted to see! Are Brian's feelings about Bruce vindicated? Or is Bruce still "doing the best he can with what he's got," as Drea's always said. We have A LOT of fun in this episode of  The...

You asked for it! In the first of our two-part fourth anniversary celebration, we explore Batman: Arkham Origins  and  Batman: Arkham Asylum ; including some of the games' clinical treatments and therapeutic approaches, and we break down the palpable, intense relationship between Batman and the Joker. We also offer our own reactions to the portrayals of mental health in this video game popular vid...

This episode stands out as memorable, not because of the Mad Hatter's plan to use circus animals for burglary, but due to Dick Grayson's remarkable resilience as he encounters the place of his parents' death, the Haley Circus. His ability to manage traumatic memories, to face intense sorrow, and most of all, to identify a sense of purpose as a helper to the community within the very context of his...

This week, we take on cults; specifically, cat cults led by Thomas Blake (aka Catman, in other incarnations of the DC Universe). And, clearly, we can't have cats without Catwoman! Will Selina finally win over Batman in her final appearance? And did her transformation into a cat-woman hybrid in "Tiger, Tiger" change her more than we'll ever know? Is Batman heading his own cult? These questions and...

When Farmer Brown's career of genetically enhancing animals crashes and burns at an agriculture fair, Batman has to defend Gotham City from those aforementioned genetically enhanced animals. We talk a little about steroid use, but ultimately, how we just wish this episode were...well...better. We also take a deeper look at a very serious scene from last week's episode, "Mean Seasons."

We dedicate this episode to World Mental Health Day and continue to support this cause by illuminating the experiences of persons with mental health illnesses and struggles through the art and narrative of Batman. In this episode, we explore the nature of self-hatred, shame, and identity. In "Mean Seasons," we're introduced to Calendar Girl, a mysteriously masked villainess who targets high-profil...

In celebration of her 25th anniversary, Harley Quinn fittingly takes over the annual "Batman Day" this year. Here at The Arkham Sessions , we did what we do best: Analyze the most relevant animated Batman stories. This time, we watched the new DC Animated film,  BATMAN AND HARLEY QUINN . Though the story itself is straightforward and the character build-out flimsy, we were able to extract some of...

Live from Ontario, California's Comic Con Revolution, our friend Livio Ramondelli, joins us to discuss his favorite episode "Over the Edge," which features the nightmarish realization that everything could easily come crashing down for Batman and Gotham City, if he's not able to keep the Bat Family safe. Forgive the bad audio. It was recorded at a convention with folks who weren't entirely sure op...

Do you get restless if you stay home for too long? Like going to new places rather than familiar ones? Prefer sports that involve a physical thrill such as surfing, rock climbing, and skiing?  You're probably a sensation seeker! In this episode, we discuss the new character Roxy Rocket, a pro stunt person turned thrill-seeking criminal who has fixated on Batman. We discuss her propensity for risk...

Join us at San Diego Comic-Con, as we merely scratch the surface of the psychology of  Batman: The Animated Series  with two of the people most responsible for its success--Paul Dini and Alan Burnett! Also joining us is our dear friend, DC writer Brenden Fletcher. 

In this episode of The Arkham Sessions , we meet a classic Batman villain for the first (and last) time; we explore the development of stalking behavior through the narrative of Cassidy, a rising pop star; we dive into the "types" of stalkers; and we describe concrete factors that increase the risk of stalking violence. Listen now for the full analysis! 

It's a relationship we never thought we'd ever see; a relationship we never even wanted to see: Killer Croc and Baby Doll, two people who feel they're misunderstood by society. Can finding one another help how they feel about themselves? Why do they each revert to versions of themselves that they're so desperate to shed? And could Bruce Wayne have been more helpful in reforming Baby Doll after the...

Robin learns a tough lesson when he disobeys Batman and goes on his own to pursue a mysterious case involving a young, lost girl by the name of Annie. In this episode of The Arkham Sessions, we explore the notion of "personhood" and identity development. First, how do we define a person? What characteristics must one have in order to be considered a sentient being? Reviewing various definitions of...

The Joker is in some serious need of cash. So when his old rival, King Barlowe, dies and leaves him $250 million, he's absolutely thrilled...and a little confused. Can the Joker retire, now that he's got one big LEGAL score? Will money buy his happiness? Can Harley simply be replaced? Is there a type of person who's more susceptible to con artists than others? What's the Golden Triangle of Happine...

Join our hosts, Dr. Andrea Letamendi and Brian Ward, as they talk to special guests Henry T. Gilroy ( Star Wars Rebels ), Eric and Julia Lewald ( X-Men: The Animated Series ), and David Wise ( Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ) about developing characters and stories for animation--including those characters' psychological make-up. Hear stories about working on Star Trek: The Animated Series,  Star Wa...

The show takes a momentary detour to celebrate our 100th episode by deconstructing the latest Batman film, THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE (2017). In this episode, we highlight some of the most compelling psychological themes present in the movie, including Batman's isolationism, his emotional dependency on The Joker, and his reluctance to connect with his newly adopted son, Robin (Dick Grayson). Overall, t...

In what appears to be a significant transformation, Scarecrow decides to terrorize the city of Gotham by taking fear away . Scarecrow's newest weapon is a toxin that eliminates any biological response related to fear and anxiety. Batman becomes a victim of the toxin and begins to act a bit more...like Batman? With his fear and vulnerability completely wiped from his psychological repertoire, Batma...

This episode slightly moves away from our traditional format, because Dr. Andrea Letamendi got a unique opportunity to speak with Green Lantern writer Sam Humphries about his work on the comic; specifically focused on the character of Jessica Cruz, a member of the Green Lantern Corps who copes with severe anxiety. In this conversation, Humphries describes his own experiences with anxiety and the w...

Over the last few episodes, we've been able to glean a bit of a falling out between Bruce and Dick. This is our first look at 'Nightwing'--or, as Catwoman likes to call him, "Man Wonder." Meanwhile, Batman has to sit back and watch as his former protégé gets sucked in by Cougar-esque charms of Selina Kyle. Can Bruce let go? Can Dick become his own man? Can Catwoman be trusted? All of this and more...

Arnold Wesker, AKA the villain known as The Ventriloquist, is released from inpatient care after six months of successful rehabilitation. His treatment team at Arkham is confident he'll be fine, as long as his "alternate personality remains suppressed." However, he soon finds himself plagued with trauma reminders, intrusive thoughts, and nightmares about his old pal, Scarface. Is Scarface a produc...

It's the finale we've all been waiting for! Mr. Freeze's final appearance in Batman: The Animated Series / The New Batman Adventures arrives with all of the (dinosaur) bone-chilling glory you'd expect. Now that his beloved Nora has been revived, Victor has failed to visit her and she's moved on, which sends him into a spiral of depression and, possibly, PTSD. That's right; Drea explains how Victor...

In this Thanksgiving week episode, we're formally introduced to the new Robin, Tim Drake--or is it Jason Todd? Maybe a combination of both? We also discuss the whereabouts of Master Dick Grayson. Was there a falling out between Bruce and his ward? We take a deeper look into empathy, what it means to be empathetic and Drea even gives us all a test to determine just how empathetic we are! How does B...

We're reintroduced to some old friends and Rogues, as we begin our analysis of THE NEW BATMAN ADVENTURES--a series that premiered two years after the final episode of BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES and THE ADVENTURES OF BATMAN & ROBIN. In this anthology of holiday-themed adventures, Bruce Wayne goes on a shopping spree with Harley and Ivy, Batman and a new Robin take on the Joker and Batgirl takes on...

We're back! And we're bringing the long-awaited episode, "Subzero," with us! When Mr. Freeze abducts Barbara Gordon so that he can perform a blood transfusion that will help his beloved Nora, naturally Batman and Robin launch into action. Will the argument over Mr. Freeze between Brian and Drea finally be resolved? And did Bruce commit a crime so serious even Drea calls him out? Find out in "Subze...

Arguably, she's a character who's become so popular that she's overcome her attachment to Gotham City and Batman lore. Join us, as we discuss Harley Quinn's origin, her popularity, her desire to be paired with others, that controversial relationship with the Joker and much more. Live from Long Beach Comic Con, it's our analysis of Harley Quinn with writer Jimmy Palmiotti!