Batman and the Classics: Echoes of Mythology, Literature and Philosophy in the Comics and Films

By Michael D. Nichols

Fans of Batman are used to seeing the Caped Crusader associate with the likes of Superman and Wonder Woman, but what if one were to put the Dark Knight into the company of figures such as Beowulf, Robin Hood, Oedipus, and Sun Tzu, among others? This is the first book to compare famous Batman graphic novels, story arcs, and some films to classic texts of literature and philosophy from around the world. Through this comparison we can see, for instance, how the epic warrior archetype of Beowulf or Roland persists in The Dark Knight Returns, or the metaphor of the journey, found in such works as The Odyssey, can be found in the story arc Knightfall. By placing definitive and famous works of Batman into conversation with such classic texts, this book sheds light on the deeper meanings of key stories of the Dark Knight, as well as how long-lasting themes of literature and philosophy have persisted in the stories of this famous popular culture character.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1476697221
• ISBN13: 9781476697222
• Release Date: June 2026
• Publisher: McFarland & Company
• Length: 191 Pages
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up