The Monstrous Batma

The Monstrous Batman examines and discusses Batman's relationship with the Gothic. This examination specifically focuses on Batman's relationship with the Gothic as that of a gothic monster rather than a hero with gothic influences. In order to clarify the space in Gothic that Batman takes the author must demonstrate an understanding in the Gothic and Other through scholars such as George Haggarty and Emmanuel Levinas, followed by defining monstrocity through the research of Judith Halberstam. The backbone created by Haggarty, Levinas and Halberstam allow for a core frame for Batman's examination to more clearly be defined within the Gothic, However Richard Dyer's seminal work in White allows for an even more specific interpretation of how the construction of Other can be manufactured by a dominant environment. Dyer's work functions as a pillar for The Monstrous Batman by providing the theory that allows heroes and seemingly human characters to be viewed as Other/non-human and even monstrous. Demonstrating how Batman becomes Other is instrumental to relaying the commonalities that he maintains with other gothic monsters birthed from the minds of Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley and even George Romero. By creating the connections between other gothic monsters and Batman the author attempts to demonstrate how these effects show themselves in batman not only in modern culture but specifically in Grant Morrison's Batman: Arkham Asylum. This emphasis will prove instrumental in revealing Batman's motivations and behaviors as a gothic monster rather than a hero, and moreover it will also question the purity of heroism itself as it relates to modern depictions of superheroes.