Psychiatric Analyses and Comics

As comic books become more prevalent and relevant in today's society, the inevitable implications of the stories and characters will be analyzed. The analysis starts at Comic-Con on Thursday July 22 at 7:30 PM.

Transcending Trauma: From the Birth of Batman to the Rise of the Red Hood will feature three experts in child/adolescent, adult and forensic psychiatry and will apply modern psychiatric knowledge and perspectives to popular comic book characters. The panel features H. Eric Bender, M.D., Praveen R. Kambam, M.D., and Vasilis K. Pozios, M.D., founders of “Broadcast Thought,” examining traumatic experience and resiliency in characters such as Batman, Iron Man, Red Hood, and The Hulk, among others.

At Comic-Con International 2009 and most recently WonderCon, the threesome outlined aspects of real-life forensic psychiatry and its application to various characters at Arkham Asylum, the infamous institution for the “criminally insane” in the Batman comics. The panel asks questions like "What drove Batman to become a hero instead of a 'nemesis?'" and "Was Robin destined to become a 'hood?'" The analysis will feature insight into the diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in relation to the characters.

Transcending Trauma: From the Birth of Batman to the Rise of the Red Hood
takes place at Comic-Con International 2010 on Thursday, July 22, 2010, from 7:30 – 8:30 P.M. in Room 8 of San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California.

Full press release after the jump.

NOVEL APPLICATIONS OF PSYCHIATRIC THEORIES SHED LIGHT ON COMIC HEROES AND VILLAINS INCLUDING BATMAN, IRON MAN, RED HOOD, AND THE HULK

Upcoming Panel at Comic-Con 2010 Uses Modern Psychiatry to Tie Iconic Characters to Actual Human Trauma and Behavior

Los Angeles, CA, July 2010 – New psychiatric analyses exploring the effects of traumatic experience on characters’ paths to heroism or villainy will be unveiled for the first time at Comic-Con 2010. Three experts in child/adolescent, adult, and forensic psychiatry will present Transcending Trauma: From the Birth of Batman to the Rise of the Red Hood, scheduled for Thursday, July 22, at 7:30 pm at the San Diego Convention Center.

On the heels of standing-room only panels at WonderCon and Comic-Con 2009, three physicians will apply modern psychiatric knowledge and perspectives to popular comic heroes and villains. The panel features H. Eric Bender, M.D., Praveen R. Kambam, M.D., and Vasilis K. Pozios, M.D., founders of “Broadcast Thought,” boldly examining traumatic experience and resiliency in characters such as Batman, Iron Man, Red Hood, and The Hulk, among others.

At Comic-Con International 2009 and most recently WonderCon, the threesome outlined aspects of real-life forensic psychiatry and its application to various characters at Arkham Asylum, the infamous institution for the “criminally insane” in the Batman comics. The novel ideas in both talks drew capacity crowds and have been featured in Entertainment Weekly’s PopWatch Blog, ABC News, and Discover’s "Science Not Fiction" Blog.

Back by popular demand, Broadcast Thought explores how these classic characters become the heroes or villains we have grown to love or fear. What drove Batman to become a hero instead of a “nemesis?” Was Robin destined to become a “hood?” The experts will offer insight into the diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), apply theories of attachment and development to characters, and spark fascinating discussion about resiliency and the formation of the hero.
Broadcast Thought’s innovation seeks to dispel myths regarding mental health matters and enlighten audiences regarding psychiatric issues and their impacts.
Drs. Bender, Kambam, and Pozios will be on hand at the event for interviews before or after their discussion.

Transcending Trauma: From the Birth of Batman to the Rise of the Red Hood
takes place at Comic-Con International 2010 on Thursday, July 22, 2010, from 7:30 – 8:30 P.M. in Room 8 of San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California.

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