Rather than a simple list of the most famous story lines or of the many villains, sidekicks, and secondary characters, this exploration of Batman dares to take an intellectual look at the comic book superhero, a man who could have been a normal person--or, better yet, a normal billionaire--but chose instead to be a bat. Ten essays examine Batman as an archetype who reflects and predicts the course of human existence and discuss how the comic addresses topics such as the definitions of good and evil, the limits of violence as an effective strategy, the perils of enforcing justice outside of the law, the metaphysics of personal identity, and the definition of humanity. This collection is geared not only to Batman enthusiasts, but also to neophytes who are just dipping their toes in the noir-ish waters of the world of one of the most enduring characters in comic book--and pop culture--history.