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Brigham Young University - Provo

Mythic Symbols of Batman

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>Batman has become a fixture in the popular consciousness of America. Since his first publication in Detective Comics #27 in 1939, he has never ceased publication, appearing in multiple titles every month as well as successfully transitioning into other media such as film and television. A focused analysis of the character will reveal that Batman has achieved and maintained this cultural resonance for almost seventy years by virtue of attaining the status of a postmodern American mythology. In both theme and function, Batman has several direct connections to ancient mythology and has adapted that form into a distinctly American archetype. And as a popular cultural symbol, he has shown remarkable malleability to reflect the attitudes of his contemporary culture. An examination of Batman's enduring and changing characteristics will reveal insights into American values, culture and history during the twentieth and into the twenty-first centuries.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
MA
Grantor dc:publisher
Brigham Young University - Provo

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Darowski, John J.

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Rights

Language dc:language
English

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/1226
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:scholarsarchive.byu.edu:etd-2225

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Brigham Young University
Base URL
scholarsarchive.byu.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Darowski, John J.. Mythic Symbols of Batman. Brigham Young University - Provo, https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/1226