Analysis
Edgework in Batman The Dark Knight Returns Octavian Jaekel, Romina Schumann
Uncertainty and Speculation in Contemporary American Comics (BA Research Seminar)
Conclusion
References Beck, Ulrich. "Living in the World Risk Society.” Economy and
Society 35 (3) (2006): 329-345. Web. 19 May 2016
Chauvin, Bruno, Hermand Danielle, and Etienne Mullet. "New Age
Beliefs and Societal Risk Perception.” Journal of Applied Social
Psychology 38 (8) (2008): 2056-2071. Web. 19 May 2016
Cortiel, Jeanne and Laura Oehme. “The Dark Knight’s Dystopian
Vision: Batman,Risk, and American National Identity”. European
Journal of AmericanStudies 10.2 (2015). Web.
Lyng, Stephen. "Edgework, Risk, and Uncertainty." Social Theories of
Risk and Uncertainty: An Introduction. Ed. Jens O. Zinn. Malden, MA:
Blackwell, 2008. 106-37. Print.
Abstract
“[Edgework is] the voluntary pursuit of
activities that involve a high potential for
death, physical injury or psychic harm“
(Lyng 107).
In Batman The Dark Knight Returns,
we have an alternative story from the
original Batman stories. Batman is 50
years old and just returned from his
retirement to come back to “work” again.
To prove to himself that he is still as
much in shape and as masculine as he
was before and that he is still able to
fight against his enemies, he takes every
chance to put himself in situations where
he goes on the edge of his
capabilities.
Although his actions are not always
necessary to prevent crimes, they
sometimes even aggravate the situation
or create a whole new endangerment,
he still enjoys the challenge of regaining
control.
We claim that with this actions,
Batman's character can be seen as an
example of the modern society, which
Ulrich Beck calls „risk society in the
sense that it is increasingly occupied
with debating, preventing and managing
risks that itself has produced“ (Beck
332).
With a close reading of the graphic
novel, focusing on key scenes and by
analyzing them, using Ulrich Beck’s text
on world risk society, as well as
Stephen Lyng’s text on edgework, as
basis, we will show how Batman’s
behavior reflects this society.
Workshop Blood in the Gutter: Uncertainty and Speculation in Contemporary American Comics July 15, 2016
After analyzing the depicted
scenes, it can be pointed out
that Batman’s character can be
seen as an example of
modern society, regarding his
actions and behavior during
his fights and while solving
crimes. While being true that
he helps to fight and solve
crimes on the one hand, he is
also creating new issues on
the other, which lead to a
public menace, as critics in
Gotham City state publicly.
Him being part of risk society
is emphasized in the interview
of the new police
commissioner (Img. 5), where
she calls him a vigilante and
therefore sees him as a risk
for the public safety because
of his actions.
Methods
[Miller, p.11]
[Miller p. 173] [Miller p. 116]
[Miller p. 65]
[Miller p. 77]
[Miller p. 34]
Img. 2 Fighting makes
Batman feel young and
powerful again
Img. 1 Introduction scene – Batman
enjoys being in a life-threatening
situation
Img. 3 Batman during fight – thinking about
crossing line of not killing
Img. 4 Batman places himself
above the law
Img. 5 Interview with new chief of police
department – criticism of Batman's actions Img. 6 TV Interview about Batman causing
more trouble than help
