Captain America vs. Iron Man: Freedom, Security, Psychology (Volume 3) (Popular Culture Psychology)

Freedom vs. security, the basic human dilemma. Can heroes really protect both? Two iconic figures, two living symbols whose choices make them superheroes and leaders, come to completely opposite conclusions. 

This provocative collection, edited by acclaimed media psychology writer Travis Langley and with a foreword by the legendary Stan Lee (!), examines the complex psychological and political choices made by Captain America and Iron Man throughout their careers, culminating in Marvel's superhero civil war which spreads far beyond the Avengers themselves. Why do Steve Rogers and Tony Stark see things so differently? What are their motivations? Is either one truly in the right? 

Captain America vs. Iron Man: Freedom, Security, Psychology, our latest entry in this popular psychology series. analyzes the polar sides of this debate--individual freedom vs. national security. How does trauma shape these heroic characters? What does it take to become a hero? What roles do empathy, gender, genius, morality, leadership, and teamwork play in starting conflicts and in resolving them? Fans will find thought-provoking psychological material to contemplate for hours. Do we really have to take sides?

Contributors include:
Jenna Busch * Josué Cardona * Tommy Cash * J. Scott Jordan * Lara Taylor Kester * Alan Kistler * Alex Langley * Travis Langley * Stan "the Man" Lee * Martin Lloyd * Patrick O'Connor * Billy San Juan * Janina Scarlet * Eric D. Wesselmann * Mara Wood * E. Paul Zehr 

Travis Langley, PhD, is a psychology professor at Henderson State University, the author of Batman and Psychology (Wiley), and the volume editor and lead writer of The Walking Dead Psychology, Game of Thrones Psychology, Star Wars Psychology, Star Trek Psychology, Doctor Who Psychology, and Captain America vs. Iron Man (Sterling). He speaks regularly on media and heroism at popular culture conventions and academic conferences including San Diego Comic-Con, New York Comic Con, and Wizard World conventions across the land. Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics and other films have featured him as an expert interviewee, and the documentary Legends of the Knight spotlighted how he uses fiction to teach real psychology. Psychology Today carries his blog, "Beyond Heroes and Villains." With over 100,000 followers, he ranks among the 10 most popular psychologists on Twitter: @Superherologist.