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

by Travis Langley (Editor), Alex Langley (Contributor), Mara Wood (Contributor)

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 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
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 

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Comics, Marvel, Audiobook, Pop Culture, Education

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 29, 2016

About the author

Dr. Travis Langley, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Henderson State University, is best-known as the author of the acclaimed book BATMAN AND PSYCHOLOGY: A DARK AND STORMY KNIGHT. He is also editor and lead writer for the Popular Culture Psychology series of 12 books looking at the psychology of characters and stories such as THE WALKING DEAD PSYCHOLOGY: PSYCH OF THE LIVING DEAD, CAPTAIN AMERICA VS. IRON MAN: FREEDOM, SECURITY, PSYCHOLOGY, and most recently THE JOKER PSYCHOLOGY: EVIL CLOWNS AND THE WOMEN WHO LOVE THEM. PsychologyToday.com features his blog, “Beyond Heroes and Villains.” A popular speaker internationally, he has given talks at universities and has led or joined hundreds of convention panels (especially at Wizard World shows) and on the Comic Con-Fusion YouTube channel. He also happened to be an undefeated champion on the Wheel of Fortune game show. As Stan Lee described him, “This man is a genius!”

Reviews

[Kaylin (The Re-Read Queen) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

(This review is 50% critical observation and 50% nerd rage, tbh.)

After reading Langley's Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight and enjoying it, I was thrilled to discover a book covering the psychology of the Marvel comics 'Civil War' arc. While this is well-written and each essay formulated in an interesting manner, it doesn't function well as a whole.

Namely, it's incredibly disjointed. I understand it's a collection of essays, but the writing styles and information contained were so different it was honestly jarring? Some of the essays actually have main points that contradict each other, but both reached for support and quotes from completely different issues/series??

The comic-verse is vast and the very nature is contradictory (Especially Hickman's Avengers, let's be honest here) but it honestly felt like the authors were only vaguely familiar with the source material? In fact, only ONE of the essays directly references the Civil War arc. Everything else was just compare/contrast of the characters and a vague sort of "see-they-totally-fight."

(this is where the nerd rage begins, so feel free to turn back now)

I'm going to be honest, Steve Rogers and Tony Stark are two of my absolute favorite fictional characters. I find both their stories dynamic and interesting, as well as their development into superheroes who are still allowed humanity and flaws. So I know my opinion doesn't come from the most objective place when I say the characterization is completely off.

"So... in a way, being a superhero is healthy."

- This essay started with a description of PTSD before suddenly determining both characters were fine because of the 'health benefits' of altruistically saving people.
- Which, at the very least, ignores decades of comics where Tony Stark canonly has PTSD.

"Steve Rogers has a heart bigger than the scrawny frame that contained him.

- An oversimplification as this essay completely glosses over the fact that pre-serum Steve Rogers wasn't just physically small he was disabled and consistently bullied for it.
- This shapes his "I-don't-like-bullies" and "standing-up-for-those-who-need-help" defining attributes a lot more than some random big-hearted tendency for goodwill.

"He, too, would have attributed Tony Stark’s more infantile behavior to how well or poorly Maria Stark interacts with him and meets his needs."

- I literally could not give less of a fuck what that hack Freud would think.
- Especially if it's insinuating Tony Starks problems stem from his mother not being attentive enough and completely ignoring the fact that his father verbally and physically abused them. (the physical abuse depends on the comic run and writer, but the verbal is a constant)
- Frankly, I find it borderline sexist??

"...parallels between legislation that invaded privacy in the comic book world and the real-life USA Patriot Act..."

- Civil War was only vaguely MAYBE about privacy and instead completely about autonomy vs duty
- This is a huge stretch because someone wanted to claim if you lean towards liking Iron Man you are conservative
- which I also think is incorrect, but çest la vie.

"Because Captain America and Iron Man are fully human with no specific superpowers personally..."

- I can live with ignoring Extremis comics (which could be argued as superpowers for Tony)
- but are we just gonna completely disregard the serum? And that Steve Rogers isn't just taller, he has super-strength, agility, and healing ability???
- He literally didn't die after being frozen for 70ish years how is that normal human??

"The leader who dresses in the American flag fights for liberty, while the leader who wears a machine the color of money"

- this essay claims Steve's duty is to country and Tony's is SOLEY to money/resources. Which is just... actual bullshit?
- Explain to me how red is the color of money
- it also went on to stretch and stretch this metaphor by claiming the only shared color between them was red because they both have blood which symbolizes their humanity or something

"Although characters such as Steve Rogers might embrace masculinity narratives and gender expectations less fervently than Tony Stark."

- plz remember that in several variations Tony's father abused him for NOT being "man" enough
- This big statement is just sort of slipped into an essay without supporting quotes or theories?? And I am confused??
- It is also wastes a chance to talk about the ingrained toxic masculinity that DOES exist in the comic verse

"Tony may want to save Earth when he flies the missile through the portal, but he also may be trying to prove a point to Captain America, who has criticized him for being unwilling to make necessary sacrifices

- this essay randomly relies on MCU events when the entire book had been based in comics
- Also just fuck off
- If you think Tony Stark had literally any selfish motives for flying into that wormhole you missed the entire point of the movie goodbye

Overall:

This is disjointed and slaughters some characterization. It functions very well as an intro-to-psych as several large processes are broken down and explained in a way that remains interesting.

(Also I just have a lot of personal feelings)

---------------------

As a psych nerd who's been obsessed with both these characters and this storyline for several years... I'm going to have A LOT of opinions on this

I can feel it

[Michael Yoder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it. Gets you more involved with the characters, good read. A Must have for Civil War fans.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My full review can be found here: http://www.thebeardedtrio.com/2016/07...

[Cres Koenigsknecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good read. As a psych major I knew many of the concepts already but all contributors provided very good (non-technical) definitions. They also used these concepts by demonstrated how they relate to Iron Man and Captain America. This was a very insightful book. It will be staying on my bookshelf and I will likely re-read it later.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I love using the conflict between and personalities of Captain America and Iron Man to explain basic psychology, and using the psychology to explain the actions and development of these characters in the comics and the movies. Wish it was twice as long.

I received this book through Goodreads giveaways.

[Clarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of essays from contributing authors centered around Marvel's Civil War (comic and movie), uses the characters of Captain America and Iron Man to explain basic principles of psychology. This does a really good job of creating a deeper understanding of each character roles, view points, and their motives. I'm always fascinated by non-fiction on popular cultures and this collection was straightforward, explanatory, and all-together a really fun read.

[Francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was waaaay better than I expected, actually! Non-fiction essays that center around pop culture phenomena are a weird passion of mine, and this one delivered.

[Nate Balcom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book 1 of #30BookSummer.
Interesting in a nerdy way. However VERY repetitive. However VERY repetitive. However VERY repetitive. However VERY repetitive. No seriously... VERY repetitive.

[Rachel Hyland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love comics for their action and humour and the fact that they force us to figure out, from limited words and images, what the hell is going on. I love them for the relationships they build in their pages, their fantastical elements and their layered, complex characters and arcs spanning decades. But more than anything I love them for their allegory, their ability to echo real life problems and potentials in their colourful, spandex-filled, often child-friendly pages.

I therefore find scholarly analyses of comic books' deeper meaning fascinating, and a book that examines the psychology employed in Captain America and Iron Man -- -the psychology that led them to take opposite sides during Civil War -- could almost have been written especially for me.

This collection of essays -- headed with a careless Foreword by Stan Lee, who it seems was also required to make cameo appearances even in unauthorised Marvel-related productions, prior to his recent death -- is quite well put together, and is often quite thought-provoking. Much is discussed of Freud and Jung and their cohorts, and relates the actions of Tony and Cap to their underlying theories. The most successful essay invokes Albert Bandura's Bobo Doll Experiment, and suggests that asking kids a question like "What would Captain America do?" can help them -- and, by extension, also help adults -- learn empathy. I entirely agree with that. Empathy is a learned behaviour, and exposure to a wide range of fictional worlds and characters opens one up to its benefits. No question. It doesn't have to be comics, of course, but there is no doubt that a wide array of viewpoints is encompassed in Marvel's canon, for example.

For the most part, though, the essays seem somewhat simplistic, somewhat lacking in the deep comic knowledge I might have expected and only one really deals with Civil War at all. Which is fine, the others do delineate the differences between our two leaders, and it is these that lead to their positions on Registration. (I am pro-Registration, by the way. Superheroes are basically weapons. Weapons should be registered and regulated. @me, if you want. Happy to discuss!)

The essays look at their childhoods, their adult traumas and their leadership styles to explain why they are the way they are -- but many of the essays differ on how they are, because of course, in the long and storied history of both characters, they have morphed and changed and you can find a quote from some obscure issue to prove any point, only to have someone else use another such to prove the opposite. It is the nature of the collaborative hodgepodge of often half-baked ideas that is any modern comic book hero.

So, no definitive conclusions are made -- and nor really can they be, psychology being the imprecise pseudo-science it really, really is. But this book is, nevertheless, an interesting rumination on Tony Stark, Steve Rogers and the conflicts that have bloomed between them over the years, and why that might have been -- and that is good enough for me. 

[Dave Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I generally enjoy psychological deep dives into various fictional characters. I've already read similar books for Batman, for House...and have generally gotten some interesting insights into the characters by doing so. The title of this particular treatment promised a sociological exploration, as well. Comic books always manage to capture where we are as a culture, and make a unique commentary on that moment. I went into this expecting a gripping analysis of that social commentary.

That was where I found this book disappointing, because there's actually no social commentary at all. That said, the psychological analyses of Tony Stark and Steve Rogers is mostly interesting. I particularly enjoyed examining both through the lens of post-traumatic stress disorder, given their life experiences, and how that influences their heroic actions and the turmoil of their personal lives. There are several really great chapters on this and similar inspections, and then the writing slips into several Freudian analyses, for which I have little interest or patience.

If you're a fan of the characters, then this is an interesting book, and a fairly quick read. I recommend going into it without the expectations that I held, though. Otherwise, you will almost certainly feel let down.

[Tania · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of essays compares and contrasts Captain American with Iron Man on many levels, ultimately weighing who makes the better superhero, who is the better leader, how their morals are defined and how they can be compromised, and more. Edited by Travis Langley and with a Forward by the great Stan Lee, the essays are broken into 3 categories: Origins, Missions, and Ideals. Within those categories, each author(s) selects a trait, conflict, theme, etc. they wish to explore and through which lens, giving us a truly wide range of perspectives on these two iconic characters, their friendship and their disagreements, and ultimately on their impact within not only the Marvel universe but ours as well. Quotes from both superheroes and real humans alike are sprinkled amongst the chapters/sections, and a few other characters get sidebars/notable mentions, such as Bucky Barnes and Nick Fury.

I found it interesting and thought-provoking, and the essays were of good length to explore a topic without becoming tedious.

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Comprei esse livro importado por apenas 15 reais nas Livrarias Cultura. É, sim, as Livrarias Cultura não são mais o que eram há vinte anos atrás, quando eram um oásis de importados e de títulos diversificados. Mas eis que tinha essa promoção e resolvi adquirir. Mas - rá - havia um motivo para esse livro teórico sobre psicologia dos super-heróis da Guerra Civil estar tão baratinho. Ele é bem ruim. Tem um prefácio rasinho do Stan Lee e depois segue-se uma carretilha de artigos psicológicos rasinhos que acredito que não eram voltados para acadêmicos, mas para adolescentes. Ou pior para fãs de super-heróis que os autores do livro com certeza tiraram pra burros e resolveram desenvolver textos rasinhos. Já vi isso acontecer em outros livros sobre super-heróis em que a linguagem acadêmica é substituída por uma linguagem em estilo didático, esquisito, bobo. Então ele livro subestima os leitores e público de cinema de super-heróis. Que pena.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a student of psychology and a devoted fan of comic heroes, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Every chapter is written by a different group of psychologists, each focusing on a different aspect of psychology. The topics range from morality to leadership styles, motivations to ideology. I think some authors had a deeper understanding of the layers of the characters while some just relied on the superficial features that people remember best (such as Cap's patriotism and Stark's alcoholism). However, the authors do a very good job of comparing the heroes as well as contrasting them, pointing out both virtues and vices on both sides.

This novel is an excellent way to understand basic psychology principles through a framework of popular culture, or to analyze beloved popular culture through a framework of psychology for better understanding.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I picked this up from Barnes and Noble, on sale for $3.00, I did not have high hopes. I figured I would add it to my bookshelf and it would make me look smart.

Instead, I found myself unable to put this book down. This book gives incredible insight and valuable breakdowns of the personalities and associated traits of each character; I learned a lot about myself along the way. I have a new appreciation for the intricacy of the Marvel universe and I'll definitely watch the films with new perspective. A definite must read.

[AN · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.8/5) I should probably start by noting that I do not have a background in psychology, but I found the arguments ranging from interesting to fascinating all the same.
A collection of various essays concerning marvel's Civil War (reaching fluidly into both the comic event and the movie from the MCU), certain essays were really well argued and explained; and some essays were a little more dry, but part of that is my own personal interests. Morality and questions of intelligence, freedom and security fascinate me in a way that the development of the human psychosis doesn't tend to.

[Aisha Manus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I have not read the comic I have seen all of the latest marvel movies. This book was written early in the movie franchises but because the movies are pulling from the comics, in particular "civil war", this book still works for the average marvel movie fan. It's kind of awesome that the authors were able to take these subjects and use comic book heroes as example. Brilliant way to introduce psychology to a new audience! A must read for Captain America and Iron Man fans.

[Jocelyn Lugo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great set of essays about Captain America and Iron Man. Please note that this essay set is about the graphic novel Civil War, not the movie. That didn't bother me in the least (I love that novell) but just in case anyone out there gets confused. My only negative comment is that the essays started to repeat the same facts after awhile but then again, the synopsis does state that this book focuses on two characters so information has to repeat itself.

[CHEESE_IT! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Your nerdy college professors nerd right out and write some nerdy essays!
1. Gotta know the films.
2. Gotta know at least a little about the comics.
BUT! Some of the contributors flip flop between the two mediums somewhat willy-nilly, so you gotta pay attention. Sort of like you're supposed to in Psych class. Which,
3. Gotta be ready to think, "Oh yeah, I think I remember this from college!"

[Tiara Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This look at Captain America vs. Iron Man from a psychological and morality perspective is probably the nerdiest thing I have ever read and I really enjoyed it! It's surprisingly clinical, which I actually really enjoyed, and the writers and psychologists take the subject very seriously. I'm looking forward to reading more in Langley's series.

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

the book was interesting but seemed short to me? the one about Game of thrones I was able to relate more to, maybe because I haven't read the comics I wasn't able to enjoy this one as much

Quotes:

Some people call Iron Man the brains of the Avengers and Captain America the heart, and I think that comes really close to it.


I wanted to have fun with Iron Man. I took all the things the hippies hated and I let Iron Man represent them. He was a guy who made munitions. He helped the nation’s war effort. He was a billionaire, a ladies man. I thought, it will be fun to see if I can make him popular.

Across these many stories, characters who become registration supporters typically hold that registering is the responsible thing to do and that no one should place himself or herself above the law. Opponents of registration argue instead that such regulation violates civil liberties, with some comparing it to segregation or slavery, and insist that no government is secure enough. A government that cannot protect its own secrets therefore cannot protect superheroes and their loved ones from the supervillains they spend their lives fighting.
On the most personal level, though, it’s a fight between two men. From when they each debut, Steve Rogers (Captain America) fights for freedom and Tony Stark (Iron Man) develops weapons for national security.7 Neither position is out of character. They have often fallen on opposite sides of what Erich Fromm called “the basic human dilemma”: freedom versus security.

Having tragically lost loved ones at early ages and having experienced violent traumas, both Steve Rogers and Tony Stark are nevertheless able to become superheroes and follow their own core values of helping others. People who experience tragic loss and later experience severe trauma are at risk of developing a physical or mental health disorder such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
although some follow a pattern of posttraumatic growth in which trauma causes them to find purpose and grow as individuals.

Similarly, Steve Rogers uses excessive exercise in an attempt to cope with his new life shortly after he recovers from being frozen instead of heading out immediately to investigate the new world in which he finds himself.

• Avoidance: Avoiding any potential reminders of the traumatic situation, including people, places, and thoughts. Tony stays up for 72 hours straight to work on a new suit to avoid having anxiety attacks and nightmares. In many stories, he uses alcohol to escape his problems. Similarly, Steve uses avoidance when he refuses to date or be reminded of his lost love, Agent Peggy Carter, after his trauma of being frozen in ice.

In addition, exposure to traumatic events and long-term stressors can shorten a person’s life. Researchers have found that people who have been exposed to trauma have shorter telomeres. Telomeres are the tail ends of chromosomes left over after DNA replication. The shorter these are, the shorter a person’s life seems to be.

There are five regrets people most commonly report toward the end of their lives:
• Working too much.
• Not doing enough activities that make them happy.
• Not being true to themselves.
• Not following their true dreams and core values.
• Not connecting/keeping in touch with friends enough.

Both the audience and other characters in the Marvel Universe see Captain America as a symbol of America, but maybe a historic America, while Iron Man might represent modern America.

“Training is everything. The peach was once a bitter almond; cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education.”
—satirist Mark Twain

While Steve Rogers sees superhero registration as a violation of liberties, Tony Stark looks upon registration as more of a human resource management (HRM) issue,
seeing superhumans who need to be managed.

Even after officially turning over leadership of the Avengers to Captain America, Tony often acts like the others should naturally take his lead when he has a plan. Tony later reveals that such behavior is partially because he feels inadequate compared to Steve, despite his own achievements, and is over-compensating.

• Violent role models: Very few poets, dancers, and artists serve as role models for men. Rather, men are socialized at a young age to idolize and emulate men who are violent and strong. Steve is a product of military culture during a wartime era. Tony is a product of industrial culture parallel to war, and his father is a war profiteer who makes much of his wealth through military contracts.

Iron Man confesses to Captain America that one reason he supports the Superhero Registration Act is because he nearly killed innocent bystanders during a drunken rage, so he could have just as easily been responsible for a tragedy like the Stamford Incident. Indeed, it seems like Iron Man is trying just as hard to expiate his personal guilt as he is the guilt for the superhero community broadly.


Those who read comics and books, who watch movies and TV shows, and who play video games are affected by the fiction within, and it’s an effect we carry with us long after we’re finished with these stories, whether we realize it or not. Outside of our parents, fictional characters are often the first role models on which we base our behaviors.

[I.M. Shadow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the information and the connections between the psychology concepts and the characters, but it seemed kind of barebones to me and there was just a lot of potential to flesh out those connections and bring it into the characters more which wasn't used. I just wish it would have gone more in depth on what those connections mean for the characters rather than just pointing it out.

[J.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because we just finished Civil War I thought now would be a good time to read a book contrasting leadership styles, morality, psychological aspects and comic book history of Tony Stark and Steve Rodgers. Good for fans; probably for those that haven’t read the comics or watched the movies.

[Timothy Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want the teach out psychology to teenage boys through a relatable context? This book may be for you!

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love comic books, I love psychology, and this was a perfect blend of the two. Really interesting discussion of theory, politics, and society.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting And would have been an amazing psych course in college. But as a book was a little boring.

[Dearwassily · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was more like psychology 101, using Cap and Iron Man as examples, rather than deep readings of the characters (as I wanted it to be).

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freud is weird. But I really liked the book. It confirms that Cap is my favorite super hero.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This reads just like a required reading book for an intro to psychology course for freshman college.

[Thomas Beard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting essays about good stories. Gives a survey of a wide range of 20th century theories to delve into some that century's most compelling characters.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

My oldest son is a psychology major in college and he loves Marvel so I thought that this would be a fun book to read to him. It was short but interesting.