The Caped Crusade

Batman and the Rise of Nerd Culture

By: Glen Weldon

Narrated by: Glen Weldon

A witty, intelligent cultural history from NPR book critic Glen Weldon explains Batman's rises and falls throughout the ages - and what his story tells us about ourselves.

Since his creation, Batman has been many things: a two-fisted detective; a planet-hopping gadabout; a campy pop-art sensation; a pointy-eared master spy; and a grim and gritty ninja of the urban night. For more than three-quarters of a century, he has cycled from a figure of darkness to one of lightness and back again; he's a bat-shaped Rorschach inkblot who takes on the various meanings our changing culture projects onto him. How we perceive Batman's character, whether he's delivering dire threats in a raspy Christian Bale growl or trading blithely homoerotic double entendres with partner Robin on the comics page, speaks to who we are and how we wish to be seen by the world. It's this endlessly mutable quality that has made him so enduring.

And it's Batman's fundamental nerdiness - his gadgets, his obsession, his oath, even his lack of superpowers - that uniquely resonates with his fans who feel a fiercely protective love for the character. Today, fueled by the Internet, that breed of passion for elements of popular culture is everywhere. Which is what makes Batman the perfect lens through which to understand geek culture, its current popularity, and its social significance.

In The Caped Crusade, with humor and insight, Glen Weldon, book critic for NPR and author of Superman: The Unauthorized Biography, lays out Batman's 78-year cultural history and shows how he has helped make us who we are today and why his legacy remains so strong.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2016 Glen Weldon (P)2016 Simon & Schuster

Great History of the Batman. Worst. Narrator. Ever

Loved the story. It was well written, well researched and does an excellent job of presenting the story of Batman as one big character arc. (with plenty of twists & turns.) As a lifelong fan (starting with '66 repeats and SuperFriends in the early 80's) it was great to take such a wide view of the character, and get a sense of the behind-the-scenes drama and historical contexts that shaped the different popular incarnations.

My only real complaint on this is the narration. I nearly returned the title after attempting the first chapter. The narrator (also, author) seems rushed (and flat) at times and the way over-the-top impressions are really dreadful. While I certainly understand using a (bad) version of The Simpsons' Comic Book Guy as the de facto voice of nerd culture, it completely took me out of the story. Same goes for the mediocre brogue of his Grant Morrison or the fey silliness of his Joel Schumaker.

I would still recommend this title fully. Just be prepared to cringe your way through certain passages.

A Fun Tour of Batman's History

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. It is an incredibly fun romp through the history of Batman.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The author clearly "gets" Batman, while repeatedly reminding us that there is no "one true Batman." His knowledge of the entire history of Batman is clearly evident.

What didn’t you like about Glen Weldon’s performance?

The author does a very good job of reading his work with only one fatal flaw to his performance. His use of character voices ruins the flow of the story. As opposed to his clearly understandable and fun normal reading voice, the story is broken up by heavily accented voices. I'm fine hearing a Grant Morrison quote without a heavy Scottish accent, a comic nerd without a geeky voice, or a heavily accented Joel Schumacher. The story would have been much better without these voices.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

I was unaware of how intentionally Joel Schumacher put sexuality into his Batman films.

Any additional comments?

This book was an absolute blast! As a huge Batman nerd, I am squarely in this book's target audience. That being said, any fan of pop culture would likely enjoy this tale of how Batman went from early comics to pop culture phenomenon.

Entertaining, enlightening.

This was a fun walk through the history of Batman, like a lighter version of Sean How's Marvel comics: the untold history. His voices were a little jarring at first, but aside from that, an engaging listen.

Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Batbook

Would you listen to The Caped Crusade again? Why?

I probably would. There is a lot of bat history to observe and think about. Weldon does a great job at really looking into the reasons why Batman has become who he is today and why the story of Bruce Wayne rings so important in the lives of so many people.

What about Glen Weldon’s performance did you like?

He seemed to really be enjoying reading his work. Whenever the common comic book fan was talking, out came his Simpson's Comic Book Guy impression (Not the worst impression ever.) Morrison was uber-Scottish. He put the inflection where the author meant it to be because, well, he is the author also.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

The talk about all the reboots and then the run of Grant Morrison post Infinity Crisis where Morrison takes a world where all the Batman stories ever told are true makes me want to go out and actually read Morrison's run.

Any additional comments?

I wonder what Weldon would say about Batfleck's rendition in Batman vs. Superman. He does make quick mention that it is coming out and some notes from the teasers. Overall, an interesting read on an interesting subject.

If you love Batman, you'll love this book.

The author covers the arc history of Batman, as well as his impact on nerd culture in an informative, but entertaining way. The voices he does to represent different people or categories of people are spot on and hilarious.

Engaging history of batman as a cultural icon

Great deep dive into the batman changed the world and the world changed batman. Would recommend to any batman fan.

A loving look at Batman and his fans

Any additional comments?

This book is a hilarious and detailed look at the history of one of the modern era's most enduring characters, in all his varied iterations. Glen Weldon gives Adam West's Batussi-dancing satin draped Batman the same in depth examination as the gritty 'Swear to meeee!!!" Batman of Nolan's films, and lovingly points out the foibles of both. What sets this book apart, for me, is the narration, particularly the 'Simpson's comic book guy' affect that denominates fan outrage at anything less than a dark and brooding portrayal of their favourite character. Full of detail and interesting facts that anyone not deeply steeped in the history of this character in every medium, this is a fascinating look at the evolution of the comics industry, the way fans experience their favourite characters, and the character itself.

All in all, a fun listen that is sure to tell you some things you never knew about Batman.

A perfect audiobook

It is read by the author, and his reading is as wonderful as the book itself. The writing has fun with the history, and Mr. Weldon has fun with the reading. He does voices for almost every quote. He adjusts his tone and cadence appropriately for each moment in history.

I wish every audiobook was read this well.

Easily the BEST Audible Book I've Ever Read!

I loved every aspect of this book! The author narrates and provided fantastic voices for his characters.

Interesting and Hilarious

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would, and have, recommended this book to EVERYBODY with even a passing interest in Batman. The book is very interesting and Glen Weldon makes it EVEN BETTER with his superb reading (and the voices! OMG!). As a long time fan of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, which he's frequently on, I loved it! One of the best use of a credit so far.

What did you like best about this story?

Glen's voices were hilarious and I could listen to that man talk ALL DAMN DAY. (And I have! Finished this book in 3 days - I just couldn't turn it off!)

Also it inspired me to pick up some of the newer issues of the Batfamily comics (I haven't read anything in actual DC canon since No Man's Land) so that's an accomplishment.