From its very first frame, the Star Wars series created a compelling universe, with complex characters and engaging storytelling. In advance of the highly anticipated new movie, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, this essay collection offers a fascinating and unauthorized psychological analysis of every aspect of George Lucas's richly rendered world. A group of expert contributors, edited by Travis Langley, examines such topics as family ties, Jedi qualities, masculinity, girl power, and the values embodied in both the "dark" and "light" sides of these always-spellbinding films.

How does an immortal deal with death? What can an ancient Time Lord teach us about real human nature? Why does the Doctor say he and Freud “got on very well�? How do the Daleks and Cybermen reflect concerns about losing our humanity? And what new challenges loom ahead when the Doctor regenerates as a woman? Hailed as the “most successful sci-fi series ever made� (Guinness World Records), Doctor Who has been a cult-classic for more than half a century. And though time may not be the boss—Rule 408—as times change, so too do social norms and psychological challenges, which have paved the way for a new kind of Doctor who can appeal to the modern viewer. Revised and updated for our changing times, the second edition of Doctor Who Psychology: Times Change explores the alien in us all. Travis Langley’s fascinating in-depth collection delves into the psychology behind the time-traveling Doctor in his many iterations—as men and women—as well as his companions and his foes. With a foreword by Third Doctor Companion Katy Manning, an introduction to the second edition, and new interviews with actors who have played Doctors new and old, Doctor Who Psychology: Times Change travels through the how and why of Who. Contributors to the second edition include: Jenna Busch * Erin Currie * Jim Davies * Kristin Erickson * Wind Goodfriend * Daniel Hand * David Kyle Johnson * Billy San Juan * Deirdre Kelly * Alan Kistler * Travis Langley * Katy Manning * Justine Mastin * Matt Munson * Miranda Pollock * Stephen Prescott * Sarita Robinson * Aaron Sagers * Daniel Saunders * Janina Scarlet * William Sharp

Why didn’t Peter Parker stop the burglar who killed Uncle Ben? Are Spider-Man’s foes inherently evil, or are they victims of circumstances beyond their control? What do the many web-slinging superheroes across the Spider-Verse tell us about the choices we make in the world(s) we inhabit? And who really wants to date a superhero, anyway? Especially an underdog like Spider-Man . . . Spider-Man has been ranked among the best-selling superhero characters since the 1960s, often as the best-selling superhero of all time. Much of his popularity lies in his humanity and his status as the poster boy for neurotic superheroes. In Spider-Man Psychology: Untangling Webs, Travis Langley (author of the acclaimed Batman and Psychology and Stranger Things Psychology) is back with his team of expert contributors to plumb the psychological depths of our favorite friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Drawing examples from comic book stories, motion pictures (including the animated blockbuster Spider-Verse movie series), and a few well-known video games or TV cartoons, Dr. Langley and his team will untangle a variety of sticky psychological issues found throughout the famed web slinger's time-tested saga to help readers better understand psychology. 

How does an immortal deal with death? What can an ancient Time Lord teach us about real human nature? Why does the Doctor say he and Freud “got on very well�? How do the Daleks and Cybermen reflect concerns about losing our humanity? And what new challenges loom ahead when the Doctor regenerates as a woman? Hailed as the “most successful sci-fi series ever made� (Guinness World Records), Doctor Who has been a cult-classic for more than half a century. And though time may not be the boss—Rule 408—as times change, so too do social norms and psychological challenges, which have paved the way for a new kind of Doctor who can appeal to the modern viewer. Revised and updated for our changing times, the second edition of Doctor Who Psychology: Times Change explores the alien in us all. Travis Langley’s fascinating in-depth collection delves into the psychology behind the time-traveling Doctor in his many iterations—as men and women—as well as his companions and his foes. With a foreword by Third Doctor Companion Katy Manning, an introduction to the second edition, and new interviews with actors who have played Doctors new and old, Doctor Who Psychology: Times Change travels through the how and why of Who. Contributors to the second edition include: Jenna Busch * Erin Currie * Jim Davies * Kristin Erickson * Wind Goodfriend * Daniel Hand * David Kyle Johnson * Billy San Juan * Deirdre Kelly * Alan Kistler * Travis Langley * Katy Manning * Justine Mastin * Matt Munson * Miranda Pollock * Stephen Prescott * Sarita Robinson * Aaron Sagers * Daniel Saunders * Janina Scarlet * William Sharp