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The Caped Crusade
The Caped Crusade: Batman and the Rise of Nerd Culture | Glen Weldon
A witty, intelligent cultural history from NPR book critic Glen Weldon explains Batmans rises and falls throughout the agesand 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; hes a bat-shaped Rorschach inkblot who takes on the various meanings our changing culture projects onto him. How we perceive Batmans character, whether hes 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. Its this endlessly mutable quality that has made him so enduring. And its Batmans fundamental nerdinesshis gadgets, his obsession, his oath, even his lack of superpowersthat 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 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 Batmans seventy-eight-year cultural history and shows how he has helped make us who we are today and why his legacy remains so strong.
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NAM99
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Mehso-so

The first half of the book felt like it was there to relay a history without much connection besides panning the fan boys. I found I enjoyed the book once I reached a point where I was familiar with some of the Batman stories. The best part was Glen‘s voices, which can only be enjoyed as the audiobook

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Buchbeeg
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"Dad's estate left me wealthy," he says, as if the smoking jacket didnt tip us off,
??
This book is fun.

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khooliha
Pickpick

I got very emotional at the end of this book about Batman despite not really caring about Batman.
#LitsyAtoZ

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KimHM
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I‘m hoping this comics book (#teaching) will be better. Planning to start reading on the way to the City to see Darkest Hour. 😄

GuiltyFeat Glen Weldon is the best thing on the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast, but I‘m not sure I need this whole book. 7y
9 likes1 stack add1 comment
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KimHM
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Holiday #bookhaul, part II, courtesy of one perfect husband. I am beside myself! 📚❤️📚💜📚💛📚💙📚💚📚

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DocBrown
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Pickpick

Good initiation to the history of Batman but heavy on description, light on analysis. Author returned to stock phrases again and again, and audio narration was obnoxious. Still, a worthwhile listen, and I finished it in one day.

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StellarDoc
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Working from home is sometimes difficult. #Loki #BratPrincessOfAsgard

10 likes1 stack add
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StellarDoc
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Different book, but more snarky footnotes!

10 likes1 stack add
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balletbookworm
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this book immensely, probably more so given that Glen Weldon, with his wonderful inflection and voice, read the audiobook. I've never really been a Batman comics reader but this was a really interesting look at the development as Batman in all his iterations since the 1939s and the parallel development of nerd culture. (PS: Glen's "Comic Book Guy" voice is just perfect for reading fan-boy quotes, particularly the toxic quotes)

balletbookworm Incidentally, I started this book the day before Adam West died. The Batman TV show was in reruns on summer TV when I was a kid, so West has always been "my" Batman. Camp and all. 7y
32 likes1 stack add1 comment
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khooliha
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Some yellow covers! #riotgrams

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onesmartcupcake
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Glad I decided to start an entertaining audiobook for my late afternoon walk--as now I'm waiting in the long, twisting line at the famous (and excellent) local ice cream shop.

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Amanda23
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Time to get my Nerd on. Really looking forward to this one.🦇

28 likes3 stack adds
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DennisJacobRosenfeld
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I love that my local bookstore clerk knows my taste to such an extent that he puts books aside for me unprompted. This one I've been meaning to get for a while, and suddenly I got an email telling me if I wanted it. Support your local bookstores. It's worth it.

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Tunde
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Pickpick

This was an amazing listen, I adored Glen Weldon already from NPR's PCHH and this book did not dissapoint. I might even read a few Batman comics (I was only familiar with the movies ). Also could he please narrate anything from now on?

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OrangeMooseReads
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I love anything Batman! I know not the greatest feminist superhero, but what can I say that cape and cowl *prrrrrr*
So basically Batman started it all in the nerd culture or at least he was one of the first bigger icons of what became the nerd culture that we know today.

Texreader Go nerd culture!! 8y
30 likes2 comments
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CallOfCuchuco
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Pickpick

I grew up with myriad of Batman versions and will always swear by Christopher Nolan's THE DARK KNIGHT, so I knew I had to read this from jump street. It illuminates how thoroughly Bill Finger shaped the iconography as well as the sources clearly strip-mined for inspiration (The Shadow, The Phantom). Even if you think you know everything about the character, Weldon weaves a compelling tale out of the many ups and downs in its story. Don't miss it.

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Amanda23
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Finished a book today, started a new one and this one was delivered today. It's been a good day 📖

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UnabridgedTomes
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Pickpick

Dunno if The Lego Batman movie is on your to-see list, but it ought to be. The joke density is beyond belief. And enthusiastic Michael Cera is worth the price of admission.

Smrloomis Oooh, I have to see that asap 😁😝 8y
10 likes1 comment
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Nitpickyabouttrains
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Mehso-so

The information in this book was really good and presented in an interesting and fun way. But I was a little offended at the constant use of the word "normals" as an opposite for "nerd". It felt like it was mocking me, and the very sort of people who read a book about the history of batman. #bookbingo #roguebookbingo #bookbyalocalauthor

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Sherwinjamora
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Pickpick

Awesome read for any type of Batman fan. It chronicles the history of the Dark Knight in just about every medium and gives a in depth look at how Batman evolved both as a character AND an idea. From nerds and "normals" alike, I suggest it to al who enjoy Batman!

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BeveragesAndBooks
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Today's travel listen

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Ksvz
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Pickpick

Documentary Audio Using the Batman franchise to discuss how the nerd culture became mainstream and how the nerds' need for authenticity and monetary need for marketing to recoop the cost can cause issues. Not a huge fan of Batman but this was very cool.

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SurfWrtrEryn
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In one simple painting, #batman behind the mask is truly revealed

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LulaBean
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Started reading this yesterday, coincidentally on #batmanday. A book about my favorite superhero? Yes, please.

MrBook Niiiice! 8y
SurfWrtrEryn Just happened to pass by this and it crossed my eye like a neon sign!! HELLO! LOVE BATMAN and totally not ashamed to show off my collection of batman action figures despite my adult age and the fact I'm a female, rock on! Super stocked to pick this bad boy up! 8y
3 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Aidan
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Pickpick


With more pithy anecdotes than Batman has gas capsules in his utility belt, any fan of pop culture, the Dark Knight (or anyone for whom the phrase 'Bat-nipple' elicits a Pavlovian desire to throw an explosive batarang at Joel Schumacher) needs to read this.

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missjenniferlowe
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I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book. Super excited! ❤️Glen Weldon❤️

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Britafish
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Pickpick

I'm not invested in Batman and probably wouldn't have chosen this but my husband picked it to listen to on our road trip. It was a lot of fun and I loved the history, the perspective on fandom as well as storytelling and who truly owns a hero. The author is also a fantastic reader.

BookishMarginalia Your review has made me want to read it (and I had no interest in the subject matter beforehand either). 8y
19 likes1 stack add1 comment
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KarenUK
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I love Glen Weldon so much :)
Started this on audio, and BOY is this a deep dive, but I could listen to Glen reading ANYTHING!

7 likes1 stack add
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Kat.Kao
Pickpick

Fun, engaging, comprehensive look at the different incarnations of Batman, and the nerd reactions to them. The DCAU Batman is my ultimate Batman, btw.

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Wingedbeaver
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Feeding my Batman obsession in a way Batman V Superman couldn't

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michaeltraps
Pickpick

As a fan of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast and Monkey See blog, I was quick to pick this up. It's an informative, casual and endearing read that I would recommend to both Batman veterans and newbies (here!) alike. The last page even choked me up.

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EmG
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Not a comic or superhero fan but find Glen Weldon delightful on Twitter and NPR so went the audiobook route - two chapters in and it's interesting, thoughtful, and as I hoped, the author narration is fun and fabulous. Am really enjoying.

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WeAreLegion
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Just finished. Loved it!
Chuckled when Devin's quote came up. My favorite part was the end, when (spoilers?) the author takes a selfie with an Adam West inspired cosplayer at a comic con and thinks to himself that this is his perfect Batman!

ArznersFishingRod I'm very interested in getting to this. At least when my schedule frees up enough to juggle more than 2 books at a time 9y
3 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Mentallofilth
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#shotsfired? But seriously, this passage was when I knew I was in good hands.

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WeAreLegion

I'm reading this right now thanks to Devin's review the other day. Loving it so far!

EmG Me too. Audio is so fun, really adds a layer to book. 9y
3 likes1 comment
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KilgoreTrout
Pickpick

Loved it! The only negative thing I had read about this prior reading was that it was TOO detailed, but I couldn't get enough! What did Bob Kane like for breakfast? Was Adam West a boxers or a briefs kind of guy?! While I didn't get these answers, I got lots of other fun info & insight into the bat.

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KilgoreTrout
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Just about spit out my drink upon reading the following, which so excellently succeeded in pulling me back in time, "Even the towering cultural milestone that would come to be known as the Hamster Dance lay still one year off in the Internet's golden, unimagined future."

EmG The man has a way with a phrase! 9y
4 likes1 comment
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KilgoreTrout
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Lil' bats and I are super stoked to start this one today!

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Worldforreading
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Glen Weldon's very funny narration (complete with comic book guy impression) makes this cultural history of batman perfect company for this rainy afternoon.

EmG Absolutely 9y
5 likes1 comment
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mkindness
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Scratching my geek itch.

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Gregg
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I'll be reading this over the weekend instead of watching a certain Zack Snyder movie.

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Chris_Ryall
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The cover alone does it for me, let alone all the Bat-words inside by avowed geek/NPR podcaster Glen Weldon. Out officially on March 22.

6 likes5 stack adds
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skrishna
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Pickpick

This history of Batman in popular culture (and the rise of comics culture) is, quite simply, fascinating. It's engaging and accessible. Weldon has his own biases, but they make the book that much more interesting.

MelodySchreiber I can't wait to read this! 9y
jeff Very intrigued! 9y
SGJ Had no idea about this one. Thanks. Teaching DKR now. Should have had this in my head already. 9y
33 likes34 stack adds3 comments