"Explores the real-world science and engineering connections to the features of Batman's Batsuit, Utility Belt, road vehicles, and aircraft"--

Battling bad guys. High-tech hideouts. The gratitude of the masses. Who at some point in their life hasn't dreamed of being a superhero? Impossible, right? Or is it? Possessing no supernatural powers, Batman is the most realistic of all the superheroes. His feats are achieved through rigorous training and mental discipline, and with the aid of fantastic gadgets. Drawing on his training as a neuroscientist, kinesiologist, and martial artist, E. Paul Zehr explores the question: Could a mortal ever become Batman? Zehr discusses the physical training necessary to maintain bad-guy-fighting readiness while relating the science underlying this process, from strength conditioning to the cognitive changes a person would endure in undertaking such a regimen. In probing what a real-life Batman could achieve, Zehr considers the level of punishment a consummately fit and trained person could handle, how hard and fast such a person could punch and kick, and the number of adversaries that individual could dispatch. He also tells us what it would be like to fight while wearing a batsuit and the amount of food we'd need to consume each day to maintain vigilance as Gotham City's guardian. A fun foray of escapism grounded in sound science, Becoming Batman provides the background for attaining the realizable—though extreme—level of human performance that would allow you to be a superhero.

"Look inside to explore the real-world science and enginee ring that has inspired the Dark Knight's batsuit."--Page 4 of cover.

Batman depends on his Batsuit to protect him. But are the high-tech features in his body armor real? The answer may surprise you. Look inside to explore how the Batsuit's features are rooted in real-world science and engineering.

Batman often takes to the skies to fight crime in Gotham City. But are the high-flying features in his aircraft real? The answer may surprise you. Look inside to explore how the features in the Batplane and Batcopter are rooted in real-world science and engineering.

Batman rules the streets of Gotham City. But are the high-tech features in his road vehicles real? The answer may surprise you. Look inside to explore how the features in the Batmobile and Batcycle are rooted in real-world science and engineering.

Batman’s life depends on the gadgets he stores in his Utility Belt. But is any of that gear real? The answer may surprise you. Look inside to learn how the tools in Batman’s Utility Belt are rooted in real-world science and engineering.

In this book, see how things work with fun experiments and uncover the answers to questions such as How does Batman see in the Dark? Can science explain why Wonder Woman's plane is invisible? Or How can the Flash run on water?

"Explores the real-world science and engineering connections to the features of Batman's Batsuit"--

"Account of how comic book heroes have helped their creators and fans alike explore and express a wealth of paranormal experiences ignored by mainstream science. Delving deeply into the work of major figures in the field - from Jack Kirby's cosmic superhero sagas and Philip K. Dick's futuristic head-trips to Alan Moore's sex magic and Whitley Strieber's communion with visitors - Kripal shows how creators turned to science fiction to convey the reality of the inexplicable and the paranormal they experienced in their lives. Expanded consciousness found its language in the metaphors of sci-fi - incredible powers, unprecedented mutations, time-loops and vast intergalactic intelligences - and the deeper influences of mythology and religion that these in turn drew from ; the wildly creative work that followed caught the imaginations of millions. Moving deftly from Cold War science and Fredric Wertham's anticomics crusade to gnostic revelation and alien abduction, Kripal spins out a hidden history of American culture, rich with mythical themes and shot through with an awareness that there are other realities far beyond our everyday understanding."--Jacket.