Analysis Edgework in Batman The Dark Knight Returns Octavian Jaekel, Romina Schumann Uncertainty and Speculation in Contemporary American Comics (BA Research Seminar) Conclusion References Beck, Ulrich. "Living in the World Risk Society.” Economy and Society 35 (3) (2006): 329-345. Web. 19 May 2016 Chauvin, Bruno, Hermand Danielle, and Etienne Mullet. "New Age Beliefs and Societal Risk Perception.” Journal of Applied Social Psychology 38 (8) (2008): 2056-2071. Web. 19 May 2016 Cortiel, Jeanne and Laura Oehme. “The Dark Knight’s Dystopian Vision: Batman,Risk, and American National Identity”. European Journal of AmericanStudies 10.2 (2015). Web. Lyng, Stephen. "Edgework, Risk, and Uncertainty." Social Theories of Risk and Uncertainty: An Introduction. Ed. Jens O. Zinn. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2008. 106-37. Print. Abstract “[Edgework is] the voluntary pursuit of activities that involve a high potential for death, physical injury or psychic harm“ (Lyng 107). In Batman The Dark Knight Returns, we have an alternative story from the original Batman stories. Batman is 50 years old and just returned from his retirement to come back to “work” again. To prove to himself that he is still as much in shape and as masculine as he was before and that he is still able to fight against his enemies, he takes every chance to put himself in situations where he goes on the edge of his capabilities. Although his actions are not always necessary to prevent crimes, they sometimes even aggravate the situation or create a whole new endangerment, he still enjoys the challenge of regaining control. We claim that with this actions, Batman's character can be seen as an example of the modern society, which Ulrich Beck calls „risk society in the sense that it is increasingly occupied with debating, preventing and managing risks that itself has produced“ (Beck 332). With a close reading of the graphic novel, focusing on key scenes and by analyzing them, using Ulrich Beck’s text on world risk society, as well as Stephen Lyng’s text on edgework, as basis, we will show how Batman’s behavior reflects this society. Workshop Blood in the Gutter: Uncertainty and Speculation in Contemporary American Comics July 15, 2016 After analyzing the depicted scenes, it can be pointed out that Batman’s character can be seen as an example of modern society, regarding his actions and behavior during his fights and while solving crimes. While being true that he helps to fight and solve crimes on the one hand, he is also creating new issues on the other, which lead to a public menace, as critics in Gotham City state publicly. Him being part of risk society is emphasized in the interview of the new police commissioner (Img. 5), where she calls him a vigilante and therefore sees him as a risk for the public safety because of his actions. Methods [Miller, p.11] [Miller p. 173] [Miller p. 116] [Miller p. 65] [Miller p. 77] [Miller p. 34] Img. 2 Fighting makes Batman feel young and powerful again Img. 1 Introduction scene – Batman enjoys being in a life-threatening situation Img. 3 Batman during fight – thinking about crossing line of not killing Img. 4 Batman places himself above the law Img. 5 Interview with new chief of police department – criticism of Batman's actions Img. 6 TV Interview about Batman causing more trouble than help