Superhero fans can be found everywhere, from the teeming halls of Comic Con to suburban movie theaters and the young children captivated by their first comic books to the die-hard collectors of vintage memorabilia. Why are so many people fascinated by superheroes?

In this thoughtful, engaging, and intelligent collection, editor Robin Rosenberg -- psychologist, writer, and well-known expert on the psychology of superheroes -- compiles essays by some of the world's leading scholars to address our relationships with superheroes (and supervillains) as well as the humanity of superheroes. How do characters and stories reflect human nature? Are superhero stories moral or immoral? How do superheroes' work lives compare to our work lives? What is the role of justice in superhero worlds? Finally, are superhero stories good for us? These questions and many more are addressed in this illuminating new book.