Publisher's Synopsis
First there was Buffy the Vampire Slayer; then its spin-off Angel; then the cult hit Firefly; and its follow-up film, Serenity. They all had two things in common: their creator, Joss Whedon and their surprising psychological depth.Revisit the worlds of Joss Whedon with trained psychologists at your side. What are the psychological effects of constantly fighting for your life? Why is neuroscience the Whedonverses most terrifying villain? How can watching Josss shows help you take on your own psychological issues?Its all the best parts of Psych 101without Professor Walsh.* Robert Kurzban explains how Mals morals are a form of evolutionary pornography, and why we like to watch* Thomas Flamson explores free will in the Whedonversewith prophecies, sacred duties and the long arm of the Alliance, does anyone actually have any?* Carole Poole demonstrates how Buffy and Spikes season six relationship could be considered metaphor for narcissistic personality disorderand concludes that Buffy may have been better off continuing it* Bradley J. Daniels looks at Rivers Alliance-altered brain, and the real effects of stripping the amygdala* Mikhail Lyubansky shows why, psychologically, death really is Buffys gift* And editor Joy Davidson takes on Angels mommy issueshow the course of his whole extraordinary existence can be traced back to the woman who made him a vampire
