Following the success of the first edition, the updated and revised DC Comics Encyclopedia offers even more incredible DC detail and imagery than the original. 48 brand-new pages include major updates on characters and storylines (including the recent "Infinite Crisis" story arc). This spectacular, up-to-the-minute encyclopedia will delight comic fans of every age.
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
This copiously illustrated encyclopedia chronicles more than 1,000 DC Comics characters from the 1930s to the present. Arranged alphabetically, each entry gives the first appearance, status (hero, villain, etc.), real name, occupation, height, weight, and eye and hair color of the superheroes or supervillains. Special abilities and superpowers are also listed along with ample cross-references to other comic characters or superleague affiliations, such as the L.E.G.I.O.N. cosmic peacekeeping force.
The biographical entries make fascinating reading in alternative history. For example, the Crimson Avenger served in a league called the Seven Soldiers of Victory during World War II. Afterward, he was sent backward in time. He came forward in time and discovered that he was struck with a terminal disease. After his death, an unknown woman purchased two guns that had belonged to him. These guns transformed her into Crimson Avenger II, who became an agent of vengeance and execution. Of course, famous characters such as Wonder Woman or Batman are included. But lesser-known characters, such as Superman's college flame, Lori Lemaris (a mermaid), are also listed.
The colorful design makes this book a pleasure to browse. Special two-page features, such as "Amazing Weapons" and "Romantic Moments," are interspersed with the biographies. Recommended for public libraries with active comic readership. Jack O'Gorman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
--This text refers to an alternate
Hardcover
edition.
Review
"... it's hard to top this encyclopedia." -- Winston-Salem Journal
"Fabulous artwork and pictures of more than 1,000 famous comic book characters fill this classic that will thrill all collectors." -- Detroit Free Press --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
"Fabulous artwork and pictures of more than 1,000 famous comic book characters fill this classic that will thrill all collectors." -- Detroit Free Press --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
66 of 67 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Many folks for years have been wanting DC to revisit their Who's Who series from the mid-80's, an A to Z covering of characters. This new hardcover fits that bill in a solid, colorful volume. The wrap around cover by Alex Ross is beautiful and eye-catching.
As for the book's interior, it is obvious a lot of effort was put into this. Four main writers handled the text portions, with art taken from hundreds of artists across the decades.
Naturally, there will be a few errors that creep into something such as this. I found characters in group shots mislabeled, and the occasional wrong fact in an entry. These things probably should have been caught in final proofing. I can forgive them though as they are few and far between.
The one thing that becomes painfully obvious to this long time comic reading fan is that the focus of this tome swings heavy to the post-Crisis universe (understandable as that is what the current continuity is - stuff reorganized and introduced since 1986). This tome makes it obvious that continuity is in fact constantly in flux, being rewritten and reworked. The book is uneven in that at times it takes both old and rewrites into account. Examples include the Legion of Super-Heroes stuff and the Doom Patrol relaunch from earlier this year.
Still, it is a nice coffee table tome and good for quicky research on characters and such.
As for the book's interior, it is obvious a lot of effort was put into this. Four main writers handled the text portions, with art taken from hundreds of artists across the decades.
Naturally, there will be a few errors that creep into something such as this. I found characters in group shots mislabeled, and the occasional wrong fact in an entry. These things probably should have been caught in final proofing. I can forgive them though as they are few and far between.
The one thing that becomes painfully obvious to this long time comic reading fan is that the focus of this tome swings heavy to the post-Crisis universe (understandable as that is what the current continuity is - stuff reorganized and introduced since 1986). This tome makes it obvious that continuity is in fact constantly in flux, being rewritten and reworked. The book is uneven in that at times it takes both old and rewrites into account. Examples include the Legion of Super-Heroes stuff and the Doom Patrol relaunch from earlier this year.
Still, it is a nice coffee table tome and good for quicky research on characters and such.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I really didn't know what to expect when I bought this book. It was just something to help me figure out who some of the characters were in the DC universe. What I found was a history of EVERY character DC has ever created! There were some really obscure characters in there dating back to the 1940s that I had never even heard of.
If you're into DC comics, it's well worth the price. I know I've had hours of fun reading the different entries on not only the characters I knew but many I didn't.
If you're into DC comics, it's well worth the price. I know I've had hours of fun reading the different entries on not only the characters I knew but many I didn't.
32 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Some people may gripe over that their favorite character got only a small entry in the book but I was surprised at how complete this book was.
Lets face it, unless DC reprints Who's Who you are not going to get a complete guide to the DC characters, this book is made to represent as many of their characters as they could. I enjoyed the entries about the lesser known characters and being given updates on some of the heros and villians I had followed but lost touch with.
The DC Comics Encylopedia makes a nice gift for any comics fan.
Lets face it, unless DC reprints Who's Who you are not going to get a complete guide to the DC characters, this book is made to represent as many of their characters as they could. I enjoyed the entries about the lesser known characters and being given updates on some of the heros and villians I had followed but lost touch with.
The DC Comics Encylopedia makes a nice gift for any comics fan.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
awesome book
I gave this book as a gift but it was well worth it. I looked through a bunch of times before i gave it as a present and it was awesome. Read more
Published 22 days ago by joey
Best Book Price!!!!!!
Thanks Amazon, Saved a-lot of $$$$$, by purchasing from you instead of our local Barnes and Noble. Plus the outer jacket on the book was not torn as it was at Barnes and Noble. Read more
Published 4 months ago by 5 for Grandma
totally satisfied
My son already has the Marvel Encyclopedia. It's pretty HEAVY and he carries it around like a bible. I'll be giving him the DC Encyclopedia as a Christmas present. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Michael F. Emig
Great Purchase!
This book is great! I would highly recommend it to any DC Universe fan. It's a must have... It said the book wasn't it that good condition but when it arrived it was BRAND NEW! Read more
Published 7 months ago by Camilo Rangel
Good Fun
I am glade i finally picked up this book. But the first two items i looked up were absent from the Encyclopedia. Read more
Published 7 months ago by P. Darragh
Great Book
Bought this for my super hero lover and it is awesome. It has every character I have ever seen or know of and more from the DC World. Also bought the Marvel book. Read more
Published 7 months ago by P. Miller
A must have for any fan of Batman or you know he other ones lol
As Batman is my favourite superhero and his villains are my favourite villains this was a no brainer. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Kevin
Gift
This was a gift for my nephew and he could not put it down, he loved it. Also, the book was in excellent condition.
Published 8 months ago by MRSSanta
Good reference but incomplete
It's a good reference. However, as some other reviewers have posted it is not complete - perhaps simply due to erroneous proofing. Read more
Published 9 months ago by J.S. Bach
Great Coffee table book
This is a colorful book I purchased to compliment my roommates marvel encyclopedia [...]. It's full of interesting facts about your favorite DC heroes and villains. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Joseph Rall
Inside This Book
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fatal five, subtle realms, female furies, primal force, killer shark, king shark, red hood, tattooed man, golden fleece, central power battery, boom tube, security chief, stone boy, metal men, immortal man, black lightning, silver monkey, shaggy man, karate kid, black pirate, name unrevealed, expert combatant, vast magical powers, costumed identity, brilliant criminal mind Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Gotham City, New York City, Infinite Crisis, World War, Great Battles, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Man of Steel, New Genesis, Hal Jordan, Lex Luthor, Bruce Wayne, Wally West, Barry Allen, Keystone City, Captain Marvel, San Francisco, Green Arrow, Speed Force, Black Canary, Golden Age, Kyle Rayner, Jason Todd, Dark Knight, Clark Kent Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
fatal five, subtle realms, female furies, primal force, killer shark, king shark, red hood, tattooed man, golden fleece, central power battery, boom tube, security chief, stone boy, metal men, immortal man, black lightning, silver monkey, shaggy man, karate kid, black pirate, name unrevealed, expert combatant, vast magical powers, costumed identity, brilliant criminal mind Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Gotham City, New York City, Infinite Crisis, World War, Great Battles, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Man of Steel, New Genesis, Hal Jordan, Lex Luthor, Bruce Wayne, Wally West, Barry Allen, Keystone City, Captain Marvel, San Francisco, Green Arrow, Speed Force, Black Canary, Golden Age, Kyle Rayner, Jason Todd, Dark Knight, Clark Kent Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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