The Batman Handbook: The Ultimate Training Manual [Paperback]

Scott Beatty (Author), David Hahn (Illustrator), Chuck Dixon (Foreword)

Book Description

Release date: February 1, 2005

The Essential Skills of the Dark Knight—Unmasked!
 
From how to throw a Batarang to how to make a Batsuit, from how to win a whip fight to how to drive the Batmobile on two wheels, The Batman Handbook is the ultimate real-world training manual for the aspiring super hero. Here are illustrated, step-by-step instructions on the vital information you’ll need to emerge victorious against any criminal mastermind:
 
     •  How to Bulletproof Your Batmobile
     •  How to Train a Sidekick
     •  How to Execute a Backflip
     •  How to Swing around a Flagpole
     •  How to Take a Kick to the Head
     •  How to Extract a Confession
     •  How to Survive a Poison Gas Attack
 
. . . and dozens of other crucial skills for the caped crusader in training.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Scott Beatty is the author of several books and graphic novels, including Batman: The Ultimate Guide to the Dark Knight and the critically acclaimed Batgirl: Year One. He lives in Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Quirk Books; First Edition edition (February 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594740232
• ISBN-13: 978-1594740237
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.8 x 7.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,405 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars For the aspiring vigilante... June 15, 2005

By Guy L. Gonzalez VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Scott Beatty's The Batman Handbook: The Ultimate Training Manual, opens with the following disclaimer:

"Attempting to exact vigilante-style justice is illegal, no matter what the situation. Even Batman himself, if he really existed, would be subject to prosecution, despite his close relationship with Commissioner Gordon... We urge you to obey all laws and respect all rights, including the property rights of others -- even the criminally insane."

DC's lawyers not only know their audience, they also have a sense of humor, something that's fully on display in Beatty's entertaining How To guide. Broken down into five chapters - The Basics, Bat Skills, Fighting Skills, Detective Skills and Escape Skills - Beatty offers up a realistic look at the caped crusader's methods and gadgets, along with a heaping helping of pure fanboy snark. Important information like how to make a Batsuit, how to drive the Batmobile on two wheels, and how to take out a roomful of goons is all presented in relatively straight-forward fashion, with real-world examples and common sense explanations, and frequently cut with wry observations such as: "Camouflage can save your life. Only a virtually invulnerable hero who operates in the daytime would wear bright blue, red and yellow."

Formatted like an actual training manual, it's very similar in tone to the Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series, an oft-hilarious guide to surviving such potential disasters as escaping from quicksand or performing a tracheotomy. Besides explaining which martial arts are best to master and how to withstand poison kisses, The Batman Handbook is also rich in references to Batman history, making it a double treat for the fanboys and girls. In Chapter 5's "How to Win a Coin Toss," for example, Beatty briefly recounts Two Face's origin before suggesting, perhaps to future writers of the Dark Knight: "If your life is at stake or, more importantly, an innocent's fate is to be determined by the flip of a coin, you might be better off using the time it takes to toss a coin to launch an attack or slip from your bonds... Then decide the outcome yourself -- with your fists."

Batman's appeal has always been his universal relatability due to his lack of super powers. He's just a man - albeit an extraordinary man - the self-made hero that any of us could be if we had his willpower and drive, and of course, his bazillion dollar family fortune! The Batman Handbook is the perfect accessory for anyone who's ever dreamed of the vigilante lifestyle and answered the age old question of who they would rather be, Superman or Batman, with a derisive laugh: "Batman, of course."

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great buy! If you like Batman, chances are... April 12, 2005

By Donal J. Bassett

Format:Paperback

If you like Batman, chances are at one time in your life you have thought about what it would be like to be involved in his line of work. Therefore, this book is for all Batman fans! I'd say it was a quick read, because I read the whole thing the day I got it, but seriously I was not keeping track of the time because I was so engaged in the book! A nice mix of fact and fun, it convinced me I could be Batman! Cool diagrams, insights into the character of Batman as well as his training, tactics, and abilities. I loved this thing and would recommend it to any comic reader.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Kids at Heart March 31, 2005

By Low Profile

Format:Paperback

Entertaining and well-researched, this manual is an enjoyable read for any one who ever fantasized being Batman as a kid. Written in an easy to understand, how-to format, it comes aross as being a book the caped crusader would give to one of his proteges. I agree with another reviewer about the disclaimer for parents. In fact, any parent should have a talk with their kid about not trying the things in that book, especially the jumping out of a tall building stunt. I had great fun reading through this, though, and was impressed with the amount of illustrations and technical terms. Well done!