The DC Comics Encyclopedia

by Scott Beatty, Robert Greenburger

book data

90 ratings, 4.23 average rating, 16 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		47%
4		35%
3		10%
2		5%
1		1%

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published

September 29th 2008 (first published 2004) by DK ADULT

binding

Hardcover, 400 pages

isbn

0756641195 (isbn13: 9780756641191)

description

As a unique, one-volume encyclopedia of more than 1,000 characters created by DC Comics, this is the book that all comic book fans have been waiting f...more

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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 122)

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02/05/09

Randy Lander rated it:

(review of isbn 1405305916)

bookshelves: art-books, swanky-hardcovers

Now that's what I'm talking about. For the longest time, I've bemoaned the seeming inability of DC or Marvel to capture the glory that lay in their guidebooks to their respective universes, the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe and DC Who's Who. Given today's lax continuity approach, they're not necessary (if they ever were), but it is still frustrating to see them replaced by half-assed versions like Marvel's Encyclopedias or current flimsy pamphlets trying to pass as the Handbooks, or D...more Now that's what I'm talking about. For the longest time, I've bemoaned the seeming inability of DC or Marvel to capture the glory that lay in their guidebooks to their respective universes, the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe and DC Who's Who. Given today's lax continuity approach, they're not necessary (if they ever were), but it is still frustrating to see them replaced by half-assed versions like Marvel's Encyclopedias or current flimsy pamphlets trying to pass as the Handbooks, or DC's bizarre hybrid Secret Files. Really, half the knowledge I have about the obscure characters of the DC and Marvel Universes, and thus much of my love of those universes (universi?) comes from having read the Who's Who and Official Handbook back in the day. And so it is that I would like to announce my desire to give the authors of this book a big, wet, sloppy (virtual) kiss for bringing back the truly awesome encyclopedia to the DC universe with this exhaustive, beautifully illustrated hardcover tome. If you are a DC comics fan, or just a superhero fan in general, this one is for you.

The biggest misstep that has been made with the new attempts at this kind of project by DC and Marvel has been their limited scope. Rather than trying to cover their entire universe, they focus in on the characters that everyone already knows. Really, who needs a book on Spider-Man and the Green Goblin? Every five-year-old who saw the movie knows their deal. It's not that I want the big guys skipped over, but the real job of an encyclopedia or secret files or handbook or what-have-you is to include a sense of the universe, of just how many characters there are and how they relate. On this score, DC Comics Encylopedia shoots big and scores big. These creators have covered everyone from the modern-day big guns to the golden age greats, and tossed in any number of obscure characters from the '70s, '80s, '90s and beyond. If you look really really really hard, you can find some omissions, like Erik Larsen-designed Superman/Suicide Squad baddie Shrapnel, but you won't find any major omissions, and you will be astounded by the number of smaller characters who are represented. I know I was.

I could go on and on about this, but let me just give you a few examples of who is covered in here. '80s private dick Nathaniel Dusk. I... Vampire. The Action Comics Weekly version of the Secret Six. Cameron Chase, from the late lamented '90s series Chase. The Hayoth, one of the coolest teams from the '90s Suicide Squad. Individual entries for 2002's Power Company. And on and on and on. For a fan of DC's more out there or obscure heroes, there is nothing better than these books, which seeks not to ignore (like so many creators today) or degrade (like the big event books of 2004) but to catalog, to shine a spotlight on them. They say "every character is someone's favorite," but too few people actually buy into that and give equal respect to all characters as the creators of this Encyclopedia have.

The last thing I want to do, though, is to give the impression that this is strictly focused on comics obscura. No, the really big guys get gorgeous two-page spreads that detail their history, notable story events, who they are and what they do. There are standouts, like the beautiful page for Starman that serves as a loving tribute to James Robinson's series and what he did for the legacy of that character, and then there are the expected spotlights like a nifty two-page spread on Superman. There are even some cool two-page spreads focused on other stuff that makes the DC Universe cool, like Vehicles, Bases, Weapons, Alien Races, Great Team-Ups, Romantic Moments, Great Battles and Strange Times and Places.

All of this information is packed into amazingly well-designed pages that appears modern without being cluttered. The book is a treasure of graphic design, and it is packed to the gills with great art. Unlike the modern-day Marvel Universe handbooks, which seem to forget all artists before the past five years and weirdly bring in different peopple to draw feet or hands on panel shots grabbed from different comics, the guys who chose the art for the DC Encyclopedia have done a phenomenal job. Work by a variety of legendary artists from a variety of eras is to be found here, and somehow they've picked perfectly for 90% of the characters in here. There are pinups drawn from both eras of DC Who's Who as well as art taken from comics dating from the Golden Age through just the last couple of months. The characters who get larger entries, which includes a lot of them, even get some well-chosen panels showing them in action. Even if the info and the writing weren't so strong, this book would be worthwhile as a visual catalog of the DC Universe.

I can't properly credit the artists who are involved in this book, as it takes a full page at the back of the page to do that. I would like to single out the writers who put this whole thing together, a mind-bending task that I can't even fathom trying to do with this kind of skill. Scott Beatty has previously worked on the DK Books Ultimate guides for DC characters (as well as writing Batman, Green Arrow and plenty of others for DC) but this is a huge step up in terms of information, and he has come through with flying colors. Bob Greenberger is one of those names who has been around as continuity cop and production guy at DC and Marvel for a long time, and his presence here is unsurprising, but definitely welcome. Phil Jimenez is probably best known for his loving stories and art on Tempest, Teen Titans and Wonder Woman, and he brings that same sheer joy and work ethic to this book. Dan Wallace is the only guy whose previous credits I don't know, but it's quite clear he can hold his own, and these four men, each bringing a different expertise, have truly created something spectacular.

That they had a design department equal to their writing skills is, in these days of disappointing guidebooks, a small miracle as well. I already mentioned the strong graphic design, but let me also point out that this book has that indispensable (and often overlooked) feature that a book like this absolutely needs: a kickass index. It is clear that everyone, from writing to design to editorial, has put their heart and soul into this, and to them I offer a hearty thank you. To DC and comics fans everywhere, I offer a strong suggestion that you seek this book out, as it should be on every superhero fan's bookshelf. And to DC and Marvel editorial, what can I say? You guys just got schooled.(less)

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02/28/09

Cat Springer rated it:

(review of isbn 075660592X)

Already outdated but gorgeous comic books encyclopedia of the DC Universe by famed & popular DK Publishers. Trying to remember Eclipso and why he has such attitude? Ever wondered what Lois Lane's middle name (Joanne) and true eye color is (blue)? Startled that the Joker actually has a "girlfriend" and that she's still alive ("I am NOT a doormat, Mistah J! ...am I?")? Then this is your one-stop shop for the sillier of the two long-standing comic universes, DC. Filled with minu...more

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02/06/09

Argott rated it:

bookshelves: books_i_pretend_to_read

Read in February, 2009

I was heartbroken to read under the entry for Bouncing Boy that:

. . . Bouncing Boy has yet to leave his mark in other Legion timelines. In the reality created after the events of Zero Hour, Chuck Taine [Bouncing Boy's secret identity:] worked with the Legion as an engineer and mechanic, but did not demonstrate any of his signature bouncing abilities.

How come every time they revamp a comic universe they ruin my favorite characters? Come on, a Legion of Super-Heroes without Bouncing Boy?!?...more

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02/28/09

Cat Springer rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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05/07/08

Roberta rated it:

(review of isbn 1405305916)

bookshelves: graphicnovel

recommends it for: DC comics enthusiasts

This source was somewhat disappointing for me. Yes, it has all of the characters you would think of although John Constantine does not get his own separate entry oddly enough. The descriptions don't do justice to the history of characters like Superman and Wonder Woman. Most of the details of these icons are cursory of the past half century or so and much more detailed about the current incarnation. Most of the pre-Crisis history of any character still active post-Crisis is very cursory.
...more

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12/19/08

Leslie rated it:

bookshelves: the-what-not-shelf

Read in December, 2008

Great text for DC Comics fans, but not as in depth as most comics buffs would want in a book deemed an encyclopedia. Covers DC story lines and characters up through the mini-series Infinite Crisis and mega-series 52. Maybe future editions will add more information and features.

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11/22/08

muhamad haripin rated it:

(review of isbn 1405305916)

bookshelves: eyes-voyage

yeah, yeah, yeah... my imaginary heroes packed in one book. its really great. i love this encyclopedia!!! hehehe.

regards,
mh.

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03/01/09

Troy rated it:

Someone once said that Marvel is science fiction but DC is Greek mythology.

Word.

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03/30/09

Vanessa rated it:

(review of isbn 1405305916)

bookshelves: guilty-pleasure

I get that it's an encyclopedia, but I kinda got bored reading the entries about older (obsolete) characters. I wanted more about my faves. But the illustrations were great.

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03/25/08

Ren rated it:

(review of isbn 075660592X)

bookshelves: all-dc

recommends it for: Comic Lovers

Funny story, I found this in my school library and kept coming back to look at it. Eventually I got it as a gift and it has since been a valuable book to a comic reader like myself. While it does leave out minor characters, the Encyclopia ultimately shows the wide variety and vast expansion of the DC Universe. With plenty of solid information and wonderful art, the DC Comics Encyclopedia is a must have for comic readers everywhere.

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02/06/08

Eric rated it:

(review of isbn 1405305916)

bookshelves: coffee-table-books

i good coffee table book which is basically what the title suggests, a dc character encyclopedia. it was fun to look up dc characters that i did not know of when mentioned in other comics, shows, etc.

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09/29/08

Ismail menasterly rated it:

(review of isbn 1405305916)

I like this book because it shows all the characters form the dc universe and I like to read all their stats and find out where they fall in between in their uinverse

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