Superhero Book

by Gina Renée Misiroglu

Superhuman strength. Virtual invulnerability. Motivated to defend the world from evildoers. A secret identity. And a penchant for looking good in long underwear. These are the traits that define the quintessential superhero whose impossible feats graced the pages of comic books during comics' Golden and Silver Ages. They are Batman, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Spider-Man, Superman, Wonder Woman, and dozens of others--with names like Ant-Man, Daredevil, Hawkman, the Human Torch, the Spectre, the Spirit, and Sub-Mariner--whose death-defying acts and altruistic motives have come to characterize heroism for generations of fans. By the end of the twentieth century the real world had become a darker place, necessitating a new kind of hero. Popular heroes of yesteryear were reinvented to meet the demands of a new age. The popular culture witnessed the rise of the anti-hero, the fresh breed of brazen, gritty adventurer that includes the likes of Elektra, the Punisher, and Wolverine. Heroes that aren't typically defined as super--Buffy, Hellboy, Sandman, and Spawn--became associated with the word because they possessed superhuman qualities. But they were often nearly paralyzed with angst, doubt, and disillusionment, identifying with their audience in a way reminiscent of existential sixties superheros like Spider-Man. With 150 full-color illustrations, including dozens of classic comic covers, "The Superhero Book is the ultimate A-Z compendium of everyone's favorite superheroes and their mythology, sidekicks, villains, love interests, superpowers, and modus operands. Almost 300 entries cover the best-loved and historically significant comic book, movie, television, and novelsuperheroes--mainstream and counterculture, famous and forgotten, best and worst--including classics like Green Lantern and Plastic Man, cult favorites like the Rocketeer and Madman, and timeless entities like the X-Men. Each significant era of the superhero is explored--the Golden Age (1938-1954), the Silver Age (1956-1969), the Bronze Age (1970-1979), and the Modern Age (1980-present)--providing the redder with a perspective of the hero over the twentieth century and beyond. With "The Superhero Book, you'll be reminded why you love them (Who wouldn't want to get their hands on Wonder Woman's lasso (or just one day?), why they were chosen to save the world ("We shall call you Captain America, son! Because like you--America shall gain the strength and will to safeguard our shores"), what they do for their day jobs (world traveler Oliver Queen...Hollywood star and America's sweetheart Linda Turner...billionaire industrialist Bruce Wayne...college student and free-lance photographer Peter Parker), and their very human "faux pas (As the Flash, he could outrun the wind, but as alter ego Harry Allen he was hard-pressed to show up for a date on time!). In an uncertain age, what we need is a superhero. Use our book to find the right one.

Genres: Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Education, Dc Comics, Comics

670 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Edward Correa]

Comenzando por la parte negativa, el libro a estas alturas está bastante desactualizado (es edición 2012 aprox.) y se pierde toda la revolución de los superhéroes en el cine post Avengers de Marvel, lastimosamente. Pero lo bueno y lo más valioso es que gracias a esta obra he descubierto clásicos que ahora me interesan mucho más que antes, como por ejemplo los trabajos de Kack Kirby en New Gods o Alan Moore en Miracleman.

[Ash.O]

The "ultimate encyclopedia of comic-book icons" is not an exaggeration. From A-Z, from start to 2012, this book details comic book heroes, publishers, and trends. Definitely a must-read for anyone interested in comics and the history of comics.

[Mark Desrosiers]

The design of this book is surprisingly awful, but don't let it put you off: there's lots of great information to be had here. Fascinating entries such as "Superhero Confidants," "Team-ups and Crossovers," "Femforce," and "Anti-Heroes" don't disappoint, and of course you learn all you need to know about, say, Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and Thor. (crap, I'm being Marvel-centric again) I was especially fascinated by the entry on Wonder Woman, whose creator William Moulton Marston was poly, BDSM-kinky, and the inventor of the lie detector. Hence the "lasso of truth"!

[Abraham Ray]

great book to read!

[Jacqueline]

I only made it to I, but this book was great just the information overload any comic book fan would love and I did.

[Shannon]

Really great, insightful and fun to read. I learned so much about my favorite hero's.

[Ellen]

The perfect accessory to out-nerd even the most dedicated cosplayer. It could have benefited from more images, but it's still a sound resource.

[Christopher Calo]

Books good to find out info on your favorite superhero or one you don't know much about