The Essential Batman Encyclopedia
by Robert Greenberger
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Book Summary Information
Author: Robert GreenbergerEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-06-10
ISBN: 0345501063
Number of pages: 400
Publisher: Del Rey
Book Reviews of The Essential Batman Encyclopedia
Book Review: A triumph...
Summary: 5 Stars
Wow!
I've been looking forward to this book since I first heard about it (October 2007??) and have had it on pre-order since.
It didn't disappoint. Not one bit.
The book is much in the same style as the Michael Fleisher Encyclopedia of the 1970s (recently reissued).
It has hundreds of entries on a myriad of Batman characters, places and gadgets, ranging from the the very famous to the extremely obscure.
And when I say obscure, I mean it. I also mean that in a positive way.
As a Batman fan of 30 years, I'm extremely interested in him and his supporting characters.
I'm therefore thrilled that this book isn't purely dedicated to well-known characters like Alfred, The Joker and Gordon. It also has entries on such oddball characters as The Eraser, Hydro and The Bouncer.
Some of the characters listed in the book only appeared once or twice, and often not as the main villain of the story (there are entries for various henchmen and gangsters).
In comparison to the Fleisher book, there is less detail, sometimes quite considerably.
However, I think this is a good thing. Mr Greenburger has covered a lot more comics, over a greater number of years than Mr Fleisher. To be able to go into minute detail (as Fleisher did) for the number of comics that represented here would mean several volumes would need to be released (and probably several more years).
In addition to this, sometimes I felt the original encyclopedia to be overly descriptive in parts, sometimes quoting lengthy text portions from the comics. This doesn't happen in this new book. Don't get me wrong, I love the Fleisher book for this, and treasure it as the devoted work that it is. I just feel that this wasn't needed in this case and I'm glad Mr Greenberger decided to go with listing more entries rather than adding more text per entry.
If I had to list areas where improvements could be made, I would have loved to see some maps, diagrams and tables showing things such as a detailed Batcave plan, major Batmobiles, family tree of the Waynes, listings of such things as Gotham City mayors, bat-equipment etc.
Also, full colour illustrations would have been nice, but I understand that would have bumped the price up considerably.
The black & white illustrations are nice though - lots of variety of artists (although quite Jim Lee heavy (not a bad thing, but I'm more of a Neal Adams fan)) and a good selection too.
There are two colour sections and these are lovely. Really eye-popping and a great choice (gotta love that Brian Bolland Poison Ivy pic - stunning!!).
Overall though, I can't fault this book. It has surpassed my expectations and is exactly what I want in a resource for the Dark Knight.
Truly outstanding and a fine tribute to one of our most enduring icons.
Summary of The Essential Batman Encyclopedia
The ultimate guide to the man behind the mask . . . and the mythology behind the man.?Criminals are a superstitious, cowardly lot. So my disguise must be able to strike terror into their hearts. I must be a creature of the night, black, terrible. . . . I shall become a bat!? So declared millionaire industrialist Bruce Wayne, orphaned as a boy by a murderous thug and driven as a man to battle the scourge of crime by becoming Batman. Batman swooped into popular culture in 1939?and for nearly seventy years has thrilled audiences in countless comics, live-action and animated television programs, and seven feature films. Prowling the darkened rooftops of Gotham City, roaring through the teeming streets in the sleek, high-powered Batmobile, and leaping into action when the iconic Bat-Signal pierces the night sky, the Caped Crusader is a larger-than-life legend. And now, for the first time in more than thirty years, everything there is to know about Batman?from the beginning to the present, and from A to Z?is collected in one comprehensive new sourcebook. More than 500 pages of entries and illustrations include:
? fascinating details and the complete background on Batman?s origins
? biographies of every major character in the Batman universe?including his closest allies, from Robin the Boy Wonder and faithful butler Alfred Pennyworth to Commissioner Gordon; and his countless enemies, from the Joker, Penguin, Catwoman, and the Riddler to Scarecrow, Two-Face, Ra?s al Ghul and Poison Ivy
? classic black-and-white comic book artwork throughout
? two sixteen-page full-color artwork inserts
Even an all-access pass to the Batcave couldn?t rival former DC Comics editor and Batman scholar extraordinaire Robert Greenberger?s exhaustive ultimate archive. The Essential Batman Encyclopedia is a must for every Batman fan?s bookshelf.
BATMAN, the DC Logo, and all related names, characters and elements are trademarks of DC Comics © 2008. All rights reserved.
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