THE DC COMICS ENCYCLOPEDIA

review by

Mike Nappa

THE DC COMICS ENCYCLOPEDIA: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe

by Scott Beatty, Robert Greenberger, Phil Jimenez, and Dan Wallace

(DK Publishing)

Reader Appeal: All Ages

Genre: Reference / Comic Books

It's impossible not to be impressed by the sheer breadth of content in The DC Comics Encyclopedia, regardless of whether you are a comic-book geek or not. Page after page of this coffee-table style volume delivers stunning visuals and captivating back-story for every major, and most minor, characters who ever graced the pages of a DC comic. Spanning the generations from 1935 to the present, it is, without question, the definitive book on superhero mythology created by the company that first brought us Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.

However, if you ARE a comic-book geek (which this reviewer definitely is), then The DC Comics Encyclopedia is more than just a reference work detailing obscure facts about spandex-clad characters. It's a reunion with friends--both old and new--and a rich, imaginative work that brings together all that's great about superhero myths: eye-popping art, limitless possibilities, and epic battles between good and evil. In short, it's everything you'd want in a book, and more.

With over 1,000 characters profiled here, you'll find everybody who's anybody in the DC universe, including heroes, villains, aliens, team-ups, and even the greatest romantic moments of comic book history. Additional spotlights on "amazing weapons" and "amazing vehicles" only add to the appeal. As expected, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are the stars in this line-up, and so the most space is dedicated to those three. But lower-profile, high interest heroes / villains like Black Canary, Ra's Al Ghul, Green Lantern, Mr. Mxyzptlk, and the Flash also get dynamite exposure here. And, if you're a fan of obscure heroes like the WWII era freedom fighter, Red Torpedo or the heroic problem solver, Genius Jones, then you'll find yourself in heaven as you page through this colorful tome.

Organized from A-Z, and fully indexed to boot, each entry in this volume gives a quick character summary (such as whether or not the character is a hero or villain, age, weight, first appearance, and special powers) along with biographical background on the highlighted character. Think of it as the comic geek equivalent of baseball stats for Red Sox fans or scoring profiles for fantasy football players. It is also a reminder of the wealth of creativity and imagination that comic books in general have contributed to American society over the past 70 years. These characters are entertaining and exciting, yes, but their best attribute is that they allow us all to dream of possibilities, to remember that deep down inside, each one of us has the makings of a hero.

Although The DC Comics Encyclopedia probably won't appeal to everybody, I think it's safe to say that anyone who enjoys a little imagination (and colorful costumes) in life will not be disappointed by this book. Display it proudly on the coffee table at your home, and let it spark your own imagination for years to come.

FAMILYFANS RATING:  A+

 --MN