The Essential Batman Encyclopedia (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780345501066)

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 (c) 2008. All rights reserved.

Author: Robert Greenberger
ISBN-10: 0345501063
ISBN-13: 9780345501066
Publisher: Random House Worlds
Language: English
Published: 06/10/2008
Pages: 400
Format: Paperback
Weight: 2.60lbs
Size: 10.80h x 8.56w x 1.06d

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 06/15/2008 pg. 94
School Library Journal 10/01/2008 pg. 86