DC Comics Encyclopedia All-New Edition

The book itself is wonderful.

It has detailed information about every DC comic book character that you'd want to know / read about. It does not leave out the little guy.

The pictures are illustrated beautifully and the colors are vivid and bright.

The packaging was not perfect, but the book did come in great shape.

I recommend buying this book if you are a fan of super heroes and or know someone who is.

There is nothing not to like about this big, epic doorstop of a DC reference book. Over the years, comic publishers like DC and Marvel have released encyclopedias to their characters, but these are usually in formats that don't reach bookshelves and/or aren't right for your coffee table or bookcase. Even worse, they have generally not been intended for wider audiences.

This is perfect for both, it's ideal for just about anyone, and boy is it loaded with info.

This thing is PACKED. Over 1,000 characters are featured on gorgeous gloss stock paper. Each character gets a great illustration and a short but detailed bio letting you know their basic attributes and a short character history. Major characters get huge spreads, while minor characters are packed onto a page 5 or 6 or 10 at a time. Much of the artwork is stunning.

Characters are listed in alphabetical order and feature enough info to bring even a newbie up to speed. Watching the new Flash show? Trying out comics for the first time? Wondering who that character from the movies is? This tome is your guide. Easy to find who you're looking for, too.

The production values are extraordinary. This is a big, well made hardcover with terrific, sturdy binding, an excellent dust jacket, top quality paper stock, and gorgeous art and typesetting.

HIGHLY recommended for both longtime fans and those new to the DC universe alike. As a Marvel fan myself, this is already getting me way more interested in the DC universe!

The DC comics encyclopedia is the perfect gift for any comic book fan, new or old to comics. The encyclopedia features over 1000 articles that goes over DC’s famous and not so famous heroes. The encyclopedia starts out with the usual foreword/introduction. The introduction serves to give the reader how the book reads and some of the kinds of information you will learn as you peruse the different articles of the encyclopedia. The next portion of the encyclopedia is what i thought was the most helpful to readers trying to get into DC comics without having to read millions of issues of various DC comic book. That portion is the brief history of the DC universe. It covers from the golden age all the way up to the modern age. The modern age mentions the “New 52”, blackest night sorry line, final crisis and more. What makes this encyclopedia really relevant and updated is that the DC rebirth is mentioned and talked about. for readers unaware, the DC rebirth is a essentially a rebirth of the DC universe, taking storylines from the new 52 “status quo”, and updating and reincorporating characters into the current universe. If you are not really caught up with the current DCU, this encyclopedia gives you a really good abridged version of your favorite heroes and villains.

The the store webpage for the encyclopedia gives really good pictures on what the articles look like in the book. For your more popular characters like superman and batman, the article will feature things like classic and modern stories the character has appeared in and a data block telling you things like the character’s debut comic and things like secret identity and known villain and allies. Another section called “on the record” seems to serve as a facts page about the featured character. If you read an article about a lesser known/popular character, the article will feature only a brief history about the character and the usual data block.

I really like the book but i will subtract one star for the tiny print. the pages font are in an 8pt or maybe 10 pt font at max. It can be really hard to read if your vision is not that great. However, as mentioned before, I believe this book will make a great gift for the upcoming holiday season. If you know someone who is really into comic books or anyone who wants to get into comic books, this is a great gift. If you are looking into purchasing this yourself, this is a great book to keep on the coffee table and read from time to time. Highly recommended.

This is a very conditional five star review. If you have the previous edition, you might want to assess just how much this edition will help you. I find it interesting that they merely call this their "All New Edition" even though this is the fourth edition of THE DC COMICS ENCYCLOPEDIA that I've owned. I'm a bit more into Marvel (though I did just order two volumes of Geoff Johns's FLASH), but just as DC fans follow the Marvel movies closely. so I follow all the DC TV shows (and for the most part love them) and the DC movies (all of which I have been immensely bored by, but with Geoff Johns taking over controlling the destiny of the DC universe). I have the equivalent volume for Marvel, but I find I rarely consult that one since I pretty much know the various characters and their backgrounds. In DC I know most of the major characters and most of the villains for Superman and Batman, but I need help pretty frequently with details of the lesser characters, whether villains or heroes.

We need books like this. I was reading an essay by a scholar who specializes in comic books. He argued - and I think he is correct - that the two most complex mythologies in the history of the world are the ones developed by Marvel and DC. Yet they are not mythologies that are of heroes in the past, like ancient stories of Hercules. They are eternally our contempories. Clark Kent was coming of age in the 1950s and he is coming of age today. Batman was brooding over the death of his parents in the 1970s and and also the 1990s. These are not merely myths we tell, but myths we retell and then tell again. That change. Superman was very nearly a Marxist in his earliest incarnation, while Batman protected capitalists and was developed as the antithesis of the Superman the protector of the average guy abused by forces of evil. Both changed with the onset of WW II and then became pretty vanilla after the onset of the Code. They've had good times and bad times,epic storylines and grotesque storylines, bizarre hair style changes and odd uniform alterations (I still groan looking at Grant Morrison's JLA stories with all blue Superman). This guide will help with both the good and the bad. I consider both it and the Marvel equivalent as essential books.

If you find that you don't consult your current copy all that much, the truth is that you probably won't consult this one all that much either. But if you didn't get the last edition, you might want this one. One thing this one does is cover all the characters who have been in the TV or movie universe. If the DC Universe is one of the two most complex mythologies ever created, we just have to remember that it is only going to become more complex

Belongs on the bookshelf of every long-term comic fan.

This is one of the nicest comic encyclopedias I have ever had. Unlike the multi-issue comic book format both Marvel and DC have used in years past, this coffee table book will stand up to actually being used and handled.

The construction is solid, the paper and printing are high quality and DC went all out on the art work and editorial content.

I've been a comics fan for about sixty years so I know a lot of comics trivia and long-forgotten characters. They are in here. With the exception of the minor super animals (Streaky, Beppo, Comet and if you don't know who *they* are, you're not a comics fan..grin) I haven;'t found a character yet that doesn't at least have a mention if not a separate entry.

The book has three parts: The main Encyclopedia with articles on all the major, semi-major and even fairly minor character s (Space Ranger has a short article, for example). Then there is the "Roll Call" section, a bit like your high school annual: A small portrait and a brief bio. Finally, a comprehensive index ties it all together.

You know they have done a thorough job when Congorilla, Captain Carrot and even The Inferior Five show up. Sadly, Yankee Poodle and the rest of the Zoo Crew only get a passing mention in the Captain Carrot article.

Every comics fan should grab a copy or give someone they know who loves comics a copy. DC and Marvel should be encouraged to continue producing quality publications of this sort. Sure, you can get a ton of info online but this is perfect just for browsing, to find the old characters you'd almost forgotten or just to pore over the glorious artwork.

This is a really nice book. One of those "definitive guides", like the Oxford Guide to Wine, but with pictures, so it's always easy to browse. I was always into Marvel as a kid, but any comic fan can enjoy this. In fact, one could almost tackle a new universe with such a tool at hand. Lots of great pictures, and synopsis of characters and their major exploits. It gives more space to major characters than to minor characters, as you might guess.

An excellent book filled with a lot of information. The book size (hardcover) is 12" height x 10" wide. Boasting information for more than 1,100 characters, the coverage varies depending on the popularity of the character. Some characters like Wonder Woman get 4 full pages of information and artwork, Batman 4 pages, Batgirl 2 pages, Watchmen 1 page, and most characters only get 1/8 of page coverage. So, if you like the lesser known characters, they may not be covered that well in here. There groups are covered in here as well, like Green Lantern Corps, Justice League, and others. The artwork is great, with art taken from old comic covers and newer more recent drawings. The "roll call" section at the end is a nice "yearbook style" feature, and the Index makes it very easy to find a a character, even if their name is reference used once in the description of another character. An amazing book for collectors and anyone with interest in DC Comics. Definitely worth getting.

Being a DC comic lover/collector for over 50 years, this giant sized collection is an eye opener for me- full of wonderful art work and info on more super heroes, villains and characters than I ever knew or imagined existed.

A-Z, over 1000, I don't no where to begin to describe them all. I'm basically a Batman, Superman and Justice League kind of guy, I love the oldies the best; however, here they mostly the update or most recent drawings but also include references and small pictures of the original or vintage/classic creations.

Over 360 pages, hardbound with a short forward, intro and an interesting summary or brief history of the DC comics ages: Golden, Silver, Bronze, Dark and Modern, then they start with A.R.G.U.S. and finish with Zatanna. Afterwards, they offer 17 pages of "Roll Call"- other "memorable" characters, a small picture and their short blurps, not featured in the main section, e.g., Amazing Grace, Captain Fear(1948), General Zahl (1968), etc.

Let's look at Batman- 2 full pages, describing his start, changes through time, and "Rebirths", then the next title is Batman Beyond, then Batman, Inc, then Batwoman, Batwing, Baz, Beautiful Dreamer and so on.

Beautiful, well-organized and colorful book to flick through or reference.

I am not a regular comic book guy. However, this item was offered for a review and based on what I saw,the book looked interesting and well done.

In fact, this book focuses on DC Comics, which has most of the more traditional comic book characters like Batman, Joker, Superman, etc.

The graphics is this book are outstanding. I have a interest, not a passion for the characters, but I was still loving looking through this book. All kinds of information that is just cool. There is a compendium of more minor characters as well. This about covers all I thought I knew about the DC Comics universe.

The book itself is well-made and will apparently stand up to regular paging and review. For anyone with a real passionate interest, this book and the Marvel comics book would be an outstanding gift.

Very very cool.

This is the second comic encyclopedia (of four total) that we have in this format. These by far, are the most comprehensive. This books reads more like a colorful encyclopedia, than a comic book. This appeals to me, and I would guess many adults because it is organized, and easy to find the information you are looking for. We do have an encyclopedia that that is more disorganized, but feels more like you are reading a comic book.

The pictures are good, and the information is comprehensive. There is a huge number of characters in this. If you are looking for a more complete book, and you like organization, then this is the book for you.

DC Comics Encyclopedia All-New Edition by Matthew K. Manning is huge, heavy, and beautiful! The hardbound edition with dust jacket is a collector's item, indeed. This reference book is necessary to figure out the DC Universe--especially for those of us who don't read comic books, but love the superhero movies. Otherwise, there is a lot to be missed: who did what from where and who is that? LOL
A nicely bound book--love the art and mostly, the information so I am not forever asking my daughter, "...but why is this important?"

This DC Comics Encyclopedia is a dream come true for DC fans. I had so much fun going through this book and I like to leave it out because friends love checking out the great graphics when they come over too. The encyclopedia is huge. The graphics are vivid and beautiful. They didn't skimp either, each page is glossy and the characters jump off the pages. It is a high quality hardcover book with great binding and a nice dust jacket too. I'm raving, aren't I? Sorry, can't help myself! There is SO much information in it too. There has to be well over 1,000 characters featured here. They are listed in alphabetical order so easy peasy to find who you're looking for, though I would recommend starting from the beginning and just reading it all. Definitely recommend this to anyone interested in learning more about DC or a seasoned fan!

This hard backed, full color book is absolutely amazing. I can't recommend it enough. Whether you are a hardcore fan or someone just getting into DC Comics, this is a must have. It is a big, thick, beautifully crafted reference manual.

It is packed with great art and so much information and background about all DC Superheroes and Supervillains, big and small. A must have for comic fans. This "All-New Edition" encyclopedia is as good as it gets for the DC Comics Universe. My 9 year old was enthralled by all of the facts about his favorites. But the real fun was watching my husband look up some long-forgotten members of the DC family and get excited when he found them.

Great memories for old and young comic fans, alike.