Exceptional Encyclopedia
Customer Rating: 




The job of doing any encyclopedia is daunting, and even more so if you are dealing with a company like DC Comics and a 70 year history. The big question any compiler/contributor has to ask is exactly what time frame do you focus on? With DC, we have had a Crisis, 52, and a slew of important storylines in every long lasting title.
WIth this update, the team of Greenberger, Beatty, Wallace, and Jiminez have expanded the previous Encyclopedia with information on the newest multiverse changing series. The 'older' entries on golden age and one or two shot appearances have not been changed, but those characters with current histories have been modified. Entries for Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and the Justice League are short, but substantial works have been written on those characters already.
The detail in the entries reminds me of the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Universe in that the whole entry on earth now reads Mostly Harmless, so the 5 page entry pales with respect to the Fleischer volume. Artwise, the Alex Ross cover is almost worth the price of the book itself, but inside the book the entry illustrations are garnered from the comics. Much of the art has been cleaned up and digitally colored. As much as I like the look, 'modern' looking GIl Kane art from the 60's almost defeats the purpose of the Silver age addition.
Pegging in at almost 400 pages, this book is a sure winner. The only way that this style of book could be more comprehensive is the production of a Golden Age Guide to DC Comics, Silver Age, Bronze Age, and Modern Age Guide to DC Comics, OR, an online guide with entries as long as researchers can make them. (but not Wikipedia).
This is the best we can expect considering the subject and expansive breadth of the topic. Enjoy the ride. This just could be the writers bible for every DC title...
Tim Lasiuta