DK Publishing does it again!
From the same fine folks that brought you the DC Comics Encyclopedia and DC Comics, A Visual History, comes a complete and comprehensive book titled, Batman, A Visual History.
Honoring the Dark Knight’s 75th anniversary, this handsome (and heavy!) hardback leaves no stone unturned in covering this immortal character from his debut in Detective Comics #27 in 1939 right up to the present in 2014.
As you might expect from the title, the book faithfully reproduces all the major events in the Batman’s career through covers and panel close-ups along with thoughtful narratives, taking the time and effort to embellish the illustrations and to highlight other notable events for individual years.
Each decade is carefully reviewed by Matthew K. Manning with the primary issues in Detective, Batman and World’s Finest, but additionally there are references to other significant happenings
related to our hero or those who work closely with him in the ancillary titles of All-American Comics, Star-Spangled Comics (which featured solo adventures of Robin, the Boy Wonder), Adventure Comics, Justice League of America and so much more!
When the World’s Greatest Detective was featured in any other titles along the way or when new books were rolled out such as Batman Family or issues like New Teen Titans or say an appearance of the Huntress in the pages of Wonder Woman, you can be sure it’s included.
Another great feature is the full credit listing of author and artist for each issue highlighted along with a brief story synopsis.
You want the Joker? You’ve got him! The Penguin? You’ve got him! Catwoman? Two-Face? Poison Ivy? Riddler? Scarface? Maxie Zeus? KGBeast? Scarecrow? Hugo Strange? Every major member of Batman’s rogue’s gallery and even the minor are featured in painstaking detail, particularly each individual debut, along with allies, one-shots and those that went through evolutions, such as Clayface and of course the different roles played by Dick Grayson and the various young men who wore the mantle of Robin. It’s all here in this 300+ page behemoth.
A full index is included, as are two exclusive prints featuring epic original cover and slipcase art by Jason Fabok.
Did I mention the foreword by legendary Dark Knight scribe Frank Miller?
For the bat-historian on your Christmas list, even if it happens to be you, this Herculean work is not to be missed and will prove an invaluable source of reference and many, many hours of reading pleasure.
For what is likely the most complete and up to date history of Batman yet, run, do not walk to your favorite brick and mortar or online bookseller for your own copy of this masterwork on a truly iconic character. You’ll be both amazed and satisfied.