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Post by /\/\att on Jul 30, 2008 14:27:53 GMT -5
The Essential Batman EncyclopediaBy Robert Greenberger Bob was not only the senior editor at Dc Comics for many a year, but he also contributed to the DC Comics Encyclopedia and has a reputation as a researched and historian. 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. I'm going to preface this review by saying that whenever a book says "official", "essential" or "authority" I recommend that you, as a rule, run for the hills. Thats almost certainly a sign that the title is actually geared towards a broad and simplified fanbase. Its very difficult to compress over 70 years of history into one book! I didn't think it could be done. I was wrong.
The Essential Batman Encyclopedia is just that...absolutely essential. This book encompasses a vast array of knowlege about the various characters that have touched the world of Batman. The author actually manages to make several connections and tie-ins between the various characters, so that you can gain a deeper understanding of how they're all related to the saga of the Bat.
Greenberger is obviously someone that comes from a standpoint of authority on the subject, having been a former Dc Comics editor, but you know he really went above and beyond to bring the information to the fans. Whether you need to brush up or if you're just coming into Batman because of the Dark Knight, you NEED to own this book. This book is a must have for any fan of the Dark Knight. Its thorough, comprehensive and most importantly, staunchly accurate! I can't recommend it enough.Five out of Five Bats! Also, check out our Exclusive interview with author Bob Greenberger HERE Take a peek inside the book here:
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jms17
Legions Of Gothamite
....."Criminals are a cowardly and supersticious lot"
Posts: 83
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Post by jms17 on Jul 30, 2008 15:54:28 GMT -5
That's all I need to know.Thx Matt
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Post by jlavaia on Jul 30, 2008 16:22:03 GMT -5
here's the excerpt from it that was released before it came out:
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. ABATTOIR Serial killer Arnold Etchison grew up convinced that his family members were evil. He eventually murdered them in the belief that their deaths would protect the world from further perils. Etchison also believed that he absorbed the life force from each victim after his or her death. Taking the name Abattoir, he continued his murderous spree until Batman apprehended him. Etchison was declared criminally insane and sentenced to spend the rest of his life in Gotham City’s Arkham Asylum. When the international criminal Bane freed the Arkham inmates while carrying out his plan to weaken the Dark Knight, Abattoir immediately returned to tracking down and killing members of his extended family. Etchison was eventually found by Jean--Paul Valley, who at the time was substituting for Batman after the latter was crippled in a fight with Bane. Their confrontation took place at a Gotham refinery where Valley, who lacked Bruce Wayne’s unwavering moral scruples, allowed Abattoir to fall to his death. However, Valley later learned that Etchison had left an innocent victim, his cousin Graham Etchison, hidden away in an undisclosed torture chamber. With Etchison dead, the victim remained undiscovered and eventually died.
Some time later Etchison’s spirit returned to plague Bruce Wayne, who had healed and wore Batman’s cape and cowl once again. Abattoir’s spirit attempted to cause his last surviving relative, an unnamed cousin, to miscarry, thereby providing him with a mortal vessel to possess in his plan to return to human form. Instead, Abattoir animated Valley’s armored Batsuit and fought Batman until the Dark Knight convinced Etchison’s spirit to abandon his vengeful mission and return to his proper place in the spirit realm. (Detective Comics #625, January 1991) ABBOTT, KYLE Little is known about Kyle Abbott, whose first recorded appearance saw him in the employ of ecoterrorist Raø’s al Ghuøl. He later swore his allegiance to al Ghuøl’s former employee, Whisper a’Daire, who injected him with a serum made by Raø’s that gave Abbott the ability to shape--shift into a werewolf and eternal life. The serum needed to be taken on a regular basis, thereby granting a’Daire control over Abbott, who became her much--feared second in command. (Detective Comics #743, April 2000)
Abbott was also a’Daire’s whipping boy, and was punished every time one of her power--grabbing schemes failed. As a result of the many beatings he received, he was left partially blinded and disfigured until a’Daire used the serum to restore Abbott’s health, although he remained blind in one eye. Despite his suffering, Abbott remained unswervingly loyal to his vicious master. When a’Daire took over HSC International Banking, a legitimate company fronting for the criminal group Intergang, Abbott remained by her side.
Eventually regaining total sight, Abbott–now able to change form from human to semi--lycan to full werewolf–led a team of shape--changers against the Question and former Gotham City Police Department detective Renee Montoya, who were tracing illegal alien weaponry to Intergang. Abbott and his men engaged Intergang in a vicious fight that left all of Intergang’s agents dead. Abbott later managed to track Montoya and the Question to Khandaq, framing them for the slaughter that had occurred at the Intergang HSC warehouse. (52 #1, 2006)
When he returned to Gotham, Abbott was alarmed at the fervor Bruno Mannheim, Intergang’s leader, displayed for the task of destroying the city to fulfill a prophecy from the Crime Bible. As a result, he turned his back on a’Daire and proved crucial in leading Montoya to the kidnapped Batwoman, about to be sacrificed by Mannheim. He was last seen accompanying Nightwing in disabling devices designed to turn the city into a charred lump of rock. (52 #48, 2007) ABDULLAH On Earth--2, Batman and Robin, sometimes accompanied by Superman, would be hypnotized by Professor Carter Nichols and manage to pierce the time barrier. One such adventure landed the World’s Finest team in tenth--century Baghdad. The swarthy giant Abdullah led the notorious Forty Thieves and traded a youth named Aladdin a useless oil lamp in exchange for a fortune, and then tried to frame Aladdin as a member of the thieves. The time--traveling trio not only helped the lad regain his fortune, which had been swindled from him by Abdullah, but also stopped Abdullah’s planned crime wave through a Baghdad bazaar. (World’s Finest Comics #79, November/December 1955)
ACADEMY, THE Organized crime in Gotham City has taken many shapes over the years, but none so blatantly mirrored the efforts of law enforcement as the Academy. A secret training facility for criminals, it also doubled as the headquarters for the underworld group that most benefited from the training. Standards for admission were high, the Academy accepting only those men with an IQ higher than 135 who were physically at their peak. Upon learning of the Academy’s existence, Batman was determined to shut down the facility for good. The Caped Crusader disguised himself as a recruit and went through all the training courses upon acceptance. His well--developed mind and body ensured that he advanced rapidly, and eventually he became a nominee for the next leader of the organization. Batman took the leadership role and subsequently brought about the Academy’s downfall, with the help of the Gotham City Police Department. The Academy’s hoard of stolen property and its current membership roster were taken into custody, and the facility was shut down for good. (Batman #70, April/May 1952)
ACCORD The small town of Accord was said to be located Òtwo hundred or so miles north of Gotham City.Ó Accord was founded by the great--grandfather of its local physician, Lynn Eagles, who aided the Batman during a case involving the Joker. (Legends of the Dark Knight #67, January 1995)
ACE THE BAT--HOUND When would--be counterfeiters kidnapped en-graver John Wilker, Batman and Robin launched an investigation. They saved Wilker’s abandoned German shepherd, Ace, from drowning in a river, and used the dog’s innate tracking abilities to help locate his master. During the search, Bruce Wayne also placed an ad for Ace’s master. Given the distinctive diamond--shaped mark on Ace’s forehead, Wayne hoped someone would recognize the dog and provide some useful information. Sure enough, one of Wilker’s neighbors gave Bruce a vital clue.
Wayne was also concerned that people might associate Ace and his distinctive diamond mark with Batman and his true identity; as a result, he quickly fashioned a black hood and bat--symbol collar, and Ace joined the Dynamic Duo. A criminal tracked by the cowled canine soon dubbed him Ace the Bat--Hound. Wilker’s kidnappers were attempting to steal ink from the Eastern Printing--Ink Company when the crime fighters caught up to them, only to be subdued during the fight. Fashioning a crude Bat--Signal from cloth and a flashlight, Batman managed to summon Ace, who gnawed through Robin’s bonds, freeing the heroes and allowing them to defeat the counterfeiters. (Batman #92, June 1955)
Wilker loaned Ace to Batman for numerous cases over the next few months. When Wilker took a new job that required him to travel frequently, Wayne finally adopted the dog. By then Batman had added a receiver to Ace’s collar that used an ultra--high--frequency sound to summon the canine. (Batman #125, August 1959) Ace went on frequent adventures with the Dynamic Duo, and worked alongside Batwoman as well. Bat--Mite, the magical imp from another dimension, once bequeathed Ace temporary superpowers, with disastrous results.
In the reality created by the Crisis on Infinite Earths, Batman encountered the German shepherd when the dog was pet to a 130--year--old Native American shaman named Black Wolf. Batman was drawn to a bat--shaped patch on the dog’s shoulder, and followed the dog. Batman was led to and rescued Black Wolf from members of his own tribe, who wanted to silence his protests at their evil plans. Batman and Black Wolf worked together to stop the tribe from committing atrocities that they felt would balance the heinous crimes committed by European settlers in 1863. After their mission, Black Wolf died and Batman brought Ace back to Gotham City. Ace aided Batman on several occasions, including tracking the monstrous and elusive Killer Croc. (Batman #462, May 1991) Once ensconced in the Batcave, Ace was drawn to the mute hunchback Harold, who had also come to live in the cave and build tools for the Dark Knight. Harold, in return, built Ace a mechanical mouse to play with. Ace was last seen prior to events known as No Man’s Land.
Ace has not appeared in the reality created after the events of Infinite Crisis.
ACTUARY, THE As a way to commit crimes without interference from Batman, the Penguin once recruited an unnamed actuary. This actuary observed that the best way to commit a crime without being foiled by Batman was to do so in broad daylight. As the Penguin made his plans, he was unaware that Batman had already targeted one of his current gang members, Nico Vanetta. Batman learned from Vanetta that the Penguin intended to rob the annual Gotham Flower Show. The Dark Knight then engineered events so that the show was plunged into darkness, and the Penguin’s latest scheme was foiled. Evidence gathered at the crime scene prevented Batman from linking the near robbery to the Penguin. In his role as a casino owner, the Penguin not only had an alibi, but could explain away circumstantial evidence as well. Still, to settle the possible criminal charges, Penguin maneuvered the actuary into pleading guilty to the flower show robbery. The actuary was subsequently sentenced to Blackgate Penitentiary. (Detective Comics
it's off on a few things and it's missing some stuff, and it also merges New Earth with the old Earth-2 (which it shouldnt), but otherwise it's quite good and it's worth owning. i recommend it to anyone who's not familiar with all of Batman's characters and doesnt mind converged realities in one book. it's worth a read.
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Post by All Star Batman on Jul 31, 2008 0:35:10 GMT -5
I may have to get this for my birthday.
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Post by havedunter74 on Jul 31, 2008 3:17:19 GMT -5
Im buying it, great review.
thumbs up!!
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Post by jasontodd2 on Jul 31, 2008 18:07:04 GMT -5
My wife brought this home for me the other day, and I can give a better review when I have read it completely, but for the most part its a great book, and has a good amount of history.
My only complaint though is some characters bio's are two sentences, if they are going to do that why bother adding them in the book. And I wish everything was in color.
But so far it's been a great read and learning alot of fun stuff
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SuperPa
Legions of Gotham Police Officer
Posts: 198
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Post by SuperPa on Jul 31, 2008 20:20:26 GMT -5
Most certanly deserves a look,just from looking at the same article of the Two-Face you can see beside him the Tally Man,as far as i know he was only in Batman Face The Face so if its that detailed im going to give this a buy.Nice Review.
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Post by jlavaia on Jul 31, 2008 21:36:21 GMT -5
Most certanly deserves a look,just from looking at the same article of the Two-Face you can see beside him the Tally Man,as far as i know he was only in Batman Face The Face so if its that detailed im going to give this a buy.Nice Review. there are 2 characters named Tally Man alive and active in the DCU. the one in "Face the Face" is the second one. the first was in alot of issues and was around quite a bit. that's one of quite a few problems with this book. he merged the 2 seperate characters into one. there's a few mistakes like that. the author did some research, but not a good enough job and you can tell he hasnt really read alot of Batman comics and doesnt know alot of the characters that he wrote profiles for.
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Post by electri on Aug 2, 2008 16:13:14 GMT -5
buying it tomorrow
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Post by electri on Aug 2, 2008 16:15:43 GMT -5
does it have events in history
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Post by BruceBatman on Aug 2, 2008 18:19:35 GMT -5
Wow! Sounds wicked! I'll definately have to get myself a copy!
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Post by electri on Aug 3, 2008 16:16:50 GMT -5
its really great!
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Post by jossy99 on Aug 3, 2008 17:56:34 GMT -5
im going to get this when i come home from working offshore so basically in 2 weeks time
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tomstoyz2
Legions Of Gothamite
"Greetings Good Citizen"
Posts: 32
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Post by tomstoyz2 on Aug 11, 2008 16:02:23 GMT -5
Nice review. Yeah, I got this book awhile back & it's really great! I didn't think I would use it that much but when I'm writing my blog I use it for reference all the time...a GREAT BOOK!!
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Post by svengali1337 on Dec 8, 2008 17:35:34 GMT -5
I have a different one. Its pretty great.
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Post by batfan93 on Dec 27, 2008 1:13:02 GMT -5
I was walking around town with my best buddy yesterday, we go past a book store and he says: "Do you have that Batman book?" "What Batman book?" "THAT Batman book!" - he turns my head and what do I see... "Oh, my! The Essential Batman Encyclopedia! In Bulgaria!"
Later I met with my bro and he bought it for me, cuz they had imported only one copy. Now I owe him a lot of money!
But it's worth it. I don't know much about the different characters, and this book is very precious.
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Post by All Star Batman on Dec 27, 2008 21:35:20 GMT -5
I got it for Xmas, and I gotta say it really is the Essential Batman Encyclopedia. It tells you everything you want to know about the comic book world of Batman, from the golden age to today.
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Post by electri on Mar 20, 2009 11:34:45 GMT -5
started making my own comic and this is great
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