Book picks similar to
The Essential Batman Encyclopedia by Robert Greenberger
comics
batman
graphic-novels
reference
Showcase Presents: Justice League of America, Vol. 1
Gardner Fox - 2005
The first volume of the Justice League of America in Showcase Presents, DC's competitor to Marvel's budget-priced black-and-white Essentials line, collects 20 early issues of the super team, starting in The Brave and the Bold 28-30 and continuing into the first 16 issues of the JLA's own book and Mystery in Space 75 (featuring Adam Strange).Truthfully, a lot of the issues have a sameness to them, with the Leaguers generally splitting up to tackle menaces (usually alien) individually and having to figure out how to handle something specifically designed to neutralize each member's powers, e.g., Green Lantern against something yellow (if only they'd selected those assignments a little better...).Notable issues include the JLA's first appearance, facing Starro the conqueror; the introduction of teen "hipster" Snapper Carr; the "origin" of the League; and the addition of Green Arrow and the Atom to the core lineup of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, the Martian Manhunter, and Aquaman.Fortunately this 1960-62 run by the classic team of Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky (with occasional other contributors) improved as it went along, with more use of teamwork and story lines involving Doctor Light, Felix Faust, the untouchable aliens, and the cavern of deadly spheres.--David Horiuchi
Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?
Alan MoorePaul Kupperberg - 1986
Moore teams with Curt Swan, the definitive Superman artist from the 1950's through the 1970's, to tell the final adventure of the Man of Steel featuring his last stand against Lex Luthor, Brainiac and his other foes in "WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE MAN OF TOMORROW?". This volume also includes Moore's classic early collaboration with WATCHMEN illustrator Dave Gibbons, "FOR THE MAN WHO HAS EVERYTHING", in which Batman, Robin and Wonder Woman find Superman held captive by the villain Mongul in the Fortress of Solitude and dreaming of an idyllic life on Krypton courtesy of a wish-fulfilling parasitic plant known as the Black Mercy. Both tales are considered two of the top five all-time best Superman stories among fans. The rare first team-up adventure between the Man of Tomorrow and Swamp Thing, the character that first brought Moore to notoriety in the United States, is included as an additional bonus.This volume collects the two-part “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?” from SUPERMAN #423 and ACTION COMICS #583, as well as “The Jungle Line” from DC COMICS PRESENTS #85 and “For the Man Who Has Everything...” from SUPERMAN ANNUAL #11.
Wonder Woman Unbound: The Curious History of the World's Most Famous Heroine
Tim Hanley - 2014
The original Wonder Woman was ahead of her time, advocating female superiority and the benefits of matriarchy in the 1940s. At the same time, her creator filled the comics with titillating bondage imagery, and Wonder Woman was tied up as often as she saved the world. In the 1950s, Wonder Woman begrudgingly continued her superheroic mission, wishing she could settle down with her boyfriend instead, all while continually hinting at hidden lesbian leanings. While other female characters stepped forward as women’s lib took off in the late 1960s, Wonder Woman fell backwards, losing her superpowers and flitting from man to man. Ms. magazine and Lynda Carter restored Wonder Woman’s feminist strength in the 1970s, turning her into a powerful symbol as her checkered past was quickly forgotten. Exploring this lost history adds new dimensions to the world’s most beloved female character, and Wonder Woman Unbound delves into her comic book and its spin-offs as well as the myriad motivations of her creators to showcase the peculiar journey that led to Wonder Woman’s iconic status.
Villains United
Gail Simone - 2005
Six villains refuse to join this new Society. Recruited by the enigmatic Mockingbird, these rogues are all that stand in the way of an all-out war between hero and villain. But who is Mockingbird and what is the real agenda?The Society's murderous mission rocks the status quo between good and evil as shocking revelations make certain that when the Secret Six complete their mission, nothing in the DC Universe will ever be the same!Collecting VILLAINS UNITED #1-6.
Justice Society Returns
James RobinsonChris Weston - 2003
Quickly mobilizing, the Justice Society of America splits up into small teams in order to thwart the evil missions of the villain's disciples across the globe. But after successfully defeating a crazed, homicidal mob and saving the lives of FDR, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin, the JSA are still unable to take down Stalker. Now with their numbers depleted, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Hawkman, Sandman, Starman and the rest of the JSA fight one last battle for the fate of the world.
Grayson: The Superspy Omnibus
Tim Seeley - 2017
As Robin, he was supposed to take up Batman's mantle. As Nightwing he broke the mold and became a hero all his own. As a dead man he was supposed to do nothing. But now he's something different. This oversize omnibus collects GRAYSON #1-20, SECRET ORIGINS #8, GRAYSON ANNUAL #1-3, GRAYSON: FUTURE'S END #1, ROBIN WAR #1-2.
Batman (2011-2016) #23.3: Featuring Penguin
Frank Tieri - 2013
What does the criminal mastermind stand to gain?
The Joker: Death of the Family
Scott SnyderFabian Nicieza - 2013
While The Joker threatens the very existence of Gotham City, these heroes --and villains--must find a way to survive.Collecting: Detective Comics 16-17, Catwoman 13-14, Batgirl 14-16, Red Hood and the Outlaws 15-16, Teen Titans 15, Nightwing 15-16, Batman and Robin 15-17, Batman 13, 17; & material from Detective Comics 15, Suicide Squad 14-15, Batgirl 13, Red Hood and the Outlaws 13-14, Teen Titans 14, 16; Nightwing 14, & Batman 14
Gotham City Sirens: Book One
Paul DiniÁlvaro López - 2014
These tough ladies have a new agenda that's all their own, and they'll use any means necessary to pursue it. But can they get along and work as a team? And who will get hurt along the way?Contains issues 1-13.
Flash Forward
Scott Lobdell - 2020
That is, until the Multiverse was rewritten without him or his family in it. Wally returned and tried to make it work, but the damage was done. Spinning out of the events of Heroes in Crisis, follow the man who called himself Flash on an adventure to find redemption in a cosmos that has fought so hard to destroy him.Collects Flash Forward #1-6, Generation Zero: Gods Among Us Special Edition #1.
Batman: Detective Comics, Volume 1: Rise of the Batmen
James Tynion IV - 2017
From the new creative team of writer James Tynion (Batman/TMNT) and artist Eddy Barrows (Martian Manhunter), Detective Comics brings back the characters you know and love and thrusts them into dangerous, new adventures!Collecting: Detective Comics 934-940
S.H.I.E.L.D., Volume 1: Perfect Bullets
Mark WaidChris Sprouse - 2015
High-stakes missions. High-octane adventure! For the men and women of S.H.I.E.L.D., it's just another day in the field! Special Agent Phil Coulson brings together the best and the brightest, the gifted and the elite, normal people and superhumans from across the Marvel Universe on an as-needed basis to confront, combat and curtail dangers beyond the scope of any conventional peace-keeping force!Collecting: S.H.I.E.L.D. 1-6
Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman: Trinity
Matt Wagner - 2003
verso..Billionaire eco-terrorist's Ra's al Ghul is on a mad quest to remake the world in his own image. With the juggernaut clone of Superman known as Bizarro and a deadly rogue Amazon by his side, this troika of terror casts an ominous shadow over the very future of mankind!Witness the birth of a legendary alliance, as Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman join forces to defend Earth against an apocalyptic fate!
Justice, Volume 1
Jim Krueger - 2006
the World's Greatest Super-Villains -- now in paperback. The Justice League of America is reimagined by fan-favorite painter Alex Ross (KINGDOM COME) and writer Jim Krueger (Earth X, Universe X) with pencil art by Doug Braithwaite (Paradise X) in this new softcover collecting the first four issues of the best-selling series! The members of the fabled Justice League of America are about to learn they aren't the only ones who can band together toward a common goal. The greatest criminal masterminds of our time appear to be acting in concert -- but with a surprising plan that seeks to achieve more good than the JLA ever could!
Batman and Robin, Volume 1: Born to Kill
Peter J. Tomasi - 2012
As a part of the acclaimed DC Comics--The New 52 event of September 2011, Batman begins battling evil with his son, Damian, at his side, Batman now realizes that the hardest part of the job may be trying to work together.As Batman and Robin try to adjust to their new partnership, a figure emerges from Bruce Wayne's past: His name is NoBody, and he's not happy that Batman Incorporated is shining a light on his own shadowy war against evil...Collecting: Batman and Robin 1-8