Rating:  -
I got this book as a gift to an avid comic book fan. He says that although there may be a character or two missing, the book was well done and pretty much accurate. For newbie collectors, this is really informative.
Rating:  -
It's hard to determine the worth of a book, but don't judge this book by its cover. Why? Well for starters it is a great A to Z resource of DC characters packed in one book. There is not much else around so this book is fine. It does clearly address that the information may be outdated due to current depictions of these characters according to DC Comics. So the book is current up to 2004, but now outdated.
However in doing such a project there are errors that occur. The decision not to include characters altered or who never existed because of the Crisis on Infinite Earths was not the best of intentions, as it causes further confusion by ignoring the past, in particular if decisions by DC Comics are updated.
The layout of major characters in a 2 page spread, secondary characters in one page spread, and third place characters in half page spread, and minor characters in smaller captions were clear enough to read and refer to. However it would have been clearer and better if each caption for some characters who shared the same name were separate instead of labeled as I, II or III in the same caption. Some were, which was easy to read and clear, and yet some were in the same boxed caption which was hard to read. That part was annoying.
Now the decision to list a characters first appearance, despite revamps of origins or history were frustrating. Some had their actual first appearance correct, but others did not, and were listed by their revised appearance. Here is a list of the characters who appeared earlier than listed in this book: Angle Man; Circe; Dr. Psycho; Fire (Green Fury); General Zod; Giganta; Global Guardians; Hippolyta; Huntress; Jack O'Lantern; Leviathan (Colossal Boy); MÓnel; Peacemaker; Seraph; Spark; Starboy; Steel II; Steppenwolf; Timber Wolf; Villiany Inc.; Von Gunther, Paula; Zoom. Now if all characters were treated the same, that is the first appearance from their new history, then that would be fine, but this is not the case. For example Steve Trevor, despite the new history is listed as All-Star Comics #8, but Hipployta was listed as Wonder Woman #1 when in fact she too was in the same year and comic as Steve Trevor.
Now some characters were altered because of the Crisis or never existed, so revisions such as Prometheus III were mentioned, but I and II were absent, this is fine as it gives a reader knowledge there were other versions before hand. The rank in number implies there were previous versions. As a result there are notable errors such as Cheetah II (Deborah Domaine) who was omitted, so Cheetah II in this book should be III, III should be IV to avoid confusion. Silver Swan I (Helen) was erased, but in this book I should be II and II should be III. Otherwise who is Mirror Master II? Only Mirror Master I and III are mentioned in this book.
Characters such as Lump were not even titled properly, so you had to read the listing to work out who has been given a 'blank' entry.
Where is Etta Candy, Batwoman and Bat-Girl, Hawkgirl I, Queen Bee Zazzala, Red Tornado I (Ma Hunkel), Star Sapphire (the Secret Society version), Time Trapper, White Magician? Surely these characters are just as important, if not more so than some other minor characters listed.
Also the idea of not mentioning the Crisis is fine, if that were the case, but why show a back flash of Gaucho (page 123) with a pre-crisis Wonder Woman when they never met in current continuity? Pictures of the silver age JLA stating Black Canary was a founding member when it is clearly Wonder Woman in the pictures is just plain confusing.
In any case, due to the events of the Infinite Crisis of 2006, some of these entries are now void, as some silver age history has been restored. So in the end it was best not to avoid the "actual" historical listings of characters. By listing properly their actual first appearances, despite current changes would avoid any confusion. This way, even with revisions in current comic books, the encyclopedia would then be accurate enough.
In summary it would be great if they did an updated edition with a brand new cover and just stick to the historical basics and not base the Crisis as a starting point. List actual appearances as they were made, otherwise a reader who picks up a copy of say Wonder Woman Archives would note that Giganta appeared first in 1943 and not in 1998. If there are revisions in the entries themselves then that is fine as long as the historical appearances are accurate. Why then is Seraph listed as first appearing in 1982 when he appeared the same year as Ice-Maiden in 1977 who was credited correctly? It seems the author of this book was biased for some reason.
Again it is not a bad book, but only because there is no other encyclopedia with DC Characters such as this. Not bad, a little inaccurate, but not too bad.
Rating:  -
I'm always looking for the best price. So while looking at the magazine ABC Distributing, I found this book and The Marvel Encyclopeda for only $16.95. So why would Amazon sell these book for a higher price? Even with tax and shipping the cost was under $40.00 for both. Always shop around before buying from Amazon.
Rating:  -
It being the only DC encyclopedia that I know of in existance you cant go wrong lots and lots of bios but some are amiss and in some instances it could be more discriptive but great for any fan either way
Rating: -
A must have for any comic book/superhero fan. Along with the Marvel Encyclopedia gives you details & a over-view of characters & plot lines. Very good read.
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