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Superman: The Ultimate Guide to the Man of Steel
Readers can now get a comprehensive look at the complete Superman story from his birth on Krypton and arrival on Earth to his double life as a "Daily Planet" reporter and as one of the most famous super heroes ever in "Superman: The Ultimate Guide to the Man of Steel." Featuring beautiful comic book art from some of the best artists of our time, this book will allow fans to learn more about the villains, loves, and heroes who occupy Superman's world, including Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, Doomsday, and more.
This all-new guide traces how the Man of Steel has developed throughout the decades, while examining the monumental moments that have led to who he is today.
This all-new guide traces how the Man of Steel has developed throughout the decades, while examining the monumental moments that have led to who he is today.
200 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2013
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152 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 22, 2020
This book was originally published in 2013 to commemorate the 75th years of world’s most iconic superhero. I have the 2017 edition, which I got this year as a birthday gift.
In this book, Daniel Wallace took us to a time-traveling journey of Superman’s life, starting from Action Comics #1 which published in 1938 to the most recent events on the New 52 reboot. Gave lots of depth regarding backstories (like: short history of Smallville, Metropolis and Kent family ancestry and so many more) and alternative timelines and alternate realities of Superman. I won’t go into details on the content, but I will say this much that every era is explored, every major character is looked into. In short, “Superman: The Ultimate Guide to the Man of Steel” is a concise encyclopedia of what Superman has been and what he is today. Pages full of colorful illustrations really complimented the content.
Now negative sides. I have found a few spelling mistakes, but I wasn’t much bothered by it. In an attempt to make this book as concise as possible, in a couple of places the writer left major details. In two/ three occasions that made me question the accuracy of the information.
Other than that, surfing through the pages of this book from a visual point of view made me feel like, ‘so much I knew and yet so much I didn’t know’. Really reconnected with the character. I came across a few interesting stories which I have never heard of and for sure I am going to collect those comics to get into more details. This book helped me to develop a whole new level of appreciation for him. Superman truly is and will always be the greatest fictional superhero of all times. So, I would highly recommend this book to the new fans, people who like (but not a fan) superman, people who don’t like Superman, people who are getting into this genre and last but not the least, to all Superman-geeks like me to reconnect with his journey.
In this book, Daniel Wallace took us to a time-traveling journey of Superman’s life, starting from Action Comics #1 which published in 1938 to the most recent events on the New 52 reboot. Gave lots of depth regarding backstories (like: short history of Smallville, Metropolis and Kent family ancestry and so many more) and alternative timelines and alternate realities of Superman. I won’t go into details on the content, but I will say this much that every era is explored, every major character is looked into. In short, “Superman: The Ultimate Guide to the Man of Steel” is a concise encyclopedia of what Superman has been and what he is today. Pages full of colorful illustrations really complimented the content.
Now negative sides. I have found a few spelling mistakes, but I wasn’t much bothered by it. In an attempt to make this book as concise as possible, in a couple of places the writer left major details. In two/ three occasions that made me question the accuracy of the information.
Other than that, surfing through the pages of this book from a visual point of view made me feel like, ‘so much I knew and yet so much I didn’t know’. Really reconnected with the character. I came across a few interesting stories which I have never heard of and for sure I am going to collect those comics to get into more details. This book helped me to develop a whole new level of appreciation for him. Superman truly is and will always be the greatest fictional superhero of all times. So, I would highly recommend this book to the new fans, people who like (but not a fan) superman, people who don’t like Superman, people who are getting into this genre and last but not the least, to all Superman-geeks like me to reconnect with his journey.
June 28, 2020
421 - 2020
March 29, 2023
Fantastic overview of the Man of Steel! I found it especially good for helping me to find the most interesting sounding Superman graphic novels to read in my continued quest for the best ones.
A few small nitpicks - this was obviously made soon after the New 52 era started so the frequent comments of “the new 52 timeline is the only one that matters” were a bit annoying. Just because that’s was the most current storyline doesn’t mean it takes precedence over others in Superman’s (now just about 85 years) history.
Also, because it wasn’t separated into a timeline of comics, and was instead focused on topics, there was a lot of overlap and repeated info. It could’ve benefited from going in order of comics and eras from the outset (in the same way I saw in that Batman visual guide) or at least providing the comic that info was being drawn from.
Overall, a great overview though. I feel like I know way more about the Superman mythos than I did before!
A few small nitpicks - this was obviously made soon after the New 52 era started so the frequent comments of “the new 52 timeline is the only one that matters” were a bit annoying. Just because that’s was the most current storyline doesn’t mean it takes precedence over others in Superman’s (now just about 85 years) history.
Also, because it wasn’t separated into a timeline of comics, and was instead focused on topics, there was a lot of overlap and repeated info. It could’ve benefited from going in order of comics and eras from the outset (in the same way I saw in that Batman visual guide) or at least providing the comic that info was being drawn from.
Overall, a great overview though. I feel like I know way more about the Superman mythos than I did before!
July 20, 2023
The cover has aged poorly, Superman has long returned to the circus strongman inspired suit from the greeble filled armor look he sports on the cover of this encyclopedia. However, this remains a very good resource for the illustration filled synopses of Superman stories collected in it.
I particularly find it useful for the stories that remain in my blind spot. It provides enough clues and keywords to hunt for those particular back issues.
I particularly find it useful for the stories that remain in my blind spot. It provides enough clues and keywords to hunt for those particular back issues.
May 8, 2023
Good overview of the character's extensive history, some nice art. If you want to know all about ol' Supes but don't have the time to actually read the comics and watch the films, this book is for you.
April 6, 2020
Cool book, entertaining throughout, and goes into lots of depth regarding backstories and alternative timelines with high quality illustrations too
November 1, 2025
i love it
March 19, 2017
Even though I already knew a lot of the information in this book I still really enjoyed both browsing from a visual point of view as well as reading it. Not only did I learn some new facts it also gave me the urge to find some superman stories that I was not aware of. I would recommend this both for newcomers and more "life experienced" man of steel fans.
January 7, 2014
I have to confess I've never read a Superman comic, I've seen his various screen incarnations, obviously, but for me (like many other people I know) Superman has always been... well too super for my liking. I tend to like my heroes a little vulnerable and conflicted and IMO Superman had never embodied those traits. However after my son has recently become quite obsessed with Supes I have over the past year watched the Reeve, Routh and Cavill incarnations, am just finishing season 6 of Smallville and have even watched a few episodes of the Dean Cain incarnation. I have now developed a whole new appreciation for the Man of Steel and come to realise that he is infact quite vulnerable and conflicted after all, perhaps more so than his Marvel counterparts that I am more familiar with. So for someone like me who is familiar with the basic Superman mythology but a stranger to the majority of the rest of the back story this book is a very welcome insight into the origins and evolution of the Man of Steel. Infact after reading this book my appreciation for Supes has grown even more and it's even tied up a few loose ends from the onscreen versions for me. For example the final act from the recent Man Of Steel film had Superman perform an act that was completely out of character as far as I was concerned. Yet I have now learned from this book that the act was not really out of character at all, Superman has carried out a near identical act in the comic universe. The only flaw I could find with this book was a couple of silly spelling mistakes which there isn't really any excuse for. Now with my new found appreciation for the last son of Krypton I'm off to read my first Superman comic and have a couple of the New 52's waiting to go.
December 31, 2023
Loved this book as a Superman fan, just wished it went a little more into detail about Clark's character and psychology as well.
April 16, 2015
To the casual Superman fan it is easy to assume they know the history of Superman. The baby sent to earth, because his home planet of Krypton was going to explode. The baby grew up to be Superman who fights for Truth, justice, and the American Way using amazing powers. This is beginnings of Superman's legacy. However, Superman has had an amazing and sometimes confusing history in comics.
This wonderful books help to explain the history of the Man of Steel including his death and return, Red and Blue Superman, Supermen from earth prime and earth 2, black lantern superman, the confusing Crisis story arcs, the new 52, friends, enemies, and many more details.
A major strength of this book is that it does not go into great detail, instead it gives a brief summary of an event and/or character in Superman's life along with big, colorful and wonderful art work. This wets the appetite of the reader to go and seek out these comics and graphic novels to read the entire story arc.
This book is highly recommended for the average or casual Superman reader looking for more information about earths greatest Superhero.
This wonderful books help to explain the history of the Man of Steel including his death and return, Red and Blue Superman, Supermen from earth prime and earth 2, black lantern superman, the confusing Crisis story arcs, the new 52, friends, enemies, and many more details.
A major strength of this book is that it does not go into great detail, instead it gives a brief summary of an event and/or character in Superman's life along with big, colorful and wonderful art work. This wets the appetite of the reader to go and seek out these comics and graphic novels to read the entire story arc.
This book is highly recommended for the average or casual Superman reader looking for more information about earths greatest Superhero.
May 14, 2013
My son picked this up for me at our local public library (Yay for BCPL!). A good introduction but a bit of a sales pitch for the New 52 and the latest Superman movie as well. Sadly, it is not as Ultimate as claimed as the Legion of Super Pets (including ‘Streaky’ and ‘Beppo’) are not even mentioned although to be fair the book doesn't shy away from Superman's many inter-species AND interstellar dating experiences, “Supes” is a true egalitarian! A fun read for geeks.
May 19, 2013
This is the revised edition of the DK Publishing about the Guide to Superman. An extensive encyclopedia about the Man of Steel since his origins in Action Comics #1 until the most recent events on the New52 reboot. Pages in full color and full of priceless info. Also it has a very good price taking in account of the great number of pages of the book. Highly recommended to any fan of the Last Son of Krypton.
February 18, 2014
Supes was never near the top of my favorite superheroes (I was way more into the Marvel stable of heroes while growing up), but how can you not like a guy who stands for truth, justice & the American way? This guide was a good way to refamiliarize myself with Superman's exploits.
June 8, 2013
An excellent overview and guide to Superman over the years.
June 25, 2013
(DC Comics)J741.5973 WAL
January 27, 2014
Gives you a nice run down on all of the comics and how the DC comics past and present have come together. It's an interesting book that puts all the characters and evolutions all in one place.
September 25, 2016
learned a lot of things I didn't know. awesome illustrations
April 9, 2014
A visually captivating and progressive guide to the Man of Steel for all Superman and DC nuts.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews