DC Comics: A Celebration of the World's Favorite Comic Book Heroes

by Les Daniels

Now updated, expanded, and available in paperback—the definitive chronicle of DC’s celebrated characters and their talented creators! In the nearly 70 years since the creation of the first super- heroes, DC’s legendary team of artists, writers, and editors have developed, refined, and extended the reach of their comic book characters. DC Comics: A Celebration of the World’s Favorite Comic Book Heroes celebrates the remarkable history of America’s leading comic book publisher. Packed with 650 dazzling, full-color illustrations, here is a mesmerizing account of DC’s growth, tracing the complex genealogies of its legendary characters and describing the behind-the-scenes dynamics that influenced its stories. It also features dozens of personal interviews with the artists and writers who provided the creative genius for DC’s classic characters and their amazing adventures.

This updated paperback edition sports a brand-new cover by legendary comic book artist Alex Ross, as well as new chapters on the acclaimed graphic novels Kingdom Come and The Dark Knight Strikes Again. Readers will also find brand-new material on Superman’s wedding; the movies Batman Forever and Batman & Robin; the Smallville television show; WildStorm comics; and many other exciting comics including JLA, Green Arrow, and Preacher.

Filled with comic book artwork, conceptual sketches, and original character designs; scenes from animated cartoons, movie serials and features, television shows, and Broadway musicals; superhero toys, games, comic collectibles, trading cards, and panels from graphic novels—this incredible chronicle is the perfect reference for fans of popular history, art, comics, and everything in between!

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Nonfiction, Superheroes, History, Reference, Comic Book

272 pages, Paperback

First published October 9, 1995

About the author

Les Daniels was one of the earliest historians of comic books and an author of horror novels.

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covering DC comics, history, cartoons, toys, games, movies and everything else through 2003 is done quite well by Les Daniels warranting a second volume.
Told mostly in two page spreads each, Daniels runs down the origins, creators, villains, key storylines of pretty much every hero in DC’s stable. I kind of wish he could have gone even deeper with the rogues gallery of Super-man, Batman and Flash in particular.

[D.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite being by the same authour and being on a similar topic, this book is a different animal from Daniels' Marvel history. While that was a straight chronological history, with the obligatory touchstones of characters and titles, this follows DC's history in a more thematic way. Each section examines what was happening to the company at a certain point in time by exploring the books it was publishing, the characters it was producing and the people it was employing. Also, this book works more as a collection of almost independent 2-page essays on a unifying concept than as a continuous historical narrative.
Not a bad read, really, and just about the right length (and depth) for a reader of slightly more than casual interest like me. Its shortcomings are few, far as I'm concerned: a bit too much information on some items that could've been lumped with others (I didn't really need more than one section on the Reeve Superman movies, or even the then-more-recent Batman movies, or on the various merchandise that has been created on DC licensing over the decades -- a few photos would've done the job); the coverage of films tended to lapse almost immediately into criticism, while that of comics rarely did; and too often particular images/issues/characters were discussed, but without an accompanying picture (while other times there were pictures that seemed to be just taking up space).
I'd recommend this for comics fans, but not for diehard DC buffs or for people with only a passing interest in comics in general.

[Ian Massey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, DC Comics... one of my abiding passions. I've owned this book since it was published in 1995 (IIRC I bought a copy and won another, no idea where the second went) but, like many of my "coffee-table" books, have only just got round to reading it.

And I'm just a little disappointed. What purports to be a history of the company's first sixty years is actually a series of one-to-two page essays/articles in (mostly) timeline order, each focusing on a specific aspect of DC Comics. Yes, you get the birth of the company, the creation of the major characters, the TV shows, films and cartoons, the revitalization of the Silver Age and the major events that seemed to happen every year after Crisis On Infinite Earths, but there's something missing. I'm not sure whether it's a lack of detail, or heart or something else.

Also, because it's a series of essays, facts are sometimes repeated, some events are covered out if sequence - for example, the two pages on Swamp Thing cover his entire comic history, spanning two decades (you don't get that for, let's say, Superman) - and some things are deemed so insignificant as to be swept aside - the birth of Paradox Press mentions the earlier Piranha Press, but that's the only time the imprint is mentioned.

This isn't a bad book, it's nice to look at and contains a lot of info. I just think it could be better - thankfully, I have another book on my to read pile that I suspect may do a better job of presenting the history of DC...

[Stephen Ede-Borrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating history of DC Comics, its origins and its comics - and not just its superhero ones. Probably not one for the general reader but for anyone with an interest in any genre of comics this is a must. Perhaps a little dated by now as it was written in 1988 before superheroes became highly fashionable on TV and in the cinema but still a great read and beautifully illustrated - and for anyone interested in the history of art the evolution from the 1940s are and the 1980s art will prove fascinating.
All in all - most enjoyable.

[Josef Ploski · Rating 3 out of 5]

An exhaustive deep dive into the History of DC comics from their begining up until the comic event Zero Hour and Batman Forever. A lot of names get thrown around so it can be a bit daunting keeping track of who is who and who does what job at what time, but if you can over look that or you are reading this more like a history text book then I think you will really enjoy this time capsule into the first 60 years.

[Stephen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing wrong with this book, but I also feel like I know 90% of what is in here before I started, and so it just felt like a refresher book to me. With that said, I am sure it will be enjoyed greater for someone with a little less knowledge of the history of DC Comics.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a super resource when it came to the history of DC, as well as the history of super heroes and comics in general! Each spread was dedicated to a different significant event in DC's history. Whether it was comics, merchandise, films or television, page are splashed with excellent photos and chock full of information. The index is incredibly comprehensive and very handy if you are looking for something (or someone) specific. The book covers a lot of ground without coming across as a boring history book. The only problem I had with it was that it wasn't in chronological order. Events were grouped together but not in order by date. Other than that I highly recommend it as a keeper for any DC fan!

[Virginia Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most fascinating books I've read! Quite reasonably priced, and featuring a very nicely written history of the characters, writers and artists of DC Comics, this volume is highly recommended to anyone who would love to learn more about the breadth and scope of this epic universe. As a Marvelite, I had a very basic knowledge of the DC U, but now I know the differences between the three Flashes, the JLA and JSA, the various Robins and much more!

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really awesome, image-heavy history of DC comics characters. Not so much as a coffee table book as it is a serious (although not text-heavy) history for semi-fans of DC greats.

[bluetyson]

isbn,original

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good for any comic book lover. 3 stars only because DC doesn't have my favorite heroes.

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book of information about the characters and events of the DC Universe.

[Michael P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable if superficial history of DC comics. The best part of this book are the illustrations.