The Superhero Book : The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Comic-book Icons and Hollywood Heroes

Modern mythology leaps into the popular culture from the pages of comic books and now propels the astounding growth of the graphic novel. Aimed at the genesis, The Superhero Book is the ultimate A-to-Z compendium of everyone’s favorite overachievers in the pitched battle between good and evil. With 300 entries examining more than 1,000 high-powered icons and their place in the popular firmament, The Superhero Book is the first comprehensive profile of superheroes across all media, following their path from comic-book stardom to radio, television, movies, and novels. It’s good to be super-great. With more than 150 full-color illustrations (including dozens of classic comic covers), The Superhero Book covers the best-loved and most historically significant superheroes—mainstream and counterculture, famous and forgotten, best and worst. Each significant era of the superhero is explored—the Golden Age (1938–1954), the Silver Age (1956–1969), the Bronze Age (1970–1979), and the Modern Age (1980–present)—providing the reader with unique perspective of the hero over the twentieth century and beyond. Readers will delight in the mountain of trivia, never-before revealed facts and finds, and insider information, written with insight and enthusiasm by a devoted team of comic-book, film, and pop-culture experts. Superhuman Strength. Virtual Invulnerability. Motivated To Defend The World From Evildoers. A Secret Identity. And A Penchant For Looking Good In Long Underwear. These Are The Traits That Define The Quintessential Superhero Whose Impossible Feats Graced The Pages Of Comic Books During Comics' Golden And Silver Ages. They Are Batman, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Spider-man, Superman, Wonder Woman, And Dozens Of Others-with Names Like Ant-man, Daredevil, Hawkman, The Human Torch, The Spectre, The Spirit, And Sub-mariner-whose Death-defying Acts And Altruistic Motives Have Come To Characterize Heroism For Generations Of Fans. By The End Of The Twentieth Century The Real World Had Become A Darker Place, Necessitating A New Kind Of Hero. Popular Heroes Of Yesteryear Were Reinvented To Meet The Demands Of A New Age. The Popular Culture Witnessed The Rise Of The Anti-hero, The Fresh Breed Of Brazen, Gritty Adventurer That Includes The Likes Of Elektra, The Punisher, And Wolverine.^ Heroes That Aren't Typically Defined As Super-buffy, Hellboy, Sandman, And Spawn-became Associated With The Word Because They Possessed Superhuman Qualities. But They Were Often Nearly Paralyzed With Angst, Doubt, And Disillusionment, Identifying With Their Audience In A Way Reminiscent Of Existential Sixties Superheros Like Spider-man. With 150 Full-color Illustrations, Including Dozens Of Classic Comic Covers, The Superhero Book Is The Ultimate A-z Compendium Of Everyone's Favorite Superheroes And Their Mythology, Sidekicks, Villains, Love Interests, Superpowers, And Modus Operandi. Almost 300 Entries Cover The Best-loved And Historically Significant Comic Book, Movie, Television, And Novel Superheroes-mainstream And Counterculture, Famous And Forgotten, Best And Worst-including Classics Like Green Lantern And Plastic Man, Cult Favorites Like The Rocketeer And Madman, And Timeless Entities Like The X-men.^ Each Significant Era Of The Superhero Is Explored-the Golden Age (1938-1954), The Silver Age (1956-1969), The Bronze Age (1970-1979), And The Modern Age (1980-present)-providing The Reader With A Perspective Of The Hero Over The Twentieth Century And Beyond. With The Superhero Book, You'll Be Reminded Why You Love Them (who Wouldn't Want To Get Their Hands On Wonder Woman's Lasso For Just One Day?), Why They Were Chosen To Save The World (we Shall Call You Captain America, Son! Because Like You-america Shall Gain The Strength And Will To Safeguard Our Shores), What They Do For Their Day Jobs (world Traveler Oliver Queen ... Hollywood Star And America's Sweetheart Linda Turner ... Billionaire Industrialist Bruce Wayne ... College Student And Free-lance Photographer Peter Parker), And Their Very Human Faux Pas (as The Flash, He Could Outrun The Wind, But As Alter Ego Barry Allen He Was Hard-pressed To Show Up For A Date On Time!). In An Uncertain Age, What We Need Is A Superhero.^ Use Our Book To Find The Right One. Annotation. With 150 Full-color Illustrations, Including Dozens Of Classic Comic Covers, The Superhero Book Is The Ultimate A-z Compendium Of Everyone's Favorite Superheroes And Their Mythology, Sidekicks, Villains, Love Interests, Superpowers, And Modi Operandi. Ac Comics Heroes -- Action Girl -- Adam Strange -- African American Heroes -- Alpha Flight -- Alternative Futures -- America's Best Comics Heroes -- Anime And Manga -- Ant Man -- Anti-drug Series -- Anti-heroes -- Aquaman -- Aquatic Heroes -- Archie Heroes -- Astro Boy -- Astro City -- The Atom -- Atomic Heroes -- The Authority -- The Avengers -- Azrael -- Bad Girl Art -- The Badger -- Bartman -- Batgirl -- Batman -- Batman In The Media -- Batman Villains -- Batman's Weapons And Gadgets -- Battle Of The Planets -- Big Bang Heroes -- Bird Heroes -- Birds Of Prey -- Black Canary -- The Black Cat I -- The Black Cat Ii -- Black Condor -- Black Panther -- Black Widow -- Blackhawk -- Blonde Phantom -- Blue Beetle -- Bronze Age Of Superheroes -- Buffy The Vampire Slayer -- Bulletman -- Camp And Comedy Heroes -- Camp Heroes In The Media -- Captain Action -- Captain America -- Captain America In The Media -- Captain Atom -- Captain Britain -- Captain Canuck -- Captain Marvel -- Captain Marvel Jr. -- Captain Marvel Shazam -- Captain Marvel Shazam! In The Media -- Captain Midnight -- Card Captor Sakura -- Casshan: Robot Hunter -- The Cat -- Cat Heroes -- Cat-man -- Catwoman -- Challengers Of The Unknown -- Charlton Heroes -- Civilian Heroes -- Cobra -- Comics Code -- The Creeper -- Cutey Bunny -- Cutey Honey -- Cyberforce -- Daredevil I -- Daredevil Ii -- Daredevil In The Media -- Dark Horse Heroes -- Dazzler -- Dc Comics -- Deadman -- The Defenders -- Dial H For Hero -- Doc Savage -- Doctor Strange -- Do It Yourself Heroes -- Doll Man -- Doom Patrol -- Dr. Fate -- Dragon Ball -- Eclipse Heroes -- Electrawoman And Dynagirl. Elektra -- Elementals -- Elongated Man -- E-man -- Everyday Heroes -- Extreme Studios Heroes -- Fantastic Four -- Fantastic Four In The Media -- Femforce -- Feminism -- Fighting American -- Firestorm -- The Flash -- Funny Animal Heroes -- Gen 13 -- Ghost Rider -- Golden Age Of Superheroes -- Good Girl Art -- The Greatest American Hero -- Green Arrow -- Green Hornet -- Green Lantern -- Guardians Of The Galaxy -- Hanna Barbera Heroes -- Harvey Heroes -- The Hawk And The Dove -- Hawkeye -- Hawkman -- Hellboy -- Heroes For Hire -- The Hulk -- The Hulk In The Media -- The Human Torch -- The Huntress -- Hurricane Polymar -- Image Comics Heroes -- The Inferior Five -- The Inhumans -- Insect Heroes -- International Heroes -- The Invaders -- Iron Fist -- Iron Man -- Isis -- Justice League Of America -- Justice League Of America In The Media -- Justice Society Of America -- Kryptonite -- Lane Lois -- Legion Of Super-heroes -- Lobo -- Love Interests -- Madara -- Madman -- Mai The Psychic Girl -- The Man From Atlantis -- Manhunter -- Manimal -- Martian Manhunter -- Marvel Boy -- Marvel Comics -- Mary Marvel -- The Mask -- Master Of Kung Fu -- Metal Men -- Metamorpho -- Mighty Morphin Power Rangers -- Milestone Heroes -- Miracleman -- Miss Fury -- Modern Age Of Superheroes -- Moon Knight -- Ms. Marvel -- Multiculturalism -- The New Gods -- Nick Fury -- The Night Man -- Nightwing -- Northstar -- Nova -- Olsen Jimmy -- One Hit Wonders -- The Outsiders -- The Phantom -- The Phantom In The Media -- Phantom Lady -- Phantom Stranger -- Plastic Man -- Power Man -- Power Pack -- The Powerpuff Girls -- Project A-ko -- Promethea. The Punisher -- Rising Stars -- Robin -- Robotman -- Rock Superheroes -- The Rocketeer -- Ronin Warriors -- Sailor Moon -- Sandman -- The Savage Dragon -- The Scarlet Witch And Quicksilver -- The Secret Identity -- The Sentry -- The Shadow -- Shadowhawk -- The She-hulk -- Shi -- Sidekicks And Proteges -- Silver Age Of Superheroes -- The Silver Surfer -- Space Ghost -- Space Heroes -- Spacehawk -- Spawn -- The Spectre -- Speed Racer -- Spider Man -- Spider Man In The Media -- Spider Man Villains -- Spider Woman -- The Spirit -- Starman -- Static Shock -- Steel -- Stripperella -- Sub Mariner -- Super Friends -- Super-archers -- Superboy -- Superboy In The Media -- Supercities -- Supergirl -- Superhero Cartoon Shows -- Superhero Confidants -- Superhero Creators -- Superhero Headquarters -- Superhero Movie Serials -- Superhero Nicknames -- Superhero Radio Series -- Superhero Role Playing Games -- Superhero Slogans -- Superhero Vulnerabilities -- Superheroes And Celebrities -- Superheroes And The Popular Culture -- Superheroes In Prose -- Superheroes With Disabilities -- Superheroines -- Superman -- Superman In The Media -- Superman Villains -- Superman's Weapons And Gadgets -- Supermedia -- Supernatural Heroes -- Superpatriots -- Superpets -- Superpowers -- Superteams -- Supervehicles -- Supervillains -- Superweapons. Tank Girl -- Team-ups And Crossovers -- Teen Titans -- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles -- Tekkaman -- Thor -- T.h.u.n.d.e.r. Agents -- The Tick -- Ultraman -- Ultraverse Heroes -- Valiant Heroes -- Vertigo Heroes -- The Vigilante -- The Wasp -- Watchmen -- Watson Mary Jane -- Wildcats -- Wildstorm Heroes -- Wolverine -- Wonder Warthog -- Wonder Woman -- Wonder Woman In The Media -- World War Ii And The Superhero -- X-men (x Men) -- X-men: Excalibur -- X-men: Generation X -- X-men: New Mutants -- X-men: X-force/x-statix -- X-men In The Media -- X-men Villains. Edited By Gina Misiroglu With David A. Roach. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 661-664) And Index. Front Flap......Page 2 Copyright ......Page 9 Contents ......Page 10 Introduction ......Page 14 Acknowledgments ......Page 20 Contributors ......Page 22 AC Comics Heroes......Page 26 Action Girl......Page 27 Adam Strange......Page 28 African-American Heroes......Page 29 Alpha Flight......Page 34 Alternative Futures......Page 36 America’s Best Comics Heroes......Page 40 Anime and Manga......Page 43 Ant-Man......Page 48 Anti-drug Series......Page 49 Anti-heroes......Page 51 Aquaman......Page 55 Aquatic Heroes......Page 56 Archie Heroes......Page 59 Astro Boy......Page 61 Astro City......Page 63 The Atom......Page 65 Atomic Heroes......Page 66 The Authority......Page 68 The Avengers......Page 70 Azrael......Page 73 The Badger......Page 76 Bartman......Page 78 Batgirl......Page 79 Batman......Page 81 Batman in the Media......Page 86 Batman Villains......Page 93 Batman’s Weapons and Gadgets......Page 95 Battle of the Planets......Page 97 Big Bang Heroes......Page 99 Bird Heroes......Page 100 Birds of Prey......Page 103 Black Canary......Page 104 The Black Cat I......Page 105 The Black Cat II......Page 107 Black Condor......Page 108 Black Panther......Page 109 Black Widow......Page 111 Blackhawk......Page 112 Blonde Phantom......Page 115 Blue Beetle......Page 117 Bronze Age of Superheroes (1970–1979)......Page 118 Buffy the Vampire Slayer......Page 121 Bulletman......Page 124 Camp and Comedy Heroes......Page 126 Camp Heroes in the Media......Page 132 Captain Action......Page 135 Captain America......Page 136 Captain America in the Media......Page 139 Captain Atom......Page 141 Captain Britain......Page 144 Captain Canuck......Page 146 Captain Marvel......Page 147 Captain Marvel Jr.......Page 149 Captain Marvel/Shazam!......Page 150 Captain Marvel/Shazam! in the Media......Page 153 Captain Midnight......Page 156 Card Captor Sakura......Page 157 Casshan: Robot Hunter......Page 159 The Cat......Page 160 Cat Heroes......Page 162 Cat-Man......Page 164 Catwoman......Page 165 Challengers of the Unknown......Page 167 Charlton Heroes......Page 168 Civilian Heroes......Page 170 Cobra......Page 172 Comics Code......Page 176 The Creeper......Page 177 Cutey Bunny......Page 179 Cutey Honey......Page 180 Cyberforce......Page 182 Daredevil I......Page 184 Daredevil II......Page 186 Daredevil in the Media......Page 190 Dark Horse Heroes......Page 192 Dazzler......Page 195 DC Comics......Page 196 Deadman......Page 201 The Defenders......Page 202 “Dial ‘H’ for Hero”......Page 204 Doc Savage......Page 205 Doctor Strange......Page 207 Do-It-Yourself Heroes......Page 209 Doll Man......Page 210 Doom Patrol......Page 212 Dr. Fate......Page 213 Dragon Ball......Page 214 Eclipse Heroes......Page 218 ElectraWoman and DynaGirl......Page 219 Elektra......Page 220 Elementals......Page 222 Elongated Man......Page 223 E-Man......Page 224 Everyday Heroes......Page 225 Extreme Studios Heroes......Page 227 Fantastic Four......Page 230 Fantastic Four in the Media......Page 233 Femforce......Page 235 Feminism......Page 237 Fighting American......Page 240 Firestorm......Page 241 The Flash......Page 243 Funny Animal Heroes......Page 246 Gen 13......Page 250 Ghost Rider......Page 252 Golden Age of Superheroes (1938–1954)......Page 253 Good Girl Art......Page 258 The Greatest American Hero .234......Page 259 Green Arrow......Page 261 Green Hornet......Page 262 Green Lantern......Page 264 Guardians of the Galaxy......Page 266 Hanna-Barbera Heroes......Page 270 Harvey Heroes......Page 272 The Hawk and the Dove......Page 275 Hawkeye......Page 276 Hawkman......Page 277 Hellboy......Page 279 Heroes for Hire......Page 281 The Hulk......Page 282 The Hulk in the Media......Page 288 The Human Torch......Page 292 The Huntress......Page 295 Hurricane Polymar......Page 296 Image Comics Heroes......Page 298 The Inferior Five......Page 301 The Inhumans......Page 302 Insect Heroes......Page 303 International Heroes......Page 306 The Invaders......Page 309 Iron Fist......Page 311 Iron Man......Page 313 Isis......Page 315 Justice League of America......Page 318 Justice League of America in the Media......Page 320 Justice Society of America......Page 323 Kryptonite......Page 328 Lane, Lois......Page 330 Legion of Super-Heroes......Page 332 Lobo......Page 335 Love Interests......Page 338 Madara......Page 346 Madman......Page 347 Mai, the Psychic Girl......Page 349 Manhunter......Page 351 Martian Manhunter......Page 353 Marvel Boy......Page 355 Marvel Comics......Page 356 Mary Marvel......Page 361 The Mask......Page 362 Master of Kung Fu......Page 363 Metal Men......Page 365 Metamorpho......Page 366 Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers......Page 368 Milestone Heroes......Page 369 Miracleman......Page 371 Miss Fury......Page 373 Modern Age of Superheroes (1980–Present)......Page 374 Moon Knight......Page 378 Ms. Marvel......Page 379 Multiculturalism......Page 380 The New Gods......Page 386 Nick Fury......Page 388 Nightwing......Page 390 Northstar......Page 392 Nova......Page 394 Olsen, Jimmy......Page 396 One-Hit Wonders......Page 397 The Outsiders......Page 399 The Phantom......Page 402 The Phantom in the Media......Page 404 Phantom Lady......Page 405 Phantom Stranger......Page 407 Plastic Man......Page 408 Power Man......Page 411 Power Pack......Page 414 The Powerpuff Girls......Page 415 Project A-ko......Page 416 Promethea......Page 419 The Punisher......Page 420 Rising Stars......Page 424 Robin......Page 425 Robotman......Page 428 Rock Superheroes......Page 429 The Rocketeer......Page 431 Ronin Warriors......Page 433 Sailor Moon......Page 436 Sandman......Page 438 The Savage Dragon......Page 440 The Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver......Page 441 The Secret Identity......Page 443 The Sentry......Page 444 The Shadow......Page 445 ShadowHawk......Page 448 The She-Hulk......Page 449 Shi......Page 450 Sidekicks and Protégés......Page 452 Silver Age of Superheroes (1956–1969)......Page 455 The Silver Surfer......Page 460 Space Ghost......Page 462 Space Heroes......Page 464 Spacehawk......Page 467 Spawn......Page 468 The Spectre......Page 471 Speed Racer......Page 472 Spider-Man......Page 474 Spider-Man in the Media......Page 480 Spider-Man Villains......Page 485 Spider-Woman......Page 489 The Spirit......Page 491 Starman......Page 494 Static Shock......Page 496 Steel......Page 497 Stripperella......Page 498 Sub-Mariner......Page 499 Super Friends......Page 502 Super-archers......Page 504 Superboy......Page 506 Superboy in the Media......Page 508 Supercities......Page 510 Supergirl......Page 513 Superhero Cartoon Shows......Page 515 Superhero Confidants......Page 519 Superhero Creators......Page 522 Superhero Headquarters......Page 530 Superhero Movie Serials......Page 533 Superhero Nicknames......Page 534 Superhero Radio Series......Page 536 Superhero Role-Playing Games......Page 537 Superhero Slogans......Page 540 Superhero Vulnerabilities......Page 541 Superheroes and Celebrities......Page 544 Superheroes and the Popular Culture......Page 545 Superheroes in Prose......Page 550 Superheroes with Disabilities......Page 553 Superheroines......Page 556 Superman......Page 563 Superman in the Media......Page 568 Superman Villains......Page 574 Superman’s Weapons and Gadgets......Page 577 Supermedia......Page 578 Supernatural Heroes......Page 579 Superpatriots......Page 583 Superpets......Page 586 Superpowers......Page 587 Superteams......Page 591 Supervehicles......Page 596 Supervillains......Page 598 Superweapons......Page 605 Tank Girl......Page 608 Team-ups and Crossovers......Page 609 Teen Titans......Page 615 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles......Page 618 Tekkaman......Page 620 Thor......Page 622 T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents......Page 625 The Tick......Page 627 Ultraman......Page 630 Ultraverse Heroes......Page 633 Valiant Heroes......Page 636 Vertigo Heroes......Page 638 The Vigilante......Page 640 The Wasp......Page 642 Watchmen......Page 643 Watson, Mary Jane......Page 645 WildC.A.T.S......Page 647 WildStorm Heroes......Page 648 Wolverine......Page 649 Wonder Warthog......Page 651 Wonder Woman......Page 652 Wonder Woman in the Media......Page 657 World War II and the Superhero......Page 661 X-Men......Page 666 X-Men: Excalibur......Page 670 X-Men: Generation X......Page 672 X-Men: New Mutants......Page 675 X-Men: X-Force/X-Statix......Page 677 X-Men in the Media......Page 679 X-Men Villains......Page 682 Resources......Page 686 Photo and Illustration Credits ......Page 690 Index ......Page 692 Here's an 'ultimate' encyclopedia that lives up to its billing. ℗ئ Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Modern mythology leaps into the popular culture from the pages of comic books and now propels the astounding growth of the graphic novel. Aimed at the genesis, The Superhero Book is the ultimate A-to-Z compendium of everyone's favorite overachievers in the pitched battle between good and evil. With 300 entries examining more than 1,000 high-powered icons and their place in the popular firmament, The Superhero Book is the first comprehensive profile of superheroes across all media, following the