It's the gift-giving season, right? This time of year, many seek items to give to friends and loved ones. Some are even looking for things to add to their own wish lists. The tricky part is finding something that isn't already owned. If you or your loved ones are into comics, it's hard to find the right comic book-related gift. Chances are, they, or you, are already buying the comics of interest. That's where these cool visual coffee table type books come in. For example, DC Comics: Super-Villains: The Complete Visual History by Daniel Wallace.
Let's be honest. There are some people that don't read comics and they simply do not understand them. There is that stereotype that comics are just for kids. If you happened to be friends with someone like this and they saw a comic sitting around, they might avoid picking it up. But if there was a fancy hardcover sitting there, they might be more tempted to take a look.
This hardcover was released in October and has 160 pages. The retail price is $50 but you can order it HERE from Amazon for under $33. At 9.25 by 11 inches, it has a nice size to it as well. The information inside may not be brand new material for long time comic readers but the various images and information makes this an interesting read.
Pretty much all the information is also available here on our site, but again, despite the availability of comics and websites on digital and mobile devices, there's still something about holding and actual book and flipping through the pages.
If there's one thing DC Comics has, it's a bunch of great villains. We know it's the villains that make the heroes more interesting. Those that don't have a great rogues gallery just aren't as interesting as other super-heroes.
The book is divided into separate chapters. Of course the book starts out with a chapter dedicated to Superman's enemies followed by Batman's.
As a "visual history" book, there are a lot of great images. Even if you've seen them in comics or on the covers, seeing them take up a full page or in a nice crisp and clear layout. But don't just assume this is only a picture book. There is a lot of information along with the images. It's not just the take of the book's author either. There are plenty of quotes from numerous comic book legends, sharing their thoughts on the characters. There's also the factual history of when the characters first appeared, and so on.
Other chapters focus on Wonder Woman's enemies, big villains (overlords) like Darkseid, Despero, Black Adam, and so on. Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps have their own chapter followed by more street level villains like Deathstroke, Prankster (even the New 52 updated version) and Black Manta. Of course Flash villains get their own chapter. There's one on "mad scientists" such as Doctor Sivana, Professor Ivo, Toyman, and more. This is followed by "Monsters, Experiments, and Freaks and ends with super-villain teams like the Crime Syndicate and Secret Six.
If all that wasn't enough, there's also an introduction by Kevin Smith and there's a fold out poster (24 by 14 inches) of the book's cover.
Is this a book you need? Maybe, maybe not. It just might be a book you'd want. Despite my years of reading comics, it's always fascinating to read these sort of compiled books to see how everything is presented. There's always some bit of information or an image you haven't seen that's included.
For $33 on Amazon, it's a pretty good deal. It will look good on your coffee table or it'd be a good gift for that comic book reading friend that's just getting into comics. Just be sure to tell them about ComicVine.com as well. We'll have some more spotlight items for the gift-giving season coming up.