Book review
Written by Robert Greenberger
Titan Books paperback
Release date Out now

Every character from the Dark Knight’s world catalogued… and then some!

It is perhaps Batman’s ability to be all things to all men that has secured his longevity over nearly 70 years of crime fighting. From the pulp-influenced darkness of the early years through to the comedic sci-fi adventures of the 60s and back once again to Batman’s dark roots, this encyclopedia has much ground to cover. That Robert Greenberger covers the entire saga and manages to reference continuity from various ‘universes’ (every so often the DC universe is given a reboot) makes this guide definitive.

There are some interesting revelations in the trawl through history, such as Two Face’s early life as ‘Harvey Kent’ (rather than Harvey Dent) and Catwoman’s false start as a villain called The Cat. The revelation that the Joker once kidnapped Commissioner Gordon, forced him to wear bondage gear and tortured him in an abandoned circus after shooting his daughter makes the events of The Dark Knight seem somewhat tame in comparison. Elsewhere, the many incarnations of Robin are dealt with carefully, leaving what could be a convoluted back-story both clear and at the same time detailed.

Supported by excellent illustrations (though the colour spreads seem a little random), this is a genuinely essential tome for anyone with even a passing interest in the ongoing history of Gotham City. The tantalising hints regarding a follow-up volume on the exploits of Superman suggest that comic fans will have to find yet more space on their bookshelves soon…Adam Herman

VERDICT: 9/10
A wonderfully up-to-date guide for Bat-fans everywhere!

Click here to buy The Essential Batman Encyclopedia at Forbidden Planet (forbiddenplanet.com)