Batman. A Visual History ( Hardcover - Slipcased ) With 2 Original Print

Despite a title that emphasizes the visual aspect of this over-sized book it actually stands as a fantastic source of reference for hardcore fans and casual readers alike. I honestly wasn’t expecting the book to be this informative. My first impression was that it would be a collection of blown-up pages and panels from the comics as a sort of tribute to the terrific artists who have contributed to the world of Gotham over the past 75 years, but  there is a great balance to be found between the imagery and an abundance of essays. The many captions mine deep into the history of Bruce Wayne’s war against crime. Each year is a chapter and each chapter is a salute to the most notable stories. Memorable quotes, fun facts (I particularly enjoyed “Also This Year” which put the comics in context with what was happening in the world at the time they were published), thumbnails to covers of lesser renown, enlarged pages of harrowing adventures, snapshots of historical milestones, and close-ups of groundbreaking character debuts are all accompanied by captions that sometimes extend a single paragraph while others consume the entire page. The visuals in this book are beautifully laid out and the selection on display is phenomenal, but I came away from Batman: A Visual History most impressed by how comprehensive it is in its commentary on 75 years worth of storytelling.Together with the large case, Batman: A Visual History weighs about six pounds.EXTRASMost notably is a foreword by Frank Miller in which he talks about how he first intended to kill Batman at the end of The Dark Knight Returns and he gets poetic, comparing Batman to a diamond much like he did at SDCC this year.Jason Fabok artwork — 2 included prints of the wrap-around case cover and the black and white Batman cover.PRICECover price is $50. Truthfully, I think it’s worth that price. Had it been mostly pictures and no substantial info I would’ve scoffed at a $50 price tag, but these tomes are dense with interesting facts as well as the jaw-dropping visuals you’d expect.Product descriptionBatman: A Visual History follows the DC Comics Super Hero from his 1939 beginnings as a crime-fighting vigilante to his present status as a worldwide cultural icon approaching his 75th anniversary.Perfect for any comic book fan, this visually stunning, definitive guide arrives in a slipcase featuring specially commissioned artwork by a top DC Comics artist plus two original prints.Product informationPublisher : DKPublication date : September 29, 2014Language : EnglishProduct Dimensions : 10.4 x 1.4 x 12.7 inchesShipping Weight : 5.65 poundsBook length : 352