If you're already well versed in Bat-trivia, you probably won't find The Ultimate Guide to the Dark Knight anywhere near ultimate enough. But as a broad history of Batman's friends, foes, and high-tech hardware and hideouts, this oversized, illustration-filled DK guide just can't be beat.

Just as DK did with the people and paraphernalia of Star Wars in Star Wars: Episode I: Incredible Cross-Sections and Star Wars: Episode I: Visual Dictionary, this guide pulls apart and pokes at the many gadgets and backdrops found in the Dark Knight's world. Exploded diagrams reveal the innards of the new and old Batcaves, and stat-packed tags and captions spell out everything from how the Bat-Signal works to where Catwoman stashes her bullwhip. Batman scholar Scott Beatty has compiled hundreds of excellent panels and covers from the original comic, and he displays commanding knowledge cataloging Gotham's most colorful characters in big, splashy spreads. (And no doubt future historians will appreciate his capsulized, 1939-on Batman timeline as an uncanny window into American pop consciousness.)

Die-hard fans will find much lacking here, though, like the near-omission of Frank Miller's genius Dark Knight Returns series and not even a passing reference to Batman's poignant love-hate relationship with the Man of Steel. But what DK's Ultimate Guide does, it does well--examining neat Bat-minutiae and providing a primer on the post-no-man's-land comic continuity. --Paul Hughes


From Publishers Weekly
Readers can uncover the secrets of two superheroes in Batman: The Ultimate Guide to the Dark Knight by Scott Beatty and Spider-Man: The Ultimate Guide by Tom DeFalco. The first, for example, opens with the murder of Bruce Wayne's parents, then tracks Wayne's transformation into the evil-avenging "Guardian of Gotham" and includes reproductions of many drawings from the archives of DC Comics. The latter chronicles the adventures of Peter Parker, who gains unusual powers after being bitten by an irradiated spider, with reproductions of drawings from the Marvel Comics archives. Each contains more than 700 illustrations. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Gr. 6-8. Only the most devoted fan will read every word of this Batman compendium, but many others will enjoy looking through this huge, heavily illustrated volume. Each colorful spread includes several illustrations, detailed captions, and a paragraph or two of introductory text. Topics include Batman's utility belt, Bruce Wayne, the Batcave, the new Batcave, Batmobiles, Wayne Enterprises, Alfred, Robin, Catwoman, The Penguin, monstrous mutations, and murdering maniacs. Size alone makes this volume, at 12 1/8 by 10 3/8 inches, a better fit for the coffee table than the average library shelf, but for the occasional research or for frequent browsing, it will find an audience in libraries. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Copley Syndicated Review
This [book] lives up to its name.


Book Description
Orphan Bruce Wayne swore to strike fear into the hearts of the criminals ruling the streets of Gotham City -- and the mysterious legend of Batman was born. This definitive celebration of one of the world's most popular fictional heroes contains full details of the extraordinary events and bizarre and sinister characters in Batman's thrilling career. Created by Bob Kane in the late 1930s, Batman is on the of the world's greatest fictional heroes. "The Caped Crusader," "The Dark Knight," "The Guardian of Gotham" -- each generation has coined its own favorite nickname to describe this ultimate crime fighter as he wages war on a gallery of bizarre villains. For Batman: the Ultimate Guide to the Dark Knight, DK Publishing has been permitted unparalleled access to the archives of DC Comics, shapers of the Batman legend. Spectacular artworks reveal the secret workings of key installations and equipment such as the Batcave, the Batmobile, Batman's suit, and the weaponry contained in his Utility Belt. Panoramic views of Gotham City and Arkham Asylum with its villainous inmates, allow readers to enter into Batman's world. Crucial events and characters of the Batman legend are illustrated with drawings from the original DC comic books. The result is a unique, in-depth approach to the thrilling story of Batman's crimefighting career which is sure to dazzle and delight fans of all ages.


About the Author
Scott Beatty earned his M.A. in fiction writing at Iowa State University. A former English instructor, radio personality, and magzine editor, Beatty has written numerous DC Comics publications in order to rationlize an ever-burgeoning comic book archive. A lifelong Bat-fan, Beatty's contributions to the Dark Knight mythos include co-writing the Robin: Year One and Batman: Last Laugh comic book mini-series, in addition to regualar contributions to DC Comics' Secret Files & Origins series. A scholar of Batman's long, rich histroy, he considers Gotham "a place best visited by light of day, in a speeding car, with windows rolled up and doors safely locked." Roger Stewart studied technical illustration at Cornall Technical College, England, and has been a full-time illustrator ever since. He has worked in advertising and the movie industry, and illustrated numberous books for publishers in the U.S., U.K., and Australia. He illustrated DK's best-selling James Bond: the Secret World of 007 and has also contributed to the Illustrated Dictionary, Space Encyclopedia, and Look Inside series. He is a part-time lecturer in illustration at Bournemouth College of Art, England.

FROM OUR EDITORS

Ultimate, indeed. Granted unprecedented access to the DC Comics archives, Beatty and his cohorts have compiled an awesomely illustrated guide to every facet of Batman, his arsenal, and his conniving lowlife enemies. Take that, Fiendish Funster!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Orphan Bruce Wayne swore to strike fear into the hearts of the criminals ruling the streets of Gotham City — and the mysterious legend of Batman was born. This definitive celebration of one of the world's most popular fictional heroes contains full details of the extraordinary events and bizarre and sinister characters in Batman's thrilling career.

Created by Bob Kane in the late 1930s, Batman is on the of the world's greatest fictional heroes. "The Caped Crusader," "The Dark Knight," "The Guardian of Gotham" — each generation has coined its own favorite nickname to describe this ultimate crime fighter as he wages war on a gallery of bizarre villains.

For Batman: the Ultimate Guide to the Dark Knight, DK Publishing has been permitted unparalleled access to the archives of DC Comics, shapers of the Batman legend. Spectacular artworks reveal the secret workings of key installations and equipment such as the Batcave, the Batmobile, Batman's suit, and the weaponry contained in his Utility Belt. Panoramic views of Gotham City and Arkham Asylum with its villainous inmates, allow readers to enter into Batman's world. Crucial events and characters of the Batman legend are illustrated with drawings from the original DC comic books. The result is a unique, in-depth approach to the thrilling story of Batman's crimefighting career which is sure to dazzle and delight fans of all ages.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly