From the doomed planet Krypton to Smallville, Kansas, to the great (but often troubled) city of Metropolis, a powerful superhero has fought for truth, justice, and the American way for over 70 years. In this breathtaking tribute to the man of steel himself, all the nitty-gritty, fascinating details of Superman's life and career are investigated, analyzed, and celebrated. Discover just what happened back on Krypton to propel infant "Kal-El" to Earth as the one Kryptonian hope for rebirth of their civilization. Learn how a loving farm family named Kent adopted the baby, renamed him Clark, and instilled him with solid American values. And meet the many, many friends and enemies of our hero, including, fiercely independent but lovable Lois Lane, the nasty Joker, and Doomsday, the unstoppable creature that killed Superman.

Allowed unlimited access to the archives of DC Comics, author Scott Beatty delved deep, coming up with the kind of details fans will fall all over themselves to peruse, including each featured character's vital statistics and year of appearance on the Superman scene. The large book format, compelling, readable text, and many crystal-clear illustrations in The Ultimate Guide are in keeping with Dorling Kindersley's signature style. A true treasure for superhero buffs! (All ages) --Emilie Coulter


From Publishers Weekly
Superman and Mickey star in oversize, elegantly designed volumes from DK. Superman: The Ultimate Guide to the Man of Steel by Scott Beatty, illus. by Roger Stewart, begins with the hero's birth on Krypton (with a spread that maps out the planet) and traces his rise from citizen of Smallville, Kans., to defender of the universe. Given Beatty's access to the DC Comics archives, the volume comes alive with reproductions, abundant information and lively anecdotes. Three backdrops and more than 60 stickers allow readers to embark on their own adventures with the Spiderman Sticker Book. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
Grade 5 Up-Anything readers ever wanted to know about Superman is here, from his origins on Krypton to his teenage days in Smallville (overview map included) to his current gig as a foreign correspondent for the Daily Planet. Oversized, full-color spreads chronicle Superman's super powers, his weaknesses, his archenemies, and his friends. Most of the pictures were taken from the pages of the various comic books in which the superhero has appeared, but new illustrations were prepared for this book, detailing locations such as Metropolis and the Fortress of Solitude. Drawings from different eras can be seen side by side, which show how the characters have changed over the years. The format encourages endless browsing. Fans will especially enjoy the lengthy time line that chronicles major events from Superman's first appearance in 1938. A book that will be enjoyed wherever comic-book aficionados are found.Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Gr. 6-12. Since his first appearance in Action Comics more than 60 years ago, no other superhero has captured readers' imaginations or is more recognized than the Man of Steel. In a thorough collaboration with DC Comics--home to Batman and Wonder Woman as well as Superman--the hero's universe is revealed as never before. Here for the first time are locations that have only been hinted at in the pages of the comics--planet Krypton, the House of El, and Superman's Fortress of Solitude--all in brilliant color and meticulous detail, derived from works of various artists. Allies and enemies are profiled (including, naturally, their first appearances), and noteworthy moments in Superman's career are collected in an exhaustive time line. The artwork is first-rate; classic illustrations from the original comics blend easily with the more recent works, some of them specially commissioned for this book. Perfect for both the die-hard and the casual fan, The Ultimate Guide lives up to its name. Carlos Orellana
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
For 60 years the world famous Man of Steel has used his superpowers to fight for truth, justice, and fair play against the forces of evil and chaos. With unparalleled access to the archives of DC Comics-the creators of Superman-classic art is combined with some never-before-published work to create Superman: The Ultimate Guide. Discover Superman and little known facts about his universe as never before-key locations are revealed, crucial events and characters are profiled, and secrets are unlocked in this comprehensive volume.


Card catalog description
Surveys the nature and history of the hero Superman, discussing his birth, career, secrets, equipment, and enemies.


About the Author
A former English teacher, radio personality, and magazine editor, Scott Beatty is also the author of DK's Batman: The Ultimate Guide to the Dark Knight.

FROM OUR EDITORS

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's awesome! This ultimate guide to the Man of Steel has everything you wanted to know about the world's most famous superhero, from Krypton to the Justice League of America. In the vein of Spider-Man: The Ultimate Guide, this fan's dream is divided into five sections that cover all aspects of Superman's world: "Birth of a Superman," "City of Tomorrow," "Secrets of the Man of Steel," "Supervillainy," and "Superman's Career." Large, splashy spreads include graphic color shots from old and new comics, along with detailed information about each page's topic, including stats of characters like Lex Luthor and Steel, historical descriptions, and special features or abilities. This must-have also comes packed with a 14-page complete timeline about the Man of Tomorrow and a foreword by Superman writer Jeph Loeb. Chock-full of "truth, justice, and the American way," this guide will answer it all.

ANNOTATION

Surveys the nature and history of the hero Superman, discussing his birth, career, secrets, equipment, and enemies.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"Faster Than a Speeding Bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!" -- there never has been, nor ever will be, another hero like Superman. For over 60 years the world-famous Man of Steel has used his superpowers to fight for truth, justice and fair play against the forces of evil and chaos. For Superman: The Ultimate Guide to the Man of Steel, DK has been permitted unparalleled access to the archives of DC Comics, shapers of the Superman legend. Spectacular, specially commissioned artworks reveal key locations, such as the Planet Krypton, as they have never been shown before. The secret workings of installations such as Superman's Fortress of Solitude are also displayed, often for the first time. Crucial events and characters are exclusively illustrated with drawings from the original comic books. The result is a unique, in-depth, and up-to-the-minute approach to Superman's heroic career that will delight fans of all ages.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Superman and Mickey star in oversize, elegantly designed volumes from DK. Superman: The Ultimate Guide to the Man of Steel by Scott Beatty, illus. by Roger Stewart, begins with the hero's birth on Krypton (with a spread that maps out the planet) and traces his rise from citizen of Smallville, Kans., to defender of the universe. Given Beatty's access to the DC Comics archives, the volume comes alive with reproductions, abundant information and lively anecdotes. Three backdrops and more than 60 stickers allow readers to embark on their own adventures with the Spiderman Sticker Book.

School Library Journal