The Encyclopedia of Superheroes on Film and Television

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by John Kenneth Muir

Type: Encyclopedias
Subject: Genre > Fantasy
Keywords: superheroes, fantasy, characters, encyclopedia
Publishing date: 2022
1st publishing: 2008
Publisher: McFarland & Co; 2nd edition
Language: English

Relative size

Physical desc.

Paperback • 704 pages
7 x 10 inches (18 x 25.5 cm)

ISBN

978-1-4766-9291-3

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Book Presentation:
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a complete guide to over 50 years of superheroes on screen! This expanded and updated edition of the 2004 award-winning encyclopedia covers important developments in the popular genre; adds new shows such as Heroes and Zoom; includes the latest films featuring icons like Superman, Spiderman and Batman; and covers even more types of superheroes.

Each entry includes a detailed history, cast and credits, episode and film descriptions, critical commentaries, and data on arch-villains, gadgets, comic-book origins and super powers, while placing each production into its historical context. Appendices list common superhero conventions and cliches; incarnations; memorable ad lines; and the best, worst, and most influential productions from 1951 to 2008.

About the Author:
John Kenneth Muir is an American literary critic and award-winning author. As of 2022, he has written 30 reference books in the fields of film and television, with a particular focus on the horror and science fiction genres.

Press Reviews:
"valuable...useful...recommended"―Choice; "coverage is extensive...a good addition to the pop-culture collection"―Booklist; "amazing"―The New York Public Library; "over-the-top, first-stop-in-pop-culture reference maven McFarland has unearthed another killer-kryptonite jewel...bounteous reference cornucopia...Muir knows the landscape like Aquaman knows Atlantis. If you can swing it, get two copies...you’ll need them both. Rock on, Muir and McFarland!"―Library Journal; "a delight...recommended"―ARBA; "fascinating and fun...will appeal to both enthusiasts of the superhero genre as well as serious students of popular culture...full of interesting facts and offbeat trivia"―Against the Grain; "riveting...sheer quantity of information, much of it difficult or impossible to find elsewhere...a browser’s delight"―School Library Journal; "unique...commendable...straightforward...well-researched...a good ready reference tool...valuable"―Reference Reviews; "a work of impressive dimensions and enthusiastically recommended"―Midwest Book Review; "entertaining data...must-have"―Animation Magazine; "excellent commentary on the newer breed of super heroes...detail is mind-boggling. Muir is a good researcher and writer"―Classic Images; "detailed"―Communication Booknotes Quarterly; "cool...everything you need to know...all you could possibly wish to have at your fingertips"―Music Revue Magazine; "for years I have been wanting a book on superhero movies, and this 600+ page brick goes one better by including TV shows, too...covers them all. Even the obscure...the book’s introduction is a terrific history of the genre, with Muir demonstrating he knows his stuff"―Hitch; "Muir is well-grounded in the lore...well-chosen b/w photos throughout"―The Zone; "filled with great anecdotal and historical information, the entries are illustrated with a smattering of photographs and add flavor and zest to the text...unique...a good resource...buy this book"―Penguin Comics; "ultimate superheroes reference...highly detailed"―Burlington County Times; "astonishing detail, every fact, story synopsis and concept behind each project...the ultimate lowdown on the film and video appearances"―Collectors’ Corner.

See the publisher website: McFarland & Co

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