JLA:The Ultimate Guide to the Justice League of America
Grade 5 Up-Batman and Superman may already be the subjects of "Ultimate Guides," but their inclusion here won't stop this wonderfully inviting volume from flying off the shelf faster than a speeding bullet. It chronicles the JLA, a superheroic team that has included Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, and many others throughout its colorful past. Readers with an appetite for trivia will find plenty to chew on here, whether it's Plastic Man's real name (Eel O'Brian), Wonder Woman's first appearance (1941), or the color of Aquaman's eyes (sea blue, of course). With over 40 years of outrageous story lines and hundreds of episodes to cover, Beatty does a commendable job of transforming a tremendous amount of information into a cohesive work. Created in the signature DK style, the text appears in bold spreads, each with an introduction, several items of note, and plenty of dramatic, colorful images, including some that were specially commissioned for this publication. The book opens with a "biographical" chapter on the JLA's current members, followed by sections on their allies, enemies, and legacy. The inclusion of an encyclopedic time line of important events will please longtime fans. With interest in comic books and recent film and television spin-offs at a high, expect a demand of heroic proportions.Douglas P. Davey, Guelph Public Library, Ontario, CanadaCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.