The Best Books about DC Comics and its Superheroes

The other day I was talking to you about books for Marvel fans that every fan should have and today I will do the same with the volumes related to the DC universe . Although this editorial may not have counted on the media impact of its opponent, the truth is that the American company also has a long history and has given birth to some of the most important superheroes in our history such as Batman or Superman. Are there books related to your universe? Of course, yes, and today we are going to put you on the trail of some of them.

DC, a legendary label from the 1930s

You have to go back to the 30s to find the origins of the publishing house that has given life to such important characters as Superman or Wonder Woman. Contemporary to its great opponent, Marvel, DC was released, yes, a few years earlier, specifically in 1934, when it was founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson under the name of National Allied Publications .

Best Books about DC Comics and its Superheroes

Only three years later and after a partnership between this publisher and a distributor, the firm was renamed Detective Comics, Inc. (hence the acronym DC), since its comics were focused on the adventure plot.

Only a year later would take place one of the key moments in his career, the arrival of Superman , who first appeared in the number one of Action Comics, a series launched in April 38 that presented us with an individual with superpowers from from another planet who would become the first superhero in our history and who was a true bestseller. Today the few copies of this comic that exist in the world are valued at more than 3 million dollars, which is what was paid at auction for it in 2014.

DC Comics

As a result of the popularity of Superman, it was not long before other similar characters such as Batman, Wonder Woman and even a team called the Justice Society of America (which would later be called the Justice League of America – does it sound? -). Even so, the decade of the 40 was complicated for this genre in comics and DC decided to bet stronger on other types of stories, although without ceasing to publish its already released superhero titles.

The 60s were turbulent years. Marvel overtook the publisher on the right with more and more brazenness and DC decided to clean up personnel and fire a good part of its most veteran team. It brought in new, younger artists (who had been very much influenced by Marvel stories), but they didn’t quite find the punch of yesteryear either. There are exceptions such as Dennis O’Neil , who worked on the development of the Green Lantern and Batman stories, or Jack Kirby , first father of Captain America and Fantastic 4 with Stan Lee and who ended up leaving Marvel and trying to create (of failed way) a universe of his own within DC with The Fourth World .

DC Comics

After the purchase in the 70s by WarnerMedia, it would be necessary to wait until the 80s to find a “great” success within the DC label: the Teen Titans. This gave a small but important boost to the company, which decided to bet on limited series and launch new proposals among which is one of the comics par excellence and one of those that have most marked a generation, Watchmen. It is at this time that the Vertigo label is created within DC, which includes publications whose horror content was intended for adults.

The 90s and 2000s have also been highly variable. DC again went through downturns and rises in its sales that led it to make decisions that were not always the right ones. Of its last most important steps, of course, it is necessary to point out the birth of DC Entertainment Inc., whose DC Films division is responsible for the launch of the films and series that are part of the so-called DC Extended Universe.

The best books related to DC

Despite having been the cradle of some of the most important comics, DC does not have, as we pointed out at the beginning, the same media pull as Marvel (or at least not so many of its characters) and that shows when it comes to finding specific books about his superheroes. Even so, we have been able to find several very interesting volumes that are perfect for the collection of any fan of his stories.

If you know any that you think should be on this list, feel free to let us know in the comments.

DC Comics – The Encyclopedia

You cannot enter the DC universe without having a clear idea of who we are going to meet. And for this, nothing better than using an encyclopedia like this one. The definitive guide to the characters of the DC universe tells us the works and miracles of more than 1,200 characters from the publisher, from Superman to Batman through Green Lantern or The Justice League, Catwoman and Wonder Woman, among many others.

A very careful volume with fantastic illustrations that summarizes more than 75 years of history and that will delight fans and those who want to start in the world and find out about everything. Essential and with very good reviews.

The Golden, Silver and Bronze Age of DC Comics

If what you are looking for is something more collectible (in addition to being illustrative, of course) and that you can even give away, what you have to do is opt for Taschen’s incredible collection of three volumes . The publisher has The Golden Age of DC Comics, The Silver Age of DC Comics and The Bronze Age of DC Comics, a trilogy in which the entire history of the firm is told by date bands.

The Golden Age ranges from 1935 to 1956, the Silver Age from 1956 to 1970, and the Bronze Age from 1970 to 1984. A DC touring delight filled with incredible illustrations, age-old images, and numerous details about the comics. The only “problem” is that they are in English (there is no Spanish edition), but with such copies, who cares about that?

75 Years of DC Comics. The art of creating modern myths

Taschen has devoted a lot of attention and care to DC Comics and an example of this is that, in addition to the impressive trilogy that we have just shown you, he also has in his library a compilation book with the 75 years of the company. An impressive, high-quality tome that has been described as “the most comprehensive book on DC Comics”

More than 2,000 images (between covers and interiors, original illustrations, photographs, film stills and collectibles) contained in a book in XL format (weighs more than 4 kilos) that is written in English but has a booklet in Spanish. Its original edition, released in 2010, won the Will Eisner Award . And it is precious.

DC Comics: Definitive Visual Chronicle

Another way to review the history of DC is with this interesting new edition volume. In it you can go, year by year (and even month by month ), knowing all the details of the comics label. An extensive review of his career with a good amount of images, details and notes on many important covers that were released in the editorial.

Created in collaboration with DC Comics and with the work of various comic book historians, collectors are in for a treat, as it comes with two exclusive gift cards. 376 pages of pure history.

Batman: The Definitive Story

He is one of the most important superheroes in DC history so it is normal that he has a book of his own. In Batman: The Definitive Story of the Dark Knight in Comics, Movies and Beyond (yes, that’s his full name) a review is made of the character’s entire trajectory , from its inception, with comments from many of the creatives who they have worked on their stories, notes and countless images.

You will find from fragments of scripts of his films to images of the design of the Batmobile, through sketches, old vignettes and many more valuable data for any fan. An essential that is also translated into Spanish (in English, yes, it costs cheaper ). It has to be on your shelf.

About Batman

Antonio Runa is in charge of writing this book in which he thoroughly studies the character and evolution of Batman. The superhero seen as more than just a character: a popular culture icon full of qualities that Runa tries to detail to explain to the reader what lies “beyond the cape and mask.”

Trying to answer questions such as why Batman is like this and not otherwise or if the myth of the superhero is transportable to our real world, you will get carried away by 192 pages of reflection on his figure. The fans who have read this essay corroborate it: it is an essential that you are going to love.

The Wisdom of The Joker

Well, this book is pretty cheap and straightforward, but it’s still funny for Joker fans. The great enemy of Batman has always given us phrases for posterity and that is exactly what this sympathetic volume collects: his most memorable expressions.

A book of small dimensions and hard cover, in which you can enjoy these phrases and images related to the comics in which the supervillain said them, of course (so you can always locate them). Be careful, yes, because it is in English.