In this fascinating, wide-ranging exploration of the superhero phenomenon, Brian J. Robb charts the rise of American superheroes, from their initial Depression-era heyday in throwaway comics to their glossy rebirth in the twenty-first century's most popular blockbuster movies.

"Fourth-grader Stevie Blunt is a huge comic book fan-and he's just found a rare copy of the first issue of Captain Fantastic, featuring a "Top Secret Superhero Training Journal." Now, all he has to do is dig up the money to pay for it. When a neighbor needs a last-minute dog sitter for her beloved pug, Stevie transforms into Commander Universe, ready to be the hero this citizen needs (and earn the money for his comic book). But then the dog goes missing,...

"Neal Adams is considered one of the greatest Batman artists of all-time, and one of comics' most influential illustrators. Now, DC Comics has collected all three volumes of the Batman: Illustrated by Neal Adams series together with Adams' critically acclaimed series Batman: Odyssey in one hardcover omnibus. This massive volume collects material from Batman #200, 203 and 210; The Brave and The Bold #75-76 and 79-85; Dectective Comics #370, 372, 385,...

Buddy Baker, a.k.a. Animal Man, is about to learn the truth behind his increasingly malleable existence. The cost of the truth will be more than he could ever imagine.

The world now lies divided not amongst political or geographic boundaries but amongst financial ones. Wealth is power, and that power rests with only a handful of families. As alliances fray and allegiances are tested, these rulers of the world have gathered once more. A conclave has been called, bringing together the leaders, their advisors, and most perilously, their Lazari--the superhuman champions bound to the Families that created them--in one...

Once Shinji didn't care about anything; then he found people to fight for--only to learn that he couldn't protect them or keep those he let into his heart from going away. As mankind tilts on the brink of the apocalyptic Third Impact, human feelings are fault lines leading to destruction and, just maybe, redemption and rebirth.