The Encyclopedia of Superheroes on Film and Television -- Mark 2

Written in 2003 and published in 2004, my original Encyclopedia of Supeheroes on Film and Television (McFarland) won a prestigious New York Public Library "Best of Reference" award for '05, and earned a starred review from Library Journal.

Now, come summer of 2008 -- the book is back with a vengeance in a second edition; pictured left.

The massive book (over 700 pages now...) still features entries on seventy-something superhero characters of film and television from 1951-2003; but this new volume also includes new entries that represent the "superheroes triumphant" phase of the latter part of this decade.

I've thus had the opportunity to include such films as The Incredibles (2004), Blade: Trinity (2004), Catwoman (2004), Hellboy (2004), Batman Begins (2005), Elektra (2005), My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006), Sky High (2006), Superman Returns (2006), X-3: The Last Stand (2006), Zoom: Academy of Superheroes (2006) and Superman: Doomsday (2007). I've also been able to include detailed new TV entries (many with complete episode guides) on Blade: The Series, Heroes, Painkiller Jane, Teen Titans, and Who Wants to be A Superhero?.

The update also gets to finish off the lengthy episode guides on such now-defunct series as Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Mutant X, and developing long-lived programs like Smallville (the book features a guide of the first seven seasons of the CW show).

I've also dug deep into superhero history to pinpoint productions I didn't incorporate the first time around, which in this case includes, Bibleman (!), My Secret Identity (1988) The Pumaman (1980) and The Return of Captain Invincible (1983).

Finally, I was able to make at least some notation of upcoming genre films not yet released when I turned in my manuscript in winter of 2008. These titles include The Incredible Hulk, Hellboy 2, The Dark Knight, and Iron Man.

The book's introduction, conclusion, appendices have all been re-purposed to include the last five years of superhero history as well. The Encyclopedia of Superheroes on Film and Television - Second Edition is at the printer's right now, and scheduled for release September of this year. You can pre-order from McFarland here.