The Supervillain Book: The Evil Side of Comics and Hollywood

By Gina Misiroglu and Michael Eury

“I wish that The Supervillain Book could be required reading so that all the bizarre knowledge that fans like me have on the subject would be shared by everyone.: —Alex Ross, artist of Kingdom Come and Justice (DC Comics)

“… a comprehensive reference guide to bad guys. an eye-catching read. A fascinating title that will provide hours of evil entertainment.” —School Library Journal

Everything you ever wanted to know about the bad guys in comics, film, and television!

A must-read for anyone who was ever enthralled with mythic wickedness, The Supervillain Book: The Evil Side of Comics and Hollywood exhaustively explores the extraordinary lives and careers of hundreds of overachieving evildoers. Drawing from sources in comic books, film, live-action and animated television, newspaper strips, toys, and manga and anime, it is the definitive guide to nefarious masterminds, mad scientists, and destructive dominators who have battled super- and other fictional heroes.

The Supervillain Book investigates each character’s origin, modus operandi, costumes, weapons and gadgetry, secret hideouts, chief henchmen, and minions, while serving up a supersized trove of fascinating trivia. It also takes you behind the scenes, describing the creation and development of these marvelously malicious, menacing, and malevolent characters. With 350 entries on pop culture’s most malicious evildoers, this comprehensive resource also includes 125 illustrations, a helpful resource section, and an extensive index, adding to its usefulness.

What would a good guy be without the bad guy? Boring. You won’t be bored with this indispensable guide to the wicked world of supervillains!

About the Author:

Gina Misiroglu has authored or edited more than three dozen books in the popular culture, biography, American history, folklore, and women studies genres. She holds two degrees from UCLA and has worked in various editorial capacities for publishers such as Price Stern Sloan, New World Library, Visible Ink Press, Facts On File, and Routledge. She has contributed to or authored several 'Handy Answer Book' titles, including The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents) and The Handy American Government Answer Book. Additional notable works include the three-volume American Countercultures: An Encyclopedia of Nonconformists, Alternative Lifestyles, and Radical Ideas in U.S. History, winner of the RUSA Award for Outstanding Reference Source; The Superhero Book: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Comic-Book Icons and Hollywood Heroes; and the trade anthology Girls Like Us: 40 Extraordinary Women Celebrate Girlhood in Story, Poetry, and Song, winner of the New York Public Library's 'Best Book for Teens' Award.
Michael Eury was the editor of BACK ISSUE magazine and an advisor to The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide. A former editor for DC Comics and Dark Horse Comics, Eury has authored for TwoMorrows Publishing the books The Justice League Companion; Dick Giordano: Changing Comics, One Day at a Time; and Captain Action: The Original Super-Hero Action Figure; and was a contributing writer to Visible Ink’s The Superhero Book.