Handbook to the DC Universe?

[X23]

Hey everyone,

I love Marvel's Handbooks to the Marvel Universe because they are a cheap and informative place to get tons of specific information on a character's powers, strengths, attributes and history.

DC doesn't have anything like this that I've been able to find..... I have the Ultimate Guide to Batman & Superman, as well as one taken out from the library on Wonder Woman, but besides the main characters themselves....the books tend to get frustratingly vague on the abilities of other allies and villains.


So......to the question! Are there any good, online resources that go into the histories and *specific* powers of DC chars? Thanks!

(for those wondering, I was looking for specific histories and powers on Maxima, Artemis and Dr. Fate)

[Chris CCL]

As for as online goes:
http://www.dcuguide.com/index.php

The DC Comics Encyclopedia (2004) is the big hardcover one.
Comic book wise there are several.
Here's the rundown:
(feel free to add to this list)

WHO'S WHO
Who's Who in the Legion of Superheroes (7 issues)
Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe (26 issues)
Who's Who Update '87 (5 issues)
Who's Who Update '88 (4 issues)
Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe new loose leaf edition (16 issues)
Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe new loose leaf edition Update '93 (2 issues)
Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the Impact Universe loose leaf edition (3 issues)
Who's Who in Star Trek (2 issues)

INDEXES
All-Star Comics (1 issue)
Crisis on Infinite Earths (1 issue)
Crisis on Infinite Earths Cross-Over (1 issue)
Doom Patrol (2 issues)
Hawkman (2 issues)
Justice League of America (8 issues)
Legion of Super-Heroes (5 issues)
Teen Titans (5 issues)
Millennium X-Over (2 issues)

SECRET FILES & ORIGINS
DCU TITLES
Aquaman: Secret Files and Origins 1, 2003
Day of Judgment: Secret Files and Origins 1
DCU Heroes Secret Files and Origins 1
DCU Villains Secret Files and Origins 1
Flash: Secret Files and Origins 1-3
Green Arrow: Secret Files and Origins 1
Green Lantern: Secret Files and Origins 1-3, 2005
Guide to the DC Universe 2000 Secret Files and Origins
Guide to the DC Universe 2001-2002 Secret Files and Origins
Hawkman: Secret Files and Origins 1
Just Imagine Stan Lee’s Secret Files and Origins 1
JLA: Secret Files and Origins 1-3
JLA/JSA: Secret Files and Origins 1
JSA: Secret Files and Origins 1, 2(25½)
(JSA) Golden Age: Secret Files and Origins 1
Legion of the Super-Heroes Secret Files and Origins 1, 2, 3003
New Gods: Secret Files and Origins 1
Silver Age: Secret Files and Origins 1
Starman: Secret Files and Origins 1
Swamp Thing: Secret Files and Origins 1
The Titans: Secret Files and Origins 1-2
Teen Titans/Outsiders: Secret Files and Origins 1, 2005
Wonder Woman: Secret Files and Origins 1-3
Young Justice: Secret Files and Origins 1
Young Justice: Sins of Youth Secret Files and Origins 1

BATMAN TITLES
Batman: Secret Files and Origins 1
Batman: Villains-Secret Files and Origins 1, 2005
Batman: Gotham City Secret Files and Origins 1
Batman: No Man’s Land-Secret Files and Origins 1
Batman: Allies-Secret Files and Origins 1
Birds of Prey: Secret Files and Origins 1, 2003
Catwoman: Secret Files and Origins 1
Joker: Last Laugh Secret Files and Origins 1
Nightwing: Secret Files and Origins 1

SUPERMAN TITLES
Superman/Batman: Secret Files and Origins 1
Superman: Metropolis-Secret Files and Origins 1
Superman: Our Worlds At War-Secret Files and Origins 1
Superman: Secret Files and Origins 1, 2, 2004
Superman: Team-Secret Files and Origins 1
Superman: Villains-Secret Files and Origins 1
President Luthor-Secret Files and Origins 1

VERTIGO
Hellblazer: Secret Files and Origins 1
Swamp Thing: Secret Files and Origins 1

ULTIMATE GUIDES
Batman The Ultimate Guide HC
Batman Ultimate Guide To The Dark Knight HC (revised)
Catwoman The Ultimate Guide HC
Superman Ultimate Guide To The Man Of Steel HC
Wonder Woman Ultimate Guide To The Amazon Princess HC
JLA:The Ultimate Guide to the Justice League of America
Batman Beyond Animated Series Guide HC
Heroes and Monsters: Unof Guide To League of Extraordinary Gentlemen TP

[glennsim]

Just a warning, though. DC has hesitated to be as specific about things like how strong their characters are. You're not going to find a measurement of how many tons Superman can bench press, unlike the Marvel books. DC wanted to allow their writers to have the freedom to do what they wanted, without getting into "Wonder Girl can only lift X tons so she can't lift that tank..."

Some of the role-playing game materials may have some sort of tangible measures, but then they can't be directly related to the comics, which aren't subject to those rules.

[X23]

WOW! First: Thanks Chris!! Thats a fantastic list there.

And also thanks for the info on DC's sort of 'policy', Glenn. I had been wondering why they were never very specific =)

[zilch]

Comic book wise there are several.
Here's the rundown:
(feel free to add to this list)

WHO'S WHO
Who's Who in the Legion of Superheroes (7 issues)
Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe (26 issues)
Who's Who Update '87 (5 issues)
Who's Who Update '88 (4 issues)
Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe new loose leaf edition (16 issues)
Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe new loose leaf edition Update '93 (2 issues)
Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the Impact Universe loose leaf edition (3 issues)
Who's Who in Star Trek (2 issues)

INDEXES
All-Star Comics (1 issue)
Crisis on Infinite Earths (1 issue)
Crisis on Infinite Earths Cross-Over (1 issue)
Doom Patrol (2 issues)
Hawkman (2 issues)
Justice League of America (8 issues)
Legion of Super-Heroes (5 issues)
Teen Titans (5 issues)
Millennium X-Over (2 issues)

SECRET FILES & ORIGINS
DCU TITLES
Aquaman: Secret Files and Origins 1, 2003
Day of Judgment: Secret Files and Origins 1
DCU Heroes Secret Files and Origins 1
DCU Villains Secret Files and Origins 1
Flash: Secret Files and Origins 1-3
Green Arrow: Secret Files and Origins 1
Green Lantern: Secret Files and Origins 1-3, 2005
Guide to the DC Universe 2000 Secret Files and Origins
Guide to the DC Universe 2001-2002 Secret Files and Origins
Hawkman: Secret Files and Origins 1
Just Imagine Stan Lee’s Secret Files and Origins 1
JLA: Secret Files and Origins 1-3
JLA/JSA: Secret Files and Origins 1
JSA: Secret Files and Origins 1, 2(25½)
(JSA) Golden Age: Secret Files and Origins 1
Legion of the Super-Heroes Secret Files and Origins 1, 2, 3003
New Gods: Secret Files and Origins 1
Silver Age: Secret Files and Origins 1
Starman: Secret Files and Origins 1
Swamp Thing: Secret Files and Origins 1
The Titans: Secret Files and Origins 1-2
Teen Titans/Outsiders: Secret Files and Origins 1
Wonder Woman: Secret Files and Origins 1-3
Young Justice: Secret Files and Origins 1
Young Justice: Sins of Youth Secret Files and Origins 1

BATMAN TITLES
Batman: Secret Files and Origins 1
Batman: Villains-Secret Files and Origins 1
Batman: Gotham City Secret Files and Origins 1
Batman: No Man’s Land-Secret Files and Origins 1
Birds of Prey: Secret Files and Origins 1, 2003
Catwoman: Secret Files and Origins 1
Joker: Last Laugh Secret Files and Origins 1
Nightwing: Secret Files and Origins 1

SUPERMAN TITLES
Superman/Batman: Secret Files and Origins 1
Superman: Metropolis-Secret Files and Origins 1
Superman: Our Worlds At War-Secret Files and Origins 1
Superman: Secret Files and Origins 1, 2, 2004
Superman: Team-Secret Files and Origins 1
Superman: Villains-Secret Files and Origins 1
President Luthor-Secret Files and Origins 1

VERTIGO TITLES
Hellblazer: Secret Files and Origins 1
Swamp Thing: Secret Files and Origins 1


Hmmmmmm....

Looks like the top shelf to my reference library ;)

zilch... proud contributor to... http://www.dcuguide.com/index.php

[Zero Hunter]

You know it would be really cool if DC did a new Whos Who after Infinite Crisis. Since the first Whos Who happened right around the Crisis on Infinite Earths it would be a nice tie in. I loved the old Whos Who. It was even more comprehensive than the Offical Handbooks over at Marvel.

[Chris CCL]

You may get your wish. DC is planning on a second printing to The DC Comics Encyclopedia. Perhaps it will be fully updated.
Glad you guys liked the list. I feel that I may be missong a few Secret Files. Can anyone double check what DC released in 2005?
Thanks.