Wednesday, September 8, 2010

DC Super Dictionary - Front Cover

First things first, let me start with the formal description: The Super Dictionary is a book about words written in a fascinating manner just for children. It combines trusted learning theory and America's best known and loved DC Comics characters. It contains 416 full-color pages, dynamically designed to keep children involved from A to Z. The book defines over 4000 words and features Aquaman, Atom, Batgirl, Batman, Black Canary, Catwoman, Comet, Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, Hawkman, Joker, Krypto, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, Jimmy Olsen, Penguin, Robin, Supergirl, Superman, Tomahawk, and Wonder Woman along with new characters Conjura, Jonna Crisp, El Dragón, Firehair, Wilson Forbes, Jody, SR-12, Ted and Teri Trapper.

What you see above is the hardcover of this intriguing piece of literature illustrated by comic book legend Joe Kubert. Among the featured characters in the cover, we have our dear Hawkgirl, not just once, but twice. Below you can see a close up of her next to Batman, but if you notice carefully, below Robin's gloves, you will see Shayera again, this time in the background art by Dick Dillin. That panel is from sometime circa Justice League 146... I'll look it up and confirm it for you.

Now that the formal description is out of the way, please allow me to proceed with the more... "informal" description of the Super Dictionary. You guys... this book is so trippy you are going to love it. It is so out there, so inappropriate and so politically incorrect that you cannot believe it was intended for children.

Thing is that it was sold back in 1978 when we lived in more innocent times -I guess the problem is with us then, for having such dirty minds-, but really, this dictionary is so weird, bizarre, and wrong in so many ways that it is indeed fascinating. Since Batgirl and Hawkgirl are featured in many of the entries, we'll spend a long time going over them, but it will be fun... promise!

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