The Superman Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Saving the Day

Being Superman is a lot tougher (sic) than being the Batman, but at least you don t have to carry so much equipment about. Oddly, author Scott Beatty recognises that there is only one Kryptonian Superman and rather than thinking you can compete with him, gives you all the necessary tips for all kinds of situations and how to handle them as a human would. Indeed, on occasions, he shows how Clark Kent would do it so as not to give away his alter-ego. Mind you, it would look a little odd if Superman came to the rescue of a leaking pipe. The opening chapters show you how Superman deals with his abilities and rescues, just in case we forget who is the centre of attention here. Then we get to the nitty-gritty of what you can do saving the day out and about and at home. The advice is actually very good but I hope that it s teen-agers who pay heed than the under-10s who probably wouldn t be capable of doing anything than pass out the instructions. There s a lot to remember although a lot of it is common-sense and sensible things to do in an emergency. There s also a lot of illustrations by John Delaney to illustrate Superman doing his deeds and standard human rescues to back up the text. Lois and Jimmy have never been in so much conventional trouble. Beatty also gives a lot of information about Superman, his friends and enemies in snippets around the chapters. About the only thing I would dispute on is the absence of Pete Ross in the list of who knows who Superman is but there is no indication that this is other than the current version out there. You might not come away from this book thinking you can be Superman but might actually be better prepared for real emergencies. Am learnt how me not speak Bizzaro in this bad book. Am now not waiting for Bizzaro Handbook to show wrong way to die. --SF Crows Nest, Sept, 2010

Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's the latest illustrated handbook from Quirk hot on the heels of our bestselling Batman Handbook and just in time for the June 2006 release of Superman Returns.

The Superman Handbook shows readers how to channel their inner super hero and make the world a better place. No special powers are required (and you don't have to wear tights, either). Handy step-by-step instructions will teach you:

• How to knock out a villain
• How to stop a runaway car
• How to jump in a single bound
• How to find someone buried in an avalanche
• How to tackle a runaway goon
• How to enter a burning building

And much more, including a special section on practical skills (like 'How to fix a broken photocopier'). Complete with a mix of step-by-step and full-page illustrations, The Superman Handbook features everything you need to become a super hero. Up, up, and away!