47 review for Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics

1. 

   4 out of 5

   Jen – May 10, 2018

   This was pretty good, although I wish some stories weren't super short. A few that would have been the most interesting to me were only two pages long, and a few other ones drug out much longer than was interesting. Also there were a few "origin" villain stories near the end that were actually NOT "origin" stories at all. This was pretty good, although I wish some stories weren't super short. A few that would have been the most interesting to me were only two pages long, and a few other ones drug out much longer than was interesting. Also there were a few "origin" villain stories near the end that were actually NOT "origin" stories at all.

2. 

   5 out of 5

   Ashley – Apr 15, 2018

   RTC

3. 

   4 out of 5

   Lukas Holmes – Dec 21, 2020

   Always fun to read through these types, but I think so many have been retconned so much, I have no idea what is true. Oh well.

4. 

   5 out of 5

   D.M. – Sep 30, 2013

   Anyone who knows my comics-reading habits could tell you I'm not a big fan of the superfolks. I have, however, always had a soft spot for DC's supervillains. This probably started when, as a kid, I got a Giant-Size issue of origins of the DC baddies. I read that thing to pieces, but at some point as an adult got rid of it. I had hoped for a little of that magic (or at least information) to be in Necessary Evil, which is billed as a 'companion' to a DVD documentary of the same name. Sadly, not on Anyone who knows my comics-reading habits could tell you I'm not a big fan of the superfolks. I have, however, always had a soft spot for DC's supervillains. This probably started when, as a kid, I got a Giant-Size issue of origins of the DC baddies. I read that thing to pieces, but at some point as an adult got rid of it. I had hoped for a little of that magic (or at least information) to be in Necessary Evil, which is billed as a 'companion' to a DVD documentary of the same name. Sadly, not only was it lacking in that department, but is not even an origins-of kind of thing (not that it says it is). What is collected between these covers is short pieces on some of the heavies in the DC bad-iverse, some focusing on origins, some just stories that make almost no sense out of context. The majority of the more origin-oriented things are taken from something called 'Countdown.' Most are (poorly) written by Scott Beatty, who has a penchant for alliteration and corny puns. The art is all done by various people in various styles and of varying quality. I must admit there were some revelations of artists I'd never heard of, with striking and lovely work, but the only real gem for me was the Clayface story 'If a Man Be Clay!' I'd never seen this one before, nor heard of its source title 'Batman Files -- Secret Files and Origins.' This was a surprise in general because it's written by Steve Purcell (creator of Sam & Max: Freelance Police and co-director of Pixar's Brave), penciled by Mike Mignola (creator of Hellboy and all-around comics great) and inked by Kevin Nowlan (who does a great job blending his own talents into Mignola's style, without one overwhelming the other). That alone was enough to make that story worth reading the rest of the book, but add to that the story being a genius piece of humour told with love and respect for the characters and their history, and it's an absolute winner. It's too bad this book wasn't better, as it could really have been something. I don't regret reading it, though, and that almost entirely due to discovery of the Purcell story. Otherwise, this was more than a little disappointing.

5. 

   5 out of 5

   Thomas – Sep 27, 2013

   The book may be a good companion to the eponymous documentary, but, as it stands on its own, the book could be a bit better. The content is actually quite good, offering a great selection of snippets either reprinting single issues showcasing a particular villain or offering short biographies. These biographies are of particular interest as some of them were previously exclusively online; it's a shame the Joker 'biography' - which the cover of the book emulates - was left out. Otherwise, the cho The book may be a good companion to the eponymous documentary, but, as it stands on its own, the book could be a bit better. The content is actually quite good, offering a great selection of snippets either reprinting single issues showcasing a particular villain or offering short biographies. These biographies are of particular interest as some of them were previously exclusively online; it's a shame the Joker 'biography' - which the cover of the book emulates - was left out. Otherwise, the choice of issues was great, showcasing villains at their best/worst, such as Black Adam's love for his wife; the (modern) origin of General Zod, Ursa and Non; Sinestro's sharp intellect and power; and Batman's relation to the Joker. The included issues and biographies do remain a minimal approach to take, though. They do not fully explore the complexity of some of these characters, and in the case of recommended reading included in the biographies, the material which would suffice is often out of print. My main problem with the book, however, is the presentation. A proper introduction stating the importance of the villains in-universe and in pop culture and/or some quotes from the documentary would have been welcome. I think some sort of title page or cover differentiating between the different villains represented would have been great. So the book is a good collection of samples to whet the appetite of newcomers to the DC universe's rich villainy and a probably good companion to the documentary. However, as a stand-alone book it does leave something to be desired. Definitely recommended for new readers or documentary-watchers, but mostly as a starting point for further reading.

6. 

   4 out of 5

   Amanda – Nov 28, 2016

   Some interesting stories but not enough of anything to really make this collection interesting. There are just too many villains to cover and some of the "sample" issues are a little too disjointed that you're not 100% sure what is going on unless you've read the full issue or know the continuity already. Some interesting stories but not enough of anything to really make this collection interesting. There are just too many villains to cover and some of the "sample" issues are a little too disjointed that you're not 100% sure what is going on unless you've read the full issue or know the continuity already.

7. 

   4 out of 5

   David – Sep 14, 2013

   Necessary Evil is pretty much an unnecessary collected edition. Good collection of villain origin stories for readers totally new to DC comics. The one bright spot is Purcell's and Mignola's Clayface story. It's just about the best Batman story I've read since Jim Aparo's run on Brave and the Bold. And worth the admission price alone. And it's the sole reason I'm giving this book 5 stars. Necessary Evil is pretty much an unnecessary collected edition. Good collection of villain origin stories for readers totally new to DC comics. The one bright spot is Purcell's and Mignola's Clayface story. It's just about the best Batman story I've read since Jim Aparo's run on Brave and the Bold. And worth the admission price alone. And it's the sole reason I'm giving this book 5 stars.

8. 

   4 out of 5

   Steven – Sep 13, 2013

   Mostly out of context single issues and out of date two page biographies of some of DC's major villains, exalting you to check out books that DC doesn't keep in print. Mostly out of context single issues and out of date two page biographies of some of DC's major villains, exalting you to check out books that DC doesn't keep in print.

9. 

   4 out of 5

   Steph –

10. 

    5 out of 5

    Robert –

11. 

    4 out of 5

    Sara –

12. 

    5 out of 5

    Ashley –

13. 

    5 out of 5

    Nicole –

14. 

    5 out of 5

    Jason Hale –

15. 

    4 out of 5

    Courtney –

16. 

    4 out of 5

    Dave Wenzlick –

17. 

    4 out of 5

    Dawson ✨ –

18. 

    5 out of 5

    Duncan –

19. 

    5 out of 5

    Joanna –

20. 

    5 out of 5

    Quinn Rollins –

21. 

    4 out of 5

    Richard –

22. 

    4 out of 5

    Madeline –

23. 

    5 out of 5

    Sophia –

24. 

    5 out of 5

    Cara Davis –

25. 

    5 out of 5

    Trisha –

26. 

    4 out of 5

    Omar Aparicio – Jan 13, 2017

    una recopilación de varios personajes, aun así faltan de muchos más pero bueno, es un buen comic para tener pero puedes prescindir de el

27. 

    4 out of 5

    Adarah –

28. 

    5 out of 5

    Audrey Hacker –

29. 

    5 out of 5

    Dimitrios –

30. 

    5 out of 5

    Wade –

31. 

    4 out of 5

    the lateadopter –

32. 

    5 out of 5

    George Marley –

33. 

    5 out of 5

    Dolancpomp –

34. 

    4 out of 5

    Billy Candelaria –

35. 

    5 out of 5

    Sue –

36. 

    4 out of 5

    Jou –

37. 

    4 out of 5

    James –

38. 

    4 out of 5

    Joshlynn –

39. 

    5 out of 5

    Richard Bush –

40. 

    4 out of 5

    Meghan –

41. 

    4 out of 5

    Gary –

42. 

    5 out of 5

    Jaime –

43. 

    5 out of 5

    Sam Kyle –

44. 

    4 out of 5

    Bill –

45. 

    5 out of 5

    Edward McWhirter –

46. 

    4 out of 5

    Cam'Ron –

47. 

    4 out of 5

    BlackCatMarta –