A very cool new book has just been released called How To Be A Superhero? Written by reporter Mark Edlitz (LA Times, Moviefone, Huffington Post), the book takes you into the mindset of the men and women behind the most beloved heroes and villains. The book features 35 captivating interviews with the actors and actresses who have played Batman, SpiderMan, Superman, Supergirl, The Hulk, Captain America, Batgirl, Catwoman, Loki, Agent Phil Coulson, Wonder Woman, and many more.

Today we bring you an exclusive sneak peek at two of the coolest folks interviewed in the book! Enjoy! (Full list of those interviewed below)

Adam West 

Adam West on when he knew he could pull off playing Batman

That first day walking out of my dressing room and walking on the stage was tough. I thought, “Are they going to accept me in this silly costume as the real Batman?” I had to take a deep breath. I walked across the stage towards the crew and everyone turned towards me and there’s wasn’t a sound. They just accepted me totally.

Adam West on crafting the character

I think much of my interpretation came from my sense memory of playing Batman as a kid, and also what happens instantaneously when you put on the cape and cowl. Because I was able to conjure that up with a little bit of thinking and cooking with it, it became an easy way for me to get into that absurd characterization. I’d put on the cowl and say to Burt or myself “Come on, let’s go play Batman and Robin in my yard. Come on, it’s neat.” I knew that if I had the enthusiasm and a kind of the uninhibited quirkiness that you had as a kid playing him, then it might work.

Adam West on his approach to the part

Batman was bigger than life. No one runs around like that 24/7. He’d be locked up somewhere. In my case, I reasoned that if I played Batman with utter sincerity — in that he doesn’t think he is 4 2 How to Be a Superhero funny — and occasionally with a little wink to the audience, then I could be absurdly big with the character. Those characters became almost Shakespearian.

Adam West on how playing Batman has given himself a sense of responsibility.

But you do develop a sense of responsibility that evolves over a few years when everyone you meet thanks you, and when the kids are really starry-eyed and grateful as you said you were. It’s certainly gotten to me. And I’d hate to disappoint families.

Adam West on comfortable sleepwear

Of course, I still have my Bat-jamies that I wear almost every evening.

Leonard Nimoy 

Leonard Nimoy on creating the character Spock

The essential ingredient was that the character was a half human, half Vulcan. Therefore, he had an internal combat between his emotional and logical selves. The logic of the Vulcans warring with the emotions of the Humans. That was the basis of the character.

Leonard on what motivates Spock

For Spock it is all about curiosity. “What is it? What is it?” was Spock’s ongoing question.

Leonard Nimoy on being typecast

I have had some frustration – and I’m talking thirty years ago – where I was highly identified with Star Trek and Spock – and I was trying to get some work because there was no Star Trekproduction taking place. So that was frustrating, but that was way in the past. I have no complaints.

Typecasting doesn’t bother me. I’ve never complained about typecasting. Typecasting means people know how to use you. The same way people know how to use ketchup. That’s why people buy ketchup; because they know how to use it. [laughs] I have no complaints about typecasting.

If you want to break the type you work at it. Bill Shatner has done it. He’s gone from playing leading men to playing characters, and he’s doing it extremely well. He’s done it very successfully.

Leonard Nimoy on being identified with Spock

There are certain cases where an actor plays a character who becomes indelible and people will always associate that actor with that character. Clark Gable in Gone With The Wind. [Imitating Gable] “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.” these are iconic moments. Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca. You can go down the list. there are certain actors who are identified with that moment. It’s indelible.

Actors might go on to play other characters and have a full career playing all kinds of assorted characters. But very often there’s just one character that an actor is identified with and audiences will never forget.

I don’t think it’s a negative thing.

Leonard Nimoy on how playing Spock changed him

I am much more rational than I was when I took on the job. I was much more emotionally oriented as an individual and as an actor. I had to refine my own responses to play the character and therefore I took on some of the aspects of the character. The character has had a very profound impact on my life. I’m not just talking about celebrity or opportunity or any of that. I am talking about my internal life, which has changed as a result of the character.

How To Be A Superhero is available now on Amazon, and the full list of interviews are as follows:

Part One: Caped Crusaders

• Adam West ~ Batman
• Bob Holiday ~ Superman
• Jackson Bostwick ~ Captain Marvel
• Nicholas Hammond ~ Spider-Man
• John Newton ~ Superboy
• Rex Smith ~ Daredevil
• Matt Salinger ~ Captain America
• John Wesley Shipp ~ The Flash
• Kevin Conroy ~ Batman
• Dean Cain ~ Superman
• Tim Daly ~ Superman
• James Marsden ~ Cyclops

Part Two: Heroic Women

• Yvonne Craig ~ Batgirl
• Helen Slater ~ Supergirl
• Laura Vandervoort ~ Supergirl
• Malin Akerman ~ Silk Spectre

Part Three: Antiheroes

• Lou Ferrigno ~ the Hulk
• Chip Zien ~ Howard the Duck
• Alan Cumming ~ Nightcrawler

Part Four: Sidekicks

• Noel Neill ~ Lois Lane
• Jack Larson ~ Jimmy Olsen
• Marc McClure ~ Jimmy Olsen
• Stacy Haiduk ~ Lois Lane

Part Five: Supervillains

• Julie Newmar ~ Catwoman
• Michael Rosenbaum ~ Lex Luthor
• Tom Hiddleston ~ Loki

Part Six: Heroes in Hiding – Conversations about two unreleased superhero projects.

• Adrianne Palicki ~ Wonder Woman
• Alex Hyde-White ~ Mister Fantastic
• Carl Ciarfalio ~ The Thing
• Joseph Culp ~ Doctor Doom
• Rebecca Staab ~ Sue Storm

Part Seven: Not All Heroes Are Super

• Leonard Nimoy ~ Mr. Spock
• George Lazenby ~ James Bond
• Roger Moore ~ James Bond
• Clark Gregg ~ Agent Coulson

Part Eight: Conversations about Superheroes

• Stan Lee ~ creator of Spider-Man, the Hulk, and X-Men
• Kenneth Johnson ~ creator of The Incredible Hulk TV series
• Jim Simon ~ comic book writer and son of Joe Simon, co-creator of Captain America
• Tom Mankiewicz ~ screenwriter of Superman & Superman II
• Joe Quesada ~ Marvel’s Chief Creative Officer
• Jon Favreau ~ director of Iron Man