Category: DC

DC Super-Stars (1976)

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The tagline “The Line of DC Super-Stars” was used as a brand emblem on comic books published by DC Comics beginning in December 1973 and ending January 1977. The DC Super Stars series began with a March 1976 cover date. A recurring feature of the title’s early run was “DC Super-Stars of Space”, special issues reprinting Silver Age science-fiction stories starring such characters as Adam Strange, Hawkman, the Atomic Knights, Space Cabbie, Captain Comet, Tommy Tomorrow, the Star Rovers, and Space Ranger.

The series’ middle period was marked by theme issues — Aquaman, heroes with guns, sports, magic-users — until issue #12, which heralded the title’s second original story, featuring Superboy. From that point until DC Super Stars was cancelled after issue #18, the series contained new stories about a range of different characters (some being showcased for their own titles), as well as a collection of “secret origin” stories. The Bronze Age Huntress made her first appearance in DC Super Stars #17 (November/December 1977) in a story written by Paul Levitz and drawn by Joe Staton and Bob Layton.

Detective Comics (1990’s)

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Chuck Dixon became the writer of the series with issue #644 (May 1992). He and Tom Lyle co-created the Electrocutioner in Detective Comics #644 (May 1992) and Stephanie Brown in Detective Comics #647 (August 1992).

The “Batman: Legacy” storyline began in issue #700 (August 1996). The “No Man’s Land” storyline crossed over into Detective Comics in issues #730–741.

Justice League (1987)

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The 1986 company-wide crossover “Legends” concluded with the formation of a new Justice League. The new team was dubbed “Justice League” then “Justice League International” (JLI) and was given a mandate with less of an American focus. The new series, written by Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis with art by Kevin Maguire (and later Adam Hughes), added quirky humor to the team’s stories. In this incarnation, the membership consisted partly of heroes from Earths that, prior to their merging in the Crisis on Infinite Earths, were separate. The Giffen/DeMatteis team worked on Justice League for five years and closed out their run with the “Breakdowns” storyline in 1991 and 1992. The series’ humorous tone and high level of characterization proved very popular.

Green Lantern (Silver Age)

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Following the successful revival of the Flash in Showcase #4 (Oct. 1956), a new Green Lantern was introduced in Showcase #22 (September–October 1959).

This Green Lantern was Hal Jordan, a test pilot who was given a power ring by a dying alien, Abin Sur, and who became a member of the Green Lantern Corps, an interstellar organization of police overseen by the Guardians of the Universe. The Corps’ rings were powerless against anything colored yellow, due to a yellow-colored “impurity,” or “dopant,” in the master power generator located on Oa, where the Guardians maintained their headquarters; the yellow dopant was described as being a “necessary” one, for without it, the master generator could not function as such.

Smax the Adventurer (2003)

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The story deals with Smax and Toybox returning, via magical teleportation, to Jeff’s magically enchanted homeworld. Smax, now a city dweller, seems embarrassed by his unsophisticated, sword-and-sorcery roots. They attend Smax’s uncle’s funeral where Jeff introduces Robyn as his wife, though no such relationship exists. At this point Jeff’s sister Rexa Macksun is introduced, dressed in the typical garb of a female fantasy barbarian such as Red Sonja and just as tall and physically impressive as her brother with the same blue skin and white hair.

Batman V3: Rebirth (2016)

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In June 2016, the DC Rebirth event relaunched DC Comics’ entire line of comic book titles. Batman was rebooted as starting with a one-shot issue entitled Batman: Rebirth #1 (August 2016). The series then began shipping twice-monthly as a third volume, starting with Batman vol. 3, #1 (August 2016). The third volume of Batman was written by Tom King, and artwork was provided by David Finch and Mikel Janín. The Batman series introduced two vigilantes, Gotham and Gotham Girl.

DC Comics ended the Rebirth branding in December 2017, opting to include everything under a larger “DC Universe” banner and naming. The continuity established by Rebirth continues across DC’s comic book titles, including volume one of Detective Comics and the third volume of Batman.

The Nice House on the Lake (2021)

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Everyone who was invited to the house knows Walter—well, they know him a little, anyway. Some met him in childhood; some met him months ago. And Walter’s always been a little…off. But after the hardest year of their lives, nobody was going to turn down Walter’s invitation to an astonishingly beautiful house in the woods, overlooking an enormous sylvan lake. It’s beautiful, it’s opulent, it’s private—so a week of putting up with Walter’s weird little schemes and nicknames in exchange for the vacation of a lifetime? Why not? All of them were at that moment in their lives when they could feel themselves pulling away from their other friends; wouldn’t a chance to reconnect be…nice?

Superman V2 (2000’s)

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In 2004-2005, artist Jim Lee, who had recently concluded the Batman: Hush storyline with Loeb, provided the artwork for a Superman story by writer Brian Azzarello. The story, Superman: For Tomorrow, ran for twelve issues and was collected in an Absolute Edition hardcover in May 2009.

With the publication of issue #226 (April 2006), the series was canceled as part of the company-wide Infinite Crisis event. The Adventures of Superman was returned to its original title, Superman, with issue #650 the following month.

In November 2011, a third volume of Superman was launched with issue #1 as part of The New 52 company-wide reboot.

Sword of Sorcery (1973)

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Sword of Sorcery was an American sword-and-sorcery comics anthology featuring Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, heroes and rogues created by Fritz Leiber. Published bi-monthly by DC Comics, it ran for five issues in 1973, with a cover price of 20¢. The title was written by Denny O’Neil and featured art by Howard Chaykin, Walt Simonson, and Jim Starlin.

In June 2012, the series returned with a revival of Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld by writer Christy Marx and artist Aaron Lopresti. The title included a backup feature starring Beowulf written by Tony Bedard and drawn by Jesus Saiz.

Adventures of Superman (1986)

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When the series was relaunched in late 1986 under its new title, the creative team initially was writer Marv Wolfman and artist Jerry Ordway. John Byrne replaced Wolfman with issue #436 (January 1988) and Ordway became both writer and artist with issue #445 (October 1988). Writer/artist Dan Jurgens worked on the title from 1989–1991. Hank Henshaw, a character who would later become the Cyborg Superman, first appeared in issue #466 (May 1990). By the late 1980s, the plots of the Superman books were often linked. To coordinate the storyline and sequence of event, from January 1991 to January 2002, “triangle numbers” (or “shield numbers”) appeared on the cover of each Superman comic book. During these years, the Superman storylines ran with the story continuing through the titles Superman, Action Comics and later in two further series, Superman: The Man of Steel and Superman: The Man of Tomorrow.