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For other uses, see Secret Origins (disambiguation).
Secret Origins
Brian Bolland's cover to the 1989 Secret Origins collection.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
ScheduleMonthly
FormatOngoing series
Genre
Publication dateOne-shot:
Summer 1961
Vol. 1
February–March 1973; October–November 1974
Vol. 2:
April 1986 – August 1990
Vol. 3:
June 2014 – May 2015
No. of issuesOne-shot: 1
Vol. 1: 7
Vol. 2: 50, plus 3 Annuals and 1 Special
Vol. 3: 11
Editor(s)Roy Thomas
Mark Waid
Collected editions
Secret OriginsISBN 0-930289-50-1

Secret Origins is the title of several comic book series published by DC Comics which featured the origin stories of the publisher's various characters.

Publication history

Secret Origins was first published as a one-shot in 1961 and contained only reprinted material.[1] The title became an ongoing reprint series in February–March 1973 which ran for seven issues and ended in October–November 1974.[2][3] The title was used on various compilations of origin stories, including Limited Collectors' Edition #C-39: Secret Origins Super-Villains (October–November 1975)[4] and #C-45: More Secret Origins Super-Villains (June–July 1976)[5] as well as DC Special Series #10 (1978)[6] and 19 (Fall 1979).[7] Its most well-known incarnation was a 50-issue series that ran from April 1986 to August 1990,[8] plus three Annuals[9] and one Special.[10] Typically, an issue would clarify the Post-Crisis origins of a number of characters,[11] usually two as most of the issues were double-sized, i.e. 48 pages. Roy Thomas was the initial writer/editorial consultant on the series; later issues were overseen by Mark Waid. Two more Specials followed in 1998 and 1999.[12] In 2004, it returned to the all-reprint format with a Weird Secret Origins special featuring Doctor Fate, the Spectre, Animal Man, the Enchantress, Metamorpho, Congorilla, El Diablo, and the Bizarro World.

A new monthly incarnation focusing on characters in The New 52, launched in April 2014 with a June cover date. The first issue featured the origins of Superman, Supergirl and the Dick Grayson version of Robin.[13] This series was cancelled as of issue #11 (May 2015)[14] on sale in March 2015.[15]

Annuals and Specials

Additionally, there was a belated Secret Origins 80-Page Giant issued in 1998 (ISBN 1-56389-440-8), that focused on the members of Young Justice.

Secret Origins collected edition

Some issues of the second series were collected in a trade paperback along with other material and some original work in 1989 called Secret Origins, but the official title, as stated in the book's indicia, is given as Secret Origins of The World's Greatest Super-Heroes (ISBN 0930289501). The focus was on DC's major characters: the origins of the Justice League of America (from #32), the Flash (Barry Allen, from Secret Origins Annual #2); Green Lantern (Hal Jordan, from #36); J'onn J'onnz, the Martian Manhunter (from #35); and Superman (from The Man of Steel #6). There was also an all-new retelling of Batman's origins, Batman: The Man Who Falls, by Dennis O'Neil and Dick Giordano; this story later served as a cited inspiration for the 2005 film Batman Begins.[16]

  • Showcase Presents: Blue Beetle includes Secret Origins #2 (Blue Beetle: Echoes Of Future Past!). 590 pages. January 2015. 9781401251475
  • Batman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told Vol. 2 includes Secret Origins #6 (The Secret Origin Of Batman). 208 pages. February 2007. 9781401212148
  • Batman: Legends Of The Dark Knight - Marshall Rogers includes Secret Origins #6 (The Secret Origin Of Batman). 484 pages. November 2011. 9781401232276
  • Last Days Of The Justice Society Of America includes Secret Origins #7 (The Secret Origin Of The Golden Age Sandman), #9 (The Secret Origin Of The Star-Spangled Kid And Stripesy & The Secret Origin Of The Golden Age Flash), #11 (The Secret Origin Of The Golden Age Hawkman), #13 (The Secret Origin Of Johnny Thunder), #15 (The Secret Origin Of The Spectre), #16 (The Secret Origin Of The Golden Age Hourman), #18 (The Secret Origin Of The Golden Age Green Lantern), #20 (The Secret Origin Of Dr. Mid-Nite), #24 (The Secret Origin Of Dr. Fate), #25 (The Secret Origin Of The Golden Age Atom) and #31 (The Secret Origin Of The Justice Society Of America). 336 pages. May 2017. 9781401267339
  • The Phantom Stranger Omnibus includes Secret Origins #10 (The Secret Origin Of The Phantom Stranger). 1248 pages. August 2023. 9781779506030
  • DC Universe by Alan Moore includes Secret Origins #10 (Footsteps). 464 pages. April 2013. 9781401233402
  • Nightwing: Old Friends, New Enemies includes Secret Origins #13 (The Secret Origin Of Nightwing). 156 pages. August 2013. 9781401240455
  • Suicide Squad: Trial By Fire includes Secret Origins #14 (The Secret Origin Of The Suicide Squad). 229 pages. February 2011. 9781401230050
  • Deadman Omnibus includes Secret Origins #15 (Death Like A Crown). 944 pages. December 2020. 9781779504883
  • Doom Patrol: The Bronze Age Omnibus includes Secret Origins Annual #1 (The Secret Origin Of The Doom Patrol). 1056 pages. November 2019. 9781401298838
  • The Flash: A Celebration Of 75 Years includes Secret Origins Annual #2 (The Unforgiving Minute). 480 pages. April 2015. 9781401251789
  • Justice League International Omnibus Vol. 3 includes Secret Origins #33, 34 and 35. 1448 pages. May 2024. 9791779525642 Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: checksum
  • DC Universe by Neil Gaiman includes Secret Origins #36 (Pavane) and Secret Origins Special. 224 pages. October 2016. 9781401264888
  • Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters Saga Omnibus Vol. 1 includes Secret Origins #38 (Sometimes A Fool Notion). 1527 pages. September 2020. 9781779502568
  • Animal Man: Origin Of The Species includes Secret Origins #39 (The Myth Of The Creation). 224 pages. July 2002. 9781563898907
  • JLA by Grant Morrison Omnibus includes Secret Origins #46 (Ghosts Of Stone). 1486 pages. November 2020. 9781779504999
  • Showcase Presents: Ambush Bug includes Secret Origins #48 (The Secret Origin Of Ambush Bug). 488 pages. March 2009. 9781401221805
  • Tales Of The Batman: Alam Brennert includes Secret Origins #50 (Unfinished Business). 187 pages. July 2016. 9781401263496 Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: checksum

Collected editions 2014–15 series

  • Secret Origins Volume 1 - collects Secret Origins (vol. 3) #1-4 (Feb. 2015)
  • Secret Origins Volume 2 - collects Secret Origins (vol. 3) #5-11 (Aug. 2015)

Secret Origins of Super-Heroes

During 52, Weeks 12 through 51 featured two-page origins of various superheroes, written by Mark Waid. The origins featured were:

Secret Origins of Super-Villains

Beginning with #37, each issue of Countdown featured the origins of a supervillain, written by Scott Beatty. The origins are:

Other media

Super Friends

In the Challenge of the Super Friends episode "Secret Origins of the Super Friends", the Legion of Doom learn of the Secret Origins of Superman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern. This was the second of three times during the course of the Super Friends animated series in which Superman's secret origin was shown.

In this episode, the Legion of Doom attempt to undo their Secret Origins by travelling backward through time to change the outcome of events. Cheetah competed in the tournament on Paradise Island, and she defeated Princess Diana, and therefore she became Wonder Woman instead. Lex Luthor prevented Hal Jordan from getting the Green Lantern Ring from Abin Sur by stealing it himself, thereby becoming the "Green Luthor". As for Superman, the Hall of Doom knocked the Kryptonian Rocket off course, so that it didn't land on Earth, but rather another planet that was under a red sun, thereby preventing him from getting super powers and growing up to become Superman. However, the other Justice League members learn of the Legion's scheme, and they go back in time to set history straight.

The episode "History of Doom" showcased the Secret Origin of Lex Luthor, which depicts Luthor as a farm boy in Smallville and a friend of Superboy, just as it was in the Pre-Crisis comic books at that time that were set on Earth-One. The same episode also shows the Secret Origins of Apache Chief and Giganta, whose origins apparently tied together.

Batman's Secret Origin wasn't revealed until The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians episode The Fear, which tells the tale of how Joe Chill killed his parents and how as a result, he became Batman, but he had yet to overcome his fear of Crime Alley, a fear that his enemy the Scarecrow would exploit.

See also

References

  1. ^ Secret Origins one-shot at the Grand Comics Database
  2. ^ Secret Origins at the Grand Comics Database
  3. ^ Sacks, Jason; Dallas, Keith (2014). American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1970s. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 114. ISBN 978-1605490564.
  4. ^ "Limited Collectors' Edition #C-39". Grand Comics Database.
  5. ^ "Limited Collectors' Edition #C-45". Grand Comics Database.
  6. ^ "DC Special Series #10". Grand Comics Database.
  7. ^ "DC Special Series #19". Grand Comics Database.
  8. ^ Secret Origins vol. 2 at the Grand Comics Database
  9. ^ Secret Origins Annual at the Grand Comics Database
  10. ^ Secret Origins Special at the Grand Comics Database
  11. ^ Manning, Matthew K.; Dolan, Hannah, ed. (2010). "1980s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 218. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. The heroes of the DC Universe got a little more exposed thanks to the new ongoing effort Secret Origins, a title offering new interpretations to the backgrounds of some of comics' biggest icons. {{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Secret Origins 80-Page Giant at the Grand Comics Database and Secret Origins of Super-Villains 80-Page Giant at the Grand Comics Database
  13. ^ Sunu, Steve (January 13, 2014). "Exclusive: DC's Secret Origins & Tomasi's Batman Vs. Bane To Debut in April". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on July 12, 2014. Archive requires scrolldown
  14. ^ Secret Origins vol. 3 at the Grand Comics Database
  15. ^ Kamen, Matt (December 16, 2014). "DC Comics cancels half its line from March 2015". Wired UK. Archived from the original on September 8, 2015.
  16. ^ DiDio, Dan (Vice President of DC Comics), Goyer, David S. (Co-writer), Levitz, Paul (President - DC Comics), Nolan, Christopher (Director), Schreck, Bob (Batman Editor - DC Comics) (2006). Genesis of the Bat (DVD featurette).
  17. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Hughes, Adam (p), Hughes, Adam (i). "The Origin of Wonder Woman" 52, no. 12 (September 2006 [July 26, 2006]).
  18. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Nowlan, Kevin (p), Nowlan, Kevin (i). "The Origin of Elongated Man" 52, no. 13 (October 2006 [August 2, 2006]).
  19. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Powell, Eric (p), Powell, Eric (i). "The Origin of Metamorpho, the Element Man" 52, no. 14 (October 2006 [August 9, 2006]).
  20. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Bogdanove, Jon (p), Bogdanove, Jon (i). "The Origin of Steel" 52, no. 15 (October 2006 [August 16, 2006]).
  21. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Jones, J. G. (p), Jones, J. G. (i). "The Origin of Black Adam" 52, no. 16 (October 2006 [August 23, 2006]).
  22. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Giffen, Keith (p), Jadson, Jack (i). "The Origin of Lobo" 52, no. 17 (October 2006 [August 30, 2006]).
  23. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Bennett, Joe (p), Bennett, Joe (i). "The Origin of the Question" 52, no. 18 (November 2006 [September 6, 2006]).
  24. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Bolland, Brian (p), Mardon, Mark (i). "The Origin of Animal Man" 52, no. 19 (November 2006 [September 13, 2006]).
  25. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Nowlan, Kevin (p), Nowlan, Kevin (i). "The Origin of Adam Strange" 52, no. 20 (November 2006 [September 20, 2006]).
  26. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Reis, Ivan (p), Albert, Oclair (i). "The Origin of Green Lantern" 52, no. 22 (December 2006 [October 4, 2006]).
  27. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Ordway, Jerry (p), Ordway, Jerry (i). "The Origin of Wildcat" 52, no. 23 (December 2006 [October 11, 2006]).
  28. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Jurgens, Dan (p), Lanning, Andy (i). "The Origin of Booster Gold" 52, no. 24 (December 2006 [October 18, 2006]).
  29. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Pérez, George (p), Pérez, George (i). "The Origin of Nightwing" 52, no. 25 (December 2006 [October 25, 2006]).
  30. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Bennett, Joe (p), Jose, Ruy (i). "The Origin of Hawkman and Hawkgirl" 52, no. 26 (January 2007 [November 1, 2006]).
  31. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Chaykin, Howard (p), Chaykin, Howard (i). "The Origin of Black Canary" 52, no. 27 (January 2007 [November 8, 2006]).
  32. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Eaglesham, Dale (p), Thibert, Art (i). "The Origin of Catman" 52, no. 28 (January 2007 [November 15, 2006]).
  33. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Rouleau, Duncan (p), Rouleau, Duncan (i). "The Origin of the Metal Men" 52, no. 30 (January 2007 [November 29, 2006]).
  34. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Williams II, Freddie (p), Williams II, Freddie (i). "The Origin of Robin" 52, no. 31 (February 2007 [December 6, 2006]).
  35. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Hamner, Cully (p), Hamner, Cully (i). "The Origin of Blue Beetle" 52, no. 32 (February 2007 [December 13, 2006]).
  36. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Mandrake, Tom (p), Mandrake, Tom (i). "The Origin of Martian Manunter" 52, no. 33 (February 2007 [December 20, 2006]).
  37. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Bolland, Brian (p), Bolland, Brian (i). "The Origin of Zatanna" 52, no. 34 (February 2007 [December 27, 2006]).
  38. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Hughes, Adam (p), Hughes, Adam (i). "The Origin of Power Girl" 52, no. 36 (March 2007 [January 10, 2007]).
  39. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Igle, Jamal (p), Champagne, Keith (i). "The Origin of Firestorm the Nuclear Man" 52, no. 37 (March 2007 [January 17, 2007]).
  40. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Jimenez, Phil (p), Lanning, Andy (i). "The Origin of Red Tornado" 52, no. 38 (March 2007 [January 24, 2007]).
  41. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Van Sciver, Ethan (p), Van Sciver, Ethan (i). "The Origin of Mr. Terrific" 52, no. 39 (March 2007 [January 31, 2007]).
  42. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Benitez, Joe (p), Benitez, Joe (i). "The Origin of Starfire" 52, no. 41 (April 2007 [February 14, 2007]).
  43. ^ Waid, Mark (w), McDaniel, Scott (p), Owens, Andy (i). "The Origin of Green Arrow" 52, no. 42 (April 2007 [February 21, 2007]).
  44. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Van Sciver, Ethan (p), Van Sciver, Ethan (i). "The Origin of Plastic Man" 52, no. 43 (April 2007 [February 28, 2007]).
  45. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Kubert, Andy (p), Kubert, Andy (i). "The Origin of Batman" 52, no. 46 (May 2007 [March 21, 2007]).
  46. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Kerschl, Karl (p), Kerschl, Karl (i). "The Origin of the Teen Titans" 52, no. 47 (May 2007 [March 28, 2007]).
  47. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Scott, Nicola (p), Hazlewood, Doug (i). "The Origin of the Birds of Prey" 52, no. 48 (June 2007 [April 7, 2007]).
  48. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Kramer, Don (p), Bair, Michael (i). "The Origin of the Justice Society of America" 52, no. 49 (June 2007 [April 11, 2007]).
  49. ^ Waid, Mark (w), Reis, Ivan (p), Albert, Oclair (i). "The Origin of the Justice League of America" 52, no. 51 (June 2007 [April 25, 2007]).
  50. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Roux, Stéphane (p), Roux, Stéphane (i). "The Origin of Poison Ivy" Countdown, no. 37 (October 2007 [August 15, 2007]).
  51. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Daniel, Tony (p), Glapion, Jon (i). "The Origin of Deathstroke the Terminator" Countdown, no. 36 (October 2007 [August 22, 2007]).
  52. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Reis, Ivan (p), Albert, Oclair (i). "The Origin of Parallax" Countdown, no. 35 (October 2007 [August 29, 2007]).
  53. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Clarke, Andy (p), Clarke, Andy (i). "The Origin of Lex Luthor" Countdown, no. 34 (November 2007 [September 5, 2007]).
  54. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Kramer, Don (p), Kramer, Don (i). "The Origin of the Riddler" Countdown, no. 33 (November 2007 [September 12, 2007]).
  55. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Winslade, Phil (p), Winslade, Phil (i). "The Origin of Eclipso" Countdown, no. 32 (November 2007 [September 19, 2007]).
  56. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Bolland, Brian (p), Bolland, Brian (i). "The Origin of the Joker" Countdown, no. 31 (November 2007 [September 26, 2007]).
  57. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Frank, Gary (p), Sibal, Jonathan (i). "The Origin of General Zod" Countdown, no. 30 (December 2007 [October 3, 2007]).
  58. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), McDaniel. Scott (p), Owens, Andy (i). "The Origin of the Penguin" Countdown, no. 29 (December 2007 [October 10, 2007]).
  59. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Van Sciver, Ethan (p), Van Sciver, Ethan (i). "The Origin of the Trickster" Countdown, no. 28 (December 2007 [October 17, 2007]).
  60. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Van Sciver, Ethan (p), Van Sciver, Ethan (i). "The Origin of the Pied Piper" Countdown, no. 28 (December 2007 [October 17, 2007]).
  61. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Chiarello, Mark (p), Chiarello, Mark (i). "The Origin of Two-Face" Countdown, no. 27 (December 2007 [October 24, 2007]).
  62. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Igle, Jamal (p), Champagne, Keith (i). "The Origin of Killer Frost" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 25 (January 2008 [November 7, 2007]).
  63. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Simonson, Walt (p), Simonson, Walt (i). "The Origin of Desaad" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 24 (January 2008 [November 14, 2007]).
  64. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Baker, Kyle (p), Baker, Kyle (i). "The Origin of Mr. Mxyzptlk" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 23 (January 2008 [November 21, 2007]).
  65. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Williams II, Freddie (p), Williams II, Freddie (i). "The Origin of Deadshot" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 22 (January 2008 [November 28, 2007]).
  66. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Bogdanove, Jon (p), Bogdanove, Jon (i). "The Origin of Granny Goodness" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 21 (February 2008 [December 5, 2007]).
  67. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Bennett, Joe (p), Jadson, Jack (i). "The Origin of Mr. Mind" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 20 (February 2008 [December 12, 2007]).
  68. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Jones, Kelley (p), Jones, Kelley (i). "The Origin of the Scarecrow" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 19 (February 2008 [December 19, 2007]).
  69. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Porter, Howard (p), Porter, Howard (i). "The Origin of Dr. Light" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 18 (February 2008 [December 26, 2007]).
  70. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Kolins, Scott (p), Kolins, Scott (i). "The Origin of Monarch" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 17 (March 2008 [January 2, 2008]).
  71. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Pasarin, Fernando (p), Pasarin, Fernando (i). "The Origin of Sinestro" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 16 (March 2008 [January 9, 2008]).
  72. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Bogdanove, Jon (p), Bogdanove, Jon (i). "The Origin of Doomsday" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 15 (March 2008 [January 16, 2008]).
  73. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Adams, Arthur (p), Adams, Arthur (i). "The Origin of Gorilla Grodd" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 14 (March 2008 [January 23, 2008]).
  74. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Reis, Ivan (p), Albert, Oclair (i). "The Origin of Cyborg" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 13 (March 2008 [January 30, 2008]).
  75. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Lopresti, Aaron (p), Lopresti, Aaron (i). "The Origin of Circe" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 12 (April 2008 [February 6, 2008]).
  76. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Mandrake, Tom (p), Mandrake, Tom (i). "The Origin of Solomon Grundy" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 11 (April 2008 [February 13, 2008]).
  77. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Timm, Bruce (p), Timm, Bruce (i). "The Origin of Harley Quinn" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 10 (April 2008 [February 20, 2008]).
  78. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Norton, Mike (p), Ramos, Rodney (i). "The Origin of Black Manta" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 9 (April 2008 [February 27, 2008]).
  79. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Mahnke, Doug (p), Mahnke, Doug (i). "This Am Unsecret Origin of Bizarro!" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 8 (May 2008 [March 5, 2008]).
  80. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Nolan, Graham (p), Nolan, Graham (i). "The Origin of Bane" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 7 (May 2008 [March 12, 2008]).
  81. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Saiz, Jesus (p), Saiz, Jesus (i). "The Origin of Felix Faust" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 6 (May 2008 [March 19, 2008]).
  82. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Derenick, Tom (p), Faucher, Wayne (i). "The Origin of Mr. Freeze" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 5 (May 2008 [March 26, 2008]).
  83. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Chiang, Cliff (p), Chiang, Cliff (i). "The Origin of Ra's al Ghul" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 4 (June 2008 [April 2, 2008]).
  84. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Mahnke, Doug (p), Mahnke, Doug (i). "The Origin of Amazo" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 3 (June 2008 [April 9, 2008]).
  85. ^ Beatty, Scott (w), Sook, Ryan (p), Sook, Ryan (i). "The Origin of Darkseid" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 2 (June 2008 [April 16, 2008]).
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