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DC Comics Presents

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DC Comics Presents
Cover of DC Comics Presents #1 (July–August 1978). Art by José Luis García-López and Dan Adkins.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
ScheduleBi-Monthly (#1–2)
Monthly (#3–97)
FormatOngoing series
Publication dateJuly/August 1978-September 1986
No. of issues97 and 4 Annuals
Main character(s)Superman
Creative team
Written by
List
Penciller(s)
List
Inker(s)
List
Colorist(s)Gene D'Angelo

DC Comics Presents was a comic book series published by DC Comics from 1978 to 1986 which ran for 97 issues and 4 annuals and featured team-ups between Superman and a wide variety of other characters of the DC Universe. A recurring back-up feature "Whatever Happened to...?" had stories revealing the status of various minor and little-used characters.

Publication history

DC Comics Presents debuted with a July/August 1978 cover date and was edited by Julius Schwartz.[1] The series was launched with a team-up of Superman and the Flash by writer Martin Pasko and artist José Luis García-López.[2] The winner of the DC Comics Presents letter column name contest appeared in the Superman/Hawkman story in issue #11 (July 1979).[3] The "Whatever Happened to...?" backup feature began in issue #25 (Sept. 1980) and would appear in most issues for the next two years until its last installment in issue #48 (Aug. 1982).[4] Issue #26 included an insert introduction story to the then-upcoming New Teen Titans series by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez.[5] Len Wein and Jim Starlin co-created the supervillain Mongul in issue #27 (Nov. 1980)[6] as part of a three-issue storyline.[7][8][9] Another insert in issue #41 previewed the "new direction" Wonder Woman.[10] In issue #47, Superman traveled to Eternia and met the Masters of the Universe.[11] Ambush Bug made his first appearance in issue #52 (Dec. 1982)[12] and made additional appearances in issue #59[13] and #81.[14] The Superman/Challengers of the Unknown tale in issue #84 was drawn by Jack Kirby and Alex Toth.[15] The series also contained the Alan Moore Superman/Swamp Thing story "The Jungle Line" in DC Comics Presents #85 (Sept. 1985), pencilled by Rick Veitch and inked by Al Williamson. Issue #87 featured the first appearance and origin of the divergent Kal-El of the Earth Prime reality, who would become known as Superboy-Prime.[16] The final issue is an exception to the team-up format, instead featuring Superman in an "Untold Tale" involving the Phantom Zone, by Steve Gerber,[17] following up in his limited series of the same title.

In 2004, the title DC Comics Presents was revived for eight one-shot issues, each a tribute to DC editor Julius Schwartz who had recently died. Each issue featured two stories based on a classic DC Comics cover of the past, reflecting Schwartz's frequent practice of commissioning a cover concept, then telling the writers to create a story about that cover.

In July 2010, DC announced the launch of a new DC Comics Presents, a line of 100-page reprint issues reprinting stories that have not seen print since their original publication.

On May 19, 2014 a podcast was created dedicated to talking about all 101 issues of the original DC Comics Presents series. The podcast, entitled "The DC Comics Presents Show" is hosted by Russell Bragg. "The DC Comics Presents Show" can be subscribed to through I-Tunes and Stitcher. For more information, go to www.dccpshow.com or dccpshow.wordpress.com and you can also find episodes archived at archive.org.

Issue Character(s)
1 Flash[2]
2 Flash
3 Adam Strange
4 Metal Men
5 Aquaman
6 Green Lantern
7 Red Tornado
8 Swamp Thing
9 Wonder Woman
10 Sgt. Rock
11 Hawkman
12 Mister Miracle
13 Legion of Super-Heroes
14 Superboy
15 Atom
16 Black Lightning[Note 1]
17 Firestorm
18 Zatanna
19 Batgirl
20 Green Arrow
21 Elongated Man[Note 2]
22 Captain Comet
23 Doctor Fate
24 Deadman
25 Phantom Stranger
26 Green Lantern
27 Martian Manhunter[6]
28 Supergirl
29 Spectre
30 Black Canary
31 Robin
32 Wonder Woman
33 Captain Marvel
34 Marvel Family
35 Man-Bat
36 Starman
37 Hawkgirl
38 Flash
39 Plastic Man[Note 2]
40 Metamorpho[Note 1]
41 Joker
42 Unknown Soldier
43 Legion of Super-Heroes
44 Dial H for Hero
45 Firestorm
46 Global Guardians
47 Masters of the Universe
48 Aquaman
49 Captain Marvel
50 Clark Kent
51 Atom
52 Doom Patrol[12]
53 House of Mystery
54 Green Arrow
55 Air Wave
56 Power Girl
57 Atomic Knights
58 Elongated Man
58 Robin
59 Legion of Substitute Heroes
60 Guardians of the Universe
61 OMAC
62 Freedom Fighters
63 Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld
64 Kamandi
65 Madame Xanadu
66 Demon
67 Santa Claus
68 Vixen
69 Blackhawk
70 Metal Men
71 Bizarro
72 Joker
72 Phantom Stranger
73 Flash
74 Hawkman
75 Arion
76 Wonder Woman
77 Forgotten Heroes
78 Forgotten Villains
79 Clark Kent
80 Legion of Super-Heroes
81 Ambush Bug
82 Adam Strange
83 Batman and the Outsiders
84 Challengers of the Unknown
85 Swamp Thing
86 Supergirl
87 Superboy-Prime[16]
88 Creeper
89 Omega Men
90 Firestorm
90 Captain Atom
91 Captain Comet
92 Vigilante
93 Elastic Four [Note 3]
94 Harbinger
94 Lady Quark
94 Pariah
95 Hawkman
96 Blue Devil
97 Phantom Zone Villains
Annual 1 Superman of Earth-Two
Annual 2 Superwoman
Annual 3 Captain Marvel
Annual 4 Superwoman
  1. ^ a b Also appeared as a member of the Outsiders in issue #83.
  2. ^ a b Also appeared as a member of the Elastic Four in issue #93.
  3. ^ The Elastic Four was a one-time unofficial team made up of Plastic Man, the Elongated Man, Elastic Lad and the Malleable Man.
Issue Character(s)
25 The Golden Age Hourman
26 Sargon the Sorcerer
27 Congorilla
28 The Western Johnny Thunder and Madame .44
29 The Golden Age Doctor Mid-Nite
30 The Golden Age Atom
31 The Golden Age Robotman
32 Mark Merlin and Prince Ra-Man
33 Star Hawkins
35 Rex the Wonder Dog
37 Rip Hunter
38 Crimson Avenger
39 Richard Dragon
40 The Golden Age Air-Wave
42 The Golden Age Sandman
47 Sandy the Golden Boy
48 Black Pirate

Writer Mike Tiefenbacher had several proposals for other "Whatever Happened To...?" stories. These included Captain Action, Blackhawk, Genius Jones, Nighthawk, Ragman, the Sea Devils, the Silent Knight, and Wildcat.[4]

Julius Schwartz Tribute

In September and October 2004, the title DC Comics Presents was revived for a series of eight one-shot issues, each a tribute to DC editor Julius Schwartz, who had died in the previous February.[18] Each issue featured two stories based on a classic DC Comics cover of the past, reflecting Schwartz's frequent practice of commissioning a cover concept, then telling the writers to create a story about that cover.

DC Comics Presents: Date Notes
DC Comics Presents: Batman #1 September 2004 Cover art by Adam Hughes is an homage to the cover of Batman #183 (August 1966)
DC Comics Presents: Green Lantern #1 Cover art by Brian Bolland is an homage to the cover of Green Lantern #31 (September 1964)
DC Comics Presents: Hawkman #1 Cover art by José Luis García-López and Kevin Nowlan is an homage to the cover of Hawkman #6 (February–March 1965)
DC Comics Presents: Mystery in Space #1 Cover art by Alex Ross is an homage to the cover of Mystery in Space #82 (March 1963)
DC Comics Presents: Flash #1 October 2004 Cover art by Alex Ross is an homage to The Flash #163 (August 1966)
DC Comics Presents: Justice League of America #1 Cover art by José Luis García-López is an homage to Justice League of America #53 (May 1967)
DC Comics Presents: Superman #1 Cover art by Adam Hughes is an homage to the cover of Superman #264 (June 1973)
DC Comics Presents: The Atom #1 Cover art by Brian Bolland is an homage to the cover of The Atom #10 (December 1963 – January 1964).

2010 revival

In July 2010, DC announced the launch of a new DC Comics Presents series featuring stories that have not seen print since their original publication. The announced issues are:[19][20]

  • DC Comics Presents: Batman #1, reprints Batman #582–585 (10/20/2010)
  • DC Comics Presents: Batman #2, reprints Batman #591–594 (11/17/2010)
  • DC Comics Presents: Batman #3, reprints Batman #595–598 (12/15/2010)
  • DC Comics Presents: Brightest Day #1, which spotlights Deadman and Hawkman, and reprints selected stories from Hawkman #27, 34 and 36, Solo #8, DCU Holiday ‘09 and Strange Adventures #205.
  • DC Comics Presents: Brightest Day #2, which spotlights Martian Manhunter and Firestorm (both Ronnie Raymond and Jason Rusch), and reprints Martian Manhunter #24 and Firestorm #11–13.
  • DC Comics Presents: Ethan Van Sciver, which spotlights the art of Ethan Van Sciver and reprints Batman and Catwoman: Trail of the Gun #1–2.
  • DC Comics Presents: The Flash and Green Lantern: Faster Friends, which spotlights Kyle Rayner and Wally West, and reprints both issues of the titular mini-series.
  • DC Comics Presents: Green Lantern, which spotlights Kyle Rayner and Jade, and reprints Green Lantern (vol. 3) #137–140.
  • DC Comics Presents: Jack Cross, which spotlights Jack Cross and reprints issues #1–4 of his self-titled series.
  • DC Comics Presents: J.H. Williams III, which spotlights the art of J.H. Williams III and reprints Chase #1 and #6–8.
  • DC Comics Presents: Legion of Super-Heroes, which spotlights Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning's reinvention of the Legion of Super-Heroes leading into Legion Lost. Reprints Legion of Super-Heroes (Vol.4) #122 and 123 and Legionnaires #79 and 80.
  • DC Comics Presents:Superman #1, reprints Superman #179–185 and Superman: The Man of Steel #121.
  • DC Comics Presents: Superman #2, reprints Superman: The Man of Steel #133, Superman #189, Adventures of Superman #611, and Action Comics #798.
  • DC Comics Presents: Superman #3, reprints Superman #177–178 and #181–182.
  • DC Comics Presents: Superman #4, reprints Action Comics #768 and #771–773.
  • DC Comics Presents: Young Justice #1, which spotlights Young Justice and reprints JLA: World Without Grown-Ups #1–2.
  • DC Comics Presents: Young Justice #2, reprints Young Justice Secret Files, Young Justice in No Man's Land, and Young Justice: The Secret.
  • Vertigo Resurrected, which prints a controversial and previously banned Hellblazer story by Warren Ellis.

Collected editions

  • Showcase Presents: DC Comics Presents Superman Team-Ups Vol. 1 includes DC Comics Presents #1–26, 512 pages, November 2009, ISBN 1-4012-2535-7
  • Showcase Presents: DC Comics Presents Superman Team-Ups Vol. 2 includes DC Comics Presents #27–50 and Annual #1, 512 pages, July 2013, ISBN 978-1-4012-4048-6

(Neither volumes includes the "Whatever Happened To...?" back-up stories)

  • Adventures of Superman: José Luis García-López includes DC Comics Presents #1–4, 17, 20, 24, and 31 360 pages, April 2013, ISBN 978-1-4012-3856-8
  • Superman in the Seventies includes DC Comics Presents #14, 224 pages, November 2000, ISBN 1-56389-638-9
  • Superman in the Eighties includes DC Comics Presents #29, 192 pages, April 2006, ISBN 1-4012-0952-1
  • Superman vs. Shazam! includes DC Comics Presents #33–34, 49, and Annual #3, 192 pages, March 2013, ISBN 978-1-4012-3821-6
  • Showcase Presents: Ambush Bug Vol. 1 includes DC Comics Presents #52, 59, and 81, 488 pages, March 2009, ISBN 1-4012-2180-7
  • Adventures of Superman: Gil Kane includes DC Comics Presents Annual #3, 392 pages, January 2013, ISBN 978-1-4012-3674-8
  • DC Universe By Alan Moore includes DC Comics Presents #85, 464 pages, March 2012, ISBN 1-4012-3339-2

See also

References

  1. ^ Kingman, Jim (August 2013). "Men of Steel: Superman and Julius Schwartz in World's Finest Comics and DC Comics Presents". Back Issue! (66). TwoMorrows Publishing: 53–64.
  2. ^ a b McAvennie, Michael; Dolan, Hannah, ed. (2010). "1970s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. Dorling Kindersley. p. 179. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. A new ongoing Superman series started to mix things up by teaming the Man of Steel with other heroes in the DC Universe. Writer Martin Pasko and artist José Luis García-López launched the inaugural issue. {{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ DC Comics Presents #11 at the Grand Comics Database
  4. ^ a b Wells, John (May 2013). "Flashback: Whatever Happened to...?". Back Issue! (64). TwoMorrows Publishing: 51–61.
  5. ^ Manning, Matthew K. "1980s" in Dolan, p. 188: "[The New Teen Titans] went on to become DC's most popular comic team of its day. Not only the springboard for the following month's The New Teen Titans #1, the preview's momentous story also featured the first appearance of future DC mainstays Cyborg, Starfire, and Raven."
  6. ^ a b Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 188 "Artist Jim Starlin displayed his penchant for portraying powerful cosmic villains with the debut of Mongul, a new threat to plague Superman's life, in a story written by Len Wein."
  7. ^ Wein, Len (w), Starlin, Jim (p), Giordano, Dick; McLaughlin, Frank (i). "The Key That Unlocked Chaos!" DC Comics Presents, no. 27 (November 1980).
  8. ^ Wein, Len (w), Starlin, Jim (p), Tanghal, Romeo (i). "Warworld!" DC Comics Presents, no. 28 (December 1980).
  9. ^ Wein, Len (w), Starlin, Jim (p), Tanghal, Romeo (i). "Where No Superman Has Gone Before" DC Comics Presents, no. 29 (January 1981).
  10. ^ Sanderson, Peter (September–October 1981). "Thomas/Colan Premiere Wonder Woman's New Look". Comics Feature (12/13). New Media Publishing: 23. The hotly-debated new Wonder Woman uniform will be bestowed on the Amazon Princess in her first adventure written and drawn by her new creative team: Roy Thomas and Gene Colan...This story will appear as an insert in DC Comics Presents #41.
  11. ^ Kupperberg, Paul (w), Swan, Curt (p), DeCarlo, Mike (i). "From Eternia—with Death!" DC Comics Presents, no. 47 (July 1982).
  12. ^ a b Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 199: "[Ambush Bug] made his debut in the pages of DC Comics Presents #52...[by] writer Paul Kupperberg and artist Keith Giffen."
  13. ^ Giffen, Keith; Levitz, Paul (w), Giffen, Keith; Schaffenberger, Kurt (p), Schaffenberger, Kurt (i). "Ambush Bug II" DC Comics Presents, no. 59 (July 1983).
  14. ^ Giffen, Keith; Fleming, Robert Loren (w), Giffen, Keith (p), Oksner, Bob (i). "All This and Kobra Too!" DC Comics Presents, no. 81 (May 1985).
  15. ^ Rozakis, Bob (w), Kirby, Jack and Toth, Alex (p), Theakston, Greg (i). "Give Me Power... Give Me Your World!" DC Comics Presents, no. 84 (August 1985).
  16. ^ a b Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 215 "This issue set into motion the life of Earth-Prime's youngest superhero, a major player in the Crisis on Infinite Earths saga, and the brutal adversary at the heart of 2005-2006's Infinite Crisis limited series."
  17. ^ Gerber, Steve (w), Veitch, Rick (p), Smith, Bob (i). "Phantom Zone: The Final Chapter" DC Comics Presents, no. 97 (September 1986).
  18. ^ Cowsill, Alan "2000s" in Dolan, p. 314: "When DC Comics' icon Julius Schwartz sadly passed away in February 2004, some kind of major tribute was required...To celebrate his life, DC revived the DC Comics Presents series, producing eight one-shots in which DC writers and artists put their own twists on covers inspired by Schwartz and reimagined classic Silver Age stories."
  19. ^ Segura, Alex (July 16, 2010). "And Now...DC Comics Presents". The Source. DC Comics. Archived from the original on January 16, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
  20. ^ "DC Comics Solitications for November 2010". Comic Book Resources. August 16, 2010. Archived from the original on January 16, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
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