In 1939, dc comics was looking for a new superheroa character who could build on the wild success of their earlier comic book phenomenon, superman. It is the comics publishing branch of dc entertainment, inc. The abbreviation dc, in dc comics, stands for a wellknown series detective comics, which launched batman in 1937 and later on went to become a part of the companys name. Also featuring a foreword by filmmaker and comic book writer kevin smith, and an exclusive cover illustrated by acclaimed artist phil jimenez, dc comics. Dc is home to the worlds greatest super heroes, including superman, batman, wonder woman, green lantern, the flash, aquaman and more. Chained to his right wrist, destiny carried the book everywhere, protecting it from beings like the luck lords who have coveted the book for millennia. In 1935, dc comics founder major malcolm wheelernicholson published new fun no. The precursor to marvel comics was founded in 1939 by pulp magazine publisher martin goodman. In order to capitalize on the growing popularity of comic booksespecially those starring superheroesgoodman created timely comics. Paul levitz is a comic book fan who has worked as editorpublisher of the comic reader, editor of the batman titles and others, writer of more than 300 stories. Periodical publications soon to become dc comics, who owned superman, batman, and wonder woman. Dc rivalry, suicide squads reception again, for the most part, dc just ignored it all, but one dc comics creator who got his fair share of marvel knocks was bob haney, who had his own little comic book universe in brave and the bold where he could seemingly do whatever he wanted to. From 1940 to 1950, captain marvel was the comic book industrys biggest hit, with spinoff titles galore. Liebowitz remained in dc until 1970 and later moved to the board of directors of the warner brothers company.
When you are browsing the racks at your local comic book store and happen upon silver age comic books for sale, you may wonder just what it is that makes them silver. Dc comics is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in american comic books, and produces material featuring numerous wellknown heroic characters, including superman, batman, wonder woman, green lantern, flash, aquaman, shazam, hawkman and. The journey to the future of dcs comic book universe begins with the free comic book day release generation zero in early may, but now its been revealed that issue is just the first in a. Rare 80year collection of every dc comic book going to. Marvel comics history and marvel comics background marvel comics is an american comic book line published by marvel entertainment, inc. A gifted chemist, rex discovers a new chemical he names miraclo, which provides superhuman strength, durability, stamina, and agility when ingested as a pill. The amazing stylistic history of comic books 99designs. Now fans can take a stroll down that piece of memory lane with insight editions new.
Charting the dynamic way in which dc comics evildoers have evolved throughout the years, the book brings together the very best supervillain art from the dc comics archives. The book is available to purchase from amazon and taschen books. The most disturbing moments in dc comics history by chris snellgrove march 2, 2017 2. The first issue of detective comics is released by the company that will eventually be named dc comics. The history of dc dcs story begins under the name national allied publications, founded by malcolm wheelernicholson in 1934. After a fantastic few years of earnings in the early 1990s, dc and marvel saw sales decline steadily through the later 1990s and 2000s. Dc entertainment is a subsidiary of warner brothers and its parent company time warner.
The comics history of all 9 captain marvels nerdist. Panels are often accompanied by descriptive prose and written narrative, usually, dialog contained in word balloons emblematic of the comics art form. Dc is home to the worlds greatest super heroes, including superman, batman, wonder woman. The period from 1938 through the mid1940s represents the peak of comic book popularity. While the standard dc universe is by far the most wellknown, earth resembles the settings of some vertigo comics an imprint of dc that published preacher. Sixty years of the worlds favorite comic book heroes. The collection isnt just expansive, but rare for its comprehensiveness. Not just bring them back as they were, however, but bring them back updated for a modern age. The colorful history of comic books and newspaper cartoon. The book details all the major dc publishing landmarks and more, displayed clearly, month by month.
They paved their way with their styles and strategies and many other comics book industries in america followed them such as their rival marvel comics. Dc comics has been the longest standing comic book production company in the nation. He was a certifiable cash cow for publisher fawcett comics. Comic book superheroes unmasked documentary the origin. Dc comics books goodreads meet your next favorite book. Editor vin sullivan turned to what then appeared to be an unlikely creative source, gag cartoonist bob kane, and asked him to design a new hero. Breaking down the history of dc comics hourman cbr.
How the code authority kept lgbt characters out of comics. Since 1986, variant covers have been a part of the history of dc comics. Rare 80year collection of every dc comic book going to auction. Jun 30, 2016 this book is something of an oral history of that career, drawing on dozens of interviews with lee himself, plus colleagues, fellow writers, and comics artists who all have an opinion on stan the. During the early 1990s the comic book industry experienced a boom in sales, with books tied to dcs massive the death of superman crossover. Dc comics 15 best and strangest alternate histories. Along with fawcett comics superhero captain marvel, dc comics flash and green lantern debuted in 1940. Dc comics backs comic book fund for retailers cosmic. Immortal man was the first of two one shot stories in strange adventures that went on to become recurring series in that book during the period 1964 1967. History of the dc universe by marv wolfman goodreads. For the first time ever, explore the complete visual history of dc comics variant comic book covers in this amazing collection. A perfect companion to crisis on infinite earths, this i. The dc explosion was a big event designed to launch new titles and increase dc s place in the comic book market.
Since the day they opened their doors in 1939, they. This company then merged with detective comics to form national comics, and while this was the official name it quickly became known as dc due to the logo on the front. For decades, dc comics has been one of the two largest american comic book companies, along with marvel comics. Comic book superheroes unmasked history channel aired. Dc comics is one of the big two superhero comics publishers.
From small beginnings of a pulp magazine producer to the entertainment monolith of today, lets take a look at the history of marvel comics and their affect on the world. Marvels captain america and dcs wonder woman were first published the following year. Debuting in september of 2011, the new 52 was a dc comics relaunch of its entire line of monthly superhero comic books that united several previously unrelated comic book universes. However, bruce wayne is soon revealed to be alive, albeit now suffering almost total amnesia of his life as batman and only remembering his life as. Affectionately called the house of ideas by the fan press, marvels bestknown comics titles include fantastic four, the amazing spiderman, the incredible hulk, iron man, daredevil, thor, captain america. Comics and illustrations also played an important role in the history of the u.
A visual history featuring a new slipcase design along with two new prints packed inside. The art of modern mythmaking is taschen books comprehensive book, by 38year comic book veteran and writer paul levitz, that takes fans on a 720 page trip through the history of dc comics. Stargirl is bringing one of dcs oldest legacies is to television this may as lou ferrigno, jr. Action comics makes its first appearance, and features the first superhero ever. May 18, 2017 several new publishers have entered the comic book arena as numerous publishers got out. When we meet her again shes become a history professor from the 28th century. This title would later see the first appearances of such characters as doctor fate, the spectre, green arrow, aquaman and superboy. Dc comics, american media and entertainment company whose iconic comic based properties represented some of the most enduring and recognizable characters in 20th and 21stcentury popular culture. The history of dc comics has gone on to be a huge part of american culture. Several new publishers have entered the comic book arena as numerous publishers got out. Now fans can take a stroll down that piece of memory lane with insight editions new book dc comics variant covers.
Sixty years of the worlds favorite comic book heroes daniels, les, kahn, president of dc comics, jenette on. Dc comics is one of the largest and oldest american comic book companies. Dc to reveal hidden history with generation comics. The majority of its publications take place within the fictional dc universe and feature numerous culturally. He can run faster than a train, leap over tall buildings, and block bullets with his chest. Dc, along with rival marvel comics, is one of the big two american comic book publishers. A comic book or comicbook, also called comic magazine or simply comic, is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panels that represent individual scenes. The definitive guide to the characters of the dc universe by matthew k. It is the publishing unit of dc entertainment, a subsidiary of warner bros. History of the dc universe is a twoissue comic book limited series created by writer marv wolfman and artist george perez which was published by dc comics following the end of crisis on infinite earths.
What was initially considered to be disposable media for children was well on its way to becoming the mythology of our timethe 20th centurys answer to atlas or. In the autumn of 1934, malcolm wheelernicholson established national allied publications. Sep 17, 2018 marvel has refined the comic book genre and has gone on to create some of the greatest stories in the business. Dc is home to the worlds greatest super heroes, including superman, batman. Dec 21, 2014 documentary on the history of comic books. And what launched characters like superman and batman to such meteoric measures of fame. Looking over the bleak comic book landscape of the day, schwartz decided that the time was right to bring back the superheroes of yesteryear. Nov 04, 2016 the history of comic book styles is one as dynamic as the stories they contain, shaped not only by the hands of countless writers and artists but by millions of readers across nearly a century. The dc explosion was a big event designed to launch new titles and increase dcs place in the comic book market. In comic book story terms, this was before crossovers and mega events completely took over marvel and dc which i believe started with avengers disassembled for marvel in.
This book is something of an oral history of that career, drawing on dozens of interviews with lee himself, plus colleagues, fellow writers, and comics artists who all have an opinion on stan the. If you were reading dc comics in 1977 or, like me, have read numerous back issues from that period, youll recognize this ad. Its parent company, dc entertainment, is a wholly owned subsidiary of time warner inc. While there might not be any mutants or doomsday weapons in the actual history of comics, its panels are every bit as unpredictable. She travels back in time to find out the secret identity of superwoman. Mar 25, 2018 since 1986, variant covers have been a part of the history of dc comics. Detective comics is the dcs longest running comic book title, this is due to another character who took over the about 2.
As one of the big two comic book publishers, dc comics has around 80 years of history behind it. The history of silver age comic books cosmic comics. With both marvel and dc planning to base their 2015 comic book events around the idea of the multiverse, its worth looking back at quite how we got to a place where fans dont just have to. Donnenfeld remained president of dc until his death in 1965. Feb 07, 2018 in comic book story terms, this was before crossovers and mega events completely took over marvel and dc which i believe started with avengers disassembled for marvel in 2004, and infinite.
1363 966 733 887 454 1162 740 533 360 479 1503 1434 151 329 1338 621 823 858 1174 827 290 346 1441 524 351 1340 900 707 1465 1288 107 982