DC Comics Presents

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

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, plus 4 Annuals
Main character(s)Superman
Creative team
Written by
Penciller(s)
Inker(s)
Colorist(s)Gene D'Angelo

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 issues #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 last 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.

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

Writer Mike Tiefenbacher had several proposals for other "Whatever Happened to...?" stories. These included Captain Action, Blackhawk, Genius Jones, Nighthawk, the 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:DateNotes
DC Comics Presents: Batman #1 September 2004 Cover art by Adam Hughes is a homage to the cover of Batman #183 (August 1966)
DC Comics Presents: Green Lantern #1 Cover art by Brian Bolland is a 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 a homage to the cover of Hawkman #6 (February–March 1965)
DC Comics Presents: Mystery in Space #1 Cover art by Alex Ross is a homage to the cover of Mystery in Space #82 (March 1963)
DC Comics Presents: Flash #1 October 2004 Cover art by Alex Ross is a homage to The Flash #163 (August 1966)
DC Comics Presents: Justice League of America #1 Cover art by José Luis García-López is a homage to Justice League of America #53 (May 1967)
DC Comics Presents: Superman #1 Cover art by Adam Hughes is a homage to the cover of Superman #264 (June 1973)
DC Comics Presents: The Atom #1 Cover art by Brian Bolland is a 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 (October 2010), which spotlights Batman and reprints Batman #582–585 (10/20/2010)
  • DC Comics Presents: Batman #2 (November 2010), reprints Batman #591–594 (11/17/2010)
  • DC Comics Presents: Batman #3 (December 2010), 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 the Martian Manhunter and Firestorm the Nuclear Man (both Ronnie Raymond and Martin Stein 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 Green Lantern V (Kyle Rayner) and the Flash III (Wally West) and reprints both issues of the titular miniseries.
  • DC Comics Presents: Green Lantern, which spotlights Green Lantern V (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 #1, which spotlights Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning's re-invention of the Legion of Super-Heroes leading into Legion Lost and reprints Legion of Super-Heroes (vol. 4) #122-123 and Legionnaires #79-80.
  • DC Comics Presents: Legion of Super-Heroes #2, which spotlights Geoff Johns and reprints Adventure Comics #0-4, Action Comics #864 and 900 and the Mon-El story from Action Comics Annual #10.
  • DC Comics Presents: Superman #1, which spotlights Superman and reprints Superman #179-180 and 185 and Superman: The Man of Steel #121.
  • DC Comics Presents: Superman #2, reprints Superman: The Man of Steel #133, Superman #189, The 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 and Origins #1, Young Justice in No Man's Land, and Young Justice: The Secret.
  • Vertigo Resurrected, which contains a controversial and previously unpublished John Constantine, 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, 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, 978-1-4012-4048-6
  • Superman vs. The Flash includes DC Comics Presents #1-2, 208 pages, May 2005, 978-1401204563
  • Adventures of Superman: José Luis García-López includes DC Comics Presents #1–4, 17, 20, 24, and 31, 360 pages, April 2013, 978-1-4012-3856-8
  • Superman’s Greatest Team-Ups includes DC Comics Presents #5, 9-10, 12, 14, 19, 28, 30, 35, 38-39, 45, 50, 58, 63, 67, 71, 97; 400 pages, April 2021, 978-1779504869
  • Superman in the Seventies includes DC Comics Presents #14, 224 pages, November 2000, 1-56389-638-9
  • Deadman Omnibus includes DC Comics Presents #24, 944 pages, December 2020, 978-1779504883
  • The New Teen Titans Archives Vol. 1 includes the New Teen Titans story from DC Comics Presents #26, 240 pages, February 1999, 978-1563894855
  • The New Teen Titans Omnibus Vol. 1 includes the New Teen Titans story from DC Comics Presents #26, 684 pages, September 2011, 978-1401231088
  • Superman in the Eighties includes DC Comics Presents #29, 192 pages, April 2006, 1-4012-0952-1
  • The Spectre: The Wrath of the Spectre Omnibus includes DC Comics Presents #29, 680 pages, September 2020, 978-1779502933
  • Superman vs. Shazam! includes DC Comics Presents #33–34, 49, and Annual #3, 192 pages, March 2013, 978-1-4012-3821-6
  • Superman vs. Shazam! includes DC Comics Presents #33-34, 49, and Annual #3, 256 pages, March 2021, 978-1779509093
  • DC Through the 80s: The End of Eras includes DC Comics Presents Annual #1, 520 pages, December 2020, 978-1779500878
  • Showcase Presents: Ambush Bug Vol. 1 includes DC Comics Presents #52, 59, and 81, 488 pages, March 2009, 1-4012-2180-7
  • Shazam! The Greatest Stories Ever Told includes DC Comics Presents Annual #3, 224 pages, February 2008, 978-1401216740
  • Adventures of Superman: Gil Kane includes DC Comics Presents Annual #3, 392 pages, January 2013, 978-1-4012-3674-8
  • Batman and the Outsiders Vol. 3 includes DC Comics Presents #83, 288 pages, April 2019, 978-1401287641
  • The Greatest Team-Up Stories Ever Told includes DC Comics Presents #85, 288 pages, December 1989, 978-0930289515
  • DC Universe by Alan Moore includes DC Comics Presents #85, 464 pages, March 2012, 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!. Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing (#66): 53–64.
  2. McAvennie, Michael; Dolan, Hannah, ed. (2010). "1970s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. London, United Kingdom: 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.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  3. DC Comics Presents #11 at the Grand Comics Database
  4. Wells, John (May 2013). "Flashback: Whatever Happened to...?". Back Issue!. Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing (#64): 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. 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 #27 (November 1980)
  8. Wein, Len (w), Starlin, Jim (p), Tanghal, Romeo (i). "Warworld!" DC Comics Presents #28 (December 1980)
  9. Wein, Len (w), Starlin, Jim (p), Tanghal, Romeo (i). "Where No Superman Has Gone Before" DC Comics Presents #29 (January 1981)
  10. Sanderson, Peter (September–October 1981). "Thomas/Colan Premiere Wonder Woman's New Look". Comics Feature. New Media Publishing (12/13): 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 #47 (July 1982)
  12. 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 #59 (July 1983)
  14. Giffen, Keith; Fleming, Robert Loren (w), Giffen, Keith (p), Oksner, Bob (i). "All This and Kobra Too!" DC Comics Presents #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 #84 (August 1985)
  16. 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 #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". DC Comics.com. Archived from the original on November 29, 2011. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
  20. "DC Comics Solitications for November 2010". Comic Book Resources. August 16, 2010. Archived from the original on June 17, 2011. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
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