By 1935 reprints of newspaper strips and books with original stories. Popular superheroes include batman, superman and wonder woman. Oct 18, 2012 last weeks release of sean howes marvel comics. New and expanded this onevolume encyclopedia of more than 1,200 of the classic characters created by comics giant dc is essential for any fan. It is the publishing unit of dc entertainment, a subsidiary of walt disney studios, which itself is owned by the walt disney company.
In 1933, funnies on parade became the first color comic book printed in the now standard size of 6 58 x 10 14 inches. Each spread was dedicated to a different significant event in dcs history. Its broken down yearbyyear, covering the major themes, characters, artists, writers, and crossover events in full color and detailed text. It is noted as one of the largest as well as most popular comic book publishers.
Dc has published comic books under a number of different imprints and corporate names. Dc comics is one of the largest comic book publishers in north america. The art of modern mythmaking, quite literally, crushes them all. Over the past several decades, my bookshelf has filled up with publications that cover the long history of the comic book and the big two publishers. Finally, when jenette kahn took over as publisher in late 1976, she reorganized the company as dc comics, inc. Superman, batman, wonder woman, the flash, green lantern, martian manhunter, nightwing, green. It is the publishing unit of dc entertainment, a subsidiary of warner bros.
The dc chronicle year by year traces dcs fascinating story. So theres a case to be made that dc comics is redundant. The company is known by its characters so what better way to tell its history than to. Relive some of the most significant moments in dc comics history many of which changed the characters forever, including the comic book introduction of kryptonite in 1949, years after it had featured in the hugely successful superman radio series. May 11, 2016 as one of the big two comic book publishers, dc comics has around 80 years of history behind it. Marvel comics, american media and entertainment company that was widely regarded as one of the big two publishers in the comic industry. As one of the big two comic book publishers, dc comics has around 80 years of history behind it. Dc comics simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Its parent company, dc entertainment, is a wholly owned subsidiary of time warner inc. It is notable as one of the largest as well as most popular comic book publishers today.
Dc comics is one of the largest american companies in comic book and. A visual history by daniel wallace, alan cowsill, alex. Apr 17, 2018 the 7 most racist moments in comic book history. The initials for the dc comic books were from taken from the detective comic series. What is known today as dc comics was founded in 1934 by publishing entrepreneur malcolm wheelernicholson under the name of national allied publications. Batman is one of the stories featured in detective comics. Geoff johns and gary frank bring the dc and watchmen universes together. A history of sex in dc comics comic books are well known as a medium that has evolved from childish to adult. Big book of fun comics 1st annual48pgs reprints from new fun 14.
That changed at the end of 1946, when donenfeld consolidated a bunch of different companies into national comics publications including national allied, detective comics and allamerican publications, plus the companys distribution wing, as well. The first monthly comic book, aptly titled comics monthly, began publication in 1922, though it also featured reprints of daily newspaper comic strips. In 1985, dc comics reached its fiftieth anniversary of publishing comic books. Today, instead of taking a look at the origins and history of the superheroes theyve created like. Periodical publications soon to become dc comics, who owned superman, batman, and wonder woman. The book details all the major dc publishing landmarks and more, displayed clearly, month by month. The majority of its publications take place within the fictional dc universe and feature numerous culturally. Dc entertainment is a subsidiary of warner brothers and its parent company time warner. 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.
Comic book, bound collection of comic strips, usually in chronological sequence, typically telling a single story or a series of different stories. The history of dc is in many ways the history of american comic book publishing. In 2019, dc universe announced their plans to adapt the dc comics series, stargirl into a. Age of mysteries feb, 2020 the series of five oneshot comics spotlight dcs super hero heritage, while revealing secrets that will shape its future.
Join us each week as we explore fascinating topics that range from science, history, philosophy, culture, and art, making complex ideas a little more accessible through the heroes and villains. This book was a super resource when it came to the history of dc, as well as the history of super heroes and comics in general. Dc comics is one of the largest and oldest american comic book companies, and produces material featuring numerous culturally iconic heroic characters including. Apr 12, 2020 dc comics universe and justice society of america jsa rebirth spoilers follows. Wonder woman 1984 director doesnt want dc movies to copy the marvel cinematic universe wonder woman 1984 cameron bonomolo 05022020 06. Oct 04, 2004 this is the 2008 edition of the dc comics encyclopedia, and it looks very comprehensive. The history of dc comics has gone on to be a huge part of american culture. It has been the leader in the industry since its start many years ago. This is a chart to show the publishing history of editions of works about this subject. Even though the psychadelic 1960s werent exactly a squeaky clean time in history, comics were, because they were made for children. Rather, the history of dc comics is the history of the comic book industry as a whole, layered with intrigue, greed, great stories, politics, financial hell holes, but ultimately an innate desire in all of us for a great story.
The company publishes monthly comics and licenses the rights to its characters for use in movies, television shows, books and other media. 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 initials come from dcs first regular publication, detective comics, which eventually became home to batman. The definitive guide to the characters of the dc universe by matthew k. Four new series set in the world of the vertigo classic.
The first true comic books were marketed in 1933 as giveaway advertising premiums. Looking over the bleak comic book landscape of the day, schwartz decided that the time was right to bring back the superheroes of yesteryear. Dc means simply dc, as the first d in dday is just d. The history behind dc s comic book distribution changes. Sep 17, 2018 marvel has refined the comic book genre and has gone on to create some of the greatest stories in the business. The comic book genre as a whole owes a lot to the work that has been done by dc comics.
Dc comics encyclopedia allnew edition by matthew k. These comics, at least until the 70s, can be tough to read as the plots rely on staggering amounts of. 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. Therefore it is difficult for a newcomer to understand the influences of the past. During that time its company was known as national allied publications.
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. Dc comics company profile and news bloomberg markets. For comicbook fans everywhere ae an updated edition of the az reference of the dc universe. Sixty years of the worlds favorite comic book heroes. The characters are arranged alphabetically so they are pretty easy to find, and all are illustrated with beautiful images from original comic books. Dc comics owns the rights to green arrow, flash, etc. The history of this company is laid out from the beginnings of the comic book, to the debut of the longrunning action comics superman and detective comics.
Dc is home to the worlds greatest super heroes, including superman, batman, wonder woman, green lantern, the flash, aquaman and more. 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. Dc comics is one of the largest and oldest american comic book companies, which is best well known for making superhero comic books. Manning has contributed to over 40 books and comic books, including dks batman. This post will be a consolidated history of the comic book juggernaut that is dc comics. Dc comics history and dc comics background world collectors net. Bibliography all characters and artwork by dc comics inc. The history of the contemporary dc comics universe goes far back in the past, or rather, into the 1930s, and has undergone a number of development stages in the meantime. 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 company s name. Gary frank dc the publisher is creating a new distribution network for print comic books. Apr 02, 2020 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. In february 1935, dc comics precursor, national allied publications. In the autumn of 1934, malcolm wheelernicholson established national allied publications. Whether it was comics, merchandise, films or television, page are splashed with excellent photos and chock full of.
Its parent company, marvel entertainment, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the disney company. This is a list of all series, miniseries, limited series, oneshots and graphic novels published under the imprints dc or aa, and published by national periodical publications, national comics publications, allamerican comics, inc. Along with fawcett comics superhero captain marvel, dc comics flash and green lantern debuted in 1940. United features enters the comic book market with tiptop comics, edited by lev gleason. The series of detective comics would make successful history as first. The majority of its publications take place within the fictional dc universe and feature numerous culturally iconic heroic characters, most notably superman. Over characters are packed into this 400page hardcover. Aug 16, 2017 join us each week as we explore fascinating topics that range from science, history, philosophy, culture, and art, making complex ideas a little more accessible through the heroes and villains. Dc comics is one of the largest and oldest american comic book companies. Dc is home to the worlds greatest super heroes, including superman, batman, wonder woman. This newest tribute to the history of dc comics, 75 years of dc comics. It is the comics publishing branch of dc entertainment, inc.
Dc comics publishes comics and comicsrelated products. Dc comics produces material featuring a large number of wellknown characters, including stargirl, superman, batman, wonder woman, the flash, green arrow, and others. For decades, dc comics has been one of the two largest american comic book companies, along with marvel comics. In 1935, dc comics founder major malcolm wheelernicholson published new fun no. The period from 1938 through the mid1940s represents the peak of comic book popularity. An excellent book covering the history of dc comics from their beginnings in the 1930s up until 2015. Marvels captain america and dcs wonder woman were first published the following year. In 1993, only used on january 1993 comics and some early 1993 graphic novels. A business entrepreneur by the name of malcolm wheelernicholson opened national allied publications in 1934. Find nearly any book by dc comics inc get the best deal by comparing prices from over 100,000 booksellers. You have to understand, then, that the company had been having dc as its logo for decades now, so even though dc stood for detective comics, people still obviously referred to the company as dc comics. The animated series come allnew stories set in the seminal animated world.
This is a reading order for all dc comics that are deemed important or are just enjoyable comics to read. Dc comics produces material featuring a large number of wellknown characters, including superman, batman, wonder woman, the flash, green arrow, and others. The history behind dcs comic book distribution changes. The book details all the major dc publishing landmarks and more. Learn about marvel comicss characters and prominent writers and artists. The dc comics made a name for themselves in 1939 as they were then founded by malcolm wheelernicholson. The untold story was a reminder of the many wonderful prose books dedicated to the history of the comic book industry out there, telling the. He lives with his family in asheville, north carolina. Not just bring them back as they were, however, but bring them back updated for a modern age. Dc, along with rival marvel comics, is one of the big two american comic book publishers. Jun, 2019 that didnt change the companys name, though, as it remained detective comics, inc. Alex irvine is a former english professor and author of over 30 books and comic books. Tonight, the cw closes out the first season of their latest superhero series.
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