Paul Levitz

Super heroes from the Atom to Zatara: 75 years of DC Comics

In 1935, DC Comics founder Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson published New Fun No. 1, the first comic book with all-new, original material—at a time when comic books were mere repositories for the castoffs of the newspaper strips. What was initially considered to be disposable media for children was well on its way to becoming the mythology of our time. More than 40,000 comic books later, in honor of the publisher’s 75th anniversary, TASCHEN has produced the single most comprehensive book on DC Comics, in an XL edition even Superman might have trouble lifting. More than 2,000 images—covers and interiors, original illustrations, photographs, film stills, and collectibles—are reproduced using the latest technology to bring the story lines, the characters, and their creators to vibrant life as they’ve never been seen before. Telling the tales behind the tomes is 38-year DC veteran Paul Levitz, whose in-depth essays trace the company’s history, from its pulp origins through to the future of digital publishing.

 Year-by-year timelines that fold out to nearly four feet and biographies of the legends who built DC make this an invaluable reference for any comic book fan.

NOTE: the second printing of this book has a blue cloth cover under the jacket instead of red. 

AWARDS

Eisner Award (2011, Best Comics-Related Book) The Diamond Award (2010, Comic Related Book) Eagle Award (2011, Favourite Comics-Related Book) Peng Preis/Pow Award, Munich Comics Festival (2011, secondary literature)

and nominated for the Harvey Award (2011, Best Biographical, Historical or Journalistic Presentation).

Don’t miss the first exciting collection of The Legion of Super-Heroes’ series that launched in 1984!

In this fast-paced, futuristic title, collecting the first six issues of the series, The Legion learns of a conspiracy by a consortium of evil calling itself The Legion of Super-Villains to destroy the team — and it’s Karate Kid who pays the ultimate price!

During World War II, a group of costumed mystery men formed the first super-team. Today, the Justice Society of America lives again, as the surviving original members fight alongside a new generation of heroes.

Near the end of INFINITE CRISIS, Power Girl learns of a Golden Age adventure in which Batman and Superman battled the Gentleman Ghost. One year later, the members of the JSA are haunted by ghosts of their departed loved ones. As it becomes clear the two incidents are connected, the JSA becomes the target of the Gentleman Ghost and his undead army. How will the JSA end this supernatural slaughter, when the only being who knows how to stop it is the ghost of Batman?

[Collecting JSA #12; issues 82-87]

The Huntress is on the Prowl…

She is unique in comics…the daughter of a hero and a villain: The Earth-Two Batman and Catwoman. Helena Wayne was trained by her parents to become a superb athlete, and studied law with the hope of bringing criminals to justice. But after Catwoman is blackmailed to resume her life of crime, leading to her death, Helena dons a costume and crossbow to become the Huntress to avenge her mother!

Originally published in DC Super Stars #17, Batman Family #18-20, Wonder Woman #271-287, Wonder Woman #289-290, and Wonder Woman #294-295, between 1977 and 1982.

This is Earth in the 30th Century.

A world of science and technology. A world of peace and light.

Preserving the pease is the Legion of Super-Heroes, a group of young adventurer who are the best and brightest of their kind.

But a darkness is approaching their world. A centuries-old evil that threatens to destroy their entire universe.

Herein lies the story of the Legion’s greatest challenge, complete in one volume.