DC Comics insert previews
Encyclopedia
DC Comics
insert previews were 16-page comic book
stories inserted into issues of existing DC Comics series to promote new series usually debuting the next month. Running from 1980 to 1985, they consisted of a front cover, 14 pages of story, and a back cover that depicted the cover of the actual first issue. The addition of the insert did not entail an increase in the price of the comic book, and cover copy called the insert "a special free 16-page comic!"
#26 (Oct. 1980). This reboot of an existing property by writer Marv Wolfman
and artist George Pérez
introduced several new characters and would become a sales success for DC. Wolfman would additionally write previews for a reboot of the "Dial 'H' for Hero
" feature and for Night Force
a supernatural series drawn by Gene Colan
, his former collaborator on The Tomb of Dracula. DC highlighted the work of Roy Thomas
, newly arrived at the company from Marvel Comics
, by featuring several of his series in the format. These included All-Star Squadron
, a revival of the Justice Society of America
; Arak, Son of Thunder
, a new Native American
character; a revitalization of Wonder Woman
including an update of the character's costume; and Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew! a combination of the funny animal
and superhero
genres. When the long running The Brave and the Bold
series came to its conclusion, the final issue featured a preview of a new Batman series, Batman and the Outsiders
by writer Mike W. Barr
and artist Jim Aparo
, which would be described by DC Comics writer and executive Paul Levitz
as being "a team series more fashionable to 1980s audiences." New talent such as the writing team of Dan Mishkin
and Gary Cohn was represented in the previews with Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld and Blue Devil
. Licensed properties
were featured as well. A Masters of the Universe
preview featured in several comic books cover dated November 1982 led to a miniseries the following month. The Atari Force
preview in January 1983 served as a prequel to the ongoing series launched a year later.
Mask
was a cartoon series
and a Kenner
toyline adapted into comic books in a September 1985 preview which led to a miniseries the following December.
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
insert previews were 16-page comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
stories inserted into issues of existing DC Comics series to promote new series usually debuting the next month. Running from 1980 to 1985, they consisted of a front cover, 14 pages of story, and a back cover that depicted the cover of the actual first issue. The addition of the insert did not entail an increase in the price of the comic book, and cover copy called the insert "a special free 16-page comic!"
Publication history
The insert previews began with The New Teen Titans in DC Comics PresentsDC Comics Presents
DC Comics Presents was a comic book published by DC Comics from 1978 to 1986 featuring team-ups between Superman and a wide variety of other characters of the DC Universe...
#26 (Oct. 1980). This reboot of an existing property by writer Marv Wolfman
Marv Wolfman
Marvin A. "Marv" Wolfman is an award-winning American comic book writer. He is best known for lengthy runs on The Tomb of Dracula, creating Blade for Marvel Comics, and The New Teen Titans for DC Comics.-1960s:...
and artist George Pérez
George Pérez
George Pérez is a Puerto Rican-American writer and illustrator of comic books, known for his work on various titles, including Avengers, Teen Titans and Wonder Woman.-Biography:...
introduced several new characters and would become a sales success for DC. Wolfman would additionally write previews for a reboot of the "Dial 'H' for Hero
Dial H for Hero
Dial H for Hero is a comic book feature published by DC Comics about a mysterious dial that enables an ordinary person to become a superhero for a short time, by selecting the letters H-E-R-O in order. Each time it is used, the dial causes its possessor to become a superhero with a different name,...
" feature and for Night Force
Night Force
Night Force is the name of two comic book series published by DC Comics. The first series, written by Marv Wolfman, and illustrated by Gene Colan debuted in a special insert in The New Teen Titans #21...
a supernatural series drawn by Gene Colan
Gene Colan
Eugene Jules "Gene" Colan was an American comic book artist best known for his work for Marvel Comics, where his signature titles include the superhero series, Daredevil, the cult-hit satiric series Howard the Duck, and The Tomb of Dracula, considered one of comics' classic horror series...
, his former collaborator on The Tomb of Dracula. DC highlighted the work of Roy Thomas
Roy Thomas
Roy William Thomas, Jr. is an American comic book writer and editor, and Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics. He is possibly best known for introducing the pulp magazine hero Conan the Barbarian to American comics, with a series that added to the storyline of Robert E...
, newly arrived at the company from Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
, by featuring several of his series in the format. These included All-Star Squadron
All-Star Squadron
The All-Star Squadron is a DC Comics superhero team that debuted in a special insert in Justice League of America #193 . Created by Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler and Jerry Ordway.-The concept:...
, a revival of the Justice Society of America
Justice Society of America
The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. Conceived by editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox, the JSA first appeared in All Star Comics #3 ....
; Arak, Son of Thunder
Arak (comics)
Arak is a fictional comic book character published by DC Comics. He first appeared in a special insert in Warlord #48 and was created by Roy Thomas and Ernie Colón.-Publication history:...
, a new Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
character; a revitalization of Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
including an update of the character's costume; and Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew! a combination of the funny animal
Funny animal
Funny animal is a cartooning term for the genre of comics and animated cartoons in which the main characters are humanoid or talking animals, with anthropomorphic personality traits. The characters themselves may also be called funny animals...
and superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
genres. When the long running The Brave and the Bold
The Brave and the Bold
The Brave and the Bold is the title shared by many comic book series published by DC Comics. The first of these was published as an ongoing series from 1955 to 1983...
series came to its conclusion, the final issue featured a preview of a new Batman series, Batman and the Outsiders
Outsiders (comics)
The Outsiders are a fictional DC Comics superhero team. As its name suggests, the team consists of superheroes who allegedly do not fit the norms of the mainstream superhero community, namely the Justice League....
by writer Mike W. Barr
Mike W. Barr
Mike W. Barr is an American writer of comic books, and mystery, and science fiction novels.-Biography:Barr's debut as a comics professional came in DC Comics' Detective Comics #444 , for which he wrote an 8-page back-up mystery feature starring the Elongated Man...
and artist Jim Aparo
Jim Aparo
James N. "Jim" Aparo was an American comic book artist best known for his 1960s and 1970s DC Comics work, including on the characters Batman, Aquaman and the Spectre....
, which would be described by DC Comics writer and executive Paul Levitz
Paul Levitz
Paul Levitz is an American comic book writer, editor and executive. The president of DC Comics from 2002–2009, he has worked for the company for over 35 years in a wide variety of roles...
as being "a team series more fashionable to 1980s audiences." New talent such as the writing team of Dan Mishkin
Dan Mishkin
Dan Mishkin is a comic book writer, and co-creator of the DC Comics characters Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld and Blue Devil. Both series used fantasy elements in ironic and often thought-provoking ways. DC gave these series a promotional push by featuring them in free, 16-page insert previews...
and Gary Cohn was represented in the previews with Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld and Blue Devil
Blue Devil
Blue Devil is a superhero featured in material published by DC Comics. He first appeared in a special insert published in Fury of Firestorm #24 . That story led directly into Blue Devil #1, also cover dated June 1984...
. Licensed properties
Brand licensing
Licensing means renting or leasing of an intangible asset. Examples of intangible assets include a song , a character , a name or a brand . An arrangement to license a brand requires a licensing agreement...
were featured as well. A Masters of the Universe
Masters of the Universe (comics)
The Masters of the Universe media franchise has been featured in several comic book series. Most were small publications known as "minicomics" that were included as bonuses in action figure packages...
preview featured in several comic books cover dated November 1982 led to a miniseries the following month. The Atari Force
Atari Force
Atari Force was the name of two comic book series published by DC Comics from 1982 to 1986. Both were loosely based on trademarks of Atari, Inc.- Publication history :...
preview in January 1983 served as a prequel to the ongoing series launched a year later.
Mask
M.A.S.K.
M.A.S.K. is an animated television series directed by several uncredited Japanese studios, KK C&D Asia, Studio Juno, Studio World, Ashi Production , and produced by the French-American DIC Enterprises, Inc and also the toyline of the same name sold by Kenner.-History:A total of 75...
was a cartoon series
Cartoon series
A cartoon series is a set of regularly presented animated television programs with a common series title, usually related to one another. These episodes typically share the same characters and a basic theme...
and a Kenner
Kenner
Kenner Products was a toy company founded in 1947 by three brothers, Albert, Phillip, and Joseph L. Steiner, in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, and was named after the street where the original corporate offices were located, which is just north of Cincinnati's Union Terminal.Kenner introduced its...
toyline adapted into comic books in a September 1985 preview which led to a miniseries the following December.
The issues
| Issue (cover date) | Insert preview | Writer(s) | Artist(s) | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC Comics Presents DC Comics Presents DC Comics Presents was a comic book published by DC Comics from 1978 to 1986 featuring team-ups between Superman and a wide variety of other characters of the DC Universe... #26 (October 1980 1980 in comics -Year overall:* Big Rapids Distribution, a major Midwestern comics distributor, goes under, and two former employees , form Capital City Distribution, headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin.... ) |
The New Teen Titans | Marv Wolfman Marv Wolfman Marvin A. "Marv" Wolfman is an award-winning American comic book writer. He is best known for lengthy runs on The Tomb of Dracula, creating Blade for Marvel Comics, and The New Teen Titans for DC Comics.-1960s:... |
George Pérez George Pérez George Pérez is a Puerto Rican-American writer and illustrator of comic books, known for his work on various titles, including Avengers, Teen Titans and Wonder Woman.-Biography:... and Dick Giordano Dick Giordano Richard Joseph "Dick" Giordano was an American comic book artist and editor best known for introducing Charlton Comics' "Action Heroes" stable of superheroes, and serving as executive editor of then–industry leader DC Comics... |
|
| The Legion of Super-Heroes Legion of Super-Heroes (1958 team) The 1958 version of the Legion of Super-Heroes is a fictional superhero team in the 31st century of the . The team is the first incarnation of the Legion of Super-Heroes, followed by the 1994 and 2004 rebooted versions... vol. 2 #272 (February 1981 1981 in comics -January:* Capital Comics makes its entree into publishing with the release of Nexus #1.*Frank Miller takes over full writing duties on Daredevil with issue #168, and creates Elektra.... ) |
"Dial 'H' for Hero" | Marv Wolfman | Carmine Infantino Carmine Infantino Carmine Infantino Carmine Infantino Carmine Infantino (born May 24, 1925, in Brooklyn, New York is an American comic book artist and editor who was a major force in the Silver Age of Comic Books... , Frank Chiaramonte Frank Chiaramonte Francisco "Frank" Chiaramonte was a Cuban-American comic book artist best known as an inker for DC Comics and Marvel Comics from 1972 to 1982.-Biography:... , and Dennis Jensen |
|
| Justice League of America Justice League The Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics.... #193 (August 1981) |
All-Star Squadron All-Star Squadron The All-Star Squadron is a DC Comics superhero team that debuted in a special insert in Justice League of America #193 . Created by Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler and Jerry Ordway.-The concept:... |
Roy Thomas Roy Thomas Roy William Thomas, Jr. is an American comic book writer and editor, and Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics. He is possibly best known for introducing the pulp magazine hero Conan the Barbarian to American comics, with a series that added to the storyline of Robert E... |
Rich Buckler Rich Buckler Rich Buckler is an American comic book artist and penciller, best known for his work on Marvel Comics' The Fantastic Four in the mid-1970s and, with writer Doug Moench, co-creating the character Deathlok in Astonishing Tales #25... and Jerry Ordway Jerry Ordway Jeremiah "Jerry" Ordway is an American writer, penciller, inker and painter of comic books.He is known for his inking work on a wide variety of DC Comics titles, including the continuity-redefining classic Crisis on Infinite Earths , his long run working on the Superman titles from 1986–1993, and... |
|
| Warlord Warlord (comics) The Warlord is a sword and sorcery comic book published by DC Comics. The series and titular character debuted in 1st Issue Special #8 , and was created by Mike Grell.-Publication history:... #48 (August 1981) |
Arak, Son of Thunder Arak (comics) Arak is a fictional comic book character published by DC Comics. He first appeared in a special insert in Warlord #48 and was created by Roy Thomas and Ernie Colón.-Publication history:... |
Roy Thomas | Ernie Colón Ernie Colon Ernie Colón is an American comics artist, born on July 13, 1931,Colón was born in Puerto Rico and began his professional career at Harvey Comics as a letterer. He later worked, uncredited, as an artist on titles including Monster in My Pocket, Richie Rich and Casper the Friendly Ghost... and Tony DeZuniga Tony DeZuniga Tony DeZuniga is a Filipino comic-book artist best known for his work for DC Comics, where he co-created the characters Jonah Hex and Black Orchid.-Early life and career:... |
|
| DC Comics Presents #41 (January 1982 1982 in comics -Year overall:* San Diego-based independent publisher Pacific Comics makes a strong push in the marketplace, following Jack Kirby's Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers with four new ongoing titles, Starslayer, Ms... ) |
Wonder Woman Wonder Woman Wonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986.... |
Roy Thomas | Gene Colan Gene Colan Eugene Jules "Gene" Colan was an American comic book artist best known for his work for Marvel Comics, where his signature titles include the superhero series, Daredevil, the cult-hit satiric series Howard the Duck, and The Tomb of Dracula, considered one of comics' classic horror series... and Romeo Tanghal Romeo Tanghal Romeo Tanghal is a Filipino comic book artist who has worked primarily as an inker. He became well known in the industry in the 1980s for his work on DC Comics' The New Teen Titans.-Career:... |
|
| The New Teen Titans #16 (February 1982) | Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew! | Roy Thomas | Scott Shaw Scott Shaw (artist) Scott Shaw is a United States cartoonist and animator, and is also an esteemed conductor of the concert band at Mary Institute and Country Day School... , Ross Andru Ross Andru Ross Andru was an American comic book artist and editor. He is best known for his work on Amazing Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Flash and Metal Men.... , and Bob Smith Bob Smith (comics) Robert Allen Smith , better known as Bob Smith, is an American comic book artist, notable as an inker with DC Comics and Archie Comics.Born in Aberdeen, Washington, Smith grew up in Grayland, Washington... |
|
| The New Teen Titans #21 (July 1982) | Night Force Night Force Night Force is the name of two comic book series published by DC Comics. The first series, written by Marv Wolfman, and illustrated by Gene Colan debuted in a special insert in The New Teen Titans #21... |
Marv Wolfman | Gene Colan and Bob Smith | |
| Action Comics Action Comics Action Comics is an American comic book series that introduced Superman, the first major superhero character as the term is popularly defined... #537 All-Star Squadron #15 Arak, Son of Thunder #15 Batman Batman (comic book) Batman is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics hero of the same name. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27, published in May 1939. Batman proved to be so popular that a self-titled ongoing comic book series began publication in the spring of 1940... #353 Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew #9 The Daring New Adventures of Supergirl Supergirl (comic book) Supergirl is the name of six comic book series published by DC Comics, featuring various characters of the same name. The majority of the titles feature Superman's cousin Kara Zor-El.-Volume 1 :... #1 DC Comics Presents #51 The Fury of Firestorm Firestorm (comics) Firestorm is the name of several comic book superheroes published by DC Comics. Ronnie Raymond and Martin Stein, the first Firestorm, debuted in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #1 , and was created by Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom. Martin Stein, by himself as Firestorm, debuted in Firestorm the Nuclear... #6 Justice League of America #208 The Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 2 #293 The New Teen Titans #25 Superman Superman (comic book) Superman is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics hero of the same name. The character Superman began as one of several anthology features in the National Periodical Publications comic book Action Comics #1 in June 1938... #377 Warlord #63 Wonder Woman #297 (all November 1982) |
Masters of the Universe Masters of the Universe (comics) The Masters of the Universe media franchise has been featured in several comic book series. Most were small publications known as "minicomics" that were included as bonuses in action figure packages... |
Paul Kupperberg Paul Kupperberg Paul Kupperberg is a former editor for DC Comics, and a prolific writer of comic books and newspaper strips.-Biography:Kupperberg entered the comics field from comics fandom, as had his brother, writer/artist Alan Kupperberg... |
Curt Swan Curt Swan Douglas Curtis Swan was an American comic book artist. The artist most associated with Superman during the period fans and historians call the Silver Age of comic books, Swan produced hundreds of covers and stories from the 1950s through the 1980s.-Early life and career:Curt Swan, whose Swedish... and Dave Hunt |
|
| DC Comics Presents #53 The New Teen Titans #27 (both January 1983 1983 in comics -Events and publications:* Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird found Northampton, Massachusetts-based Mirage Studios.* Chicago-based First Comics makes a strong entree into the publishing field, putting out four ongoing titles, American Flagg!, E-Man, Jon Sable Freelance, and Warp!; featuring the talents... ) |
Atari Force Atari Force Atari Force was the name of two comic book series published by DC Comics from 1982 to 1986. Both were loosely based on trademarks of Atari, Inc.- Publication history :... |
Gerry Conway Gerry Conway Gerard F. "Gerry" Conway is an American writer of comic books and television shows. He is known for co-creating the Marvel Comics vigilante The Punisher and scripting the death of the character Gwen Stacy during his long run on The Amazing Spider-Man... |
Ross Andru and Dick Giordano | |
| The Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 2 #298 (April 1983) | Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld | Dan Mishkin Dan Mishkin Dan Mishkin is a comic book writer, and co-creator of the DC Comics characters Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld and Blue Devil. Both series used fantasy elements in ironic and often thought-provoking ways. DC gave these series a promotional push by featuring them in free, 16-page insert previews... and Gary Cohn |
Ernie Colón | |
| The Brave and the Bold The Brave and the Bold The Brave and the Bold is the title shared by many comic book series published by DC Comics. The first of these was published as an ongoing series from 1955 to 1983... #200 (July 1983) |
Batman and the Outsiders Outsiders (comics) The Outsiders are a fictional DC Comics superhero team. As its name suggests, the team consists of superheroes who allegedly do not fit the norms of the mainstream superhero community, namely the Justice League.... |
Mike W. Barr Mike W. Barr Mike W. Barr is an American writer of comic books, and mystery, and science fiction novels.-Biography:Barr's debut as a comics professional came in DC Comics' Detective Comics #444 , for which he wrote an 8-page back-up mystery feature starring the Elongated Man... |
Jim Aparo Jim Aparo James N. "Jim" Aparo was an American comic book artist best known for his 1960s and 1970s DC Comics work, including on the characters Batman, Aquaman and the Spectre.... |
|
| The Fury of Firestorm #24 (June 1984 1984 in comics -Year overall:* The independent publishing boom continues, as Antarctic Press, Continuity Comics, Deluxe Comics, Matrix Graphic Series, and Renegade Press all enter the arena... ) |
Blue Devil Blue Devil Blue Devil is a superhero featured in material published by DC Comics. He first appeared in a special insert published in Fury of Firestorm #24 . That story led directly into Blue Devil #1, also cover dated June 1984... |
Dan Mishkin and Gary Cohn | Paris Cullins Paris Cullins Paris Cullins is an African-American comic-book artist best known for his work on DC Comics' Blue Devil and Blue Beetle, and Marvel Comics' Hyperkind.-Early career:... and Pablo Marcos Pablo Marcos Pablo Marcos Ortega, known professionally as Pablo Marcos is a comic book artist and commercial illustrator best known as one of his home country's leading cartoonists and for his work on such popular American comics characters as Batman and Conan the Barbarian, particularly during the 1970s... |
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| Batman and the Outsiders #15 Blue Devil #6 Superman #401 Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes #317 Tales of the Teen Titans #48 World's Finest Comics World's Finest Comics World's Finest Comics was an American comic book series published by DC Comics from 1941 to 1986. The series was initially titled World's Best Comics for its first issue; issue #2 switched to the more familiar name... #309 (all November 1984) |
Flash Force 2000 | Robert Loren Fleming Robert Loren Fleming Robert Loren Fleming is an American comic book writer.-Biography:Fleming worked for DC Comics initially as a proofreader and later writer, creating Thriller, and was writing an Aquaman limited series and one-shot special in 1989 with plotter/breakdown artist Keith Giffen and artist Curt Swan.He is... |
Denys Cowan Denys Cowan Denys B. Cowan is an American comic book artist and television producer. He gained prominence as the primary artist on The Question, an acclaimed comic book series published by DC Comics for 36 issues from 1987 on, written by Dennis O'Neil.-Career:Denys Cowan is a 1979 graduate of the High School... and Sal Trapani |
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| Batman #387 Batman and the Outsiders #27 Blue Devil #16 Green Lantern Green Lantern (comic book) Green Lantern is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics heroes of the same name. The character's first incarnation, Alan Scott, appeared in All-American Comics #16, and was later spun off into the first volume of Green Lantern in 1941. That series was canceled in 1949 after 39 issues... #192 Justice League of America #242 Superman #411 Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes #327 World's Finest Comics #319 (all September 1985 1985 in comics -Year overall:* More independent publishers enter the marketplace: Aircel Comics, Arrow Comics, Blackthorne Publishing, Dragon Lady Press, NOW Comics, Sirius Comics, Strawberry Jam Comics, and Wonder Comics all publish their first titles... ) |
Mask M.A.S.K. M.A.S.K. is an animated television series directed by several uncredited Japanese studios, KK C&D Asia, Studio Juno, Studio World, Ashi Production , and produced by the French-American DIC Enterprises, Inc and also the toyline of the same name sold by Kenner.-History:A total of 75... |
Michael Fleisher Michael Fleisher Michael L. "Mike" Fleisher is an American writer known for his DC Comics of the 1970s and 1980s, particularly for the characters the Spectre and Jonah Hex.-Early life and career:... |
Mike Chen and Joe Delbeato | |
External links
- "Insert Preview Here: DC Showcase, 80s Style" Blinded Me With Comics; May 1, 2009 WebCitation archive