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Showcase (comics)
Encyclopedia
Showcase has been the title of several comic anthology series published by DC Comics
. The general theme of these series has been to feature new and minor characters as a way to gauge reader interest in them, without the difficulty and risk of featuring "untested" characters in their own ongoing titles. The original series ran from March 1956 to September 1970 (suspending publication with issue #93), and then was revived for eleven issues from August 1977 to September 1978.
. This is generally cited as the beginning of the Silver Age
of comics, as it was followed by the successful updating of several other Golden Age
superheroes, and an upswing in the popularity of comics (superheroes especially).
Other successful characters to debut in Showcase were the Challengers of the Unknown
; Space Ranger
; Adam Strange
; Rip Hunter
, Time Master; the Silver Age Green Lantern
; the Sea Devils
; the Silver Age Atom
; the Metal Men
; the Inferior Five
; B'wana Beast
; the Creeper
; Anthro
; Hawk and Dove
; Bat Lash
; and Angel and the Ape
.
Lois Lane
and the Spectre
also had their own series debut in Showcase. In 1962, DC purchased an adaptation of the James Bond
novel and film Dr. No
, which had been published in British Classics Illustrated
, and published it as an issue of Showcase. It was the first American comic book appearance of the character. The Showcase series was canceled in 1970 with issue #93, featuring Manhunter 2070.
reprint collection called The Essential Showcase: 1956–1959 (ISBN 978-1563890796). This collection reprints selected stories/characters from issues #1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, and 17 of the original Showcase series. Several other issues were included in other reprint collections.
and the solo adventures of Power Girl
. Issue #100 had a cameo by every character that had premiered in the original run of Showcase. The series was cancelled again after issue #104 (September 1978), as part of what is commonly called the "DC Implosion
". Issues #105 and #106 saw print in Cancelled Comic Cavalcade and #105 was later published in Adventure Comics
. Two other series were announced before the series cancellation: The Huntress
, which would have spun out of her feature in Batman Family
; and World of Krypton, which was published as DC's first mini-series in 1979.
(and for a short time by Sal Amendola
), the series gave new writers and artists the chance to get their "feet wet" in the comics industry. Notable creators who made their DC debuts with New Talent Showcase include Mark Beachum, Norm Breyfogle
, Tom Grindberg
, Steve Lightle
, Mindy Newell
, and Stan Woch
.
, replaced the following year by Showcase '94, etc. However, because unsold comics were no longer returnable, retailers had become reluctant to stock series that did not feature consistent characters and creators from month to month, and despite attempts to link the series each year to various popular characters such as Batman
or Superman
, reader demand was lukewarm. Showcase '96 #12 was the last regular issue.
reprints of older material under the umbrella title Showcase Presents. The volumes have received acclaim, including the 1965 Alley Award for Best Novel (an untitled story by Gardner Fox
and Murphy Anderson
in issue #55).
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...
. The general theme of these series has been to feature new and minor characters as a way to gauge reader interest in them, without the difficulty and risk of featuring "untested" characters in their own ongoing titles. The original series ran from March 1956 to September 1970 (suspending publication with issue #93), and then was revived for eleven issues from August 1977 to September 1978.
Publication history
The best-known issue of Showcase is #4, which introduced an updated version of the FlashFlash (comics)
The Flash is a name shared by several fictional comic book superheroes from the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert, the original Flash first appeared in Flash Comics #1 ....
. This is generally cited as the beginning of the Silver Age
Silver Age of Comic Books
The Silver Age of Comic Books was a period of artistic advancement and commercial success in mainstream American comic books, predominantly those in the superhero genre. Following the Golden Age of Comic Books and an interregnum in the early to mid-1950s, the Silver Age is considered to cover the...
of comics, as it was followed by the successful updating of several other Golden Age
Golden Age of Comic Books
The Golden Age of Comic Books was a period in the history of American comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s or early 1950s...
superheroes, and an upswing in the popularity of comics (superheroes especially).
Other successful characters to debut in Showcase were the Challengers of the Unknown
Challengers of the Unknown
The Challengers of the Unknown is a group of fictional characters in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Jack Kirby, or co-created with Dave Wood , this quartet of adventurers explored science fictional and apparent paranormal occurrences and faced fantastic menaces.Scripts for the first...
; Space Ranger
Space Ranger
Space Ranger is a science fiction hero who was published by DC Comics in several of their 1950s and 1960s anthology titles. He first appeared in Showcase #15 , and was created by writers Edmond Hamilton and Gardner Fox, and artist Bob Brown...
; Adam Strange
Adam Strange
Adam Strange is a fictional superhero published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Mike Sekowsky, he first appeared in Showcase #17 .In May 2011, Adam Strange placed 97th on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes of All Time....
; Rip Hunter
Rip Hunter
Rip Hunter is a DC Comics character who first appeared in Showcase #20 . Following three more appearances in Showcase , Rip Hunter was given his own series, which ran for 29 issues . He later starred in the six-issue Time Masters series , written by Bob Wayne and Lewis Shiner...
, Time Master; the Silver Age Green Lantern
Green Lantern
The Green Lantern is the shared primary alias of several fictional characters, superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first Green Lantern was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell in All-American Comics #16 .Each Green Lantern possesses a power ring and...
; the Sea Devils
Sea Devils (comics)
The Sea Devils are a team of characters in comics published by DC Comics. They are a team of conventional adventurers, in undersea adventures. They were created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Russ Heath ....
; the Silver Age Atom
Atom (comics)
The Atom is a name shared by several fictional comic book superheroes from the DC Comics universe.There have been five characters who have shared the Atom codename. The original Golden Age Atom, Al Pratt, was created by Ben Flinton and Bill O'Connor and first appeared in All-American Publications'...
; the Metal Men
Metal Men
The Metal Men are fictional characters that appear in comic books published by DC Comics. The characters first appeared in Showcase #37 and were created by writer Robert Kanigher and penciller Ross Andru...
; the Inferior Five
Inferior Five
The Inferior Five are a parody superhero team that premiered in the DC Comics title Showcase #62 . Created by E. Nelson Bridwell and Joe Orlando and Mike Esposito , the group was intended as a parody not only of the Fantastic Four, but of all the superhero teams whose members had such great...
; B'wana Beast
B'wana Beast
B'wana Beast is a fictional character, a superhero in the DC Universe. He first appeared in Showcase #66 , and was created by Bob Haney and Mike Sekowsky.-Publication history:...
; the Creeper
Creeper (comics)
The Creeper is a fictional comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. Created by Steve Ditko, he first appeared in Showcase #73 .-Publication history:...
; Anthro
Anthro (comics)
Anthro is a fictional character published by DC Comics. Anthro was created by cartoonist Howard Post; he first appeared in Showcase #74, .-Publication history:...
; Hawk and Dove
Hawk and Dove
Hawk and Dove is the moniker given to two superheroes when they team up to fight crime. Hawk and Dove describes each character's attitude or approach to fighting crime. The hawk represents aggression, and the dove representing pacifism.-Hank and Don Hall:...
; Bat Lash
Bat Lash
Bartholomew "Bat" Alouysius Lash is a fictional Western character in the DC Universe. A self-professed pacifist, ladies' man, and gambler, Bat Lash's adventures have been published by DC Comics since 1968.-Character origin:...
; and Angel and the Ape
Angel and the Ape
Angel and the Ape was a humor comic book created by E. Nelson Bridwell published by DC Comics. The characters first appeared in 1968 in Showcase #77 then graduated to their own title, with art by comic artist Bob Oksner, most often inked by Wally Wood...
.
Lois Lane
Lois Lane
Lois Lane is a fictional character, the primary love interest of Superman in the comic books of DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, she first appeared in Action Comics #1 ....
and the Spectre
Spectre (comics)
The Spectre is a fictional character and superhero who has appeared in numerous comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in a next issue ad in More Fun Comics #51 and received his first story the following month, #52...
also had their own series debut in Showcase. In 1962, DC purchased an adaptation of the James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
novel and film Dr. No
Dr. No
Dr. No is the sixth novel in Ian Fleming's James Bond series, first published in the UK by Jonathan Cape on 31 March 1958. The story centres on Bond's investigation into the disappearance in Jamaica of a fellow MI6 operative, Commander John Strangways and his secretary, Mary Trueblood. He...
, which had been published in British Classics Illustrated
Classics Illustrated
Classics Illustrated is a comic book series featuring adaptations of literary classics such as Moby Dick, Hamlet, and The Iliad. Created by Albert Kanter, the series began publication in 1941 and finished its first run in 1971, producing 169 issues. Following the series' demise, various companies...
, and published it as an issue of Showcase. It was the first American comic book appearance of the character. The Showcase series was canceled in 1970 with issue #93, featuring Manhunter 2070.
Full list of issues
| Issue # | Character |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Fire Fighters Fireman Farrell Fireman Farrell is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in Showcase vol. 1, #1 . Farrell was created by writer Arnold Drake and artist John Prentice.-Fictional character background:... |
| 2 | Kings of the Wild |
| 3 | The Frogmen |
| 4 | The Flash (Barry Allen) |
| 5 | Manhunters |
| 6 | Challengers of the Unknown Challengers of the Unknown The Challengers of the Unknown is a group of fictional characters in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Jack Kirby, or co-created with Dave Wood , this quartet of adventurers explored science fictional and apparent paranormal occurrences and faced fantastic menaces.Scripts for the first... |
| 7 | Challengers of the Unknown |
| 8 | The Flash (Barry Allen) |
| 9 | Lois Lane Lois Lane Lois Lane is a fictional character, the primary love interest of Superman in the comic books of DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, she first appeared in Action Comics #1 .... |
| 10 | Lois Lane |
| 11 | Challengers of the Unknown |
| 12 | Challengers of the Unknown |
| 13 | The Flash (Barry Allen) |
| 14 | The Flash (Barry Allen) |
| 15 | The Space Ranger Space Ranger Space Ranger is a science fiction hero who was published by DC Comics in several of their 1950s and 1960s anthology titles. He first appeared in Showcase #15 , and was created by writers Edmond Hamilton and Gardner Fox, and artist Bob Brown... |
| 16 | The Space Ranger |
| 17 | Adventures on Other Worlds (Adam Strange Adam Strange Adam Strange is a fictional superhero published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Mike Sekowsky, he first appeared in Showcase #17 .In May 2011, Adam Strange placed 97th on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes of All Time.... ) |
| 18 | Adam Strange |
| 19 | Adam Strange |
| 20 | Rip Hunter, Time Master Rip Hunter Rip Hunter is a DC Comics character who first appeared in Showcase #20 . Following three more appearances in Showcase , Rip Hunter was given his own series, which ran for 29 issues . He later starred in the six-issue Time Masters series , written by Bob Wayne and Lewis Shiner... |
| 21 | Rip Hunter, Time Master |
| 22 | Green Lantern Green Lantern The Green Lantern is the shared primary alias of several fictional characters, superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first Green Lantern was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell in All-American Comics #16 .Each Green Lantern possesses a power ring and... (Hal Jordan Hal Jordan Harold "Hal" Jordan is a DC Comics superhero known as Green Lantern, the first human shown to join the Green Lantern Corps and a founding member of the Justice League of America. Jordan is the second DC Comics character to adopt the Green Lantern moniker... ) |
| 23 | Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) |
| 24 | Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) |
| 25 | Rip Hunter, Time Master |
| 26 | Rip Hunter, Time Master |
| 27 | Sea Devils Sea Devils (comics) The Sea Devils are a team of characters in comics published by DC Comics. They are a team of conventional adventurers, in undersea adventures. They were created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Russ Heath .... |
| 28 | Sea Devils |
| 29 | Sea Devils |
| 30 | Aquaman Aquaman Aquaman is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, the character debuted in More Fun Comics #73 . Initially a backup feature in DC's anthology titles, Aquaman later starred in several volumes of a solo title... and Aqualad Aqualad Aqualad is the name of two fictional comic book superheroes appearing in books published by DC Comics. The first Aqualad, Garth, debuted in Adventure Comics #269 , and was created by writer Robert Bernstein and artist Ramona Fradon... |
| 31 | Aquaman and Aqualad |
| 32 | Aquaman and Aqualad |
| 33 | Aquaman and Aqualad |
| 34 | The Atom (Ray Palmer) |
| 35 | The Atom (Ray Palmer) |
| 36 | The Atom (Ray Palmer) |
| 37 | Metal Men Metal Men The Metal Men are fictional characters that appear in comic books published by DC Comics. The characters first appeared in Showcase #37 and were created by writer Robert Kanigher and penciller Ross Andru... |
| 38 | Metal Men |
| 39 | Metal Men |
| 40 | Metal Men |
| 41 | Tommy Tomorrow of the Planeteers Tommy Tomorrow Tommy Tomorrow was a long-running science fiction hero published by DC Comics in several of their titles from 1947 to 1963. He first appeared in Real Fact Comics #6... |
| 42 | Tommy Tomorrow of the Planeteers |
| 43 | James Bond James Bond James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,... (adaptation of Dr. No Dr. No (film) Dr. No is a 1962 spy film, starring Sean Connery; it is the first James Bond film. Based on the 1958 Ian Fleming novel of the same name, it was adapted by Richard Maibaum, Johanna Harwood, and Berkely Mather and was directed by Terence Young. The film was produced by Harry Saltzman and Albert R... ) |
| 44 | Tommy Tomorrow of the Planeteers |
| 45 | Sgt. Rock |
| 46 | Tommy Tomorrow of the Planeteers |
| 47 | Tommy Tomorrow of the Planeteers |
| 48 | Cave Carson Adventures Inside Earth Cave Carson Calvin "Cave" Carson is a fictional character that appeared in stories published by DC Comics. Carson, a spelunker, first appeared in Brave and the Bold #31 ; he was created by France Herron and Bruno Premiani.-Publication history:... |
| 49 | Cave Carson Adventures Inside Earth |
| 50 | I--Spy King Faraday King Faraday is a fictional secret agent featured in DC Comics. Faraday first appeared in Danger Trail #1 , and was created by Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino.-Fictional character biography:... |
| 51 | I--Spy |
| 52 | Cave Carson Adventures Inside Earth |
| 53 | G.I. Joe G.I. Joe G.I. Joe is a line of action figures produced by the toy company Hasbro. The initial product offering represented four of the branches of the U.S. armed forces with the Action Soldier , Action Sailor , Action Pilot , Action Marine and later on, the Action Nurse... |
| 54 | G.I. Joe |
| 55 | Doctor Fate Doctor Fate Doctor Fate is the name of a succession of fictional sorcerers who appear in books published by DC Comics. The original version was created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Howard Sherman, and first appeared in More Fun Comics #55... and Hourman Hourman Hourman is the name of three different fictional DC Comics superheroes, the first of whom was created by Ken Fitch and Bernard Baily in Adventure Comics #48 , during the Golden Age of Comic Books.-Rex Tyler:Scientist Rex Tyler, raised in upstate... |
| 56 | Doctor Fate and Hourman |
| 57 | Enemy Ace Enemy Ace Enemy Ace is DC Comics property about the adventures of a skilled but troubled German anti-hero and flying ace in World War I and World War II, Hans von Hammer, known to the world as "The Hammer of Hell."-Overview:... |
| 58 | Enemy Ace |
| 59 | Teen Titans |
| 60 | The Spectre Spectre (comics) The Spectre is a fictional character and superhero who has appeared in numerous comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in a next issue ad in More Fun Comics #51 and received his first story the following month, #52... |
| 61 | The Spectre |
| 62 | Inferior Five Inferior Five The Inferior Five are a parody superhero team that premiered in the DC Comics title Showcase #62 . Created by E. Nelson Bridwell and Joe Orlando and Mike Esposito , the group was intended as a parody not only of the Fantastic Four, but of all the superhero teams whose members had such great... |
| 63 | Inferior Five |
| 64 | The Spectre |
| 65 | Inferior Five |
| 66 | B'wana Beast B'wana Beast B'wana Beast is a fictional character, a superhero in the DC Universe. He first appeared in Showcase #66 , and was created by Bob Haney and Mike Sekowsky.-Publication history:... |
| 67 | B'wana Beast |
| 68 | The Maniaks The Maniaks The Maniaks are a fictional rock band published by DC Comics. They first appeared in issue Showcase #68 , and were created by E. Nelson Bridwell and Mike Sekowsky.-History:... |
| 69 | The Maniaks |
| 70 | Leave It to Binky Leave It to Binky Leave It to Binky is a comic book series published by DC Comics which ran for 82 issues. It started in February-March 1948 and ran for 60 issues coming to an end in 1958. The series was revived in June-July 1968 and continued the numbering of the original series. With issue #72 , the title was... |
| 71 | The Maniaks with Woody Allen Woody Allen Woody Allen is an American screenwriter, director, actor, comedian, jazz musician, author, and playwright. Allen's films draw heavily on literature, sexuality, philosophy, psychology, Jewish identity, and the history of cinema... |
| 72 | Top Gun |
| 73 | Beware the Creeper Creeper (comics) The Creeper is a fictional comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. Created by Steve Ditko, he first appeared in Showcase #73 .-Publication history:... |
| 74 | Anthro Anthro (comics) Anthro is a fictional character published by DC Comics. Anthro was created by cartoonist Howard Post; he first appeared in Showcase #74, .-Publication history:... |
| 75 | The Hawk and the Dove Hawk and Dove Hawk and Dove is the moniker given to two superheroes when they team up to fight crime. Hawk and Dove describes each character's attitude or approach to fighting crime. The hawk represents aggression, and the dove representing pacifism.-Hank and Don Hall:... |
| 76 | Bat Lash Bat Lash Bartholomew "Bat" Alouysius Lash is a fictional Western character in the DC Universe. A self-professed pacifist, ladies' man, and gambler, Bat Lash's adventures have been published by DC Comics since 1968.-Character origin:... |
| 77 | Angel and the Ape Angel and the Ape Angel and the Ape was a humor comic book created by E. Nelson Bridwell published by DC Comics. The characters first appeared in 1968 in Showcase #77 then graduated to their own title, with art by comic artist Bob Oksner, most often inked by Wally Wood... |
| 78 | Jonny Double Jonny Double Jonathan Sebastian "Jonny" Double is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. Created by Len Wein and Marv Wolfman, he first appeared in Showcase #78 .-Publication history:... |
| 79 | Dolphin Dolphin (comics) Dolphin is a fictional character, a superheroine in the DC Comics universe. Created by writer-artist Jay Scott Pike, she debuted in Showcase #79 Dolphin is a fictional character, a superheroine in the DC Comics universe. Created by writer-artist Jay Scott Pike, she debuted in Showcase #79 Dolphin... |
| 80 | The Phantom Stranger Phantom Stranger The Phantom Stranger is a fictional character of unspecified paranormal origins who battles mysterious and occult forces in various titles published by DC Comics, sometimes under their Vertigo imprint.-Publication history:... |
| 81 | The Way-Out World of Windy and Willy |
| 82 | Nightmaster Nightmaster The Nightmaster is a fictional character, a sword and sorcery hero published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Showcase #82 , and was created by Denny O'Neil and Jerry Grandenetti.-Publication history:... |
| 83 | Nightmaster |
| 84 | Nightmaster |
| 85 | Firehair |
| 86 | Firehair |
| 87 | Firehair |
| 88 | Jason's Quest |
| 89 | Jason's Quest |
| 90 | Jason's Quest |
| 91 | Manhunter 2070 |
| 92 | Manhunter 2070 |
| 93 | Manhunter 2070 |
Reprint collections
In 1992, DC Comics published a trade paperbackTrade paperback (comics)
In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
reprint collection called The Essential Showcase: 1956–1959 (ISBN 978-1563890796). This collection reprints selected stories/characters from issues #1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, and 17 of the original Showcase series. Several other issues were included in other reprint collections.
| Title | Issues collected | Publication date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Showcase Presents: The Flash, Vol. 1 | 4, 8, 13–14 | May 2007 | |
| The Flash Archives, Vol. 1 | 4, 8, 13–14 | May 1998 | |
| The Flash Chronicles, Vol. 1 | 4, 8, 13–14 | September 2009 | |
| Showcase Presents: Superman Family, Vol. 1 | 9 (Lois Lane solo story) | March 2006 | |
| Showcase Presents: Superman Family, Vol. 2 | 10 (Lois Lane solo story) | February 2008 | |
| Showcase Presents: Challengers of the Unknown, Vol. 1 | 6–7, 11–12 | September 2006 | |
| Challengers of the Unknown Archives, Vol. 1 | 6–7, 11–12 | July 2003 | |
| Adam Strange Archives, Vol. 1 | 17–19 | 2003 | |
| Showcase Presents: Green Lantern, Vol. 1 | 22–24 | October 2005 | |
| Green Lantern Archives, Vol. 1 | 22–24 | 1993 | |
| Green Lantern Chronicles, Vol. 1 | 22–24 | May 2009 | |
| Showcase Presents: The Atom, Vol. 1 | 34–36 | June 2007 | |
| The Atom Archives, Vol. 1 | 34–36 | 2001 | |
| Showcase Presents: Metal Men, Vol. 1 | 37–40 | September 2007 | |
| Metal Men Archives, Vol. 1 | 37–40 | May 2006 | |
| Crisis on Multiple Earths: The Team-Ups, Vol. 1 | 55–56 | January 2006 | |
| Showcase Presents: Teen Titans, Vol. 1 | 59 | April 2006 | |
| Silver Age Teen Titans Archives, Vol. 1 | 59 | 2003 | |
| The Creeper by Steve Ditko | 73 | April 2010 |
Brief revival
In August 1977, Showcase was revived for eleven issues after the failure of 1st Issue Special, which ran from 1975 to 1976. The revived series, using the original numbering, began with issue #94 and published the first appearance of the new Doom PatrolDoom Patrol
The Doom Patrol is a superhero team appearing in publications from DC Comics. The original Doom Patrol first appeared in My Greatest Adventure #80...
and the solo adventures of Power Girl
Power Girl
Power Girl is a DC Comics superheroine, making her first appearance in All Star Comics #58 ....
. Issue #100 had a cameo by every character that had premiered in the original run of Showcase. The series was cancelled again after issue #104 (September 1978), as part of what is commonly called the "DC Implosion
DC Implosion
The DC Implosion is the popular label for the sudden cancellation of more than two dozen ongoing and planned series by the American comics publisher DC Comics in 1978.-History:...
". Issues #105 and #106 saw print in Cancelled Comic Cavalcade and #105 was later published in Adventure Comics
Adventure Comics
Adventure Comics was a comic book series published by DC Comics from 1935 to 1983 and then revamped from 2009 to 2011. In its first era, the series ran for 503 issues , making it the fifth-longest-running DC series, behind Detective Comics, Action Comics, Superman, and Batman...
. Two other series were announced before the series cancellation: The Huntress
Huntress (Helena Wayne)
The Bronze Age Huntress was Helena Wayne, the daughter of the Batman and Catwoman of Earth-Two, an alternate universe established in the early 1960s as the world where the Golden Age stories took place...
, which would have spun out of her feature in Batman Family
Batman Family
The Batman Family was a DC Comics comic book series which ran from 1975 to 1978, primarily featuring stories starring supporting characters in the Batman comics...
; and World of Krypton, which was published as DC's first mini-series in 1979.
Full list of issues
| Issue # | Character |
|---|---|
| 94 | Doom Patrol Doom Patrol The Doom Patrol is a superhero team appearing in publications from DC Comics. The original Doom Patrol first appeared in My Greatest Adventure #80... |
| 95 | Doom Patrol |
| 96 | Doom Patrol |
| 97 | Power Girl Power Girl Power Girl is a DC Comics superheroine, making her first appearance in All Star Comics #58 .... |
| 98 | Power Girl |
| 99 | Power Girl |
| 100 | Special issue featuring every character from issues #1–93 |
| 101 | Hawkman Hawkman Hawkman is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Dennis Neville, the original Hawkman first appeared in Flash Comics #1, published by All-American Publications in 1940.... |
| 102 | Hawkman |
| 103 | Hawkman |
| 104 | OSS / Spies at War |
| 105 | Deadman Deadman Deadman is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in Strange Adventures #205 , and was created by Arnold Drake and Carmine Infantino.-Publication history:... |
| 106 | The Creeper |
Reprint collections
| Title | Issues collected | Publication date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Girl | 97–99 | June 2006 | |
| The Creeper by Steve Ditko | Includes unpublished issue #106 | April 2010 |
New Talent Showcase
In 1985–1986, DC published New Talent Showcase, which ran for 15 issues, briefly changed its title to Talent Showcase, and then ended with issue #19. For the most part edited by Karen BergerKaren Berger
Karen Berger is an American comic book editor. She is best known as the Executive Editor of DC Comics' Vertigo imprint.-Biography:...
(and for a short time by Sal Amendola
Sal Amendola
Sal Amendola is an Italian-American comic book artist and teacher primarily known for his association with DC Comics.-Career:...
), the series gave new writers and artists the chance to get their "feet wet" in the comics industry. Notable creators who made their DC debuts with New Talent Showcase include Mark Beachum, Norm Breyfogle
Norm Breyfogle
Norman Keith "Norm" Breyfogle is an American comic book artist, fine artist, illustrator, and writer. He was involved with the character of Batman consistently from 1987-1995. Breyfogle has worked on many different characters for most comic book publishers at one time or another...
, Tom Grindberg
Tom Grindberg
Tom Grindberg is a comic book illustrator.His British comic book work includes 2000 A.D. Presents #16-19 and Judge Dredd #10-11 for Fleetway in 1987....
, Steve Lightle
Steve Lightle
Steve Lightle is an American comic book artist, working primarily as a penciller.-Biography:Lightle was interested in comic book art at a young age....
, Mindy Newell
Mindy Newell
Mindy Newell is an American comic book writer and editor.-Biography:A longtime fan of comics, particularly of Marvel's Spider-Man, Mindy Newell sent submissions to DC Comics in 1983 at a time when the company was actively looking for new talent...
, and Stan Woch
Stan Woch
Stan Woch is an American artist who has worked in the comics industry. His early career includes work as an assistant to Gray Morrow on the Barbara Cartland Romances and Buck Rogers comic strips...
.
Showcase 90s
DC revived the Showcase title in 1993 when the 1950s retailer reluctance to order new, untested series had largely vanished, and was replaced in the 1990s with reader enthusiasm for the "#1" issues of new series. The new series was published as Showcase '93, a monthly 12-issue limited seriesLimited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
, replaced the following year by Showcase '94, etc. However, because unsold comics were no longer returnable, retailers had become reluctant to stock series that did not feature consistent characters and creators from month to month, and despite attempts to link the series each year to various popular characters such as Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
or Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
, reader demand was lukewarm. Showcase '96 #12 was the last regular issue.
Collected Edtions
- Showcase Presents: The Flash Vol. 1 (Showcase #4, 8, 13, 14)
- Showcase Presents: Challengers of the Unknown Vol. 1 (Showcase #6, 7, 11-12)
- Showcase Presents: Superman Family Vol. 1 (Showcase #9)
- Showcase Presents: Superman Family Vol. 2 (Showcase #10)
- Showcase Presents: Adam Strange Vol. 1 (Showcase #17-19)
- Showcase Presents: Green Lantern Vol. 1 (Showcase #22-24)
- Aquaman Archives 1 (Showcase #30-31)
- Showcase Presents: Atom Vol. 1 (Showcase #34-36)
- Showcase Presents: Metal Men Vol. 1 (Showcase #37-40)
- Showcase Presents: Enemy Ace Vol. 1 (Showcase #57-58)
- Showcase Presents: Teen Titans Vol. 1 (Showcase #59)
- Showcase Presents: Bat Lash Vol. 1 (Showcase #76)
- Showcase Presents: Phantom Stranger Vol. 1 (Showcase #80)
Showcase Presents
In 2005, DC began publishing thick, black-and-whiteBlack-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
reprints of older material under the umbrella title Showcase Presents. The volumes have received acclaim, including the 1965 Alley Award for Best Novel (an untitled story by Gardner Fox
Gardner Fox
Gardner Francis Cooper Fox was an American writer best known for creating numerous comic book characters for DC Comics. Comic-book historians estimate that he wrote over 4,000 comics stories....
and Murphy Anderson
Murphy Anderson
Murphy Anderson is an American comic book artist, known as one of the premier inkers of his era, who has worked for companies such as DC Comics for over fifty years, starting in the 1930s-'40s Golden Age of Comic Books...
in issue #55).
External links
- Showcase at the Grand Comics Database
- Showcase #55: The Glory of Murphy Anderson
- Comic Book Awards Almanac: Showcase