Who’s Who in DC’s Golden Age:
Discover the Heroes Who Started It All
Impressive, right? What you’re looking at is a mural depicting 285 different DC characters who debuted throughout the Golden Age. Yes, you’ll see Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Shazam, Aquaman and Green Arrow, along with our first Flash, Jay Garrick, and our first Green Lantern, Alan Scott. But you’ll also find lesser-known heroes like the Crimson Avenger, BulletMan and BulletWoman, Captain Triumph, Maginnis of the Mounties and Merry, Girl of 1,000 Gimmicks.
This illustration was drawn by artist Scott Koblish with colors by Hi-Fi, and originally appeared as a wraparound variant cover for New History of the DC Universe, a currently ongoing miniseries by Mark Waid, Todd Nauck, Jerry Ordway, Matt Herms and John Kalisz. You can find a full key for the illustration below. Click each image to view it full-sized.
DC’s Absolute Universe:
A Bold New Dawn for Legendary Heroes
What is it that makes a hero who they are? Is it the circumstances of their birth? The strength of their conviction? Or is it their actions in the face of adversity? Would Batman still be Gotham’s Dark Knight without his wealth? Would Superman be Earth’s champion if he hadn’t grown up under the care of kindly American farmers? Who would Wonder Woman be, if instead of Paradise, she only knew Hell?
DC’s line of Absolute comics are set in a new world of the multiverse that’s been shaped by Darkseid and where all new versions of DC’s most well-known heroes have emerged. A Batman whose working-class mother still lives, and who sees a system corrupted by wealth as the true enemy of Gotham. A Superman who fears Earth may be following the same destructive path as Krypton and takes a stand against it by fighting for the world’s most oppressed. A Wonder Woman who faces impossible battles head-on, armed with tactics and abilities shaped in Hell’s fiery depths…and one very big sword. Alongside the likes of Wally West (The Flash), Jo Mullein (Green Lantern) and John Jones (Martian Manhunter), these heroes will be tested as they never have before, their true natures shining against the Absolute Universe’s pitch-dark backdrop all the brighter.
Icons Across Eras:
Nicola Scott’s Timeless Take on the Trinity
This year at San Diego Comic-Con, we’re kicking off our decade-long celebration of the legacy of the DC Universe as we approach a full century of storytelling. We couldn’t imagine a better way to begin it than with this mural of DC’s Trinity, illustrated by Nicola Scott (Birds of Prey, Secret Six, Wonder Woman). Behind the modern costumes of each of our most legendary heroes—note that Superman sports a movie-inspired emblem—we can catch a glimpse at their wardrobes in eras past, from interpretations of their original debut costumes in the upper left of each panel to notable costumes from film, television and significant stories throughout. From the 1940s animated Superman, to Adam West’s Batman, to George Pérez’s 1980s reinvention of Wonder Woman—how many costumes can YOU identify?
The Daily Planet Newsstand Experience:
Relive the Golden Age of DC Comics
Back in the 1930s and 1940s, there were no 24-hour news networks and certainly no TikTok, Instagram or Facebook. People got their news from newspapers—not unlike the special edition of The Daily Planet that you’ll find in the DC booth. Be sure to grab a copy while you’re here!
Our newspaper has been produced in the style of the Golden Age, but the news you’ll find within is all current. Look for an interview with Superman Unlimited writer Dan Slott as well as our new Batman writer Matt Fraction. Both are returning to DC after years away! Dig a bit deeper into the paper for a look at DC K.O., a hard-hitting (and yes, we mean that literally) new crossover event coming this fall from Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson and Javi Fernández. Plus, since we’re looking forward while also celebrating our past, you’ll also find a timeline of DC milestones from throughout our first decade and a showcase of Golden Age comic book covers.
And don’t forget that newspapers, and the comic strips within them, are also what gave birth to comic books! While the vast majority of our superheroes’ stories have been told through monthly comic books, some of our biggest heroes of the Golden Age, including Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, also appeared in newspaper strips over the years. In a tribute to this, look for a special comic section within The Daily Planet. Not all of the comic strips within it come from the Golden Age of DC Comics…but some do!
