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Dc Universe Secret Origins Hc
For the first time in a single volume, it's the origins Wonder Woman, the Superman/Batman team, The Challengers of the Unknown, Martian Manhunter, the Justice League of America, Aquaman, The Flash, The Atom, Doctor Fate, Bizarro and many others, as they originally appeared in the 1950s and 1960s - the Silver Age of comics.
328 pages, Paperback
First published June 15, 1961
About the author
Bill Finger
656 books111 followersWilliam "Bill" Finger was an American comic strip and comic book writer best known as the uncredited co-creator, with Bob Kane, of the DC Comics character Batman, as well as the co-architect of the series' development. In later years, Kane acknowledged Finger as "a contributing force" in the character's creation. Comics historian Ron Goulart, in Comic Book Encyclopedia, refers to Batman as the "creation of artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger", and a DC Comics press release in 2007 about colleague Jerry Robinson states that in 1939, "Kane, along with writer Bill Finger, had just created Batman for [DC predecessor] National Comics".
Film and television credits include scripting The Green Slime (1969), Track of the Moon Beast (1976), and three episodes of 77 Sunset Strip.
-Wikipedia
Film and television credits include scripting The Green Slime (1969), Track of the Moon Beast (1976), and three episodes of 77 Sunset Strip.
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 21, 2016
Loved this book. It was so nice seeing so many different origins.
It took me a while to read this because I had to return it to the library a couple times and didn't get it back till later one
It took me a while to read this because I had to return it to the library a couple times and didn't get it back till later one
February 24, 2022
If the readers of comic books from the DC platform are exhausted and bored of reading about their two signature products, Batman and Superman? If the DC fans are willing to know how the heroism of their favorite superheroes ever began? What made them change their identities and started to fight against crime? If you are confused to understand, after realizing that there is more than one origin story, what exactly is the original story to believe in? Or, if you are new to DC Comics and are an enthusiast to read a few origin stories, I have a very excellent suggestion for you.
My fellow DC readers, sixty years ago, the publishers did a favor on the readers of that time and published a one-shot with the title Secret Origins. This issue had around 85 pages and reprinted original material of the golden-age superheroes. A decade later, the publishers took a better step and ran 7 issues between 1973 and 1974 that had origin stories of many favorite superheroes.
The good thing about these issues is that the original stories have been represented in their original form without any alterations and mentioned the dates of original publishing. So the confusion of following more than one origin story was avoided. Also, the publishers tried to push reading about the stories of some heroes who weren't as iconic as Justice League's most important heroes like Kid Eternity, Vigilante, or The Legion of Super-Heroes. Well obviously, the publishers didn't cover many figures due to their hands being tight over releasing extremely limited issues but this was the baby step in their history to expect further in the coming decades.
The oldest comics make you know one aspect of the writing that the writers do not intend to stretch a particular episode or a story to some length but find a moment to end the issue instead of giving broad details. But those writers who came up with these iconic characters will always be ahead of all the writers of all eras because they were the creators, they provided them costumes, powers, and reasons to live. And this is one major reason, the readers need to visit these historical pages and get the knowledge of how their favorite superhero was actually written and what was his/her backstory.
By reading the origin stories, there is every chance for the reader to develop an interest in other heroes, their villains, and their worlds. And reading other heroes become necessary because sometimes the readers limit themselves to one hero and read his/her stories in different timelines. But when that hero is involved in a mega story where other heroes get involved, a lack of understanding for the other heroes leads to unattraction. That interest or enthusiasm to read a major story fades. Just for example, if the reader of one hero chooses to read a major storyline like any of the Crisis stories, how will the reader develop that interest for other heroes that he/she has for his/her favorite? Issues like Secret Origins guide the readers to understand those heroes.
My fellow DC readers, sixty years ago, the publishers did a favor on the readers of that time and published a one-shot with the title Secret Origins. This issue had around 85 pages and reprinted original material of the golden-age superheroes. A decade later, the publishers took a better step and ran 7 issues between 1973 and 1974 that had origin stories of many favorite superheroes.
The good thing about these issues is that the original stories have been represented in their original form without any alterations and mentioned the dates of original publishing. So the confusion of following more than one origin story was avoided. Also, the publishers tried to push reading about the stories of some heroes who weren't as iconic as Justice League's most important heroes like Kid Eternity, Vigilante, or The Legion of Super-Heroes. Well obviously, the publishers didn't cover many figures due to their hands being tight over releasing extremely limited issues but this was the baby step in their history to expect further in the coming decades.
The oldest comics make you know one aspect of the writing that the writers do not intend to stretch a particular episode or a story to some length but find a moment to end the issue instead of giving broad details. But those writers who came up with these iconic characters will always be ahead of all the writers of all eras because they were the creators, they provided them costumes, powers, and reasons to live. And this is one major reason, the readers need to visit these historical pages and get the knowledge of how their favorite superhero was actually written and what was his/her backstory.
By reading the origin stories, there is every chance for the reader to develop an interest in other heroes, their villains, and their worlds. And reading other heroes become necessary because sometimes the readers limit themselves to one hero and read his/her stories in different timelines. But when that hero is involved in a mega story where other heroes get involved, a lack of understanding for the other heroes leads to unattraction. That interest or enthusiasm to read a major story fades. Just for example, if the reader of one hero chooses to read a major storyline like any of the Crisis stories, how will the reader develop that interest for other heroes that he/she has for his/her favorite? Issues like Secret Origins guide the readers to understand those heroes.
August 30, 2021
I’m sure anyone who is interested in this title has a pretty clear idea of what it contains. Secret Origins gives the background of the beloved and hated DC heroes and villains. This volumes collects issues 1 -4 of the series, but remember each issue was double sized so you get a lot of bang for your buck. Whether it’s worth the price depends on your point of view. Given here are the origin tales of the Superman/Batman team, Adam Strange, Green Lantern, Challengers of the Unknown, Green Arrow, Wonder Woman, Manhunter from Mars, The Flash, The Justice League of America, The Atom, Aquaman, Robin, The Silver Age Flash, Superman, The Jimmy Olsen/Robin team, Blackhawk, Kid Flash, Eclipso, Green Lantern’s Oath, Hawkman & Hawkwoman, Dr. Fate, Enchantress, Animal Man, Metamorpho, Congorilla, El Diablo, Bizarro, and The Spectre.
As these are reprints of the original stories, from the Gold, Silver, and Bronze age comics, the art is all over the place. It’s interesting how the art doesn’t get really good until the more modern era, as the medium becomes more and more profitable and not just a place for professionals to slum while working on their “real” careers. All of these origin stories were from the pre-Crisis era and have been retconned to hell since then. As such, none of them accurately reflect the characters as they are being written today. Additionally the average comic reader at the time were young boys, so the writing and plots reflect a younger audience.
As these are reprints of the original stories, from the Gold, Silver, and Bronze age comics, the art is all over the place. It’s interesting how the art doesn’t get really good until the more modern era, as the medium becomes more and more profitable and not just a place for professionals to slum while working on their “real” careers. All of these origin stories were from the pre-Crisis era and have been retconned to hell since then. As such, none of them accurately reflect the characters as they are being written today. Additionally the average comic reader at the time were young boys, so the writing and plots reflect a younger audience.
July 18, 2018
Great sampler of classic old superhero comics. I remember some of these! Goofy, loudly colored, and Batman almost cries when he thinks Superman is dissing him. A fun read.
September 26, 2020
A bizarre selection of origins all cheesy and corny but most importantly fun!
March 21, 2016
There is no aspect of a superhero that is more interesting or told more often than how they came into existence. Even the film versions retell the origin story of the hero. It is also the more sequentially interesting story, as there is always a new group of coming of age comic fans and they do not know how the characters originated.
This graphic novel is a collection of reprints of the original stories and few, if any changes have been made in them. The dialog still contains some of the standard sexist material of the fifties and sixties and the artwork has not been modified from the original. The origin stories are:
*) Origin of the Superman/Batman team
*) Adam Strange
*) Green Lantern
*) Challengers of the Unknown
*) Green Arrow
*) Wonder Woman
*) The Martian Manhunter J’onn J’onzz
*) The Flash
*) Justice League of America
*) The Atom
*) Aquaman
*) Batman/Robin team
*) The decision of the Flash to adopt a secret identity
*) Superman
*) The Jimmy Olsen/Robin team
*) Blackhawk
*) Kid Flash
*) Eclipso
*) The origin of Green Lantern’s oath
*) Hawkman and Hawkgirl
*) Dr. Fate
*) Enchantress
*) Animal Man
*) Tricks of Metamorpho
*) Congorilla
*) El Diablo
*) Bizarro
*) The Spectre
The origin of the comic character is always interesting to the comic fan, even if it is one they don’t really care for. Therefore, most that enjoy comics will love this book. However, the retro appearance and text may turn some that are used to modern dialog and artwork off.
This graphic novel is a collection of reprints of the original stories and few, if any changes have been made in them. The dialog still contains some of the standard sexist material of the fifties and sixties and the artwork has not been modified from the original. The origin stories are:
*) Origin of the Superman/Batman team
*) Adam Strange
*) Green Lantern
*) Challengers of the Unknown
*) Green Arrow
*) Wonder Woman
*) The Martian Manhunter J’onn J’onzz
*) The Flash
*) Justice League of America
*) The Atom
*) Aquaman
*) Batman/Robin team
*) The decision of the Flash to adopt a secret identity
*) Superman
*) The Jimmy Olsen/Robin team
*) Blackhawk
*) Kid Flash
*) Eclipso
*) The origin of Green Lantern’s oath
*) Hawkman and Hawkgirl
*) Dr. Fate
*) Enchantress
*) Animal Man
*) Tricks of Metamorpho
*) Congorilla
*) El Diablo
*) Bizarro
*) The Spectre
The origin of the comic character is always interesting to the comic fan, even if it is one they don’t really care for. Therefore, most that enjoy comics will love this book. However, the retro appearance and text may turn some that are used to modern dialog and artwork off.
May 1, 2013
Loved it! Of course it was corny! But what do you expect? These stories were written 50-60 years ago. Plus, they had the Comics Code Authority to contend with.
A nostalgic must-read for comic fans everywhere!
A nostalgic must-read for comic fans everywhere!
April 7, 2012
Fine reprint of several classic 80-Page Giants. Great stories. Nice piece of DC comics history.
March 17, 2013
Very enjoyable collection of origin stories of comic heroes, events, and relationships. Longer review here: http://eyesandearsblog.blogspot.com/2...
October 15, 2013
Worth the read just for the Flash & Green Lantern origins
October 23, 2013
Childish to the point of absurdity.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews