DC Comics Presents


DC Comics Presents is a comic book series published by DC Comics from 1978 to 1986 which ran for 97 issues and four Annuals and featured team-ups between Superman and a wide variety of other characters of the DC Universe. A recurring back-up feature "Whatever Happened to...?" had stories revealing the status of various minor and little-used characters.

Publication history

DC Comics Presents debuted with a July/August 1978 cover date and was edited by Julius Schwartz. The series was launched with a team-up of Superman and the Flash by writer Martin Pasko and artist José Luis García-López. The winner of the DC Comics Presents letter column name contest appeared in the Superman/Hawkman story in issue #11. The "Whatever Happened to...?" backup feature began in issue #25 and would appear in most issues for the next two years until its last installment in issue #48. Issue #26 included an insert introduction story to the then-upcoming New Teen Titans series by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez. Len Wein and Jim Starlin co-created the supervillain Mongul in issue #27 as part of a three-issue storyline. Another insert in issue #41 previewed the "new direction" Wonder Woman. In issue #47, Superman traveled to Eternia and met the Masters of the Universe. Ambush Bug made his first appearance in issue #52 and made additional appearances in issue #59 and #81. The Superman/Challengers of the Unknown tale in issue #84 was drawn by Jack Kirby and Alex Toth. The series also contained the Alan Moore Superman/Swamp Thing story "The Jungle Line" in DC Comics Presents #85, pencilled by Rick Veitch and inked by Al Williamson. Issue #87 featured the first appearance and origin of the divergent Kal-El of the Earth Prime reality, who would become known as Superboy-Prime. The final issue is an exception to the team-up format, instead featuring Superman in an "Untold Tale" involving the Phantom Zone, by Steve Gerber, following up in his limited series of the same title.
In 2004, the title DC Comics Presents was revived for eight one-shot issues, each a tribute to DC editor Julius Schwartz who had recently died. Each issue featured two stories based on a classic DC Comics cover of the past, reflecting Schwartz's frequent practice of commissioning a cover concept, then telling the writers to create a story about that cover.
In July 2010, DC announced the launch of a new DC Comics Presents, a line of 100-page reprint issues reprinting stories that have not seen print since their original publication.

Featured team-ups

Characters featured in "Whatever Happened to...?" back-up series

IssueCharacter
25The Golden Age Hourman
26Sargon the Sorcerer
27Congorilla
28The Western Johnny Thunder and Madame.44
29The Golden Age Doctor Mid-Nite
30The Golden Age Atom
31The Golden Age Robotman
32Mark Merlin and Prince Ra-Man
33Star Hawkins
35Rex the Wonder Dog
37Rip Hunter
38Crimson Avenger
39Richard Dragon
40The Golden Age Air-Wave
42The Golden Age Sandman
47Sandy the Golden Boy
48Black Pirate

Writer Mike Tiefenbacher had several proposals for other "Whatever Happened to...?" stories. These included Captain Action, Blackhawk, Genius Jones, Nighthawk, the Ragman, the Sea Devils, the Silent Knight, and Wildcat.

Julius Schwartz tribute

In September and October 2004, the title DC Comics Presents was revived for a series of eight one-shot issues, each a tribute to DC editor Julius Schwartz, who had died in the previous February. Each issue featured two stories based on a classic DC Comics cover of the past, reflecting Schwartz's frequent practice of commissioning a cover concept, then telling the writers to create a story about that cover.
DC Comics Presents:DateNotes
DC Comics Presents: Batman #1September 2004Cover art by Adam Hughes is a homage to the cover of Batman #183
DC Comics Presents: Green Lantern #1September 2004Cover art by Brian Bolland is a homage to the cover of Green Lantern #31
DC Comics Presents: Hawkman #1September 2004Cover art by José Luis García-López and Kevin Nowlan is a homage to the cover of Hawkman #6
DC Comics Presents: Mystery in Space #1September 2004Cover art by Alex Ross is a homage to the cover of Mystery in Space #82
DC Comics Presents: Flash #1October 2004Cover art by Alex Ross is a homage to The Flash #163
DC Comics Presents: Justice League of America #1October 2004Cover art by José Luis García-López is a homage to Justice League of America #53
DC Comics Presents: Superman #1October 2004Cover art by Adam Hughes is a homage to the cover of Superman #264
DC Comics Presents: The Atom #1October 2004Cover art by Brian Bolland is a homage to the cover of The Atom #10.

2010 revival

In July 2010, DC announced the launch of a new DC Comics Presents series featuring stories that have not seen print since their original publication.
The announced issues are: