Adventure Comics

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This article is about the DC Comics series. For the studio, see Malibu Comics.
"Adventure comics" redirects here. For the genre of comics, see
Action-adventure comics
.
Adventure Comics
Adventure Comics #40 depicting the first superhero cover of the series featuring Sandman (Wesley Dodds) in the cover. Art by Creig Flessel.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
Schedule
List
  • Monthly:
    #32–85, #103–424, #467–503
    Bimonthly:
    #86–102, #425–66
Format
List
  • (vol. 1)
    Standard (#32–490, #504–529)
    Digest (#491–503)
Publication date
List
  • (vol. 1)
    November 1938 – February 1982; September 1982 – September 1983
    (vol. 2)
    October 2009 – August 2010
    (vol. 1 cont.)
    September 2010 – October 2011
No. of issues
List
  • (vol. 1): 503
    (vol. 2): 12, with a #0 issue
    (vol. 1 cont.): 14
Main character(s)
List
Creative team
Written by
List
Penciller(s)
List
Inker(s)
List

Adventure Comics is an

"The New 52"
.

Publication history

New Comics #1 (December 1935), cover art by Vin Sullivan.

Adventure Comics began its nearly 50-year run in December 1935 under the title New Comics, which was only the second comic book series published by

National Allied Publications, now DC Comics.[2] The series was retitled New Adventure Comics with its 12th issue in January 1937.[3] Issue #32 (November 1938) saw the title changed again to Adventure Comics, which would remain the book's name for the duration of its existence.[4][5]

Cover of Adventure Comics #32 (November 1938), the first number under the Adventure Comics title; art by Creig Flessel.

Originally a humor comic, it evolved into a serious adventure series. In issue #12, while the series was briefly re-titled New Adventure Comics, Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel introduced the first version of the character Jor-L as a science fiction detective in the far future; the character would eventually become the alien father of Superman, although the first Superman story, in Action Comics #1, would not appear until more than a year after Jor-L's first appearance.[6][7] The series' focus gradually shifted to superhero stories starting with the debut of the Sandman in issue #40. Other superheroes who appeared in the early days of Adventure included Hourman (from #48 to #83); Starman created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Jack Burnley in issue #61 (April 1941)[8] (#61–102); and Joe Simon and Jack Kirby's Manhunter replacing a similarly named business-suited investigator beginning with #73 (April 1942) until #92.[9]

A pivotal issue of the series was #103 (April 1946), when Superboy, Green Arrow, Johnny Quick, and Aquaman moved to the series from their previous home in More Fun Comics, which was itself converted to a humor format.[10] Starman's and Sandman's series were canceled to make room for the new features, while Genius Jones moved to the comic the new arrivals had just vacated. Superboy became the star of the book, and would appear on each cover into 1969 (counting Superman on the covers of issues #354–355). Superboy's popularity in Adventure resulted in the character receiving his own title in 1949, when superhero titles in general were losing popularity. Krypto the Superdog debuted in issue #210 (March 1955) in a story by Otto Binder and Curt Swan.[11]

In issue #247 (April 1958), by Otto Binder and artist

Silver Age appearance of Aquaman. In Adventure Comics #346 (July 1966), Jim Shooter, 14 years old at the time, wrote his first Legion story.[15] Shooter wrote the story in which Ferro Lad died – the first "real" death of a Legionnaire (although Lightning Lad had been believed dead for a while before) – and introduced the Fatal Five.[16] The Legion feature lasted until issue #380.[17] With the next issue, Supergirl migrated from the backup slot in Action Comics to the starring feature in Adventure[18] and ran until issue #424.[19] The series reached its 400th issue in December 1970 and featured a Supergirl story written and drawn by Mike Sekowsky.[20]

As of #425 (December 1972), the book's theme changed from superhero adventure to fantasy/supernatural adventure. That issue debuted one new feature along with three non-series stories, the pirate saga "Captain Fear". The next edition added a semi-anthology series, "The Adventurers' Club". Soon, editor

Deadman", and the "Justice Society of America
".

Feature Feature Feature Feature Feature Feature
The Flash
#459–466
Deadman

#459–466 		Green Lantern
#459–460 		Elongated Man
#459 		Wonder Woman
#459–464 		The New Gods
#459–460
Justice Society of America
#461–466 		Aquaman
#460–466 		no fifth feature
#465–466 		no sixth feature
#461–466

The standard format returned (issues #467–478), split between a new

digest-sized comic. This format lasted from issues #491–503, with most stories during this period being reprints (featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, from the beginning and in chronological order, and others), and with new stories featuring the Marvel Family and the Challengers of the Unknown
including a new five-issue retelling of their origin. The long-running title was discontinued with the September 1983 issue.

80-Page Giant

An Adventure Comics 80-Page Giant was released in 1998.

Justice Society Returns

DC published an Adventure Comics #1 as part of the company's

Justice Society Returns
event in 1999.

Adventure Comics Special Featuring the Guardian

As part of the 2008 "Superman: New Krypton" story arc, a special issue of Adventure Comics was published, titled Adventure Comics Special Featuring the Guardian #1 (cover dated January 2009). Jimmy Olsen continues to delve into the mystery surrounding the American government's safeguards against the new Kryptonian population.

Revival

Cover of Adventure Comics #504 vol. 2 #1, art by Francis Manapul.

The five-issue miniseries Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds led into an all-new volume of Adventure Comics, featuring the revived Conner Kent/Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes.[32] The main creative team of Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul debuted in a backup story in Adventure Comics #0 (April 2009).[33] A secondary feature starring the Legion of Super-Heroes was co-written with Mike Shoemaker and drawn by Clayton Henry. The first issue of the new run of Adventure Comics was released on August 12, 2009, and features watermarked numbering marking it as both #1 and #504, thus continuing the original numeration of the series concurrently with the volume 2 numeration. For the variant incentive cover editions, the original numeration was dominant on the cover while the vol. 2 numeration was the watermarked numbering marking. The indicia of the comic book also reflects this dual numbering. The title officially returned to its original vol. 1 numbering with #516 (cover dated September 2010), until #529 when it was finally ended prior to DC's The New 52 company reboot.

Main feature

Superboy: The Boy of Steel (former)

The revived ongoing title Adventure Comics features Conner as the headlining character for the first six issues in the story arc entitled, "Superboy: The Boy of Steel". It begins as Conner settles back into his life in Smallville, Kansas. Returning to live with Martha Kent, who is thrilled to take the young boy in after her husband's death, Conner returns to Smallville High School and begins keeping a journal of everything Superman has done as a costumed hero, going down a checklist titled, "What Did Superman Do?" He and the also recently returned Bart Allen supposedly rejoin the Teen Titans, and Conner symbolizes the team being "stacked" again by destroying his memorial statue outside of Titans Tower West.

Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes

After the Johns and Manapul run, writer Paul Levitz took over the series. It was renumbered with its previous numbering and highlighted Clark Kent's years as Superboy as well as the Legion of Super-Heroes' past. Starting with issue #523, the Legion Academy, by Levitz and Phil Jimenez, became the major feature.

Second feature

Long Live the Legion (former)

The Legion of Super-Heroes appeared as the second feature in issues #504–514 before taking over as the lead feature in issue #515 (August 2010).

Atom

Following this was the

Mahmud Asrar. The same team was to create a ten-part, ten-page "Atom" co-feature in Adventure Comics, but DC ended all its second features and reduced its titles to twenty pages of story. Issue #521 was the last issue to feature the Atom.[34]

Collected editions

Awards

The series has won several awards for itself and its creators over the years, including the

Shazam Award for Best Pencil Artist (Humor Division) for Bob Oksner for his work on Adventure Comics and other DC
comics in 1970.

See also

  • List of DC Comics publications

References

  1. ^ Johns, Geoff (w), Manapul, Francis (p), Manapul, Francis (i). "The Boy of Steel, Part One" Adventure Comics, vol. 2, no. 1 (October 2009).
    Johns, Geoff (w), Henry, Clayton (p), Henry, Clayton (i). "Long Live the Legion, Part One" Adventure Comics, vol. 2, no. 1 (October 2009).
  2. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. With New Fun already out on the newsstands, [Malcolm] Wheeler-Nicholson
    didn't waste any time in adding a second title to his line. New Comics appeared in a smaller format than New Fun, one that was similar in size to what are now considered standard comic book dimensions.
  3. ^ Wallace "1930s" in Dolan, p. 16: "New Comics received a makeover with issue #12, becoming New Adventure Comics".
  4. ^ Wallace "1930s" in Dolan, p. 21: "DC's second-oldest series, which began as New Comics and then became New Adventure Comics, underwent a third name change – but this one stuck".
  5. ^ Adventure Comics at the Grand Comics Database
  6. ^ Siegel, Jerry (w), Shuster, Joe (a). "Federal Men" New Adventure Comics, no. 12 (January 1937).
  7. ^ Cronin, Brian (October 16, 2008). "Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #177". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
  8. ^ Wallace "1940s" in Dolan, p. 36: "Gardner Fox and artist Jack Burnley presented the new costumed hero Starman in this issue".
  9. ^ Wallace "1940s" in Dolan, p. 41: "Hot properties Joe Simon and Jack Kirby joined DC...[and] after taking over the Sandman and Sandy, the Golden Boy feature in Adventure Comics #72, the writer and artist team turned their attentions to Manhunter with issue #73".
  10. ^ Wallace "1940s" in Dolan, p. 51: "Following More Fun Comics change in focus the previous month, the displaced super-heroes Superboy, Green Arrow, Johnny Quick, Aquaman, and the Shining Knight were welcomed by Adventure Comics".
  11. Irvine, Alex
    "1950s" in Dolan, p. 76: "Superboy was reunited with his dog in 'The Super-Dog from Krypton' by writer Otto Binder and artist Curt Swan".
  12. ^ Irvine "1950s" in Dolan, p. 89: "The Legion of Super-Heroes would become one of DC's most enduring and popular groups despite their humble beginnings, in a story by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino".
  13. ^ Siegel, Jerry (w), Forte, John (p), Forte, John (i). "The Face Behind the Lead Mask!" Adventure Comics, no. 300 (September 1962).
  14. ^ McAvennie, Michael "1960s" in Dolan, p. 108: "The demise of the Legion co-founder was a first not only for the Legion fan base, but for mainstream comics in general...Lightning Lad was resurrected later that year in Adventure Comics #312".
  15. ^ McAvennie "1960s" in Dolan, p. 118: "In his first-ever published story, fourteen-year-old Jim Shooter admitted four new members into the Legion of Super-Heroes ... Shooter's long, memorable tenure as one of the Legion's greatest writers was officially underway".
  16. ^ McAvennie "1960s" in Dolan, p. 123: "Writer Jim Shooter and artist Curt Swan unleashed an even greater menace when the Fatal Five decided to stay united in the years ahead".
  17. ^ Shooter, Jim (w), Mortimer, Win (p), Abel, Jack (i). "The Legion's Space Odyssey" Adventure Comics, no. 380 (May 1969).
  18. ^ Bates, Cary (w), Mortimer, Win (p), Abel, Jack (i). "The Supergirl Gang" Adventure Comics, no. 381 (June 1969).
  19. ^ Skeates, Steve (w), DeZuniga, Tony (p), Oksner, Bob (i). "Crypt of the Frozen Graves" Adventure Comics, no. 424 (October 1972).
  20. ^ Abramowitz, Jack (December 2013). "Adventure Comics #400...Really?". Back Issue! (69). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 22–24.
  21. ^ McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 156: "Very little was known about the Black Orchid, even after writer Sheldon Mayer and artist Tony DeZuniga presented her so-called "origin issue" in Adventure Comics".
  22. ^ McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 159: "The Spectre re-materialized in the pages of Adventure Comics. This time, however, he brought along an all-out wrathful disposition, delivering punishments that not only fit the crimes, but arguably exceeded them...[Michael] Fleisher and [Jim] Aparo's run lasted only ten issues, yet it was widely regarded as some of their finest work, and the character's seminal period".
  23. ISBN 0821220764
    . Adventure Comics also became home for the Spectre, the sinister Golden Age character who got a new lease on life after [Joe] Orlando was mugged and decided the world needed a really relentless super hero.
  24. ^ McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 162: "An unpublished Seven Soldiers of Victory story finally saw print as a backup feature in Adventure Comics #438 – three decades after it was written. Noted scientist and author Joseph Samachson had penned his last Soldiers story in 1945, when the super hero team were a regular feature in Leading Comics".
  25. ^ Cronin, Brian (February 18, 2010). "Comic Book Legends Revealed #248". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on October 1, 2010. Retrieved January 6, 2013. An unpublished script starring the Seven Soldiers of Victory was published within five issues of Adventure Comics…Thirty years after the Seven Soldiers of Victory feature was canceled!
  26. ^ Abramowitz, Jack (May 2013). "Seven Soldiers of Victory: Lost in Time Again". Back Issue! (64). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 33–37.
  27. ^ Romero, Max (July 2012). "I'll Buy That For a Dollar! DC Comics' Dollar Comics". Back Issue! (57). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 39–41.
  28. ^ Manning, Matthew K. "1980s" in Dolan, p. 186: "The second [feature in Adventure Comics #467] debuted a new version of Starman by writer Paul Levitz and illustrator Steve Ditko".
  29. ^ Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 187: "With issue #475, fan favorite Aquaman was added to the [Adventure Comics] lineup, and his first installment was written by J. M. DeMatteis and illustrated by Dick Giordano".
  30. ^ Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 192: "Within a sixteen-page preview in Legion of Super-Heroes #272...was "Dial 'H' for Hero", a new feature that raised the bar on fan interaction in the creative process. The feature's story, written by Marv Wolfman, with art by Carmine Infantino, saw two high-school students find dials that turned them into super-heroes. Everything from the pair's civilian clothes to the heroes they became was created by fans writing in. This concept would continue in the feature's new regular spot within Adventure Comics".
  31. ^ Sanderson, Peter (September–October 1981). "DC Cancels Adventure Comics". Comics Feature (12/13). New Media Publishing: 17. The title has suffered from poor sales for several years, with the recent 'Starman/Plastic Man' issues' sales being especially dismal. It was hoped that the new 'Dial 'H' for Hero' series would revitalize Adventure's sales, but apparently such was not the case.
  32. ^ Adventure Comics vol. 2' at the Grand Comics Database
  33. ^ Brady, Matt (November 17, 2008). "DiDio Confirms Adventure Comics Return". Newsarama. Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  34. ^ Renaud, Jeffrey (April 13, 2010). "Lemire Embiggens Ray Palmer". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on April 15, 2010. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  35. ^ "Golden Age Sandman Archives Volume 1". DC Comics. Archived from the original on November 29, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  36. ^ "Golden Age Starman Archives Volume 1". DC Comics. Archived from the original on November 29, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  37. ^ "Golden Age Starman Archives Volume 2". DC Comics. Archived from the original on November 29, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  38. ^ "The Sandman by Simon and Kirby". DC Comics. Archived from the original on April 5, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  39. ^ "The Adventures of Superboy". DC Comics. Archived from the original on April 27, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  40. ^ "Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Volume 1". DC Comics. Archived from the original on April 27, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  41. ^ "Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Volume 2". DC Comics. Archived from the original on April 28, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  42. ^ "Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Volume 3". DC Comics. Archived from the original on April 27, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  43. ^ "Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Volume 4". DC Comics. Archived from the original on July 20, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  44. ^ "Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Volume 5". DC Comics. Archived from the original on April 28, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  45. ^ "Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Volume 6". DC Comics. Archived from the original on April 27, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  46. ^ "Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Volume 7". DC Comics. Archived from the original on April 28, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  47. ^ "Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Volume 8". DC Comics. Archived from the original on November 2, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  48. ^ "Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Volume 9". DC Comics. Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
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  52. ^ "Showcase Presents: Legion of Super-Heroes Volume 4". DC Comics. Archived from the original on September 11, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  53. ^ "Legion of Super-Heroes: The Silver Age Omnibus Volume 1". DC Comics. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  54. ^ "Legion of Super-Heroes: The Silver Age Omnibus Volume 2". DC Comics. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
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  63. ^ "Showcase Presents: All Star Comics Volume 1". DC Comics. Archived from the original on November 16, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  64. ^ "The Steve Ditko Omnibus Volume 2". DC Comics. Archived from the original on July 19, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
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  66. ^ "Superboy: The Boy of Steel". DC Comics. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  67. ^ "Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps". DC Comics. Archived from the original on November 25, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  68. ^ "Blackest Night: Rise of the Black Lanterns". DC Comics. Archived from the original on November 12, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
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  74. ^ "Legion of Super-Heroes Vol. 3: When Evil Calls". DC Comics. Archived from the original on November 29, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.

External links

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