This is Chapter 0 – The Early Years, showing the stories that take place from the start of the universe to right before the debut of Superman.
Also check out the collected editions version of this chapter, which features a more streamlined reading experience that is less thorough but easier to purchase.
| DC Reading Order: Early Years (Single Issues) | |
|---|---|
 | Justice League Vol.4 #22: “The First Crisis” Estimated Event Date: 20 Billion Years Ago Notes: Origin of the Multiverse. |
 | Green Lanterns #26-31: “The First Ring; Out of Time” Estimated Event Date: 10 Billion Years Ago Collected in: Green Lanterns Vol. 4-5: “The First Ring; Out of Time” Notes: The Green Lantern Corps debut. |
 | Swamp Thing #89: “Founding Fathers” Estimated Event Date: 470 Million Years Ago Notes: The Parliament of Trees is created. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 and 3 |
 | Jack Kirby’s Fourth World #2-4 second stories Notes: Darkeid’s Origin. Reincorporated into continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1. New Gods Secret Files & Origins places these events at 1,100 BCE. However, Green Lantern 80-Page Giant #3 places Darkseid already existing since 1,346,70 BCE, and Doomsday Annual #1 places him since 243,000 BCE, both earlier than 1,100 BCE. Both New Gods Secret Files & Origins and Green Lantern 80-Page Giant have been confirmed to be canonical to the current DC (by New History of the DC Universe #1 and The New Gods #9, respectively). Plus, the also-canonical Secret Soldiers of Victory #1 shows Orion, Darkseid’s son, was grown up by 40,000 BCE. All together, New Gods Secret Files & Origins’ dates cannot be taken as fact. |
 | New Gods Vol.1 #7: “The Pact” Notes: Reincorporated into continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1. New Gods Secret Files & Origins places these events at 1700 CE. However, Green Lantern 80-Page Giant #3 places Darkseid already ruling Apokolips, like he did after The Pact, since 1,346,70 BCE, and Seven Soldiers of Victory #1 places an adult Orion on Earth since 40,000 BCE. Both sources have been confirmed to be canonical to the current DC by New History of the DC Universe #1. All together, New Gods Secret Files & Origins’ dates cannot be taken as fact. |
 | Jack Kirby’s Fourth World #14-16 second stories Notes: The Boom Tube and Element X are discovered. Occurs during The Pact. Reincorporated into continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1. |
 | Arion, Lord of Atlantis #4: “Unto Atlantis…a Savior!” Estimated Event Date: 143,000 BCE Notes: Arion, Lord of Atlantis, debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | H-E-R-O #11: “The Great Leap Forward” Estimated Event Date: 50,000 BCE Notes: The H-E-R-O Dial is first found. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Showcase #74: “It Could Be You!” Estimated Event Date: 38,000 BCE Notes: Anthro debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1. |
 | Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #1: “Shadow on Stone” Estimated Event Date: 38,000 BCE Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by Flash Vol.5 #21 |
 | Kong the Untamed #1 Estimated Event Date: 38,000 BCE Notes: Kong debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1. |
 | The Atlantis Chronicles #1-6 Estimated Event Date: 9,600 BCE Collected in: Aquaman: The Atlantis Chronicles Notes: Origin of Atlantis. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Atlantis Chronicles #7: Chapter Nine: “Death and Life” Estimated event date: 1180 BCE Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Swamp Thing 1989 #1: “Morning of the Magician” Estimated event date: 33 CE Notes: Etrigan is born. The Golden Gladiator debuts. |
 | The Brave and the Bold #1 first and fourth stories: “The Thunder of the Chariots!; Duel in Forest Perilous!” Estimated event date: 54 CE; 6th Century CE Notes: The Golden Gladiator’s first historical appearance. The Silent Knight, ancestor of Clark Kent and a reincarnation of Hawkman, debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1. |
 | The Demon #19: “Beyond Love Story” Estimated Event Date: 6th Century CE Notes: A different account of how Etrigan is born wherein he meets Merlin. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Poison Ivy 2025 Annual #1: “Lake, Maiden, Sword” Estimated Event Date: 6th Century CE Notes: The rise and fall of Camelot. |
 | Seven Soldiers: Shining Knight #1: “The Last of Camelot” Estimated Event Date: 542 CE Notes: Shining Knight (Sir Ystin) debuts during the fall of Camelot. Reintroduced to continuity by Ragman Vol.3 #4, placement by New History of the DC Universe #1. |
 | Swamp Thing #87: “Fall of the House of Pendragon” Estimated Event Date: 542 CE Notes: During the fall of Camelot. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 and 3 |
 | Madame Xanadu #1-2: “By the Runes” Estimated Event Date: 542 CE Notes: Madame Xanadu debuts during the fall of Camelot. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1. |
 | Hellblazer Annual #1: “The Bloody Saint” Estimated Event Date: 542 CE Notes: After the fall of Camelot. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Warlord #49 second story Estimated Event Date: 796 CE Notes: Arak, Son of Thunder, debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
| The Brave and the Bold #1 second story: “Battle for the Dragon Ship!” Estimated event date: 964 CE Notes: The Viking Price debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1. |
 | Hawkman (2018) #13: “On Common Ground” Estimated Event Date: Centuries ago |
 | Demon Knights #1-23 Estimated Event Date: The Eleventh Century CE Collected in: Demon Knights Vol.1: Seven Against the Dark; Demon Knights Vol.2: The Avalon Trap; Demon Knights Vol.3: The Gathering Storm Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Robin Hood Tales #14 first story: “The Secret of Robin Hood’s Name!” Estimated event date: The Twelfth Century CE Notes: Robin Hood debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | The Odyssey of the Amazons #1-6 Estimated Event Date: 14th Century CE Collected in: The Odyssey of the Amazons |
 | All Star Western #117 third story: “The Crowning of Super-Chief!” Estimated event date: The Fifteenth Century CE Notes: Super-Chief debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | All Star Western #58 fourth story: “Law of the Tomahawks” Estimated Event Date: The Fifteenth Century CE Notes: Strong Bow debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1. |
| Atlantis Chronicles #7: Chapter Ten: “Tails of the Sea” Estimated event date: 1492 CE Notes: A crew member from Columbus’s ship spots a mermaid. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | DC’s Terror Through Time #1 seventh story: Etrigan in “Lost and Found” Estimated Event Date: 1522 CE |
 | Sandman #19: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Estimated Event Date: 1593 CE Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by Doctor Fate Vol.4 #18 |
 | Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #2: “Until the End of Time” Estimated Event Date: 1640 CE Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by Flash Vol.5 #21 |
 | Hawkman (2018) #23: “Miasma of Fear” Estimated Event Date: 1650 CE |
 | Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #3: “The Bones of Bristol Bay” Estimated Event Date: 1718 CE Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by Flash Vol.5 #21 |
 | Adventure Comics #425 fourth story: “Captain Fear” Estimated Event Date: The Eighteenth Century CE Notes: Captain Fear debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Star Spangled Comics #69 seventh story: “Flames Along the Frontier!” Estimated Event Date: 1770 CE Notes: Tomahawk and Dan Hunter debut. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Time Masters #4: “Time Is on My Side” Estimated Event Date: 1770 CE Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Tomahawk #81 third story: “Miss Liberty–Frontier Heroine” Estimated Event Date: 1775 CE Notes: Miss Liberty debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Tomahawk #83 first story: “20 Against the Tribe” Estimated Event Date: 1775 CE Notes: The Rangers debut. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Detective Comics 2022 Annual #2: “Motif” Estimated Event Date: 1776 CE Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by Flash Vol.5 #21 |
 | Action Comics #23 third story: “Dead Men Tell No Tales” Estimated Event Date: 1800 CE Notes: The Black Pirate debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Swamp Thing #87: “Heroes of the Revolution” Estimated Event Date: 1800 CE Notes: Hawk Haukins is born. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 and 3 |
 | Mister Miracle #5-7 second stories: “Young Scott Free” Estimated date: 18th Century Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by Female Furies #4 |
 | New Gods Special #1 second story: “Teeth of the Sea: A Tale of Young Orion” |
 | Female Furies #1-4: “Female Furies” Estimated date: 1802 Collected in: Female Furies |
 | Mister Miracle #19: “Himon!” Estimated date: 1802 Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by Female Furies #4 |
| All Star Western #58 second story: “Duel at Hawk Hill!” Estimated Event Date: Early Nineteenth Century CE Notes: Don Caballero debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1. |
 | Tomahawk #131 first story: “Hang Him High” Estimated Event Date: 1820s Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1. |
 | Showcase #85: “I Don’t Belong Here — I Don’t Belong There!” Estimated Event Date: 1820s Notes: Firehair debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1. |
 | The Shade #1: “A Family Affair: Piers 1838” Estimated Event Date: 1838 Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Western Comics #1 fifth story: “The Jailbreaker!” Estimated Event Date: 1847 Note: Wyoming Kid debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | All-American Comics #100 first story: “Johnny Thunder!” Estimated Event Date: 1848 Notes: Johnny Thunder (John Tane) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Western Comics #5 second story: “The Lair of the Timberwolf” Estimated Event Date: 1848 Notes: Nighthawk debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Showcase #76: “Pheseant in Aspic” Estimated Event Date: 1868 Collected in: Showcase Presents: Bat Lash Notes: Bat Lash debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | All-Star Western #2 second story: “The Devil Has Two Faces!” Estimated Event Date: 1870 Collected in: DC Finest: Western – The Hangman Never Loses Notes: El Diablo debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Weird Western Tales #48 second story: “Cinnamon” Estimated Event Date: 1870 Notes: Cinnamon debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Jonah Hex #30: “Birth of a Bounty Hunter” Estimated Event Date: 1872 Notes: Jonah Hex debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Swamp Thing #85: “My Name is Nobody” Estimated Event Date: 1872 CE Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 and 3 |
 | Secret Origins #40 first story: “Gorillas In Our Midst” Estimated Event Date: 1873 Notes: Gorilla City, Grodd and Solovar debut. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Weird Western Tales #39: “Scalphunter” Estimated Event Date: 1876 Notes: Scalphunter (Ke-Woh-No-Tay) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #4: “Dark Night, Dark Rider” Estimated Event Date: 1870s CE Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by Flash Vol.5 #21 |
 | Hawkman (2002) #7: “Fine Day for a Hangin'” Estimated Event Date: 1890s CE Notes: Nighthawk and Cinnamon die. Reintroduced to continuity by Hawkman (2018) #2 |
 | House of Secrets #92 second story: “Swamp Thing” Estimated event date: 1905 Notes: Swamp Thing (Alex Olsen) debuts. Len Wein’s run was reincorporated to continuity by Swamp Thing Winter Special #1 |
 | Our Army at War #151 second story: “Enemy Ace!” Estimated Event Date: 1914 Collected in: Showcase Presents: Enemy Ace Notes: Enemy Ace debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Swamp Thing #83: “Brothers in Arms Part One” Estimated Event Date: 1916 Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 and 3 |
 | New Fun #1 first story: “Jack Woods” Estimated Event Date: Around 1915-1920 Notes: Jack Woods debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | The Sandman Special Vol.2 #1 first story: “The King of Dreams” Estimated event date: 1920s |
 | The Shade #2: “Rupert and Marguerite: 1865 & 1931” Estimated Event Date: 1931 Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | DC Pride: Through the Years #1 fourth story: “Alan Scott: The Green Lantern: Past Prologue” Estimated event date: 1936 |
 | Secret Origins #17 second story: “The Secret Origin of Dr. Occult” Estimated Event Date: 1936 Notes: Dr. Occult and Koth debut. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Detective Comics #1 first story: “The River Patrol” Estimated Event Date: 1937 Notes: Speed Saunders debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | New Adventure Comics #17-27: “Nadir, Master of Magic: “Pearl of the Bleeding Heart”” Estimated Event Date: 1937 Notes: Nadir debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | More Fun Comics #37: “Foiling the Air Pirates!” Estimated Event Date: 1938 Notes: Flying Fox (Rex Darrell) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Sandman Mystery Theatre #1-16, Annual #1, 17-20 Estimated event date: 1938 Collected in: Sandman Mystery Theatre Compedium One Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Secret Origins #5 first story: “The Crimson Avenger” Estimated Event Date: October, 1938 Notes: The Crimson Avenger debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Action Comics #1 ninth story: “Murder in England” Estimated Event Date: 1938 Notes: Tex Thompson debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Sandman Mystery Theatre #21-36 Estimated event date: 1939 Collected in: Sandman Mystery Theatre Compedium One Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Sandman Mystery Theatre #37-70 Estimated event date: 1939 Collected in: Sandman Mystery Theatre Compedium Two Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Wonder Woman #750 ninth story: “A Brave New World” Estimated event date: 1939 Notes: Wonder Woman (Hyppolita) debuts. |
 | Smash Comics #1 ninth story: “Invisible Justice” Estimated Event Date: 1939 Notes: The Invisible Hood debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Secret Origins #8 second story: “Doll Man” Estimated Event Date: 1939 Notes: Doll Man debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Steel, The Indestructible Man #1: “From Hell Is Forged …a Hero!” Estimated Event Date: 1939 Notes: Steel (Henry Heywood Sr.) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Secret Origins #13 second story: “The Secret Origin of the Whip” Estimated event date: 1939 Notes: The Whip debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Secret Origins #9 second story: “The Secret Origin of the Golden Age Flash” Estimated Event Date: January, 1940 Notes: Flash (Jay Garrick) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Flash #750 fifth story: “At the Starting Line” Estimated event date: January 1940 |
 | Secret Origins #25 second story: “One Way” Estimated Event Date: January, 1940 Notes: Atom (Al Pratt) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | All-American Comics #18-21 Estimated Event Date: 1940 Notes: Red Tornado (Ma Hunkel) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Adventure Comics #48 first story: “Presenting Tick-Tock Tyler, the Hour-Man” Estimated Event Date: 1940 Notes: Hourman (Rex Tyler) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Secret Origins #24 second story: “The Secret Origin of Doctor Fate” Estimated event date: May 1940 Collected in: Last Days of the Justice Society of America Notes: Doctor Fate (Kent Nelson) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Secret Origins #11 second story: “The Secret Origin of the Golden Age Hawkman” Estimated Event Date: June, 1940 Notes: Hawkman debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Secret Origins #18 second story: “The Tale of the Green Lantern” Estimated event date: July 1940 Collected in: Last Days of the Justice Society of America Notes: Green Lantern (Alan Scott) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Green Lantern 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 first story: “Dark Things Cannot Stand the Light” Estimated event date: July 1940 |
 | Secret Origins #15 second story: “The Secret Origin of the Spectre!” Estimated Event Date: 1940 Notes: The Spectre debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Secret Origins #19 first story: “The Coming of… Uncle Sam” Estimated Event Date: 1940 Notes: Uncle Sam debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | More Fun Comics #56 seventh story: “The Search for Africa’s Ancient Ruins” Estimated Event Date: 1940 Notes: Congo Bill debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
| Secret Origins #13 third story: “The Secret Origin of Johnny Thunder” Estimated event date: 1940 Notes: Johnny Thunder debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Whiz Comics #2 second, third and fourth stories: “Ibis Lives Again!; The Origin of Golden Arrow; The Coming of Spy Smasher” Estimated Event Date: 1940 Notes: Ibis the Invincible, Taia, Golden Arrow and Spy Smasher debut. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Crack Comics #1 eighth, fifteenth and seventeenth stories: “The Sign of the Cricket; Origin of the Red Torpedo; Origin of Madam Fatal” Estimated Event Date: 1940 Notes: The Spider (Thomas Hallaway), Red Torpedo (Jim Lockhart) and Madam Fatal (Richard Stanton) debut. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Nickel Comics #1 first story: “The Origin of Bulletman!” Estimated Event Date: 1940 Notes: Bulletman (James Barr) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Hit Comics #1 fourth and tenth stories: “Origin of the Red Bee; Origin of Neon the Unknown” Estimated Event Date: 1940 Notes: Red Bee and Neon the Unknown debut. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Smash Comics #13 sixth story: “The Origin of Magno” Estimated Event Date: 1940 Notes: Magno the Miracle Man debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Smash Comics #14 eighth story: “The Ray” Estimated Event Date: 1940 Notes: Ray (Langford Terrill) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Secret Origins #21 second story: “The Secret Origin of the Black Condor” Estimated Event Date: 1940 Notes: Black Condor debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | JSA #13-18: “JSA Year One” Estimated event date: Summer 1940 Notes: The Justice Society of America debuts. |
 | Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #1-6 Estimated event date: 1940 Collected in: Wesley Dodds: The Sandman Notes: The Sandman joins the Justice Society of America. |
 | Stargirl Spring Break Special #1 second story: “Justice Society: Past Is Prologue” Estimated event date: 1940 |
 | Unknown Soldier #248-249: “Doorway of Destiny” Estimated event date: 1940 Notes: Origin of the Unknown Soldier. Reintroduced to continuity by New DC History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Star Spangled Comics #18 second story: “Stripesy Vs. the Star-Spangled Kid” Estimated Event Date: 1941 Notes: Stripesy and the Star-Spangled Kid debut. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | All-Star Squadron #62: “The Origin of The Shining Knight” Estimated Event Date: 1941 Notes: Shining Knight (Sir Justin) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Action Comics #42 second story: “The Origin of the Vigilante” Estimated Event Date: 1941 Notes: Vigilante (Gregory Sanders) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Master Comics #11 sixth story: “Minute-Man” Estimated Event Date: 1941 Notes: Minute-Man (Jack Weston) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Feature Comics #42 fourth story: “Introducing U.S.A.” Estimated Event Date: 1941 Notes: U.S.A. debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Secret Origins #20 second story: “The Secret Origin of Dr. Mid-Nite” Estimated Event Date: 1941 Notes: Dr. Mid-Nite (Charles McNider) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Master Comics #13 first story: “The Origin of Bulletgirl” Estimated Event Date: 1941 Notes: Bulletgirl (Susan Kent) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Master Comics #21 first story: “The Coming of Captain Nazi” Estimated Event Date: 1941 Collected in: The Shazam! Archives Vol. 4 Notes: Captain Nazi debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | All-American Comics #26 fifth story: “The Ruby of Life” Estimated Event Date: 1941 Notes: Sargon the Sorcerer debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Police Comics #1 first, tenth and twelfth stories: “Introducing the Firebrand; The Coming of the Phantom Lady; The Origin of the Human Bomb” Estimated Event Date: 1941 Notes: Firebrand, Phantom Lady and the Human Bomb debut. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | All-Star Comics #5 first story: “The Mysterious Mister X” Estimated Event Date: 1941 Collected in: DC Finest: Justice Society of America – For America and Democracy Notes: Hawkgirl (Shiera Hall) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | More Fun Comics #73 fourth story: “The Submarine Strikes” Estimated Event Date: 1941 Collected in: Aquaman: 80 Years of the King of the Seven Seas – The Deluxe Edition Notes: Aquaman (Adam Waterman) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | All-Star Squadron #63: “The Origin of the Golden Age Robotman” Estimated Event Date: 1941 Notes: Robotman debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Secret Origins #42 second story: “The Secret Origin of Grim Ghost” Estimated Event Date: 1941 Notes: The Grim Ghost debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Leading Comics #1 Estimated Event Date: 1941 Collected in: Seven Soldiers of Victory Archives Vol. 1 Notes: The Seven Soldier debut with Green Arrow and Speedy traveling through time from the Modern Age. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Detective Comics #60 tenth story: “The Case of the Missing Evidence!” Estimated Event Date: 1941 Collected in: Detective Comics: 80 Years of Batman – The Deluxe Edition Notes: Air Wave (Larry Jordan) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Alan Scott: The Green Lantern #1-6 Estimated event date: 1941 Collected in: Alan Scott: The Green Lantern |
 | Sensation Comics #1 third and seventh stories: “Mr. Terrific; Wildcat” Estimated event date: 1941 Collected in: The JSA All-Stars Archives Vol.1 Notes: Mr. Terrific (Terry Sloane) and Wildcat (Ted Grant) debut. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | DC’s Batman Smells, Robin Laid an Egg #1 sixth story: “Dr. Mid-Nite: Silent Nite” Estimated event date: 1941 |
 | Secret Origins Vol.2 #26 second story: “The Secret Origin of Miss America” Estimated event date: 1941 Notes: The Freedom Fighters fail to stop Pearl Harbor. Reincorporated to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Justice League of America #193 second story: “All-Star Squadron” and All-Star Squadron #1-5, 9, 13, 17 Estimated Event Date: 1942 Collected in: Showcase Presents: All Star Squadron Notes: The All-Star Squadron debuts. Steel is promoted to Commander. Baron Blitzkrieg debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | All-Star Squadron #23 Estimated Event Date: 1942 Notes: Amazing-Man (William Everett Sr.) debuts. Steel is promoted to Commander. Baron Blitzkrieg debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | All-Star Squadron #47: “The Secret Origin of Doctor Fate!” Estimated Event Date: 1942 Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Star Spangled Comics #7-8 Estimated Event Date: 1942 Notes: The Guardian (Jim Harper) and the Newsboy Legion debut. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Detective Comics #64 third story: “The Commandos Are Coming” Estimated Event Date: 1942 Collected in: Detective Comics: 80 Years of Batman – The Deluxe Edition Notes: The Boy Commandos debut. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | All-Star Squadron #61: “The Origin of Liberty Belle” Estimated Event Date: 1942 Notes: Liberty Belle debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | All-Star Squadron #65: “The Origin of Johnny Quick” Estimated Event Date: 1942 Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | All-Star Squadron #66: “The Origin of Tarantula” Estimated Event Date: April, 1942 Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | The Young All-Stars #1-4 Estimated Event Date: April, 1942 Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Secret Origins #29 third story: “The Secret Origin of Mr. America, Alias the Americommando” Estimated Event Date: June, 1942 Notes: Rex Thompson becomes Mr. America and, later, the Americommando. Fatman (Robert Daley) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | The Young All-Stars #21-26 Estimated Event Date: June, 1942 Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Ibis the Invincible #1 Estimated event date: 1942 Notes: Ibis debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Secret Origins #48 third story: “The Birth of Rex the Wonder Dog” Estimated event date: 1942 Notes: Rex the Wonder Dog debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Hit Comics #25 first story: “The Origin of Kid Eternity” Estimated event date: 1942 Notes: Kid Eternity debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | All-Star Squadron #28: “By Hatred Possessed!” Estimated Event Date: Winter 1942 Collected in: DC Finest: The Spectre – The Wrath of the Spectre Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | DC Holiday Special 2017 #1 fourth story: “Going Down Easy!” Estimated event date: 1942 |
 | DC’s I Saw Ma Hunkel Kissing Santa Claus #1 first story: Ma Hunkel in “Up on the Rooftops!” Estimated event date: December, 1942 |
 | Green Lantern #10 first story: “The Man Who Wanted the World!” Estimated Event Date: 1943 Collected in: Green Lantern: 80 Years of the Emerald Knight Notes: Vandal Savage debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | All-American Comics #61 first story: “Green Lantern: Fighters Never Quit” Estimated Event Date: 1944 Collected in: DC’s Wanted:The World’s Most Dangerous Super-Villains Notes: Solomon Grundy debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Star Spangled War Stories #84 first story: “Battle Doll!” Estimated Event Date: 1944 Notes: Mademoiselle Marie debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Our Army At War #90 first story: “3 Stripes Hill!” Estimated Event Date: 1944 Collected in: Showcase Presents:Sgt. Rock Vol.1 Notes: Sgt. Rock debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | G.I. Combat #87 first story: “Introducing — The Haunted Tank” Estimated Event Date: 1944 Collected in: DC Goes to War Notes: The Haunted Tank debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Our Fighting Forces #106 second story: “Hunter’s Hellcats!” Estimated Event Date: 1944 Notes: Hunter’s Hellcats debut. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | G.I. Combat #138 first story: “The Losers” Estimated Event Date: 1944 Collected in: Showcase Presents: The Haunted Tank Vol. 2 Notes: The Losers debut. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Star Spangled War Stories #101-103, 125 Estimated Event Date: 1944 Collected in: Showcase Presents: The War That Time Forgot Notes: G.I. Robot debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Wonder Woman 75th Anniversary Special #1 first story: “Give Us Strength” Estimated event date: 1944 |
 | DC’s Terrors Through Time #1 fifth story: “JSA: The Midnight Hour” Estimated event date: 1944 |
 | The Newsboy Legion and the Boy Commandos Special #1 first story: “A Separate Peace in Pieces!” Estimated event date: 1944 |
 | Men of War #1 first story: “Codename: Gravedigger” Estimated Event Date: 1945 Collected in: Showcase Presents: Men of War Notes: Gravedigger debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Weird War Tales #93 first story: “The Creature Commandos!” Estimated Event Date: 1945 Collected in: The Creature Commandos! Notes: The Creature Commandos debut. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Weird War Tales #101 second story: “My Buddy — the Robot!” Estimated Event Date: 1945 Notes: G.I. Robot (J.A.K.E.) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Weird War Tales #113 second story: “The Robot and the Samurai!” Estimated Event Date: 1945 Notes: G.I. Robot (J.A.K.E.-2) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Weird War Tales #50: “An Appointment with Destiny!” Estimated Event Date: April, 1945 Notes: The Spear of Destiny debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1. |
 | JSA Vol.2 #8: “The Unnamed Ones” Estimated event date: May, 1945 |
 | Swamp Thing #82: “Brothers in Arms Part Two” Estimated Event Date: May, 1945 Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 and 3 |
 | Detective Comics #151 sixth story: “The Origin of Pow-Wow Smith!” Estimated Event Date: 1949 Collected in: Detective Comics: 80 Years of Batman – The Deluxe Edition Notes: Pow-Wow Smith debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | DC Power: A Celebration #1 first story: “Amazing Man: Black Paradise” Estimated event date: 1950 |
 | Adventure Comics #466 third story: “The Defeat of the Justice Society!” Estimated Event Date: 1951 Collected in: Justice Society of America: The Demise of Justice Notes: The JSA disbands. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | The Shade #3: “The Spider: 1951” Estimated Event Date: 1951 Notes: Flash retires. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | DC Special Series #10 first story: “This Immortal Destiny!” Estimated event date: 1955 Notes: Doctor Fate’s origin is revealed. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Gotham City Year One #1-6 Estimated event date: 1961 Collected in: Gotham City Year One |
 | Tales of the Unexpected #91 third story: “Robot for Hire” Estimated Event Date: 1965 Notes: Automan debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Special War Series #4 first story: “Introducing Rip Jagger… Judomaster” Estimated Event Date: 1965 Notes: Judomaster debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Tales of the Unexpected #90 fourth story: “My Twin– the Tiger Man” Estimated event date: 1960s Notes: Tiger Man debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Action Comics #248 third story: “The Amazing Congorilla!” Estimated event date: 1960s Notes: Congorilla debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Strange Adventures #9-10 first stories Estimated event date: 1960s Collected in: Captain Comet Archives Vol.1 Notes: Captain Comet debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Showcase #79: “Dolphin: “The Fantasy at 14 Fathoms!”” Estimated Event Date: 1969 Notes: Dolphin debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #2 |
 | The Phantom Stranger #10 first story: “Death… Call Not My Name!” Estimated Event Date: 1970 Collected in: The Phantom Stranger Omnibus Notes: Tannarak debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | The Demon #1: “Unleash the one who Waits” Estimated Event Date: 1972 Collected in: DC Finest: The Demon – Birth of the Demon Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | House of Mystery #290 Estimated Event Date: 1980 Collected in: I… Vampire! Notes: I… Vampire (Andrew Bennet) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Secret Origins #50 fourth story: “Reflections of a Deep Fantasy” Estimated Event Date: 1990 Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Danger Trail #1 first story: “Hunters of the Whispering Gallery!” Estimated event date: Right before Krypton’s destruction Notes: King Faraday debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | World of Krypton Vol.3 #1-6 Estimated event date: 25 years before the debut of Superman Collected in: World of Krypton Notes: placement according to New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | New History of the DC Universe #1 Estimated event date: Beginning of time to 25 years before the debut of Superman Collected in: New History of the DC Universe |
| Atlantis Chronicles #7: Chapter Eleven: “Birthrite” Estimated event date: 18 years before the debut of Superman Notes: Arthur Curry is born. Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Batman Vol.2 #9-11 second stories: “The Fall of the House of Wayne” Estimated event date: 18 years before the debut of Superman Notes: Reintroduced to Continuity by All-Star Batman #11 |
 | Tales of the Green Lantern Corps Annual #2 fourth story: “Tygers” Estimated event date: 10 years before Green Lantern’s debut Collected in: Green Lantern Corps Vol. 1: Beware Their Power Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by New History of the DC Universe #1 |
 | Action Comics 2022 Annual #1: “A Tale of Two Titans” Estimated date: 10 years before the debut of Superman |
 | Superman: Secret Origin #1 Estimated date: 10 years before the debut of Superman Collected in: Superman: Secret Origin Notes: Superboy (Clark Kent) debuts. Reintroduced to continuity by Superman Reborn |
 | Action Comics #1087-1100 Estimated date: 10 years before the debut of Superman Collected in: Superman: Action Comics Vol.1: Boy of Steel |
 | Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #1-5 Estimated date: 10 years before the debut of Superman Collected in: Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton Notes: Krypto the Super-Dog’s origin |
 | Superman: Secret Origin #2 Estimated date: 10 years before the debut of Superman Collected in: Superman: Secret Origin Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by Superman Reborn |
 | Superman Red and Blue #5 first story: “Fetch” Estimated date: 10 years before the debut of Superman |
 | Summer of Superman Special #1: “The Past, The Present, The Future: Chapter One” Estimated date: 10 years before the debut of Superman |
 | Wonder Woman #770-779 second stories: “Young Diana” Estimated date: 10 years before the debut of Superman Collected in: Wonder Woman: The Adventures of Young Diana |
 | Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1 second story: “Young Diana: Dreamers” Estimated date: 10 years before the debut of Superman |
 | Wonder Woman #785-796 second stories: “Young Diana” Estimated date: 10 years before the debut of Superman Collected in: Wonder Woman: The Adventures of Young Diana |
 | Wonder Woman: Black & Gold 2026 Special #1 fourth story: “Young Diana: Peach Thief” Estimated date: 10 years before the debut of Superman |
 | Batman: The Knight #1-3 Estimated date: 5 years before the debut of Superman Collected in: Batman: The Knight |
 | Batman: The Knight #4-7 Estimated date: 4-2 years before the debut of Superman Collected in: Batman: The Knight |
 | Batman Vol.2 #22 second story: “That One Time” Estimated date: 2 years before the debut of Superman Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by Batman Vol.3 #139 |
 | Batman Vol.2 #21 second story: “Where the Hell did he learn to drive?!” Estimated date: 2 years before the debut of Superman Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by Batman: The Knight #8 |
 | Batman Vol.2 #23 second story: “The Pit” Estimated date: 1 year before the debut of Superman Notes: Reintroduced to continuity by Batman Incorporated Vol.3 #1 |
 | Batman: The Knight #8-10 Estimated date: 1 year before the debut of Superman Collected in: Batman: The Knight |