DC Comicsunveiled its new line ofDC’s Finestcollections in 2024 to great acclaim and high sales.Similar in size and scope to Marvel’sEpic Collections,DC’s Finestbrings classic stories back into print, digitally restored in affordable editions.Some of these stories have not been reprinted in decades, if ever.DC’s Finestline will allow them to shine once again.
The initial offerings of theDC’s Finestline were a mixture of the publisher’s biggest icons alongside more obscure, lesser-known characters. Whereas Marvel’sEpic Collectionstend to stress its marquee heroes,DC’s Finestis not afraid to think outside the box. While DC is best known for its superheroes,DC’s Finestalso showcases the publisher’s offerings in other genres, such as science fiction. Trying to find the rightDC’s Finestcollection can be daunting, so here are the 5 best to read now, and 5 to read later.
Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster
On sale now
It is only fitting that DC kicked its new line ofDC’s Finestreprints off by going back to where it all began: the earliest adventures of Superman.These stories, by Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, present a slightly different version of the Man of Steel than fans today are used to: that of a social crusader who leverages his vast powers to help the poor and downtrodden. Absent during Superman’s earliest stories are the high-concept villains, such as Lex Luthor or Metallo, that would become his trademark.
Football vs Baseball: Superman Has a Favorite Sport That You’d Never Guess
Superman has officially revealed what his favorite sport is, and in a surprising turn, it isn’t one that most would expect from the Man of Steel.
The impact these first Superman stories had on the pop culture landscape cannot be overstated. Siegel and Shuster were literally creating a new genre of fiction as they went along, and the stories reprinted inThe Coming of Supermanare critical to modern comics.Action Comics#1 has been reprinted many times, but now fans have an opportunity to see what happens next.
Joe Gill, Paul Kupperberg, Pat Boyette
April 1st
Thanks to the one-two punch of James Gunn’sThe Suicide Squadand his own series on Max, the Peacemaker has become one of DC’s most unlikely success stories.Played by John Cena, the Peacemaker has worked his way into the hearts and minds of fans–a far cry from where he was just a decade ago, when he was better known as the inspiration forWatchmen’sthe Comedian.Peacemaker’s meteoric rise in the DC Universehas been satisfying to watch. Any character can shine in the hands of the right creators, and Peacemaker is proof.
The stories inKill for Peace, which have been out of print for a long time, laid the groundwork for the characters' rise to glory. The first several stories in this volume originate with Charlton Comics, who held the rights to the Peacemaker first. These will be of particular interest to Peacemaker fans, as will Paul Kupperberg’s reimagining of the character from the 1980s. Kupperberg’s take is dark, but Gunn took certain aspects of it forPeacemaker.
Robert Kanigher, John Broome, Carmine Infantino, Joe Kubert
The stories inThe Human Thunderboltpaved the way for a superhero renaissance: at the time ofShowcase#4’s publication, the superhero genre was in a slump, but came roaring back with Barry Allen’s debut.
Another fitting early offering from theDC’s Finestline of collections,The Human Thunderbolthelped usher in a new era of comics in America: the Silver Age.The stories inThe Human Thunderboltpaved the way for a superhero renaissance: at the time ofShowcase#4’s publication, the superhero genre was in a slump, but came roaring back with Barry Allen’s debut. These early adventures are fun and briskly-paced, mixing wide-eyed optimism with a tinge of Cold War paranoia. In the hands of creators such as John Broome and the legendary Carmine Infantino, the Flash goes further than ever.
A Total Breakdown of The Flash’s Big (and Confusing) Family Tree
The Flash family is as large as it is complicated, so here’s a guide to Barry Allen’s extensive lineage throughout the ever-changing DC timeline.
In addition to being the blueprint for the Silver Age of Comics, so much of Flash lore is laid down inThe Human Thunderbolt. The Flash has one of the best rogues’ galleries in comics, and many of them, including Captain Cold and Gorilla Grodd, make their debut in this volume.
Kelley Puckett, Joe Kelly, Damion Scott
April 8
Batgirl: Nobody Dies Tonightis perfect for anyone curious about Batgirl Cassandra Cain. Mainstream audiences met Cassandra Cain in 2020’sBirds of Preyfilm. While the film was fun, it nevertheless sold Cain and her abilities a little short. Audiences curious about the real Cassandra Cain should pick upNobody Dies Tonight: it collects Cain’s earliest adventures as Batgirl, including her first meetings with key members of the Bat-Family. When Cain debuted in theBatmanfamily of titles in the late 1990s, she was a breath of fresh air, as shebroke the traditional Batgirl mold.
Batgirl: Nobody Dies Tonightperfectly embodies the philosophy behindDC’s Finest. While the line spotlights the “big guns” like Superman, smaller, but no less compelling heroes such as Batgirl are getting their time in the light as well. Their stories are just as important to the DC Universe as Superman or Wonder Woman’s, andDC’s Finestkeeps that in mind.
DC’s Finest:Origins and Omens
Wonder Woman#14-35,Outsiders: Five of a Kind–Wonder Woman/Grace#1,Brave and the Bold#7
Gail Simone, Terry Dodson, Aaron Lopresti, Bernard Chang
Despite being a trailblazing icon for women and girls, a woman had never been the regular writer onWonder Woman’smonthly title until Gail Simone took over the reins in 2008.Simone hit the ground running, introducing the “Manazons,” an all-male army sworn to destroy Wonder Woman. Simone, already famous for runs onBirds of PreyandThe Secret Six, brought a level of excitement to Wonder Woman that had been missing for years.
Gail Simone is currently writingUncanny X-Menfor Marvel.
Working with artists such as Terry and Rachel Dodson as well as Aaron Lopresti, Simone’s take on the character is still well-regarded by fans today, and proof that women should have been writingWonder Womanmuch sooner. Now,DC’s Finestline of collections are bringing these tales back into print.
Notable Creators
On Sale Date
Justice League of America#42,The Brave and the Bold#57-58, 66, 68, 88, 101,Metamorpho#1-17
Ramona Fradon, Sal Trapani, Bob Haney, Joe Orlando, Mike Sekowsky, Jim Aparo
June 17
Metamorpho has been a cult icon in the DC Universe since his debut 60 years ago.Soon, mainstream audiences will meet Metamorpho in James Gunn’s forthcomingSupermanfilm, and the stories inThe Element Manare the perfect introduction to this fascinating character.According to legend, Metamorpho’s creation was inspired by the characters DC’s across-town rival Marvel Comics were making. Metamorpho was different from other DC heroes of the time: his origin and attitude were darker, showing the Marvel influence. Despite the darker tones, Metamorpho’s earliest adventures are crammed with Silver Age spirit.
Metamorpho celebrates his 60th anniversary this year, and thisDC’s Finestcollection could not have come at a better time.
Metamorpho celebrates his 60th anniversary this year, and thisDC’s Finestcollection could not have come at a better time. As mentioned earlier, Metamorpho will be central to James Gunn’sSuperman. He lacks the name recognition of other DC icons, and fans will be curious about him.Metamorpho: The Element Manwill scratch this itch, presenting his formative adventures in an easy-to-access fashion.
DC’s Finest:For America and Democracy
Gardner Fox, Sheldon Mayer, Jack Burnley
The Justice Society of America is one of comics’ most important superhero teams, and it is only appropriate that their early adventures are collected as part of DC’sFinestline.First published at the height of the Golden Age of Comics, these stories pit the Society against both the Axis Powers and super-villains. This volume also reprints the landmarkAll-Star Comics#3, the Society’s first appearance, but seemingly omits issue 8, which was the first appearance of Wonder Woman. No reason has been given for this omission.
After debuting in 1941’sAll-Star Comics#8, Wonder Woman moved over toSensation Comicsa few months later before also gaining her own solo title.
Reprintingthese early Justice Society adventuresdemonstrates the wide range of stories and eras thatDC’s Finestwill reprint. Marvel’sEpic Collections, whichDC’s Finestis designed to compete with, only go as far back as the Silver Age. This approach works for Marvel, but for a company with such a rich history as DC, it is necessary to travel back to the Golden Age, andFor America and Democracyis the perfect introduction to this era.
Otto Binder, Curt Swan, John Sikela
May 13
Krypto the Superdog is one of Superman’s best friends, and he makes his debut inThe Superdog from Krypton, part of theDC’s Finestline.These stories, first published in the mid-1950s, are perfect little windows into a simpler and more wholesome time in comics, embodied in characters such as Krypto. On the surface, Krypto made no sense: he was from Krypton, but resembled an Earth dog. He could also talk and had all of Superman’s powers. Krypto should not have worked as well as he did, and he would go on to become a staple of the mythos.
Krypto persists into the modern era, and he will soon work his way into the hearts and minds of America in James Gunn’sSupermanfilm. Mainstream audiences were not sure what to make of the Superdog from Krypton, and this volume will be the perfect introduction to Superman’s best friend.
Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters#1-3,Green Arrow#1-8, Annual 1,Detective Comics Annual#1,The Question#17-18, Annual 1
Mike Grell, Ed Hannigan, Dick Giordano
Green Arrow has been a staple of the DC Universe since the 1940s, but moved into its upper echelons with TheLongbow Hunters, first published in the late 1980s, and now reprinted as part ofDC’s Finest.Legendary writer/artist Mike Grell revamped Green Arrow’s world, downplaying the superheroes as well as connections to the larger DC Universe. Grell’s Green Arrow was a street-level hero who kept the ordinary citizens of Seattle safe, and his world was dark and gritty. It was a marked departure from other depictions of Green Arrow, who is usually portrayed as happy-go-lucky.
10 Green Arrow Villains Who Would Make Batman Think Twice Before Crossing
Don’t be fooled by Green Arrow. He may not have as many notable foes as Batman, but the archer has villains that would challenge the Dark Knight.
Grell would eventually leaveGreen Arrowand the character would return to the mainstream DC Universe, butThe Longbow Huntersremains one of the definitive takes on Ollie Queen. Grell’sGreen Arrow: The Longbow Hunterswas also a massive influence on the highly successfulArrowtelevision show, which brought much of the DC Universe to the small screen.DC’s Finestis about celebrating the company’s history, andThe Longbow Huntersis an important book.
John Broome, Gardner Fox, Murphy Anderson
July 15
While today known for their superhero output, DC also published a wide range of titles in the mystery, science fiction and western genres, andThe Gorilla Worldpresents some of the best.
DC’s Finestline is showcasing the diversity of DC Comics in one of its first offerings:The Gorilla World.While today known for their superhero output, DC also published a wide range of titles in the mystery, science fiction and western genres, andThe Gorilla Worldpresents some of the best. The stories in this volume depict worlds where gorillas and other primates have taken over–years beforePlanet of the Apeshit movie screens. The volume will star DC heroes such as Adam Strange as well.
25 Best DC Comics of All Time, Ranked
From Batman to Superman, the Justice League, Sandman, the Watchmen, and more, these are the greatest DC Comics stories ever told.
DC Comics’ output over the course of its 90-year history has consisted of far more than superhero fare. Many of comics’ greatest creators cut their teeth working onDC’sscience fiction and horror titles, and some of them are on display inThe Gorilla World.
