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Issue: Secret Origins #1
Publication Date: January 1961
 
Disclose Detail
Issues: #1 of 1 Issue
Title:
Variant: unnamed
Rating: Approved by the Comics Code Authority
Publisher: FlagDC
Brand: Superman DC National ComicsView Brand Images3
Indicia Publisher: National Comics Publications Inc.
On Sale Date: 06/15/1961
Volume: none
Pages: 84
ISBN: none
UPC/EAN: none
Price: $0.25 USD
Indicia Frequency: none
Content Items: 16 (8 stories, 1 cover)
Editor(s): Julius Schwartz; Jack Schiff
Disclose Notes: On-sale date from copyright registration.
  Does this data need corrections? Become an editor.
Disclose Format
Publication Type: Comic Book
Color: color
Dimensions: standard Silver Age US
Paper Stock: newsprint
Binding: squarebound
Publishing Format: one-shot
Format Notes:  
Disclose Reprinted In2
Disclose Reprinted From8
Disclose Images3
Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 
Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 
Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 
Assets1
Indicia
 
 
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Disclose Content Items (16 total)
Disclose Issue Images
A Super-Collection of the Most Sought-After Stories Ever Published!

Illustration  on  Cover, Front
Credits
Penciller(s): Dick Sprang (Batman, Superman); Jack Kirby (Challengers); Gil Kane (Adam Strange and Green Lantern); Joe Certa (Martian Manhunter); Lee Elias (Green Arrow); Carmine Infantino (Flash); Ross Andru (Wonder Woman)
Inker(s): Stan Kaye (Batman, Superman); Jack Kirby (Challengers); Bernard Sachs (Adam Strange); Joe Giella (Green Lantern); Joe Certa (Martian Manhunter); Lee Elias (Green Arrow); Joe Kubert (Flash); Mike Esposito (Wonder Woman)
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): Ira Schnapp; typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagSecret Origins Replica Edition #1 published February 1998
as [untitled] [Illustration on Cover, with Gatefold]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Illustrated with vignettes from World's Finest Comics (DC, 1941 series) #94 (May-June 1958) [Superman, Batman & Robin vignette], from Mystery in Space (DC, 1951 series) #53 [Adam Strange vignette], from Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #225 (November 1955) [John Jones vignette], from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #4 (September-October 1956) [Flash vignette], and other sources.
Disclose
Table of Contents

Table of Contents  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Inside front cover.
Disclose
The Origin of the Superman-Batman Team

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Edmond Hamilton
Penciller(s): Dick Sprang
Inker(s): Stan Kaye
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): Superman and Batman and Robin
Character(s): Superman [Clark Kent]; Batman [Bruce Wayne; also as Superman]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Powerman (a robot, introduction); Lex Luthor (villain)
Synopsis: When Luthor develops a liquid kryptonite gun, Superman replaces Batman with a new partner, Powerman. The Caped Crusader, hurt by the change, believes that Powerman has some sort hold over the Man of Steel, not realizing Superman has a motive in mind for his own protection from the criminal genius, Lex Luthor!
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagWorld's Finest Comics #94 published May 1958
was Origin of the Superman-Batman Team [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 12
Disclose Notes: Silver-Age origin of the Superman-Batman team.
Disclose
Secret of the Eternal City!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Gardner Fox; Edmond Hamilton (co-plot)
Penciller(s): Mike Sekowsky
Inker(s): Frank Giacoia; Joe Giella
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): Gaspar Saladino
Subject Matter
Genres: science fiction
Feature(s): Adam Strange
Character(s): Adam Strange (introduction, origin); Alanna [aka Allana] (introduction); Sardath (Alanna's father scientist, introduction); inhabitants of Samakand; The Eternals (villains, introduction for all)
Synopsis: An Earth archaeologist is caught by a "zeta-beam" and teleported to Rann near Alpha Centauri where he meets Alanna and Sardath. Alien invaders, called The Eternals, attack the planet while Adam and Alanna journey to the Brigadoon-like city of Samakand to locate a life-metal called "vitatron". Adam tricks the aliens so they're stuck in Samakand, but then he fades away, returning to Earth, awaiting the next zeta-beam.
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagShowcase #17 published November 1958
was Secret of the Eternal City! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 14.33
Disclose Notes: Origin and 1st appearance Adam Strange. See notes at original printing for the creative credits listed.
Disclose
[untitled]

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure, superhero
Feature(s): Superman; Challengers of the Unknown
First Line: For the very best...
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.33
Disclose Notes: At the bottom of page 8 of the previous story sequence.
Disclose
[untitled]

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure, science fiction
Feature(s): Mystery in Space; Adam Strange
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.33
Disclose
The Planet of Doomed Men

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): John Broome
Penciller(s): Gil Kane
Inker(s): Murphy Anderson
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): Gaspar Saladino
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): Green Lantern
Character(s): Green Lantern [Hal Jordan] (origin recap); The Guardians of the Universe (introduction for all); Green Lantern [Abin Sur] (flashback); Calorians; The Dryg (villain)
Synopsis: Hal Jordan's energy-duplicate is summoned by the Guardians for the first time. After he is returned to Earth, the Guardians send him to Calor, a nearby planet, to save the Calorians from the ape-monster Dryg.
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagGreen Lantern #1 published July 1960
was The Planet of Doomed Men [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 15
Disclose Notes: First appearance of the Guardians.
Disclose
The Secrets of the Sorcerer's Box!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Jack Kirby ?; Joe Simon ? (plot, script); Dave Wood ? (script)
Penciller(s): Jack Kirby
Inker(s): Jack Kirby ?; Roz Kirby (blacks); Marvin Stein ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): Ben Oda
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Challengers of the Unknown
Character(s): Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Prof Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis] (introduction for all, origin); un-named sailors; un-named citizens; Mr. Morelian (villain, introduction, death)
Synopsis: Four heroes are being flown to appear on the radio show "Heroes" when their jet crashes in a storm. Miraculously, all four survive unharmed, even down to a working watch. Since they are "living on borrowed time", they vow to make the best use of it, taking risks to benefit others, challenging the unknown. In their first official case, they are summoned by Morelian, a descendant of Merlin, to open four chambers of a dangerous alchemist's box and "witness things not seen on this Earth since the dawn of Man!"
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagShowcase #6 published January 1957
was The Secrets of the Sorcerer's Box! [Chapter 1] [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 6
Disclose Notes: This reprints only Chapter 1 of the story from Showcase #6.

First appearance of the Challengers of the Unknown. According to Joe Simon and Jack Kirby historians, Jack Kirby brought the proposal for the Challengers to DC. DC bought the concept and folded it into Showcase.

Per Stein's conversations, he did not ink any Challengers stories.

An epilogue occurs in Secret Origins 12 (1987), when the Challengers are reunited with the box to solve its final mystery.
Disclose
Origin of Green Arrow and Speedy

Text Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Jack Schiff
Penciller(s): Lee Elias
Inker(s): Lee Elias
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): Green Arrow and Speedy
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagSecret Origins Replica Edition #1 published February 1998
as Origin of Green Arrow and Speedy [Text Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Text story with two small illustrations.
Disclose
Secret Origin of Wonder Woman

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Robert Kanigher [as Charles Moulton] (credited)
Penciller(s): Ross Andru
Inker(s): Mike Esposito
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): Gaspar Saladino
Editor(s): Robert Kanigher (original editor)
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): Wonder Woman
Character(s): Wonder Woman [Diana Prince; also as Wonder Girl]; Hippolyta; Aphrodite; Athena; Mercury; Hercules
Synopsis: Diana is born "centuries ago" and is bequeathed powers by Aphrodite, Athena, Mercury, and Hercules. When Diana is a teenager, her father and all the men are killed in "the wars". Young Diana helps her mother bring the Amazons to their new home on Paradise Island.
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagWonder Woman #105 published April 1959
was Secret Origin of Wonder Woman [Story on Interior Page(s)]
From Content Item: FlagWonder Woman #105 published April 1959
was The Secret Origin of Wonder Woman Part 2 [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 12.33
Disclose Notes: A Wonder Girl Story. Wonder Girl does not appear in costume.

Silver age origin of Wonder Woman.

The Steve Trevor part of the origin appears in Wonder Woman #98, and the Diana Prince part of the origin appears in Wonder Woman #99.

Penciler credit from Julius Schwartz's editorial records, provided by DC Comics.
Disclose
[untitled]

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): Wonder Woman
First Line: We admit it! It's impossible...
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.33
Disclose Notes: At the bottom of page 8 of the previous story sequence.
Disclose
[untitled]

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): Green Lantern; The Flash
First Line: For the very best...
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.33
Disclose
The Strange Experiment of Dr. Erdel

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Joe Samachson ?; Jack Miller ?
Penciller(s): Joe Certa
Inker(s): Joe Certa
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): Pat Gordon
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): John Jones Manhunter from Mars
Character(s): Martian Manhunter [J'onn J'onzz; aka John Jones] (introduction, origin); Dr. Mark Erdel (introduction, death); Lt. Saunders
Synopsis: A scientist builds a robot brain which teleports a Martian to Earth. After the scientist dies the Martian is trapped here, so he decides to become a police detective.
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagDetective Comics #225 published November 1955
was The Strange Experiment of Dr. Erdel [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 6
Disclose Notes: Samachson is current DC credit, as seen in Showcase Presents: Martian Manhunter (DC, 2007 series) #1.

Plot is similar to "The Galaxy Being", first episode of the original "The Outer Limits" television show. The show first aired on 16 September 1963. In it, Allan Maxwell, an engineer for a small radio station, somehow makes contact with a peaceful alien creature, who gets transported to Earth by accident.
Disclose
Mystery of the Human Thunderbolt!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Robert Kanigher
Penciller(s): Carmine Infantino
Inker(s): Joe Kubert
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): Gaspar Saladino
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): The Flash
Character(s): The Flash [Barry Allen] (introduction, scientist, origin); The Flash [Jay Garrick] (image only); Iris West (introduction); The Turtle Man [aka later as The Turtle] (villain, introduction)
Synopsis: By a freak accident involving lab chemicals and lightning, Barry Allen becomes the fastest man alive and originates a costume based on the comic adventures of the Flash from the 1940's. And it's a good thing too: for he must now face the Turtle Man, termed "The Slowest Man Alive".
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagShowcase #4 published September 1956
was Mystery of the Human Thunderbolt! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 12
Disclose
Just Imagine!

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): Justice League of America
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Inside back cover.
Disclose
[untitled]

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): Giant Superman Annual; Giant Batman Annual
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Back cover.

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