DC Special Series was an umbrella title for one-shots and special issues published by DC Comics between 1977 and 1981. Each issue featured a different character and was often in a different format than the issue before it. DC Special Series was published in four different formats: Dollar Comics, 48 page giants, digests, and treasury editions. Neither the umbrella title nor the numbering system appear on the cover; the title "DC Special Series" appeared only on the first page in the indicia. Most issues featured new material, but eight issues were reprints of previously published material.
Publication history DC Special Series was preceded by the theme-based reprint title DC Special, which ceased publication the month before DC Special Series debuted. The first issue included "The Dead on Arrival Conspiracy", a Batman vs. Kobra story by Martin Pasko, Michael Netzer (Nasser), and Joe Rubinstein originally scheduled for the unpublished Kobra #8. DC Special Series #1 also included the story, "How to Prevent a Flash", which introduces Patty Spivot. That character would later appear in season two of The Flash TV series, portrayed by actress Shantel VanSanten.
DC Special Series started out as a biweekly title in 1977 until Spring 1978, when it became quarterly. The series went on hiatus after the Fall 1978 issue and was revived in Summer 1979. Two stories originally scheduled to appear in DC Special Series were split apart and published in other titles due to the DC Implosion.
The final three issues were in the oversized treasury format. Issue #25 was a tie-in to the Superman II film and #26 featured "Secrets of Superman's Fortress" by Roy Thomas, Ross Andru, and Romeo Tanghal. The last issue was a DC-Marvel crossover between Batman and the Hulk.
The issues Issue Contents Date Notes1 5 Star Super-Hero SpectacularSeptember 1977 Dollar Comic format; features Aquaman, the Atom, Batman, Flash, and Green Lantern.DC Special Series #1 at the Grand Comics Database2 The Original Swamp Thing Saga 48-page giant; reprints Swamp Thing #1–2 by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson.DC Special Series #2 at the Grand Comics Database3 Sgt. Rock SpecialOctober 1977 48-page giantDC Special Series #3 at the Grand Comics Database4 The Unexpected Special 48-page giantDC Special Series #4 at the Grand Comics Database5 Superman SpectacularNovember 1977 Dollar Comic formatDC Special Series #5 at the Grand Comics Database6 Secret Society of Super-Villains Special 48-page giantDC Special Series #6 at the Grand Comics Database7 Ghosts SpecialDecember 1977 48-page giantDC Special Series #7 at the Grand Comics Database8 The Brave and the Bold Special1978 48-page giant; Batman, Deadman, and Sgt. Rock team-up.DC Special Series #8 at the Grand Comics Database9 Wonder Woman Spectacular Dollar Comic formatDC Special Series #9 at the Grand Comics Database10 Secret Origins of Super-Heroes Special 48-page giant; origins of Doctor Fate, Lightray, and Black Canary.DC Special Series #10 at the Grand Comics Database11 The Flash Spectacular Dollar Comic formatDC Special Series #11 at the Grand Comics Database12 Secrets of Haunted House SpecialSpring 1978 48-page giantDC Special Series #12 at the Grand Comics Database13 Sgt. Rock Spectacular Dollar Comic formatDC Special Series #13 at the Grand Comics Database14 The Original Swamp Thing SagaSummer 1978 48-page giant; reprints Swamp Thing #3–4 by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson.DC Special Series #14 at the Grand Comics Database15 Batman Spectacular Dollar Comic format;"Death Strikes at Midnight and Three", text story written by Dennis O'Neil with spot illustrations by Marshall Rogers."I Now Pronounce You Batman and Wife!", marriage of Batman and Talia al Ghul, by O'Neil, Michael Golden, and Dick Giordano.DC Special Series #15 at the Grand Comics Database See also Batman: Son of the Demon16 Jonah Hex SpectacularFall 1978 Dollar Comic format;"The Last Bounty Hunter!", death of Jonah Hex, by Michael Fleisher and Russ Heath.DC Special Series #16 at the Grand Comics Database17 The Original Swamp Thing SagaSummer 1979 Dollar Comic format; reprints Swamp Thing #5–7 by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson.DC Special Series #17 at the Grand Comics Database18 Sgt. Rock's Prize Battle TalesFall 1979 Digest size; all reprintsDC Special Series #18 at the Grand Comics Database19 Secret Origins of Super-Heroes Digest size; all reprints except for new origin of Wonder Woman by Cary Burkett, José Delbo, and Vince Colletta.DC Special Series #19 at the Grand Comics Database20 The Original Swamp Thing SagaJanuary–February 1980 Dollar Comic format; reprints Swamp Thing #8–10 by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson.DC Special Series #20 at the Grand Comics Database21 Super-Star Holiday SpecialSpring 1980 Dollar Comic format; features Legion of Super-Heroes, Jonah Hex, Sgt. Rock, the House of Mystery."Wanted: Santa Claus -- Dead or Alive!" first Batman story drawn by Frank Miller.DC Special Series #21 at the Grand Comics Database22 G.I. Combat SpecialSeptember 1980 Dollar Comic formatDC Special Series #22 at the Grand Comics Database23 World's Finest Comics DigestFebruary 1981 Digest size; all reprintsDC Special Series #23 at the Grand Comics Database24 The Flash and His Friends Digest size; all reprintsDC Special Series #24 at the Grand Comics Database25 Superman IISummer 1981 Treasury format; photos and background material from the film.DC Special Series #25 at the Grand Comics Database26 Superman and His Incredible Fortress of Solitude Treasury formatDC Special Series #26 at the Grand Comics Database27 Batman vs. the Incredible HulkFall 1981 Treasury format; DC-Marvel crossover by Len Wein, José Luis García-López, and Dick Giordano.DC Special Series #27 at the Grand Comics Database
Collected editions The Greatest Flash Stories Ever Told includes "How to Prevent a Flash" from DC Special Series #1, 288 pages, February 1991, Kobra: Resurrection includes "The Dead on Arrival Conspiracy" from DC Special Series #1, 144 pages, February 2010, Secret Society of Super Villains Vol. 2 includes DC Special Series #6, 328 pages, May 2012, Deadman Book Four includes DC Special Series #8, 168 pages, January 2014, Deadman Omnibus includes DC Special Series #8, 944 pages, December 2020, The Flash: The Greatest Stories Ever Told includes "Beyond the Super-Speed Barrier" from DC Special Series #11, 208 pages, August 2007, The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told includes "Death Strikes at Midnight and Three" from DC Special Series #15, 352 pages, 1988, Legends of the Dark Knight: Marshall Rogers includes "Death Strikes at Midnight and Three" from DC Special Series #15, 496 pages, November 2011, Batman Arkham: Ra's Al Ghul includes "I Now Pronounce You Batman and Wife!" from DC Special Series #15, 232 pages, March 2019, Legends of the Dark Knight: Michael Golden includes "I Now Pronounce You Batman and Wife!" from DC Special Series #15, 248 pages, June 2019, The Complete Frank Miller Batman includes "Wanted: Santa Claus -- Dead or Alive!" from DC Special Series #21, 312 pages, December 1989, Longmeadow Press, Superman: The Secrets of the Fortress of Solitude includes DC Special Series #26, 200 pages, May 2012, The Marvel/DC Collection: Crossover Classics Volume 1 includes DC Special Series #27, 320 pages, June 1997,
See also DC Special Limited Collectors' Edition List of DC Comics publications (C–F)
References
External links Daily Planet, volume 77, #23 house advertisement for 5 Star Super-Hero Spectacular at Mike's Amazing World of Comics Daily Planet, volume 77, #30 house advertisement for Superman Spectacular at Mike's Amazing World of Comics Daily Planet, volume 78, #29 house advertisement for Batman Spectacular at Mike's Amazing World of Comics Daily Planet, volume 79, #47 house advertisement for Super-Star Holiday Special at Mike's Amazing World of Comics
DC Special Series at the DC Database DC Special Series at Mike's Amazing World of DC Comics