Secret Origins was first published as aone-shot in 1961 and contained only reprinted material.[1] The title became an ongoing reprint series in February–March 1973 which ran for seven issues and ended in October–November 1974.[2][3] The title was used on various compilations of origin stories, includingLimited Collectors' Edition #C-39:Secret Origins Super-Villains (October–November 1975)[4] and #C-45:More Secret Origins Super-Villains (June–July 1976)[5] as well asDC Special Series #10 (1978)[6] and 19 (Fall 1979).[7] Its most well-known incarnation was a 50-issue series that ran from April 1986 to August 1990,[8] plus threeAnnuals[9] and oneSpecial.[10] Typically, an issue would clarify thepost-Crisis origins of a number of characters,[11] usually two as most of the issues were double-sized, i.e. 48 pages.Roy Thomas was the initial writer/editorial consultant on the series; later issues were overseen byMark Waid. Two moreSpecials followed in 1998 and 1999.[12] In 2004, it returned to the all-reprint format with aWeird Secret Origins special featuringDoctor Fate, theSpectre,Animal Man,Enchantress,Metamorpho,Congorilla,El Diablo, andBizarro World.
A new monthly incarnation focusing on characters inThe New 52, launched in April 2014 with a Junecover date. The first issue featured the origins ofSuperman,Supergirl and theDick Grayson version ofRobin.[13] This series was cancelled as of issue #11 (May 2015).[14][15]
#1 (April 1986): TheGolden Age Superman; this was intended as a tribute to the original version of the character, as the latter-day version of Superman was being concurrently introduced byJohn Byrne inThe Man of Steel miniseries; art by Golden Age Superman artistWayne Boring andJerry Ordway.
#3 (June 1986):Captain Marvel credited by theShazam! title; a retelling of the story fromWHIZ Comics #2, albeit updated to the modern day. Much of this was changed in theLegends crossover. Thomas himself wouldretcon this some months later inSHAZAM! The New Beginning, all of which was changed again by Jerry Ordway in hisgraphic novelThe Power of Shazam!.
#11 (February 1987): the Golden AgeHawkman;Power Girl. Both stories presented have since been retconned, with Power Girl's backstory being redefined byGeoff Johns in the pages ofJSA Classified, which served as part of the buildup toInfinite Crisis.
#22 (January 1988):Manhunters. This was a tie-in withMillennium as was the subsequent issue, and aligned the various histories of the characters with theManhunter name together.
#28 (July 1988):Midnight art by Gil Kane;Nightshade art byRob Liefeld. Nightshade's origin doubled as an introduction/backdrop to a three-issueSuicide Squad story arc where she returned to her place of origin to save her brother.
#31 (October 1988): TheJustice Society of America. A full-length story, and Roy Thomas' last contribution to the series, excluding the Grim Ghost story in #42.
#32 (November 1988): TheJustice League. In a full-length story byKeith Giffen andPeter David, the Justice League is formed byGreen Lantern (Hal Jordan), theFlash (Barry Allen),Aquaman, the Martian Manhunter and the Black Canary. Superman and Batman were not founding members, andWonder Woman's revised continuity precluded her from the same. The events depicted were later expanded upon inJLA: Year One andJLA: Incarnations.
#33 (December 1988):Fire,Ice andMister Miracle. This and the subsequent two issues dealt with the members of Justice League International.
#44 (September 1989):Clayface I, II, III and IV. This issue gave background information for a story arc that appeared inDetective Comics #604-607 entitledThe Mud Pack.
#46 (December 1989): The headquarters of the Silver Age Justice League of America (story by Grant Morrison), the New Titans'Titans Tower, and the 'rocketship clubhouse' of the Legion of Super Heroes. Arm Fall Off Boy makes his first appearance.
Some issues of the second series were collected in atrade paperback along with other material and some original work in 1989 calledSecret Origins, but the official title, as stated in the book'sindicia, is given asSecret Origins of The World's Greatest Super-Heroes (ISBN0930289501). The focus was on DC's major characters: the origins of the Justice League of America (from #32), the Flash (Barry Allen, fromSecret Origins Annual #2); Green Lantern (Hal Jordan, from #36); J'onn J'onnz, the Martian Manhunter (from #35); and Superman (fromThe Man of Steel #6). There was also an all-new retelling of Batman's origins,Batman: The Man Who Falls, by Dennis O'Neil andDick Giordano; this story later served as a cited inspiration for the2005 filmBatman Begins.[16]
Showcase Presents: Blue Beetle includesSecret Origins #2 (Blue Beetle: Echoes Of Future Past!). 590 pages. January 2015.9781401251475
Batman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told Vol. 2 includesSecret Origins #6 (The Secret Origin Of Batman). 208 pages. February 2007.9781401212148
Batman: Legends Of The Dark Knight - Marshall Rogers includesSecret Origins #6 (The Secret Origin Of Batman). 484 pages. November 2011.9781401232276
Last Days Of The Justice Society Of America includesSecret Origins #7 (The Secret Origin Of The Golden Age Sandman), #9 (The Secret Origin Of The Star-Spangled Kid And Stripesy & The Secret Origin Of The Golden Age Flash), #11 (The Secret Origin Of The Golden Age Hawkman), #13 (The Secret Origin Of Johnny Thunder), #15 (The Secret Origin Of The Spectre), #16 (The Secret Origin Of The Golden Age Hourman), #18 (The Secret Origin Of The Golden Age Green Lantern), #20 (The Secret Origin Of Dr. Mid-Nite), #24 (The Secret Origin Of Dr. Fate), #25 (The Secret Origin Of The Golden Age Atom) and #31 (The Secret Origin Of The Justice Society Of America). 336 pages. May 2017.9781401267339
The Phantom Stranger Omnibus includesSecret Origins #10 (The Secret Origin Of The Phantom Stranger). 1248 pages. August 2023.9781779506030
DC Universe by Alan Moore includesSecret Origins #10 (Footsteps). 464 pages. April 2013.9781401233402
Nightwing: Old Friends, New Enemies includesSecret Origins #13 (The Secret Origin Of Nightwing). 156 pages. August 2013.9781401240455
Suicide Squad: Trial By Fire includesSecret Origins #14 (The Secret Origin Of The Suicide Squad). 229 pages. February 2011.9781401230050
Deadman Omnibus includesSecret Origins #15 (Death Like A Crown). 944 pages. December 2020.9781779504883
Doom Patrol: The Bronze Age Omnibus includesSecret Origins Annual #1 (The Secret Origin Of The Doom Patrol). 1056 pages. November 2019.9781401298838
The Flash: A Celebration Of 75 Years includesSecret Origins Annual #2 (The Unforgiving Minute). 480 pages. April 2015.9781401251789
Justice League International Omnibus Vol. 3 includesSecret Origins #33, 34 and 35. 1448 pages. May 2024.9781779525642
DC Universe by Neil Gaiman includesSecret Origins #36 (Pavane) andSecret Origins Special. 224 pages. October 2016.9781401264888
Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters Saga Omnibus Vol. 1 includesSecret Origins #38 (Sometimes A Fool Notion). 1527 pages. September 2020.9781779502568
Animal Man: Origin Of The Species includesSecret Origins #39 (The Myth Of The Creation). 224 pages. July 2002.9781563898907
JLA by Grant Morrison Omnibus includesSecret Origins #46 (Ghosts Of Stone). 1486 pages. November 2020.9781779504999
Showcase Presents: Ambush Bug includesSecret Origins #48 (The Secret Origin Of Ambush Bug). 488 pages. March 2009.9781401221805
Tales Of The Batman: Alam Brennert includesSecret Origins #50 (Unfinished Business). 187 pages. July 2016.9781401263492
^Manning, Matthew K.; Dolan, Hannah, ed. (2010). "1980s".DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. London, United Kingdom:Dorling Kindersley. p. 218.ISBN978-0-7566-6742-9.The heroes of the DC Universe got a little more exposed thanks to the new ongoing effortSecret Origins, a title offering new interpretations to the backgrounds of some of comics' biggest icons.{{cite book}}:|first2= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^Beatty, Scott (w), Daniel, Tony (p), Glapion, Jon (i). "The Origin of Deathstroke the Terminator" Countdown, no. 36 (October 2007 [August 22, 2007]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Reis, Ivan (p), Albert, Oclair (i). "The Origin of Parallax" Countdown, no. 35 (October 2007 [August 29, 2007]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Clarke, Andy (p), Clarke, Andy (i). "The Origin of Lex Luthor" Countdown, no. 34 (November 2007 [September 5, 2007]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Kramer, Don (p), Kramer, Don (i). "The Origin of the Riddler" Countdown, no. 33 (November 2007 [September 12, 2007]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Winslade, Phil (p), Winslade, Phil (i). "The Origin of Eclipso" Countdown, no. 32 (November 2007 [September 19, 2007]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Bolland, Brian (p), Bolland, Brian (i). "The Origin of the Joker" Countdown, no. 31 (November 2007 [September 26, 2007]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Frank, Gary (p), Sibal, Jonathan (i). "The Origin of General Zod" Countdown, no. 30 (December 2007 [October 3, 2007]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), McDaniel. Scott (p), Owens, Andy (i). "The Origin of the Penguin" Countdown, no. 29 (December 2007 [October 10, 2007]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Van Sciver, Ethan (p), Van Sciver, Ethan (i). "The Origin of the Trickster" Countdown, no. 28 (December 2007 [October 17, 2007]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Van Sciver, Ethan (p), Van Sciver, Ethan (i). "The Origin of the Pied Piper" Countdown, no. 28 (December 2007 [October 17, 2007]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Chiarello, Mark (p), Chiarello, Mark (i). "The Origin of Two-Face" Countdown, no. 27 (December 2007 [October 24, 2007]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Igle, Jamal (p), Champagne, Keith (i). "The Origin of Killer Frost" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 25 (January 2008 [November 7, 2007]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Simonson, Walt (p), Simonson, Walt (i). "The Origin of Desaad" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 24 (January 2008 [November 14, 2007]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Baker, Kyle (p), Baker, Kyle (i). "The Origin of Mr. Mxyzptlk" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 23 (January 2008 [November 21, 2007]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Williams II, Freddie (p), Williams II, Freddie (i). "The Origin of Deadshot" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 22 (January 2008 [November 28, 2007]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Bogdanove, Jon (p), Bogdanove, Jon (i). "The Origin of Granny Goodness" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 21 (February 2008 [December 5, 2007]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Bennett, Joe (p), Jadson, Jack (i). "The Origin of Mr. Mind" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 20 (February 2008 [December 12, 2007]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Jones, Kelley (p), Jones, Kelley (i). "The Origin of the Scarecrow" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 19 (February 2008 [December 19, 2007]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Porter, Howard (p), Porter, Howard (i). "The Origin of Dr. Light" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 18 (February 2008 [December 26, 2007]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Kolins, Scott (p), Kolins, Scott (i). "The Origin of Monarch" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 17 (March 2008 [January 2, 2008]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Pasarin, Fernando (p), Pasarin, Fernando (i). "The Origin of Sinestro" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 16 (March 2008 [January 9, 2008]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Bogdanove, Jon (p), Bogdanove, Jon (i). "The Origin of Doomsday" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 15 (March 2008 [January 16, 2008]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Adams, Arthur (p), Adams, Arthur (i). "The Origin of Gorilla Grodd" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 14 (March 2008 [January 23, 2008]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Reis, Ivan (p), Albert, Oclair (i). "The Origin of Cyborg" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 13 (March 2008 [January 30, 2008]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Lopresti, Aaron (p), Lopresti, Aaron (i). "The Origin of Circe" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 12 (April 2008 [February 6, 2008]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Mandrake, Tom (p), Mandrake, Tom (i). "The Origin of Solomon Grundy" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 11 (April 2008 [February 13, 2008]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Timm, Bruce (p), Timm, Bruce (i). "The Origin of Harley Quinn" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 10 (April 2008 [February 20, 2008]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Norton, Mike (p), Ramos, Rodney (i). "The Origin of Black Manta" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 9 (April 2008 [February 27, 2008]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Mahnke, Doug (p), Mahnke, Doug (i). "This Am Unsecret Origin of Bizarro!" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 8 (May 2008 [March 5, 2008]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Nolan, Graham (p), Nolan, Graham (i). "The Origin of Bane" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 7 (May 2008 [March 12, 2008]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Saiz, Jesus (p), Saiz, Jesus (i). "The Origin of Felix Faust" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 6 (May 2008 [March 19, 2008]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Derenick, Tom (p), Faucher, Wayne (i). "The Origin of Mr. Freeze" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 5 (May 2008 [March 26, 2008]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Chiang, Cliff (p), Chiang, Cliff (i). "The Origin of Ra's al Ghul" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 4 (June 2008 [April 2, 2008]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Mahnke, Doug (p), Mahnke, Doug (i). "The Origin of Amazo" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 3 (June 2008 [April 9, 2008]).
^Beatty, Scott (w), Sook, Ryan (p), Sook, Ryan (i). "The Origin of Darkseid" Countdown to Final Crisis, no. 2 (June 2008 [April 16, 2008]).
