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Series: Adventure Comics

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Publisher: DC

Title: Adventure Comics
Publisher: DC
Year Began: 1938
Year Ended: 1983
Country: United States
Format:
Description: Adventure Comics began its nearly 50-year run in December 1935 under the title New Comics, which was only the second comic book series published by National Allied Publications, now DC. The series was retitled New Adventure Comics with its 12th issue in January 1937. Issue #32 (November 1938) saw the title changed again to Adventure Comics, which would remain the book's name for the duration of its existence. Originally a humor anthology, it evolved into a serious adventure anthology. The series' focus gradually shifted to superhero stories starting with the debut of the Sandman in issue #40. Other superheroes who appeared in the early days of Adventure included Hourman (from #48 to #83); Starman (#61–102); and Simon and Kirby's Manhunter (#73-#92). With #103, Superboy, Green Arrow, Johnny Quick, and Aquaman moved to the series from More Fun Comics, which was itself converted to a humor format. Starman's and Sandman's series were canceled to make room for the new features, while Genius Jones moved to More Fun. Superboy became the star of the book, and would appear on each cover into 1969. Superboy's popularity in Adventure resulted in the character receiving his own title in 1949, when superhero titles in general were losing popularity. Krypto the Superdog debuted in issue #210. In issue #247 (April 1958), Otto Binder and Al Plastino introduced the Legion of Super-Heroes in a Superboy story. The group became popular, and would replace "Tales of the Bizarro World" as the Adventure backup feature with #300, and soon be promoted to its lead. Issue #260 saw the first Silver Age appearance of Aquaman. In Adventure Comics #346, Jim Shooter, 14 years old at the time, wrote his first Legion story. The Legion feature lasted until issue #380. With the next issue, Supergirl migrated from the backup slot in Action Comics to the starring feature in Adventure and ran until issue #424. As of #425, the book's theme changed from superhero adventure to fantasy/supernatural adventure. Soon, editor Joe Orlando was trying out horror-tinged costumed heroes such as the Black Orchid, and then the Spectre. Before long, conventional superheroes returned to the book, beginning with a three-issue run of Aquaman (issues #435–437) and then a newly drawn 1940s Seven Soldiers of Victory script (issues #438–443). Aquaman was promoted to lead (issues #441–452), and backing him up were three-part story arcs featuring the Creeper (#445–447), the Martian Manhunter (#449–451), bracketed by issue-length Aquaman leads. He was awarded his own title and Superboy (#453–458) took over Adventure with Aqualad (#453–455) and Eclipso (#457–458) backups. Following this was a run as a Dollar Comic format giant-sized book (issues #459–466), including such features as the resolution of Return of the New Gods (cancelled in July–August 1978), "Deadman", and the "Justice Society of America". The standard format returned (issues #467–478), split between a new Starman and Plastic Man. With an increase in the story-and-art page count, the last four issues also included one more run of Aquaman. All three were dropped simultaneously to make way for a new version of an old feature, "Dial H for Hero" (issues #479–490). Issue #490 (February 1982) saw the comic's cancellation. In September 1982 it was revived as a digest-sized comic. This format lasted from issues #491–503, with most stories during this period being reprints (featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, from the beginning and in chronological order, and others), and with new stories featuring the Marvel Family and the Challengers of the Unknown including a new five-issue retelling of their origin. The long-running title was discontinued with the September 1983 issue. From issue #479-490 the indicia title was Adventure Comics Presents Dial H for Hero.

Assigned Issues

Issue Vol Year # Assigned
40 4 July 1939 1
42 4 September 1939 1
44 4 November 1939 1
46 4 January 1940 1
47 4 February 1940 1
51 June 1940 1
60 March 1941 1
69 December 1941 1
79 October 1942 2
108 September 1946 1
150 March 1950 1
210 March 1955 1
231 December 1956 1
232 January 1957 1
239 August 1957 1
246 March 1958 1
247 April 1958 6
258 March 1959 1
260 May 1959 2
262 July 1959 1
283 April 1961 2
294 March 1962 1
306 March 1963 2
307 April 1963 1
314 November 1963 1
320 May 1964 1
323 August 1964 1
324 September 1964 1
329 February 1965 1
333 June 1965 1
340 January 1966 1
342 March 1966 1
345 June 1966 1
346 July 1966 2
348 September 1966 1
351 December 1966 1
352 January 1967 2
353 February 1967 1
355 April 1967 1
356 May 1967 1
359 August 1967 2
365 February 1968 1
366 March 1968 1
367 April 1968 3
371 August 1968 1
375 December 1968 1
376 January 1969 1
380 May 1969 1
381 June 1969 1
383 August 1969 1
387 December 1969 1
398 October 1970 1
400 December 1970 1
403 March-April 1971 1
416 38 March 1972 1
425 38 December 1972-January 1973 1
426 39 February-March 1973 1
428 39 July-August 1973 2
429 39 September-October 1973 3
430 39 November-December 1973 2
446 42 July-August 1976 1
503 48 September 1983 1





Data courtesy of the Grand Comics Database under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

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