Adventure Comics was an American comic book series published by DC Comics from 1935 to 1983 and then revamped from 2009 to 2011. In its first era, the series ran for 503 issues (472 of those after the title changed from New Adventure Comics), making it the fifth-longest-running DC series, behind Detective Comics, Action Comics, Superman, and Batman. It was revived in 2009 by writer Geoff Johns with the Conner Kent incarnation of Superboy headlining the title's main feature, and the Legion of Super-Heroes in the back-up story.^[1] It returned to its original numbering with #516 (September, 2010). The series finally ended with #529 (August, 2011), prior to DC's The New 52 company reboot.

Publication history[link]

Adventure Comics began its nearly 50-year run in 1935 under the title New Comics, which was only the second comic book series published by National Allied Publications, now DC Comics. The series was retitled New Adventure Comics with its 12th issue in January 1937. Issue 32 saw the title changed again to Adventure Comics, which would remain the book's name for the duration of its existence.

Originally a humor series, it evolved into a serious adventure series. In addition, 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 Joe Simon and Jack Kirby's Manhunter (replacing a similarly named business-suited investigator beginning with #73 until #92).^[2]

A pivotal issue of the series was #103, when Superboy, Green Arrow, Johnny Quick and Aquaman moved from More Fun Comics (which was being converted to a humor format) to Adventure. Starman's and Sandman's series were canceled to make room for the new features, while one other, Genius Jones, moved to the comic the new arrivals had just vacated. Superboy became the star of the book, and would appear on each cover into 1969 (counting Superman on the covers of issues #354–355). Superboy's popularity in Adventure resulted in the character receiving his own title in 1949, when superhero titles in general were losing popularity.

In issue #247 (April 1958), Superboy met the Legion of Super-Heroes, a team of super-powered teens from the future. 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, lasting until issue #381 (June 1969). At this time, Supergirl migrated from the backup slot in Action Comics to the starring feature in Adventure. To this day, however, the title is most closely associated with the Legion. In 2000, Jim Drucker launched what was to become the world's largest internet-only comic book store, NewKadia.com, after selling his issue #247 for $240. ^[3]

As of #425 (December 1972), the book's theme changed from superhero adventure to fantasy/supernatural adventure. That issue debuted one new feature along with three non-series stories, the pirate saga "Captain Fear". The next edition added a semi-anthology series, "The Adventurers' Club". Soon, editor Joe Orlando was trying out horror-tinged costumed heroes, first Black Orchid,^[4] then the Spectre.^[5] Before long, though, conventional superheroes returned to the book, beginning behind the Spectre, first a three-issue run of Aquaman (issues #435–437, an early assignment for Mike Grell) 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 post-DC Implosion run as a Dollar Comic format giant-sized book (issues #459-466), including such features as the resolution of the Return of the New Gods (cancelled in July-August 1978), Deadman, and Justice Society of America.

The standard format returned (issues #467–478), split between a new Starman named Prince Gavyn and Plastic Man. With an increase in the story-and-art page count, the last four issues also included one more run of Aquaman.^[6] All three were dropped simultaneously (Aquaman moved to Action Comics and Plas to Super Friends, while Starman's storyline was resolved in DC Comics Presents #36) to make way for a completely new version of an old feature, "Dial H for Hero" (issues #479-490).^[7] Issue #490 (February 1982) saw the comic's cancellation (its feature moving to New Adventures of Superboy as of its #28), but the title itself was soon rescued. As of the September issue 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 (a two-parter left over from the recent reduction of World's Finest Comics from the same giant format Adventure had long since dropped) and the Challengers of the Unknown (a new five-issue retelling of their origin). The long-running title was discontinued for good with the September 1983 issue.

80-Page Giant[link]

An Adventure Comics 80-Page Giant was released in 1998.

Justice Society Returns[link]

DC published an Adventure Comics #1 as part of the company's Justice Society Returns event in 1999.

Adventure Comics Special featuring the Guardian[link]

As part of the 2008 "Superman: New Krypton" story arc, a special issue of Adventure Comics was published, titled Adventure Comics Special featuring the Guardian #1 (cover dated January 2009). Jimmy Olsen continues to delve into the mystery surrounding the American government's safeguards against the new Kryptonian population.

Revival[link]

The five-issue mini-series Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds led into an all-new volume of Adventure Comics, featuring the revived Conner Kent/Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes. The main creative team of Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul debuted in a backup story in February's Adventure Comics #0.^[8] A secondary feature starring the Legion of Super-Heroes was co-written with Mike Shoemaker and drawn by Clayton Henry. The first issue of the new run of Adventure Comics was released on August 12, 2009, and features watermarked numbering marking it as both #1 and #504, thus continuing the original numeration of the series concurrently with the volume 2 numeration (for the variant incentive cover editions, the original numeration was dominant on the cover while the vol. 2 numeration was the watermarked numbering marking). The indicia of the comic book also reflects this dual numbering. The title officially returned to its original vol. 1 numbering in July 2010 (cover dated Sept. 2010) with #516, until #529 when it was finally ended prior to DC's The New 52 company reboot.

Main feature[link]

Superboy: The Boy of Steel (former)[link]

The revived ongoing title Adventure Comics features Conner as the headlining character for the first six issues in the story arc entitled, "Superboy: The Boy of Steel." The arc begins as Conner settles back into his life in Smallville, Kansas. Returning to live with Martha Kent, who is thrilled to take the young boy in after her husband's death, Conner returns to Smallville High School and begins keeping a journal of everything Superman has done as a costumed hero, going down a checklist titled, "What Did Superman Do?" He and the also recently-returned Bart Allen supposedly rejoin the Teen Titans, and Conner symbolizes the team being "stacked" again by destroying his memorial statue outside of Titans Tower West.

After visiting Lex Luthor's childhood home in Smallville, Superman arrives and talks to Conner about his desire to understand his "other father". Superman tells Conner not to worry about Luthor, saying that the madman is a problem for the Man of Steel. Conner remarks that the next time he sees Lex Luthor will be, "too soon".

In his attempt to confront his shared legacy, Conner accepts a date with Wonder Girl. Conflicted between opening his heart to his girlfriend (thus "Telling the truth" as Superman always did in his life), and deliberately lying to avoid touching delicate subjects with Cassie (thus "Lying" as Luthor would do), ultimately Conner chooses to share with Cassie his fears and desires, and his desire to find himself by exploring both his legacies, but only to find his real self. Cassie is obviously touched, and despite her initial doubts, mostly out fear that in his desire to be more like the Man of Steel eventually Conner could discard her as Clark Kent did with Lana Lang, feels compelled to admit her brief bond with Tim Drake. Conner quickly forgives her, arguing that, since he was dead and Cassie had no means to know about his future resurrection, her liaison with Robin cannot be considered a true affair. As they share a reconciliation kiss, Martha Kent stares at them, remembering about her past with Jonathan and Clark.^[9]

Soon after his date, Conner returns to his search for Lex Luthor, with the aid of Krypto. Unfortunately, neither Conner nor Krypto can find Luthor on their own, so they instead track down a detective to help him: Tim Drake. Now going by the identity of Red Robin (the Robin identity was taken away from Tim by Dick Grayson and turned over to Damian Wayne), Superboy finds him in Paris, where Tim is continuing his search for Bruce Wayne, who is believed to be dead following the events of the Final Crisis. Agreeing to help, Tim and Conner rekindle their friendship, as Tim admits to all the pain he has suffered over the last two years, and both boys discuss their private mission. Conner offers Tim the first bit of true support, by replying "I believe you," when Tim states firmly that Bruce is still alive.^[10]

On his way back from France, Conner encounters a girl named Lori, whom he earlier saved, in the middle of vandalising a local practice. Conner takes her home, learning that the doctor had refused to help her ailing mother due to her lack of medical insurance. Someone then knocks on the door. Conner answers it, revealing the caller to be Lex Luthor, whom Lori calls "uncle", who incapacitates Conner with Kryptonite.^[11]

Lori's mother Lena, Luthor's sister, comes down the stairs, revealed to be mentally and physically unwell. Conner reminds Luthor of his boast that he could cure all diseases if Superman wasn't in his way. Telling him that Superman is now on New Krypton, Conner challenges Luthor to cure Lena. Luthor agrees, but demands Conner's help, threatening Lori's life. Conner collects the ingredient Luthor needs to make a cure for Lena's condition, which is then administered to her, restoring her to full health. Lex then undoes his cure, vowing that it will stay with him until "Superman is dead". In a rage, Conner attacks Luthor, but is staved off by Brainiac, who teleports Luthor back to his ship. Conner realises that there is no good in Luthor after all, and decides to not be like Luthor or Clark but pursues his own path in life, burning his checklists in a fire.^[12]

Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes[link]

After the Johns and Manupal run, writer Paul Levitz took over the book. It was renumbered with its previous numbering and highlighted Clark Kent's years as Superboy as well as the Legion of Super-Heroes' past. Starting with issue #523, the Legion Academy, by Levitz and Phil Jimenez, became the major feature of the book.

Second feature[link]

Long Live the Legion (former)[link]

After recounting the history of the Legion of Super-Heroes, Starman converses with a pigeon in mid-flight while having a soda and cheeseburger. While asking the pigeon if it would like to join the Legion, Starman crashes into a sign of a local Smallville bowling alley. Picking up a ball and not feeling it to be heavy enough, he uses his powers to "weigh as much as a time sphere full of inertron." The ball is then flung through the back of the alley and into the windshield of a parked car. Then Starman exclaims, "Touchdown."^[1]

Atom[link]

Following this was the one-shot Brightest Day: Atom, written by Jeff Lemire with art by Mahmud Asrar. The same team was to create a ten-part, ten-page "Atom" co-feature in Adventure Comics, but DC ended all their second features and reduced their titles to twenty pages of story. Issue #521 was the last issue to feature the Atom.^[13]

Collected editions[link]

Various stories have been collected into trade paperbacks and hardcovers.

• Golden Age Sandman Archives Volume 1 – Stories from issues #40-57
• Golden Age Starman Archives Volume 1 – Stories from issues #61-76
• The Sandman – Stories from issues #72-102
• Golden Age Starman Archives Volume 2 – Stories from issues #77-102
• The Adventures of Superboy – Stories from issues #103-121
• Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Volume 1 – Stories from issues #247, 267, 282, 290, 293, 300-305
• Showcase Presents: Legion of Super-Heroes Volume 1 – Stories from issues #247, 267, 282, 290, 293, 300-328
• Showcase Presents: Green Arrow Volume 1 – Stories from issues #250-266
• Showcase Presents: Aquaman Volume 1 – Stories from issues #260-280, 282, 284
• Tales of the Bizarro World – Stories from issues #293-299
• Showcase Presents: Legion of Super-Heroes Volume 2 – Stories from issues #329-348
• DC Comics Classics Library: Legion of Super-Heroes: The Life and Death of Ferro Lad – Stories from issues #346-347, 352-355, 357
• Showcase Presents: Legion of Super-Heroes Volume 3 – Stories from issues #349-368
• Showcase Presents: Legion of Super-Heroes Volume 4 – Stories from issues #369-380
• Wrath of the Spectre – Stories from issues #431-440
• Showcase Presents: The Spectre Volume 1 – Stories from issues #431-440
• Justice Society Volume 2 – Stories from issues #461-466
• Showcase Presents: All-Star Comics Volume 1 – Stories from issues #461-466
• DC Comics Presents: Legion of Super-Heroes #2 – Stories from vol. 2, issues #1-4
• Superboy: The Boy of Steel – Stories from vol. 2, issues #0-3, 5, all of vol. 2, #6
• Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps – Stories from vol. 2, issues #4-5
• Blackest Night: Rise of the Black Lanterns – Vol. 2, issue #7
• Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton Volume 1 – Stories from vol. 2, issues #8-9
• Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton Volume 2 – Stories from vol. 2, issues #10-11
• Superman: Nightwing and Flamebird Volume 2 – Stories from vol. 2, issues #8-10

Awards[link]

The series has won several awards for itself and its creators over the years, including the Shazam Award for Best Pencil Artist (Humor Division) for Bob Oksner for his work on Adventure Comics and other DC comics in 1970.

See also[link]

• List of DC Comics publications

References[link]

External links[link]

• Grand Comics Database
• Adventure Comics at the Comic Book DB
• Adventure Comics vol. 2 at the Comic Book DB
• Adventure Comics cover gallery

Mark Waid
Waid at the New York Comic Con in Manhattan, October 10, 2010.
Born	March 21, 1962 (1962-03-21) (age 50)[1] Hueytown, Alabama[1]
Nationality	American
Area(s)	Writer, Editor
Notable works	The Flash, Captain America, Superman: Birthright, 52, Kingdom Come

Mark Waid (born March 21, 1962 in Hueytown, Alabama)^[1] is an American comic book writer. He is well known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America. From August 2007 to December 2010, Waid served as Editor-in-Chief, and later, Chief Creative Officer of BOOM! Studios, where he wrote titles such as Irredeemable, Incorruptible and The Traveler.

Early life[link]

Waid has stated that his comics work was heavily influenced by Adventure Comics #369-370 (1968), the two-part Legion story by Jim Shooter and Mort Weisinger that introduced the villain Mordru: "It's a blueprint for everything I write."^[2]

Career[link]

Fantagraphics and DC Comics[link]

Waid entered the comics field during the mid-1980s as an editor and writer on Fantagraphics Books' comic book fan magazine, Amazing Heroes.^[3]

In 1987, Waid was hired to serve as an editor for DC Comics^[3] where he worked on titles such as Secret Origins, Legion of Super-Heroes, and part of Grant Morrison's critically acclaimed run on Doom Patrol. He also served short stints as editor on Action Comics, Infinity, Inc., Legion of Super-Heroes, and Wonder Woman, as well as various one-shots like Batman: Gotham by Gaslight. With Gotham by Gaslight, and in tandem with writer Brian Augustyn, Waid co-created DC's "Elseworlds" franchise.

As a writer[link]

Waid at Wondercon 2006.

In 1989 Waid left editorial work for freelance writing assignments.^[3] He worked for DC's short-lived Impact Comics line where he wrote The Comet and wrote dialogue for Legend of the Shield.

In 1992 Waid began the assignment which would bring him to wider recognition in the comics industry, when he was hired to write The Flash by then-editor Brian Augustyn. The comic starred one of DCs flagship characters, and in an acclaimed eight-year run, Waid and a number of artists, most notably Greg LaRocque and Mike Wieringo and in the final year with Augustyn as co-writer, brought the modern Flash out from the shadow of his predecessors and increased his powers dramatically.

Marvel editors Ralph Macchio and Mark Gruenwald hired him as Gruenwald's successor as writer on Captain America, during which Waid was paired with artist Ron Garney.

Although his second run on the character (Captain America Volume 3, issues #1-23) was not as universally praised as his first, Waid's prestige had been boosted by the whole affair,^{[citation needed]} and he went on to be one of the most prolific comic writers of the late 1990s. He also wrote the short-lived spin-off series Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty from 1998–1999, having written 10 of the 12 issues (skipping issues #7 and 10).

In 1996, Waid, with artist Alex Ross, released his best-known work, the graphic novel Kingdom Come. This story, set in the future of the DC Universe, depicted the fate of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and other heroes as the world around them changed. It was written in reaction to the "grim and gritty" comics of the 1980s and 1990s, and while many of the events in the story were intense, a steady optimism filled the series. Many of the ideas introduced in Kingdom Come were later integrated into the present-day DC Universe, and Waid himself wrote a less successful follow-up to the series, The Kingdom.

Waid also had acclaimed runs on DC's JLA, the Flash spinoff series Impulse and Crossgen's Ruse.

Waid and writer Grant Morrison tag-teamed on a number of projects that would successfully reestablish DC's Justice League to prominence. Waid's contributions included JLA: Year One,^[4] as well as work on the ongoing series. The two writers also helped develop the concept of Hypertime to help explain problems with continuity in the DC Universe.

In 2003, Waid released a series named Empire (with Barry Kitson), whose protagonist was a Doctor Doom-like supervillain named Golgoth who had defeated all superheroes and conquered the world. The series was originally published by Gorilla Comics, a company formed by Waid, Kurt Busiek and several others, but the company folded after only two issues were produced.^[5] Empire was completed under the DC Comics label but is in its own distinct universe.

Waid began an acclaimed run as writer of Marvel's Fantastic Four in 2002 with his former Flash artist Mike Wieringo, with Marvel releasing their debut issue, Fantastic Four (Vol. 3) #60 (October 2002) at the low price of 9 cents U.S. By the next year, however, Waid's fan-favorite run on the Fantastic Four was threatened when Marvel executives sought to reinvent aspects of the series.^[6] When Waid and Wieringo were replaced on the title after refusing to acquiesce to the editorial changes, the resulting fan backlash led to Waid and Wieringo's reinstatement on the title within weeks.^{[citation needed]} The FF backlash was also a contributing factor to then Marvel Publisher Bill Jemas leaving his position.^{[citation needed]} Waid and Wieringo completed their run on Fantastic Four with issue #524 (May 2005), by which time the previously relaunched series had returned to its original numbering.

In 2003 Waid wrote the origin of the "modern" Superman with Superman: Birthright, a twelve-part limited series which was meant to be the new official origin story of the Man of Steel. Birthright contained several characters and elements from Silver and Modern Age Superman comics and also homages to Superman: The Movie and the Smallville television series.

Waid returned to writing Legion of Super-Heroes in December 2004, teaming again with Barry Kitson. He wrapped up his run on the book in mid-2007 with issue 30.

Waid, along with past collaborator Grant Morrison, and other prominent DC Universe creators Geoff Johns, Greg Rucka, and Keith Giffen played an editorial role in guiding the DC Universe after the events of the company's "Infinite Crisis" event. Together, they wrote a weekly series named 52^[7] that lasted for one year and covered the events that take place during the year in the DC Universe following Infinite Crisis.

In 2005, Waid signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. Among the projects covered by that contract were a new launch of The Brave and the Bold with artist George Pérez,^[8] and a brief return to The Flash.

Waid's recent work includes working on the Spider-Man creative team, writing several issues for The Amazing Spider-Man, writing the Doctor Strange mini-series Strange,^[9][10][11] and several series for Boom! Studios, notably Irredeemable with artist Peter Krause and its spinoff Incorruptible. In July 2011 Marvel relaunched a monthly Daredevil series with Waid on writing duties.^[12]

BOOM! Studios[link]

On July 27, 2007, at the San Diego Comic Con, Boom! Studios announced that in August of that year Waid would join Boom! as Editor-in-Chief. As his non-creator assignments at DC lapsed, he stated that all his future creator-owned work will be with BOOM!^[13] Waid was promoted to Chief Creative Officer in August 2010. In December 2010, Waid announced he would be leaving his role as Chief Creative Officer, and return to freelance work, though he will continue writing for the publisher.^[14][15][16] Waid has since set up a free digital comics website Thrillbent.

Bibliography[link]

Notes[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Mark Waid at the Comic Book DB
• The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators
• Exploring The Multiverse's video interview with Mark Waid at Baltimore Comic Con, August 2010