Secrets DC Doesn’t Want You to Know

For almost a century, DC Comics has dominated the comic book industry, introducing timeless characters such as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. While their publications are filled with heroic tales, their background is not without its share of secrets – some complex, others intriguing – that they prefer to keep out of the limelight.

Uncovering a multitude of courtroom disputes and debatable actions, these concealed facts paint a more complex portrait of the company, shedding light on aspects less often celebrated. Let’s delve into 15 hidden truths from DC’s past that they might rather you weren’t aware of.

Superman’s Creators Got a Raw Deal

In 1938, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster sold Superman to DC Comics for a mere $130. This single payment granted DC exclusive rights to a character who would go on to generate billions through comic books, films, and merchandise. Despite this, Siegel and Shuster faced financial hardships for decades, while DC enjoyed enormous profits. They waged several legal battles to claim royalties, but saw little success until the 1970s, when public outcry led DC to offer them small allowances and health insurance.

The duo’s tale serves as a vivid illustration of how DC’s initial business strategies prioritized profits over fairness. Despite being the originators of the superhero genre, Siegel and Shuster never reaped the financial rewards they should have. Their long-drawn fight for acknowledgment persisted until DC acknowledged their contributions in the 1970s, but the harm had already been inflicted.

Batman’s Co-Creator Was Denied Credit for Decades

It’s commonly believed that Bob Kane is the sole creator of Batman, but it’s important to note that Bill Finger significantly contributed to the character’s development. Finger was responsible for designing Batman’s iconic costume, penning numerous early stories, and creating his poignant backstory that shaped the character as we know him today. However, Kane received most of the credit, while Finger’s role remained largely unacknowledged until after his passing in 1974.

It wasn’t until 2015 that DC and Warner Bros. acknowledged Finger as a co-creator of Batman, which was more than seven decades after his debut in ‘Detective Comics’ #27. This lengthy delay suggests that significant contributors like Finger were often overlooked, with the focus instead on one individual while others went unrecognized.

DC Almost Sold Its Biggest Heroes to Marvel

Back in 1984, DC Comics faced a severe financial crisis and almost handed over the rights for iconic heroes like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, among others, to Marvel Comics. However, Marvel declined the offer, confident they could develop their own thriving characters. Had the transaction taken place, the current comic book universe would have looked entirely different.

This near miss underscores just how vulnerable Washington was during the 1980s. It’s an event they’d prefer to brush under the carpet, as it vividly demonstrates how close they came to relinquishing authority over their most recognized superheroes.

Superman Couldn’t Always Fly

In the initial appearance of Superman in ‘Action Comics’ issue number 1, he wasn’t capable of flying; instead, he could jump immense distances. However, this was modified by DC Comics in the 1940s, following suggestions from animators at Fleischer Studios who found leaping to appear “ridiculous” in their animated productions. They were given permission to portray Superman as a flying character, thereby significantly changing the character’s image.

This transition was kept under wraps as DC aimed to maintain Superman’s image as eternal and unchanging. Acknowledging changes in his fundamental abilities would underscore the extent of his development, influenced by external factors.

Kryptonite Was Invented for a Radio Show

In the original comics, Superman didn’t have his well-known vulnerability to kryptonite. This powerful weakness was actually introduced for the first time in the 1943 radio show “Adventures of Superman.” The writers came up with kryptonite as a convenient plot device when the voice actor, Bud Collyer, needed a break. Since they needed a way to temporarily incapacitate Superman from the storyline, kryptonite was born.

In 1949, DC introduced kryptonite into their comics as a key element for Superman, although they played down its radiogenic nature. This hidden fact underscores the influence of practical concerns over artistic imagination in shaping one of Superman’s most distinctive characteristics.

Batman Used to Kill

In contrast to today’s “no-kill” approach, Batman was a merciless vigilante at the start of his career. As shown in ‘Detective Comics’ #27, he even threw a criminal into a vat of acid. Later issues depicted him breaking necks and using firearms, mirroring the grittier atmosphere of 1930s comic books.

Through a softer approach, DC transformed Batman’s image as comic books evolved to cater more to younger audiences, thereby downplaying his previous violent history. Nowadays, they are encouraging fans to appreciate the contemporary, morally upright version of Batman rather than his initial, lethal origins.

The Joker’s Origin Is Still a Mystery

Over the years, I’ve marveled at how DC has skillfully shrouded the real identity of the enigmatic Joker. ‘Batman: The Killing Joke’ paints him as a failed comedian who turned to crime, but even this tale leaves us guessing. In the 50th issue of ‘Justice League’, Batman uncovers a tantalizing hint that there might be not one, but three Jokers, only deepening the mystery.

The intention behind this persistent enigma surrounding the character is clearly deliberate on DC’s part – they want the Joker to remain a mystery. By leaving his background ambiguous, they preserve the unpredictable and chaotic allure of the character, yet this strategy can be frustrating for fans who are eager to uncover answers about his past.

DC Sued Over Captain Marvel

In the 1940s, DC initiated a lawsuit against Fawcett Comics, arguing that their superhero Captain Marvel (now known as Shazam) was a copy of Superman. Although there were loose resemblances, DC’s legal pressure led to Fawcett halting the publication of Captain Marvel by 1955. Eventually, DC purchased the character in the 1970s.

This legal action demonstrates District of Columbia’s firm approach towards rivals. They’d prefer to downplay this episode because it portrays them as overly competitive entities that may have suppressed a competitor’s innovative spirit.

The Comics Code Crushed Creativity

In the 1950s, due to public outrage over violent comic books, the Comics Code Authority exerted pressure on publishers such as DC, leading them to soften their storylines. As a result, iconic characters like Superman and Batman lost some of their edge, while horror comics like ‘House of Secrets’ faced tight censorship, effectively banning creatures such as werewolves from the pages.

To prevent criticism, DC took measures that, unfortunately, constrained their creators for many years. This era is seldom highlighted due to the evidence it provides of how external influence diminished their innovative spirit.

Wonder Woman Was Almost Named Suprema

Initially, creator William Moulton Marston thought about naming Wonder Woman Suprema, but later DC opted for Wonder Woman as it aligned better with her mythological origins. However, the name Suprema came close to being used in some of the initial drafts.

The close call with naming Wonder Woman as Suprema isn’t often discussed, as keeping her iconic title as Wonder Woman appears more natural and intentional to DC. Acknowledging that she might have been called Suprema could imply a lack of careful planning in creating the character.

DC’s First Superhero Team Wasn’t the Justice League

The Justice Society of America, which made its debut in ‘All-Star Comics’ #3 back in 1940, was actually DC Comics’ initial superhero team, coming before the Justice League by a significant gap of two decades. This team included notable characters such as The Flash, Green Lantern, and Hawkman. However, by the 1950s, the popularity of superheroes started to wane, causing the Justice Society to lose some of its prominence as well.

The Justice League receives more attention, so DC prioritizes it over the Justice Society of America, which is less well-known and originates from an earlier era. They prefer to emphasize their current main team instead.

Swamp Thing’s Cover Model Became a Comics Legend

In issue #92 of ‘House of Secrets’, the cover art showcased a woman whose appearance was reminiscent of Louise Simonson, who would later on gain significant recognition as a comic book writer. She played pivotal roles at Marvel and DC, penning stories for ‘X-Men’ and ‘Superman’.

From my perspective, I don’t emphasize the connection between DC and Simonson’s role as a cover model because it’s a small detail that might distract from Swamp Thing’s debut. It’s an intriguing yet lesser-known fact in their rich history.

Crisis on Infinite Earths Rewrote History

In the year 1985, DC Comics’ ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ storyline brought together all its universes into a single Earth, effectively discarding numerous tales that had been told over the years. This reboot was intended to streamline continuity, but it left many fans bewildered and some creators feeling disheartened as their work was no longer part of the narrative.

DC typically emphasizes the positive outcomes of an event rather than addressing the criticism it received. They seem to want fans to overlook the significant shift that caused upheaval in their fictional world, leaving many dedicated followers disappointed.

Vertigo’s Mature Themes Were a Risky Move

In 1993, DC introduced the Vertigo label as a line of comics intended for more mature audiences. This new line included series like ‘Sandman’ and ‘Preacher’, which offered darker, adult themes and deviated from DC’s traditional family-friendly reputation. However, these edgier stories received criticism from conservative circles.

DC Comics tends to stay silent on the matter, as Vertigo’s success significantly altered the comic book landscape for mature audiences. Instead, they prefer focusing on the imprint’s accolades rather than acknowledging that it was a risky venture which might not have succeeded.

Andy Warhol’s Unauthorized Batman Film

1964 saw Andy Warhol creating an unauthorized film titled ‘Batman/Dracula’, where Batman took on a peculiar role in a striking black-and-white art installation. Unfortunately, DC Comics didn’t endorse this project, and the film was exclusively screened at Warhol’s exhibitions instead of receiving an official release.

The authorities may be concealing this tale to preserve the prestigious reputation of DC, as an unsanctioned, offbeat Batman movie doesn’t align with their meticulously crafted image of the Dark Knight’s esteemed history.

2025-08-09 03:17