Publishers / DC / Secret Origins (1961) / #1
1[Summer] 1961
$0.25

Secret Origins #1

DC · [Summer] 1961 · on sale 1961-06-15

First appearance: Mekt RanzzFirst appearance: Lightning LordFirst appearance: Cosmic KingOrigin: Hal Jordan
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How to read this file
  • Every claim on this page traces to a public bibliographic record; the sources are listed at the bottom of the file.
  • A first-appearance badge means this is the earliest non-flashback appearance on record in this database.
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Identification plate

Series
Secret Origins (DC, 1961 series)
Issue
#1
Publication date
[Summer] 1961
Key date
1961-07-00
On-sale date
1961-06-15
Indicia publisher
National Comics Publications Inc.
Price
$0.25
Pages
84
Rating
Approved by the Comics Code Authority

Match the book in your hand against this plate before paying an edition-specific price.

Why this issue matters

First appearance of Mekt Ranzz - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Lightning Lord - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Cosmic King - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Eve Aries - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Laevar Bolto - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Saturn Queen - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Amos Fortune - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Dr. Erdel - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of The Turtle Man - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

Origin story on record for: Hal Jordan.

The evidence

Claims here come from the story records for this issue, listed under Sources at the bottom of the file. Character hubs with full evidence tables are coming to this site.

Contents

SeqStoryTypePagesCreditsCharacters
0A Super-Collection of the Most Sought-After Stories Ever Published!cover1pencils: Dick Sprang, Jack Kirby, Gil Kane, Joe Certa, Lee Elias, Carmine Infantino; inks: Stan Kaye, Jack Kirby, Bernard Sachs, Joe Giella, Joe Certa, Lee Elias; letters: Ira SchnappBarry Allen, Batman, Rocky Davis, The Flash, Dick Grayson, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Prof Haley, Roy Harper, J'Onn J'Onzz, Hal Jordan, Clark Kent, Martian Manhunter, Ace Morgan
1Table of Contentstable of contents1letters: typeset
2The Origin of the Superman-Batman Teamcomic story12script: Edmond Hamilton; pencils: Dick Sprang; inks: Stan Kaye; letters: Pat Gordon; editing: Jack SchiffBatman, Dick Grayson, Clark Kent, Lex Luthor, Robin, Superman, Bruce Wayne
3Secret of the Eternal City!comic story14.34script: Gardner Fox, Edmond Hamilton; pencils: Mike Sekowsky; inks: Frank Giacoia, Joe Giella; letters: Gaspar Saladino; editing: Julius SchwartzAlanna Strange, Sardath, Adam Strange
4-promo (ad from the publisher)0.33pencils: Curt Swan, Bob Brown; inks: Stan Kaye, Bob Brown; letters: Ira SchnappCosmic King First, Rocky Davis, Prof Haley, Clark Kent, Lightning Lord First, Ace Morgan, Red Ryan, Saturn Queen First, Superman, Eve Aries First, Laevar Bolto First, Mekt Ranzz First
5Adam Strangepromo (ad from the publisher)0.33pencils: Cinfa; inks: Murphy Anderson; letters: Ira SchnappAdam Strange
6The Planet of Doomed Mencomic story15script: John Broome; pencils: Gil Kane; inks: Murphy Anderson; letters: Gaspar Saladino; editing: Julius SchwartzGreen Lantern, Hal Jordan Origin, Abin Sur, Green Lantern
7The Secrets of the Sorcerer's Box!comic story6script: Jack Kirby, Joe Simon, Dave Wood; pencils: Jack Kirby; inks: Jack Kirby, Roz Kirby, Marvin Stein; letters: Ben Oda; editing: Jack SchiffRocky Davis, Prof Haley, Ace Morgan, Red Ryan, Morelian
8Origin of Green Arrow and Speedytext story1script: Jack Schiff; pencils: Lee Elias; inks: Lee EliasGreen Arrow, Roy Harper, Oliver Queen, Speedy
9Secret Origin of Wonder Womancomic story12.34script: Charles Moulton; pencils: Ross Andru; inks: Mike Esposito; letters: Gaspar Saladino; editing: Robert KanigherAphrodite, Athena, Hercules, Hippolyta, Princess Diana, Hermes, Wonder Girl
10The Impossible Daypromo (ad from the publisher)0.33pencils: Ross Andru; inks: Mike Esposito; letters: Ira SchnappHippolyta, Princess Diana, Wonder Girl, Wonder Tot, Wonder Woman
11-promo (ad from the publisher)0.33pencils: Carmine Infantino, Gil Kane; inks: Murphy Anderson, Joe Giella; letters: Ira SchnappBarry Allen, The Flash, Green Lantern, Hal Jordan
12The Strange Experiment of Dr. Erdelcomic story6script: Joe Samachson, Jack Miller; pencils: Joe Certa; inks: Joe Certa; letters: Pat Gordon; editing: Jack SchiffJ'Onn J'Onzz, Martian Manhunter, Dr. Erdel First
13Mystery of the Human Thunderbolt!comic story12script: Robert Kanigher; pencils: Carmine Infantino; inks: Joe Kubert; letters: Gaspar Saladino; editing: Julius SchwartzBarry Allen, The Flash, The Flash, Jay Garrick, The Turtle Man First, Iris West Allen
14Just Imagine!promo (ad from the publisher)1pencils: Mike Sekowsky; inks: Murphy Anderson; letters: Ira SchnappBarry Allen, Aquaman, Arthur Curry, The Flash, Amos Fortune First, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, J'Onn J'Onzz, Hal Jordan, Martian Manhunter, Princess Diana, Oliver Queen, Wonder Woman
15See the Many Fantastic Faces of Supermanpromo (ad from the publisher)0.5pencils: Curt Swan; inks: Stan Kaye; letters: Ira SchnappClark Kent, Superman
16The Inside Stories of Batman and Robin's Top Secretspromo (ad from the publisher)0.5pencils: Curt Swan, Sheldon Moldoff, Dick Sprang; inks: Charles Paris; letters: Ira SchnappBatman, Dick Grayson, Robin, Bruce Wayne

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Secret Origins Replica Edition #1
ISBN 1-56389-440-8		1998On eBay ›
DC Universe Secret Origins #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-4012-3403-4		2012On eBay ›
DC Universe: Secret Origins #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-4012-3404-1		2013On eBay ›
Alter Ego #11961On eBay ›

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Before you buy

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Series context

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Sources

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