DC Archive Editions is a line of hardcover reprint runs of early, often rare comic book series, titles, and stories. They include more than 160 Golden Age and Silver Age comic properties currently owned by DC Comics, regardless of whether DC Comics was the original publisher. The series first published Superman Archives Vol. 1 in 1989. Most of the restoration work to make the pages suitable for quality printing has been done by Rick Keene, who has restored more than 2,500 pages.
History
The DC Archive Editions series spans DC's Golden Age—which is actually the output of three inter-related companies in the late 1930s and the early '40s: Max Gaines' All-American Publications ; and Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson's National Allied Publications, which became Harry Donenfeld's Detective Comics —as well as Silver and Bronze Age comic book series such as Legion of Super-Heroes, Challengers of the Unknown, Doom Patrol, Metal Men, Aquaman, Justice League of America, et al. The series' format was designed by Alex Jay with Richard Bruning providing the art direction. Its various volumes also include series/titles not originally published by DC, though bought up in the intervening years, such as: Golden Age characters Plastic Man and Blackhawk, originally published by Quality Comics; the "Shazam" Marvel Family of characters Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Jr., and Mary Marvel, originally published by Fawcett; and the Charlton Silver Age line of superheroes in the DCAE Action Heroes volumes. The DC Archives preserve DC's history and provide readers with stories that normally would not be available. When the series first started, the cover price was U.S. $39.95; however, in the early 1990s the standard cover price became U.S. $49.99, although some books in the line containing more content have cost much more. Since 2009, new volumes have been released with a cover price of U.S. $59.99. In the early to mid-2000s, newer printings of previously published DC Archives volumes were released at the special introductory cover price of U.S. $19.95. In 2001, excess stock of Batman Archives Vol. 1 first printing edition was sold for this reduced price, with a new price sticker placed on the book's shrink wrap. Sales proved successful, as the remaining inventory sold out. DC used this promotional price again with a second printing of Batman Archives Vol. 1 in 2003, Superman Archives Vol. 1 in 2004, and Batman: The Dark Knight Archives Vol. 1 in 2005. It was widely believed that the DC Archive Editions would cease publication in 2008. However, in an issue of the publication Comic Shop News, an update was provided: "In spite of earlier reports of their demise, DC Archives will continue in 2008 and 2009, although in reduced numbers, focusing on continuing already-established Archives' series. The numbers have since decreased from fourteen volumes released in 2007, to seven released in 2008, five in 2009, four in 2010, and three in 2011, before rebounding in 2012 with ten volumes. In 2013, the volume length was increased to 400 pages, but only three volumes were released. The most recent volume, Superman: The Man of Tomorrow Archives Vol. 3 was released in 2014. A Captain Comet Archive Vol. 1 and Batman: World's Finest Vol. 3 were both solicited by DC for release in 2013, but both were canceled prior to release and have yet to be rescheduled. Post-2014, with no new DC Archive Editions released, DC has instead published the hardcover DC Omnibus line, with various titles/characters from the Golden Age, the Silver Age, and the Bronze Age eras, and each Age era Omnibus volume is also published as two or three trade paperbacks, replacing the DC Archive Editions line. Will Eisner's The Spirit Archives, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents Archives, Mad Archives, and Elfquest Archives are not technically part of the formal DC Archive Editions series as DC does not own those properties/characters, and is licensing them from the copyright holders. In the case of Mad, the property is owned by DC's parent company, but not DC itself. The licensing for the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents works is held by IDW as of 2012. However, these non-DC Archive Editions series published by DC are included in the list here, as the physical format is similar enough that the average fan would consider them part of the overall DC Archive Editions series.
