The Tigereyes Most Wanted DC Omnibus 1st Annual Poll is now live and this is the final post of mapping prospective omnibuses to guide your voting! This posts covers everything else I haven’t yet mapped, including DC anthology and team-up comics (like a Brave and the Bold omnibus), war books, and creator-centric titles.
If you don’t know DC well enough to know what to vote for, stick around for my explanations! Learn why the team behind the poll decided on these books and titles – including giving us feedback if we missed the mark.
If voting is now open, you can use this as your crib sheet! Or… just find some great comics to read!
Remember: These mappings are just my suggestion of how DC could assemble these books. They are meant to help you decide on your votes and build your personal reading list, but your vote on the poll is NOT an endorsement of my specific map. It’s a vote in favor of DC creating a book with that title or covering that period.
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Brave and the Bold Omnibus Mapping
Brave and the Bold, The Early Years (1956 & on)
[This is mistitled, it should say “1955” & on]
This would collect material from the first few years of the Brave and the Bold that is not covered in other omnibuses, or which is brief enough to be worth excerpting on its own. Thus, it would skip all of the Suicide Squad material, which has been comprehensively collected, as well as Hawkman material, which would fit into its own omnibus.
That would likely include Brave and the Bold (1956) #1-24 (all fantastical or medieval material), #28-30 (origin of the Justice League), #31-33 & 40-41 (Cave Carson), #45-49 (“Strange Sports”), and #52 (war stories). Everything after that would fit into heroic omnibuses for Batman, Black Canary, Martian Manhhunter, and other heroes.
Brave and the Bold, The DC Universe Team-Ups by Mark Waid et al (2007 – 2010)
This would collect Brave and the Bold (2007) #1-35.
DC Anthology Title Omnibus Mapping
The history of DC Comics includes many anthology titles, whether that is series of one-shot horror or fantasy stories or comics that tell the tales of rotating casts of heroes. We didn’t manage to cover every anthology series in the history of DC Comics, but these are some of the major titles. Know a comic series we’ve missed? Leave a comment below so we are sure to catch it on the 2025 poll!
Action Comics Weekly, The Omnibus (1988 – 1989)
This collects all of the non-Superman stories from Action Comics (1938) #601-642, including the lead Green Lantern feature plus stories from Black Canary, Blackhawk, Deadman, Catwoman, The Demon, Green Arrow, Nightwing, Secret Six, and more! See Guide to Action Comics (Post-Crisis, 1987 – Present) for full details.
Action Comics: Zatara & The Pulp Heroes of the Golden Age, Vol. 1 (1938)
[This is mistitled, it should say “& on”]
This would begin to collect the complete Zatara material from early Action Comics back-ups, plus some other early pulp heroes. See Guide to Action Comics (Pre-Crisis, 1938-1986) for more details.
DC Special Series Omnibus (1977 – 1981)
DC Special-Series was an anthology title that told one-shot stories of heroes, often meant to launch them into their own books or run alongside their own titles. This would collect the entirety of DC Special-Series (1977) #1-27 (though issue #27 is a Hulk team-up, which could not be reprinted). It could include some other special one-shots of the late-70s.
Detective Comics Before Batman Omnibus (1937 – 1939)
This omnibus was previously solicited and cancelled, possibly due to concerns about some of the racist tropes employed in these earliest issues from DC Comics. This would collect Detective Comics (1937) #1-26, which do not include any superhero material (though they do include some “pulp heroes” that acted as proto-superheroes).
Legends of the DC Universe (1997 – 2001)
This would collect the anthology title Legends of the DC Universe (1997) #1-41, along withLegends of the DC Universe 80-Page Giant (1998) #1 and Legends of the DC Universe: Crisis on Infinite Earths (1998) #1.
Secret Origins Omnibus, Vol. 1 (1986 – 1990)
This would primarily collect Secret Origins (1986) #1-50 & Annual 1-3, but could material from 80 Page Giant Magazine (1964) #8, Secret Origins (1961) #1 and Secret Origins (1972) #1-7 (which is mostly reprinted or repurposed material).
This could be split into two and then continue to collect Secret Origins one-shots after this, or simply continue into a second Secret Origins volume.
Secrets of Sinister House, The Bronze Age Omnibus (1972 – 1974)
[this is mistitled; it should begin in 1971)
This would collect The Sinister House of Secret Love (1971) #1-4 and Secrets of Sinister House (1972) #5-18.
Showcase, The Silver Age Omnibus, Vol. 1 (1956 & on)
This would begin to collect Showcase (1956) #1 and on, as previously collected in a black-and-white Showcase Presents line.
Strange Adventures, The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1 (1955 & on)
This would begin to collect Strange Adventures (1950) #54 and on, as previously collected in a black-and-white Showcase Presents line. The earliest heroic story collected in a current omni is from issue #157.
Tales of the Unexpected, The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1 (1956 & on)
This would begin to collect Tales of the Unexpected (1956) #1-104. Some of that would include briefs runs of superhero stories collected in other omnibuses, but much of this is pure anthology stories.
The Witching Hour Vol. 1 (1969 & on)
This would begin to collect The Witching Hour (1969) #1-85. This could be three volumes, since more than 40 issues would be pushing the limits of a DC Silver or Bronze Age omnibus!
DC Creator-Centric Omnibus Mapping
There are dozens of creators who could merit their own creator-centric omnibuses – we could likely pad out this poll with at least another 50 titles! However, whenever a creator-centric omnibus would heavily overlap an existing comprehensive run, we omitted it.
That’s why you won’t see any omnibuses on this list like Marv Wolfman, George Pérez, or Chuck Dixon – there’s no map that would make sense to vote on that isn’t simply the map of another existing or prospective omnibus.
However, there are some creators with short runs of material that make sense to be included on the poll, so we included their titles here even if we didn’t have an explicit map for them.
DC Universe by Alex Toth Vol. 1 (1947 & on)
DC Universe by J. Michael Straczynski: Superman & Wonder Woman (2010 – 2011)
This would collect the two JMS runs that were aborted by Flashpoint from Superman (2006) #700-714 and Wonder Woman (2006) #600-614.
DC Universe by Jack Kirby – The Silver Age Vol. 1 (1956)
DC Universe by Keith Giffen Omnibus Vol. 1 (1977 & on)
This could collect material including Heckler #1-6, 52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen #1-6, Challengers of the Unknown #83-87, Cosmic Boy #1-4, DC First: Superman/Lobo #1, Vext #1-6, Eclipso #1-7, Ghosts #104, 106, 111, Magog #1-10, Heroes Against Hunger #1, Tattered Banners #1-2, and Threshold #1-8.
DC Universe by Paul Dini Omnibus (1992 & on)
This would collect famous Dini works outside of the Batman material in the Dini/Sale omnibus and the Batman by Dini omnibus. It could include the full contents of Absolute Justice League: The World’s Greatest Superheroes (Superman: Peace on Earth (1998) OGN, Batman: War On Crime (1999) OGN, Shazam!: Power of Hope (2000) OGN, Wonder Woman: Spirit of Truth (2001) OGN, JLA: Secret Origins (2002) OGN, and JLA: Liberty And Justice (2003) OGN) and other Dini DC works.
DC Universe by Steve Ditko Vol. 1 (1977 & on)
DC Universe by Tom King Vol. 1 (2015 & on)
This could begin to collect King’s maxi-series and one-shots that would not be included in another book, like Batman or a Heroes in Crisis omnibus. That includes series like Omega Men, Mister Miracle, Strange Adventures, Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow, Human Target, et cetera.
DC Miscellaneous Title Omnibus Mapping
This is a catch-all category for books that aren’t necessarily traditional superheroes or teams, including DC’s war titles. It also includes Silver and Bronze Age fantastical books with little to no interaction with main DC Continuity.
All-American Men of War Vol. 1 (1952 & on)
This would begin to collect All-American Men of War (1952) #1-117
Arak Son of Thunder (1981 – 1985)
This would collect Arak Son of Thunder (1981) #1-50 & Annual 1.
Atari Force (1984 – 1986)
This one snuck past me – it’s a licensed comic and should not have appeared on this poll! It would collect Atari Force (1984) #1-20 & Special (1986), plus giveaway comics and promotional art.
Bat Lash (1968 – 1982)
This would follow the map of the surprisingly slim black-and-white Showcase volume to collect Bat Lash material from Bat Lash (1968) #1-7, DC Special Series (1977) #16, Jonah Hex (1977) #49 & 51-52, and Showcase (1956) #76.
Blackhawk, The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1 (1958 & on)
This would begin to collect Blackhawk (1957) #108 and on. The Silver Age run of this title extended through #243 in November 1968, then continues for a brief run of issues #244-250 in 1976-77, and finally returned as Blackhawk (1982) #251-273.
Sadly, we missed including Golden Age Blackhawk on the poll! We will include it next year.
Blackhawk, The Modern Era Omnibus (1988 – 1992)
This would collect Blackhawk (1988) #1-3; Blackhawk (1989) #1-16 & Annual; Blackhawk Special (1992) #1; and material from Action Comics (1983) #601-608, 615-622, 628-635 and Secret Origins (1986) #45. While we could also fit Blackhawks (2011) #1-8 from the New 52, that was a very different title that doesn’t necessarily track with this other material.
DC Challenge Omnibus (1985 – 2018)
This would collect the unrelated DC Challenge (1985) #1-12 and Kamandi Challenge (2017) #1-12, which shared only the theme of unfurling a mystery for readers as they told their stories.
DC’s Swords & Sorcery (1973 – 1979)
Thanks to Larry’s Library on YouTube for mapping this book for us! It could include Hercules Unbound (1975) #1-12, Claw the Unconquered (1975) #1-12, Beowulf (1975) #1-6, and Sword of Sorcery (1973) #1-5.
Doc Savage (1975)
Even though Doc Savage was a Marvel title, DC briefly held the reprint rights to this material and may still be the company who can collect it in omnibus. This would collect the black and white Doc Savage [Magazine] (1975) #1-8.
Enemy Ace, The Silver Age Omnibus (1965 – 1982)
This would mirror the black-and-white Showcase Presents collection to collect the Enemy Ace stories from: Our Army at War (1952) #151, 153 & 155; Showcase (1956) #57-58; Star Spangled War Stories (1952) #138–152, 158, 181-183, & 200; Detective Comics (1937) #404; Men of War (1977) #1-3, 8-10, 12-14, & 19-20, Unknown Soldier (1977) #252–253, 260–261, 265–267, and cover art from DC Special (1968) #26.
Ghosts, The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1 (1971 & on)
It would likely take three or more omnibuses to completed collect Ghosts (1971) #1-112.
Haunted Tank (1961 – 1969)
Certainly there’s not enough appetite for two of these, so this would have to be a big collection! This would collect Haunted Tank stories from G.I. Combat (1952) #87-157, The Brave and the Bold (1955) #52, and Our Army at War (1952) #155.
I, Vampire, The New 52 Omnibus by Joshua Hale Fialkov & Andrea Sorrentino (2011 – 2013)
This would collect the New 52 series I, Vampire (2011) #1-19 & 0 and a crossover with Justice League Dark (2011) #7-8.
Losers – GI Combat (1969 – 1974)
This would collect the Losers stories from: G.I. Combat (1952) #138 and Our Fighting Forces (1954) #123-150.
Men of War, The Complete Series Omnibus (1977 – 1980)
This would collect Men of War (1977) #1-26.
Our Army at War Vol. 1 (1952 & on)
Though this title would later feature many specific stories and characters to be excerpted into their own collected editions, there was also a Showcase volume of just Our Army at War (1952) #1-20 on its own before it started featuring as many specific franchises. An intrepid mapper could also figure out which issues included stories that wouldn’t be covered in other omnibuses like Sgt. Rock and Haunted Tank.
Rip Hunter, Time Master, The Silver Age Omnibus (1959 – 1965)
This would mirror the black-and-white Showcase Presents collection and extend slightly beyond it to collect all of the Rip Hunter material from Showcase mapping, extended to reach the end of his series: Rip Hunter, Time Master stories from: Showcase (1956) #20, 21, & 25-26 and Rip Hunter, Time Master (1961) #1-25.
Sea Devils (1960 & on)
This would mirror a single black-and-white Showcase Presents volume and extend far beyond it to collect Sea Devils stories from: Showcase (1956) #27-29 and Sea Devils (1961) #1-35.
Secret Society of Super Villains (1976 – 1978)
This would collect Secret Society of Super Villains stories from Secret Society of Super Villains #1-15, Cancelled Comic Cavalcade #2, DC Special Series #6, Justice League of America #166-168, Super-Team Family #14, and Captain Comet stories from DC Special #27 and Super-Team Family #13.
Shadowpact by Willingham & Sturges (2006 – 2008)
This would collect Shadowpact (2006) #1-25.
Sugar & Spike, Vol. 1 (1956 & on)
This would begin to collect the Silver Age non-heroic cartoon strip comic Sugar & Spike (1956) #1-98. While many other comics like this that exist outside of the DC Universe were omitted from the poll, we included this once because it had its own DC Archives line.
The Great Disaster featuring the Atomic Knights (1960 – 1983)
This would mirror a single black-and-white Showcase Presents volume to collect Great Disaster stories from Kamandi, the Last Boy on Earth (1972) #43-46, Superman (1939) #295, The Amazing World of DC Comics (1974) #12. Then, it would collect Atomic Knights stories from: Strange Adventures (1950) #117, 120, 123, 126, 129, 132, 135, 138, 141, 144, 147, 150, 153, 156, & 160, DC Comics Presents (1978) #57. And, finally, the “The Day After Doomsday” stories from Weird War Tales (1971) #22-23, 30, 32, 40, 42-44, 46-49, 51-53, 64, 68-69, (& 123?), House of Mystery (1951) #318, House of Secrets (1956) #86, 95, & 97, The Unexpected (1968) #215 & 221, Hercules Unbound (1975) #1-10, and 1st Issue Special (1975) #1.
The Movement & The Green Team, The New 52 Omnibus (2013 – 2014)
This would collect a pair of little-appreciated New 52 series focused on the haves and the have-nots of the DC Universe from The Green Team: Teen Trillionaires (2013)#1-12 and The Movement (2013) #1-8.
The Unknown Soldier, The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol 1 (1970 & on)
This would begin to cover material from a black-and-white Showcase Presents volumes and push beyond them to collect Unknown Soldier stories from Our Army At War (1952) #91, Star Spangled War Stories (1952) #36, 151-152, 154-161 & 163-204, and Unknown Soldier (1977) #205-268 – which concluded in 1982.
The War that Time Forgot, The Silver Age Omnibus (1960 – 1968)
This would mirror a single black-and-white Showcase Presents volume to collect “The War that Time Forgot” stories from Star-Spangled War Stories (1952) #90, 92, 94-125, & 127-128.
Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters (1976 – 2019)
This would collect Freedom Fighters (1976) #1-15, Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters (2006) #1-6, Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters (2007) #1-6, Freedom Fighters (2010) #1-9, Freedom Fighters (2018) #1-12
Weird War Tales, The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1 (1971 & on)
This would begin to collect Weird War Tales (1971) #1-123.
Young Heroes in Love (1997 – 1998)
After the poll launched, I learned that Young Heroes in Love (1997) 1-17 & One Million was technically a creator-owned series within the DC Universe, much like Chris Claremont’s Sovereign Seven. That means the reprint rights to this series are in question and would require creator participation for DC to release as an omnibus.
Young Love, The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1 (1963 & on)
This would begin to collect Young Love (1963) #36-126
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