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Introduction

Introduction to "Comic Book Numbering"

Comic book numbering used to be a very simple issue - each issue was incremented one number from the preceding issue in a simple natural number sequence starting at issue #1 until infinity.

Occasionally there would be some complications when a series was re-named (often when a key character in an ongoing anthology becomes popular enough for their own title), such as "The Incredible Hulk (1968)" taking over the numbering from "Tales to Astonish (1959)" or "Captain America (1968)" taking over the numbering of "Tales of Suspense (1959)".

However, DC Comics started an inadvertent trend when John Byrne re-structured the Man of Steel in the mid-1980's. All Superman comics (Action Comics and Superman) were taken offline for a few months, and a re-launch re-started Superman (1987) with a new #1, and continued the pre-existing Superman (1939) numbering with "Adventures of Superman (1987)". Superman (2006) re-merged Superman (1987) and Adventures of Superman (1987) to a single title.

Both DC and Marvel comics insisted on the occassional oddly numbered comic (0, -1 for Marvel, 1,000,000 for DC) which made continuity of numbering strange.

Marvel had a mathematical psychotic break and sold off key characters (e.g. Hulk, Avengers, Iron Man, Captain America and the Fantastic Four) to a group of artist/writers in the ill-fated "Heroes Reborn" period of about a year in the mid-1990's, each series being re-started as a new #1. This experiment lasted about a year from 1996 to 1997, where the characters were re-introduced into the "real" (616) universe of Marvel in "Heroes Return".

Marvel's marketing department, realizing that "#1" issues had extra purchase value, began randomly re-starting series to generate new #1's. Later, someone woke up and realized that they were missing the chance to capitalize on significant milestone issues (500, 600 etc.) and began to re-number the ongoing series, with mixed success. Some re-numbering was simply the inclusion of series X and series Y of the same character, with the new numbering being the sum. However, with other series, the effect was somewhat confusing (see Hulk).

This site is an attempt to make sense of the numbering issues.

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Dystopian Super-Hero Futures

There have been some great dystopian super-hero (Marvel and DC) futures portrayed in the comics, feel free to name more.


   
  • The Dark Knight Returns (1986)" and "The Dark Knight Strikes Again (2001)" by Frank Miller is by far the cream of the crop for these events.  Miller single-handedly brought back a dying Batman franchise and turned it from the campy '60's TV show type stories back to a darker, backstreet detective.  Set in a future where Batman has been retired for 10 years, and is chatting with Commissioner Gordon who is hitting mandatory retirement at 70, Miller portrays a world where superheroes have been outlawed.  Miller also portrays a world where the media is shallow and celebrity-focused (sound familiar?).  Gotham is rife with streetcrime with gangs running the streets.  Batman doesn't sit still for long....

    .
  • "Kingdom Come" (1996) - Alex Ross and Mark Waid and "The Kingdom (1999)" - Mark Waid, Olivetti and Zeck - great story - Superman retired to Kansas, jaded due to the more violent breed of super-heroes.  2nd generation superheroes, no villians, so they take turns fighting each other - little care for civilian damage and casualties.  Supes comes out of retirement to bring back order.

Action Comics (1938) #583
Superman (1939) #423
  • "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" - DC Comics (Superman (1939) #423 and Action Comics (1938) #583.  These two issues marked the end of "Superman" as he was known since Action Comics #1. These were the last two issues of his signature series, both of which stopped publication for several months while John Byrne's Man of Steel (1986) series re-wrote the Superman legend.  Following this mini-series, Action Comics (1986) was re-launched with a #1, as was Superman (1987).  The "original" numbering of Superman was carried on to "Adventures of Superman (1987)" starting with issue #424.  The story was very good and incorporated many of the seminal Superman writers and artists. The basic plot was that things got serious in DC's universe, Pete Ross (Superman's childhood buddy) turned up dead, second rate villains became killers and everyone wondered what would happen when Brainiac or other real super-villains came home.  It really showed the end of the Silver Age Superman, with many supporting characters making an appearance, and many dying.  "Whatever Hppened to the Man of Tomorrow?" - worth the read to find out.
"Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow" - Graphic Novel
"The Man of Steel (1986)" - John Byrne re-make of Superman
  




  • "Old Man Logan" (2008) - Miller and McNiven shows the post-apolcalyptic world where Logan (Wolverine) is still around and the U.S. is split into zones run by local warlords.  The Hulk and his offspring also play a part.







  • "Future Imperfect (1992)" - Peter David.  In this 2-issue series, the Hulk (with Banner's intelligence at this time) is transported into the future where he meets Maestro, a Hulk which survived the apocalypse and runs the world as an older, emperor-style Hulk, driven somewhat insane by the radiation over time.






  • "Spider-Man: Reign (2006)" - Kaare Andrews - an elderly Spider-Man, lonely and delusional is brought back to show a fighting spirit to a city basically under "anti-terrorist martial law" on a permanent basis.








  • "Daredevil: The End of Days" (2012) - 8 issue series exploring the aftermath of the death of Daredevil by Bullseye.  Lotsa' red headed young males hanging around their single-female mother friends of Matt Murdock.






  • "Earth X", "Universe X", "Paradise X" - Marvel comics future universes after a kid gets the power of the cosmic cube.  Very cool art, and nice depictions of older Marvel mainstream characters and offspring of those characters.
      
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Saturday, May 11, 2013

DC Elseworlds List



I've liked the odd "DC Imaginary Story", which were a periodic DC gimmick to create "out of continuity" stories, primarily for the Superman family.  These were often "Superman marries Lois"-type stories, where the writers can play with the key characters without messing up the "real universe". 

In later decades, DC more formally set about "out of continuity  stories with Elseworlds, which started with "Gotham by Gaslight (1989)" a Batman story, and came to be more prominent by being the theme for all main DC 1991 annuals, 1996 annuals and other mini-series and events.

Both Marvel and DC periodically engaged in cross-over storylines (e.g. Superman and Spider-Man, or Batman and Daredevil), which can be considered "Elseworlds" or "What Ifs", though not labelled as such, though I've included them here.

I've included the earlier DC "Imaginary Stories" that I've found in the "Elseworlds" lists, and have identified as such.

I've sorted by date of publication, and the full reference to the comic book series (e.g. "EW 1959 - Imaginary Stories - Action Comics (1938) 259"   - refers to issue #259 of Action Comics, which began publication in 1938 - the actual issue was published in 1959, and was one of the pre-Elseworlds "Imaginary Stories").  This sorts the issues in mostly chronological order, though no attempt was made to order by months within years, as most stories were "stand-alone" anyway and didn't require that level of organization.

I've included the "Super Sons" stories of the mid-1970's World Finest Comics, as I remember these, and they tend to mirror the earlier Imaginary Stories where one of Superman or Batman were married with kids - I don't think they were acknowledged as "Imaginary Stories" when first published, and they pre-date "Elseworlds" but are nonetheless a non-continuity, possible world.


*** Update
As per the comics below, shadzane (http://shadzane.livejournal.com/) has provided me with some missed "Elseworlds/Imaginary Story" issues.  Thanks very much.

Here are the additions suggested by shadzane:
EW 1962 Lois Lane (1958) 037
EW 1965 Lois Lane (1958) 060
EW 1969 Lois Lane (1958) 089
EW 1966 Action Comics (1938) 333
EW 1966 Action Comics (1938) 332
EW 1984 Superman (1939) 404
EW 1985 Superman (1939) 417
EW 1958 Superman (1939) 122
EW 1966 Worlds Finest (1958) 157
EW 1967 Worlds Finest (1958) 167
EW 1968 Worlds Finest (1958) 178
EW 1968 Worlds Finest (1958) 180


Here is the updated list (with the above additions)

EW 1946 - Imaginary Stories - Captain Marvel Adventures (1941) 66
EW 1958 - Imaginary Stories - Jimmy Olsen (1954) 029
EW 1958 - Imaginary Stories - Superman (1939) 122
EW 1958 - Imaginary Stories - Superman (1939) 125
EW 1959 - Imaginary Stories - Action Comics (1938) 259
EW 1959 - Imaginary Stories - Batman (1940) 127
EW 1959 - Imaginary Stories - Superman (1939) 122
EW 1960 - Imaginary Stories - Action Comics (1938) 270
EW 1960 - Imaginary Stories - Batman (1940) 131
EW 1960 - Imaginary Stories - Batman (1940) 135
EW 1960 - Imaginary Stories - Lois Lane (1958) 019 
EW 1960 - Imaginary Stories - Lois Lane (1958) 020
EW 1960 - Imaginary Stories - Superboy (1949) 078 
EW 1960 - Imaginary Stories - Superman (1939) 132
EW 1960 - Imaginary Stories - Superman (1939) 137
EW 1961 - Imaginary Stories - Action Comics (1938) 275
EW 1961 - Imaginary Stories - Action Comics (1938) 279
EW 1961 - Imaginary Stories - Jimmy Olsen (1954) 056
EW 1961 - Imaginary Stories - Jimmy Olsen (1954) 057
EW 1961 - Imaginary Stories - Lois Lane (1958) 023
EW 1961 - Imaginary Stories - Lois Lane (1958) 025
EW 1961 - Imaginary Stories - Lois Lane (1958) 026
EW 1961 - Imaginary Stories - Superman (1939) 149
EW 1962 - Imaginary Stories - Adventure Comics (1938) 299 
EW 1962 - Imaginary Stories - Batman (1940) 145
EW 1962 - Imaginary Stories - Batman (1940) 151
EW 1962 - Imaginary Stories - Flash (1959) 128
EW 1962 - Imaginary Stories - Lois Lane (1958) 037
EW 1962 - Imaginary Stories - Superboy (1949) 095
EW 1963 - Imaginary Stories - Superman (1939) 162
EW 1964 - Imaginary Stories - 80 Page Giant 01 (Superman)
EW 1964 - Imaginary Stories - 80 Page Giant 05 (Batman) (1964)
EW 1964 - Imaginary Stories - Lois Lane (1958) 051
EW 1964 - Imaginary Stories - Superman (1939) 166
EW 1965 - Imaginary 1965 - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 153
EW 1965 - Imaginary 1965 - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 154
EW 1965 - Imaginary Stories - Lois Lane (1958) 060
EW 1965 - Imaginary Stories - Superboy (1949) 124
EW 1965 - Imaginary Stories - Superman (1939) 175
EW 1966 - Imaginary Stories - Action Comics (1938) 332
EW 1966 - Imaginary Stories - Action Comics (1938) 333
EW 1966 - Imaginary Stories - Batman (1940) 145
EW 1966 - Super-Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 157
EW 1967 - Imaginary Stories - Superman (1939) 200 
EW 1967 - Imaginary Stories - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 167
EW 1967 - Imaginary Stories - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 172
EW 1968 - Imaginary Stories - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 178
EW 1968 - Imaginary Stories - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 180
EW 1969 - Imaginary Stories - Jimmy Olsen (1954) 117
EW 1969 - Imaginary Stories - Lois Lane (1958) 089
EW 1969 - Imaginary Stories - Lois Lane (1958) 091
EW 1969 - Imaginary Stories - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 184
EW 1970 - Imaginary Stories - Superman (1939) 230
EW 1972 - Imaginary Stories - Lois Lane (1958) 125
EW 1972 - Imaginary Stories - Lois Lane (1958) 126
EW 1972 - Super-Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 215
EW 1973 - Super-Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 216
EW 1974 - Super-Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 221
EW 1974 - Super-Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 222
EW 1974 - Super-Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 224
EW 1975 - Super-Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 228
EW 1975 - Super-Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 230
EW 1975 - Super-Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 231
EW 1975 - Super-Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 233
EW 1976 - Imaginary Stories - Superman (1939) 300
EW 1976 - Super-Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 238
EW 1976 - Super-Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 242
EW 1976 - Superman vs Spider-Man (1976) (1995 Reprint)
EW 1978 - Imaginary Stories - Batman (1940) 300
EW 1978 - Imaginary Stories - Superman Family (1974) 192
EW 1978 - Superman Vs. Muhammed Ali
EW 1980 - Super-Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 263 
EW 1981 - Batman vs Hulk (DC-27)
EW 1981 - DC Special Series 027 (1981) - BM vs Hulk
EW 1981 - Superman-Spider-Man (Marvel Treasury Edition 28)
EW 1982 - The Uncanny X-Men & The New Teen Titans
EW 1984 - Imaginary Stories - Superman (1939) 404
EW 1985 - Imaginary Stories - Superman (1939) 417
EW 1986 - Batman The Dark Knight Returns - 00 - Introduction
EW 1986 - Batman The Dark Knight Returns - 01 - The Dark Knight Returns
EW 1986 - Batman The Dark Knight Returns - 02 - The Dark Knight Triumphant
EW 1986 - Batman The Dark Knight Returns - 03 - Hunt The Dark Knight
EW 1986 - Batman The Dark Knight Returns - 04 - The Dark Knight Falls
EW 1986 - Watchmen (1986) 01
EW 1986 - Watchmen (1986) 02
EW 1986 - Watchmen (1986) 03
EW 1986 - Watchmen (1986) 04
EW 1986 - Watchmen (1986) 05
EW 1986 - Watchmen (1986) 06
EW 1986 - Watchmen (1986) 07
EW 1986 - Watchmen (1986) 08
EW 1986 - Watchmen (1986) 09
EW 1986 - Watchmen (1986) 10
EW 1986 - Watchmen (1986) 11
EW 1986 - Watchmen (1986) 12
EW 1986 - Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow Pt 1 - Superman 423
EW 1986 - Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow Pt 2 - Action Comics 583
EW 1986 - World of the Watchmen, The
EW 1989 - Batman - Gotham by Gaslight
EW 1990 - Batman - Digital Justice
EW 1991 - Armageddon 2001 - 01 - Armageddon 2001 1
EW 1991 - Armageddon 2001 - 02 - Superman (1987) Annual 03
EW 1991 - Armageddon 2001 - 03 - Batman Annual 15 (1991)
EW 1991 - Armageddon 2001 - 04 - JLA (1987) Annual 005
EW 1991 - Armageddon 2001 - 05 - Hawk & Dove v3 Annual 2
EW 1991 - Armageddon 2001 - 06 - Hawkworld Annual #02
EW 1991 - Armageddon 2001 - 07 - Flash v2 Annual 04
EW 1991 - Armageddon 2001 - 08 - Action Comics (1938) Annual 03 - 1991
EW 1991 - Armageddon 2001 - 09 - L.E.G.I.O.N. '91 Annual 02
EW 1991 - Armageddon 2001 - 10 - New Titans Annual 07
EW 1991 - Armageddon 2001 - 11 - Adventures of Superman (1987) Annual 03
EW 1991 - Armageddon 2001 - 12 - Detective Comics (1937) Annual 04
EW 1991 - Armageddon 2001 - 13 - Justice League Europe (1989) Annual 02
EW 1991 - Armageddon 2001 - 14 - Armageddon 2001 2
EW 1991 - Armageddon 2001 - 15 - The Alien Agenda 01
EW 1991 - Armageddon 2001 - 16 - The Alien Agenda 02
EW 1991 - Armageddon 2001 - 17 - The Alien Agenda 03
EW 1991 - Armageddon 2001 - 18 - The Alien Agenda 04
EW 1991 - Batman - Holy Terror
EW 1991 - Batman - Master of the Future (Sequel to Gotham by Gaslight)
EW 1991 - Batman - Red Rain
EW 1991 - Batman vs Predator 01
EW 1991 - Batman vs Predator 02
EW 1991 - Batman vs Predator 03
EW 1992 - Armageddon Inferno 01
EW 1992 - Armageddon Inferno 02
EW 1992 - Armageddon Inferno 03
EW 1992 - Armageddon Inferno 04
EW 1992 - Batman - The Blue, The Grey and the Bat
EW 1992 - Batman and Spawn
EW 1992 - Batman vs Judge Dredd - Judgement On Gotham
EW 1992 - Robin 3000 1
EW 1992 - Robin 3000 2
EW 1993 - Batman & Houdini - The Devil's Workshop
EW 1993 - Batman - Dark Joker - The Wild
EW 1993 - Batman - Grendel 1 Devil's Riddle
EW 1993 - Batman - Grendel 2 Devil's Masque
EW 1993 - Kamandi - At Earth's End 01
EW 1993 - Kamandi - At Earth's End 02
EW 1993 - Kamandi - At Earth's End 03
EW 1993 - Kamandi - At Earth's End 04
EW 1993 - Kamandi - At Earth's End 05
EW 1993 - Kamandi - At Earth's End 06
EW 1993 - Superman Batman - Speeding Bullets
EW 1993 - The Golden Age 1
EW 1993 - The Golden Age 2
EW 1993 - The Golden Age 3
EW 1993 - The Golden Age 4
EW 1994 - Adventures of Superman Annual 6 -The Super Seven Part 1
EW 1994 - Batman & Spawn - War Devil
EW 1994 - Batman - Batman Annual 18 - Black Masterpiece
EW 1994 - Batman - Bloodstorm
EW 1994 - Batman - Castle of the Bat
EW 1994 - Batman - Detective Annual 07
EW 1994 - Batman - In Darkest Knight
EW 1994 - Batman vs The Punisher
EW 1994 - Batman-Punisher - Lake Of Fire
EW 1994 - Catwoman Annual 01 - The Last Man
EW 1994 - Deathstroke The Terminator Annual 03
EW 1994 - Flash Annual 07 - The Barry Allen Story
EW 1994 - Green Lantern Annual 03
EW 1994 - JLA Annual 8  - The Once And Future League
EW 1994 - Justice League International Annual 5 - No Rules To Follow
EW 1994 - L.E.G.I.O.N. Annual 05 - The Man from Legion '007
EW 1994 - Legends of The Dark Knight Annual 4 - Citizen Wayne
EW 1994 - Legion of Super-Heroes Annual 05 - Long Road Home
EW 1994 - Legionnaires Annual 01 - Castles in the Air
EW 1994 - Lobo Annual 02 - A Fistful of Bastiches
EW 1994 - New Titans Annual - Facets
EW 1994 - New Titans Annual 10 - Facets
EW 1994 - Punisher-Batman - Deadly Knights
EW 1994 - Robin Annual 03 - the Narrow Path
EW 1994 - Shadow Of The Bat Annual - The Tyrant
EW 1994 - Steel Annual 01 - Crucible of Freedom
EW 1994 - Superboy Annual 1 The Super Seven Part 2
EW 1994 - Superman - Action Comics Annual 06
EW 1994 - Superman - Superman Annual 06 - The Feral Man of Steel
EW 1994 - Superman Man of Steel Annual 03 - Unforgiven
EW 1994 - Team Titans Annual 02
EW 1995 - Batman & Manbat - The Subterraneans 1
EW 1995 - Batman & Manbat - The Subterraneans 2
EW 1995 - Batman & Manbat - The Subterraneans 3
EW 1995 - Batman - Brotherhood of the Bat
EW 1995 - Batman - Knight Gallery
EW 1995 - Batman - Mitefall
EW 1995 - Batman vs Predator II 01
EW 1995 - Batman vs Predator II 02
EW 1995 - Batman vs Predator II 03
EW 1995 - Batman vs Predator II 04
EW 1995 - Darkseid vs Galactus
EW 1995 - Green Lantern and Silver Surfer - Unholy Alliances
EW 1995 - Green Lantern vs Silver Surfer
EW 1995 - Spider-Man-Batman - Disordered Minds
EW 1995 - Superman & Batman - Doom Link
EW 1995 - Superman - At Earth's End 001
EW 1995 - Superman - Kal
EW 1995 - Superman vs Aliens 01
EW 1995 - Superman vs Aliens 02
EW 1995 - Superman vs Aliens 03
EW 1996 - Batman & Captain America
EW 1996 - Batman - Dark Allegiances
EW 1996 - Batman - Grendel Book 1 Devil's Bones
EW 1996 - Batman - Grendel Book 2 Devil's Dance
EW 1996 - Batman - Scar of the bat
EW 1996 - DC vs Marvel (1996) 1
EW 1996 - DC vs Marvel (1996) 2
EW 1996 - DC vs Marvel (1996) 3
EW 1996 - DC vs Marvel (1996) 4
EW 1996 - DC vs Marvel (1996) Free Preview
EW 1996 - DC-Marvel All Access (1996) 1 - Superman & Spider-Man
EW 1996 - DC-Marvel All Access (1996) 2 - Jubilee and Robin
EW 1996 - DC-Marvel All Access (1996) 3 - Batman & Dr Strange
EW 1996 - DC-Marvel All Access (1996) 4 - X-Men & JLA
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Action Comics (1938) Annual 08 - 1996
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Adventures of Superman (1987) Annual 08 (1996)
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Aquaman (1994) Annual 02
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Azrael Annual 02 - 1996
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Batman - Legends of the Dark Knight (1992) Annual  6
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Batman - Shadow of the Bat Annual 004
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Batman Annual 20 (1996)
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Catwoman (1993) Annual 03 - Legends of the Dead Earth
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Detective Comics (1937) Annual 09
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Flash v2 Annual 09
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Green Lantern Annual 05 - 1996 - Legends of the Dead Earth
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Guy Gardner Warrior (1994) Annual 02 - 1996
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Impulse Annual 1996 - 01
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - JLA (1987) Annual 010
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Legion of Super-Heroes v4 Annual 7
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Legionnaires (1993) Annual 03
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Power of Shazam (1995) Ann 001
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Robin Annual 05
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Sovereign Seven Annual 2
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Starman (1994) 019a - Ann 001 (1996)
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Superboy (1994) (Clone) Annual 03
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Supergirl (1996) Annual 01 1996
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Superman (1987) Annual 08
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Superman - The Man of Steel (1991) Annual 005
EW 1996 - Dead Worlds - Wonder Woman (1987) v2 Ann 005
EW 1996 - JLA - League of Justice 1
EW 1996 - JLA - League of Justice 2
EW 1996 - Kingdom Come TPB
EW 1996 - Silver Surfer-Superman - Pop
EW 1996 - Superman vs Silver Surfer
EW 1996 - Superman's Metropolis Part 1
EW 1996 - Superman's Metropolis Part 2 - Batman - Nosferatu
EW 1996 - Superman's Metropolis Part 3 - Wonder Woman - Blue Amazon
EW 1996 - The Dark Knight Returns Book 0 - Introduction
EW 1996 - The Dark Knight Returns Book 1 - The Dark Knight Returns
EW 1996 - The Dark Knight Returns Book 2 - The Dark Knight Triumphant
EW 1996 - The Dark Knight Returns Book 3 - Hunt The Dark Knight
EW 1996 - The Dark Knight Returns Book 4 - The Dark Knight Falls
EW 1997 - Batman - Dark Knight Dynasty
EW 1997 - Batman - Masque
EW 1997 - Batman - Thrillkiller
EW 1997 - Batman vs Predator III 01
EW 1997 - Batman vs Predator III 02
EW 1997 - Batman vs Predator III 03
EW 1997 - Batman vs Predator III 04
EW 1997 - Batman Vs. Aliens 01
EW 1997 - Batman Vs. Aliens 02
EW 1997 - Batman-Spider-Man - New Age Dawning
EW 1997 - Daredevil & Batman - Eye For An Eye
EW 1997 - Elseworld's Finest 001
EW 1997 - Elseworld's Finest 002
EW 1997 - JLA - Justice Riders
EW 1997 - Kingdom Come 0
EW 1997 - Kingdom Come 1
EW 1997 - Kingdom Come 2
EW 1997 - Kingdom Come 3
EW 1997 - Kingdom Come 4
EW 1997 - Kingdom Come 5
EW 1997 - Kingdom Come Epilogue
EW 1997 - Kingdom Come TPB
EW 1997 - Superman - The Kents 01
EW 1997 - Superman - The Kents 02
EW 1997 - Superman - The Kents 03
EW 1997 - Superman - The Kents 04
EW 1997 - Superman - The Kents 05
EW 1997 - Superman - The Kents 06
EW 1997 - Superman - The Kents 07
EW 1997 - Superman - The Kents 08
EW 1997 - Superman - The Kents 09
EW 1997 - Superman - The Kents 10
EW 1997 - Superman - The Kents 11
EW 1997 - Superman - The Kents 12
EW 1997 - Superman - Wonder Woman - Whom Gods Destroy 001
EW 1997 - Superman - Wonder Woman - Whom Gods Destroy 002
EW 1997 - Superman - Wonder Woman - Whom Gods Destroy 003
EW 1997 - Superman - Wonder Woman - Whom Gods Destroy 004
EW 1997 - Superman's Metropolis
EW 1997 - Titans - Scissors, Paper, Stone
EW 1997 - Wonder Woman - Amazonia
EW 1997 -Superman - Wonder Woman - Whom Gods Destroy 001
EW 1997 -Superman - Wonder Woman - Whom Gods Destroy 002
EW 1997 -Superman - Wonder Woman - Whom Gods Destroy 003
EW 1997 -Superman - Wonder Woman - Whom Gods Destroy 004
EW 1998 - Batman - Crimson Mist
EW 1998 - Batman - I Joker
EW 1998 - Batman - Judge Dredd - Die Laughing Book 1
EW 1998 - Batman - Judge Dredd - Die Laughing Book 2
EW 1998 - Batman - Other Realms - Destiny - Legends of the Dark Knight (1989) 035
EW 1998 - Batman - Other Realms - Destiny - Legends of the Dark Knight (1989) 036
EW 1998 - Batman - Other Realms - The Sleeping - Batman Legends of the Dark Knight (1992) 076
EW 1998 - Batman - Other Realms - The Sleeping - Batman Legends of the Dark Knight (1992) 077
EW 1998 - Batman - Other Realms - The Sleeping - Batman Legends of the Dark Knight (1992) 078
EW 1998 - Batman - The Batman Chronicles 11
EW 1998 - Batman - Thrillkiller
EW 1998 - Batman - Two Faces
EW 1998 - DCP Archive Edition - The Complete One Million Vol.01
EW 1998 - DCP Archive Edition - The Complete One Million Vol.02
EW 1998 - DCP Archive Edition - The Complete One Million Vol.03
EW 1998 - Elseworld's Finest - Supergirl & Batgirl
EW 1998 - JLA - The Nail 1
EW 1998 - JLA - The Nail 2
EW 1998 - JLA - The Nail 3
EW 1998 - Superman - A Nation Divided
EW 1998 - Superman - Distant Fires 01
EW 1998 - Superman - The Dark Side 001
EW 1999 - Batman  - Crimson Mist
EW 1999 - Batman - Dark Knight of the Round Table 001
EW 1999 - Batman - Dark Knight of the Round Table 002
EW 1999 - Batman - Nosferatu
EW 1999 - Batman - Reign of Terror
EW 1999 - Batman - Tarzan - Claws Of The Cat-woman 001
EW 1999 - Batman - Tarzan - Claws Of The Cat-woman 002
EW 1999 - Batman - Tarzan - Claws Of The Cat-woman 003
EW 1999 - Batman - Tarzan - Claws Of The Cat-woman 004
EW 1999 - Batman Hellboy Starman 1
EW 1999 - Batman Hellboy Starman 2
EW 1999 - Book of the Dead 1
EW 1999 - Book of the Dead 2
EW 1999 - Catwoman - Guardian of Gotham 1
EW 1999 - Catwoman - Guardian of Gotham 2
EW 1999 - Conjurors - 01
EW 1999 - Conjurors - 02
EW 1999 - Conjurors - 03
EW 1999 - Elseworlds 80-Page Giant 1
EW 1999 - Flash - Flashpoint 1
EW 1999 - Flash - Flashpoint 2
EW 1999 - Flash - Flashpoint 3
EW 1999 - Hulk vs Superman
EW 1999 - Superman - A Nation Divided
EW 1999 - Superman - Batman - Generations 001
EW 1999 - Superman - Batman - Generations 002
EW 1999 - Superman - Batman - Generations 003
EW 1999 - Superman - Batman - Generations 004
EW 1999 - Superman - King Of The World
EW 1999 - Superman - Son Of Superman
EW 1999 - Superman - Superman Inc
EW 1999 - Superman - The Superman Monster
EW 1999 - Superman - War of the Worlds
EW 1999 - Superman vs Fantastic Four
EW 1999 - Superman vs Terminator 01
EW 1999 - Superman vs Terminator 02
EW 1999 - Superman vs Terminator 03
EW 1999 - Superman vs Terminator 04
EW 1999 - Superman-Fantastic Four - The Infinite Destruction
EW 1999 - The Darkness - Batman
EW 1999 - The Kingdom 00 - Prologue - Gog
EW 1999 - The Kingdom 001
EW 1999 - The Kingdom 002
EW 1999 - The Kingdom 01 - The Kingdom 01
EW 1999 - The Kingdom 02 - Kid Flash
EW 1999 - The Kingdom 03 - Son Of The Bat
EW 1999 - The Kingdom 04 - Nightstar
EW 1999 - The Kingdom 05 - Offspring
EW 1999 - The Kingdom 06 - Planet Krypton
EW 1999 - The Kingdom 07 - The Kingdom 02
EW 2000 - Batman & Daredevil - King of New York
EW 2000 - Batman & Demon - A Tragedy
EW 2000 - Batman - Batman of Arkham
EW 2000 - Batman - Haunted Gotham 01
EW 2000 - Batman - Haunted Gotham 02
EW 2000 - Batman - Haunted Gotham 03
EW 2000 - Batman - Haunted Gotham 04
EW 2000 - Batman - The Batman Chronicles 21
EW 2000 - Batman - The Doom that Came to Gotham 1
EW 2000 - Batman - The Doom that Came to Gotham 2
EW 2000 - Batman - The Doom that Came to Gotham 3
EW 2000 - Batman vs Lobo
EW 2000 - Green Lantern vs Aliens 01
EW 2000 - Green Lantern vs Aliens 02
EW 2000 - Green Lantern vs Aliens 03
EW 2000 - Green Lantern vs Aliens 04
EW 2000 - JLA - Act of God 1
EW 2000 - JLA - Act of God 2
EW 2000 - JLA - Act of God 3
EW 2000 - JLA - Created Equal 1
EW 2000 - JLA - Created Equal 2
EW 2000 - JLA - Witchblade
EW 2000 - JLA- Secret Society of SuperHeroes 1
EW 2000 - JLA- Secret Society of SuperHeroes 2
EW 2000 - JSA - The Liberty File 1
EW 2000 - JSA - The Liberty File 2
EW 2000 - Realworlds  - Batman (2000)
EW 2000 - Realworlds  - Justice League Of America (2000)
EW 2000 - Realworlds  - Superman (2000)
EW 2000 - Realworlds  - Wonder Woman (2000)
EW 2000 - Superboy's Legion 001
EW 2000 - Superboy's Legion 002
EW 2000 - Superman & Batman - World's Funnest
EW 2000 - Superman - Last Son of Earth 001
EW 2000 - Superman - Last Son of Earth 002
EW 2000 - Superman vs Predator 01
EW 2000 - Superman vs Predator 02
EW 2000 - Superman vs Predator 03
EW 2001 - Batman - Gotham Noir
EW 2001 - Batman - Hollywood Knight 01
EW 2001 - Batman - Hollywood Knight 02
EW 2001 - Batman - Hollywood Knight 03
EW 2001 - Batman - League of Batmen 01
EW 2001 - Batman - League of Batmen 02
EW 2001 - Bizarro Comics (2001)
EW 2001 - Bizarro Comics 01
EW 2001 - Green Lantern - 1001 Emerald Nights
EW 2001 - Green Lantern - Dragon Lord 001
EW 2001 - Green Lantern - Dragon Lord 002
EW 2001 - Green Lantern - Dragon Lord 003
EW 2001 - JLA - Riddle of the Beast
EW 2001 - Justice League vs Predator
EW 2001 - Supergirl - Wings
EW 2001 - Superman & Bugs Bunny 1
EW 2001 - Superman & Bugs Bunny 2
EW 2001 - Superman & Bugs Bunny 3
EW 2001 - Superman & Bugs Bunny 4
EW 2001 - Superman - Batman - Generations II 001
EW 2001 - Superman - Batman - Generations II 002
EW 2001 - Superman - Batman - Generations II 003
EW 2001 - Superman - Batman - Generations II 004
EW 2001 - Superman - Tarzan - Sons Of The Jungle 001
EW 2001 - Superman - Tarzan - Sons Of The Jungle 002
EW 2001 - Superman - Tarzan - Sons Of The Jungle 003
EW 2002 - Batman - Nine Lives
EW 2002 - Green Lantern - Evil's Might 01
EW 2002 - Green Lantern - Evil's Might 02
EW 2002 - Green Lantern - Evil's Might 03
EW 2002 - JLA - Destiny 001
EW 2002 - JLA - Destiny 002
EW 2002 - JLA - Destiny 003
EW 2002 - JLA - Destiny 004
EW 2002 - JLA - Island of Dr Moreau
EW 2002 - JLA - Shogun of Steel
EW 2002 - Planetary - JLA - TerraOcculta
EW 2002 - Superman vs. Dracula
EW 2002 - The Dark Knight Strikes Again 01
EW 2002 - The Dark Knight Strikes Again 02
EW 2002 - The Dark Knight Strikes Again 03
EW 2002 - The Dark Knight Strikes Again TPB Extras
EW 2003 - Batman - Detective Comics #27
EW 2003 - Batman - Nevermore 1
EW 2003 - Batman - Nevermore 2
EW 2003 - Batman - Nevermore 3
EW 2003 - Batman - Nevermore 4
EW 2003 - Batman - Nevermore 5
EW 2003 - Batman - The Golden Streets Of Gotham
EW 2003 - JLA - Age of Wonder 1
EW 2003 - JLA - Age of Wonder 2
EW 2003 - JLA Avengers (2003) 1 of 4
EW 2003 - JLA Avengers (2003) 2 of 4
EW 2003 - JLA Avengers (2003) 3 of 4
EW 2003 - JLA Avengers (2003) 4 of 4
EW 2003 - JLA- Secret Society of SuperHeroes 1
EW 2003 - JLA- Secret Society of SuperHeroes 2
EW 2003 - JSA - The Liberty File 001
EW 2003 - JSA - The Liberty File 002
EW 2003 - JSA - The Unholy Three 01
EW 2003 - JSA - The Unholy Three 02
EW 2003 - Planetary & Batman
EW 2003 - Superman - Batman - Generations III 001
EW 2003 - Superman - Batman - Generations III 002
EW 2003 - Superman - Batman - Generations III 003
EW 2003 - Superman - Batman - Generations III 004
EW 2003 - Superman - Batman - Generations III 005
EW 2003 - Superman - Batman - Generations III 006
EW 2003 - Superman - Batman - Generations III 007
EW 2003 - Superman - Batman - Generations III 008
EW 2003 - Superman - Batman - Generations III 009
EW 2003 - Superman - Batman - Generations III 010
EW 2003 - Superman - Batman - Generations III 011
EW 2003 - Superman - Batman - Generations III 012
EW 2003 - Superman - Blood of My Ancestors
EW 2003 - Superman - Last Stand On Krypton 001
EW 2003 - Superman - Red Son 001
EW 2003 - Superman - Red Son 002
EW 2003 - Superman - Red Son 003
EW 2003 - Wonder Woman - Blue Amazon
EW 2003 -Superman - Batman - Generations III 001
EW 2003 -Superman - Batman - Generations III 002
EW 2003 -Superman - Batman - Generations III 003
EW 2003 -Superman - Batman - Generations III 004
EW 2003 -Superman - Batman - Generations III 005
EW 2003 -Superman - Batman - Generations III 006
EW 2003 -Superman - Batman - Generations III 007
EW 2003 -Superman - Batman - Generations III 008
EW 2003 -Superman - Batman - Generations III 009
EW 2003 -Superman - Batman - Generations III 010
EW 2003 -Superman - Batman - Generations III 011
EW 2003 -Superman - Batman - Generations III 012
EW 2004 - Batman - The Order of Beasts
EW 2004 - JLA - Another Nail 001 [2004]
EW 2004 - JLA - Another Nail 002 [2004]
EW 2004 - JLA - Another Nail 003 [2004]
EW 2004 - Planetary - Crossing Worlds
EW 2004 - Superman - Secret Identity 1
EW 2004 - Superman - Secret Identity 2
EW 2004 - Superman - Secret Identity 3
EW 2004 - Superman - Secret Identity 4
EW 2004 - Superman - True Brit
EW 2005 - Bizarro World
EW 2005 - JLA - Cyber Force
EW 2005 - The Darkness - Superman 01
EW 2005 - The Darkness - Superman 02
EW 2006 - Batman - Year 100 01
EW 2006 - Batman - Year 100 02
EW 2006 - Batman - Year 100 03
EW 2006 - Batman - Year 100 04
EW 2007 - Batman vs Lobo - Deadly Serious 01
EW 2007 - DCU Infinite Holiday Special
EW 2007 - Superman & Batman vs Aliens & Predator 01
EW 2007 - Superman & Batman vs Aliens & Predator 02
EW 2008 - Superman and Batman vs Vampires and Werewolves 01 
EW 2008 - Superman and Batman vs Vampires and Werewolves 02 
EW 2008 - Superman and Batman vs Vampires and Werewolves 03 
EW 2008 - Superman and Batman vs Vampires and Werewolves 04
EW 2008 - Superman and Batman vs Vampires and Werewolves 05
EW 2008 - Superman and Batman vs Vampires and Werewolves 06 
EW 2008 - Teen Titans Lost Annual 01 (2008)
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DC Imaginary Stories

I've liked the odd "DC Imaginary Story", which were a periodic DC gimmick to create "out of continuity" stories, primarily for the Superman family.  These were often "Superman marries Lois"-type stories, where the writers can play with the key characters without messing up the "real universe".

Lois Lane (1958) #19 listed "#1 in an Imaginary Series" blurb on the cover.  "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" was a two part story in Superman (1939) #423 and Action Comics (1938) #583, which marked the end of the "Silver Age or Bronze Age" Superman, pending the John Byrne re-built and re-launched Superman in 1986, which featured a re-numbered Superman #1 after the Man of Steel (1986) six-issue mini-series which re-defined Superman for the 1980's and clarified and unified 50 years of continuity into a unified single history.

Marvel formalized the idea with their "What If" series, which created breakpoints in the Marvel Universe where thing diverged from what was portrayed in the regular stories. For example, "What If Spider-Man Joined the Fantastic Four" (What If (1977) #1)  diverged from Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #1, when Spider-Man asked to join the FF and was rebuffed when they told him that they weren't paid for their FF membership.  The What If version had them asking Spider-Man to stay and given all FF members salaries (FF became "Fantastic Five").

DC also more formally set about "out of continuity  stories with Elseworlds, which started with "Gotham by Gaslight (1989)" a Batman story, and continued through all main DC 1991 annuals, and onward. I'll publish a list of these separately.

Both Marvel and DC periodically engaged in cross-over storylines (e.g. Superman and Spider-Man, or Batman and Daredevil), which can be considered "Elseworlds" or "What Ifs", though not labelled as such.

I wasn't able to find a complete listing of DC Imaginary Stories, so have compiled from various message posts on the topic, and occasional lists and references in the comics themselves.  I doubt this is a complete listing, so additions are welcome.

I've sorted by date of publication, and the full reference to the comic book series (e.g. Imaginary 1959 - Action Comics (1938) 259   - refers to issue #259 of Action Comics, which began publication in 1938 - the actual issue was published in 1959).  This sorts the issues in mostly chronological order, though no attempt was made to order by months within years, as most stories were "stand-alone" anyway and didn't require that level of organization.

I've included the "Super Sons" stories of the mid-1970's World Finest Comics, as I remember these, and they tend to mirror the earlier Imaginary Stories where one of Superman or Batman were married with kids - I don't think they were acknowledged as "Imaginary Stories" when first published.

Imaginary 1946 - Captain Marvel Adventures (1941) 66.cbr- 'Captain Marvel and the Atomic War'
Imaginary 1958 - Jimmy Olsen (1954) 029.cbz- 'The Superman Book that Couldn't Be Finished'
Imaginary 1958 - Superman (1939) 125.cbz- 'Lois Lane's Super Dream'
Imaginary 1959 - Action Comics (1938) 259.cbr- 'The Revenge of Luthor'
Imaginary 1959 - Batman (1940) 127.cbz- 'The Second Life of Batman'
Imaginary 1959 - Superman (1939) 122.cbr- 'Superman in the White House'
Imaginary 1960 - Action Comics (1938) 270.cbr- 'Superman's Old Age'
Imaginary 1960 - Batman (1940) 131.cbz- 'The Second Batman and Robin Team'
Imaginary 1960 - Batman (1940) 135.cbz- 'The Return of the Second Batman and Robin Team'
Imaginary 1960 - Lois Lane (1958) 019.cbz- 'Mr. and Mrs. Clark (Superman) Kent'
Imaginary 1960 - Lois Lane (1958) 020.cbr- 'Lois Lane's Super Daughter'
Imaginary 1960 - Superboy (1949) 078 .cbz- 'Claire Kent - Alias Super-Sister'
Imaginary 1960 - Superman (1939) 132.cbr- 'Superman's Other Life'
Imaginary 1960 - Superman (1939) 137.cbz- 'The Young Super-Bully'
Imaginary 1961 - Action Comics (1938) 275.cbr- 'Ma and Pa Kent Adopt Super-Girl'
Imaginary 1961 - Action Comics (1938) 279.cbr- 'The Super-Rivals'
Imaginary 1961 - Jimmy Olsen (1954) 056.cbz- 'The Son of Jimmy Olsen'
Imaginary 1961 - Jimmy Olsen (1954) 057.cbz- 'Jimmy Olsen Marries Super-Girl'
Imaginary 1961 - Lois Lane (1958) 023.cbr- 'The Wife of Superman'
Imaginary 1961 - Lois Lane (1958) 025.cbr- 'Lois Lane and Superman - Newlyweds'
Imaginary 1961 - Lois Lane (1958) 026.cbr- 'The Day Superman Married Lana Lang'
Imaginary 1961 - Superman (1939) 149.cbr- 'The Death of Superman'
Imaginary 1962 - Adventure Comics (1938) 299 .cbz- 'The Unwanted Superbaby'
Imaginary 1962 - Batman (1940) 145.cbr- 'The Son of the Joker'
Imaginary 1962 - Batman (1940) 151.cbr- 'Batman's New Secret Identity'
Imaginary 1962 - Flash (1959) 128.CBZ- 'The Case of the Real-Gone Flash'
Imaginary 1962 - Superboy (1949) 095.cbz- 'The Super-Family from Krypton'
Imaginary 1963 - Superman (1939) 162.cbr- 'The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue'
Imaginary 1964 - 80 Page Giant 01 (Superman) (B&W pp replaced).cbz- 'Reprints of serveral Imaginary Stories'
Imaginary 1964 - 80 Page Giant 05 (Batman) (1964).cbz- 'Reprints of serveral Imaginary Stories'
Imaginary 1964 - Lois Lane (1958) 051.cbr- 'The Three Wives of Superman'
Imaginary 1964 - Superman (1939) 166.cbr- 'The Fantastic Story of Superman's Sons'
Imaginary 1965 - Superboy (1949) 124.cbz- 'The Toughest Kid in Smallville'
Imaginary 1965 - Superman (1939) 175.cbr- 'Clark Kent's Brother'
Imaginary 1965 - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 153.cbr- 'The Clash of Cape and Cowl'
Imaginary 1965 - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 154.cbr- 'The Sons of Superman and Batman'
Imaginary 1966 - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 157.cbr- 'The Abominable Brats'
Imaginary 1967 - Superman (1939) 200.cbr- 'Super-Brother against Super-Brother'
Imaginary 1967 - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 172.cbz- 'Superman and Batman - Brothers'
Imaginary 1969 - Jimmy Olsen (1954) 117.cbz- 'The Son of Jimmy Olsen'
Imaginary 1969 - Lois Lane (1958) 091.cbr- 'Love is Blind'
Imaginary 1969 - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 184.cbz- 'Robin's Revenge'
Imaginary 1970 - Superman (1939) 230.cbr- 'Killer Kent vs. Super Luthor'
Imaginary 1972 - Lois Lane (1958) 125.cbr- 'Death Rides the Wheels'
Imaginary 1972 - Lois Lane (1958) 126.cbr- 'The Brain Busters'
Imaginary 1972 - Super- Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 215.cbz- 'Saga of the Super-Sons'
Imaginary 1973 - Super- Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 216.cbr- 'Little Town with a Big Secret'
Imaginary 1974 - Super- Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 221.cbr- 'Cry not for my Forsaken Son'
Imaginary 1974 - Super- Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 222.cbr- 'Evil in Paradise'
Imaginary 1974 - Super- Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 224.cbr- 'The Shocking Switch of the Super-Sons'
Imaginary 1975 - Super- Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 228.cbr- 'Crown for a New Batman'
Imaginary 1975 - Super- Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 230.cbr- 'The Girl whom Time Forgot'
Imaginary 1975 - Super- Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 231.cbr- 'Hero is a Dirty Name'
Imaginary 1975 - Super- Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 233.cbr- 'World Without Men'
Imaginary 1976 - Super- Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 238.cbr- 'The Angel with a Dirty Name'
Imaginary 1976 - Super- Sons - Worlds Finest Comics (1941) 242.cbr- 'Town of the Timeless Killers'
Imaginary 1976 - Superman (1939) 300.cbr- 'Superman 2001'
Imaginary 1978 - Batman (1940) 300.cbr- 'The Last Batman Story'
Imaginary 1978 - Superman Family (1974) 192.cbr- 'My Father Superman'
Imaginary 1986a - Superman (1939) 423.cbz- 'Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow - pt 1'
Imaginary 1986b - Action Comics (1938) 583.cbr- 'Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow - pt 2'
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