2020 Comic Book News Archives
March 30, 2020: Auction to Sell Complete Runs of "Action Comics" and "Superman" from 1935-2014
Sotheby's is pleased to announce that we will offer DC Complete: The Ian Levine Collection, an exclusive private sale offering of every comic book released by American publisher DC Comics from 1935 - 2014, including complete runs of Superman, Batman, Action Comics, and Detective Comics. The more than 40,000 comics in the collection also features superhero icons Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern and Aquaman, as well as the Justice League series. Available now and on view on Sothebys.com, the sale marks the 81st anniversary of the release of Detective Comics #27 on March 30, 1939, which featured the debut of The Batman. For a comprehensive overview of the collection or to inquire about its purchase, visit here.The Ian Levine Collection of DC Comics - the most comprehensive in the 80 year span - was amassed over half a century that spans the birth and development of superhero comics as cheap forms of entertainment to pop culture juggernauts. From New Fun #1, the very first DC comic book published in 1934, to complete collections of Superman and Batman, the collections also includes first appearances of Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, the Flash, Martian Manhunter, Plastic Man and more; superhero teams such as the Justice League of America and the Teen Titans; and supervillains Lex Luthor, the Joker, Two Face, the Penguin, General Zod, and more.
Richard Austin, Head of Sotheby's Books & Manuscripts Department in New York, commented: "The Ian Levine Collection is the holy grail for comics collectors. Amassed over decades of hunting, Levine's collection embodies the passion and fandom that has defined comics culture for generations, which today is best encapsulated not through printed issues but popular superhero films that regularly break box office records. Featuring some of the most valuable individual books as well as extremely rare promotional issues, the Levine Collection includes all the DC heroes that are among the most recognizable and versatile pop culture touchstones in the world."
A significant figure in modern pop culture himself, Levine is a DJ and producer, early popularizer of the Northern Soul movement, and one of the originators of Hi-NRG music. He was first introduced to DC when he began reading The Justice League of America as an eight-year-old in 1960. Upon discovering London comic shops Dark They Were and Golden Eyed in 1972, Levine realized it was possible to find long-out-of-print issues and discontinued titles such as The Justice Society of America, a Golden Age forerunner of his beloved Justice League, thus sparking his half-century of comic book collecting.
For a decade, Levine purchased a new copy of every DC issue he could find, while trying to fill in earlier issues. However, in pre-internet 1987, Levine despaired of finding many Golden Age comics he lacked, and decided to sell many of his best issues in order to fund his collection of Northern Soul records and Doctor Who film prints. However, reviewing his stacks of comic books with the purchaser reawakened his passion for this pop art form, and Levine bought his comics back from the dealer he had sold them to—at a 50% premium. Amassing about half of the comics DC had ever published, Levine determined to form a complete collection. Sacrificing his incomparable collection of Northern Soul records and Doctor Who prints, along with the assistance of the nascent internet (including the discussion forums of Certified Guaranty Comic, a comic book grading service) and dealer, advisor, and author of The Comic Book Paul Sassienie, he achieved this ambition, which would essentially be impossible to replicate. In 2010, Levine's paramount, unique collection was utilized to supply the illustrations for Taschen's monumental publication 75 Years of DC Comics: The Art of Modern Mythmaking by Paul Levitz, the former president and publisher of DC.
The collection spans the nine decades tracing the trajectory of the effect of comics on popular culture, from the target of a congressional investigation of their corrupting influence to the topic of doctoral dissertations addressing issues like war propaganda, environmentalism, and gender identity. Every comic genre published by DC is included, such as humor, parody, romance, crime, science fiction, and adaptations of classic and popular works of literature and film. The work of successive generations of the greatest comic book artists and writers are preserved in the collection, from pioneers such as Jerry Siegel, Joseph Schuster and Jack "King" Kirby; to those who maintained the quality and passion of the books through the Silver Age including C. C. Beck, William Moulton Marston, and Sheldon Mayer; to those who carried on the tradition through the Bronze Age and into the twenty-first century such as Neal Adams and Curt Swan.
Although National Allied Publications, DC's predecessor firm, had been publishing comics since autumn 1934 with New Fun: The Big Comic Magazine #1, Superman's debut in Action Comics #1 (June 1938), sparked a new era not only in comic books but in global pop culture, with superheroes exerting enormous influence on film, television, and fashion. Superman was soon joined by a radically different superhero than the alien man of steel, but equally as significant and influential: Batman (originally, the Bat-Man), who first appeared in Detective Comics #27 (May 1939). Shortly after, National Allied Publications adopted the initials of this popular title for the company brand that is still recognized the world over: DC. Representing the pinnacle of the Golden Age of comics, these two seminal characters would soon be joined by an expanding roster of several hundred celebrated superheroes and serialized stories.
The Levine Collection is highlighted further by hundreds of rare promotional comics by DC artists and writers, featuring various DC (or DC-inspired) characters endorsing various consumer goods and corporate entities; a number of "ashcan" issues (intended to establish copyright but not available for sale), as well as many foreign (non-United States) reprints, British comic books featuring appearances by DC characters, and anthology reprints in proper book form.
The auction record for a comic was achieved in 2014 when Action Comics #1 sold for $3.2 million. The record for an issue of Detective Comics #27 was reached in 2010 for $1.075 million.
2020 Comic News
Listed below are all the Comic News items archived for 2020.- January 3, 2020: First Look at “Justice League #39”
- January 8, 2020: First Look at “Justice League #40” by Rob Venditti and Doug Mahnke
- January 9, 2020: First Look at “Lois Lane #8” with Kiss of Death
- January 9, 2020: First Look at “Young Justice #13”
- January 10, 2020: The 1980s Story of Superman in 2020
- January 18, 2020: First Look - “Superman: Villains #1”
- January 20, 2020: First Look at “Superman #20” - The Battle Between Superman and Mongul Continues!
- January 22, 2020: Superboy Prime is Back!
- January 24, 2020: First Look at “Justice League #41”
- January 29, 2020: First Look - “Batman/Superman #7”
- February 4, 2020: Superman vs Spider-Man - Voices From Krypton Podcast
- February 6, 2020: First Look at “Lois Lane #9”
- February 10, 2020: DC Comics Teases Upcoming “Death Metal” Superman Story
- February 12, 2020: Full Details for “Dark Nights: Death Metal”
- February 13, 2020: Heroes and Villains React to Superman's Secret Identity Reveal
- February 14, 2020: “Supergirl” Comic Book Series Concluding
- February 20, 2020: Will You Read “Dark Nights: Death Metal”? - Poll Results
- February 23, 2020: Dan DiDio Leaves DC Comics
- February 27, 2020: Jonathan and Martha Kent Return in “Superman: Villains #1”
- February 27, 2020: Fan Ratings for “Superman Smashes The Klan” - Poll Results
- March 5, 2020: Final Issues of “Lois Lane” and “Jimmy Olsen” Scheduled for June 2020
- March 5, 2020: Dan DiDio's Exit From DC Comics - Poll Results
- March 10, 2020: June Will Be a Busy Month for Superman and Superboy
- March 11, 2020: Covers Revealed for “Dark Nights: Death Metal #2”
- March 13, 2020: Tom Taylor Talks “DCeased: Dead Planet”
- March 20, 2020: Behind the Panels of “Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #10”
- March 22, 2020: Superman is Batman's Favorite Superhero
- March 24, 2020: Will Comic Books Be a Victim of the Coronavirus?
- March 29, 2020: DC Addresses Direct Market Comic Book Stores
- March 30, 2020: DC to Continue Digital Comic Book Release During Distribution Hiatus
- March 30, 2020: Auction to Sell Complete Runs of “Action Comics” and “Superman” from 1935-2014
- April 1, 2020: Temporary Comic Book Distribution Solution Using ComicHub
- April 2, 2020: ComicHub Solution Not Going Ahead
- April 3, 2020: Homeschooling with Comic Books
- April 9, 2020: DC Cover Reveal - House of El
- April 9, 2020: Comic Book Reading Before COVID-19 - Poll Results
- April 14, 2020: Superman Content Available on DC Universe This May
- April 16, 2020: Official Book Trailer for “Superman Smashes the Klan”
- April 16, 2020: Comic Book Reading: Digital or Physical? - Poll Results
- April 17, 2020: DC Announces New Comic Book Distribution Plans
- April 20, 2020: DC Announces the Expansion of DC DIGITAL FIRST and the Addition of DC ESSENTIAL READS
- April 29, 2020: More Superman Comic Books Scheduled for May
- May 4, 2020: DC Says Tuesday is Now New Comic Book Day
- May 6, 2020: DC Reveals June Comic Book Schedule
- May 8, 2020: New Artwork for “Dark Nights: Death Metal #1”
- May 8, 2020: Mark Waid Talks “Superboy,” “Kingdom Come,” and More
- May 11, 2020: Superman Writer Martin Pasko Dies Aged 65
- May 12, 2020: Talking Superman with Brian Michael Bendis and Gene Luen Yang
- May 13, 2020: DC Reveals July Comic Book Schedule
- May 14, 2020: Superman Content Available on DC Universe This June
- May 14, 2020: New Issues Expand 'Dark Nights: Death Metal' in August
- May 14, 2020: Fan Feelings on New Comic Book 'Tuesdays' - Poll Results
- May 15, 2020: Final 2 Issues of “Supergirl” to be Digital Only
- May 15, 2020: First Look at “Legion of Super-Heroes #6”
- May 19, 2020: DC Announces “DCeased: Hope at World's End” Digital Series
- May 22, 2020: Bendis Talks About Where Things Are at in “Superman”
- May 22, 2020: DC Launches “DC Connect” Solicitations Digital Magazine
- June 2, 2020: A Look Back at Superman's Public Service Announcements
- June 3, 2020: Comixology 90% Off Superman Sale
- June 5, 2020: DC Comics Ends Contract with Diamond Comic Distributors
- June 8, 2020: DC Cover Reveal - ACTION COMICS #1025/SUPERMAN #25
- June 9, 2020: Brian Michael Bendis Announces He's Leaving Superman
- June 9, 2020: Original “All-Star Superman” Artwork Auctioned for Black Lives Matter Fundraiser
- June 9, 2020: 'Dark Nights: Death Metal' Unleashes Trinity Crisis, Speed Metal and Multiverse's End
- June 10, 2020: Look for “DC Cybernetic Summer” to Arrive July 28
- June 10, 2020: First Look - “DCeased: Dead Planet #1”
- June 12, 2020: Comic Book Legend Denny O'Neil Dies
- June 12, 2020: DC FIRST LOOK - Superman #23, On Sale July 7, 2020
- June 18, 2020: Fan Reaction to Bendis News - Poll Results
- June 19, 2020: Watch the DC Universe Documentary “Visionnaires: Featuring Jorge Jiménez”
- June 19, 2020: First Look - “Dark Nights: Death Metal #2”
- June 19, 2020: DC 4-Pack Collections Headed to Walmart Stores
- June 23, 2020: Second Issue of “DC Connect” Available to Download
- June 26, 2020: First Look - “DC Cybernetic Summer”
- June 30, 2020: DC First Look - Explore the Metalverse
- July 3, 2020: Sneak Peek - “DCeased: Dead Planet #1”
- July 7, 2020: Review - Supergirl: Being Super [2020 Graphic Novel Edition]
- July 8, 2020: First Look - “DCeased: Dead Planet #2”
- July 14, 2020: Preview - “DCeased: Hope At World's End” Chapter Five - “Mother Knows Best”
- July 15, 2020: DC to Republish “The Amazing World of Superman” Tabloid Edition
- July 15, 2020: DC Collects “Who's Who” for 2021 Omnibus
- July 16, 2020: “DCeased: Dead Planet #1” Heads for Second Printing
- July 21, 2020: Dan Jurgens Talks About Superman, Rebirth and Bendis
- July 22, 2020: DC Partners with Caribu for Kid-Friendly Comics
- July 23, 2020: Demand Soars for “DCeased: Dead Planet #1” & “Dark Nights: Death Metal #1”
- July 28, 2020: Preview - “DCeased: Hope At World’s End” Chapter Six - “The Siege of Jotunheim”
- July 30, 2020: “Death Metal #3” and “Death Metal Legends of the Dark Knights #1” Sell Out!
- July 30, 2020: Fan Choice for New Superman Writer - Poll Results
- August 4, 2020: DC Presents “Injustice: Year Zero”
- August 5, 2020: Tom Taylor Talks About “Injustice: Year Zero”
- August 6, 2020: First Look - “DCeased: Dead Planet #3”
- August 10, 2020: New “DC Super Hero Girls: Switched Up!” Paperback Available Now!
- August 12, 2020: DC Reveals the Size and Scope of Justice League's “Doom Metal” Crossover
- August 13, 2020: 'Dark Nights: Death Metal' Lobo-tomizes November with a Multiversal Last Stand!
- August 16, 2020: New Printings Ordered for “DCeased: Dead Planet” #1 and #2
- August 18, 2020: “Injustice: Year Zero” Chapter Four - Available Now
- August 20, 2020: Comic Book Reading - Poll Results
- August 21, 2020: First Look - Justice League #53
- August 27, 2020: First Look - “Action Comics #1025”
- September 2, 2020: Creation of a Superman Book Cover with Dario Brizuela
- September 3, 2020: First Look at “Dear Super-Villains” Book Cover
- September 10, 2020: DC Multiverse 101 Featuring Jim Lee
- September 10, 2020: More Tales From The Dark Multiverse Coming in December
- September 10, 2020: Bendis Shares a Sneak Peek at “Superman #26”
- September 11, 2020: DC Presents “Justice League: Endless Winter”
- September 12, 2020: December Sees the End of Brian Michael Bendis' Run on Superman
- September 14, 2020: DC FanDome Report - “Superman: An Enduring Symbol of Hope” Panel
- September 18, 2020: DC Universe Becomes DC Universe Infinite Comic Book Subscription Service
- September 20, 2020: Download Issue #5 of “DC Connect” Free!
- September 21, 2020: Superman Comic Books - Where to Now?
- September 27, 2020: The Rarest Modern Superman Variants
- September 30, 2020: New Issue of “Superman: Man of Tomorrow” Digital First Comic Released
- October 5, 2020: “Superman Smashes the Klan” Wins 2020 Harvey Award!
- October 15, 2020: DC Outlines New Future in “DC Future State”
- October 15, 2020: Mike Sangiacomo on the Story of Superman's Creation
- October 25, 2020: Superman and Jimmy Olsen Win Ringo Awards
- October 29, 2020: New Middle Grade Graphic Novel “Metropolis Grove”
- October 29, 2020: Fan Interest in “DC Future State” - Poll Results
- November 23, 2020: Phillip Kennedy Johnson on Writing Two Superman “Future State” Titles
- November 24, 2020: DC Announces “Challenge of the Super Sons” by Tomasi and Raynor
- November 24, 2020: DC Nation - Your Free Guide to “DC Future State”
- November 29, 2020: DC Reveals Superman Glows
- December 3, 2020: DC Comics Panels at Brazil's CCXP Worlds
- December 3, 2020: “DC Future State” Trailer - Discover the Destiny of the DC Universe
- December 4, 2020: Discover the Destiny of the DC Universe in “Future State: Justice League #1”
- December 6, 2020: New “Batman/Superman” Comic Book Team Announced
- December 15, 2020: DC's Crime Syndicate Returns!
- December 16, 2020: New Creators Take on 'Action Comics' and 'Superman' in 2021
- December 16, 2020: New 'Superman: Red & Blue' Anthology Mini-Series!
- December 18, 2020: DC “Infinite Frontier #0” Introduces the Next Phase of the DC Universe
- December 24, 2020: New Superman Comic Book Creative Teams - Poll Results
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