Secret Origins (3rd Series)

In 1986, just two years shy of its fiftieth anniversary, DC kicked off a series which chronicled the origins of many of its greatest characters. This second series of Secret Origins told of how everyone from Superman to the Newsboy Legion came into existence. It did this by printing the “secret” origin stories which, in the case of heroes like Wonder Woman, could be quite different than the more widely known origin stories. In some cases these stories were Golden Age reprints; in others the stories were new. Regardless, this series was an interesting way for readers to discover the rich history of the characters in the DC universe.

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#1

Apr 1986

Cover: $0.75

W: Roy Thomas · A: Wayne Boring

Origin of Superman

23 copies from $3.00
#1 Newsstand Edition

Newsstand Edition with cover by Wayne Boring

Apr 1986

Cover: $0.75

W: Roy Thomas · A: Wayne Boring

Origin of Superman

1 copy for $2.98
#2

May 1986

Cover: $0.75

W: Len Wein · A: Gil Kane

Origin of Blue Beetle (Dan Garrett); Origin of Blue Beetle (Ted Kord)

20 copies from $0.99
#3

Jun 1986

Cover: $0.75

W: Roy Thomas · A: Jerry Bingham

Origin of Captain Marvel

23 copies from $0.99
#3 Newsstand Edition

Newsstand Edition with cover by Jerry Bingham

Jun 1986

Cover: $0.75

W: Roy Thomas · A: Jerry Bingham

Origin of Captain Marvel

1 copy for $1.75
#4

Jul 1986

Cover: $0.75

W: Gerry Conway · A: George Tuska

Origin of Firestorm

17 copies from $1.75
#4 Newsstand Edition

Newsstand Edition with cover by Al Milgrom

Jul 1986

Cover: $0.75

W: Gerry Conway · A: George Tuska

Origin of Firestorm

1 copy for $3.98
#5

Aug 1986

Cover: $0.75

W: Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas · A: Gene Colan

Origin of The Crimson Avenger

17 copies from $1.75
#5 Newsstand Edition

Newsstand Edition with cover by Gene Colan

Aug 1986

Cover: $0.75

W: Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas · A: Gene Colan

Origin of The Crimson Avenger

1 copy for $1.75
#6

Sep 1986

Cover: $1.25

W: Roy Thomas, Mike W. Barr · A: Marshall Rogers, Dick Giordano

Origin of Batman (Bruce Wayne); Origin of Halo (Gabrielle Doe)

28 copies from $0.99
#6 Newsstand Edition

Newsstand Edition with cover by José Luis García-López

Sep 1986

Cover: $1.25

W: Roy Thomas, Mike W. Barr · A: Marshall Rogers, Dick Giordano

Origin of Batman (Bruce Wayne); Origin of Halo (Gabrielle Doe)

1 copy for $3.98
#7

Oct 1986

Cover: $1.25

W: Steve Englehart, Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas · A: Ernie Colón, Michael Bair

Origin of Green Lantern (Guy Gardner); Origin of Sandman I (Wesley Dodds)

12 copies from $1.75
#8

Nov 1986

Cover: $1.25

W: Paul Levitz, Roy Thomas · A: Tom Mandrake, Murphy Anderson

Origin of Doll Man; Origin of Shadow Lass

12 copies from $0.99
#8 Newsstand Edition

Newsstand Edition with cover by Steve Lightle

Nov 1986

Cover: $1.25

W: Paul Levitz, Roy Thomas · A: Tom Mandrake, Murphy Anderson

Origin of Doll Man; Origin of Shadow Lass

1 copy for $2.98
#9

Dec 1986

Cover: $1.25

W: Roy Thomas · A: Tom Grindberg, George Tuska

Origin of Flash (Jay Garrick); Origin of Skyman; Origin of Star Spangled Kid an Stripsey; Origin of Stripsey

11 copies from $2.00
#10

Jan 1987

Cover: $1.25

W: Mike W. Barr, Paul Levitz, Dan Mishkin, Alan Moore · A: Jim Aparo, José Luis García-López, Ernie Colón, Joe Orlando

1st appearance of Dr. Alt; 1st appearance of Etrigan (chronological); Origin of Phantom Stranger; Origin of Phantom Stranger (1st version); Origin of Phantom Stranger (2nd version); Origin of Phantom Stranger (3rd version); Origin of Phantom Stranger (4th version); Legends tie-in

12 copies from $3.99
#10 Newsstand Edition

Newsstand Edition with cover by Jim Aparo

Jan 1987

Cover: $1.25

W: Mike W. Barr, Paul Levitz, Dan Mishkin, Alan Moore · A: Jim Aparo, José Luis García-López, Ernie Colón, Joe Orlando

1st appearance of Dr. Alt; 1st appearance of Etrigan (chronological); Origin of Phantom Stranger; Origin of Phantom Stranger (1st version); Origin of Phantom Stranger (2nd version); Origin of Phantom Stranger (3rd version); Origin of Phantom Stranger (4th version); Legends tie-in

1 copy for $3.98
#11

Feb 1987

Cover: $1.25

W: Paul Kupperberg, Roy Thomas · A: Mary Wilshire, Luke McDonnell

Origin of Hawkman (Carter Hall); Origin of Power Girl

11 copies from $2.26
#12

Mar 1987

Cover: $1.25

W: Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas, Mark Evanier · A: Tom Grindberg, Chuck Patton

Origin of Challengers of the Unknown; Origin of The Fury (Golden Age)

13 copies from $0.40
#13

Apr 1987

Cover: $1.25

W: Dan Mishkin, Roy Thomas · A: Erik Larsen, Mike Gustovich, Mike Clark

Origin of Johnny Thunder; Origin of Nightwing; Origin of Whip

15 copies from $2.25
#14

May 1987

Cover: $1.25

W: John Ostrander · A: Luke McDonnell

1st Appearance of Ace High; 1st Appearance of Argent I; Book Length Tale; Legends

19 copies from $6.00
#15

Jun 1987

Cover: $1.25

W: Andy Helfer, Roy Thomas · A: Kevin MaGuire, Michael T. Gilbert

Origin of Deadman; Origin of Deadman (Boston Brand); Origin of Spectre; Origin of Spectre (Jim Corrigan)

11 copies from $2.00
#16

Jul 1987

Cover: $1.25

W: Michael Fleisher, Bob Rozakis, Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas · A: Adam Kubert, Stephen DeStefano, Michael Bair

Origin of Hourman I (Rex Tyler); Origin of Warlord; Origin of ’Mazing Man

15 copies from $1.95
#16 Newsstand Edition

Newsstand Edition

Jul 1987

Cover: $1.25

W: Michael Fleisher, Bob Rozakis, Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas · A: Adam Kubert, Stephen DeStefano, Michael Bair

Origin of Hourman I (Rex Tyler); Origin of Warlord; Origin of ’Mazing Man

1 copy for $3.98
#17

Aug 1987

Cover: $1.25

W: Gerry Conway, Roy Thomas, E. Nelson Bridwell · A: Carmine Infantino, Howard Simpson

Origin of Adam Strange; Origin of Doctor Occult

10 copies from $1.95
#18

Sep 1987

Cover: $1.25

W: Andy Helfer, Keith Giffen, Roy Thomas · A: Keith Giffen, George Freeman

Origin of Creeper; Origin of Green Lantern I (Alan Scott)

7 copies from $1.95
#18 Newsstand Edition

Newsstand Edition with cover by Bill Sienkiewicz

Sep 1987

Cover: $1.25

W: Andy Helfer, Keith Giffen, Roy Thomas · A: Keith Giffen, George Freeman

Origin of Creeper; Origin of Green Lantern I (Alan Scott)

1 copy for $1.75
#19

Oct 1987

Cover: $1.25

W: Len Wein, Roy Thomas · A: Murphy Anderson, Arvell Jones

Origin of Guardian; Origin of Uncle Sam

9 copies from $2.06
#19 Newsstand Edition

Newsstand Edition with cover by Jack Kirby and Murphy Anderson

Oct 1987

Cover: $1.25

W: Len Wein, Roy Thomas · A: Murphy Anderson, Arvell Jones

Origin of Guardian; Origin of Uncle Sam

1 copy for $3.98
#20

Nov 1987

Cover: $1.25

W: Barbara Randall, Roy Thomas · A: Rick Leonardi, Mike Clark

Origin of Batgirl; Origin of Doctor Mid-Nite (Charles McNider)

13 copies from $0.96
#20 Newsstand Edition

Newsstand Edition with cover by Kevin Maguire

Nov 1987

Cover: $1.25

W: Barbara Randall, Roy Thomas · A: Rick Leonardi, Mike Clark

Origin of Batgirl; Origin of Doctor Mid-Nite (Charles McNider)

1 copy for $4.00
#21

Dec 1987

Cover: $1.25

W: Michael Fleisher, Roy Thomas · A: Gray Morrow, Murphy Anderson

Origin of Black Condor (Thomas Wright); Origin of Jonah Hex

8 copies from $1.10
#22

Jan 1988

Cover: $1.25

W: Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas · A: Howard Simpson

Origin of Manhunters; Millennium Week 2; Millennium, Week 2

21 copies from $1.75
#22 Newsstand Edition

Newsstand Edition with cover by Walt Simonson

Jan 1988

Cover: $1.25

W: Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas · A: Howard Simpson

Origin of Manhunters; Millennium Week 2; Millennium, Week 2

1 copy for $3.98
#23

Feb 1988

Cover: $1.25

W: Todd Klein, Rick Veitch · A: Jonathan Peterson, Brett Ewins

Origin of Floronic Man; Origin of Guardians of the Universe; Millennium; Millennium Week 6

24 copies from $0.55
#23 Newsstand Edition

Newsstand Edition with cover by Ed Hannigan

Feb 1988

Cover: $1.25

W: Todd Klein, Rick Veitch · A: Jonathan Peterson, Brett Ewins

Origin of Floronic Man; Origin of Guardians of the Universe; Millennium; Millennium Week 6

1 copy for $2.98
#24

Mar 1988

Cover: $1.25

W: Dan Mishkin, Gary Cohn, Roy Thomas · A: Ty Templeton, Michael Bair

Origin of Blue Devil; Origin of Doctor Fate

12 copies from $1.95
#25

Apr 1988

Cover: $1.25

W: Paul Levitz, Roy Thomas · A: Rick Stasi, Mike Clark

Origin of Atom (Al Pratt); Origin of the Legion of Super-Heroes

7 copies from $2.50
#26

May 1988

Cover: $1.25

W: Tony Isabella, Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas · A: Greg Brooks, Grant Miehm

Origin of Black Lightning; Origin of Miss America

12 copies from $0.99
#26 Newsstand Edition

Newsstand Edition with cover by Kevin Nowlan

May 1988

Cover: $1.25

W: Tony Isabella, Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas · A: Greg Brooks, Grant Miehm

Origin of Black Lightning; Origin of Miss America

1 copy for $3.98
#27

Jun 1988

Cover: $1.50

W: Ehrich Weiss, Robert Loren Fleming, Roy Thomas · A: Tom Artis, Grant Miehm

Origin of Zatanna; Origin of Zatara

7 copies from $2.47
#28

Jul 1988

Cover: $1.50

W: Robert Greenberger, Roy Thomas · A: Rob Liefeld, Gil Kane

Origin of Midnight; Origin of Nightshade (Eve Eden)

8 copies from $1.95
#29

Aug 1988

Cover: $1.50

W: Roger Stern, Sheldon Mayer, Roy Thomas · A: Dwayne Turner, Sheldon Mayer, Mike Harris

Origin of Mr. America; Origin of Red Tornado (Ma Hunkle); Origin of The Atom II (Ray Palmer)

5 copies from $2.50
#30

Sep 1988

Cover: $1.50

W: Roy Thomas, Gerard Jones · A: Ty Templeton, Stephen deStefano

Origin of Elongated Man; Origin of Plastic Man

8 copies from $1.20
#31

Oct 1988

Cover: $1.50

W: Roy Thomas · A: Michael Bair

Origin of Justice Society of America

7 copies from $0.99
#32

Nov 1988

Cover: $1.50

W: Keith Giffen, Peter David · A: Eric Shanower

Origin of Justice League of America

10 copies from $1.95
#33

Dec 1988

Cover: $1.50

W: Mike Carlin, Tom Bierbaum, Mary Bierbaum, Gerard Jones · A: Don Heck, Chuck Austen, Jim Valentino

Origin of Green Flame; Origin of Icemaiden; Origin of Mr. Miracle

9 copies from $1.00
#33 Newsstand Edition

Newsstand Edition with cover by Jerry Ordway

Dec 1988

Cover: $1.50

W: Mike Carlin, Tom Bierbaum, Mary Bierbaum, Gerard Jones · A: Don Heck, Chuck Austen, Jim Valentino

Origin of Green Flame; Origin of Icemaiden; Origin of Mr. Miracle

1 copy for $4.98
#34

Dec 1988

Cover: $1.50

W: Cary Bates, Greg Weisman, William Messner-Loebs, Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis · A: Alan Weiss, Irv Novick, Keith Giffen

Origin of Captain Atom; Origin of G’Nort; Origin of Rocket Red

13 copies from $0.63
#34 Newsstand Edition

Newsstand Edition with cover by Jerry Ordway

Dec 1988

Cover: $1.50

W: Cary Bates, Greg Weisman, William Messner-Loebs, Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis · A: Alan Weiss, Irv Novick, Keith Giffen

Origin of Captain Atom; Origin of G’Nort; Origin of Rocket Red

1 copy for $4.98
#35

Jan 1989

Cover: $1.50

W: Dan Jurgens, Mark Verheiden, Robert Loren Fleming, Keith Giffen · A: Dan Jurgens, Ken Steacy, Keith Giffen

Origin of Booster Gold; Origin of Martian Manhunter; Origin of Max Lord

9 copies from $1.04
#36

Jan 1989

Cover: $1.50

W: James Owsley, Mark D. Bright, Robert Greenberger, Gerard Jones, Neil Gaiman · A: Mark D. Bright, Joe Staton, Mark Buckingham

Origin of Green Lantern (Hal Jordan); Origin of Green Lantern II (Hal Jordan); Origin of Pieface (Tom Kalmaku); Origin of Poison Ivy

9 copies from $2.50
#37

Feb 1989

Cover: $1.50

W: Ty Templeton, Craig Boldman · A: Ty Templeton, Mike Parobeck

Origin of Doctor Light; Origin of Dr Light; Origin of Legion of Substitute Heroes

10 copies from $1.00
#38

Mar 1989

Cover: $1.50

W: Mike Grell, Elliot S! Maggin · A: Hannibal King, John Koch

Origin of Green Arrow; Origin of Speedy

11 copies from $0.80
#38 Newsstand Edition

Newsstand Edition with cover by Tom Grindberg

Mar 1989

Cover: $1.50

W: Mike Grell, Elliot S! Maggin · A: Hannibal King, John Koch

Origin of Green Arrow; Origin of Speedy

1 copy for $5.98
#39

Apr 1989

Cover: $1.50

W: Jan Strnad, Grant Morrison · A: Kevin Nowlan, Tom Grummett

Origin of Animal Man; Origin of Man-Bat

16 copies from $1.20
#40

May 1989

Cover: $1.50

W: Cary Bates, Greg Weisman, Tom Joyner, Rusty Wells, Andy Helfer · A: Carmine Infantino, Fred Butler, Mark Badger

Origin of Congorilla; Origin of Detective Chimp; Origin of Gorilla Grodd

8 copies from $2.49
#41

Jun 1989

Cover: $1.50

W: Dan Mishkin, Gary Cohn · A: Paris Cullins, Tim Dzon, Grant Miehm, Ian Akin, Brian Garvey, Howard Simpson, Anthony Van Bruggen, Ian Carr, Kevin Branch, Trevor Von Eeden, Donald Simpson

Origin of Captain Cold (Leonard Snart); Origin of Heat Wave (Mick Rory); Origin of Pied Piper (Hartley Rathaway); Origin of Trickster (James Jesse); Origin of Weather Wizard (Mark Mardon); The Flash’s Rogues’ Gallery

6 copies from $3.50
#42

Jul 1989

Cover: $1.50

W: Tom Bierbaum, Mary Bierbaum, Roy Thomas · A: Dave Cockrum, Jim Sanders, Larry Mahlstedt, Michael Bair

Origin of Grim Ghost; Origin of Phantom Girl

7 copies from $4.00
#43

Aug 1989

Cover: $1.50

W: Barbara Kesel, Karl Kesel, Bob Wayne, Joey Cavalieri · A: Trevor Von Eeden, John Koch, Timothy Truman, John Workman Jr.

Origin of Cave Carson; Origin of Chris KL-99; Origin of Dove (Dawn Granger); Origin of Dove (Don Hall); Origin of Hawk (Hank Hall)

11 copies from $1.24
#44

Sep 1989

Cover: $1.50

W: Mike W. Barr, Dan Raspler, Len Wein · A: Keith Giffen, Bernie Mireault, Tom Grummett

Origin of Clayface (Basil Karlo); Origin of Clayface (Matt Hagen); Origin of Clayface (Preston Payne); Origin of Clayface (Sondra Fuller); Continues in Detective Comics #604

19 copies from $1.00
#45

Oct 1989

Cover: $1.50

W: Martin Pasko, Gerard Jones · A: Grant Miehm, Mike Parobeck

Origin of Blackhawk (Janos Prohaska); Origin of El Diablo (Rafael Sandoval)

49 copies from $0.50
#45 Newsstand Edition

Newsstand Edition with cover by Murphy Anderson

Oct 1989

Cover: $1.50

W: Martin Pasko, Gerard Jones · A: Grant Miehm, Mike Parobeck

Origin of Blackhawk (Janos Prohaska); Origin of El Diablo (Rafael Sandoval)

1 copy for $4.98
#46

Dec 1989

Cover: $1.75

W: Grant Morrison, Marv Wolfman, Gerard Jones · A: Curt Swan, Vince Giarrano

1st appearance of Arm Fall Off Boy; Origin of Justice League of America Headquarters; Origin of Legion of Super-Heroes Clubhouse; Origin of Teen Titans Headquarters; Blueprints of Teen Titans Headquarters; Legion of Super-Heroes Headquarters

5 copies from $0.75
#47

Feb 1990

Cover: $1.75

W: Mike W. Barr, Tom Bierbaum, Mary Bierbaum, Robert Loren Fleming · A: Curt Swan, Mike Parobeck, Chris Sprouse

Origin of Chemical King; Origin of Ferro Lad; Origin of Karate Kid

12 copies from $2.00
#48

Apr 1990

Cover: $1.75

W: Keith Giffen, Robert Loren Fleming, Phil Foglio, Gerard Jones, William Messner-Loebs · A: Keith Giffen, Phil Foglio, Paris Cullins, Trevor Von Eeden

Origin of Ambush Bug; Origin of Rex the Wonder Dog; Origin of Stanley and His Monster; Origin of Trigger Twins

5 copies from $1.24
#49

Jun 1990

Cover: $1.75

W: Ty Templeton, Karl Kesel, Jan Strnad · A: Ty Templeton, Karl Kesel, John Koch

Origin of Bouncing Boy; Origin of Newsboy Legion; Origin of Silent Knight

12 copies from $1.95
#50

Aug 1990

Cover: $3.95

W: Dennis O’Neil, Grant Morrison, Elliot S! Maggin, Steve Bove, Richard Bruning, Alan Brennert, Gerard Jones · A: George Pérez, Mike Parobeck, Alan Weiss, Steve Bove, Keith Wilson, Joe Staton, Carmine Infantino

Origin of Black Canary; Origin of Dolphin; Origin of Earth-2; Origin of Johnny Thunder (John Tane); Origin of Robin (Dick Grayson); Origin of Space Museum; 100 Page giant; Final Issue

8 copies from $2.75
#50 Newsstand Edition

Newsstand Edition with cover by Ty Templeton

Aug 1990

Cover: $3.95

W: Dennis O’Neil, Grant Morrison, Elliot S! Maggin, Steve Bove, Richard Bruning, Alan Brennert, Gerard Jones · A: George Pérez, Mike Parobeck, Alan Weiss, Steve Bove, Keith Wilson, Joe Staton, Carmine Infantino

Origin of Black Canary; Origin of Dolphin; Origin of Earth-2; Origin of Johnny Thunder (John Tane); Origin of Robin (Dick Grayson); Origin of Space Museum; 100 Page giant; Final Issue

1 copy for $7.98
Annual #1

Aug 1987

Cover: $2.00

W: Paul Kupperberg, Roy Thomas · A: John Byrne, Ron Harris, Steve Lightle

Origin of Captain Comet; Origin of Doom Patrol

11 copies from $0.99
Annual #2

Sep 1988

Cover: $2.00

W: William Messner-Loebs, Robert Loren Fleming · A: Mike Collins, Carmine Infantino

Origin of Flash (Barry Allen); Origin of Flash (Wally West); Origin of Flash II (Barry Allen); Origin of Flash III (Wally West)

7 copies from $0.90
Annual #2 Newsstand Edition

Newsstand Edition with cover by Carmine Infantino

Sep 1988

Cover: $2.00

W: William Messner-Loebs, Robert Loren Fleming · A: Mike Collins, Carmine Infantino

Origin of Flash (Barry Allen); Origin of Flash (Wally West); Origin of Flash II (Barry Allen); Origin of Flash III (Wally West)

1 copy for $4.98
Annual #3

George Perez cover by George Pérez

May 1989

Cover: $2.95

W: George Pérez · A: George Pérez, Tom Grummett, Grant Miehm, Irv Novick, Michael Bair, Trevor Von Eeden, Dave Cockrum, Kevin Maguire, Mark D. Bright, Colleen Doran, Dick Giordano

1st appearance of Flamebird; 1st appearance of Flamebird (Bette Kane); Origin of Teen Titans

4 copies from $3.75
Giant-Size Special #1

Dec 1998

Cover: $4.95

W: Dan Curtis Johnson, Mark Waid, Karl Kesel, Chuck Dixon, Jay Faerber, Tom Peyer · A: Angel Unzueta, Humberto Ramos, Joe Phillips, Cully Hamner, Amanda Conner, Ethan Van Sciver, Marty Egeland

Origin of Arrowette (Cissie Jones); Origin of Impulse (Bart Allen); Origin of Robin (Tim Drake); Origin of Spoiler (Stephanie Brown); Origin of Superboy (Conner Kent); Origin of Wonder Girl (Cassie Sandsmark)

4 copies from $4.75
Special Edition #1

Oct 1989

Cover: $2.00

W: Neil Gaiman, Mark Verheiden, Alan Grant · A: Sam Kieth, Bernie Mireault, Pat Broderick, Mike Hoffman

Origin of Penguin; Origin of Riddler; Origin of Two-Face

21 copies from $3.25