Secret Origins (3rd Series)

    (DC, 1986-1990, 1998)
™ and © DC Comics

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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Secret Origins (3rd Series) #1

April, 1986
Cover Price: $0.75
24 copies available from $3.00
Roy ThomasWayne Boring
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #1 Newsstand Edition

April, 1986
Cover Price: $0.75
1 copy available for $3.99
Newsstand Edition by Wayne Boring; Origin of Superman Roy ThomasWayne Boring
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #2

May, 1986
Cover Price: $0.75
16 copies available from $2.98
Len WeinGil Kane
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #3

June, 1986
Cover Price: $0.75
20 copies available from $2.50
Roy ThomasJerry Bingham
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #3 Newsstand Edition

June, 1986
Cover Price: $0.75
1 copy available for $5.98
Newsstand Edition by Jerry Bingham; Origin of Captain Marvel Roy ThomasJerry Bingham
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #4

July, 1986
Cover Price: $0.75
17 copies available from $1.35
Gerry ConwayGeorge Tuska
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #4 Newsstand Edition

July, 1986
Cover Price: $0.75
1 copy available for $3.99
Newsstand Edition by Al Milgrom; Origin of Firestorm Gerry ConwayGeorge Tuska
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #5

August, 1986
Cover Price: $0.75
14 copies available from $1.99
Roy Thomas, Dann ThomasGene Colan
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #5 Newsstand Edition

August, 1986
Cover Price: $0.75
1 copy available for $1.75
Newsstand Edition by Gene Colan; Origin of The Crimson Avenger Roy Thomas, Dann ThomasGene Colan
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #6

September, 1986
Cover Price: $1.25
21 copies available from $1.75
Roy Thomas, Mike W. BarrMarshall Rogers, Dick Giordano
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #6 Newsstand Edition

September, 1986
Cover Price: $1.25
1 copy available for $1.99
Newsstand Edition by José Luis García-López; Origin of Batman (Bruce Wayne); Origin of Halo (Gabrielle Doe); 52 pages Roy Thomas, Mike W. BarrMarshall Rogers, Dick Giordano
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #7

October, 1986
Cover Price: $1.25
14 copies available from $1.25
Steve Englehart, Roy Thomas, Dann ThomasErnie Colón, Michael Bair
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #8

November, 1986
Cover Price: $1.25
11 copies available from $1.99
Paul Levitz, Roy ThomasTom Mandrake, Murphy Anderson
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #8 Newsstand Edition

November, 1986
Cover Price: $1.25
1 copy available for $3.99
Newsstand Edition by Steve Lightle; Origin of Doll Man; Origin of Shadow Lass Paul Levitz, Roy ThomasTom Mandrake, Murphy Anderson
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #9

December, 1986
Cover Price: $1.25
10 copies available from $2.49
Roy ThomasTom Grindberg, George Tuska
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #10

January, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
14 copies available from $3.09
Mike W. Barr, Paul Levitz, Dan Mishkin, Alan MooreJim Aparo, José Luis García-López, Ernie Colón, Joe Orlando
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #11

February, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
14 copies available from $2.75
Paul Kupperberg, Roy ThomasMary Wilshire, Luke McDonnell
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #12

March, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
21 copies available from $0.40
Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas, Mark EvanierTom Grindberg, Chuck Patton
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #13

April, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
16 copies available from $2.25
Dan Mishkin, Roy ThomasErik Larsen, Mike Gustovich, Mike Clark
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #14

May, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
19 copies available from $6.00
John OstranderLuke McDonnell
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #15

June, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
12 copies available from $2.20
Andy Helfer, Roy ThomasKevin MaGuire, Michael T. Gilbert
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #16

July, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
15 copies available from $2.00
Michael Fleisher, Bob Rozakis, Roy Thomas, Dann ThomasAdam Kubert, Stephen DeStefano, Michael Bair
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #16 Newsstand Edition

July, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
1 copy available for $3.99
Newsstand Edition; Origin of Hourman I (Rex Tyler); Origin of Warlord; Origin of ’Mazing Man Michael Fleisher, Bob Rozakis, Roy Thomas, Dann ThomasAdam Kubert, Stephen DeStefano, Michael Bair
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #17

August, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
10 copies available from $1.95
Gerry Conway, Roy Thomas, E. Nelson BridwellCarmine Infantino, Howard Simpson
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #17 Newsstand Edition

August, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
1 copy available for $4.98
Newsstand Edition by Kevin Nowlan; Origin of Adam Strange; Origin of Doctor Occult; 52 pages Gerry Conway, Roy Thomas, E. Nelson BridwellCarmine Infantino, Howard Simpson
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #18

September, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
8 copies available from $1.95
Andy Helfer, Keith Giffen, Roy ThomasKeith Giffen, George Freeman
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #19

October, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
10 copies available from $2.25
Len Wein, Roy ThomasMurphy Anderson, Arvell Jones
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #20

November, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
15 copies available from $0.96
Barbara Randall, Roy ThomasRick Leonardi, Mike Clark
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #20 Newsstand Edition

November, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
1 copy available for $4.00
Newsstand Edition by Kevin Maguire; Origin of Batgirl; Origin of Doctor Mid-Nite (Charles McNider) Barbara Randall, Roy ThomasRick Leonardi, Mike Clark
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #21

December, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
10 copies available from $1.20
Michael Fleisher, Roy ThomasGray Morrow, Murphy Anderson
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #22

January, 1988
Cover Price: $1.25
21 copies available from $2.00
Roy Thomas, Dann ThomasHoward Simpson
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #22 Newsstand Edition

January, 1988
Cover Price: $1.25
1 copy available for $3.98
Newsstand Edition by Walt Simonson; Origin of Manhunters; Millennium Week 2; Millennium, Week 2 Roy Thomas, Dann ThomasHoward Simpson
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #23

February, 1988
Cover Price: $1.25
23 copies available from $0.65
Todd Klein, Rick VeitchJonathan Peterson, Brett Ewins
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #23 Newsstand Edition

February, 1988
Cover Price: $1.25
1 copy available for $4.98
Newsstand Edition by Ed Hannigan; Origin of Floronic Man; Origin of Guardians of the Universe; Millennium; Millennium Week 6 Todd Klein, Rick VeitchJonathan Peterson, Brett Ewins
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #24

March, 1988
Cover Price: $1.25
13 copies available from $1.75
Dan Mishkin, Gary Cohn, Roy ThomasTy Templeton, Michael Bair
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #25

April, 1988
Cover Price: $1.25
10 copies available from $0.35
Paul Levitz, Roy ThomasRick Stasi, Mike Clark
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #26

May, 1988
Cover Price: $1.25
11 copies available from $2.40
Tony Isabella, Roy Thomas, Dann ThomasGreg Brooks, Grant Miehm
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #26 Newsstand Edition

May, 1988
Cover Price: $1.25
1 copy available for $3.99
Newsstand Edition by Kevin Nowlan; Origin of Black Lightning; Origin of Miss America Tony Isabella, Roy Thomas, Dann ThomasGreg Brooks, Grant Miehm
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #27

June, 1988
Cover Price: $1.50
6 copies available from $3.50
Ehrich Weiss, Robert Loren Fleming, Roy ThomasTom Artis, Grant Miehm
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #28

July, 1988
Cover Price: $1.50
7 copies available from $1.95
Robert Greenberger, Roy ThomasRob Liefeld, Gil Kane
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #29

August, 1988
Cover Price: $1.50
5 copies available from $2.50
Roger Stern, Sheldon Mayer, Roy ThomasDwayne Turner, Sheldon Mayer, Mike Harris
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #30

September, 1988
Cover Price: $1.50
8 copies available from $1.20
Roy Thomas, Gerard JonesTy Templeton, Stephen deStefano
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #31

October, 1988
Cover Price: $1.50
7 copies available from $2.25
Roy ThomasMichael Bair
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #32

November, 1988
Cover Price: $1.50
12 copies available from $1.95
Keith Giffen, Peter DavidEric Shanower
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #33

December, 1988
Cover Price: $1.50
11 copies available from $1.00
Mike Carlin, Tom Bierbaum, Mary Bierbaum, Gerard JonesDon Heck, Chuck Austen, Jim Valentino
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #33 Newsstand Edition

December, 1988
Cover Price: $1.50
1 copy available for $5.98
Newsstand Edition by Jerry Ordway; Origin of Green Flame; Origin of Icemaiden; Origin of Mr. Miracle; 52 pages Mike Carlin, Tom Bierbaum, Mary Bierbaum, Gerard JonesDon Heck, Chuck Austen, Jim Valentino
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #34

December, 1988
Cover Price: $1.50
13 copies available from $0.75
Cary Bates, Greg Weisman, William Messner-Loebs, Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteisAlan Weiss, Irv Novick, Keith Giffen
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #34 Newsstand Edition

December, 1988
Cover Price: $1.50
1 copy available for $5.98
Newsstand Edition by Jerry Ordway; Origin of Captain Atom; Origin of G’Nort; Origin of Rocket Red Cary Bates, Greg Weisman, William Messner-Loebs, Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteisAlan Weiss, Irv Novick, Keith Giffen
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #35

January, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
11 copies available from $1.25
Dan Jurgens, Mark Verheiden, Robert Loren Fleming, Keith GiffenDan Jurgens, Ken Steacy, Keith Giffen
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #36

January, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
11 copies available from $1.95
James Owsley, Mark D. Bright, Robert Greenberger, Gerard Jones, Neil GaimanMark D. Bright, Joe Staton, Mark Buckingham
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #37

February, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
10 copies available from $1.00
Ty Templeton, Craig BoldmanTy Templeton, Mike Parobeck
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #38

March, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
8 copies available from $1.00
Mike Grell, Elliot S! MagginHannibal King, John Koch
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #38 Newsstand Edition

March, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
1 copy available for $6.98
Newsstand Edition by Tom Grindberg; Origin of Green Arrow; Origin of Speedy Mike Grell, Elliot S! MagginHannibal King, John Koch
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #39

April, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
15 copies available from $1.00
Jan Strnad, Grant MorrisonKevin Nowlan, Tom Grummett
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #40

May, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
7 copies available from $2.20
Cary Bates, Greg Weisman, Tom Joyner, Rusty Wells, Andy HelferCarmine Infantino, Fred Butler, Mark Badger
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #41

June, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
5 copies available from $3.20
Dan Mishkin, Gary CohnParis Cullins, Tim Dzon, Grant Miehm, Ian Akin, Brian Garvey, Howard Simpson, Anthony Van Bruggen, Ian Carr, Kevin Branch, Trevor Von Eeden, Donald Simpson
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #42

July, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
7 copies available from $4.00
Tom Bierbaum, Mary Bierbaum, Roy ThomasDave Cockrum, Jim Sanders, Larry Mahlstedt, Michael Bair
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #43

August, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
12 copies available from $1.50
Barbara Kesel, Karl Kesel, Bob Wayne, Joey CavalieriTrevor Von Eeden, John Koch, Timothy Truman, John Workman Jr.
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #44

September, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
23 copies available from $1.00
Mike W. Barr, Dan Raspler, Len WeinKeith Giffen, Bernie Mireault, Tom Grummett
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #45

October, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
8 copies available from $1.20
Martin Pasko, Gerard JonesGrant Miehm, Mike Parobeck
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #45 Newsstand Edition

October, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
1 copy available for $4.98
Newsstand Edition by Murphy Anderson; Origin of Blackhawk (Janos Prohaska); Origin of El Diablo (Rafael Sandoval) Martin Pasko, Gerard JonesGrant Miehm, Mike Parobeck
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #46

December, 1989
Cover Price: $1.75
5 copies available from $1.25
Grant Morrison, Marv Wolfman, Gerard JonesCurt Swan, Vince Giarrano
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #46 Newsstand Edition

December, 1989
Cover Price: $1.75
1 copy available for $9.98
Newsstand Edition by Eliot Brown; 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 Grant Morrison, Marv Wolfman, Gerard JonesCurt Swan, Vince Giarrano
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #47

February, 1990
Cover Price: $1.75
11 copies available from $3.40
Mike W. Barr, Tom Bierbaum, Mary Bierbaum, Robert Loren FlemingCurt Swan, Mike Parobeck, Chris Sprouse
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #48

April, 1990
Cover Price: $1.75
6 copies available from $1.50
Keith Giffen, Robert Loren Fleming, Phil Foglio, Gerard Jones, William Messner-LoebsKeith Giffen, Phil Foglio, Paris Cullins, Trevor Von Eeden
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #49

June, 1990
Cover Price: $1.75
12 copies available from $1.95
Ty Templeton, Karl Kesel, Jan StrnadTy Templeton, Karl Kesel, John Koch
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #50

August, 1990
Cover Price: $3.95
9 copies available from $2.75
Dennis O’Neil, Grant Morrison, Elliot S! Maggin, Steve Bove, Richard Bruning, Alan Brennert, Gerard JonesGeorge Pérez, Mike Parobeck, Alan Weiss, Steve Bove, Keith Wilson, Joe Staton, Carmine Infantino
Secret Origins (3rd Series) #50 Newsstand Edition

August, 1990
Cover Price: $3.95
1 copy available for $7.98
Newsstand Edition by Ty Templeton; 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 Dennis O’Neil, Grant Morrison, Elliot S! Maggin, Steve Bove, Richard Bruning, Alan Brennert, Gerard JonesGeorge Pérez, Mike Parobeck, Alan Weiss, Steve Bove, Keith Wilson, Joe Staton, Carmine Infantino
Secret Origins (3rd Series) Annual #1

August, 1987
Cover Price: $2.00
11 copies available from $1.50
Paul Kupperberg, Roy ThomasJohn Byrne, Ron Harris, Steve Lightle
Secret Origins (3rd Series) Annual #2

September, 1988
Cover Price: $2.00
6 copies available from $1.75
William Messner-Loebs, Robert Loren FlemingMike Collins, Carmine Infantino
Secret Origins (3rd Series) Annual #2 Newsstand Edition

September, 1988
Cover Price: $2.00
1 copy available for $5.98
Newsstand Edition by Carmine Infantino; Origin of Flash (Barry Allen); Origin of Flash (Wally West); Origin of Flash II (Barry Allen); Origin of Flash III (Wally West) William Messner-Loebs, Robert Loren FlemingMike Collins, Carmine Infantino
Secret Origins (3rd Series) Annual #3

May, 1989
Cover Price: $2.95
3 copies available from $4.98
George Perez cover by George Pérez; 1st appearance of Flamebird (Bette Kane); 1st appearance of Flamebird; Origin of Teen Titans George PérezGeorge Pérez, Tom Grummett, Grant Miehm, Irv Novick, Michael Bair, Trevor Von Eeden, Dave Cockrum, Kevin Maguire, Mark D. Bright, Colleen Doran, Dick Giordano
Secret Origins (3rd Series) Giant-Size Special #1

December, 1998
Cover Price: $4.95
2 copies available from $4.75
Dan Curtis Johnson, Mark Waid, Karl Kesel, Chuck Dixon, Jay Faerber, Tom PeyerAngel Unzueta, Humberto Ramos, Joe Phillips, Cully Hamner, Amanda Conner, Ethan Van Sciver, Marty Egeland
Secret Origins (3rd Series) Special Edition #1

October, 1989
Cover Price: $2.00
20 copies available from $3.20
Neil Gaiman, Mark Verheiden, Alan GrantSam Kieth, Bernie Mireault, Pat Broderick, Mike Hoffman
Secret Origins (3rd Series) Special Edition #1 Newsstand Edition

October, 1989
Cover Price: $2.00
1 copy available for $9.98
Newsstand Edition by Brian Bolland; Origin of Penguin; Origin of Riddler; Origin of Two-Face Neil Gaiman, Mark Verheiden, Alan GrantSam Kieth, Bernie Mireault, Pat Broderick, Mike Hoffman