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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  NotesWriterArtist
#1

April, 1986
Cover Price: $0.75
22 copies available from $3.56
Roy ThomasWayne Boring
#1 (Newsstand Edition by Wayne Boring)

April, 1986
Cover Price: $0.75
1 copy available for $3.99
Roy ThomasWayne Boring
#2

May, 1986
Cover Price: $0.75
17 copies available from $0.99
Len WeinGil Kane
#3

June, 1986
Cover Price: $0.75
21 copies available from $0.99
Roy ThomasJerry Bingham
#3 (Newsstand Edition by Jerry Bingham)

June, 1986
Cover Price: $0.75
1 copy available for $5.98
Roy ThomasJerry Bingham
#4

July, 1986
Cover Price: $0.75
18 copies available from $0.99
Gerry ConwayGeorge Tuska
#4 (Newsstand Edition by Al Milgrom)

July, 1986
Cover Price: $0.75
1 copy available for $3.99
Gerry ConwayGeorge Tuska
#5

August, 1986
Cover Price: $0.75
13 copies available from $1.99
Roy Thomas, Dann ThomasGene Colan
#5 (Newsstand Edition by Gene Colan)

August, 1986
Cover Price: $0.75
1 copy available for $1.75
Roy Thomas, Dann ThomasGene Colan
#6

September, 1986
Cover Price: $1.25
31 copies available from $0.99
Roy Thomas, Mike W. BarrMarshall Rogers, Dick Giordano
#6 (Newsstand Edition by José Luis García-López)

September, 1986
Cover Price: $1.25
1 copy available for $1.99
Roy Thomas, Mike W. BarrMarshall Rogers, Dick Giordano
#7

October, 1986
Cover Price: $1.25
14 copies available from $0.99
Steve Englehart, Roy Thomas, Dann ThomasErnie Colón, Michael Bair
#8

November, 1986
Cover Price: $1.25
11 copies available from $0.99
Paul Levitz, Roy ThomasTom Mandrake, Murphy Anderson
#8 (Newsstand Edition by Steve Lightle)

November, 1986
Cover Price: $1.25
1 copy available for $3.99
Paul Levitz, Roy ThomasTom Mandrake, Murphy Anderson
#9

December, 1986
Cover Price: $1.25
8 copies available from $2.08
Roy ThomasTom Grindberg, George Tuska
#10

January, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
11 copies available from $3.10
Mike W. Barr, Paul Levitz, Dan Mishkin, Alan MooreJim Aparo, José Luis García-López, Ernie Colón, Joe Orlando
#11

February, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
12 copies available from $2.75
Paul Kupperberg, Roy ThomasMary Wilshire, Luke McDonnell
#12

March, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
19 copies available from $0.40
Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas, Mark EvanierTom Grindberg, Chuck Patton
#13

April, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
15 copies available from $0.99
Dan Mishkin, Roy ThomasErik Larsen, Mike Gustovich, Mike Clark
#14

May, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
17 copies available from $6.00
John OstranderLuke McDonnell
#15

June, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
12 copies available from $0.99
Andy Helfer, Roy ThomasKevin MaGuire, Michael T. Gilbert
#16

July, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
13 copies available from $1.26
Michael Fleisher, Bob Rozakis, Roy Thomas, Dann ThomasAdam Kubert, Stephen DeStefano, Michael Bair
#16 (Newsstand Edition)

July, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
1 copy available for $3.99
Michael Fleisher, Bob Rozakis, Roy Thomas, Dann ThomasAdam Kubert, Stephen DeStefano, Michael Bair
#17

August, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
8 copies available from $1.95
Gerry Conway, Roy Thomas, E. Nelson BridwellCarmine Infantino, Howard Simpson
#17 (Newsstand Edition by Kevin Nowlan)

August, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
1 copy available for $4.98
Gerry Conway, Roy Thomas, E. Nelson BridwellCarmine Infantino, Howard Simpson
#18

September, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
7 copies available from $1.95
Andy Helfer, Keith Giffen, Roy ThomasKeith Giffen, George Freeman
#19

October, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
8 copies available from $1.67
Len Wein, Roy ThomasMurphy Anderson, Arvell Jones
#20

November, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
13 copies available from $0.96
Barbara Randall, Roy ThomasRick Leonardi, Mike Clark
#21

December, 1987
Cover Price: $1.25
11 copies available from $1.00
Michael Fleisher, Roy ThomasGray Morrow, Murphy Anderson
#22

January, 1988
Cover Price: $1.25
19 copies available from $2.25
Roy Thomas, Dann ThomasHoward Simpson
#22 (Newsstand Edition by Walt Simonson)

January, 1988
Cover Price: $1.25
1 copy available for $3.98
Roy Thomas, Dann ThomasHoward Simpson
#23

February, 1988
Cover Price: $1.25
24 copies available from $0.65
Todd Klein, Rick VeitchJonathan Peterson, Brett Ewins
#23 (Newsstand Edition by Ed Hannigan)

February, 1988
Cover Price: $1.25
1 copy available for $4.98
Todd Klein, Rick VeitchJonathan Peterson, Brett Ewins
#24

March, 1988
Cover Price: $1.25
11 copies available from $1.75
Dan Mishkin, Gary Cohn, Roy ThomasTy Templeton, Michael Bair
#25

April, 1988
Cover Price: $1.25
8 copies available from $0.35
Paul Levitz, Roy ThomasRick Stasi, Mike Clark
#26

May, 1988
Cover Price: $1.25
10 copies available from $0.99
Tony Isabella, Roy Thomas, Dann ThomasGreg Brooks, Grant Miehm
#26 (Newsstand Edition by Kevin Nowlan)

May, 1988
Cover Price: $1.25
1 copy available for $3.99
Tony Isabella, Roy Thomas, Dann ThomasGreg Brooks, Grant Miehm
#27

June, 1988
Cover Price: $1.50
5 copies available from $2.08
Ehrich Weiss, Robert Loren Fleming, Roy ThomasTom Artis, Grant Miehm
#28

July, 1988
Cover Price: $1.50
6 copies available from $1.95
Robert Greenberger, Roy ThomasRob Liefeld, Gil Kane
#29

August, 1988
Cover Price: $1.50
4 copies available from $2.50
Roger Stern, Sheldon Mayer, Roy ThomasDwayne Turner, Sheldon Mayer, Mike Harris
#30

September, 1988
Cover Price: $1.50
7 copies available from $1.20
Roy Thomas, Gerard JonesTy Templeton, Stephen deStefano
#31

October, 1988
Cover Price: $1.50
7 copies available from $0.99
Roy ThomasMichael Bair
#32

November, 1988
Cover Price: $1.50
10 copies available from $1.95
Keith Giffen, Peter DavidEric Shanower
#33

December, 1988
Cover Price: $1.50
9 copies available from $1.00
Mike Carlin, Tom Bierbaum, Mary Bierbaum, Gerard JonesDon Heck, Chuck Austen, Jim Valentino
#33 (Newsstand Edition by Jerry Ordway)

December, 1988
Cover Price: $1.50
1 copy available for $5.98
Mike Carlin, Tom Bierbaum, Mary Bierbaum, Gerard JonesDon Heck, Chuck Austen, Jim Valentino
#34

December, 1988
Cover Price: $1.50
12 copies available from $0.75
Cary Bates, Greg Weisman, William Messner-Loebs, Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteisAlan Weiss, Irv Novick, Keith Giffen
#34 (Newsstand Edition by Jerry Ordway)

December, 1988
Cover Price: $1.50
1 copy available for $5.98
Cary Bates, Greg Weisman, William Messner-Loebs, Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteisAlan Weiss, Irv Novick, Keith Giffen
#35

January, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
10 copies available from $1.25
Dan Jurgens, Mark Verheiden, Robert Loren Fleming, Keith GiffenDan Jurgens, Ken Steacy, Keith Giffen
#36

January, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
10 copies available from $1.98
James Owsley, Mark D. Bright, Robert Greenberger, Gerard Jones, Neil GaimanMark D. Bright, Joe Staton, Mark Buckingham
#37

February, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
9 copies available from $1.00
Ty Templeton, Craig BoldmanTy Templeton, Mike Parobeck
#38

March, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
12 copies available from $0.99
Mike Grell, Elliot S! MagginHannibal King, John Koch
#38 (Newsstand Edition by Tom Grindberg)

March, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
1 copy available for $6.98
Mike Grell, Elliot S! MagginHannibal King, John Koch
#39

April, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
13 copies available from $0.90
Jan Strnad, Grant MorrisonKevin Nowlan, Tom Grummett
#40

May, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
5 copies available from $2.49
Cary Bates, Greg Weisman, Tom Joyner, Rusty Wells, Andy HelferCarmine Infantino, Fred Butler, Mark Badger
#41

June, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
4 copies available from $4.00
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
#42

July, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
5 copies available from $4.00
Tom Bierbaum, Mary Bierbaum, Roy ThomasDave Cockrum, Jim Sanders, Larry Mahlstedt, Michael Bair
#43

August, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
10 copies available from $1.50
Barbara Kesel, Karl Kesel, Bob Wayne, Joey CavalieriTrevor Von Eeden, John Koch, Timothy Truman, John Workman Jr.
#44

September, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
20 copies available from $1.00
Mike W. Barr, Dan Raspler, Len WeinKeith Giffen, Bernie Mireault, Tom Grummett
#45

October, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
49 copies available from $0.50
Martin Pasko, Gerard JonesGrant Miehm, Mike Parobeck
#45 (Newsstand Edition by Murphy Anderson)

October, 1989
Cover Price: $1.50
1 copy available for $4.98
Martin Pasko, Gerard JonesGrant Miehm, Mike Parobeck
#46

December, 1989
Cover Price: $1.75
5 copies available from $1.25
Grant Morrison, Marv Wolfman, Gerard JonesCurt Swan, Vince Giarrano
#46 (Newsstand Edition by Eliot Brown)

December, 1989
Cover Price: $1.75
1 copy available for $9.98
Grant Morrison, Marv Wolfman, Gerard JonesCurt Swan, Vince Giarrano
#47

February, 1990
Cover Price: $1.75
10 copies available from $2.00
Mike W. Barr, Tom Bierbaum, Mary Bierbaum, Robert Loren FlemingCurt Swan, Mike Parobeck, Chris Sprouse
#48

April, 1990
Cover Price: $1.75
5 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
#49

June, 1990
Cover Price: $1.75
10 copies available from $1.95
Ty Templeton, Karl Kesel, Jan StrnadTy Templeton, Karl Kesel, John Koch
#50

August, 1990
Cover Price: $3.95
8 copies available from $1.53
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
#50 (Newsstand Edition by Ty Templeton)

August, 1990
Cover Price: $3.95
1 copy available for $7.98
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
Annual #1

August, 1987
Cover Price: $2.00
13 copies available from $0.86
Paul Kupperberg, Roy ThomasJohn Byrne, Ron Harris, Steve Lightle
Annual #2

September, 1988
Cover Price: $2.00
5 copies available from $1.67
William Messner-Loebs, Robert Loren FlemingMike Collins, Carmine Infantino
Annual #2 (Newsstand Edition by Carmine Infantino)

September, 1988
Cover Price: $2.00
1 copy available for $5.98
William Messner-Loebs, Robert Loren FlemingMike Collins, Carmine Infantino
Annual #3 (George Perez cover by George Pérez)

May, 1989
Cover Price: $2.95
2 copies available from $4.98
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
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
Special Edition #1

October, 1989
Cover Price: $2.00
20 copies available from $2.75
Neil Gaiman, Mark Verheiden, Alan GrantSam Kieth, Bernie Mireault, Pat Broderick, Mike Hoffman
Special Edition #1 (Newsstand Edition by Brian Bolland)

October, 1989
Cover Price: $2.00
1 copy available for $9.98
Neil Gaiman, Mark Verheiden, Alan GrantSam Kieth, Bernie Mireault, Pat Broderick, Mike Hoffman