DC

1. Origins and Early Years (1930s–1940s)

DC Comics, originally known as National Allied Publications, was founded in 1934 by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson. The company revolutionized the comic book industry with the introduction of Action Comics #1 in 1938, which featured Superman, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. This marked the birth of the superhero genre.

Key milestones in this era include:

• Detective Comics #27 (1939): First appearance of Batman, created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger.
• All Star Comics #8 (1941): Introduction of Wonder Woman by William Moulton Marston.
• Expansion of superhero teams like the Justice Society of America (JSA).

Merchandising:

• Early tie-ins included comic strip syndication and limited action figure production.
• The first Superman radio serials aired in 1940, boosting character popularity.

2. The Silver Age (1950s–1960s)

This period saw a resurgence of superheroes and the creation of modern versions of classic characters such as The Flash and Green Lantern. DC Comics rebranded itself to embrace the "Silver Age" of comics by focusing on science fiction and more fantastical storytelling.

Key developments:

• Introduction of the Justice League of America (JLA) in The Brave and the Bold #28 (1960).
• Batman's campy popularity surged with the 1966 live-action Batman TV series starring Adam West.

Movies & TV:

• Theatrical serials of Superman and Batman were popular.
• The Batman TV show led to a surge in merchandising, including toys, lunchboxes, and board games.

Merchandising:

• Mego Corporation released a successful line of DC action figures in the 1970s.
• The first DC-themed animated shows, including Super Friends, introduced characters to a younger audience.

3. The Bronze Age (1970s–1980s)

DC embraced darker storytelling, introducing complex themes and social commentary in comics.

Key storylines and changes:

• Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams redefined Batman with a grittier tone.
• Green Lantern/Green Arrow tackled social issues like drug abuse.
• The 1978 Superman: The Movie, starring Christopher Reeve, set a new standard for superhero films.

Movies & TV:

• Superman film series (1978–1987) inspired further merchandising.
• Wonder Woman TV series starring Lynda Carter became a cultural phenomenon.

Merchandising:

• DC characters were featured in lunchboxes, Halloween costumes, and collectible action figures by Kenner.
• Early video games, such as the Superman Atari 2600 (1979), emerged.

4. The Modern Age (1980s–1990s)

DC Comics evolved with landmark storytelling, darker themes, and mature audiences.

Key comics:

• The Dark Knight Returns (1986) by Frank Miller reshaped Batman into a darker figure.
• Watchmen (1986) by Alan Moore revolutionized the industry with its deconstructionist approach.
• Death of Superman (1992) became a major media event.

Movies & TV:

• Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) starring Michael Keaton revived Batman's popularity, spawning a successful franchise.
• DC’s animated universe began with Batman: The Animated Series (1992), leading to shows like Justice League.

Video Games:

• Early hits included Batman on NES (1989) and Justice League Task Force (1995).

Merchandising:

• Action figures from Kenner and later Hasbro thrived, especially Batman: The Animated Series.
• Clothing, posters, and trading cards became popular collectibles.

5. The 2000s – Rise of the Superhero Movie Boom

The success of superhero movies influenced all aspects of DC's brand, leading to multi-platform expansion.

Key developments:

• Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy (2005–2012) redefined comic book films.
• The CW’s Arrowverse TV shows brought characters like Green Arrow and The Flash to mainstream audiences.
• DC Comics New 52 relaunch in 2011 modernized continuity.

Video Games:

• Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009) kicked off a highly successful game franchise.
• Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013) introduced a new fighting game universe.

Merchandising:

• DC Direct produced high-end collectibles for comic fans.
• Mattel and DC Collectibles expanded action figure lines, covering movies and TV shows.

6. The 2010s – DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and Digital Expansion

DC expanded its cinematic universe to compete with Marvel, focusing on interconnected storytelling.

Key moments:

• Launch of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) with Man of Steel (2013), followed by Batman v Superman (2016) and Wonder Woman (2017).
• DC Universe streaming service offered exclusive content and comics.
• Rebirth (2016) revitalized classic characters in comics.

TV & Streaming:

• Expansion of the Arrowverse with shows like Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, and The Flash.
• Titans and Doom Patrol brought darker storytelling to streaming.

Video Games:

• Continued success of the Arkham series and Injustice 2.
• Mobile games such as DC Legends gained traction.

Merchandising:

• Funko POP! figures featuring DC characters became a major collector's item.
• Lego DC Super Heroes expanded to animated films and playsets.

7. The 2020s – Future and Beyond

DC continues to expand across media under Warner Bros. Discovery’s ownership, with a focus on reboots and new strategies.

Key developments:

• James Gunn and Peter Safran announced a full reboot of the DCEU into the DCU.
• The Batman (2022) offered a noir-inspired take, separate from the DCEU.
• HBO Max's Peacemaker and Harley Quinn animated series gained popularity.

Video Games:

• Gotham Knights (2022) and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League push next-gen experiences.

Merchandising:

• McFarlane Toys now holds the action figure license, producing highly detailed collectibles.
• Expansion into NFTs and digital collectibles.

DC Comics continues to thrive across comics, films, games, TV, and merchandising, adapting to the evolving tastes of fans while preserving its rich legacy.