The World's Greatest Superheroes

The World's Greatest Superheroes was a syndicated newspaper comic strip featuring DC Comics characters which ran Sunday and daily from April 3, 1978, to February 10, 1985. It was syndicated by the Chicago Tribune/New York News Syndicate.

The World's Greatest Superheroes
Author(s)Martin Pasko (1978–1979)
Paul Levitz (1979–1981), Gerry Conway (1981), Mike W. Barr (1981–1982), Paul Kupperberg (1982–1985), Bob Rozakis (The Superman Sunday Special)
Illustrator(s)George Tuska and Vince Colletta (1979–1982), José Delbo and Sal Trapani (1982–1985)
Current status/scheduleDaily and Sunday; concluded
Launch dateApril 3, 1978
End dateFebruary 10, 1985
Alternate name(s)The World's Greatest Superheroes Present Superman (1979–1982)
Superman (1982–1983)
The Superman Sunday Special (1983–1985, Sundays only)
Syndicate(s)Chicago Tribune/New York News Syndicate
Genre(s)Superhero

History

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Initially starring Superman, Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman, the Flash and Black Lightning, the strip underwent several title changes, as the focus changed to primarily feature Superman.

Title Dates
The World's Greatest Superheroes April 3, 1978 to October 13, 1979
The World's Greatest Superheroes Present Superman October 14, 1979 to August 14, 1982
Superman August 15, 1982 to January 8, 1983, then dailies only from January 10, 1983, to February 9, 1985
The Superman Sunday Special Sundays only from January 9, 1983, to February 10, 1985

Writers: Martin Pasko scripted at the beginning. Paul Levitz took over October 15, 1979 until March 22, 1981, with his initial story coming from a Pasko idea. Gerry Conway then picked up the assignment. A continuity from Mike W. Barr followed, appearing October 26, 1981 through January 10, 1982. Paul Kupperberg handled continuities from January 11, 1982, until the end, including a segment from January 12 through March 12, 1981, that he ghosted for Levitz. Bob Rozakis wrote all but two of The Superman Sunday Specials.

Artists: Initially dailies and Sundays were penciled by George Tuska and inked by Vince Colletta. At various times from April 25 until November 13, 1982, the strip was worked on by Tuska, Colletta, José Delbo, Bob Smith, Frank McLaughlin and Sal Trapani. Delbo and Trapani then illustrated the feature from November 14, 1982, until the end.

Episode Start date End date Fan title Hero cast
01 1978-04-03 1978-07-01 Vandal Savage Strikes! Superman, the Flash, Aquaman and Wonder Woman
02 1978-07-02 1978-10-24 Flash Fights for His Life Superman, the Flash, Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and the Black Canary
03 1978-10-25 1979-01-21 The Disco Disappearances Superman, Black Lightning, Batman, Robin and the Black Canary
04 1979-01-22 1979-05-20 The Gravity Magnifier Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman
05 1979-05-21 1979-10-11 Superman Subpoenaed! Superman
06 1979-10-12 1979-12-12 Jimmy Olsen, Elastic Lad Superman
07 1979-12-13 1980-03-13 The Shrunken Superman Superman
08 1980-03-14 1980-06-11 The Gimmick Gang Superman and Wonder Woman
09 1980-06-12 1980-08-31 The Weaponer Superman and the Flash
10 1980-09-01 1980-12-13 Nuclear Crisis Superman and Batman
11 1980-12-14 1981-06-27 Gigi and the Motion Picture Superman
12 1981-06-28 1981-10-25 Sports with Steve Lombard Superman
13 1981-10-26 1982-01-10 The Joke is on Superman Superman and Batman
14 1982-01-11 1982-04-21 Lady Steel Superman and Wonder Woman
15 1982-04-22 1982-07-28 The Joker Again Superman
16 1982-07-29 1982-11-13 The Stalker Superman
17 1982-11-14 1983-03-23 Luthor and the Aliens Superman
18 1983-03-24 1983-07-17 Mxyzptlk Superman
19 1983-07-18 1983-10-29 Bal-Ga from New Krypton Superman
20 1983-10-31 1984-01-14 Luthor and the Robots Superman
21 1984-01-16 1984-04-14 The Wacky Bizarros Superman
22 1984-04-16 1984-07-14 Brainiac and the Derlyns Superman
23 1984-07-16 1984-10-21 The Toymaker Superman
24 1984-10-22 1985-02-10 Superman's Parents Return Superman

References

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