The history of DC: where it all began

The company was founded in 1934, but the moment that changed everything came in 1938: Action Comics #1 introduced a man in a red cape lifting a car. Superman was not merely the first superhero — he created the genre.

A year later, in 1939, came his opposite. Batman has no powers, does not fly and is not from another planet. He is a man with money, discipline and trauma. Which is exactly why he remains the most popular comic character in the world.

Wonder Woman arrived in 1941, completing DC's Trinity. The Flash, Green Lantern and Aquaman followed, and in 1960 the Justice League — the first superhero team, and the template for everything since.

There is also the other DC, the one without capes: Vertigo, home of Watchmen, The Sandman and V for Vendetta — comics that read like literature and have a devoted following of their own.

Why this matters to collectors: Batman has been redrawn for ninety years, from the cartoonish 1960s version to Pattinson's shadowed one. Same character, dozens of versions, and each has its own collectors.

Heroes & villains

The Trinity

• Batman – The man with no powers, and by far DC's most collected character.
• Superman – The first. David Corenswet brought him back to cinemas in 2025.
• Wonder Woman – Diana of Themyscira, rooted in Greek mythology.

The Justice League

The Flash, Aquaman, Green Lantern, Cyborg, Martian Manhunter, Shazam, Supergirl, Green Arrow. The team that invented the idea of a team.

The villains — who often sell more

The Joker is among the most sought-after characters in collectibles, alongside Harley Quinn. Beside them: Catwoman, Penguin, Riddler, Bane, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, Deathstroke, Darkseid, Lex Luthor. In DC the antagonists carry as much weight as the heroes — and often more demand on the shelf.

Movies & series: the new era

DC started over in 2024. James Gunn and Peter Safran took over DC Studios and built a new universe, the DCU, opening with the chapter "Gods and Monsters".

Also in development: Wonder Woman, The Brave and the Bold, Swamp Thing, Teen Titans, Booster Gold, Paradise Lost. Studio dates move often — we update this guide whenever something changes officially.

DC games on console & PC

DC has something its rival does not: a game series widely considered among the best superhero games ever made.

• Batman: Arkham – Asylum, City, Origins, Knight. The gold standard of the genre, still played today.
• Batman: Arkham Shadow – The VR continuation, for Meta Quest.
• Injustice and Injustice 2 – Fighting games where DC's heroes turn on each other.
• Gotham Knights – Nightwing, Batgirl, Red Hood and Robin, without Batman.
• Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and MultiVersus – The most recent titles.

DC collectibles: what to choose

• Funko POP! – The easiest start, with dozens of Batman versions alone.
• Action figures – Articulated, with accessories, for posing and scenes.
• Statues – Premium display pieces, especially popular for Batman and the Joker.
• Apparel & t-shirts – The Batman symbol is recognised everywhere, even by people who never watched a film.
• Mugs, keychains, school gear – Everyday items carrying some of the most recognisable logos in the world.

Tip: with DC the version matters. Pattinson's Batman, Affleck's Batman and the comics Batman are three different products to a collector. If you are buying a gift, find out which film or series they love.

DC gift guide