The World's Greatest Super-Heroes

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The World's Greatest Super-Heroes
The World's Greatest Super-Heroes (DC Comics).png
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
Publication dateJuly 6, 2005
Main character(s) Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman, Justice League of America
Creative team
Written by Paul Dini and Alex Ross
Artist(s) Alex Ross
Collected editions
Hardcover ISBN   1401202543
Trade Paperback ISBN   1401202551
Absolute Edition ISBN   140127370X

The World's Greatest Super-Heroes is a hardcover anthology collection of six oversized graphic novels published by DC Comics and created by artist Alex Ross and writer Paul Dini. The collection was released on July 6, 2005.

Contents

Publication history

Beginning in 1998, DC published special one-shot oversized graphic novels to celebrate the 60th anniversary of some of its main characters: Superman: Peace on Earth was the first of these in 1998, followed by Batman: War on Crime in 1999. These first two works won Harvey and Eisner Awards for Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (Ross) and Best Graphic Album. [1] In addition, Peace on Earth also won a Reuben Award for best Superman comic. Following these, DC released Shazam!: Power of Hope in 2000 and finally Wonder Woman: Spirit of Truth in 2001.

The following year, DC Comics also published one extra book: JLA: Secret Origins. The work presented the origins of the four main characters already published in the previous books as well as the origins of other Justice League members: Green Lantern, Flash, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Martian Manhunter, Hawkman, Hawkgirl and Plastic Man. Every origin was present in two-pages layout based on Joe Shuster's origin of Superman from Action Comics #1.

The final book, published in 2003, JLA: Liberty and Justice presented a full story featuring the entire group, the first time that Ross was able to use all characters in the current timeline. The artwork is of Ross' very own photorealism, and the books themselves were created after the success of Ross' and writer Mark Waid's famous Kingdom Come .

The World's Greatest Super-Heroes was released on August 1, 2005 on dust-jacket slipcase hardcover edition (9.6" x 13") and got paperback reprint (8.2" x 11") on September 28, 2010. Both collected versions are smaller than the original Treasury Editions (10" x 13.5"). The book was rereleased in 2017 as Absolute Justice League: The World's Greatest Super-Heroes. [2]

Collected issues

Reception

The work was critically lauded for its realistic depiction of the heroes as well as Ross' photorealistic art. [2] IGN critic Hilary Goldstein, however, noted that the writing was "dry" and "monotone", especially in the Superman story. [3]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Captain Marvel (DC Comics)</span> Comic book superhero

Captain Marvel, also known as Shazam and the Captain, is a superhero in American comic books originally published by Fawcett Comics and currently published by DC Comics. Artist C. C. Beck and writer Bill Parker created the character in 1939. Captain Marvel first appeared in Whiz Comics #2, published by Fawcett Comics. He is the alter ego of Billy Batson, a boy who, by speaking the magic word "Shazam!", is transformed into a costumed adult with the powers of superhuman strength, speed, flight, and other abilities. The character battles an extensive rogues' gallery, most of them working in tandem as the Monster Society of Evil, including primary archenemies Black Adam, Doctor Sivana and Mister Mind. Billy often shares his powers with other children, primarily his sister Mary Batson and their best friend/foster brother Freddy Freeman, who also transform into superheroes and fight crime with Billy as members of the Marvel Family, also known as the Shazam Family.

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<i>Superman: Peace on Earth</i>

Superman: Peace on Earth is a treasury giant prestige format 64-page graphic novel published by DC Comics in November 1998. The Man of Steel in an oversized one-shot featuring a cardstock cover with a metallic fifth-color ink. As the holiday season approaches, Clark Kent reflects on the poverty suffered by so many throughout the world and decides to use his vast power to feed the starving and impoverished masses. As Superman sets out to accomplish the impossible, he encounters unexpected resistance to his humanitarian efforts.

References

  1. "1990s". Comic-Con International: San Diego. 2012-12-02. Retrieved 2018-07-14.
  2. 1 2 "Comic Book Review - Absolute Justice League: The World's Greatest Super Heroes by Paul Dini and Alex Ross". Flickering Myth. 2017-11-14. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  3. Goldstein, Hilary (2005-09-27). "The World's Greatest Super-Heroes Review". IGN. Retrieved 2018-07-13.