5 Best Event Build-Ups in DC Comics History

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For over four decades, DC Comics has consistently innovated the format of large-scale comic book events. While DC is often credited with creating the superhero genre, Marvel pioneered the event book with 1982’s Marvel Super Heroes Contest of Champions. DC quickly followed with the massively popular Crisis on Infinite Earths, which redefined what event comics could be. Though Marvel publishes several events each year and is widely known for them, DC has consistently delivered some of the very best. Unlike Marvel fans who have grown weary of frequent events, DC fans still eagerly anticipate each new one, and the key to this success is careful and compelling build-up.

While a comic book event itself is crucial, a strong build-up is what truly makes it memorable, and DC Comics is known for doing this exceptionally well. They’ve consistently created some of the most expertly crafted event storylines, and these five examples showcase how a great build-up can elevate an entire event.

5) DC K.O.

DC K.O. has been a fantastic event comic because of its carefully constructed storyline. It all started with DC All-In #1 in summer 2024, which introduced Darkseid’s new scheme. Over several months, through titles like Superman, Justice League Unlimited, one-shots such as Justice League: Dark Tomorrow and Justice League: The Omega Act, The Flash, and the Absolute editions, DC created an incredible sense of anticipation. Each installment added to the story, and by the time DC K.O. #1 arrived, fans were incredibly eager to read it – even before seeing a single page.

4) Absolute Power

While DC’s All-In strategy is often praised for the company’s success in 2025, it’s important to remember the groundwork laid by the previous initiative, “Dawn of DC.” After the “Infinite Frontier” storyline drastically reduced the focus to mostly Batman titles, DC began a careful rebuild, leading up to the Absolute Power event. This process started with Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths, which introduced Amanda Waller’s plan to eliminate metahumans as a global force. Several comics explored this concept, with Titans: Beast World serving as an initial, unsuccessful attempt, followed by the larger Absolute Power event. Titles like Superman, Batman, Titans, Wonder Woman, and Suicide Squad: Dream Team all contributed to a well-developed narrative that had a significant impact on the DC Universe.

3) DC One Million

The DC One Million event is truly great, and many fans have forgotten how cleverly it was set up. The entire build-up consisted of just one story, “Rock of Ages” from JLA, which is often considered the best Justice League story ever written. This story introduced Hourman III and hinted at the event’s conclusion, where the League encounters the Justice Legion A, heroes from the 853rd century. Although the build-up was concise, it was remarkably effective, proving that simplicity can be a powerful tool in storytelling.

2) Blackest Night

DC Comics’ Blackest Night is considered a standout event of the 21st century, successfully blending superhero horror and science fiction. Its origins trace back to a short story called “Tygers” from the 1980s, initially a one-time tale about a crashed spaceship. However, that story became a key piece of the foundation for Blackest Night. Writer Geoff Johns later expanded on the idea of the Green Lantern Corps’ demise, crafting a major event around it. The groundwork for Blackest Night was laid through several excellent storylines, including “The Sinestro Corps War,” “Rage of the Red Lanterns,” “Secret Origin,” and “Agent Orange,” all published in Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps. This careful build-up made Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps two of the best-selling comics of the late 2000s and early 2010s, demonstrating the event’s impact.

1) Infinite Crisis

Infinite Crisis was a truly exceptional event, and its masterful build-up was a major reason why. DC Comics began planting the seeds for this 20th-anniversary follow-up to Crisis on Infinite Earths several years in advance, starting in 2005. They used titles like Superman/Batman, Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day, and Teen Titans/Legion of Superheroes Special #1 to establish the foundation. Then, stories such as Identity Crisis, “Crisis of Conscience,” “Sacrifice,” Countdown to Infinite Crisis, The O.M.A.C. Project, Rann/Thanagar War, Days of Vengeance, Villains United, DC Special: The Return of Donna Troy, and JSA Classified steadily increased the anticipation. By the time Infinite Crisis #1 was released, DC fans had been receiving hints and previews for years and were eager for the story. It was a fantastic era to be a DC reader.

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2026-01-08 23:14