7 Great DC Comics That Are Way Too Short

DC Comics is celebrated for its high-quality storytelling. Even fans who strongly prefer Marvel acknowledge the many fantastic stories DC has produced. DC arguably has more universally acclaimed stories than Marvel, and often allows its narratives to unfold at a perfect pace. Titles like Watchmen, All-Star Superman, Mister Miracle, Preacher, and The Sandman are examples of beautifully paced, enduring masterpieces that were allowed to run for as long as the story needed. That said, not every DC book receives the time it deserves, and some truly great series could have benefited from a longer run.

There are many reasons why some comic book series don’t last very long. Sometimes a series doesn’t sell well, and it gets canceled before it can find an audience. That’s just one factor, though. These seven DC comics were particularly promising, but unfortunately ended too soon, and could have been even more amazing with a longer run.

7) Superman and the Authority

Grant Morrison is a legendary comic book writer for DC, and Superman and the Authority was their final full-time project for the publisher. Illustrated by Mikel Janin, Travel Foreman, and Fico Ossio, the short series featured a weakened Superman assembling a new team, the Authority, to continue fighting evil – specifically Brainiac and the Ultra-Humanite. While the series was excellent, its brevity – only four issues – feels like a missed opportunity. It’s unfortunate Morrison didn’t get a longer run to properly conclude their work with DC, even though they still occasionally contribute to the publisher.

6) DC One Million

Many fans consider DC One Million the best DC event of the 1990s, and it remarkably told its story in just four issues. Writer Grant Morrison laid the groundwork during their JLA run and then collaborated with artist Val Semeiks to send the DC Universe far into the future – the 853rd century! While the story was fantastic, its brevity – unusual for ’90s event comics which typically lasted six issues or more – sometimes made it feel rushed. With a few extra issues to expand on the narrative, it could have been an even greater achievement.

5) Midnighter and Apollo

As a huge comics fan, I always loved the dynamic between Midnighter and Apollo. They were created back in the mid-90s as essentially the gay version of Superman and Batman within the Wildstorm universe, which was part of Image Comics at the time. What really set them apart, though, was that they were openly a couple and weren’t afraid to kill – a pretty big difference from the usual heroes! Fans adored them, but it took until 2016 for them to finally get their own series, Midnighter and Apollo, written by Steve Orlando with art by Fernando Blanco. It spun out of Orlando’s earlier Midnighter run, and honestly, it was fantastic. It was a six-issue mini-series, and while it was great, I really wish it had been longer. Orlando really got these characters, and I would have loved to see even more of their story from him.

4) Chase

The 1990s were a high point for DC Comics, particularly in its final years. They attracted top writers and were more willing to take risks than Marvel. However, some excellent series didn’t gain much traction – like Chrono and Aztek – and Chase was one of them. The series followed Cameron Chase, an agent investigating the world of superheroes, often working alongside – and against – them. Created by Dan Curtis Johnson and acclaimed artist JH Williams III, Chase sadly only lasted ten issues, which is a shame. Johnson and Williams III were producing exceptional work, and with a bit more time, the book might have found its readership.

3) Blue and Gold

Booster Gold and Blue Beetle are a fan-favorite DC duo who finally teamed up in their own comic book series in 2021. Titled Blue and Gold, the eight-issue run was written by Booster Gold’s creator, Dan Jurgens, and featured art from a talented team including Ryan Sook, Cully Hamner, Kevin Maguire, Paul Pelletier, and Phil Hester. The series was a perfectly executed superhero comedy, and many fans believe it should have continued beyond the initial eight issues. Unfortunately, it was released during a period when DC primarily focused on limited-run series, with Batman titles dominating the few ongoing books available. Despite this, Blue and Gold was a highly entertaining series with beloved characters, and a longer run would have been ideal.

2) Mister Terrific (Vol. 1)

Mister Terrific is often compared to Batman, but within the Justice Society of America. He’s become a fan favorite in the DC Universe, especially over the last twenty years. While he first gained attention in the JSA and Justice Society of America comics, his biggest opportunity came with the New 52 relaunch. At that time, the Justice Society was moving to a separate Earth, but Mister Terrific stayed on the main Earth and received his own comic book series written by Eric Wallace and illustrated by Gianluca Gugliotta. Although intended as an ongoing series, it unfortunately only lasted eight issues. The early New 52 was a tough time for comics that didn’t immediately sell well, and this series wasn’t given enough time to build an audience, despite being enjoyed by its readers.

1) Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow

Supergirl is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, largely thanks to the comic book Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King and Bilquis Evely. The story centers on Supergirl taking a trip to a planet with a red sun for a birthday getaway, where she loses her powers and is attacked. She then teams up with a young girl whose family was harmed by her attacker, and together they pursue him. The eight-issue series was a huge success, praised for its strong writing and artwork. Originally planned for twelve issues, DC shortened it due to concerns about Supergirl’s recent lack of popularity, unfortunately leaving fans wanting more.

2026-05-27 21:14