7 Old School DC Comics that Deserve a Second Look

by

DC Comics boasts the longest and most influential history in the world of comic books. As the original superhero publisher, they grew by acquiring other companies like Charlton, Fawcett, and Quality. Over the years, DC has created some of the most iconic and enduring series ever published, including classics like Action Comics, Detective Comics, Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, The Flash, Green Lantern, and Aquaman. Beyond these staples, they’ve also published numerous Teen Titans titles and other stories featuring teenage heroes. It’s no surprise everyone has a favorite DC series, and many times, it’s one of these well-known titles.

Often, truly great series aren’t immediately recognized. Some older DC comics weren’t considered all-time classics at the time, but are surprisingly good when revisited. These seven series deserve another chance – they’re better than people remember and still hold up well today.

7) Titans (Vol. 3)

The DC Rebirth era saw a lot of successful launches, but the Titans series (Vol. 3) often gets overlooked. It reunited the original Teen Titans – Nightwing, Donna Troy, Arsenal, Aqualad, and Omen – and brought Wally West back into the fold after his return in DC Rebirth #1. Writer Dan Abnett led the entire 40-issue run, with art primarily by Brett Booth and Brandon Peterson, along with several guest artists. Abnett excels at team dynamics, and that really shone through in this series. What made this run special was its focus on the preNew Teen Titans members, a dynamic we hadn’t seen explored often. The Fearsome Five proved to be formidable villains, and it was great to see characters like Mal Duncan and Bumblebee return to the team. While the first 22 issues are stronger than the final 18 – which shifted the book’s direction after the Justice League: No Exit* event – the entire run remains enjoyable.

6) Reboot Legion of Superheroes/Legionnaires

The history of the Legion of Superheroes gets complicated thanks to the Crisis on Infinite Earths event. This storyline removed Superboy from the timeline, meaning he never became a member, and drastically altered the Legion’s past. DC Comics attempted to correct this, but ultimately decided to completely restart the series with Zero Hour: Crisis in Time. A new origin story began with Legion of Superheroes (Vol. 4) #0 and Legionnaires (Vol. 1) #0, focusing on Saturn Girl, Lightning Lad, and Cosmic Boy rescuing R.J. Brande and forming the team. Writers Tom McGraw and Mark Waid then reimagined the characters for a 1990s audience. The resulting series, Legion of Superheroes (Vol. 4) #61-125 and Legionnaires (Vol. 1) #19-81, delivered a fresh take on the Legion that many fans enjoyed. Talented artists like Stuart Immonen and Chris Sprouse, alongside writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, created some truly memorable stories. While this rebooted version of the Legion isn’t always celebrated, it’s a worthy and often overlooked part of the team’s history.

5) Manhunter (Vol. 3)

The mid-2000s were a fantastic period for DC Comics, with the publisher consistently releasing surprisingly good, lesser-known titles. When Manhunter (Vol. 3) debuted, it didn’t generate much buzz. Manhunter is a Golden Age character largely unknown outside dedicated DC fans, and this series introduced a new version: Kate Spencer, a lawyer who became a hero. It quickly became one of the best under-the-radar legacy comics. Writer Mark Andreyko successfully reimagined the character—the series shares a similar feel to the classic ’80s Vigilante series—and it gained a devoted following. Despite being a relatively obscure title, it sold well enough to deliver consistently great stories to its readers. Running for 38 issues between 2004 and 2009, Manhunter remains a hidden gem that deserves to be rediscovered by fans.

4) Outsiders (Vol. 3)

The crossover event Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day brought the two teams together, but tragically ended with the death of Donna Troy, killed by a robotic Superman. Following this, Cyborg, Starfire, Beast Boy, and Raven took on the role of training the core members of Young Justice as the new Teen Titans. Nightwing, however, felt the need for another team, but after Troy’s death, he decided to assemble a group he didn’t have a personal connection with. Inspired by Batman, he formed the Outsiders. Outsiders (Vol. 3) focused on Nightwing, Arsenal, Jade, Grace, Thunder, Indigo, and Shift as they battled various villains. Writer Judd Winnick emphasized the clashing personalities and the unconventional team dynamic, allowing for a more mature tone than many other DC superhero comics at the time. The series ran for 50 issues from 2003 to 2007 before an unsuccessful attempt to restart it. It provided excellent character development, featured exciting fights against memorable villains like Sabbac and the Fearsome Five, and boasted impressive artwork from artists including Tom Raney and Carlos D’Anda.

3) Resurrection Man

The 1990s were a fantastic time for DC Comics, especially for lesser-known titles. One standout was Resurrection Man, created by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, and the incredibly talented Jackson “Butch” Guice. The series focused on Mitch Shelley, a man infused with strange meteorites who repeatedly died and came back to life with a different superpower each time. He chose to use these powers to help others, offering a fresh take on the classic DC hero, the Immortal Man. This 28-issue run is brilliantly executed. Abnett and Lanning crafted a truly unique hero in Mitch, and Guice’s stunning artwork made it one of the most visually impressive comics of its time. It represents the best of DC and is a truly captivating read.

2) Aztek

Grant Morrison is a legendary figure at DC Comics, and played a key role in the publisher’s success during the mid to late 1990s. They were known for titles like JLA and The Invisibles, and collaborated with writer Mark Millar on a new series called Aztek (Vol. 1). Aztek introduced a new hero and his backstory to the DC Universe, focusing on a young man chosen to fulfill the role of Aztek and prevent a devastating prophecy. Though the series only ran for ten issues – preventing the creators from fully realizing their vision – it was a critical success. It’s a hidden gem worth seeking out! To understand where the story was headed, be sure to also read Morrison’s later JLA arc, “World War III.”

1) Chase

If you’re a comic book fan looking for a hidden gem, check out Chase. It’s a fantastic ten-issue series that’s surprisingly hard to find. It introduces Cameron Chase, a DEO agent, and delves into her work and her dislike of superheroes. Created by Dan Curtis Johnson and J.H. Williams III, Chase wasn’t widely printed and has never been compiled into a collection, but it’s a truly exceptional series that deserves a larger audience. It even includes a special issue (#1,000,000) tied to the DC One Million crossover event.

https://comicbook.com/comics/list/10-dc-series-you-should-read-in-2026/embed/#

Read More

2025-12-26 19:13