DC Archive Editions

DC Archive Editions is a line of hardcovers that was published from 1989–2014, reprinting early, often rare comic book series, titles, and stories.

[1] The DC Archive Editions (DCAE) series began with DC's Golden Age, which is actually the output of three inter-related companies in the late 1930s and the early '40s: Max Gaines' All-American Publications (Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Wonder Woman; All Star Comics starring the Justice Society of America, et al.); and Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson's National Allied Publications, which became Harry Donenfeld's Detective Comics (Batman, Superman, et al.).

The series' format was designed by Alex Jay with Richard Bruning providing the art direction.

Its various volumes also include series/titles not originally published by DC, though acquired in the intervening years, such as: Golden Age characters Plastic Man and Blackhawk, originally published by Quality Comics; the "Shazam" Marvel Family of characters Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Jr., and Mary Marvel, originally published by Fawcett; and the Charlton Silver Age line of superheroes (Blue Beetle, Captain Atom, The Question, et al.) in the DCAE Action Heroes volumes.

In the early to mid-2000s, newer printings of previously published DC Archive Editions volumes were released at the special introductory cover price of U.S. $19.95.

However, these non-DC Archive Editions series published by DC are included in the list here, as the physical format (paper stock, size dimension, etc.)

The first volume of the Plastic Man Archives won the Comics Buyer's Guide Fan Award for Favorite Reprint Graphic Album in 2001.

Cover to The Action Heroes Archives Vol. 2 (2007), focusing on the Charlton Comics characters; cover art by Steve Ditko.