In 1989, DC introduces two new concepts: Piranha Press, an imprint for alternative comics, and Elseworlds, with Gotham by Gaslight being the first of these non-continuity tales. A major crossover is Invasion!, which introduces the Metagene and an explanation of superpowers.
Action Comics (Volume 1) briefly becomes a weekly title but reverts to a monthly schedule within the year. Grant Morrison starts his run on Doom Patrol (Volume 2), Neil Gaiman introduces the Endless in Sandman (Volume 2), and Warrior Magazine's V for Vendetta is reprinted as a miniseries. The darker tone of Batman stories also spreads into cinema, with Tim Burton's Batman premiering in June.
Contents
Creators
The following creative talent are known to have been born in 1989:
The following creative talent passed away in the year 1989:
- A. Leslie Ross
- C.C. Beck
- Carl Wessler
- David Vern Reed
- George Papp
- John B. Wentworth
- Mike Sekowsky
- Norman Saunders
- Rudy Zamora
- Sol Harrison
Titles
The following comic titles debuted with a 1989 cover date:
- Aquaman (Volume 3)
- Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (Volume 1)
- Blackhawk (Volume 3)
- Catwoman (Volume 1)
- Deadman: Love After Death (Volume 1)
- El Diablo (Volume 1)
- Forgotten Realms (Volume 1)
- Gammarauders (Volume 1)
- Gilgamesh II (Volume 1)
- Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn (Volume 1)
- Hawk and Dove (Volume 3)
- Hawkworld (Volume 1)
- Hero Hotline (Volume 1)
- Huntress (Volume 1)
- Invasion! (Volume 1)
- Justice League America (Volume 1)
- Justice League Europe (Volume 1)
- Justice, Inc. (Volume 2)
- L.E.G.I.O.N. (Volume 1)
- Legion of Super-Heroes (Volume 4)
- Mister Miracle (Volume 2)
- New Gods (Volume 3)
- Ring of the Nibelung (Volume 1)
- Sandman (Volume 2)
- Skreemer (Volume 1)
- Star Trek (Volume 2)
- Star Trek: The Next Generation (Volume 2)
- The Phantom (Volume 2)
- The Shadow Strikes! (Volume 1)
The following Comic titles were last published with a 1989 cover date:
- Aquaman (Volume 3)
- Best of the Brave and the Bold (Volume 1)
- Black Orchid (Volume 1)
- COPS (Volume 1)
- Catwoman (Volume 1)
- Christmas with the Super-Heroes (Volume 1)
- Cosmic Odyssey (Volume 1)
- Deadshot (Volume 1)
- Gammarauders (Volume 1)
- Gilgamesh II (Volume 1)
- Green Lantern Special (Volume 1)
- Hawk and Dove (Volume 2)
- Hawkworld (Volume 1)
- Haywire (Volume 1)
- Hero Hotline (Volume 1)
- Invasion! (Volume 1)
- Justice League International (Volume 1)
- Justice, Inc. (Volume 2)
- Legion of Super-Heroes (Volume 3)
- New Guardians (Volume 1)
- Plastic Man (Volume 3)
- Power of the Atom (Volume 1)
- Skreemer (Volume 1)
- Spectre (Volume 2)
- Tailgunner Jo (Volume 1)
- The Prisoner (Volume 1)
- The Shadow (Volume 3)
- Unknown Soldier (Volume 2)
- V for Vendetta (Volume 1)
- Wanderers (Volume 1)
- Wasteland (Volume 1)
- Young All-Stars (Volume 1)
The following One Shots were published with a 1989 cover date:
- Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth
- Batman and Other DC Classics #1
- Batman: The Official Comic Adaptation #1
- Blasters Special #1
- Desert Streams, or Miriam's Search for Divine Bliss
- Lex Luthor: The Unauthorized Biography #1
- Lightning Racers
- Private Files of the Shadow
- Secret Origins Special (Volume 2) #1
- Star Trek V: The Final Frontier #1
- The Legend of Aquaman #1
- Wild Dog Special #1
Characters
Selected 1989 character debuts. See all.
- Timothy Drake (New Earth)
- Dream (New Earth)
- Helena Bertinelli (New Earth)
- Ch'al Andar (New Earth)
- Eradicator (New Earth)
- Lucifer Morningstar (New Earth)
- Rebis (New Earth)
- Delilah Tyler (New Earth)
- Kay Challis (New Earth)
- Richard Redditch (New Earth)
- Death (New Earth)
- Evan McCulloch (New Earth)
- Linda Park (New Earth)
- Lonnie Machin (New Earth)
- Harold Allnut (New Earth)
- Desire (New Earth)
- Mary Elizabeth Kane (New Earth)
- Mongul I (New Earth)
- Despair (New Earth)
- Tenzin Wyatt (New Earth)
- Stanley Kitch (New Earth)
- Silver Shield (New Earth)
- Alexander Burgess (New Earth)
- Tefé Holland (New Earth)
- Jack Drake (New Earth)
- Asteroth (New Earth)
- Stealth (New Earth)
- Maxima (New Earth)
- Jason Praxis (New Earth)
- Byth Rok (New Earth)
- Morris Burgess Brocklesby (New Earth)
- Barbie (New Earth)
- Deadline (New Earth)
- Katar Hol (New Earth)
- Shim'tar (New Earth)
- Mighty Bruce (New Earth)
- Gnarrk (New Earth)
- Mai Miyazaki (New Earth)
- John Henry Martin (New Earth)
- Cleric (New Earth)
- Gilda Gold (New Earth)
- Enya Wazzo (New Earth)
- Henry Hayes (New Earth)
- Anaïs Arcane (New Earth)
- Corinthian (New Earth)
- James Highwater (New Earth)
- Amadeus Arkham (New Earth)
- Michael Morice (New Earth)
- Geraldo Castillo (New Earth)
- Lurgo (New Earth)
Teams
Selected 1989 team debuts. See all.
