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.
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
- Roland Patenaude
- 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)
- Barbie (New Earth)
- Morris Burgess Brocklesby (New Earth)
- Deadline (New Earth)
- Katar Hol (New Earth)
- Shim'tar (New Earth)
- Mighty Bruce (New Earth)
- Gnarrk (New Earth)
- Henry Hayes (New Earth)
- Corinthian (New Earth)
- Mai Miyazaki (New Earth)
- John Henry Martin (New Earth)
- Cleric (New Earth)
- Gilda Gold (New Earth)
- Enya Wazzo (New Earth)
- Anaïs Arcane (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.
