DC Challenge
Encyclopedia
DC Challenge was a 12-issue comic book
series produced by DC Comics
from November 1985
to October 1986
, as a round robin experiment in narrative
. The book's tagline
was "Can You Solve It Before We Do?"; reputedly, it was conceived during a rooftop party at a comic book convention.
The premise of DC Challenge was that each chapter would be written by a different author and illustrated by a different artist; no consultation between authors was permitted. As well, each chapter would end in a seemingly impossible cliffhanger
(from which that chapter's author had to have planned a viable escape), and the name of the next chapter would be provided. Authors were free to use any character or concept from DC's (then) 50 years of publication, with the exception of those whose appearances they were currently writing.
The last issue of DC Challenge was a collaborative effort by six of the twelve writers.
Dick Giordano
had been the series original editor but turned the job over to Robert Greenberger
before the first issue was published.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
series produced by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
from November 1985
1985 in comics
-Year overall:* More independent publishers enter the marketplace: Aircel Comics, Arrow Comics, Blackthorne Publishing, Dragon Lady Press, NOW Comics, Sirius Comics, Strawberry Jam Comics, and Wonder Comics all publish their first titles...
to October 1986
1986 in comics
-Year overall:* Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, a four-issue limited series written and drawn by Frank Miller and published by DC Comics, debuts...
, as a round robin experiment in narrative
Narrative
A narrative is a constructive format that describes a sequence of non-fictional or fictional events. The word derives from the Latin verb narrare, "to recount", and is related to the adjective gnarus, "knowing" or "skilled"...
. The book's tagline
Tagline
A tagline is a variant of a branding slogan typically used in marketing materials and advertising. The idea behind the concept is to create a memorable phrase that will sum up the tone and premise of a brand or product , or to reinforce the audience's memory of a product...
was "Can You Solve It Before We Do?"; reputedly, it was conceived during a rooftop party at a comic book convention.
The premise of DC Challenge was that each chapter would be written by a different author and illustrated by a different artist; no consultation between authors was permitted. As well, each chapter would end in a seemingly impossible cliffhanger
Cliffhanger
A cliffhanger or cliffhanger ending is a plot device in fiction which features a main character in a precarious or difficult dilemma, or confronted with a shocking revelation at the end of an episode of serialized fiction...
(from which that chapter's author had to have planned a viable escape), and the name of the next chapter would be provided. Authors were free to use any character or concept from DC's (then) 50 years of publication, with the exception of those whose appearances they were currently writing.
The last issue of DC Challenge was a collaborative effort by six of the twelve writers.
Dick Giordano
Dick Giordano
Richard Joseph "Dick" Giordano was an American comic book artist and editor best known for introducing Charlton Comics' "Action Heroes" stable of superheroes, and serving as executive editor of then–industry leader DC Comics...
had been the series original editor but turned the job over to Robert Greenberger
Robert Greenberger
Robert "Bob" Greenberger known for his work as an editor for Comics Scene, Starlog Press and Weekly World News, as well as holding executive positions at both Marvel Comics and DC Comics. He is also an elected office holder in his home of Fairfield, Connecticut.-Early life:Greenberger was born in...
before the first issue was published.
Authors who participated in the DC Challenge
- Mike W. BarrMike W. BarrMike W. Barr is an American writer of comic books, and mystery, and science fiction novels.-Biography:Barr's debut as a comics professional came in DC Comics' Detective Comics #444 , for which he wrote an 8-page back-up mystery feature starring the Elongated Man...
- Cary BatesCary BatesCary Bates is an American comic book, animation television and film writer.-Biography:Bates began submitting ideas for comic book covers to DC Comics at the age of 13, and a number of them were bought and published, the first as the cover to Superman #167...
- Gerry ConwayGerry ConwayGerard F. "Gerry" Conway is an American writer of comic books and television shows. He is known for co-creating the Marvel Comics vigilante The Punisher and scripting the death of the character Gwen Stacy during his long run on The Amazing Spider-Man...
- Mark EvanierMark EvanierMark Stephen Evanier is an American comic book and television writer, particularly known for his humor work. He is also known for his columns and blogs, and for his work as a historian and biographer of the comics industry, in particular his award-winning Jack Kirby biography, Kirby: King of...
- Paul KupperbergPaul KupperbergPaul Kupperberg is a former editor for DC Comics, and a prolific writer of comic books and newspaper strips.-Biography:Kupperberg entered the comics field from comics fandom, as had his brother, writer/artist Alan Kupperberg...
- Paul LevitzPaul LevitzPaul Levitz is an American comic book writer, editor and executive. The president of DC Comics from 2002–2009, he has worked for the company for over 35 years in a wide variety of roles...
- Elliot S! MagginElliot S! MagginElliot S. Maggin, also spelled Elliot S! Maggin , is an American writer of comic books, film, television and novels. He was a main writer for DC Comics during the Bronze and early Modern ages of comics in the 1970s and 1980s...
- Dan MishkinDan MishkinDan Mishkin is a comic book writer, and co-creator of the DC Comics characters Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld and Blue Devil. Both series used fantasy elements in ironic and often thought-provoking ways. DC gave these series a promotional push by featuring them in free, 16-page insert previews...
- Doug MoenchDoug MoenchDouglas Moench , better known as Doug Moench, is an American comic book writer notable for his Batman work and as the creator of Black Mask, Moon Knight and Deathlok.-Biography:...
- Roy ThomasRoy ThomasRoy William Thomas, Jr. is an American comic book writer and editor, and Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics. He is possibly best known for introducing the pulp magazine hero Conan the Barbarian to American comics, with a series that added to the storyline of Robert E...
with uncredited plotting assistance by Jean-Marc LofficierJean-Marc LofficierJean-Marc Lofficier is a French author of books about films and television programs, as well as numerous comic books and translations of a number of animation screenplays. He usually collaborates with his wife, Randy Lofficier .-Biography:Jean-Marc Lofficier was born in Toulon, France in 1954... - Len WeinLen WeinLen Wein is an American comic book writer and editor best known for co-creating DC Comics' Swamp Thing and Marvel Comics' Wolverine, and for helping revive the Marvel superhero team the X-Men...
- Marv WolfmanMarv WolfmanMarvin A. "Marv" Wolfman is an award-winning American comic book writer. He is best known for lengthy runs on The Tomb of Dracula, creating Blade for Marvel Comics, and The New Teen Titans for DC Comics.-1960s:...
The Issues
- Issue 1 - "Outbreak!" by Mark Evanier; art by Gene ColanGene ColanEugene Jules "Gene" Colan was an American comic book artist best known for his work for Marvel Comics, where his signature titles include the superhero series, Daredevil, the cult-hit satiric series Howard the Duck, and The Tomb of Dracula, considered one of comics' classic horror series...
& Bob SmithBob Smith (comics)Robert Allen Smith , better known as Bob Smith, is an American comic book artist, notable as an inker with DC Comics and Archie Comics.Born in Aberdeen, Washington, Smith grew up in Grayland, Washington...
(Nov. 1985) - Issue 2 - "Blinded By the Light" by Len Wein & Chuck PattonChuck PattonFrancis Chuck Patton is an African American comic book artist and animator. He is best known in comics circles for his work on DC Comics' Justice League of America in the 1980s, specifically for the period in which the team relocated to Detroit, Michigan, and was staffed with new, multicultural...
; inked by Mike DeCarloMike DeCarloMike DeCarlo is an American comic book artist.He has worked on such diverse titles as Batman, Cartoon Network Block Party, Crisis on Infinite Earths, Fantastic Four, Simpsons Comics, and adaptations of the Warner Brothers stable of cartoons .-External links:...
(Dec. 1985) - Issue 3 - "Viking Vengeance" by Doug Moench; art by Carmine InfantinoCarmine InfantinoCarmine Infantino Carmine Infantino Carmine Infantino (born May 24, 1925, in Brooklyn, New York is an American comic book artist and editor who was a major force in the Silver Age of Comic Books...
& Bob Smith (Jan. 1986) - Issue 4 - "Atomic Nights" by Paul Levitz; art by Gil KaneGil KaneEli Katz who worked under the name Gil Kane and in one instance Scott Edward, was a comic book artist whose career spanned the 1940s to 1990s and every major comics company and character.Kane co-created the modern-day versions of the superheroes Green Lantern and the Atom for DC Comics, and...
& Klaus JansonKlaus JansonKlaus Janson is a German-born American comic book artist, working regularly for Marvel Comics and DC Comics and sporadically for independent companies...
(Feb. 1986) - Issue 5 - "Thunderbolts and Lightning" by Mike W. Barr; art by Dave GibbonsDave GibbonsDave Gibbons is an English comic book artist, writer and sometime letterer. He is best known for his collaborations with writer Alan Moore, which include the miniseries Watchmen and the Superman story "For the Man Who Has Everything"...
& Mark FarmerMark FarmerMark Farmer is a British comic book artist. He is best known as an inker, often working with Alan Davis.-Biography:Farmer got his start in the UK comics industry before becoming part of the British Invasion, the wave of UK creators that were an integral part of the DC Comics "new look" of the...
(Mar. 1986) (NOTE: Official title for Issue 5 was to be "If There's a Hole in Reality, Is Life a Cosmic Donut?") - Issue 6 - "A Matter of Anti Matter" by Elliot S. Maggin & Dan JurgensDan JurgensDan Jurgens is an American comic book writer and artist. He is best known for creating the superhero Booster Gold, and for his lengthy runs on the Superman titles Adventures of Superman and Superman , particularly during The Death of Superman storyline...
; inked by Larry Mahlstedt (Apr. 1986) (and featuring Albert EinsteinAlbert EinsteinAlbert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
) - Issue 7 - "Don't Bogart That Grape . . . Hand Me the Gas Pump!" by Paul Kupperberg; art by Joe StatonJoe StatonJoe Staton is an American illustrator and writer of comic books.-Career:Staton started his work with Charlton Comics in 1971 and gained notability as the artist of the super-hero book E-Man...
& Steve Mitchell (May 1986) - Issue 8 - "If This Is Love, Why Do My Teeth Hurt?" by Gerry Conway; art by Rick HobergRick HobergRick Hoberg is an award-winning American comic book artist and animator.-Newspaper Strips:Hoberg began his career in the mid-1970s, working in newspaper strips, assisting Russ Manning on Tarzan and Star Wars , and Fred Kida on the daily Spider-Man strip .-Comic books:Between 1977 and 1979, Hoberg...
, Dick Giordano, & Arnie Starr(June 1986) - Issue 9 - "All This and World War, Too!" by Roy Thomas; art by Don HeckDon HeckDon Heck was an American comic book artist best known for co-creating the Marvel Comics character Iron Man, and for his long run penciling the Marvel superhero-team series The Avengers during the 1960s Silver Age of comic books.-Early life and career:Born in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New...
(July 1986) - Issue 10 - "Jules Verne Was Right!" by Dan Mishkin; art by Curt SwanCurt SwanDouglas Curtis Swan was an American comic book artist. The artist most associated with Superman during the period fans and historians call the Silver Age of comic books, Swan produced hundreds of covers and stories from the 1950s through the 1980s.-Early life and career:Curt Swan, whose Swedish...
& Terry AustinTerry Austin (comics)Terry Austin is an American comic book artist, working primarily as an inker. He is best known for his work embellishing John Byrne's pencils on The Uncanny X-Men from 1977–1981.-Early life and career:...
(Aug. 1986) - Issue 11 - "How Can You Be In Two Places At Once When You're Not Anywhere At All?" by Marv Wolfman & Cary Bates; art by Keith GiffenKeith GiffenKeith Ian Giffen is an American comic book illustrator and writer.-Biography:Giffen was born in Queens, New York City....
& Dave Hunt (Sept. 1986) - Issue 12 - "Prologue" by Mark Evanier; art by Dan SpiegleDan SpiegleDan Spiegle is an American comic book and cartoon artist and illustrator . He has had a long career in drawing comics based on movie and television characters, and has worked for companies including Dell Comics, DC Comics and Marvel Comics.-Life and career:In his second year of high school,...
* "Phase 12.1: Fathers Against Suns" by Mark Evanier; art by Denys CowanDenys CowanDenys B. Cowan is an American comic book artist and television producer. He gained prominence as the primary artist on The Question, an acclaimed comic book series published by DC Comics for 36 issues from 1987 on, written by Dennis O'Neil.-Career:Denys Cowan is a 1979 graduate of the High School...
& Rodin Rodriguez * "Phase 12.2" by Dan Mishkin; art by Luke McDonnell & Rick Magyar * "Phase 12.3" by Roy Thomas; art by Stan WochStan WochStan Woch is an American artist who has worked in the comics industry. His early career includes work as an assistant to Gray Morrow on the Barbara Cartland Romances and Buck Rogers comic strips...
& Jan DuursemaJan DuursemaJan Duursema is an American comic book artist known for her work on the Star Wars comics franchise. She was the creator of Denin and Vila from Naldar, the Twi'lek Jedi Aayla Secura and the Kiffar Jedi Quinlan Vos....
* "Phase 12.4" by Gerry Conway; art by Steve LightleSteve LightleSteve Lightle is an American comic book artist, working primarily as a penciller.-Biography:Lightle was interested in comic book art at a young age....
& Gary Martin * "Phase 12.5" by Len Wein; art by Ross AndruRoss AndruRoss Andru was an American comic book artist and editor. He is best known for his work on Amazing Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Flash and Metal Men....
& Frank McLaughlin * "Phase 12.6 Final Phase" by Mark Evanier & Marv Wolfman; art by Tom Mandrake (Oct. 1986)