The United States Postal Service and DC Comics, the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and the home of Superman and Batman, have announced that in 2006 the Postal Service will be issuing the first ever stamp pane (20 stamps) to honor comic book super heroes.

The “DC Comics Super Heroes” commemorative stamps will feature ten classic comic book characters: Aquaman, Batman, The Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Plastic Man, Supergirl, Superman and Wonder Woman. While half of the pane of 20 will be character portraits, the other half will show classic comic book covers.

“DC Comics is thrilled to have our characters appear on the first ever commemorative stamp pane devoted to superheroes,” said DC Comics President & Publisher Paul Levitz. “These stamps acknowledge the unique role of the DC heroes in American culture, and proudly present the art of three generations of great comics creators from pioneers like Bob Kane and Jack Kirby to current star talent Jim Lee and George Pérez.”

“Placing comic book characters on postage stamps is a natural for attracting comic book readers and collectors into the exciting world of stamp collecting,” said U.S. Postal Service Executive Director of Stamps Services David Failor. “Immortalizing these superheroes on postage stamps clearly positions them as American cultural icons.”

DC Covers:

Plastic Man #4 Summer 1946
Art by Jack Cole
Cartoonist Jack Cole flexed his creative muscles with the always
pliable, ever-reliable Plastic Man, who debuted in August 1941.
Cole enjoyed a 15-year stretch experimenting with fun, unique
story twists and graphics for his expandable protagonist and
stout sidekick, Woozy Winks.

Batman #1 Spring 1940
Art by Bob Kane
Batman made his debut in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939 before
swinging into action — with Robin, the Boy Wonder, by his
side — with his own title series in the spring of 1940.
The Dark Knight’s distinguishing characteristics were intellect,
skill and grim determination.

The Brave And The Bold #36 June/July 1961
Art by Joe Kubert
Hawkman returned in 1960, a reincarnated hero from the earlier
“Golden Age” of comics. The new Winged Wonder and
his spouse Hawkgirl were intergalactic police officers from
a distant planet, meting out justice to the villains terrorizing
Midway City. (Editor’s note: The Golden Age of Comics took place
from the late 1930s to the early 1950s.)

Green Lantern #4 Jan./Feb. 1961
Art by Gil Kane & Joe Giella
As readers entered the Space Age, so did comics. Ace test pilot
Hal Jordan took flight as Green Lantern, a galactic peace officer
with an emerald power ring that could create virtually anything.
Willpower and fearlessness marked Jordan as a hero for the times.

The Flash #111 Feb./Mar. 1960
Art by Carmine Infantino & Joe Giella
The Flash is capable of moving at speeds so great he can make
himself invisible or travel through time and between dimensions.
His fast-paced adventures highlight pseudo-science while pitting
the hero aga inst an extensive “Rogues’ Gallery” of
villains.

Wonder Woman #22 (2nd series) Nov. 1988
Art by George Pérez
As a worldwide ambassador of peace, Wonder Woman soared to new
heights in the late 1980s. The character returned to her roots
as an Amazon warrior from Paradise Island, land of heroic women.
Her special powers were gifts from the Olympians.

Aquaman #5 (of 5) Oct. 1989
Art by Curt Swan & Al Vey
Aquaman defends both land and sea with great strength, speed,
and the ability to communicate telepathically with all marine
life. His ultimate goal is to help both realms put aside their
natural prejudices and unite in peaceful coexistence.

The Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #1 Nov. 1982
Art by Rich Buckler & Dick Giordano
Moments before the destruction of Argo City, Kara Zor-El was
rocketed to Earth and reunited with her cousin Kal-El, the hero
known throughout the galaxy as Superman. Developing incredible
powers and abilities, Kara chose to follow her cousin’s example
and fight for good.

Superman #11 July/Aug. 1941
Art by Fred Ray
Destiny brought the infant Kal-El from Planet Krypton to Smallville,
USA, where he was raised by kindly farmers. Though gifted with
extraordinary powers, Kal-El — now Clark Kent — expresses
true strength in the compassion and moral responsibility he
displays in the guise of Superman.

Green Arrow #15 Sept. 2002
Art by Matt Wagner
Trapped on a deserted island, billionaire playboy Oliver Queen
learned to hunt with a bow and arrow. He escaped and became
Green Arrow, a modern-day Robin Hood who uses his unparalleled
skill as an archer on behalf of the underprivileged.

Character Shots

Batman
Art by Jim Lee & Scott Williams
After the brutal murder of his parents, young Bruce Wayne mastered
nearly every known form of combat and employed his vast wealth
to equip himself with the tools essential to his crime-fighting
crusade as Gotham City’s Dark Knight, Batman.

Wonder Woman
Art by Ross Andru & Mike Esposito
Wonder Woman has been an iconic inspiration for countless women
since her debut in All Star Comics #8 in December 1941. The
most recognizable female character in comics, created by William
Moulton Marston, remains a figure of strength, beauty and courage.

Plastic Man
Art by Dick Giordano
Eel O’Brian was a small-time gangster before an accident at
a chemical plant gave him the uncanny ability to stretch and
alter his shape at will. Renouncing his criminal past, O’Brian
became Plastic Man, the longest arm of the law.

Superman
Art by Curt Swan & Sheldon Moldoff
Ever since his debut in the pages of Action Comics #1 (June
1938), the Superman character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe
Shuster has been an icon. The big red “S” on his shirt
is among the most recognized symbols in American pop culture.

Green Lantern
Art by Neal Adams
In 1970, writer Dennis O’Neil and artist Neal Adams launched
a new era of relevance in comics, crafting stories in which
the Green Lantern-accompanied by his friend, Green Arrow-addressed
important issues then considered taboo for the typical “comic
book.”

The Flash
Art by Carmine Infantino & Murphy Anderson
An explosive mixture of lightning and laboratory chemicals endowed
police scientist Barry Allen with superhuman speed, transforming
him into the “Silver Age” Flash, the Fastest Man Alive.
The Scarlet Speedster was first set into motion in Showcase
#4 (September/October 1956). (Editor’s note: the Silver Age
of Comics, from the mid-1950s to the early 1970s, reflected
a period of artistic advancement and commercial success in mainstream
comic books.)

Aquaman
Art by Jim Aparo
The memories of Aquaman’s personal tragedies run deep after
he loses his son, his wife, and his monarchy. Nevertheless,
the former King of the Seven Seas remains determined to protect
both the Atlanteans and surface dwellers from those who endanger
them.

Hawkman
Art by Murphy Anderson
Powered by the mysterious “Nth metal” in his artificial
wings, Hawkman soars through the sky above Midway City. When
grounding the city’s worst predators, the Winged Wonder relies
on his mastery of Earth’s ancient weapons, among them his mace
and shield.

Supergirl
Art by Curt Swan & Stan Kaye
An impressionable teenager when she first arrived on Earth,
Supergirl operated as her cousin Superman’s “secret weapon”
while adjusting to life on her new planet. Eventually, her existence
was revealed to the world, which welcomed the Girl of Steel
with open arms.

Green Arrow
Art by Jack Kirby & Mike Royer
Green Arrow made his debut in More Fun Comics #73 (November
1941). Since then, the Emerald Archer’s most notable escapades
were in stories drawn by legendary comics creator Jack Kirby
in Adventure Comics #250-256 and World’s Finest Comics #96-99
(spanning 1958-1959).

For information on other U.S. Commemorative postage stamps visit:

https://www.usps.com/communications/news/features/stamps/2005/sr05_054.htm

Since 1775, the Postal Service has connected friends, families,
neighbors and businesses by mail. It is an independent federal
agency that visits 142 million homes and businesses every day
and is the only service provider delivering to every address
in the nation. The Postal Service receives no taxpayer dollars
for routine operations, but derives its operating revenues solely
from the sale of postage, products and services. With annual
revenues of more than $69 billion, it is the world’s leading
provider of mailing and delivery services, offering some of
the most affordable postage rates in the world. The Postal Service
delivers more than 46 percent of the world’s mail volume-some
206 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages
a year-and serves seven million customers each day at its 37,000
retail locations nationwide.

For more details visit the DC Comics web site.

Visit the WCN Batman information pages.