If you are a comic book geek, then you are most likely a fan of the DC Universe as well. But have you ever felt curious about – “what does DC Comics stand for?”
The Universe with iconic heroes like Batman and Superman, Wonder Woman, and The Flash is probably something many people associate with fond childhood memories.
So finding a fan of these superhero comics and movies is no hard task. But how many of the fans and enthusiasts know the answer to the question – what does DC comics stand for and what does the name means?
Well, with this guide you are going to find a ton of fascinating facts on this vast universe of superheroes along with the mystery behind – what does DC comics stand for?
1. What Does DC Comics Stand For? 5 Super Interesting Facts!
Have you played games pretending to be Superman in a blue costume and a red cape flying over the city? Was watching The Batman Cartoons or collecting all the editions of Wonder Woman comics an important part of your childhood? Have you watched all the movies and know the iconic dialogues by heart?
Image by Denise Husted from Pixabay Copyright 2017
If you are nodding along as the answers to those questions, then you are undoubtedly a huge fan of the DC Universe.
This takes you back to the beginning – what does DC comics stand for and how it got the name? Well, if you are a super fan then you probably know the answer already. But if this is something new to you, and you are excited to find out more about your beloved characters, keep reading to find out some of the most fascinating facts about DC Comics.
1.1) The Origin Story: The Creator of DC
Every legendary superhero comes with its very own unique and amazing origin story. And the world of DC is certainly a world of superheroes. So it probably doesn’t come as a surprise that DC Comics has its own special origin story.
So get ready to have a ride on the time machine and go back to 1934. DC Comics was first created in 1934 by Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson, after his release from the military.
Initially made as National Allied Publications, the firm initiated the notion of a comic featuring completely original and authentic matter. Before this, comic books sold in serials or sequences reprinted former pieces of strips and materials from the newspaper.
Its first record was New Fun: The Big Comic Magazine and it was published in the February of 1935 as a ten-inch by fifteen-inch compilation that had little to no similarity to the modern editions that are being published today.
This original and distinguished New Fun ended up being a launching zone for upcoming talents. Among such examples, you will find the most distinct and popular names of the Superman creators – Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
In 1935 they expanded the firm when the company published yet another book of Adventure Comics, which eventually went on till 1983. But in the end, it was Major Nicholson’s final title printed with National Allied Publications that paved the glorious future of the company and made it one of the greatest aspects of today’s entertainment industry.
1.2) What Does DC Comics Stand For?
So now that you know all about the history and origin story of the organization, it is finally the time to reveal the answer to the big question – what does DC Comics stand for?
The ‘D’ in DC stands for ‘Detective’ while the ‘C’ is for ‘Comics’ – which makes DC Comics an abbreviation for Detective Comics Comics.
In the year 1937, National Comics Publications printed Detective Comics #1 which is considered to be its introductory hard-boiled crime collection. During the period, Major Wheeler-Nicholson was in huge debt with his publishing organization; the owner, Harry Donefeld had a stroke of brilliance. The pair collaborated and forged a partnership named Detective Comics Inc. and printed the first edition.
In the end, the Major sold his stake in the firm to his partner – though if it was due to debt or some scheme for takeover is still a mystery today.
After becoming the notable birthplace of Batman, the fame of Detective Comics’ reached lofty heights, the anthology was colloquially popular as DC Comics, though National Comics did not officially change it to DC Comics before 1977.
Image by FotoTapeteSarajevo from Pixabay Copyright 2021
Essentially, this tells that DC Comics’ actual name is ‘Detective Comics Comics’, even though it sounds pretty bizarre.
1.3) Why the Name of DC Comics is Super Weird
Have you ever heard of the ironic concept of RAS? RAS stands for Redundant Acronym Syndrome which makes RAS Syndrome – Redundant Acronym Syndrome Syndrome.
Similar to the name of ATM Machine, and PIN Number, DC Comics is also a prominent example of RAS Syndrome.
And though it may sound completely bizarre, there is sort of a logic behind the brand’s name.
DC has become the official name of the entertainment firm, so when one speaks about the comics of the said company it becomes DC Comics. So it is – Detective Comics / DC (As the Brand) and DC Comics (As the Product).
The whole company is referred to as DC Entertainment, and when one specifically addresses the comics it becomes DC Comics.
So as you can see, the second or extra ‘Comics’ in DC Comics is not technically redundant but just still undoubtedly strange when you think about it. But it’s a universe where a flying alien dresses up in a bright blue costume with a red cape and a man dresses up like a bat to fight crime. So, the name of DC Comics, though strange, is probably the least weird thing about it.
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1.4) The Current Owner of DC Comics
The present ownership of DC is a pretty interesting story. National Comics was bought by Kinney National Company in 1969 and it had the rights till 1972.
In that year, Kinney National was compelled to divide its entertainment and non-entertainment sections due to a disgraceful scandal about price fixing in their parking garage industry.
Later, The Kinney National Company’s entertainment properties were taken under the ownership of a different company – Warner Communications Inc.
After that, in 1990, Warner Communications and Time, Inc. combined to form a single large media corporation. Even though this union was declared openly in 1987, it was nearly 3 years before the contract could be settled. Ultimately, Time Warner was bought by AT&T in 2016, and the superheroes of the Justice League found a home in one of the earth’s biggest telecom firms.
1.5) A Glimpse into the Vast World of DC Entertainment
Now you know all about the fascinating history of this entertainment industry along with the answer to – what does DC Comics stand for?
But what is the world of Detective Comics about and why does it have such a strong and diehard fanbase? Well, there is no single or simple answer to this question.
Like the fans of the Marvel Universe with Captain America and Iron Man, the world of DC is also filled with legendary superheroes and iconic characters.
It is the world of Superman and Batman, Wonder Woman and Catwoman, and The Flash and Arrow. Then you have the complex, terrifying yet fun villains such as The Joker, The Scarecrow, Lex Luther, and the members of the Suicide Squad.
There are the much-loved and praised The Dark Knight Trilogy by Christopher Nolan, the popular TV series like The Flash and Arrow, and the current loved but much-criticized DC Movies that started with Man of Steel in 2013 and the legend goes on.
Today, there are still millions of readers eagerly waiting for their next edition of comics, fans wait in long lines to catch the first show of any upcoming DC movie, and there is a vast worldwide sale of the merchandise of the DC Universe.
In short, the world of DC comics is vast and wonderful. If you want to have a truly delightful experience filled with thrills, actions, romance, and suspense, this is just the fandom for you to join.
2. FAQs on What Does DC Comics Stand For?
Still, have more questions about the vast and super world of Detective Comics? Well, keep reading to find out the answers to the most frequently asked questions related to “what does DC Comics stand for?” and find out the mystery behind the blue and white logo.
2.1) What Does DC Comics Stand for?
Though it may sound extremely weird, the blue and white logo with the letters D and C stands for Detective Comics which makes DC Comics – Detective Comics Comics.
Way before the success of Detective Comics’ reached grand heights, the brand was colloquially famous as DC Comics, even though National Comics did not officially alter it to DC Comics before the year 1977.
So as you can see, this simply means that DC Comics’ actual name is ‘Detective Comics Comics’, no matter how weird it may sound.
2.2) Which are the most popular characters and superheroes in DC Comics?
The world of DC is full of wonderful, unique, and brilliant characters and superheroes. Is there anyone who has not heard of the iconic names of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman?
Many of your childhood memories are surely filled with stories from comics featuring Clark Kent and his life as a journalist and a superhero, Bruce Wayne riding the Batmobile, or Diana Prince single-handedly defeating the bad guys.
And other than these popular superheroes, you also have many more – The Flash, Cyborg, Aquaman, Blue Beetle, Arrow, and Catwoman just to name a few.
And now from mere newspaper strips to blockbuster movies in collaboration with Warner Bros, DC has come a long way.
2.3) Who Created DC Comics?
So who is the creator of a world so vast, so amazing?
The organization of DC Comics was first developed in 1934 by Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson shortly following his discharge from the army.
At first, it was originally formulated as National Allied Publications, and the company launched the idea of a comic with a fully new and original substance. Previously, comic books were released in a sequence reprinted with old stories and strips from the newspapers.
Its early document was New Fun: The Big Comic Magazine and it was released in the February of 1935 as a ten-inch by fifteen-inch collection that had little to no likeness to the contemporary versions that are being printed today.
This unique and extraordinary New Fun ended up being a launching site for new and rare talents. Among such instances, you will find the prominent and popular names of the fathers of Superman – Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
In 1935 they widened the firm with yet another edition of Adventure Comics, which eventually went on till 1983. But in the end, it was Major Nicholson’s ultimate title released with National Allied Publications that formed and constructed the road to the very impressive future of the corporation and made it one of the most incredible parts of today’s entertainment business.
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Epilogue: Closing The Chapter
So there you go – now you know all about one of the greatest entertainment companies in the whole world along with the answer to what does DC Comics stand for? Detective Comics Entertainment is a vast and fantastic world filled with unique characters, incredible superheroes, spectacular action, and wonderful stories.
Source: Depositphotos
Almost everyone’s childhood memories are filled with the stories of superheroes – be it in the form of comics, graphic novels, stories, movies, TV shows, or cartoons. A huge population of adults is a fan of this world as well. Just visit a movie hall during any new superhero movie and you will see the proof.
But even though there are comic book nerds and superhero geeks all around the world, how many of them know everything about the wonderful universe of DC? Well, if you already knew all these then, Congratulations! You are a true DC fan. If you didn’t, then now you are a true comic geek as well. With such a profound knowledge of the history of DC Entertainment, and the answer to “what does DC Comics stand for?”, now you are a kind of superhero yourself – one with unlimited knowledge about the DC Universe.
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