DC Chronology Section 4

IV. T h e S i l v e r A g e o f H e r o e s

Section Introduction | Years 0-2 | Years 3-5 | Years 6-8 | Years 9-11

	History	Notes and References
	1982	(…“Year Zero,” continued…)
	[Sep] At the 250th anniversary of Metropolis’ founding, Clark Kent rescues the crashing space-plane Constitution. His powers revealed, Clark seeks advice from his adoptive parents… and makes his public debut as Superman, heralding the beginning of a new Heroic Age.	ZH* <10.94> [“Ten Years Ago”]; Man of Steel mini-series #1 <10.86>, and many other sources. (Scenes from Birthright #3 <11.03> are of provisional canonicity only, as they do not match many other known details.) Clark is 23 at this time. The month is derived from the statement that Superman preceded Batman by about eight months [see 1983/Yr1], from the known events of Clark’s post-college summer [see 1982], and by the reasoning set forth in the Introduction. Here we encounter the main, fundamental difference between this timeline and the version in ZH: Superman’s debut precedes the Crisis by roughly 11 years, rather than merely six. Thus, it accommodates other characters and events which cannot logically be compressed into less time, as detailed at length below.
	Bruno “Ugly” Mannheim, son of Metropolis’ legendary Boss Moxie, revives Intergang, with the aid of Apokoliptian technology—but is defeated by Superman. Meanwhile, Star City cop Maggie Sawyer relocates to Metropolis, and is appointed to head the newly formed Special Crimes Unit.	Adventures of Superman Annual #7 <1995>—set within a week of Superman’s debut. Superman battles Kalibak in this story, but is not aware of the New God’s origins.
	Clark Kent is hired at the Daily Planet, scooping Lois Lane on an interview with Superman after she has spent days seeking one.¹ (Clark’s job interview is interrupted when unmanned security copters attack Metropolis in an act of industrial sabotage by Lex Luthor.)²	¹MoS #2 <10.86>, Adv. Supes Annual #7. Note that Superman #79 <7.93> shows a date of Oct 6 for Clark’s first byline (the “interview” with Superman). ²Birthright #4-5 <12.03-1.04>. The space-plane rescue is said to be “a few weeks back.” Provisional canonicity only; this tale could be from an aberrant hypertimeline, and at the very least many details cannot be taken at face value. If valid, we must assume Luthor delayed his departure for South America (as mentioned in MoS #2) by a few days. This would then be Superman’s first meeting with Luthor, but not Clark’s.
	Oliver Queen (see 1981), restless since his return to civilization, takes action to stop a robber at a costume party, and becomes the adventurer dubbed Green Arrow. He soon receives greater public attention when he prevents the assassination of a prominent politician.	ZH* [“11 Years Ago”]; Secret Origins #38 <3.89>, Green Arrow: The Wonder Year #1-4 <2-5.93>. As noted earlier, as a compromise with ZH’s inexplicable dating, I have left the core of Ollie’s origin pre-Superman—but placed his costumed debut here, slightly after.
	Superman spends a lonely first Christmas in Metropolis.	DCU Holiday Bash #1 <97>
	1983	“Year One”
	[Jan 4] Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham City, 12 years after his departure. Around the same time, tarnished cop James Gordon arrives from Chicago.	Batman (“Year One”) #404 <2.87>, which states that Bruce is 25 at this point. It has been 18 years, he notes, since his parents’ murder.
	[Jan] Superman meets Dr. Occult (see 1935), confronts the Cult of Thahn, and discovers his vulnerability to magic.	Superman Annual #7 <95>—set four months after Clark was hired at the Planet.
	Superman makes his first trip into outer space, encountering the alien H’Tros.	Action Annual #7 <95>
	Superman first confronts professor Thaddeus Killgrave.	Superman Villains SF #1 <6.98>. Details unknown; (orig. 1st app. World of Krypton #3 <3.88>).
	Dinah Drake Lance emerges briefly from retirement as Black Canary to chase down a serial killer in Gotham.	Birds of Prey #66 <6.04>. Although the art suggests an earlier decade, the opening scenes (with Lt. Gordon and Alfredo Bertinelli) clearly place the story early in this year. (Larry and Dinah’s talk of a prospective pregnancy thus cannot be about Dinah Jr., who is in college by this point, but only about a possible sibling.)
	[Mar 11] After a winter of planning and a false start at crimefighting, Bruce Wayne finds inspiration from an errant bat breaking through his window.	Batman (Year One) #404
	[Apr] Franco and Maria Bertinelli (see 1970), and all their relatives, are slain in the “Palm Sunday Massacre,” leaving alive only their eight-year-old daughter, Helena. The Galantes replace the Bertinellis atop Gotham’s “Five Families,” and the Panessas join the alliance. Helena is sent to live in Sicily for her own protection.	Batman/Huntress: Cry for Blood #1, #3 <6, 8.00>. Exact date uncertain; this is the latest possible placement (keeping Helena as young as possible) that avoids contradicting other known information (but unavoidably a bit more than “roughly 15 years ago” ; however, it is accurately “20 years or so ago” per Batman: Family #4 <1.03>.) This represents the Huntress’ post-ZH origin (post-Crisis, her family (including parents Guido and Carmela) was slain when she was college age [see Huntress #1-19 <4.89-8.90>]). We must surmise that the resulting power shakeup allowed other families to wrest control of Gotham’s underworld for a time; e.g., the Falcones and the Maronis, as well as lesser figures like Boss Zucco, among others [per Batman: Long Halloween #3 <2.97>, and many other sources; see 1983-’84/Yr1-2]. (Note that Falcone is not seen in “Batman: Year One” until May 19.)
	[Apr 9] Bruce Wayne first dons cape and cowl to strike fear into the hearts of criminals—and the Batman makes his debut.	ZH; Batman (Year One)* #405 <3.87>. Bruce is 26 at this time. His debut, like Superman’s, is necessarily moved back several years relative to ZH to accommodate other events—notably the histories of Barbara Gordon, Dick Grayson, Wally West, the Teen Titans, and the Justice League of America, as discussed in the Introduction.
	[Apr 14] When four people die while Bruce Wayne is on a date, Bruce realizes he can’t balance a personal life with his fight for justice—and commits himself fully to life as the Batman.	Batman Chronicles #19 <Win.00>
	[Apr 23] Granted super-speed by lighting-struck chemicals, Central City police scientist Barry Allen becomes the second Flash, the fastest man alive. He soon battles the Turtle-Man.	ZH; Life Story of the Flash* GN <97> [provides date]; (originally Showcase #4 <9-10.56>). Barry thus retains his traditional position as the first “second generation” hero of the Silver Age. Barry is 24 at this time [Secret Origins Annual #2 <88>]. From this point, I have “redistributed” events over the next nine years or so, vs. five years in the ZH Timeline, to allow most events to unfold in a closer approximation of their original published sequence—per the framework discussed in the Introduction—and to avoid incongruities and inconsistencies with numerous other known post-Crisis historical events.
	Small-time Gotham arsonist Matches Malone fakes his own death and skips town, and the Batman—having trouble establishing a credible underworld alias of his own—assumes Malone’s identity for future use.	Batman #589 <5.01>, in a flashback (set ambiguously early in Batman’s career) from Malone’s present-day return and real death. It must precede the Clayface origin story below, however, as Bruce uses the Malone identity in that tale.
	[Early May] Treasure-hunter Matt Hagen mutates into the shapeshifting criminal Clayface, posing the first real challenge to the Batman's confidence.	SO #44 <9.89>, LODK #89-90 <12.96-1.97>, BVSF #1; (1st app. ’Tec #298 <12.61>). BVSF’s timeline puts this in “Year 4”—impossible, given Hagen’s earlier appearance in 1984/Yr2 [JLA:Y1 #2, below]. The LODK story sets it here, only “three weeks into my mission,” according to Bruce. (Thus Hagen, traditionally known as Clayface II based on publishing order, now stands as the first; Basil “Clayface I” Karlo [see 1985/Yr3] becomes the second, although he still has a prior claim on the nickname from his acting days.)
	[May] Superman first encounters Batman, and they work together uneasily to capture the villain Magpie.	MoS #3 <11.86> [described as “eight months” after Superman’s debut], Superman: The Man of Steel Annual #4 <95>.
	When dying Green Lantern Abin Sur (see 1873, 1882, 1942, 1980) crashes on Earth, he wills his ring to search the planet for a fearless successor. The ring evaluates many candidates, then chooses the nearest one… and test pilot Hal Jordan becomes Green Lantern of space sector 2814.	ZH; SO #36 <1.89>, Action Comics Weekly* #642 <3.89>, GL: Emerald Dawn #1 <12.89>; (orig. ShC #22 <9-10.59>). The timing of GL’s debut vs. other heroes’, as laid out in SO #32 <11.88> and S:MOS Annual #4, supersedes that in SO #7 <10.86> and GL Corps #209 <1.87> (which had placed his debut just after the other JLAers first met, as in pre-Crisis history).
	Hal is summoned to Oa for training by fellow GL Kilowog; he meets the Guardians of the Universe and the rest of the Corps, and helps defeat the creature known as Legion.	GL:ED #2-6 <1-5.90>
	Back on Earth with a new sense of responsibility, Hal voluntarily submits to a 90-day prison sentence for drunk driving. His social worker is one Guy Gardner (see 1980, ’87/Yr5). Meanwhile, covertly, Hal continues GL training under Sinestro of Korugar. When that planet throws off Sinestro’s tyrannical rule, he unsuccessfully seeks refuge with Hal, but is captured by the Guardians and exiled to the anti-matter universe of Qward.	GL:ED #6, GL:ED II #1-6 <6-11.91>. Hal serves out the remainder of his 90 days uneventfully. Sinestro later returns, naturally, armed with a yellow power ring: GL v3 #100 <7.98> (orig. GL v2 #7 <7-8.61>).
	[June 6-7] The Batman is covertly working with assistant DA Harvey Dent by this point, but still hunted by the authorities. He narrowly escapes a police ambush in an abandoned building.	Batman (Year One) #405-6 <3-4.87>. We may speculate that many people believe him to have died in this firebombing incident, perhaps contributing to his status as an “urban legend” in later years.
	When arsonists target Alan Scott’s Gotham Broadcasting studios in retaliation for an exposé on crimelord “Roman” Falcone, Scott (the original Green Lantern) meets the Batman.	Batman: Gotham Knights #10 <12.00>. Date imprecise, but clearly early, well before the JLA announces itself in Gotham [see 1984/Yr2]. This may well stand as the first “canonical” meeting of Golden Age and modern heroes.
	Anton Arcane (see 1917, 1945) attempts to take possession of Swamp Thing’s body. Swamp Thing and federal agent Matt Cable first meet Arcane’s niece, Abigail, and his undead brother, the Patchwork Man.	Swamp Thing SF #1 <11.00> (“19 years ago,” or one year after his debut); (orig. Swamp Thing v1 #2-3 <12-1 & 2-3.73>). Date approximate.
	[Aug 7] Inspired by the Batman, loner Selina Kyle takes to the streets in costume as the Catwoman.	ZH; Batman (Year One)* #407 <5.87>, Catwoman #0 <10.94>, Catwoman Annual #2 <95> [establishes Selina is 19 at this time], and other sources.
	[Aug] Dinah Laurel Lance, trained by Ted (Wildcat) Grant, steps into her mother’s boots as the Black Canary.	ZH; S:MOS Annual* #4. Dinah is 19 at this time [BC/Oracle: Birds of Prey #1 <3.96> text page], and has recently ended a bad college-freshman marriage [BoP: Wolves <10.97>].
	[Aug] In quick succession Superman meets Hal (GL) Jordan (stopping a satellite crash), and Barry (Flash) Allen (battling the Weather Wizard).	S:MOS Annual #4; the month [same as for the Black Canary note directly above] is given in the story. (Weather Wizard’s original 1st app.: Flash v1 #110 <12-1.60>; origin: [SO #41 <6.89>].)
	Arthur (Orin) Curry meets the Flash, in battle against the Trickster, and debuts as Aquaman.	ZH; Aquaman: Time & Tide* #1 <12.93>. The story establishes that Green Lantern is already publicly known. (Trickster’s original 1st app.: Flash v1 #113 <7.60>; origin: [SO #41].)
	In the small southeast Asian country of Minglia, Hal Jordan—testing Ferris Aircraft fighters for the government—first meets Oliver Queen, investigating rebel thefts of Queen Industries munitions. Ollie is injured, and rescued by the rebels.	Legends of the DC Universe #7 <8.98>. The first page establishes that the story begins in the summer—and it must be after Hal’s 90-day jail term, so this helps us establish his springtime debut [above] as well. Note also that Ollie is living in his penthouse as the story begins.
	[Sep] Batman confronts the anonymous criminal the Red Hood at Gotham’s Ace Chemical Plant.	Batman SF #1 <10.97>, Batman Villains SF #1 <10.98>, and especially Man Who Laughs GN <4.05> confirm the Joker’s origin and previous history as the small-time crook the Red Hood, as alluded to in Batman: The Killing Joke GN <88> (orig. ’Tec #168 <2.51>). MWL sets this “three months” before the Joker’s debut [below]. Batman #614 <6.03> states that Batman has known him “longer than any other criminal” (…currently active, one must assume).
	Edward Nigma, preparing for his own criminal career (below), inadvertantly witnesses the murder of a woman he soon learns was the Red Hood’s wife.	Gotham Knights #54 <8.04>. Captioned as “twelve years earlier,” but clearly that’s an editorial-timeline-influenced term meaning only “during year one.”
	[Autumn] Superman meets Aquaman, battling Poseidon. Soon after, in Denver, he encounters J’onn J’onzz, the Martian Manhunter.	Aquaman Annual #1 <95>, S:MOS Annual #4. The latter of these meetings inspires J’onn to stop operating in secret. Note that Trickster is already in jail at this point, and that the Flash sent Superman to meet Aquaman; also that the sequence of chapters in the Aquaman Annual cannot be accurate, as Mera and Garth didn’t enter his life until later. Note further that the version of J’onn and Superman’s first costumed meeting shown at the end of Martian Manhunter #20 <7.00> must be apocryphal, as Clark did not yet know of his Kryptonian heritage at this point.
	Archaeology professor Dan Garrett recovers the ancient scarab amulet of Pharaoh Kha-Ef-Re (see 2578 BCE), and becomes the first Blue Beetle.	ZH; SO #2 <5.86>; (orig. Blue Beetle* v2 #1 <6.64>). The post-Crisis story in Infinity, Inc. #43 <10.87> places the Beetle in the ’60s, but this change makes sense, especially considering the connection between his origin and the young Ted Kord [see 1982].
	Adam Strange first teleports to Rann.	ZH; SO #17 <8.87>; (ShC* #17 <11-12.58>). (“May 6” on the 1976 Super DC Calendar, but that date may well be apocryphal now.)
	Dr. Bruce Gordon, injured by a black diamond, becomes unwilling host to Eclipso, the God of Vengeance.	ZH; (1st app. House of Secrets* #61 <7-8.63>). This occurred later in both the ZH Timeline and the publishing sequence, but must be moved up to accommodate Eclipso’s presence in JLA:Y1 # 2 <2.98> [see 1984/Yr2].
	[Oct 12] Gotham police lieutenant James Gordon becomes a father when his wife Barbara gives birth to James Jr.	Batman (Year One) #407
	[Nov 2] Catwoman first encounters the Batman, in a raid on the home of crimelord “Roman” Falcone.	Batman (Year One) #407
	[Nov 3] Gangsters kidnap Jim Gordon’s son, seeking to intimidate him; Batman (sans mask) rescues the infant, earning Gordon’s trust.	Batman (Year One) #407
	Bruce Wayne begins to excavate the Batcave and design the Batmobile, perfecting his future modus operandi… and also first encounters the freakish psychiatrist Dr. Hugo Strange, who unearths his dual identity.	Legends of the Dark Knight #11-15 <9.90-2.91>, “Prey”; BVSF #1; also Detective #0 <10.94>, re: cave; (Hugo Strange orig. 1st app. Detective #36 <2.40>). The Bat-signal also makes its debut in this story, in #12… but this may be superseded by its debut at the end of MWL [below].
	Celia Kazantkakis (see 1952) takes her revenge for the murder of her lover Enzo Rosetti, then begins a life of sinister Machiavellian machinations.	B:Family #8 <2.03>, roughly “six months” [B:Family #7 <2.03>] after the Bertinelli massacre (above), and nearly “five years” after Enzo’s murder (which, described as “23 years ago” as of 2002/Yr20, would fit well c. early 1979). She next makes a wealthy marriage, at age 53 (which also fits), and begins building a reputation in business.
	Hal Jordan returns to Minglia, where he and Oliver Queen meet for the first time in their costumed identities. Green Lantern and Green Arrow join forces, tenuously, to expose the treacherous General Zho’s efforts to derail peace talks with the rebels.	LDCU #8-9 <9-10.98>. Ollie has spent the intervening three months recuperating in the rebel camp, and he experiences a crisis of conscience when he realizes the damage done by his company’s weaponry. Note that this entire prolonged adventure must precede the founding of the JLA [see 1984/Yr2].
	The Batman apprehends serial killer Rudolph Klemper.	Batman Annual #14 <90>. This leads into the origin of Two-Face; see 1984/Yr2.
	Small-time crook Eddie Nigma begins committing big-time crime capers as the Riddler.	SO Special #1 <10.89>, Detective Annual #18 <95>, Batman Villains SF #1 <10.98> [stating “Year One”]; (1st app. ’Tec #140 <10.48>; Silver Age: Batman #171? <5.65>). The exact time of year is uncertain (as with many villains of this period). Gordon is depicted as a Lieutenant.
	Pamela Isley, subjected to bizarre experiments by Prof. Jason Woodrue, becomes the alluring yet deadly Poison Ivy.	SO #36 <1.89>, Shadow of the Bat Annual #3 <95>, BVSF #1 [”Year One”]; (orig. Batman #181 <6.66>). Exact date uncertain. Gordon is still a Lieutenant. As with Man-Bat below, this is earlier in Batman’s career than the character had appeared pre-Crisis.
	[Nov 30] With corrupt police commissioner Gillian Loeb brought down, Jim Gordon has recently been promoted to Captain… just as the villainous Joker first menaces Gotham, publicly killing millionaire Henry Claridge.	ZH; Batman (Year One)* #407 [re: Gordon], Man Who Laughs [superseding the pre-ZH version of Joker’s debut depicted in LODK #50 <9.93>]; (Joker and Claridge orig. 1st app. Batman #1 ). MWL includes Bruce’s first “real world” usage of the prototype Batmobile.
	[Dec 3] The Joker brings his schemes to fruition with a plan to poison Gotham’s reservoir, narrowly averted by the Batman.	Batman (Year One) #407 [provides date], MWL.
	Psychotic college professor Jonathan Crane begins carrying out revenge schemes as the Scarecrow.	Batman Annual #19 <95>, BVSF #1 [stating “Year One”] (1st app. World’s Finest v1 #3 <Aut.41>; Silver Age: Batman #189 <2.67>). Exact date is problematic; Gordon is depicted as a Captain, and the story itself refers to “the Joker, Catwoman, Two-Face, Hugo Strange, and dozens of others” ; the Two-Face reference likely needs to be be set aside, as the Scarecrow appears repeatedly in Long Halloween [see 1984/Yr2, below] prior to Two-Face’s origin.
	Scientist Kirk Langstrom transforms himself into the monstrous Man-Bat.	SO #39 <4.89>, LODK Annual #5 <95>, BVSF #1 [“Year One”]; (orig. ’Tec #400 <6.70>). Exact date uncertain.
	More costumed criminals appear in Central City: besides the Trickster and Weather Wizard (see above), by year’s end the Flash has also faced Captain Cold¹ and Dr. Alchemy².	LSOF; respective origins/1st apps: ¹SO #41, (ShC #8 <5-6.57>); ²(ShC #13-14 <4-7.58>). They’re not as homicidal as the ones in Gotham, though… :)
	1984	“Year Two”
	[Mid Jan] Bruce Wayne learns a disturbing lesson about unintended consequences of Wayne Enterprises’ acts when a downsized employee loses his mind and becomes a mass murderer.	Batman: Tenses #1-2 <10-11.03>. The story opens when “three weeks ago” was “just before Christmas,” and Bruce has been back “just over a year.” (The later reference to his parents’ murder as “thirteen years ago,” however, as well as a “1988” date on a computer screen, are incorrect in light of the bulk of contrary evidence.)
	The Batman is haunted by crimes that trace back to his training with Willie Doggett (see 1982).	LODK #1-5 <11.89-3.90>, “Shaman”—set during the Batman’s first winter in Gotham.
	Oliver Queen meets Batman for the first time (and Bruce Wayne for only the second), in an adventure that has him doubting his costumed role… until a revenge scheme by General Zho (soon deceased) draws him overseas to Dhabar, where he recovers his courage.	LODK #127-131 <3-7.00>. This tale (set “a couple months” after Minglia) poses many conflicts with other Green Arrow history; e.g., Ollie is living in a cheap urban apartment, apparently broke, but still beardless and in his old costume. This can only fit here (hence Bruce has not been Batman for “two years” as stated, and his costume is mis-depicted). Note Ollie’s lawyer’s reference to some “legal stuff” he’s been avoiding, though, which may allow a way to reconcile this with later events [see below].
	Batman becomes obsessed with increasing his effectiveness through the use of the steroidal drug “Venom,” but finally breaks the habit.	LODK #16-20 <3-7.91>; this story allegedly spans many “months” (at least, several weeks) early in Yr2. Venom is the same drug used by Bane in later years [see 1997/Yr15].
	J’onn J’onzz, following up a case in Gotham, meets the Batman.	MM #22 <9.00>. Date approximate; Jim Gordon is depicted as a Captain, but the JLA has clearly not yet been formed.
	[Mar] Clark Kent and Superman both have their “first” encounter with Lex Luthor, at a party on his yacht, leading to his arrest for public endangerment and igniting a lifelong grudge in the billionaire.	MoS #4 <11.86>—stated to be a year and a half after Superman’s debut; Luthor was traveling abroad in the interim.
	Luthor summons Clark Kent and Lois Lane for an interview, disclosing his theory that Superman is really an alien.	Birthright #5 [final scene]-6 <1-3.04>. Provisional canonicity only; this may be an aberrant hypertimeline, and at the very least many details cannot be taken at face value. If valid, it certainly cannot occur a mere week after Superman’s debut, as depicted, and thus Luthor’s anger at Clark’s reporting likely pertains to the recent yacht incident. It is here that Clark first mentions Luthor’s past in Smallville [see 1973], which Luthor categorically denies. In #7-8 <4-5.04> Clark then returns to Smallville to reflect on that history, which is indeed “ten years ago” at this point.
	[Late Mar] Superman and Batman work together to capture killer vigilante Eric Stang—but apparently fail to save the life of plastic surgeon Harrison Grey.	Batman & Superman: World’s Finest #1 <4.99>. The “Year One” designation aside, this cannot occur earlier than here, as Luthor appears in the story—nor can it occur later, since B&S:WF #2, set on the anniversary of these events, occurs [as implied in #3] before Robin’s costumed debut [see 1985/Yr3].
	Gotham scientist Victor Fries, altered by a lab accident, confronts the Batman as Mr. Freeze.	Batman: Mr. Freeze special <97>, BVSF #1 [“Year Two”]; (1st app. Batman #121 <2.59>). Exact date uncertain.
	Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot hatches his criminal career as the absurd-yet-deadly Penguin.	SO Special #1, BVSF #1 [“Year Two”]. Exact date uncertain.
	The Batman confronts a vigilante youth gang inspired by his own actions… and Dr. Leslie Thompkins (see 1965) learns of Bruce’s double identity.	LODK #21-23 <8-10.91>, “Faith.” This may represent Batman’s earliest canonical costumed encounter with Dr. Thompkins; her discovery here appears to conflict with a Halloween tale below, however. The Flying Graysons also make a cameo appearance, “months” before their circus visits Gotham.
	[Apr] Bruce Wayne, troubled by dreams about the negative impact of his obsessions, is inspired to establish the Wayne Foundation, and hires Lucius Fox to manage his business affairs.	LODK Halloween Special #3 <95>. Properly placing the events of the Jeph Loeb/Tim Sale Specials is exceedingly problematic. These apparently cover three separate Halloweens—and their subseqent Long Halloween and Dark Victory cover two more each, plus several other holidays—yet all the stories appear to require settings between Years Two and Five, and furthermore seem simultaneously to acknowledge and yet to disregard related continuity. One is sorely tempted to dismiss the entire corpus of work as apocryphal, were it not (A) highly regarded, and (B) the source for various events elsewhere treated as canonical. Here, e.g., we have a tale that includes the Joker and the Penguin (i.e., no earlier than Yr2)—with no Robin, Gordon still a Captain, and (most significantly) the origin of the Wayne Foundation (hence, no later than Yr2). Yet Halloween of this year is already decidedly overbooked [see below]. Accordingly, I have speculatively decided (not without some trepidation) to locate this tale here, around Easter—which accommodates other necessary events, retains a holiday setting, and has no apparent substantive impact on the plot. (Imagine an egg hunt rather than trick-or-treating in the final scene?)
	The Flash Museum is erected in Central City.	LSOF [described as “within a year” of his debut]; (orig. Flash v1 #154 <8.65>).
	Batman confronts his parents’ supposed killer, Joe Chill—as well as the Reaper (Judson Caspian), back after 20 years (see 1964). Batman faces down his desire for revenge, but Chill ultimately dies at the hands of the gun-wielding Reaper—who himself perishes in a fall while combatting the Dark Knight.	’Tec #575-578 (“Batman: Year Two”) <6-9.87>. Date approximate. Given Joe Chill’s revised status, in fact [Batman #0 <10.94>], this story may no longer be canonical, in whole or in part. The real stumbling block is actually the anachronisms; the story references the Wayne murders as both 20 and 25 years ago (!), and both Gordon’s promotion to Commissioner and Batman’s costume change are inappropriately early, and should be disregarded. (Indeed, some fan speculation dates this tale as late as Yr4—but the story’s very title, the absence of Robin, and the fortuitous correlation between Black Canary’s age and the length of the Reaper’s absence, all seem to me to mitigate in favor of this placement.) The Wayne Foundation, at least (construction of the HQ of which is a significant plot element), can remain provisionally valid [see above]. Dr. Leslie Thompkins is also important to this tale, and clearly knows Bruce’s secret.
	Swamp Thing tracks the Conclave, killers of Alec and Linda Holland (see 1982), to Gotham City, and encounters the Batman. Swamp Thing then returns to the solace of the Louisiana bayou.	STSF #1 (“18 years ago,” or two years after his debut); (orig. ST v1 #7 <10-11.73> et seq.). Date approximate; note that the expanded structure of this timeline (vs. DC’s version) can still just barely accommodate this story.
	Six months after the Minglia adventure, Oliver Queen (still living in a cheap apartment) tells Hal Jordan that he’s sold off his munitions business, and donated the proceeds to the Minglian war relief fund.	LDCU #9—but despite appearances to the contrary, Ollie cannot have sold all his business ventures, and this is not a retcon of how he lost his fortune and changed his outlook. That’s years off yet [see 1988/Yr6].
	The orphaned Roy Harper, raised on a Navajo reservation, is taken in as a ward by Oliver Queen, moving with him into the luxurious Queen Mansion. Roy, a skilled archer, becomes Green Arrow’s costumed partner Speedy.	ZH; SO #38, Arsenal* #2-3 <11-12.98>; (orig. Adv. #262 <7.59>). The Arsenal mini establishes Roy as 13 at the time. Since he precedes Kid Flash [as per LSOF] and Robin [see 1985/Yr3], it appears Speedy has been retconned into DC’s very first kid sidekick of the modern age. The mansion (vs. Ollie’s earlier penthouse and apartment), perhaps an inheritance, may represent part of the “legal stuff” Ollie was earlier avoiding [see above], along with the Queen Industries reorganization alluded to in LDCU #9; we may speculate that in the spirit of responsibility (for Roy, at least), Ollie resumes control of the company’s remaining (non-munitions) operations at this point, and also resumes his playboy persona, though it’s more of an act than before.
	[Early Jun] After a six-month trial, Rudolph Klemper is acquitted—only to die mysteriously (secretly the work of DA Harvey Dent). Soon after, Jim Gordon “introduces” Dent to the Batman, and the trio forge an uneasy alliance. In their first joint effort, Dent helps the Batman burn a stash of ill-gotten money belonging to mobster Carmine “the Roman” Falcone… and has his own home bombed in retaliation.	Batman Annual #14 <90>; Batman: The Long Halloween #1 <12.96>. Gordon’s son is “seven months” old. Superficial differences (in dialogue, etc.) notwithstanding, a close look at the details reveals that the latter (longer) story is clearly meant to expand upon the former, not supersede it. However, note that the internal timeline of Long Halloween cannot be fully reconciled with other known events, as it delays Two-Face’s debut until late Year Three—while its sequel, Batman: Dark Victory <12.99-12.00>, pushes Robin’s debut all the way to Year Five. However, if most of the tale’s specific holiday references are disregarded, and the crimes depicted are read as merely holiday-themed, the rest of the story can remain intact.
	A series of murders by the press-dubbed “Holiday killer” ignites a gang war between the Roman and rival mobster Salvatore Vincent “Boss” Maroni. (Selina (Catwoman) Kyle, meanwhile, has begun using her ill-gotten gains to remake her life—becoming a socialite, and even attempting to romance Bruce Wayne.)	Long H’ween #2-4 <1-3.97>, compressed as discussed above. As shown in #3, and corroborated in BVSF #1, Batman has confronted the Calendar Man (1st app. ’Tec #259 <9.58>) sometime prior to this point.
	[Jun] Wally West, visiting his aunt Iris West in Central City, is miraculously struck by a lab accident duplicating Barry Allen’s, and becomes Kid Flash.	ZH; SO Annual* #2, Flash #62-65 <5-8.92> [“Born to Run” ; stated to be the “first week of summer vacation”], LSOF [placing this “about a year” after Flash’s debut]; (orig. Flash v1 #110 <12-1.60>, just prior to the JLA’s first appearance). Multiple sources solidly establish that this occurred the summer Wally was ten years old. Since Wally turned 21 during the Alien Alliance’s Invasion [Flash #21 <Hol.88>; see 1994/Yr12], the condensed dating of the ZH Timeline would introduce a contradiction, making him either significantly older when he received his powers [as in Flash SF #2 <11.98>, which in an apparent sop to ZH suggests age 14, an anomalous reference that contradicts the preponderance of other evidence and should thus be disregarded] or significantly younger today.
	JSA offspring (and future Infinitors—see 1992/Yr10) Hector Hall, Lyta Trevor, Al Rothstein, and Rick Tyler, all adolescents, meet for the first time.	Infinity, Inc. #27 <6.86>. The JSA was in retirement at the time, but nevertheless kept in touch [as also seen in JLA:Y1 #4 <4.98>]. The story requires minor revisions for current continuity; e.g., Star-Spangled Kid and Power Girl cannot be present. Lyta and Hector are 12; Albert is 11 [per Who’s Who in the DC Universe v2 <8.90-2.92>]; Rick must be at least 13 [see 1969].
	[Jun 27] Putting extortion pressure on Haly’s Circus during its run in Gotham, crime boss Anthony Zucco arranges the murder of aerialists John and Mary Grayson—Dick Grayson’s parents.	SO #13 <4.87>, #50 <8.90>, Robin Annual #4 <95>, etc.; date from Nightwing mini-series #1 <9.95>, superseding earlier sources which suggested autumn (e.g., SO #50, Ms. Tree Quarterly #1 <Sum.90>). The account in Dark Victory #9-11 <8-10.00> also presents inconsistencies, mostly chronological, but if Dick’s scenes are extracted from the rest of the story they’re provisionally reconcilable.
	Ambitious new hero Triumph attempts to form a team, but becomes trapped in a time loop, erasing the event.	JL #92 <9.94>
	Physics graduate student Ray Palmer uses the size-changing energies of a white dwarf star fragment to become the second Atom.	ZH; SO #29 <8.88>, JLA:Y1* #2 (calling him active “about a week” before the JLA forms—hence moved up slightly from the original publishing sequence (ShC #34 <9-10.61>), relative to the JLA).
	[Summer] Five heroes band together to defeat seven invading Appellaxian alien warriors—and decide to form the Justice League of America, the first super-hero group of the modern age.	ZH; SO #32 <11.88>; JLA:Y1* #1 <1.98> (revising JLofA #9 <2.62>). The initial members are the Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Black Canary, and J’onn J’onzz. Dinah is still 19 at this point. The exact date is uncertain—but one popular fan conjecture is July 4th, and it’s at least a valid possibility.
	A group of rogue geneticists called Locus steal one of the captured Appellaxians.	JLA:Y1 #1, set the day after the attempted invasion.
	The Leaguers hold a press conference in Gotham to announce the team’s formation. Four villains attack (Solomon Grundy, Thorn, Eclipso, and Clayface II), sent by Vandal Savage, but they are defeated—with the help of Green Arrow. Simon Carr introduces himself to the League, representing an anonymous benefactor.	JLA:Y1 #2, set the week after the attempted invasion. This is Ollie and Dinah’s first meeting. We may speculate that she has just turned 20, to be completely consistent with the statement that Ollie was “12 years” her senior when they met [BC/O: BoP #1], since he is 32 at this point [based on his age in Longbow Hunters <87>; see 1994/Yr12].
	The Leaguers set up their Secret Sanctuary in Happy Harbor, Rhode Island, with technical assistance from college student Ted Kord (see 1982) and Simon Carr’s nephew Lucas “Snapper” Carr.	JLA:Y1 #3 <3.98>. T.O. Morrow appears in a cameo, but does not confront the League. Dinah reveals that she knew Jay Garrick (casting further doubt on the “1956” date of his disappearance [see 1973]), although he is now missing.
	The JLA defeats Starro the Conqueror, an alien super-starfish, with Snapper’s assistance.	JLE #26 <5.91>, JLA:Y1 #4 <4.98>; (both recapping the JLA’s original 1st app., in Brave & Bold #28 <2-3.60>).
	The Brotherhood of Evil captures Blue Beetle, turning him over to Locus for experimentation.	JLA:Y1 #4. Meanwhile, Dinah learns of her mother’s long-ago affair with Ted Knight [see 1965]. Note that Jay is absent; also the implication that Larry Lance may be dead.
	The League stops a flood in California, with Green Arrow’s assistance; then teams with the Doom Patrol to stop the Brotherhood’s attack on Manchester, AL.	JLA:Y1 #5-6 <5-6.98>. Note that J’onn J’onzz is shown to be aware of his true history. Speedy does not appear alongside GA, but may be “behind the scenes.” Negative Man recognizes GL as fellow USAF veteran Hal Jordan. Note: the original Doom Patrol history remains canonical, notwithstanding John Byrne’s 2004 “reboot,” as of Teen Titans v3 #32 <3.06>.
	The League discusses choosing a chairman, and unknown to GL, the other members settle on the Flash.	JL Quarterly #3 <Sum.91>, JLA Secret Files #1 <9.97>, JLA:Y1 #9 <9.98> [dialogue flashback].
	The Unknown Soldier works covertly in Nicaragua to subvert the Sandinista government’s reform efforts.	Unknown Soldier v3 #3 <6.97>
	The Gotham gang war escalates, tangentially involving several villains; the Batman begins to suspect Dent of being the Holiday killer; and “Boss” Maroni, seeking to incriminate Falcone, comes to Dent to strike a deal.	Long H’ween #5-10 <4-9.97>. Condensed from the story’s internal timeline, as noted above, to maintain compatibility with other canonical data.
	[Aug 2] On Falcone’s birthday, Holiday kills the Roman’s daughter Carla. Meanwhile, “Boss” Maroni takes the stand and double-crosses Dent—scarring his face with acid, smuggled into court for him by Dent’s assistant DA Vernon Fields.	Long H’ween #11 <10.97>; Batman Annual #14. The LH internal date appears to be reliable in this instance—while still little over a “month” after Gordon, Dent, and Batman’s rooftop meeting, as the Annual says. Note that Batman’s courtroom disguise is the same in both stories, and that Dent has the same duplicitous assistant (although his name is given as Adrian Fields in the Annual).
	After more than a month in Gotham’s youth center, the orphaned Dick Grayson is taken in by Bruce Wayne.	Robin Annual #4; Dark Victory #9 [Dick’s scenes only, in isolation, internal dates ignored; otherwise see 1986/Yr4].
	His mind fractured, Harvey Dent escapes the hospital where his injuries are being treated.	Long H’ween #11; Batman Annual #14. The escape is not actually immediate, but two weeks after the trial, as the latter source shows.
	Captain Gordon and his wife and son are kidnapped to Chicago by old enemies, but rescued by Batman; at the same time, Jim’s niece Barbara is orphaned by a tragic car crash. Jim takes her in.	SO #20 <11.87> [re: Babs], LODK #159-161 <11.02-1.03>. Barbara is 13 at this time [per SO #20], and the date of the story must be partly determined by her age. The LODK tale’s mention of a “web site” is anachronistic (even in DC’s timeline!), although Barbara’s nascent computer skills are legitimate; and its dénouement (noting Jim’s separation from his wife) must fall several weeks later [see below]. Note inconsistencies: SO #20 has Babs’ mother Thelma dying years earlier, and her father Roger dying later in an alcoholic car crash; LDCU #10-11 <11-12.98> has them dying together; this LODK tale has her father long dead when her mother (mis-named Jennifer) dies in a crash.
	[Sep 1] Harvey Dent hides in the sewers… while Falcone’s son Alberto returns from a faked death to kill Maroni, and is arrested as the Holiday killer.	Long H’ween #12-13 <11-12.97>. Note Maroni’s reference [in LH] to the “three slugs” he took in court [in Batman Annual #14], again linking the two tales.
	During the circus’ late-summer return to Gotham, Dick Grayson witnesses “Pop” Haly’s murder. The Batman rescues him from Zucco’s thugs and reveals his secret identity, and Dick, seeking to help find his parents’ killers, begins six months of intensive crimefighting training (see 1985/Yr3).	Robin Annual #4; Dark Victory #10 <9.00> [Dick’s scenes only, in isolation, internal dates ignored].
	Over a period of weeks, the newly-formed JLA defeats the Invisible Destroyer, Gorilla Grodd, the Icicle, and the Phantom Doom.	JLA:Y1 #7 <7.98>. These stories remain to be fully chronicled. Grodd orig. 1st app. (Flash v1 #106 <4-5.59>); the Destroyer and the Doom remain unknown. (It has been suggested that Green Arrow and Green Lantern’s Minglia adventure could fall during this “gap,” saving some time… but if shifted, it would lose its status as their first meeting, which seems pointless. The preponderance of other evidence places the JLA’s early days here, regardless.)
	Superman saves Metropolis from nuclear terrorists, once again upstaging Luthor; and on the last day of summer, he saves chemist Jenny Vaughn from a fire.	Superman For All Seasons #2 <9.98>, “Summer.”
	[Autumn] The JLA defeats Xotar, the Weapons Master (see 2996, 120th C.), assisted by Superman; they offer him membership, but he declines.	Action #650 <2.90>, S:MOS Annual #4, JLA:Y1 #7; (all recapping B&B #29 <4-5.60>; note that the original story showed Flash as chairman). Date range is generalized.
	Ralph Dibny, aka the Elongated Man, meets the Flash and begins his heroic career.	ZH; SO #30 <9.88>; (Flash* v1 #112 <4-5.60>). He has a cameo in the JLA:Y1 finale [below].
	Occult detective Mark Merlin (see 1959) is transformed into the supernatural Prince Ra-Man.	History of the DC Universe <1986>; (orig. House of Secrets v1 #73 <8.65>). Date approximate; in ’Tec #779 <4.03> Batman says that Merlin was active as a detective “from the ’50s through the early ’80s.”
	Snapper Carr unearths the existence of an eighth Appellaxian; meanwhile, the Leaguers are distracted by the discovery that J’onn has been spying on them.	JLA:Y1 #8 <8.98>. The depiction of a full team of Blackhawks in this issue, all still youthful and alive, is a continuity error [see 1943, ’48, ’63, ’67, ’75].
	The young Barbara Gordon, hiding in her uncle’s office, spies on his meetings with the Batman.	SO #20. No longer her first encounter with him [see above], but still a significant influence. Date approximate.
	Bruce Wayne meets black-widow socialite “Jillian Maxwell” at a Halloween party, and spends a weekend entangled with her designs on his wealth, while simultaneously pursuing the escaped Scarecrow as the Batman.	LODK Halloween Special #1 <93>. The Wayne Foundation exists [placing this after Special #3; see above], but Jim Gordon’s wife is still present [thus preceding events below]. This can fit here, tenuously, only by virtue of the fact that the party and subsequent events take place on a weekend, and thus may well precede the actual date of Halloween.
	[Oct 31] Barbara Gordon is kidnapped by the Mad Hatter (Jervis Tetch), and rescued by Batman.	LODK Halloween Special #2 <94>. With the entry immediately below, this makes for one very busy night, but if the story’s to be canonical at all this is the only Halloween date that fits: Babs is in Gotham but Jim’s wife is still present, and James Jr. is about a year old. The Hatter’s earliest canonical appearance (1st app. ’Tec #230 <4.56>) appears to be in Long Halloween, above. Dr. Leslie Thompkins also appears here, apparently unaware of Bruce’s secret.
	[Oct 31] That same night, Harvey Dent frees several inmates from Arkham, attacks and kills “The Roman,” then seeks out his assistant Fields and kills him as well; the Batman finds him threatening his estranged father, and Harvey—on a coin flip—turns himself in. Harvey, hopelessly insane, is locked up… as Two-Face.	Long H’ween #13; Batman Annual #14. (A synthesis of the two stories’ conclusions, which actually works better than one might suspect.) The readers (but not the characters) learn that both Harvey and his wife Gilda, acting separately, were truly responsible for the Holiday killings.
	[Nov] The Justice Leaguers rebuild their trust by sharing their secret identities, and discover that the eighth alien has been possessing Simon Carr. They defeat Locus’ plans to xenoform the Earth, but not before Simon summons a full-fledged invasion fleet.	JLA:Y1 #9-10 <9-10.98>. Four months are revealed to have passed since Carr contacted the League [in #2] and, behind the scenes, became possessed. [Given the pace of the story, it seems clear that most of that time passed during the continuity break in issue #7].
	The Appellaxian invaders ambush almost all other active heroes on Earth, and imprison them on Blackhawk Island. The Leaguers infiltrate and rescue them, and all the heroes combine forces, finally sending the aliens home through a mystic portal.	JLA:Y1 #11-12 <11-12.98>. The roster includes the JSA, the Freedom Fighters, select All-Stars, and virtually all other heroes established in recent years [see 1957-1982]. Speedy first meets Black Canary during this case. The depictions of Jay Garrick, the Seven Soldiers of Victory, Phantom Lady, and Uncle Sam are errors, however [see 1985/Yr3, 1989/Yr7, 1964, and 1946, respectively].
	On the day Jim Gordon helps the Batman apprehend a hostage taker who’s grief-stricken at the loss of his family, Gordon’s own wife leaves town with his son.	Batman: Turning Points #1 <1.01>. Date approximate (per events above, not withstanding the “Tale of Year One” in the story’s title). Note the apparent conflict with the events of the Batman: Night Cries GN <92> [but see 1989/Yr7].
	Hugo Strange returns (see 1983/Yr1) seeking revenge on Batman, and joins forces with the Scarecrow—only to be betrayed, narrowly cheating death once again.	LODK #137-141 <1-5.01>. Date approximation based on a dialogue reference to Two-Face. Catwoman is also involved in the tale; she makes romantic overtures toward Batman, but is rebuffed as an unrepentant criminal.
	The Flash battles the atomic villain Professor Fallout (Manfred Mota), witnessed by the time-travelling John Fox (see 27th Century).	Flash Special #1 <90>. Approximation; the exact date is uncertain.
	[Very Late Autumn] Superman saves Metropolis from a viral toxin engineered by Luthor, with the help of chemist Jenny Vaughn—but at the cost of her life, a catch also engineered by Luthor.	SFAS #3 <10.98>, “Fall.” The opening scenes of Luthor’s criminal booking cannot occur at this time, although they are made to seem so; they are a flashback to the aftermath of Luthor and Superman’s first meeting, months earlier.
	Over the course of the year, the Flash’s “Rogues’ Gallery” has grown to include the Mirror Master¹, the Pied Piper², Gorilla Grodd³, and Captain Boomerang⁴.	LSOF; respective origins/1st apps: ¹(Flash v1 #105 <2-3.59>); ²SO #41, (Flash v1 #106 <4-5.59>); ³SO #40, (Flash v1 #106); ⁴SO #41, (Flash v1 #117 <11.60>).
	Additions to the Batman’s roster of enemies this year (besides those already mentioned) include the Cavalier (Mortimer Drake)¹ and Deadshot (Floyd Lawton)², both idle playboys who turn to crime in search of adventure.	BVSF #1; respective origins/1st apps: ¹(’Tec #81 <11.43>, Silver Age: Wonder Woman v1 #212 <6-7.74>) [note that this is a separate character from the Cavalier (aka Hudson Pyle) seen in LODK #32-34 <6-7.92>]; ²(Batman #59 <6-7.50>, Silver Age: ’Tec #474 <12.77>).

	1985	“Year Three” Back to top
	Superman returns to Smallville demoralized over Jenny Vaughn’s death, to talk with his parents and Lana. He saves the town from a flood, and returns to Metropolis reassured about the good he can do.	SFAS #4 <11.98>, “Winter.” Note: according to Man of Steel #6 <12.86>, Lana herself left Smallville after Superman’s debut, and thus was not present at this time. The contradiction remains unresolved.
	Aquaman returns to Poseidonis (see 1982), and is hailed as King. He appoints Vulko as his regent.	Aquaman SF #1 <12.98>, synthesizing Legend of Aquaman <89>, Aquaman #0 <10.94>, Aquaman Annual #1 <95>, and other sources. The weight of evidence indicates that these events happen after the JLA was established, in contrast to pre-Crisis history.
	Aquaman befriends young Garth of the Idylists, who becomes his partner, Aqualad.	ZH; Tempest* #1 <11.96>, Aquaman SF #1. (Garth’s 1st app: Adventure #269 <2.60>.) Tempest #1 merely says Garth was “over ten years” old at this time—but also that he was 15 when he met Tula [see 1987/Yr5], which makes him 13 here.
	As the new year progresses, the Justice League successively defeats Amazo and Professor Ivo¹, Despero², and Kanjar Ro³, and—after his assistance on the “Star Diamond” case—votes to induct Green Arrow as its first new member⁴. (Ironically, Oliver Queen has been funding the team all along.)	JLASF #1, JLA:Y1 #12, and, respectively: ¹JLQ #5 <Win.91> (orig. B&B #30 <6-7.60>), ²JL Task Force #31 <2.96> (orig. JLofA #1 <10-11.60>, ³(JLofA #3 <2-3.61>), ⁴GA #19 <1.03> (orig. JLofA #4 <4-5.61>). Consistency with the Kanjar Ro shown in Hawkworld [#1 <6.90>, #6 <12.90>, #10 <4.91>, etc.; see 1995/Yr13] remains unclear.
	Olympic archer Bonnie King tries to team with Green Arrow and Speedy as “Miss Arrowette,” with little success. She soon retires from crimefighting, and marries Bernell “Bowstring” Jones.	Impulse #28 <8.97>, SO 80-Pg Giant #1 <12.98>; (orig. World’s Finest v1 #113 <11.60>, 118 <6.61>, 134 <6.63>, JLofA #7 <10-11.61>). Note that in DC’s “official” timeline, there is literally no time for her to have this history and to have a teenage daughter [see 1991/Yr9, 1998/Yr16]. Even now, the 80-Pg panel showing Ollie with a beard is incorrect, as this needs to be set as early as possible in his career.
	On Thanagar, wingman Katar Hol is framed for treason and patricide, and exiled for ten years.	ZH; Hawkworld* mini-series #1-4 <7-10.89>.
	Barry Allen and Hal Jordan arrange a social visit—but wind up as Flash and GL, defending Earth from alien Doragians seeking to steal humanity’s “evil.”	Brave & Bold mini-series #1 <10.99>. Precise date uncertain.
	Captain Jim Gordon first works alongside Sgt. Harvey Bullock, apprehending the Joker without help from the Batman (who’s out of town pursuing terrorists).	LODK #105-106 <4-5.98>. Date approximate; set “around… two years” since the Batman’s debut, and “eight months” before a mayoral election.
	[Late Mar] Superman and Batman team again on the anniversary of Dr. Harrison Grey’s death. They defeat the Riddler’s gang and Knodar (see 1947, 2447), and discuss their differing methods.	B&S:WF #2 <5.99>. The story discusses in detail why neither character has (yet) joined the JLA; and Superman observes ironically that the Batman could work with “a full-time partner.” (Note, also, the passing mention of Two-Face—a reference (far from the only one) corroborating that he was active before this point, in contrast to the implications of Long Halloween’s internal chronology.)
	[Spring] Dick Grayson makes his debut as Robin, the Boy Wonder, at the Batman’s side when they finally apprehend Boss Zucco for Dick’s parents’ murder.	ZH; Batman (Year Three)* #436-439 <8-10.89>, Robin Annual #4, etc. This is set six months after Pop Haly’s murder. March 21 brings not only Spring but Dick’s birthday, according to the Annual [superseding earlier sources placing it in autumn], and this is apparently his 12th—given that Dick turned 20 the year of the Crisis [New Titans #18 <12.85>, SO #13; see 1993/Yr11]. As with Wally, the ZH Timeline’s version of events would radically distort his history; it’s inconsistent with his age as depicted either then or now, and would also reduce his entire career alongside Batman to only two or three years [instead of six; see 1991/Yr9]! Also note that contrary to the portrayal in Dark Victory #11 <10.00> (as well as the openly apocryphal LODK #100 <11.97>, and certain implications in the highly flawed Nightwing SF <10.99> timeline), Zucco does not die but survives to be incarcerated; his death here would simply conflict with too much other history, not least the entire plot of “Batman: Year Three” [see 1995/Yr13].
	Horror actor Basil Karlo, known as “Clayface” for his makeup skills, begins using the name as a criminal alias.	SO #44, BVSF #1 [allegedly “Year Two”]; (1st app. ’Tec #40 <6.40>; Silver Age: Batman #208 <1-2.69>). Note that Karlo is apparently no longer the first criminal to have used the name: see 1983/Yr1, re: Matt Hagen. Robin is involved in the case, so Karlo’s first outing must postdate his debut.
	Archaeologists Carter Hall and his wife Shiera (aka Hawkman and Hawkgirl) move to Midway City, where Carter takes up duties as curator of the Midway City Museum.	Hawkman v3 #43 <10.05>. The narrative says Carter served the Museum well for “four years” before the main flashback, thus backdating his start to approximately this point (which corresponds well with the Silver Age Hawkman tales (B&B v1 #34 <2-3.61> et seq.), allowing the surmise that he and Shiera displaced their Silver Age counterparts in more than just their JLA roles). The correspondence with events on Thanagar [above] is mere fortuity. Note that much of Charley Parker’s personal history as related in this story is a lie, but it’s reasonable to assume that many of the background details he included for credibility are accurate. This is bolstered by references to the Hawks’ presence in Midway in Hawkman v3 #1 <5.02> and elsewhere.
	Through the spring and summer, the Justice League battles Dr. Destiny¹; Amos Fortune²; Felix Faust, the Demons Three, and the Lord of Time³; and Dr. Light⁴; allies with Adam Strange for a rematch with Kanjar Ro⁵; and expands the team again by inducting the Atom⁶.	JLASF #1, and, respectively: ¹(JLofA #5 <6-7.61>), ²(JLofA #6 <8-9.61>), ³JLQ #15 <Sum.94> (orig. JLofA #10-11 <3-5.62>), ⁴(JLofA #12 <6.62>), ⁵Silver Age SF #1 <7.00> (confirming Mystery in Space #75 <5.62>), ⁶JLASF #1 (orig. JLofA #14 <9.62>). The JLASF Timeline is useful here for determining which pre-Crisis stories remain valid, although its dating is unreliable. Other early adventures may yet remain to be chronicled.
	[Summer] The Flash discovers Keystone City hidden in stasis (see 1973), frees Jay Garrick, and assists him in defeating the villains responsible, forging a bond of friendship between heroes of two generations.	SO #50 (recapping and revising Flash v1 #123 <9.61>), LSOF. The story is witnessed by Gar Logan, on summer vacation and stated to be eight years old at this time [see also 1986/Yr4, ’88/Yr6, ’92/Yr10, ’93/Yr11]. This extended stasis may help to account further for Jay’s reduced aging.
	Professor Jason Woodrue (see 1982, ’83/Yr1) takes to crime as the Plant Master (later, the Floronic Man).	(Atom #1 <6-7.62>); not necessarily a canonical story as printed, but definitely a significant character in later years.
	The Zamarons hypnotize Carol Ferris, Hal Jordan’s boss and girlfriend, into becoming Star Sapphire.	GLSF #1 <7.98> (but not “10 years ago”); (orig. GL v2 #16 <10.62>). Date approximate, based on original publication.
	Chronos (David Clinton) begins his criminal career.	Power of the Atom #6 <Win.88>; (Atom #3 <10-11.62>).
	[Late Jun] Robin tracks down the last conspirator in the Graysons’ murder, ringmaster Stan Rutledge, who was in hock to Zucco. With the case closed, Batman offers Dick the option to continue as his partner.	Robin Annual #4; set “almost a year to the day” after his parents’ deaths.
	[July 4] Robin spends the night evading his mentor, in a “final exam” to prove his merit on the streets.	Batman Chronicles: The Gauntlet #1 <9.97>. The dating may at first seem inconsistent with the debut date from Robin Annual #4, above; but this tale is best interpreted as a test to see if Dick can continue in costume on his own, after helping find his parents’ killers.
	Batman and Robin defeat a rogue robot T. Rex from a “Dinosaur Island” theme park, and take it as a souvenir to serve as décor for the Batcave.	Batman Chronicles #8 <Spr.97> (based on Batman #35 <6-7.46>). Date uncertain; placed as early as possible.
	Batman and Robin confront Joe Coyne, the “Penny Plunderer,” at a coin show, and acquire the giant 1947 penny that decorates the Batcave.	Batman Chronicles #19 <Win.00> (based on World’s Finest v1 #30 <9-10.47>). Date uncertain; placed as early as possible. Any sightings of the giant penny and/or dinosaur in pre-Robin-era stories should be disregarded.
	Kid Flash gets a new, distinctive costume.	LSOF; (orig. Flash v1 #135 <3.63>).
	The Justice Society is captured by Vandal Savage, and emerges fully from its semi-retirement (see 1951).	ZH; JLASF* #1; (orig. Flash v1 #137 <7.63>). (Note that only at this point, after three busy years, have we covered all the events that some of DC’s “official” Timeline versions [e.g., GLSF #1] try to pack into a frenzied first year!)
	[Aug] Five JSA members track down the murderous Rag Doll (see 1980), who dies in the confrontation, shot down by Starman’s Cosmic Rod.	Starman v2 #9 <7.95>, #11 <9.95>, Starman SF #1 [“Shade’s Journal”]. A “Times Past” story dated “13 years ago” [as of 1998/Yr16]—which dating can therefore actually stand as accurate!
	Dick Grayson starts classes at Bristol Middle School, and (as Robin) foils a child abduction scheme of the Mad Hatter.	Robin: Year One #1 <1.01>
	Robin helps the Batman nail several lesser villains such as Mr. Freeze, Killer Moth, Firefly, Cluemaster, and Blockbuster—but Captain Gordon questions the Batman’s judgement at involving such a young partner.	Batman: Turning Points #2 <1.01>, Robin: Y1 #2 <2.01>. The scenes with Gordon are similar, but not identical (or perfectly consistent); the first shows his first meeting with Robin, while the second is “months” later.
	Joe Chill’s long-lost son confronts Batman and Robin in a reprise of the identity of the Reaper (see 1984/Yr2).	Batman: Full Circle GN <91>. Date approximate, based on Gordon’s concerns about Robin. Proviso: many of the same continuity issues that apply to “Batman: Year Two” also pertain here.
	[Autumn] The JSA teams up with the JLA, to combat the Crime Champions (the Wizard, the Icicle, the Fiddler, Chronos, Felix Faust, and Dr. Alchemy).	SO #50, JLASF #1; (orig. JLofA #21-22 <8-9.63>). Although there were a total of 22 annual JLA/JSA team-ups published, only ten (including this) stand as positively confirmed in post-ZH continuity… whereas no more than eight could fit the rest of this timeline tidily if interpreted as yearly meetings. Adding extra years would introduce more problems than it solves. So… taking a different approach, I determined that only eight of the 22 are definitely impossible in today’s continuity (the Earth-3, Earth-X, Earth-Prime, Earth-S, LSH/Mordru, “Commander,” and both Earth-1-Johnny Thunder tales, published in 1964, ’73, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’84, ’65 and ’83 respectively)—leaving 14 (although not all have been canonically reconfirmed), plus one extra [from JLA: Incarnations #1 <7.01>]. Even those that remain, obviously, must often differ in significant detail from the original tellings; but in most cases time- or space-travel in place of parallel worlds, along with minor character substitutions, will suffice as salvage. (If 1981’s Secret Society of Super-Villains tale can work in continuity, as JLASF #1 says, then anything’s possible.) Actual retellings would be nice one of these days, of course! In the meantime, though, these 15, treated as twice-annual meetings, actually fit the rest of the chronology no less tidily than before—so subject to future revelations, that’s the interpretation I’m going with, as the following years’ entries will show.
	Aquaman meets Mera, a queen from another dimension. They fall in love and soon marry; she relocates to Earth.	Aquaman Annual #1 [stating this to be “during [his] first year as King of Atlantis”], Aquaman SF #1, and other sources. (Mera’s 1st app: Aquaman v1 #11 <9-10.63>; wedding orig. Aquaman v1 #18 <11-12.64>.) Note that Garth has supposedly already joined the Titans according to the relevant Annual scene; this would decisively preclude other events occurring in the order shown, i.e., pre-JLA—but after all, the story sequence was taken from Arthur’s journal, written years after the fact, when he was in an unstable state of mind; the vignette can still be valid in itself. (Still, this most likely occurs pre-Titans, to allow proper time for Mera’s pregnancy [see below]; also Tula’s cameo is unavoidably an anachronism, no matter what.)
	Robin is nearly killed in a traumatic confrontation with Two-Face, and fails to save an innocent life. Batman “fires” him—but on his own, Dick manages to defeat a plot by Mr. Freeze… and leaves Wayne Manor.	Robin #0 <10.94>, Batman #512/’Tec #680 <12.94>, [“Prodigal”]—expanded on in Robin Y1 #2-3 <2-3.01>, in a story that leads up to “the first snowflakes of winter.”
	[Dec] The Unknown Soldier begins running guns through Honduras to supply the Nicaraguan contras.	Unknown Soldier v2 #4 <3.89>
	Flash’s Rogues’ Gallery has grown ever larger—and more threatening—this year, with the addition of the Top¹, the insane Abra Kadabra², Heat Wave³… and the homicidal Reverse-Flash, aka Professor Zoom⁴.	LSOF; respective origins/1st apps: ¹(Flash v1 #122 <8.61>), ²(Flash v1 #128 <5.62>), ³SO #41; (Flash v1 #140 <10.63>), and ⁴(Flash v1 #139 <9.63>).
	Over the course of the year, the Batman has had his first confrontations with Cat-Man¹ (Thomas Blake) and Spellbinder I²—as well as Killer Moth³ (Drury Walker, aka Cameron Van Cleer), Blockbuster I⁴ (Mark Desmond), Cluemaster⁵ (Arthur Brown), and Firefly⁶ (Garfield Lynns) (all four seen above).	BVSF #1 [all dated as “Year 3”]. (1st apps: ¹’Tec #311 <1.63>; ²’Tec #358 <12.66>; ³Batman #63 <7.51>, Silver Age: JLA #35 <5.65>; ⁴’Tec #345 <11.65>; ⁵’Tec #351 <5.66>; ⁶’Tec #184 <6.52>, Silver Age: First Issue Special #7 <10.75>.)
	1986	“Year Four”
	More new heroes appear this year, including Zatanna (who begins a search for her missing father Zatara) and Wonder Girl, aka Donna Troy (who begins her costumed career burdened with false memories).	ZH. Zatanna (1st app. Hawkman* v1 #4 <10-11.64>), about 18, has a romance with John Constantine sometime prior to this [SO #27 <6.88>]. Donna’s very scattered origin is best clarified in WWSF #2 <7.99>; (1st app. B&B #60 <6-7.65).
	Dick Grayson infiltrates a teen martial arts gang led by the assassin Shrike, and helps apprehend Two-Face, redeeming his past errors in judgement. He returns to Batman’s side as Robin.	Robin: Y1 #4 <4.01>, set “weeks” after “the holidays.”
	Robin first meets Superman in person.	LDCU #6 <7.98>. Date approximate, but logical.
	Vandal Savage arranges for the young Grant Emerson (see 1981, 1997/Yr15) to be implanted with DNA covertly obtained from the Justice League.	Damage #12 <4.95>. The story indicates that Grant was five at the time, and the fact that the DNA graft included no Leaguers after the Atom corresponds nicely with that. (Except in DC’s officially shortened Timeline(s), of course, where Grant’s history doesn’t fit at all.)
	[Late Mar] On the second anniversary of Dr. Grey’s death, Superman infiltrates Arkham Asylum.	B&S:WF #3 <6.99>. Superman observes that Batman has taken on a partner since the previous year. Note also that (despite scattered inconsistent depictions) most reliable sources agree that by this time, Batman had added the yellow oval to his costume.
	The JLA is seemingly killed in a confrontation with the supernatural villain Wotan, barely surviving—but earning the ire of their elders in the JSA.	JLA: Incarnations #1 <7.01>. Wotan was last seen in JLA:Y1 #12, being imprisoned in a crypt by the Spectre. This tale (continued in the next two entries) appears to replace the second JLA/JSA team-up (JLofA #29-30 <9-10.64>); that was once reaffirmed, in JLQ #8 <Aut.92> (with the Crime Syndicate’s home changed from Earth-3 to Qward), but has apparently been negated by the Earth 2 GN <99>. There was speculation that this gathering replaced both the first and second team-ups, until the letters page in JLA:I #4 clarified that it was “not necessarily the first” ; and indeed, to position it as such would either leave the JLA at least 6-12 months out of synch with the rest of the DCU throughout the Silver Age, or create a gap in this position needing to be filled by an “untold” team-up story.
	The JLA first clashes with the Key¹, defeats Dr. Destiny and the Joker², and first encounters the Shaggy Man³. Meanwhile, the JSA defeats a plot by the Wizard, the Icicle, and the Fiddler, who have re-teamed as the Injustice Society (see 1947, 1948)⁴.	JLA:I #1, in passing reference (orig. ¹JLofA #41 <1.66>, ²#34 <3.65>, ³JLofA #45 <5.66>, and ⁴apparently a rematch with villains captured in the first JLA-JSA team-up [see 1985/Yr3]. JLA:I #1 mentions these stories out of their original sequence with regard not only to each other but to external events, as originally all occurred after Hawkman joined (in JLofA #31 <11.64>), which would have placed them below.
	[Spring] The JSA teams up with the JLA once again, finally defeating Wotan’s scheme to pit them against each other. Hawkman and Hawkgirl join the League as official liaisons with the JSA. The gatherings are established as a semi-annual tradition.	JLASF #1, JLA:I #1. *(Team-up #2.)* The Hawks here are the Golden Agers Carter and Shiera Hall, not the Thanagarian Katar and Shayera Hol—per Hawkworld Annual #1 <90>, reconfirmed in the “Inside DC” text page #36 <8.92>. Subsequent appearances of the Silver Age version of Katar Hol [e.g., LDCU 80-Pg Giant #1 <9.98>, JLA 80-Pg Giant #2 <11.99>] should be dismissed as errors or “hypertime fluxes.” (For more in-depth discussion of the JLA/JSA tradition, see this section’s Introduction.)
	Superman enlists in the JLA after he assists them in defeating a monster attacking Gotham, while the Batman fades into the background. Soon after, however, Gorilla Grodd invades Washington, D.C., and the Batman intervenes alongside the League, proving to be the more effective team player. Superman reconsiders and steps down to “honorary” membership… while Batman joins the ranks of the Justice League (albeit without a “formal public announcement”).	JLASF #1, JLA:I #2 <8.00>. [Batman is also depicted with the League in this period in flashback in JL #64 <7.92>.] While JLASF indicates that Batman joined before the JSA team-up(s) and the Hawks’ induction, the JLA:I story has reversed that sequence. The story also implies, via Batman’s remarks on teamwork, that he has not yet taken on a partner… but as it would be very difficult to place these events pre-Robin, the implication may be disregarded as harmless. This story also references the first “Superman-Flash race” as canonical (orig. Superman v1 #199 <8.67>).
	Robin, Kid Flash, and Aqualad team up on a mission to save the teenagers of Hatton Corners from “Mr. Twister.” Soon after, joined by Speedy and the newly-debuted Wonder Girl, they save their JLA mentors from a mind-controlling “negative energy monster,” and decide to form a team—the Teen Titans.	ZH; SO Annual* #3 <89>, Titans SF #1 <3.99>; (orig. B&B #54 <6-7.64>; Teen Titans v1 #53 <2.78>). All the charter members are “barely teenagers,” according to New Titans #0 <10.94>; indeed, Roy is 14 (or 15), Garth 14, Donna 13, Dick just 13, and Wally still only 12. Yet, the ZH Timeline places this a mere “7 years ago,” only two years before the New Titans form! That just doesn’t work. [Also see 1989/Yr7, 1991/Yr9.]
	Oliver Queen suspects that Bruce Wayne is the Batman, but is thrown off the trail—although he gains a new respect for Bruce in the process.	JLA 80-Pg Giant #2. Dating based on Ollie’s knowledge of Batman having a sidekick, and Alfred’s remark that Batman has been (at least) “briefly allied” with the JLA. Note that Ollie is still rich, beardless, and living in his mansion.
	Oliver Queen throws a charity benefit with the JLA as guests of honor (at which he solicits Bruce Wayne to take over funding the team), and has his mansion destroyed by the villain Packrat.	LDCU #12 <1.99>. Note that Ollie says he’s been the team’s benefactor “these last two years” ; also that the Atom appears as a member, but not the Hawks (who previously hadn’t joined by this point); perhaps they still preferred the company of the JSA? This needs to follow Ollie’s meeting with Bruce [above], and thus Batman’s participation in the JLA, contrary implications notwithstanding. The framing story must be set six years later, not just four [see 1992/Yr10]. And while Ollie clearly faces some financial trouble here (and wants to discuss it with Roy), he doesn’t lose his fortume just yet.
	In Sicily, young Helena Bertinelli (see 1983/Yr1) begins to study martial arts and weaponry under her cousin Sal.	Batman/Huntress: Cry for Blood #4 <9.00>. She is 11 at this point. Over the course of four years, she becomes an expert.
	Barbara Gordon (see 1984/Yr2) finishes high school.	SO #20. She is not yet 16—but her precocity, as retconned here, was made necessary by her compressed aging.
	Batman and Robin discover a conspiracy by a corrupt rock promoter—but not in time to save his client, musician Izaak Crowe, from becoming a martyr to the spirit of rock’n’roll.	Batman: Fortunate Son GN <99>. Despite various anomalies and anachronisms in the art, this tale is written as canonical. Set early, but after the Titans form, since Dick mentions that Speedy is in a band. (Originally Roy only joined “Great Frog” later (Action #436 <6.74>), but it’s been retroactively established post-Crisis that he was a band member during his Titans days.)
	[Jun] In Honduras, the Unknown Soldier is double-crossed and imprisoned by his CIA contact.	Unknown Soldier v2 #4
	Green Lantern and the Atom team up for the first time (outside the JLA) to save the earth from the villain Traitor (see 1882).	LDCU #28-29 <5-6.00>. Date approximate, but this appears to fall between the first appearance of Black Hand (GL v2 #29 <6.64>) and Jean Loring’s acceptance of Ray Palmer’s proposal (Atom #26 <8-9.66>). Ray’s passing reference to Kryptonite is anachronistic.
	Jimmy Olsen creates his signal watch.	World of Metropolis #4 <7.88>. Jimmy is 14 in this tale as told, but as the watch appears in Silver Age #1 [below], it must be moved up to here; he is thus only 11 or 12 [see 1988/Yr12].
	Johnny Mann debuts as the heroic but obscure Son of Vulcan.	History of the DCU; (1st app. Mysteries of Unexplored Worlds #46 <5.65>). Date approximate. He later perishes during the “War of the Gods” [see 1996/Yr14].
	Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and Alan Scott join forces to repel the return of Maltusian renegade Krona (see 4.0004 Billion BCE), and learn the history of the Guardians of the Universe.	DC First: GL/GL #1 <7.02>; (orig. GL v2 #40 <10.65>).
	Mera gives birth to a son, Arthur Curry III, known informally as Arthur Jr.	Aquaman Annual #1, Aquaman SF #1, and other sources. (Orig. Aquaman v1 #23 <9-10.65>.) (A short pregnancy?)
	The JLA offers membership to Metamorpho, who declines, and tackles the Royal Flush Gang.	JLASF #1 (reaffirming JLofA #42, 43 <2, 3.66>).
	[Late Sum] Gotham State freshman Barbara Gordon becomes Batgirl, rescuing Bruce Wayne from an attack by the Killer Moth at a Police Masquerade Ball.	ZH; SO #20 <11.87>, Batman: Batgirl* special <97>, Batgirl: Year One #1-3 <2-4.03>; (orig. ’Tec #359 <1.67>). The ZH Timeline, oddly, places Batgirl only a year before the Crisis—a contemporary of the Omega Men, Blue Devil, and Firestorm, which seems ridiculous. The Timeline in Batman SF #1 places her in Year 5, which actually seems plausible (although that timeline is useless to the point of absurdity for later events), but Silver Age [below] dictates she be moved a bit earlier. Chuck Dixon’s Bg:Y1 mini-series is often at odds with other canonical tales of her early career; e.g, #1 implies she’s already been “put… through college,” which would place this years later, and that dialogue should be read as “sent me to college” in order to fit; her library employment is presumably a student job. In #2 it also mentions the JLA satellite, impermissibly early (although the Teen Titans reference is okay). On the other hand, it accurately notes that Jim Gordon is not yet Police Commissioner—but that he is “on the short track.” It also establishes that Babs was rejected by the Gotham Police Academy, and that she is still living at home with Jim.
	The Batman (along with Batgirl) first confronts Copperhead.	BVSF #1—dated therein as “Year 4,” notwithstanding Batgirl’s presence in the original tale: Who’s Who v2; (B&B v1 #78 <6-7.68>). This (as with Batgirl’s next several adventures) apparently occurs during a “continuity break” midway through Bg:Y1 #3.
	Batgirl joins forces with Robin, pursuing a robber in a mall, and they begin a lasting friendship.	Batman Chronicles #9 <Sum.97>). Dick is 13. Barbara is 16, still clearly new at the costumed role, playful and untrained, although she says she’s met Batman “a couple of times” (which seems approximately right). This must precede Silver Age [below], wherein she and Robin appear side by side. Note also that the ZH Timeline would make this meeting impossible as depicted.
	Batman and Robin introduce Batgirl to the Batcave, but Batman refuses to train her and attempts to scare her away from costumed adventuring.	Bg:Y1 #3-4 <4-5.03>. They also learn her identity. This mini-series then requires a sizeable jump forward to accommodate other stories; see 1988./Yr6 next.
	James Gordon is promoted to Police Commissioner of Gotham City.	“Six years ago” as of Batman Annual #13 <89>—a tale of uncertain date, but suggesting this could be as late as 1989/Yr7. However, LDCU #10-11 and B&S:WF #5 <8.99> [see 1988/Yr6] both refer to Gordon as “Commissioner,” and Silver Age #1 <7.00> establishes the earliest such usage. This timing also corresponds roughly with Dark Victory [see further discussion below].
	The alien tyrant Agamemno comes to Earth, enlisting the aid of a coterie of villains (Luthor, Penguin, Catwoman, Mr. Element, Sinestro, Felix Faust, Dr. Light, Chronos, and Black Manta) and switching their bodies with the Justice Leaguers. The villains collect three artifacts of power (a Kryptonian jewel, the Great Battery of Oa, and a Thanagarian Absorbascon) to assemble a super-weapon before being returned to their rightful bodies.	Silver Age #1 and related specials, all <7.00>. This tale is extremely hard to place. Not only are Robin and the original Titans active, but it must follow Metamorpho’s rejection of JLA membership (JLofA #42 <2.66>), mentioned in SA:Showcase #1 (and furthermore involves Batman in the League, thus cannot precede the Hawks’ joining [see 1985/Yr3 (orig. JLofA #31 <11.64>)], as writer Mark Waid has suggested; the Hawks are not seen as Leaguers, but they may be busy with the JSA, which seems not unlikely for this period). It must precede the weddings of both Steve Dayton and Barry Allen [see below], per SA 80-Pg. Giant #1. This suggests a setting c. stories published in mid-1966… but it also includes Batgirl and Black Manta, who originally debuted later (’Tec #359 <1.67>; Aquaman #35 <9-10.67>). And it defies not only contemporary publications, but also DC’s most recent “official” Timeline, from DCU2KSF #1 <3.00>—which has the Titans debuting after (!) the JLA has moved to its satellite HQ [see 1988/Yr6, below], and Batgirl a year after that. Ignoring that “source” and moving Batgirl and a handful of other events up slightly, though, as above, allows the tale to fit here. See further comments below.
	The JLA defeats Agamemno and the allied villains, but only with the aid of numerous other heroes, including the Challs, the Doom Patrol, the Metal Men, the Teen Titans, an ad hoc Seven Soldiers of Victory, and (especially) Robby Reed and his H-dial, the Green Lantern Corps, and a phalanx of Thanagarian Hawkmen.	Character notes: The SSoV contains Deadman, Batgirl, Adam Strange, Metamorpho, Mento (still single), Blackhawk (last canonical appearance, his apparently minimal aging unexplained), and Gardner Grayle (as a new Silent Knight; in later years he will fight alongside the Outsiders as the Atomic Knight). Clearly, the original SSoV had not yet been rescued at this point [see 1989/Yr7]. Throughout this tale, Green Arrow is still rich and in his original costume, the JLA is still in its cave HQ, and Snapper Carr is still its mascot. Aquaman’s son is alive. Superman is clearly accustomed to working alongside the League at this point, but despite appearances to the contrary, the weight of evidence still holds that he was not a full member. The appearance of the “classic” Brainiac, in SA:JLofA #1, remains unexplained (indeed that whole issue is a mess, with the villains uncharacteristically brutal). The continuity is tricky overall… but lest anyone think the entire Agamemno tale apocryphal, Batman confirms its canonicity by reference in JLA #46 <10.00>. (Robby Reed 1st app. House of Mystery #156 <1.66>.)
	Rita (Elasti-Girl) Farr of the Doom Patrol marries Steve (Mento) Dayton, the world’s fifth richest man. The JLA and Teen Titans are in attendance—as is the Brotherhood of Evil.	(Doom Patrol #104 <6.66>). No explicit retelling, but implicit in the ongoing history of Gar (Changeling) Logan. Also see my note re: Doom Patrol canonicity at 1982. Apparently this was a big year for super-hero romance: note Aquaman [above], as well as the next two entries.
	Ray (Atom) Palmer finally has a marriage proposal accepted by his girlfriend, Jean Loring.	(Atom #26 <8-9.66>.) Again, no explicit post-Crisis reference, but implicit in later events [see 1993/Yr11, 2004/Yr22].
	[Autumn] The JSA and JLA combine forces to save Earth from the cosmic threat of the Anti-Matter Man.	(JLofA #46-47 <8-9.66>). *(Team-up #3,* originally #4.) No explicit post-Crisis confirmation as yet (beyond a picture seen in the JSA Museum in JSA #25 <8.01>)—but see 1985/Yr3 for explanation. Note that as or

IV. T h e S i l v e r A g e o f H e r o e s

History

Notes and References