Secret Origins: The Perfunctory Parable of the Purple Pile-Driver
by Doc Quantum
A young man walks into a bar. Oh, wait — you’ve heard this story before? Well, I can guarantee you haven’t heard this one — the one and only tale of how an ordinary guy named Barry Giffen became the laughable super-villain known as the Purple Pile-Driver, one of Superman’s most intentionally ridiculous foes.
Secret Origins: The Wanderers: 2963: The Vault
by Brian K. Asbury
The secret origin of the Wanderers — at last it can be told! How did this legendary team, active for several years before the Legion of Super-Heroes, come to be? It all begins with a mysterious mission for an unknown employer: to break into the Vault on the planet Zerak and retrieve a piece of stolen technology. It all seems simple enough, but when the group reaches the Vault, they learn the truth of who their employer really is. And from the ashes, a new team is born: the Wanderers! Featuring Celebrand, Dartalg, Elvo, Immorto, Psyche, Orintho, and Quantum Queen! And guest starring Apollo and Chameleon Chief!
Challengers of the Unknown: The Secret War
by Libbylawrence
Whatever happened to the original Secret Six? When they meet these forgotten adventurers from the past, the Challengers of the Unknown find out the truth behind the origins of that earlier heroic team and its founder, Mockingbird. But in the twenty years since they were formed, have the Secret Six remained heroes, or have they become villains?
Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew: Times Past: The Return of A.C.R.O.S.T.I.C.
by SacredScribe
Super-heroes deserve a day off just like the rest of us, don’t they? Well, tell that to Doctor Hoot and the all-new, all-different A.C.R.O.S.T.I.C. as this group of super-villains shows up to spoil the Zoo Crew’s much-deserved beach break! But how can Captain Carrot and the others put a stop to Hoot’s plan when he discovers the secret switch that can turn off the super-heroes’ powers altogether?
Showcase: The Clockwork Hero
by Christine Nightstar
In the basement beneath a busy Gotham City deli, a highly advanced, human-like clockwork man built in the mid-nineteenth century is disturbed from his century-long sleep. Trenton “Ticks” Avery soon becomes one of the Deltonio family, even as he also begins to discover that his creator had built in amazing mechanisms allowing him to evolve physically, mentally, and emotionally. And with some of these new abilities Ticks inadvertently becomes Gotham’s newest crime-fighter, Clockwork. But with newfound fame comes danger to his adoptive family, even as an old villain called the Clock seeks him as a prize! Guest starring Batman and Platinum of the Metal Men!
Batman and the Metal Men: 1982: True Mettle
by Libbylawrence
When Dr. Will Magnus goes missing, the Metal Men seek out Batman to help them find their missing creator! But as they soon end up battling an army of looting robots made of iron, which are strangely similar to the Metal Men themselves, they have to wonder — has Doc Magnus gone rogue again?
Challengers of the Unknown: 1981: The Forgotten
by Libbylawrence
The Challengers of the Unknown face mysterious perils from a forgotten past as they investigate a haunted Virginian inn. But as Corinna Stark, the newest Challenger, uses her rapport with the mystical to commune with the troubled spirit of a forgotten man, can a timely sacrifice save both the ghost and the team itself?
Animal Man: 1972: When Trouble Comes Calling
by Philip-Todd Franklin, with Doc Quantum
Buddy and Ellen Baker just want to get away from the big city for a while, in order to spend a second honeymoon together in the mountains of Tennessee! But as they soon learn, trouble can come calling even in a sleepy resort town! Can the former Animal Man keep a fairly routine robbery from escalating into a family tragedy?
Superman and Batman: 1977: The Devil to Pay
by HarveyKent
Why is Batman the bravest man Superman had ever met? The answer lies in this past case, wherein the Riddler must defeat Superman, Batman, and Robin or face the fires of Hell itself! But will even the World’s Finest team be able to prevail over the familiar foes they meet in the Inferno?
Legion of Super-Heroes: 2979: Ghost Story
by Libbylawrence
A handful of Legionnaires and a visiting Supergirl are all that stand between Earth and an invading army led by Mordru, one of their deadliest foes! But even if by some miracle they overcome the powerful wizard, can the Legionnaires thwart the curse of Mordru? Guest starring the Martian Manhunter!
Showcase: Mysto, Magician Detective: Men of Mystery
by Libbylawrence
Frustrated by his own family’s disinterest in his career, and long overshadowed by super-heroes like Superman and Batman, the retired Mysto the Magician Detective stumbles into Madame Xanadu’s shop, where he learns how much good he actually did as a hero! Guest starring the Phantom Stranger!
Animal Man and Rip Hunter: Didn’t I See You Die?
by Philip-Todd Franklin
Animal Man seeks the help of his old friend and fellow Forgotten Heroes alumni Rip Hunter, Time Master, to solve a strange case. Learning about a supernatural force in South Africa that kills everything in its path, Buddy Baker is shocked when he recognizes the man causing it — even more so since he saw that man die many years ago! How will this time paradox affect Animal Man’s own history? Guest starring the Phantom Stranger!
Superman: All Mxyed Up
by Starsky Hutch 76 and Martin Maenza
Superman’s friends and family are plagued by that troublesome imp from the fifth dimension! But when Mr. Mxyzptlk reveals his true objective — to marry either Lois Lane or Kristin Wells (Superwoman) — who will Superman choose to save from wedded misery? Guest starring Supergirl and other members of the Superman family!
Justice League of America: 1983: When Comes the Conqueror
by Libbylawrence
Doctor Mist, an ancient mystic with power beyond understanding, appears before the Justice League of America to team them up with the Global Guardians in order to face super-villains acting on behalf of the equally ancient Conqueror! But even as the two teams work together to stop these henchmen from completing their tasks, are the heroes merely being distracted from the Conqueror’s true goals? Meanwhile, Green Arrow confronts Doctor Mist over why the most powerful man on Earth needs agents to do his work!
Secret Origins: What Makes Chronos Tick?
by Martin Maenza
Over dinner, Dr. Harleen Quinzel gets inside the head of David Clinton, alias Chronos the Time Thief, who regales her with the story of what prompted him to become a criminal! But how far will the psychiatrist go to get the results she seeks from the Atom’s arch enemy?