DC COMIC CHARACTERS TO BE FEATURED ON US STAMPS IN 2006

[MattBrady]

Official announcement came today that the comic book publisher that put “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” on the map will get a nod from the US Post Office next year, when DC Comics characters get their own postage stamps, this according to a USPS release listing the various stamp designs coming in 2006.

“Our 2006 program commemorates a wide range of diverse American icons with something that will appeal to everyone,'' Postmaster General John E. Potter said in announcing the planned designs. One touch of reality though – the new stamps of 2006 will cost 39 cents, as the postal rate increases on January 8th.

The Post Office’s plans call for a set of 20 stamps featuring DC Comics characters. From the release, the list includes: “Superman, Wonder Woman, Plastic Man, Batman, Green Arrow and many more.”

According to the August issue of Linn's Stamp News, Aquaman, Hawkman, and Supergirl will also be featured. The heroes will reportedly be on two stamps, showcasing different poses. Linn's also reported that the stamps would be released in conjunction with a major comic convention, most likely indicating the San Diego Comic-Con, July 20-23rd (although some sources are claiming they will have stamps in stock on September 1st, 2006). Again, according to Stamp News Marvel heroes will be featured on a series of stamps in 2007.

While the pane of 20 stamps will be the first for nearly all, it will mark Superman's second time on US postage, as the character was featured in 1998, as one in a series of events that occured in the 1930s. Superman was also on a Canadian stamp in 1995, one of a set featuring Canadian comic book heroes (Joe Shuster was born in Canada).

Further clarifying (and see above), as the news has been bubbling through the stamp hobby since this summer, Scott's Stamp Monthly has reported that the 20 stamps will feature only ten heroes, one showing the hero, and the other of the pair, showing a comic book cover featuring the hero. According to Scott Stamp Monthly, the heroes and the comic book covers featured are:

1) Superman - Superman #11, 1941
2) Green Arrow - Green Arrow (Vol. 2) #15, 2001
3) Green Lantern - Green Lantern #4, 1961
4) Wonder Woman - Wonder Woman (second series) #22, 1987
5) Batman - Batman #1, 1940 (with Robin)
6) The Flash - Flash #111, 1960
7) Plastic Man - Plastic Man #4, 1943 (with Woozy Winks)
8) Aquaman - Aquaman (third series) #5, 1989
9) Hawkman - The Brave and The Bold #36, 1961
10) Supergirl - Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #1, 1982

Or, larger and more pictorially:

As for the character images - from the Post Office's release:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Also in 2006, Disney characters will again make cut, with romance stamps to be issued in April featuring Disney characters such as Mickey and Minnie and Lady and the Tramp.

Other notable personalities/items on 2006’s stamps: Boxer Sugar Ray Robinson, a set recalling baseball sluggers Roy Campanella, Hank Greenberg, Mickey Mantle and Mel Ott; Judy Garland, a set featuring children’s book animals such as the Very Hungry Caterpillar, Curious George and Fox in Socks; Benjamin Franklin, explorer Samuel de Champlain (jointly with Canada Post), and others.

For a full listing of the 2006 commemorative stamps, click here.

[mauer]

Very cool! I'll totally get these...even though I dont' collect stamps.

[bluedevil2002]

interesting that i find out about a postage increase on a comic site....

[AdamYJ]

Now I'm kind of hoping we run out of stamps around that time, so I can buy some to use on letters and bills and stuff. How cool would it be to mail in a credit card bill that's paid using a DC Superheroes check (which I have) and with a DC Superheroes stamp on the outside?

[adamcasey]

20 stamps eh? That could be 20 different characters, or some multiples of Batman and Superman (it'd be really neat to have Golden, Silver, and Modern age versions.)

[JacktheKnife]

Not a stamp collector, but I'll totally get these to use.

[Big Red]

Sounds good.

I'll get 'em.

[Kolimar]

Time to become a philatelist.

[MatthewSmith]

Questions from a moron who knows nothing about buying stamps.

Do you just go into the post office and ask for a certain type of stamp and they are supposed to have it? Whenever I buy stamps I just take whatever flower design or American flag, etc. stamps they give me.

[adamcasey]

Originally posted by MatthewSmith
Questions from a moron who knows nothing about buying stamps.

Do you just go into the post office and ask for a certain type of stamp and they are supposed to have it? Whenever I buy stamps I just take whatever flower design or American flag, etc. stamps they give me.

You can ask, or you can order from the website usps.gov.

[cncoyle]

Originally posted by bluedevil2002
interesting that i find out about a postage increase on a comic site....

I found out about two months ago. That's why I switched to paying bills online. When you can't mail three envelopes for a dollar, I think it's time for free alternative methods of payment.

So, with Supergirl being printed on a stamp AND Rucka going on to her title, does that mean that the skinnyminny "Kara Zor-El" is here to stay? Or will Power Girl get some respeck and a name change?

[cncoyle]

Originally posted by Kolimar
Time to become a philatelist.

Reported.

[MatthewSmith]

Originally posted by adamcasey
You can ask, or you can order from the website usps.gov.

ok then

Thanks.

[AdamYJ]

Originally posted by MatthewSmith
Questions from a moron who knows nothing about buying stamps.

Do you just go into the post office and ask for a certain type of stamp and they are supposed to have it? Whenever I buy stamps I just take whatever flower design or American flag, etc. stamps they give me.

The post office I go to is set up kind of like a store, with packages of stamps hanging on the wall. You just pick the ones you like, bring them up to the counter, and buy them. If your post office isn't set up that way, I think you'd probably have to ask.

This will be one of the rare times when there's something on the stamps that I like. Actually, I think we've got vintage car stamps right now, which is pretty cool. But usually, it's just flowers or something like that.

[Kolimar]

Originally posted by AdamYJ
The post office I go to is set up kind of like a store, with packages of stamps hanging on the wall. You just pick the ones you like, bring them up to the counter, and buy them. If your post office isn't set up that way, I think you'd probably have to ask.

This will be one of the rare times when there's something on the stamps that I like. Actually, I think we've got vintage car stamps right now, which is pretty cool. But usually, it's just flowers or something like that.

If you don't like flowers I think I'm gonna have to kick yo ass.

[lex luthor]

Geez, who mails anything anymore? I can't remember the last time I paid a bill via USPS and most of my friends and family have computers so instead of mailing letters I just shoot them an email.

Still, big props to DC. This is a nice achievement. Not everybody gets a stamp.

[johnlayman]

Note to self: Time to buy mean dog to attack postal carrier.

[UnknownEric]

Na na nana nana nana
Na na nana nana nana
BATMAIL!

[EmeraldGuy32]

Originally posted by mauer
Very cool! I'll totally get these...even though I dont' collect stamps.

same here. What a great way to move comics into the public subconcious./

[Steve J.]

So who would be featured if Marvel were on US postage stamps? Spider-Man, Hulk and Captain America for sure... Would Wolverine make the cut? (heh) How about Daredevil? Any female heroes that the average American would know of? Whattayathink?

[Gordon McAlpin]

Hey, Big Red. Your sig pic is awesome. Who drew it? I can't read the signature... Chris something.

g

[Johnny Smith]

Yeah babee!

DC rocks!!!!

Superman on a stamp - woo hoo!!!

[e_galston]

Originally posted by Steve J.
So who would be featured if Marvel were on US postage stamps? Spider-Man, Hulk and Captain America for sure... Would Wolverine make the cut? (heh) How about Daredevil? Any female heroes that the average American would know of? Whattayathink?

spidey, hulk, capt america, wolverine, iron man, thor, storm, invisible woman, human torch, rogue, silver surfer, thing, elektra, ghost rider... pretty much any character that marvel is already actively promoting in there licensed stuff..

[Jeffrey D. Smith]

Originally posted by AdamYJ
This will be one of the rare times when there's something on the stamps that I like. Actually, I think we've got vintage car stamps right now, which is pretty cool. But usually, it's just flowers or something like that.

I don't collect stamps, but I always buy commemoratives just for my everyday mailing because I like so many of them: art, wildlife, actors and musicians, historical events -- I just prefer using them to the boring old flag stamps. (Though they had some really neat flag stamps a couple years ago, of historical toys and artifacts with flag motifs.)

It was more fun years ago when I was actually sending mail to people (now it's all e-mail). Most bills are opened by machines, which don't care what stamps you use. But I still see them when I put them on the envelopes.

I might keep a sheet of the DC stamps -- a $7.80 mini-poster.

[Comic-Reader]

I'll definitely get these and the Marvels too.