Overview:
DC One Million is a DC Comics event published in 1998. This highly regarded storyline is the brainchild of notable authors Grant Morrison and Val Semeiks. It garnered both critical and fan acclaim for its imaginative and well-executed narrative.
The story takes place in the future, specifically in the 853rd century. This time period was chosen because if DC maintained its existing publishing schedule the running series would be on issue #1,000,000.
Superman and the Justice League travel to this distant time to celebrate the return of the original Batman and his descendants, who have guarded the city of Gotham for over 800 centuries. However, they soon discover a sinister plot involving Solaris, the tyrannical sentient sun.
DC One Million showcases a wide array of major characters and teams from the DC Universe, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Justice League, and the Legion of Super-Heroes. Each plays a crucial role in unraveling the mysteries of this epic adventure. The stories provide a glimpse into the distant future while paying homage to the rich history and enduring legacy of DC’s iconic heroes.
Overall, DC One Million is a standout event in DC Comics’ catalog, praised for its compelling storytelling, stunning artwork, and its ability to captivate fans with its unique vision of the DC Universe in the far future.
Background Reading:
- None Required
Related Guides
Best Way To Read:
DC One Million Omnibus
Collects: DC One Million #1–4, plus the #1,000,000 issues of Action Comics, Adventures Of Superman, Aquaman, Azrael, Batman, Batman: Shadow Of The Bat, Catwoman, Chase, Chronos, The Creeper, Detective Comics, The Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Hitman, Impulse, JLA, Legion of Super-Heroes, Legionnaires, Lobo, Martian Manhunter, Nightwing, Power Of Shazam, Resurrection Man, Robin, Starman, Superboy, Supergirl, Superman (vol. 2), Superman: The Man of Steel, Superman: The Man of Tomorrow, Wonder Woman and Young Justice; as well as Booster Gold #1,000,000, DC One Million 80-Page Giant #1 and Superman/Batman #79–80
Additional Collections
- JLA: One Million
- Collects: DC One Million, Green Lantern #1,000,000, Resurrection Man #1,000,000, Starman #1,000,000, JLA #1,000,000, Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #1,000,000, Detective Comics #1,000,000
For crossover and significant events, I typically only read the main story the first time I encounter it. Trying to read all of the tie-ins with the story tends to make them increasingly convoluted and are not crucial to the main narrative. However, I think they are important to read, as many series-shifting plotlines can happen.
For the tie-in issues, I only read them as they come up in the reading guide that I am working through. This can become problematic because the tie-in issues are not always included in collected editions of the event. So you may need to hunt for them.
Reading Order:
| Title | Importance | Collected |
|---|---|---|
| Chronos #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus |
| JLA #23 | Core Tie-in | Uncollected |
| DC One Million #1 | Main Story | DC One Million Omnibus JLA: One Million |
| Young Justice #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Action Comics #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Batman #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Catwoman #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Robin #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus |
| DC One Million #2 | Main Story | DC One Million Omnibus JLA: One Million |
| Impulse #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Superman: Man of Steel #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Superman #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Superboy #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Batman: Shadow of the Bat #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Nightwing #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Detective Comics #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus JLA: One Million |
| Green Lantern #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus JLA: One Million |
| Starman #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus JLA: One Million |
| JLA #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus JLA: One Million |
| DC One Million #3 | Main Story | DC One Million Omnibus JLA: One Million |
| Aquaman #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus |
| The Power of Shazam! #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Flash #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Wonder Woman #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Martian Manhunter #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Adventures of Superman #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Resurrection Man #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus JLA: One Million |
| Superman: Man of Tomorrow #1,000,000 | Core Tie-in | DC One Million Omnibus JLA: One Million |
| DC One Million #4 | Main Story | DC One Million Omnibus JLA: One Million |
| Azreal #1,000,000 | Not Essential | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Chase #1,000,000 | Not Essential | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Creeper #1,000,000 | Not Essential | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Green Arrow #1,000,000 | Not Essential | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Legionnaires #1,000,000 | Not Essential | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Legion of Super-Heroes #1,000,000 | Not Essential | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Lobo #1,000,000 | Not Essential | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Supergirl #1,000,000 | Not Essential | DC One Million Omnibus |
| Hitman #1,000,000 | Not Essential | DC One Million Omnibus |
Publications Impact
- Follow-up Issues
- 2008 follow-up tie in Booster Gold #1,000,000
References:
Feature Image DC One Million trade paperback cover art by Val Semeiks
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