All-Star Comics #69
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeAll-Star Comics #69 marks the first appearance of Helena Wayne as the Huntress — the daughter of Earth-Two's Batman and Catwoman — making it the debut of one of the Bronze Age's most distinctive legacy heroes and a cornerstone of DC's Earth-Two mythology. The issue introduced a character who represented a new creative direction for the Justice Society: a second-generation hero whose identity was rooted in the tangled legacies of two of DC's most storied characters, and whose arrival gave Power Girl a female counterpart within the team for the first time. Its larger narrative — the JSA being turned against itself by Psycho-Pirate's manipulation of Commissioner Bruce Wayne — served as a thematically resonant backdrop for a debut that was, by design, kept in the shadows, with the Huntress appearing only as an unidentified silhouette until her full reveal in the companion issue DC Super Stars #17. The character went on to become a persistent presence in DC continuity across multiple eras, revived interpretations, and animated adaptations, grounding this issue's significance well beyond its initial publication.
In "United We Fall!", the Justice Society of America fractures as rival factions clash—Hawkman, Green Lantern, Flash, and their allies square off against a force led by Commissioner Bruce Wayne, backed by Robin, Wonder Woman, and others, all under the guise of upholding justice. When the fight escalates and Power Girl is injured, Superman and Dr. Fate intervene, uncovering a shocking truth: Wayne’s actions are being manipulated by the Psycho Pirate. Written by Paul Levitz and brought to life by Joe Staton’s dynamic art, with inks by Bob Layton, colors by Liz Berube, and letters by Ben Oda, this 1977 issue features a cover by Al Milgrom and Jack Abel.
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We Buy Collections ▸History
The Huntress was conceived at the suggestion of inker Bob Layton, who proposed adding a revamped Earth-Two Batgirl to the JSA roster, with writer Paul Levitz then developing the character's origin and penciller Joe Staton designing her costume — drawing on elements of both Catwoman and Batman, with editor Joe Orlando contributing the scalloped cape and a more bat-like belt emblem during a design meeting. Levitz has confirmed in correspondence with collectors that All-Star Comics #69 was written first, though it was published simultaneously with DC Super Stars #17 (which carried the Huntress's full origin story), with trade publication Comic Reader #146 reporting both on sale the same week; copyright office records introduce a minor ambiguity, showing the two issues separated by a day or two. Editor Joe Orlando oversaw the issue, with the creative team of Levitz, Staton, and Layton having collaborated continuously on the series since issue #66, giving the debut a coherent visual and narrative identity built up over more than a year of prior work.
Trivia · 8 facts
- First appearance (cameo/introduction) of Helena Wayne as the Huntress — the daughter of Earth-Two's Bruce Wayne (Batman) and Selina Kyle (Catwoman) — who appears only as an unidentified shadowy figure observing the JSA from afar.
- Story titled 'United We Fall!', written by Paul Levitz, pencilled by Joe Staton, inked by Bob Layton, lettered by Ben Oda, with a cover by Al Milgrom (pencils) and Jack Abel (inks).
- The issue was published simultaneously with DC Super Stars #17 (1977), which contained the Huntress's full origin story; Levitz confirmed All-Star Comics #69 was written first, though both hit stands on or around the same date in late August 1977.
- The Huntress was created at inker Bob Layton's suggestion for a new Earth-Two female hero; Joe Staton designed her costume blending Catwoman and Batman visual elements, with editor Joe Orlando refining details including the scalloped cape.
- The story resolves a long-running subplot in which the Psycho-Pirate had been manipulating the emotions of Commissioner Bruce Wayne (the retired Earth-Two Batman), driving him to attempt the arrest of the entire Justice Society on fabricated charges.
- The JSA team in this issue includes Power Girl, Dr. Fate, Green Lantern (Alan Scott), Flash (Jay Garrick), Hawkman, Wildcat, Star-Spangled Kid, Hourman, Starman, Dr. Mid-Nite, Robin (Earth-2), Wonder Woman (Earth-2), and Superman (Earth-2).
- The issue is a direct continuation of the annual JLA-JSA crossover in Justice League of America #147–148 and All-Star Comics #68.
- The story has been reprinted three times in English: in Justice Society Vol. 2 (DC, 2007), Showcase Presents: All-Star Comics Vol. 1 (DC, 2011), and All-Star Comics: Only Legends Live Forever (DC, 2019).
Full credits
Reprints
Reprinted in Flash #41 (1979), Justice Society #2 (2007), Showcase Presents: All-Star Comics #1 (2011), All-Star Comics: Only Legends Live Forever #[nn] (2019)
Key issues in All-Star Comics
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