Home › Showcase Presents: Showcase › #1
Cover: Carmine Infantino & Frank Giacoia
Showcase Presents: Showcase #1
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeAbout this Collection
This massive black-and-white volume collects the earliest appearances of the Showcase series itself, reprinting the first dozen issues of DC's tryout title that introduced new characters and concepts. Featuring the debuts of the Challengers of the Unknown, the Space Ranger, and the first solo adventures of the Flash, it showcases the experimental spirit of late-1950s comics. The collection includes Showcase #1-12, originally published between 1956 and 1958, presented in DC's budget-friendly Showcase Presents format.
In "The Story Behind Showcase," Adam Strange finds himself caught in a web of deception on Ranagar, where full-size dolls of him have become a cultural craze. When Alanna warns of a secret invasion plot involving "KLY" bombs hidden in the dolls, Adam must uncover the truth before it's too late. With a daring escape and a race across the Flaming Sea, he confronts the conspiracy—only to vanish again at the most unexpected moment. Written by Gardner Fox and illustrated by Mike Sekowsky, with inks by Joe Giella, this issue features a cover by Carmine Infantino and Frank Giacoia.
Contains 60 stories
The Story Behind Showcase
Larry BlakeNational Comics' editor
The School for Smoke-Eaters
Fireman FarrellRed MillerClarkNoonanFoxGainer
Fire under the Big Top
Fireman FarrellFire Lieutenant ReinerPhil Baylor
Fourth Alarm
Fireman FerrellEdgar R. MeadowCaptain Walsh
Rider of the Winds!
Eagle Feather (an Indian boy)Godfather (an eagle)Black Lightning (a mountain lion)
Outcast Heroes!
DanAunt Jane
Runaway Bear
Billy, a circus beara lionan elephanta huntera park ranger
"The Frogmen" Part I The Making of a Frogman!
SardineSharkWhalekids (flashback)Mom (flashback)Drill Instructorfrogmen recruits
Part II of "The Frogmen!" Flying Frogmen
SardineSharkWhale
Part III of "The Frogmen!" Silent War!
SardineSharkWhale
Mystery of the Human Thunderbolt!
The Flash [Barry Allen] (introduction, scientist, origin)The Flash [Jay Garrick] (image only)Iris West (introduction)The Turtle Man [aka later as The Turtle] (villain, introduction)
The Man Who Broke the Time Barrier!
The Flash [Barry Allen]Mazdan (villain)
The Greatest Villain of All Time
Lt. Harry FowlerSergeant CollinsBen Gatewood (Producer)Leif Conrad (Director)Danny Tell (Public Relations)Otto Sands (Actor)
The Two Faces of Mr. X
Don ReedFBI agentsAlex Tate (crime boss)gangsters
The Human Eel
Agent DrewThe Human EelZoracpolice of many nations
The Secrets of the Sorcerer's Box! [Chapter One]
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace MorganProf HaleyRed RyanRocky Davis] (introduction for all, origin)un-named sailorsun-named citizensMr. Morelian (villain, introduction, death)
Chapter Two Dragon Seed!
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace MorganProfessor HaleyRed RyanRocky Davis]
Chapter Three The Freezing Sun!
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace MorganProfessor HaleyRed RyanRocky Davis]
Chapter Four The Whirling Weaver!
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace MorganProfessor HaleyRed RyanRocky Davis]
ULTIVAC Is Loose [Chapter One]
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace MorganProfessor HaleyRed RyanRocky Davis]June Robbins (first appearance)Felix Hesse (first appearance)ULTIVAC (first appearance)
Chapter Two A Challenger Must Die!
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace MorganProfessor HaleyRed RyanRocky Davis]
Chapter Three The Fearful Millions
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace MorganProfessor HaleyRed RyanRocky Davis]
Chapter Four The Fatal Prediction!
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace MorganProfessor HaleyRed RyanRocky Davis]
The Secret of the Empty Box!
Flash [Barry Allen]Iris West
The Coldest Man on Earth!
Flash [Barry Allen]Captain Cold [Leonard Snart](first appearanceoriginvillain)
The Race of Wheel and Keel
John ButterfieldHarrison
The Girl in Superman's Past
Lois LaneLana LangSuperman [Clark Kent]
The New Lois Lane
Superman [Clark Kent]Lois Lane"Con" Conners
Mrs. Superman
SupermanJimmy OlsenLulu Lyons (introduction)
The Jilting of Superman
Lois LaneSupermanTony Lester
The Sightless Lois Lane
Lois LaneSupermanPerry WhiteDeadline (dog)
The Forbidden Box from Krypton
Lois LaneSupermanPerry WhiteJimmy OlsenJor-El (flashback)Lara (flashback)
The Day the Earth Blew Up [Chapter One]
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace MorganRocky DavisProfessor HaleyRed Ryan]Carl JacksonWarren MossCommander LockwoodColonel PriceGeneral Tolek (villain)Garnat (villain)other Tyrans (villains)
Chapter Two The Tyrans
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace MorganProfessor HaleyRed RyanRocky Davis]
Chapter Three The Thing That Came Out of the Sea
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace MorganProfessor HaleyRed RyanRocky Davis]
Chapter Four One Minute to Doom
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace MorganProfessor HaleyRed RyanRocky Davis]
The Menace of the Ancient Vials! Chapter 1
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace MorganProfessor HaleyRed RyanRocky Davis]Amos HunterVILLAINS: BrommerGortzKarnak, Kraken
Chapter Two The Fire Being!
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace MorganProfessor HaleyRed RyanRocky Davis]
Chapter 3 The Demon From the Depths
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace MorganProfessor HaleyRed RyanRocky Davis]
Chapter 4 The Deadly Duplicates!
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace MorganProfessor HaleyRed RyanRocky Davis]
Around the World in 80 Minutes!
Flash [Barry Allen]Iris WestLe Chat Noir (villain)El Claw (villain)Princess Tara
Master of the Elements!
Flash [Barry Allen]Iris WestMr. Element [Albert Desmond](first appearanceoriginvillainlater called Dr. Alchemy)Argon (villain)Radon (villain)Krypton (villain)Xenon (villain)
Giants of the Time-World!
Flash [Barry Allen]Iris West
The Man Who Changed the Earth!
Flash [Barry Allen]Iris WestDr. Alchemy [Albert Desmond](villainoriginformerly Mr. Element)Ben Sniper
The Great Plutonium Plot
Space Ranger [Rick Starr] (Introduction)JarkoGurphMyra MasonThaddeus StarrCryllZandor
The Robot Planet
Space Ranger [Rick Starr]Myra MasonCryllDanaan
The Secret of the Space Monster
The Space Ranger [Rick Starr]President Thaddeus StarrMyra Mason (Rick's secretary)Cryll (a shape-shifting alien sidekick)Captain Jonesrebels from Korth near ProcyonKorthan councillors
The Riddle of the Lost Race
The Space Ranger [Rick Starr]CryllMyra Masona Mercurian Oceton huntera gang led by the Plutonian Ragnar-EllEvan Blanchard (a space archaeologist)
Secret of the Eternal City!
Adam Strange (introduction, origin)Alanna [aka Allana] (introduction)Sardath (Alanna's father scientist, introduction)inhabitants of SamakandThe Eternals (villains, introduction for all)
The Planet and the Pendulum!
Adam StrangeAlannaSardathcitizens of New Ranagarbarbarians of the tribe of Zoora from the city Yardana (villains)invaders from Morleen (villains)
Invaders from the Atom Universe!
Adam StrangeRannAlannaVrenn chieftainThe Vrenn
The Dozen Dooms of Adam Strange!
Adam StrangeAlannaTak Vall (first appearancevillain)Moora (first appearancevillain)
Challenge of the Star-Hunter!
Adam StrangeAlannaSardathLeothric (first appearancevillain)
Mystery of the Mental Menace!
Adam StrangeAlannaZakkad (first appearancevillain)
Prisoners of 100 Million B.C. [Chapter 1]
Rip Hunter (introductionorigin)Jeff SmithBonnie BaxterCorky Baxter
Chapter 2 The Modern-Day Cavemen
Rip HunterJeff SmithBonnie BaxterCorky Baxter
Chapter 3 The Great Beast Stampede
Rip HunterJeff SmithBonnie BaxterCorky Baxter
The Secret of the Lost Continent [Chapter 1]
Rip HunterJeff SmithBonnie BaxterCorky Baxter [Bonnie's kid brother]Alexander the Greatwarriors
Chapter 2 The Forbidden Island
Rip HunterJeff SmithBonnie BaxterCorky BaxterCirce(fake) centaursCretan sailors
Chapter 3 The Doomed Continent
Rip HunterJeff SmithBonnie BaxterCorky BaxterAliens from JexjaraR'Del (Chief Scientist)D'Zar (dictator)
ComicBooks.com Value
Our Model is In Beta
Raw (NM) $2
Our model’s value — refined as new sales data arrives · CGC census counts shown where available
Find on ebay
Search eBay for Showcase Presents: Showcase #1
No confirmed live listings for this exact issue right now — this opens an eBay search.
Where to buy
$39.95 🛒 Buy on Amazon
Showcase Presents Showcase, Vol. 1
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸Fast, fair offers · we handle grading & shipping
Full credits
writer Gardner Fox
artist Mike Sekowsky
inker Joe Giella
cover pencils Carmine Infantino
cover inks Frank Giacoia
Reprints
↩ Reprints Showcase #1 (1956), Showcase #2 (1956), Showcase #3 (1956), Showcase #4 (1956), Showcase #5 (1956), Showcase #6 (1957), Showcase #7 (1957), Showcase #8 (1957), Showcase #9 (1957), Showcase #10 (1957), Showcase #11 (1957), Showcase #12 (1958), Showcase #13 (1958), Showcase #14 (1958), Showcase #15 (1958), Showcase #16 (1958), Showcase #17 (1958), Showcase #18 (1959), Showcase #19 (1959), Showcase #20 (1959), Showcase #21 (1959)
Reviews
Reader reviews
No reader reviews yet.