It’s time to map the DC Universe! In June, I’ll be joining with Near Mint Condition to launch the Tigereyes Most Wanted DC Omnibus 2nd Annual Poll! This post explains every DC Hero from Q to Z I haven’t already covered in other posts – including The Question, Zatanna, & The Spectre omnibus mapping – all of which will appear as options on the 2025 poll.
Through the end of May I’ll be covering DC entire publishing history by mapping missing omnibus volumes to fill in every gap in your DC oversize shelf! That’s all leading to the kickoff of the Tigereyes Most Wanted DC Omnibus 2nd Annual Poll on Near Mint Condition the first week of June.
Here’s the full list of the characters this post covers: The Question, Ragman, The Ray, Red Tornado, Renee Montoya, Resurrection Man, Richard Dragon, Rip Hunter – Time Master, Rose & Thorn, Sgt. Rock, Sideways, Silencer, The Spectre, The Spirit, Stanley and His Monster, Starfire, Stargirl, Starman, Tom Strong, Valor, Vigilante, Warlord, and Zatanna.
If you’re not sure of what to vote for, stick around for a list of books vetted by a gang of the biggest mapping nerds on the internet with explanations from yours truly – keeper of the most-definitive guides to collected editions on the planet.
Or, if you don’t care about omnibuses, just use this post to learn about DC history and find some great comics to read!
This post covers the following speculated omnibus volumes:
- Question: Renee Montoya (2007 – 2011)
- Ragman, The Complete Omnibus (1976 – 2018)
- Ray, The 90s Omnibus by Christopher Priest et al (1992 – 1996)
- Red Tornado & Primal Force (1985 – 2010)
- Resurrection Man: The Complete Saga by Abnett & Lanning (1997 – 2012)
- Richard Dragon Omnibus (1975 & on)
- Rip Hunter, Time Master, The Silver Age Omnibus (1959 – 1965)
- Rose & Thorn, The Complete Omnibus (1947 & on)
- Sandman, Wesley Dodds – The Golden Age Omnibus (1939 – 1946)
- Sgt. Rock Omnibus Mapping
- Sgt. Rock, The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1 (1959 & on) [continues through Bronze]
- Sgt. Rock, The Modern Era Omnibus (1992 & on)
- Shade, The Changing Man by Peter Milligan Vol 2 (of 2) (1993 – 1996)
- Sideways & The New Age of Heroes: Brimstone, Immortal Men, New Challengers, & The Unexpected (2018 – 2019)
- Silencer, The DC New Age of Heroes, by Abnett, Romita Jr, & Marion (2018 – 2019)
- The Spectre Omnibus Mapping
- Spectre by Doug Moench (1987 – 1989) [prior to Ostrander Vol. 1]
- Spectre by John Ostrander Vol. 2 (of 2) (1995 – 1998)
- Spectre, The Golden Age Omnibus (1940 & on)
- Spectre, Hal Jordan by J.M. DeMatteis (1996 – 2003) [includes Final Night & Day of Judgement material]
- Spirit by Cooke, Evanier, Ploog et al (2006 – 2011)
- Stanley and His Monster (1966 & on)
- Starfire, The Complete Saga (1977 & on)
- Stargirl, The Complete Saga (1999 & on)
- Starman Omnibus Mapping
- Starman, The Golden Age Omnibus (1941 – 1946)
- Starman by Roger Stern & Len Strazewski (1988 – 1992) [prior to Robinson]
- Starman by James Robinson Vol. 1 (of 2) (1994 – 1998)
- Tom Strong Omnibus Mapping
- Tom Strong by Alan Moore (1999 – 2006)
- Tom Strong Companion (2002 – 2011) [includes Terrific Tales and other minis]
- Vigilante by Marv Wolfman & Paul Kupperberg (1983 & on) [Vol 1 of 2?]
- Warlord by Mike Grell Vol. 2 (1981 & on)
- Zatanna Omnibus Mapping
- Zatanna, The Early Years (1964 – 1986)
- Zatanna, The Modern Omnibus Vol. 1 (1987 & on)
Remember: These titles and mappings are a suggestion of how DC could assemble these books. Your vote on the poll is a vote in favor of DC creating a book with that title or covering that period, NOT an endorsement of a specific map. Maps are presented as a proof of concept and to help you build your personal reading list.
Want to check out all of the other voting options for the 2025 Tigereyes Poll? Check out my 2025 Tigereyes poll options overview page that explains the poll, how to vote, and every title that will appear – including links to all of the posts in this series.
Intensely researched posts like this one are made possible via the support of Patrons of Crushing Krisis. For less than the cost of a single comic issue a month you can fuel my in-depth comics coverage, plus gain access to dozens of exclusive collecting guides & reading orders – including all of the Crushing Comics Guide to DC Comics.
The Question Omnibus Mapping
We already have complete coverage of The Question’s initial Post-Crisis material thanks to a pair of recent Omnibus volumes!
Question: Renee Montoya (2007 – 2011)
Despite the title of this volume, it could actually begin with Vic Sage as The Question in The Question (2005) #1-6.
Then, it would primarily collect Crime Bible: The Five Lessons of Blood (2007) #1-5, material from 52 (2006) #48 & 52, Final Crisis: Revelations (2008) #1-5, Question stories from Detective Comics (1937) #854-864, and any crossovers and significant guest appearances from that period.
Commenter Cody points out that there’s some more obvious material for this book – The Question (1987) #37, Convergence: The Question (2015) #1-2, and perhaps Lois Lane (2019) #1-12. I think that Lois series is too disconnected from this main material and not solely focused on Montoya … but, it is also by Greg Rucka, her primary writer! I think if you want to see that in this book you could absolutely assume it could be included.
Ragman Omnibus Mapping
Ragman, The Complete Omnibus (1976 – 2018)
This would collect Ragman (1976) #1-5, Ragman (1991) #1-8, Ragman: Cry of the Dead (1993) #1-6, Ragman: Suit of Souls (2010) #1, Ragman (2017) #1-6, and any crossovers and significant guest appearances from that period.
The Ray Omnibus Mapping
Ray, The 90s Omnibus by Christopher Priest et al (1994 – 1996)
This would completely collect The Ray’s run of 1990s series. It would include The Ray (1992) #1-6, The Ray (1994) #0-28 & Annual 1, and any crossovers and significant guest appearances from that period.
Red Tornado Omnibus Mapping, including Primal Force
Red Tornado & Primal Force (1985 – 2010)
Red Tornado is typically a team member, but one of those teams is the little-known Primal Force – who don’t quite have enough material for their own omnibus.
Thus, this could collect Red Tornado (1985) #1-4, Primal Force (1994) #0-14, Red Tornado (2009) #1-6, and any crossovers and significant guest appearances from that period.
Resurrection Man Omnibus Mapping
Resurrection Man: The Complete Saga by Abnett & Lanning (1997 – 2012)
I have a soft spot for Resurrection Man, a hero who just can’t die. I loved his little-read New 52 series and decided I would make my own custom bind of his material, all of which is by the writing team of Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning! That means I’ve had this map perfected for over a decade now! And, with a new Black Label series by Ram V, this is the perfect time to announce an omnibus.
This would collect Resurrection Man (1997) #1-27 & One Million, New Year’s Evil: Body Doubles (1997) #1, Supergirl (1996) #24 (between issues #16-17), Body Doubles (1999) #1-4, Resurrection Man (2011) #1-12 & 0, Suicide Squad (2011) #9, and material from Adventures of Superman (1987) One Million, DC One Million 80-Page Giant (1998) #1, DCU Heroes Secret Files and Origins (1999) #1, DCU Heroes Secret Files and Origins (1999) #1, and DC Infinite Halloween Special (2007) #1.
Richard Dragon Omnibus Mapping
Richard Dragon Omnibus (1975 & on)
DC Comics didn’t lean as heavily into the Kung-Fu craze of the 1970s as Marvel, but Richard Dragon was their primary star.
This would collect Richard Dragon, Kung-Fu Fighter (1975) #1-18, The Brave and the Bold (1955) #132, The Question (1987) #34-36, Richard Dragon (2004) #1-12, 52 (2006) #26-27, 41, & 44, and material from DC Comics Presents (1978) #39, The Question (1987) #2 & Annual 1, Batman Chronicles (1995) #5, Batman/Huntress: Cry for Blood (2000) #3, and Detective Comics (1937) Annual 12.
Rip Hunter Omnibus Mapping
Rip Hunter, Time Master, The Silver Age Omnibus (1959 – 1965)
This would mirror the black-and-white Showcase Presents collection and extend slightly beyond it to collect all of the Rip Hunter material from Showcase mapping, extended to reach the end of his series: Rip Hunter, Time Master stories from: Showcase (1956) #20, 21, & 25-26 and Rip Hunter, Time Master (1961) #1-25.
Rose & Thorn Omnibus Mapping
Rose & Thorn (1947 & on)
While this isn’t an exact map, it’s a proof of concept that this omnibus could be a worthwhile compilation of stories!
First, it would collect material from Rose and Thorn, the Golden Age villainess of Earth-Two from Flash Comics #89 & 96; Superman’s Girlfriend, Lois Lane #113 (featuring two pages of unpublished Golden Age story); All-Star Comics #72-73; and later appearances in Infinity Inc. #13-14, 18, & Annual 1.
Then, we’d continue to Rose Forrest is also the Thorn, a Bronze and Modern Age heroine. She appears in (roughly in this order) Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane (1958) #105-130 (which begins in October 1970), Superman (1939) #336, The Brave and the Bold (1955) #188-189, Booster Gold (1986) #2-4 & 9, in Triangle Era Superman (Action Comics (1938) #669, 671, & 675, Adventures of Superman (1987) #482 & 488-489, Action Comics (1938) #671, Superman (1987) #62 & 65-66) Superman: The Legacy of Superman (1993) #1, Supergirl/Lex Luthor Special (1993) #1, Adventures of Superman (1987) #521, a featured story in Showcase ’95 (1995) #4-5, Green Arrow (1988) #107-109, a featured story in Showcase ’96 (1996) #5, Superman Metropolis Secret Files (2000) #1, Adventures of Superman (1987) #581 & 585-587, Harley Quinn (2000) #3, Wonder Woman (1987) #174-175, Harley Quinn (2000) #14 & 16-19, Rose and Thorn (2004) #1-6, Birds of Prey (1999) #79-80, 98, 100, & 108.
Not all of that material might be featured material, but between the Bronze Age run in Lois Lane, her Showcase stories, and her 2004 mini-series, I think there’s already enough material to justify an omnibus!
Then, much later in DC Rebirth, she is in Action Comics (1938) #1012-1015, Legion of Super-Heroes: Millennium (2019) #1-2 Legion of Super-Heroes (2020), and Justice League vs. The Legion of Super-Heroes (2022) #4-6 – though I don’t think any of those appearances would make sense to include in this book.
Sandman, Wesley Dodds Omnibus Mapping
Sandman, Wesley Dodds – The Golden Age Omnibus (1939 – 1946)
Begins to collect Adventure Comics (1938) #40-102, World’s Finest Comics (1941) #3-7, plus material from The New York World’s Fair Comics (1939) #1-2.
Sgt Rock Omnibus Mapping
Sgt. Rock, The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1 (1959 & on) [continues through Bronze]
Sgt. Rock was a character DC introduced early in the Silver Age to tell World War II stories. He was introduced in Our Army at War (1951) #81 and continued to appear in and anchor that title until 1977, when the title was changed to Sgt. Rock.
That means we really could have both a Sgt. Rock Silver Age Omnibus and a Bronze Age Omnibus on the poll, but we didn’t want folks to be confused about his classic material and to split their votes as a result.
This would begin to collect Sgt. Rock features from Our Army at War (1951) #81-301, and then Sgt. Rock (1977) #302-422 & Annual 3-4.
Sgt Rock, The Modern Era Omnibus (1992 & on)
This would collect Sgt. Rock’s Post-Crisis material, including Sgt. Rock Special (1992) #1-2, Sgt. Rock: Between Hell and a Hard Place (2003) OGN, Sgt. Rock: The Prophecy (2006) #1-6, Sgt. Rock: The Lost Battalion (2008) #1-6, Our Army at War (2010) #1, DC Horror Presents: Sgt. Rock vs. The Army of the Dead (2022) #1-6; material from Joe Kubert Presents (2012) #5.
Shade, The Changing Man Omnibus Mapping
Last year Shade Vol. 1 was a surprise Top 60 entry on the poll and DC announced the omnibus for 2025! And, with the book announced past the midway point of the year, it’s very possible the poll influenced DC’s choice to print it.
Shade, The Changing Man by Peter Milligan Vol 2 (of 2) (1993 – 1996)
This would collect Shade, The Changing Man (1990) #38-70 and material from Vertigo X Anniversary (2003).
Sideways Omnibus Mapping
Sideways & The New Age of Heroes: Brimstone, Immortal Men, New Challengers, & The Unexpected (2018 – 2019)
Sideways was one of a half dozen books that were a part of the “New Age of Heroes” in 2018, a second wave of Rebirth that focused on lesser known properties. There were a few minor hits in this line, but lots of titles that sputtered out quickly – and, all of those could easily fit into this book. The only omitted titles are the ones that ran longer – Damage, Silencer, and the Terrifics.
This would collect Sideways (2018) #1-13 & Annual, The Curse of Brimstone (2018) #1-12 & Annual, The Immortal Men (2018) #1-6, New Challengers (2018) #1-6, and The Unexpected (2018) #1-6.
Silencer Omnibus Mapping
Silencer, The DC New Age of Heroes, by Abnett, Romita Jr, & Marion (2018 – 2019)
This would collect The Silencer (2018) #1-18 & Annual 1.
The Spectre Omnibus Mapping
The Spectre has been around since the Golden Age and has been through many incarnations – including a run as Hal Jordan! We have one Bronze Age omnibus of the character, but there are still more we can include!
Spectre, The Golden Age Omnibus (1940 & on)
DC only ever released once hardcover of Golden Age Spectre Archives starring the original Spectre, Jim Corrigan.
That hardcover collected his material from More Fun Comics (1936) #52-70. However, the character continued appearing through More Fun Comics (1936) #71-101, which would make a perfectly-sized Golden Age omnibus.
Spectre by Doug Moench (1987 – 1989) [prior to Ostrander Vol. 1]
This series directly follows up on The Spectre’s status quo in the wake of his involvement in Crisis on Infinite Earths.
This would collect The Spectre (1987) #1-31 & Annual 1 and any crossovers and significant guest appearances from that period.
Spectre by John Ostrander Vol. 2 (of 2) (1995 – 1998)
This would collect The Spectre (1992) #32-62 & Annual 1 and any crossovers and significant guest appearances from that period, including Showcase ’95 #8
Spectre, Hal Jordan by J.M. DeMatteis (1996 – 2003) [includes Final Night & Day of Judgement material]
This should start with Parallax: Emerald Night (1996) #1 & material from Final Night (1996) #4. Then, Day of Judgment #1 -5, Day of Judgment Secret Files #1, JLA #35, and Legends of the DC Universe #33-36, before finally continuing to the main material of The Spectre (2001) #1-27 and JLA / The Spectre: Soul War (2003) #1-2.
The Spirit Omnibus Mapping
Spirit by Cooke, Evanier, Ploog et al (2006 – 2011)
This would collect The Spirit (2006) #1-32 and The Spirit (2010) #1-17.
Stanley and His Monster Omnibus Mapping
Stanley and His Monster (1966 & on)
This would collect The Fox and the Crow (1951) #95-108, Stanley and His Monster (1968) #109-112, The Best of DC #29, 37, 49, Secret Origins #48, material from Who’s Who in the DC Universe #1, Stanley and His Monster (1993) #1-4
Starfire Omnibus Mapping
Starfire, The Complete Saga (1977 & on)
This would collect Starfire (1977) #1-18, Starfire (2015) #1-12, and other plot- significant series and appearances in between
Stargirl Omnibus Mapping
Stargirl, The Complete Saga (1999 & on)
This would collect the complete story of Stargirl from Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. (1999) #0-14, JSA: All-Stars (2003) #4, JSA Classified #14-16, Stargirl Spring Break Special #1, Stargirl: The Lost Children (2022) #1-6, and material from DC Heroes Secret Files (1999) and DC Villains Secret Files (1999)
Starman Omnibus Mapping
Starman, The Golden Age Omnibus (1941 – 1946)
Starman was originally a Golden Age DC superhero. His adventures were collected in a pair of DC Archives, which included Adventure Comics (1938) #61-102.
Issue #102 was the final appearance of Starman during the Golden Age. He next appears during the Silver Age in Justice League of America (1960) #29 as part of Crisis on Infinite Earths stories.
Starman by Roger Stern & Len Strazewski (1988 – 1992) [prior to Robinson]
Though James Robinson’s 1990s deconstructionist Starman series is the more well-known comic, Roger Stern and Len Strazewski also had a lengthy run on Will Payton as Starman just after Crisis.
This would collect Starman (1988) #1-45 and any crossovers and significant guest appearances from that period.
Starman by James Robinson Vol. 1 (of 2) (1994 – 1998)
This would collect the first half of James Robinson’s classic Starman series. It would include Starman (1994) #0-42 & Annual 1-2, Starman 80-Page Giant (1999) #1, Starman Secret Files (1998) #1, The Power of SHAZAM! (1995) #35-36, The Shade (1997) #1-4, and stories from Showcase ’95 (1995) #12 and Showcase 96 (1996) #4-5.
Tom Strong Omnibus Mapping
Tom Strong was created by Alan Moore under the WildStorm imprint “America’s Best Comics (ABC).” The rights to the character were included in Jim Lee’s sale of WildStorm to DC, though Tom Strong was never technically a WildStorm character or a part of their continuity. DC integrated him into their universe in the DC Rebirth era in The Terrifics.
Tom Strong by Alan Moore (1999 – 2006)
This would collect the core of Tom Strong’s material by Alan Moore, including Tom Strong (1999) #1-36; and material from America’s Best Comics Special (2001) #1 and Tomorrow Stories Special (2005) #2, and ABC A to Z: Tom Strong and Jack B Quick (2005) #1
Tom Strong Companion (2002 – 2011) [includes Terrific Tales and other minis]
This is both a sequel and a companion volume, collecting some series that ran alongside the original Tom Strong run as well as later series not by Moore.
This would collect Tom Strong’s Terrific Tales (2002) #1-12 – an anthology series that ran alongside the main title, Terra Obscura (2003) #1-6, Terra Obscura (2004) #1-6, Many Worlds of Tesla Strong (2003) #1, Tom Strong and the Robots of Doom (2011) #1-6, Tom Strong and the Planet of Peril (2013) #1-6, and material from ABC A to Z: Terra Obscura and Splash Brannigan (2006) #1.
Valor Omnibus Mapping
Legion of Super-Heroes: Valor by Fleming, Waid, Busiek, et al (1992 – 1994)
This would collect Valor (1992) #1-23, which spun out of the end of the Eclipso: The Darkness Within event.
Vigilante Omnibus Mapping
Vigilante by Marv Wolfman & Paul Kupperberg (1983 & on) [Vol 1 of 2?]
This would collect the full run of Vigilante (1983) #1-50 and Annual 1-2, plus significant guest appearances and crossovers, and perhaps Adrian Chase’s first appearance in The New Teen Titans Annual 2.
There is a possibility that would require two volumes to cover, in which case it could add Vigilante (2005) #1-6 by Bruce Jones and Vigilante (2008) #1-12 by his creator Marv Wolfman.
Warlord Omnibus Mapping
Warlord by Mike Grell Vol. 2 (1981 & on)
This would continue collecting The Warlord (1976) #51-133 & Annual 1-6, The Warlord (1992) #1-6, The Warlord (2006) #1-10, and The Warlord (2009) #1-16, almost entirely written by Mike Grell.
Zatanna Omnibus Mapping
Zatanna, The Early Years (1964 – 1986)
This isn’t a firm mapping – more like a “proof of concept” that this book has enough issues to work!
It would include all of Zatanna’s earliest stories: “The Girl Who Split in Two” (from Hawkman (1964) #4, October-November 1964), “Batman’s Bewitched Nightmare” (from Detective Comics #336, February 1965), “World of the Magic Atom” (from The Atom #19, June-July 1965), “The Other Side of the World” (from Green Lantern #42, January 1966), and “The Tantalizing Trouble of the Tripod Thieves” (from Detective Comics #355, September 1966).
It could also include Zatanna’s other Bronze and Silver Age appearances, including Supergirl #7 (1973), Justice League of America #51 (1967), #161-168 (1978), #191, 194 (1981), #206 (1982), DC Comics Presents #18 (1980), Brave and the Bold #169 (1980), Blue Devil #4-5 (1984), material from The Flash #198 (1970), Adventure Comics #413-415, 419, & 421, Supergirl #1-4 (1973), Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane #132 (1973), Action Comics #434 (1974), World’s Finest Comics #274-278, and DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest #5 (1980) (“The Secret Spell”).
Zatanna, The Modern Omnibus Vol. 1 (1987 & on)
This Post-Crisis Zatanna omnibus would primarily be anchored by her famous 2010 Paul Dini series and a number of one-shots, but would also include all of her significant appearances in the period.
A possible mapping is Hawkman #4 (1986), Zatanna Special #1 (1987), Spectre #7-8 (1987), Zatanna #1-4 (1993), Books of Magic #39-41 (1997), Zatanna: Everyday Magic (2003), Seven Soldiers: Zatanna #1-4 (2005), Detective Comics #833-834, 843-844, Zatanna #1-16 (2010), Black Canary and Zatanna: Bloodspell (2014) OGN, and material from Secret Origins #27 (1988), Day of Judgment Secret Files #1 (1999), and DC Infinite Halloween Special #1 (2007), and DC Universe Rebirth Holiday Special #1.
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