DC Special Series

DC Special Series
Cover to DC Special Series #1 (September 1977). Art by Neal Adams
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
Format	Ongoing
Publication date	September 1977–Fall 1981
Number of issues	27
Creative team
Writer(s)	List Cary Bates, Gerry Conway, Arnold Drake, Bob Haney, Robert Kanigher, George Kashdan, Paul Levitz, Dennis O'Neil, Martin Pasko, Roy Thomas, Len Wein, Carl Wessler
Artist(s)	List Jim Aparo, Fred Carrillo, Ernie Chan, E. R. Cruz, Bill Draut, Sam Glanzman, Jorge Moliterni, Alex Niño, Marshall Rogers, Tom Sutton
Penciller(s)	List Ross Andru, Dick Ayers, John Calnan, José Delbo, Dick Dillin, Steve Ditko, Ric Estrada, José Luis García-López, Michael Golden, Russ Heath, Arvell Jones, Frank Miller, Michael Netzer, Don Newton, Irv Novick, Art Saaf, Kurt Schaffenberger, Joe Staton, Curt Swan
Inker(s)	List Vince Colletta, Joe Giella, Dick Giordano, Frank McLaughlin, Bob McLeod, Josef Rubinstein, Romeo Tanghal, Wally Wood
Colorist(s)	List Liz Berube, Carl Gafford, Jerry Serpe
Editor(s)	List Paul Levitz (#1, #8, #12, #18, #24); Joe Orlando (#2, #14, #17, #20, #25); Joe Kubert (#3, #13); Murray Boltinoff (#4, #7, #22); Julius Schwartz (#5, #11, #15); Jack C. Harris (#6, #23); Larry Hama (#9, #16); E. Nelson Bridwell (#10, #19); Len Wein (#21, #26); Dick Giordano (#27)

DC Special Series was an umbrella title for one-shots and special issues published by DC Comics between 1977 and 1981. Each issue featured a different character and was often in a different format than the issue before it. DC Special Series was published in four different formats: Dollar Comics, 48 page giants, digests, and treasury editions. Neither the umbrella title nor the numbering system appear on the cover; the title "DC Special Series" appeared only on the first page in the indicia. Most issues featured new material, but eight issues were reprints of previously published material.

DC Special Series was preceded by the theme-based reprint title DC Special, which ceased publication the month before DC Special Series debuted. The first issue included "The Dead on Arrival Conspiracy", a Batman vs. Kobra story by Martin Pasko, Michael Netzer (Nasser), and Joe Rubinstein originally scheduled for the unpublished Kobra #8.DC Special Series #1 also included the story, "How to Prevent a Flash", which introduces Patty Spivot. That character would later appear in season two of The Flash TV series, portrayed by actress Shantel VanSanten.

DC Special Series started out as a biweekly title in 1977 until Spring 1978, when it became quarterly. The series went on hiatus after the Fall 1978 issue and was revived in Summer 1979. Two stories originally scheduled to appear in DC Special Series were split apart and published in other titles due to the DC Implosion.