DC Comics

DC Comics
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First reference:	The Crane
"DC Comics" on Wikipedia

DC Comics is an American comic book line operated by Time Warner.

About

DC Comics is one of the largest and best known American comic book publishers. DC is responsible for some of pop culture's best known comic book super heroes, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Green Arrow, and their teammates in the Justice League of America.

The initials "DC" were an abbreviation for the original name of "Detective Comics", but DC was later adapted to be the company's official name. DC comics was founded in 1934 by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson.

References

Graphic Novel:The Crane

Hiro keeps a figurine and a poster of Superman in his apartment in Tokyo, Japan. While there, he rips up his copy of Action Comics, Issue #1, when Superman, the first major comic book superhero, debuted his powers of super-strength, invulnerability and super-speed.

Graphic Novel:Snapshots

After escaping prison, D.L. Hawkins looks out from above the Nevada State Penitentiary, reminiscent of a pose used frequently in the Batman comics, notably on the cover of #608 by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee.

Hiros

Hiro sees Nathan fly outside the Fly By Night Diner. Referencing Superman, he says, "Up, up, and away!"

Better Halves

When Micah asks D.L. how he escaped from prison, D.L. tells his son he has a secret, "just like Superman".

Homecoming

D.L. and Micah reference the partnership and tights-wearing aspects of Batman and Robin.

Six Months Ago

Before Gabriel Gray became Sylar, his appearance resembled Clark Kent. Additionally, Gray & Sons has a collection of crystals similar to the structures seen in Superman comics.

Unexpected

Dale compares her hearing to that of Superman.

Graphic Novel:The Path of the Righteous

Hana watches communications while standing above Las Vegas, reminiscent of a pose used frequently in the Batman comics, notably on the cover of #608 by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee.

The Hard Part

When Sylar prepares to meet his mother, he wears his glasses and visits her as a normal watchmaker, looking very much like Clark Kent. This refers to Clark Kent wearing and being a normal reporter. When Clark Kent takes off his glasses and reveals his costume, he becomes Superman. When Gabriel Gray takes off his glasses and reveals his true identity, he becomes Sylar.

How to Stop an Exploding Man

Ando tells Hiro that his whole life he talked about his favorite stories of heroes he wanted to be, Superman being one of them.

Graphic Novel:Heroism is Found in the Heart, Part 1

Ando compares himself to Clark Kent by saying that they both have public personas and are heroes.

Truth & Consequences

Micah explains to Damon and Monica why St. Joan wears a disguise. When she understands, Monica exclaims, "That's why Clark Kent wears those glasses!"

Graphic Novel:The Man with Too Much Brains

During a talent show at Matt Neuenberg's high school, a person from the audience calls Matt "Brainiac", a villain of Superman who has artificial intelligence of advanced alien origin.

The Butterfly Effect

Hiro tries to catch Daphne by pondering what Batman would do to catch Catwoman. Later, Ando asks Hiro if Batman would ever put Robin at risk for a trap.

Heroes Evolutions

• In a blog entry, Hiro says that Nathan Petrelli "is Clark Kent without the glasses. Instead of a cape, he wears pajamas when he flies. Very cool." Hiro then signs his post, "Up, up and away".
• Hiro ends another blog entry with "in brightest day, in blackest night", referring to Green Lantern's oath.
• Hiro signs off, "Great hera," one of Wonder Woman's catchphrases.
• Excited about meeting other evolved humans, Hiro blogs, "Soon we will be the Justice League of America! Actually it would be Justice League International." However, because Isaac's apartment is in New York City and not in Happy Harbor, Rhode Island (the first location of the Justice League of America), or in Detroit, Michigan (the location of the League's main bunker), he settles on calling the group of evolved humans the Justice Society of America, who kept a headquarters in New York.
• Hiro references Batman and Bruce Wayne's butler when he says, "Maybe father can whip up a utility belt. Where's my Alfred when I need one?" in an entry on his blog.
• In Hiro's Blog 1784.0 Hiro says, "To fly like Superman, to heal like Wolverine, to be strong like the Hulk. Who would have thought all my dreams would come true."

Memorable Quotes

"Up, up and away!"

- Hiro (to Nathan) (Hiros)

"It's going to be you and me from here on out. Partners."

"You mean like Batman & Robin?"

"Yeah, like Batman & Robin. Only, I ain't wearing no tights."

- D.L., Micah (Homecoming)

"Your whole life you talked about your favorite stories... Star Wars, Star Trek, Superman, Kensei... All the heroes you wanted to be."

- Ando (to Hiro) (How to Stop an Exploding Man)

Notes

• Significant homage is paid to Alan Moore's Watchmen:
  • The pending destruction of New York City is a shared theme.
    • Mr. Linderman and Angela Petrelli's plan to facilitate the destruction of New York in order to bring people together (.07%) pays homage to the villain's plot in Watchmen.
  • Sylar and Dr. Manhattan: Before he becomes Dr. Manhattan, Jon Osterman is a watchmaker's son, just like Gabriel Gray.
    • Sylar says "That's okay, to just be a normal watchmaker" (The Hard Part). Chapter Four of Watchmen, which relates Dr. Manhattan's origin story, ends with the Albert Einstein quote, "The release of atom power has changed everything except our way of thinking... The solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker."
• According to Joe Pokaski and Aron Coleite, Kirby Plaza is named for Jack Kirby, the well-known DC artist.
• DC Comics released a book of bound graphic novels (Issues 1 to 43) with art by Tim Sale, and new covers by Jim Lee and Alex Ross.

Gallery

• 
  Superman paraphernalia can be found in Hiro's apartment.
• 
  Hiro has a copy of Action Comics, Issue #1.
• 
  Superman's debut is found in Action Comics, Issue #1.
• 
  Hiro destroys the valuable comic book in honor of his grandfather.
• 
  D.L. contemplates his freedom from atop the Nevada State Penitentiary...
• 
  ...and Hana overlooks Las Vegas...
• 
  ...both echoing the cover of Batman, #608.
• 
  Hiro thinks Nathan flies like Superman.
• 
  D.L. thinks he and Micah are kind of like Batman and Robin — minus the tights.
• 
  Gabriel Gray resembles Clark Kent.
• 
  A crystal at Gray & Sons is similar to the structures seen in Superman comics.
• 
  An unidentified Superman in a London subway.

External Links

DC Comics -- Official Website