Warning! Spoilers ahead for New History of the DC Universe #1!It’s been a long time since they were last seen, butDC Comicsjust brought back the publisher’s very first superhero. Many may think ofSuperman as the pioneerof the DC Universe, but there was another valiant hero who existed before the Man of Steel, and their place in DC history is now 100% canon once more.
InNew History of the DC Universe #1by Mark Waid, Jerry Ordway, and Todd Nauck,former Flash Barry Allenis using his retirement to map out the entire history of his world. He starts from the very beginning, back when the Hands first used the limitless energy of creation to create the Big Bang.
After going over the events that forged the DCU, it isn’t long before Barry starts discussing the heroes who existed long before the contemporary ones. Eventually, he gets to the Wild West era and goes over the heroes who protected the untamed frontier. Among them isTexas Ranger, Jack Woods, the first character who could be considered a DC hero.
DC Comics' First Hero, Jack Woods, is 100% Canon
DC Returns to Its Roots Bringing the Golden Age Hero Back
Though fans mayknow the publisher as DC Comics today, the publisher actually evolved out of co-founder Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson’s previous venture, National Comics Publications. While Wheeler-Nicholson struggled with the developing comic market of the 1930s, he did make waves with his flagship title,New Fun Comics, the first American comic to feature all-original material, including the adventures of Jack Woods.
This is an incredibly deep-cut as Jack Woods’ adventures were over by the time superhero fiction started selling. But just because Jack Woods didn’t take off like Superman, that doesn’t make the character any less important. He was the first DC hero andDC is honoring that amazing distinction bycanonizing him in the DCU.
DC Comics Honors Its Past With Jack Woods Cameo
Seeing Jack Woods Shows How Far DC Has Come
Sure, it’s just one cameo, but it’s the most the hero has had in literally decades. It’s always fun when fans of history like Mark Waid bring back these heroes of yesteryear. Not only does it serve as an interesting history lesson, it reminds everyone that the universeDCfans love is the product of nearly a century of storytelling.
The New History of the DC Universe #1is available now from DC Comics.
