What Are Your Favorite Father Figure Stories in the DC Universe?

[DC_Community]

This year for Father’s Day, we want to hear your favorite tales of father figures setting examples for their protégé- whether that be the outstanding stalwarts of good deeds, like Pa Kent, or perhaps cautionary tales of what not to do, like our misguided Trigon.

We’ll be taking your suggestions and creating a master list right here, so keep checking back! You’ll be sure to find something to share with the father figure in your own life

BATMAN

• Batman Annual #3 (2018) by Tom Taylor & Otto Schmidt

• Batman And Robin (2009) By Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason

  • Teaming Batman with his son Damian, a.k.a. Robin, Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason’s run was one of the standout titles in the New 52. Mixing in dark themes from Damian’s childhood with the League of Assassins with touching stories of a father and son, this creative team invented some of the greatest Batman and Robin stories ever told! Collects BATMAN & ROBIN #20-22, BATMAN & ROBIN #0-40 from the New 52 series, BATMAN & ROBIN ANNUAL #1-3, ROBIN RISES: OMEGA #1, ROBIN RISES: ALPHA #1 and a story from SECRET ORIGINS #4.

• Batman & Robin (New 52) #14 by Peter J. Tomasi

• Detective Comics: Rebirth by James Tynion IV, Eddy Barrows (and many, many more)

• The Outsiders by Mike W. Barr & Jim Aparo

DEATHSTROKE

• Deathstroke: The Professional by Priest, Carlo Pagulayan, & Joe Bennett

• Tales of the Teen Titans #44 by Marv Wolfman & George Perez

• Deathstroke: Rebirth by Priest

DARKSEID

• Mister Miracle by Tom King & Mitch Gerads

Hourman

• JSA #65 & #66 by Geoff Johns & Don Kramer

Jim Gordon

• The Joker (2021) by James Tynion IV, Sam Johns, Guillem March, and Mirka Andolfo

• The Batman Adventures #12 by Kelley Puckett

Matu Ba

• Batwing (#1 - #19) by Judd Winick, Ben Oliver, Chris Cross, Dustin Nguyen, Marcus To, Fabian Nicieza, Fabrizio Florentino, Allan Jefferson, Jimmy Palmiotti & Eduardo Pansica.

Midnighter & Apollo

• The Authority (1999 - 2002) by Warren Ellis & Bryan Hitch

SUPERMAN

• Superman: Secret Origin by Geoff Johns & Gary Frank

• All-Star Superman #6 by Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely.

• Superman Rebirth #28 by Patrick Gleason & Scott Godlewski

• Superman #29 & Superman #30 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson.

TRIGON

• Raven: Daughter of Darkness by Marv Wolfman & Pop Mhan

Zatara

• Zatanna’s Search by Gerry Conway & Gardner Fox

• Justice League Dark #28 by Ram V.

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What stories would you add?
Ra’s al Ghul?
Jim Gordon?
Alfred Pennyworth?

Let us know what pulls your paternal heartstrings in the comments below!

[millernumber1]

I love Priestroke intensely, but he’s DEFINITELY a cautionary tale.

[raider_dave66]

The son of Superman dies and Krypton explodes | Justice League Unlimited

[TheRealDetectiveChimp]

All-Star Superman #6 is incredible.

[HubCityQuestion]

Believe it or not, one of the best dad stories is being told right now in DC’s JOKER. Despite the title, the comic’s main focal character is really Jim Gordon, and a lot of it is about his complex relationship with his daughter. Highly recommended.

[casasstrophe]

Midnighter and Apollo are great dads to Jenny in the authority

[Jurisdiction]

Batwing — Issues 1-19

Matu and David Zavimbe

[bigblock66]

Oh, hands down… mine would be Superman Rebirth #28. It’s part of a storyline where Superman takes his family on a vacation tour around to see all of the important locations of our Nation’s freedom.
I think it is some of the best “dad-work” that Supes has ever done.
If you have not read it yet, I highly recommend this series.

[raider_dave66]

Never put your family in harm’s way

Tale of the teen titans #44

[millernumber1]

An excellent, excellent recommendation!

[capo-mage]

I’d go the Search For Zatara. A true sacrifice for his daughter. Or, even JLD #28 where he sacrificed himself to save Constantine. I was gonna suggest the storyline where he burns in a Seance to save magic in the house of mystery. But, I’m blanking on the title?

[avab443.49817]

Im not sure, haven’t read a whole lot of that kind of stuff but I really liked this one:

From batman and robin in the new 52. I think it was the 2nd or 3rd one I’ll have to check.

[Reaganfan78]

In The Batman Adventures #12, Barbara and Commissioner Gordon had a nice father and daughter moment.

[NUEXGUY]

I don’t have a classic example, but Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s run on SUPERMAN & ACTION has been a great fatherly tale.

He really gets to the heart of who Clark is and how grateful he is for the life he has had.

That’s all I have for now, but really excited to check out some of these recommendations.

All-Star Superman #6 by Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely.

ALL-STAR SUPERMAN is a great run!

[KeyFamily]

Batman and Robin is one of my absolute favorite collections and will forever touch my heart.

[NYJt3]

A lot on here. Definitely Deathstroke rebirth was great.
Superman Rebirth as well.

I may say Detective Rebirth and The outsiders had some great Bat Dad moments and nice ones from Black Lightning in there too

[Row.Harper]

Pretty much all of Superman Rebirth by Tomasi and Gleason.

[raider_dave66]

The son of Mera and Aquaman | Justice League

Aquaman - JLU - hardcore

[Batman0803]

Lots of good picks so far, but I’m gonna go with JSA 65-66. A great two-parter for Hourman fans!

[DickGrayson_TheBoyFriendWonder]

I don’t think I could pick the best Dad let alone best Dad moment