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SAN DIEGO, CA — Superman joined Batman, Wonder Woman and seven other comic book legends in extending their immortality to postage today when the U.S. Postal Service dedicated the “DC Comics Super Heroes” commemorative stamps and stamped postal cards. The ceremony took place at the world’s largest comic book and pop culture show—Comic-Con International 2006 (comic-con.org).

The stamps and stamped postal cards are available in San Diego today and nationwide July 21.

“We are here to celebrate a moment in time that most of us have shared,” said William Campbell, U.S. Postal Service Judicial Officer, in dedicating the stamps.

“I am talking about that age when the heroes of comic books were our personal friends. When their battles were our battles. When their victories made us cheer and their defeats made us sad. When their values helped strengthen our own understanding of right and wrong. Today, our heroes are back in all their glory and in some of their finest moments.” Joining Campbell in dedicating the stamps was DC Comics Publisher and President Paul Levitz, dccomics.com.

“The DC Comics Super Heroes have been a beloved part of America’s culture for almost seven decades as the most significant characters to emerge from comic books—a true American art form,” said Levitz. “It is both fitting and exciting for these heroes to be commemorated as stamps by the U.S. Postal Service.”

This is the first stamp pane honoring comic book Super Heroes to be issued by the Postal Service. Half of the pane of 20 stamps are portraits of the characters: Aquaman, Batman, The Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Plastic Man, Supergirl, Superman and Wonder Woman.

The other 10 stamps depict covers of individual comic books devoted to these Super Heroes’ exploits. They include: Plastic Man #4, Summer 1946; The Brave And The Bold #36, June/July 1961; Green Lantern #4, Jan./Feb. 1961; The Flash #111, Feb./Mar. 1960; Wonder Woman #22 (2nd series); Aquaman #5 (of 5), Oct. 1989; The Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #1, Nov. 1982; Superman #11, July/Aug. 1941; and Green Arrow #15, Sept. 2002 (see below).

Ever since Superman was introduced to readers in 1938, Super Heroes have been nearly synonymous with comic books. Their fantastic adventures provide an escape from the everyday, stimulating the imaginations of young—and often, not so young—readers, encouraging them to believe that within each of us are fantastic abilities, ready to help us combat the Lex Luthors and Riddlers of the world. All we need is a phone booth or Batcave to transform ourselves into a Caped Crusader.

Comic books aren’t simply “kid’s stuff.” Adults have always been among their fans, and the form has attracted its share of serious artists and writers. Super Heroes have responded to social and political issues from the start, fighting injustice and corruption during the Depression, and then becoming patriotic defenders of national interests during World War II. Art director Carl T. Herrman worked with the creative staff at DC Comics on the design of this issuance.

Visitors attending Comic-Con International 2006 can obtain a special Comic-Con postmark available each day of the show—Thurs., July 20, through Sun., July 23, as well as the first-day-of-issue postmark—when visiting the U.S. Postal Service booth located in the Convention Center at Lobby A, first level at the northwest end.

Please Note: An Audio News Release on this topic and other broadcast quality sound is available at www.usps.com/news.

Philatelic Products

There are eight philatelic products available for this stamp issue:

• Item 459862, First Day Cover Full Pane - $10.30
• Item 459864, Canceled Full Pane - $10.30
• Item 459865, Digital Color Postmark (DCP) Random Single - $1.50
• Item 459866, Stamped Postal Cards - $9.95
• Item 459868, Digital Color Postmark, Set of 20 - $30
• Item 459872, Comic Book - $18.50
• Item 459884, Uncut Press Sheet - $31.20
• Item 459899, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake w/DCP random sample - $9.30

How to Order First-Day Covers

Stamp Fulfillment Services also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-STAMP-24 or writing to:

INFORMATION FULFILLMENT
DEPT 6270
US POSTAL SERVICE
PO BOX 219014
KANSAS CITY MO 64121-9014

How to Order First-Day-of-Issue Postmark

Customers have 30 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, by telephone at 800-STAMP-24, and at www.usps.com/news. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes, to themselves or others, and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

SUPER HEROES FDOI STATION
POSTMASTER
PO BOX 85530
SAN DIEGO CA 92186-5530

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by Aug. 19, 2006.

DC Comics Super Hero Characters

Batman
Art by Jim Lee and Scott Williams.
After the brutal murder of his parents, young Bruce Wayne mastered nearly every known form of combat and employed his vast wealth to equip himself with the tools essential to his crime-fighting crusade as Gotham City’s Dark Knight, Batman.

Wonder Woman
Art by Ross Andru and Mike Esposito.
Wonder Woman has been an iconic inspiration for countless women since her debut in All Star Comics #8 in December 1941. The most recognizable female character in comics, created by William Moulton Marston, Wonder Woman remains a figure of strength, beauty and courage.

Plastic Man
Art by Dick Giordano.
Eel O’Brian was a small-time gangster before an accident at a chemical plant gave him the uncanny ability to stretch and alter his shape at will. Renouncing his criminal past, O’Brian became Plastic Man, the longest arm of the law.

Superman
Art by Curt Swan and Sheldon Moldoff.
Ever since his debut in the pages of Action Comics #1 (June 1938), the Superman character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster has been an icon. The big red “S” on his shirt is among the most recognized symbols in American pop culture.

Green Lantern
Art by Neal Adams.
In 1970, writer Dennis O’Neil and artist Neal Adams launched a new era of relevance in comics, crafting stories in which the Green Lantern—accompanied by his friend, Green Arrow—addressed important issues then considered taboo for the typical “comic book.”

The Flash
Art by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson.
An explosive mixture of lightning and laboratory chemicals endowed police scientist Barry Allen with superhuman speed, transforming him into the “Silver Age” Flash, the fastest man alive. The Scarlet Speedster was first set into motion in Showcase #4 (September/October 1956).

Aquaman
Art by Jim Aparo.
The memories of Aquaman’s personal tragedies run deep after he loses his son, his wife, and his monarchy. Nevertheless, the former King of the Seven Seas remains determined to protect both the Atlanteans and surface dwellers from those who endanger them.

Hawkman
Art by Murphy Anderson.
Powered by the mysterious “Nth metal” in his artificial wings, Hawkman soars through the sky above Midway City. When grounding the city’s worst predators, the Winged Wonder relies on his mastery of Earth’s ancient weapons, among them his mace and shield.

Supergirl
Art by Curt Swan and Stan Kaye.
An impressionable teenager when she first arrived on Earth, Supergirl operated as her cousin Superman’s “secret weapon” while adjusting to life on her new planet. Eventually, her existence was revealed to the world, which welcomed the Girl of Steel with open arms.

Green Arrow
Art by Jack Kirby and Mike Royer.
Green Arrow made his debut in More Fun Comics #73 (November 1941). Since then, the Emerald Archer’s most notable escapades were in stories drawn by legendary comics creator Jack Kirby in Adventure Comics #250-256 and World’s Finest Comics #96-99 (spanning 1958-1959).

DC Comic Book Covers
Plastic Man #4, Summer 1946
Art by Jack Cole.
Cartoonist Jack Cole flexed his creative muscles with the always pliable, ever-reliable Plastic Man, who debuted in August 1941. Cole enjoyed a 15-year stretch experimenting with fun, unique story twists and graphics for his expandable protagonist and stout sidekick, Woozy Winks.

Batman #1, Spring 1940
Art by Bob Kane.
Batman made his debut in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939 before swinging into action—with Robin, the Boy Wonder, by his side—in his own series in the spring of 1940. The Dark Knight’s distinguishing characteristics were intellect, skill, and grim determination.

The Brave And The Bold #36, June/July 1961
Art by Joe Kubert.
Hawkman returned in 1960, a reincarnated hero from the earlier “Golden Age” of comics. The new Winged Wonder and his spouse Hawkgirl were intergalactic police officers from a distant planet, meting out justice to the villains terrorizing Midway City.

Green Lantern #4, Jan./Feb. 1961
Art by Gil Kane and Joe Giella.
As readers entered the Space Age, so did comics. Ace test pilot Hal Jordan took flight as Green Lantern, a galactic peace officer with an emerald power ring that could create virtually anything. Willpower and fearlessness marked Jordan as a hero for the times.

The Flash #111, Feb./Mar. 1960
Art by Carmine Infantino and Joe Giella.
The Flash is capable of moving at speeds so great he can make himself invisible or travel through time and between dimensions. His fast-paced adventures highlight pseudo-science while pitting the hero against an extensive rogues’ gallery of villains.

Wonder Woman #22 (2nd series), Nov. 1988
Art by George Pérez.
As a worldwide ambassador of peace, Wonder Woman soared to new heights in the late 1980s. The character returned to her roots as an Amazon warrior from Paradise Island, land of heroic women. Her special powers were gifts from the Olympians.

Aquaman #5 (of 5), Oct. 1989
Art by Curt Swan and Al Vey.
Aquaman defends both land and sea with great strength, speed, and the ability to communicate telepathically with all marine life. His ultimate goal is to help both realms put aside their natural prejudices and unite in peaceful coexistence.

The Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #1, Nov. 1982
Art by Rich Buckler and Dick Giordano.
Moments before the destruction of Argo City, Kara Zor-El was rocketed to Earth and reunited with her cousin Kal-El, the hero known throughout the galaxy as Superman. Developing incredible powers and abilities, Kara chose to follow her cousin’s example and fight for good.

Superman #11, July/Aug. 1941
Art by Fred Ray.
Destiny brought the infant Kal-El from Planet Krypton to Smallville, USA, where he was raised by kindly farmers. Though gifted with extraordinary powers, Kal-El—now Clark Kent—expresses true strength in the compassion and moral responsibility he displays in the guise of Superman.

Green Arrow #15, Sept. 2002
Art by Matt Wagner.
Trapped on a deserted island, billionaire playboy Oliver Queen learned to hunt with a bow and arrow. He escaped and became Green Arrow, a modern-day Robin Hood who uses his unparalleled skill as an archer on behalf of the underprivileged.

Since 1775, the United States Postal Service and its predecessor, the Post Office Department, have connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail. An independent federal agency that visits more than 144 million homes and businesses every day, the Postal Service is the only service provider delivering to every address in the nation. It receives no taxpayer dollars for routine operations, but derives its operating revenues solely from the sale of postage, products and services. With annual revenues of $70 billion, it is the world’s leading provider of mailing and delivery services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. The U.S. Postal Service delivers more than 46 percent of the world’s mail volume—some 212 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year—and serves seven million customers each day at its 37,000 retail locations nationwide.