Teen Titans #25 joins the "relevant" era as the Titans become an undercover secret group that doesn't wear costumes.  This lasts for about two issues.

Jim Shooter's last story appears in Action 384.  He goes to work at Marvel for a week or two and then leaves the comic book industry, returning to Pittsburgh.

Barbara Friedlander writes and Alex Toth draws a 4 part romance serial the crosses over from Young Love to Secret Hearts and back again, 20 Miles to Heartbreak.

Gil Kane takes over the Flash from Ross Andru.  Barry loses his crew cut. (195)

Sam Glanzman's memories of life aboard the U.S.S. Stevens during WWII begin to appear in Our Army at War 218.  The series, which he both writes and draws appears throughout all the war titles.

Leave It To Binky renamed Binky (#72).

Super DC Giant begins (#13-17 issued in the same month. 13 is Binky, 14 is Top Guns,15 is Western, 16 is Brave and Bold, 17 is Love)

Showcase is cancelled after 94 issues.  The market has become too volatile to wait for trial runs of different concepts before launching them as separate titles.

Kirby takes over Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen with #133 and radically revises it by making Jimmy the leader of a gang of rowdy teenagers based on the forties Newsboy Legion.  He introduces a multitude of new concepts including the DNA Project, the Whiz Wagon and the Hairies.  Soon Jimmy and Superman appear to be guest stars.

Nelson Bridwell introduces Robert Kanigher's revamp of Rose and the Thorn in Lois Lane 105. 

Super DC Giant 18-20 published.

After putting his toe in the water several times, Gil Kane goes to Marvel to draw Spider-Man.

National's efforts to capture a share of the Archie market come to naught. Binky's Buddies cancelled (#12).

Superman races the Flash in the first issue of World's Finest since 1954 that doesn't team Superman with Batman.  Julius Schwartz becomes editor and introduces Superman team-ups.

From Beyond the Unknown and GI Combat become 64 page giants.

Murray Boltinoff drops the Legion from Action, replacing it with a second Superman story.  Occasional new Legion stories are promised for Superboy.

Date With Debbie, Strange Adventures, and Three Mouseketeers become 64 page giants.

The Comics Code is revised to allow more use of horror elements and more adult plot lines, but drug references are still prohibited.

Dick Giordano either quits or is fired depending on who you talk to. Murray Boltinoff takes over Teen Titans (#31).

Lily Martin, the Swinger begins in Young Romance 170, with art by Ric Estrada.  The series is quickly cancelled when Dorothy Woolfolk takes over as editor in the next issue.  The book becomes a 64 page giant.

Books continue to be converted to 64 page giants, including  Swing With Scooter, and Binky.

Gerry Conway's Heap clone, Man-Thing, makes its first appearance in Marvel's Savage Tales black and white magazine.

Len Wein and Berni Wrightson's Heap clone, Swamp Thing, makes its first appearance in House of Secrets 92.  Future editor Louise Jones Simonson is pictured on the Berni Wrightson cover.

Nelson Bridwell  makes Lois Lane into the de facto fifth book in Kirby's Fourth World tetralogy, by incorporating Darkseid and Intergang into the plot lines.

Denny O'Neil introduces his Fun Manchu rip off, Ra's Al Ghul in Batman 232.  For some reason the character is wildly popular.

Sugar and Spike becomes a 64 page giant.

The Code gives in to Marvel and is revised to permit anti-drug stories.  Denny O'Neil writes a two part Green Lantern story in which Green Arrow's ward Speedy is revealed to be a junkie. (85-86)

Mike Sekowsky is fired.  Joe Orlando becomes editor of  Adventure with 410.  Dorothy Woolfolk becomes editor of Wonder Woman with 196.

Swing With Scooter cancelled (#35)- one issue published a year later.

Batman 233 is the first giant in which one of Bob Kane's ghosts is credited for his art (Jim Mooney).

Dark Mansion Of Forbidden Love begins. Dorothy Woolfolk presents a book length tale of gothic horror drawn by Tony deZuniga (37 pages).  The new format only lasts four issues before the book is turned into a regular horror anthology.

Ghosts begins (Murray Boltinoff ,ed) created by Leo Dorfman so he wouldn't have to work for Mort Weisinger anymore.  Features "true" ghost stories.

Since the Code now allows the use of the word "Weird" in titles (but still not "Horror" or "Terror", National decides to take them up on it.  Weird War Tales begins (Joe Kubert, editor- mostly reprints).

The Sinister House Of Secret Love begins, a second gothic horror title.

Binky cancelled (#81).  National's attempt to horn in on the Archie market is defeated possibly because Archie simply increased the number of titles they were publishing.

Sugar & Spike cancelled (#98), as Sheldon Mayer is experiencing eye problems and can no longer draw it.  He continues to work for National as a consultant and writer.

Girls' Romances cancelled (#160)

Superman 243 begins a swing back towards younger readers as Denny O'Neil is replaced by Cary Bates.  The attempt at a more sophisticated approach to the book was a sales failure.  More traditional fare becomes the norm, though still with Swan/Anderson art.
 

Joe Kubert takes over Tomahawk and changes it to Hawk, Son of Tomahawk (131).

Batman and Robin appear in two New Scooby Doo Movies produced by Hanna-Barbera for  CBS.

Green Lantern is cancelled (#89) possibly due to declining sales, possibly due to the desire of Carmine Infantino to have Neal Adams spend more time drawing covers.  The cancellation is taken as a signal that "relevant" comics for older readers are a thing of the past.  Neal Adams' last Green Lantern story appears as a three-parter in the back of Flash 217-19.

Dorothy Woolfolk replaces Nelson Bridwell as editor of Lois Lane with 121.

Son Of Tomahawk cancelled (#140)

Joe Orlando takes Jimmy Olsen over from Jack Kirby and attempts to steer it back towards its traditional style. (149)

All-Star Western renamed Weird Western Tales (#12).

National cuts comic sizes back to 36 pages to match Marvel.  Price increased to $.20.

Wanted, The World's Most Dangerous Villains begins (reprints).

Dave Cockrum begins drawing Legion of Super-Heroes backups in Superboy (188).  His new designs attract renewed attention to the once moribund strip.

Weird Mystery Tales is added to the horror line, with Destiny as host.  The early issues feature material originally intended for Jack Kirby's Spirit World.

Laurel and Hardy #1 is released.  Rights problem prevent the continuation of this title.

Len Wein resurrects the Seven Soldiers of Victory in a three part Justice League adventure (100-102).

Forever People and the New Gods are cancelled, ending Kirby's grand interlocking book experiment, although Mr. Miracle continues, the direction of the book is radically altered.  Although the concepts were widely acclaimed and continue to be mined by National to this day, the books themselves never seemed to garner the popular support to be long term successes.

Len Wein and Berni Wrightson's Heap clone, Swamp Thing is awarded its own title. 

Marvel's Heap clone, Man Thing, begins its own series in Adventure Into Fear 10.

A Date With Debbi cancelled (#18) 

Supergirl begins , edited by Robert Kanigher.

Heart Throbs renamed Love Stories (#147) in response to the popular movie with almost the same name.

National launches its first half-hearted attempt at the digest market with Tarzan.  $.50 for 164 pages.  One issue.

Ex DC editor Dick Giordano draws Carmine Infantino as the villain in Wonder Woman 203, the last issue edited by Denny O'Neil.

Holt, Reinhart and Winston puts out a hardcover collection of golden age Wonder Woman stories with an introduction by Gloria Steinam.  It gets media attention and generates a backlash against the new, non-super Wonder Woman that causes National to rethink the direction of the title.

Adventure 425 becomes sort of a quasi Showcase title as editor Joe Orlando tries out a variety of possible continuing features.  First up is a pirate strip called Captain Fear by Robert Kanigher and Alex Nino.   The Adventurer's Club by John Albano begins next issue.

Robert Kanigher replaces Dorothy Woolfolk as editor of Lois Lane with 128.

Justice League 103 features the first ever crossover with Marvel, as the sub plot in volving various comic book creators spills over into Amazing Adventures 16 and Thor 207.  The story also features the first ever battle between Superman and Captain Marvel.  Captain Marvel wins.

A full page promo ad for the Shadow, with art by Berni Wrightson appears once in Kamandi #2 and on the cover of the Comic Reader.  The book however, was delayed for months and Mike Kaluta ended up doing it.

Teen Titans cancelled (#43)
 

National attempts to fill up the stands with a lot of low budget reprint books including  Johnny Thunder, Legion of Super-Heroes, Challengers of the Unknown, Doom Patrol and Metal Men.  None last more than three issues. 

National leases the rights for Captain Marvel but can't use the name in the title of the book.  Their solution is a long winded cover blurb that says "With one magic word SHAZAM! The Original Captain Marvel."  Even so, they have to pay Marvel a license fee.  Julius Schwartz edits and C. C. Beck returns to do the art, but the book is 1/3 reprint.  The first issue sells fantastically well due to speculators who believe it will become a rare collectors' item. 

Sword Of Sorcery begins.  Denny O'Neil edits and Howard Chaykin draws adaptations of Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser series. (5 issues)

Secret Origins begins (reprints, 7 issues)

Warren's Archie Goodwin becomes editor of GI Combat (158), and Star Spangled War (167).

Trigger Twins, another reprint book, lasts one issue.

As a sales and marketing test Michael Uslan and Bob Rozakis drive the Comic Mobile around New Jersey and Long Island hawking comic books as if they were ice cream cones.  Their top sellers were Plop and, The Shadow.  And the question  fans most wanted answered was "Why is Superman's hair blue?"

Behind the Scenes, a news and promotional page is added to most titles, patterned after the Marvel Bullpen Bulletins page, but without the silliness.
The first column announces the Junior Bullpen Project, an attempt to attract new, young talent to comics.  Six writing and artistic trainees are to be chosen from submissions sent in to Sol Harrison.  Al Milgrom and Carl Gafford are the first two chosen.

In a continuing quest for new formats and outlets, the cardboard covered tabloid sized Limited Collectors Edition series begins (#C-21).  The format is aimed at non-traditional outlets like toy stores.

Joe Simon returns to DC from Sick Magazine and launches a number of new titles, although most are filled with reprints.  One new title, Prez is a misguided attempt to attract the youth market. (5 issues).  He also takes over the editing of two titles he created, Young Love and Young Romance.

Wanted, The World's Most Dangerous Criminals cancelled (#9)

Archie Goodwin takes over Our Fighting Forces with issue 144.

National's parallel worlds mythology begins to get out of hand as Len Wein introduces Earth X, the home of the Quality heroes, National purchased back in the fifties and reveals that the Nazi's won World War II there and only the combined might of the JSA and JLA can defeat them.  Two very crowded issues of super-heroes mayhem result in Justice League 107-108.

Strange Sports Stories begins (8 issues), Julius Schwartz edits, new material based on the Brave and Bold series of the early sixties.

Boy Commandos reprints begin.  (2 issues)

Joe Orlando's horror spoof comic, Plop! begins, featuring covers by Basil Wolverton and art by Sergio Aragones (and others). 24 issues.

Black Magic  (9 issues, all reprints) and Champion Sports begin (3 issues), both edited by Joe Simon.

National acquires the license to The Shadow and gives it to Denny O'Neil and Mike Kaluta.  The result is a fan favorite, but sales aren't up to expectations and the book is usually late. Kaluta leaves after six issues. 
Apparently there was considerable negotiation involved here as both Marvel and DC went after the license and Marvel prematurely announced they had the rights.  As negotiations dragged on both Jim Steranko and Berni Wrightson were connected with the project but nothing came of it besides a full page Wrightson ad that ran in one comic.

The repercussions of the winter of 1972 and the ill-fated 52 page experiment, as well as the increase in paper costs, begin to be felt, as a lot of marginal titles get the ax. Falling In Love  (#143), Love Stories (#152) and Girls' Love Stories (#170),
Strange Adventures (#244) and From Beyond The Unknown (#25) all cancelled .

Ross Andru goes to Marvel to draw Spider-Man

Archie Goodwin becomes editor of Detective Comics (437), taking it over from Julius Schwartz.  He introduces Manhunter, a continuing serial with art by Walt Simonson.

The Legion of Super-Heroes appear in a full length story in Superboy 198 with art by Dave Cockrum.

To celebrate the opening of the Superman Exhibition Center in Metropolis, Illinois, National  publishes the Amazing World of Superman, a 64 page special comics only available at the center or by mail order.  Price is $2.00

100-Page Super Spectacular cancelled (#17), although mostly because the decision has been made to make this a regular format, rather than one used for special issues only.

Phil Seuling makes a deal with  DC and later Marvel to supply new comics to comic shops on a non-returnable basis, effectively making Code Comics available through the same system that distributed underground comics. .

Since Weird Worlds is not performing up to snuff and the license fees for John Carter and Pellucidar are not cost effective, the book's contents are replaced with Howard Chaykin's Iron Wolf beginning with issue 8.

Supergirl #9 is the last issue.

The Demon cancelled (#16).

Young Romance (197) and Batman (254) become 100 Pagers.

Witching Hour 38 is a 100 pager.

Joe Orlando (ed) revives the Spectre in Adventure 431.  Michael Fleisher writes and Jim Aparo draws a hero for the horror bent seventies.

Korak, Son Of Tarzan cancelled (#56)  Korak's adventures are folded into the 100 page Tarzan.

Mister Miracle cancelled (#18).

With issue 200 the Legion takes over Superboy's title, ending his solo feature after thirty years.

Last issues of Weird Worlds and Prez as the paper shortage drives the cost of publishing way up.

Cathy Lee Crosby appears as Wonder Woman in an ABC TV movie.

Justice League 110 is a 100 Pager.

Famous First Edition reprints Action Comics 1 in tabloid size.  The book is a complete reprint ads and all with a wrap around cardboard cover, over a glossy paper cover.  Unscrupulous dealers all over the country rip off the cardboard cover and sell it to morons as a genuine Action Comics 1.

Wonder Woman 211 is a hundred pager, as is House of Mystery 224, Tarzan 230, and Brave and Bold 112.

Rima The Jungle Girl begins (7 issues), edited by Joe Kubert and based on the public domain novel "Green Mansions".

Action 434 Murphy Anderson leaves National and Vince Colletta replaces him as Curt Swan's inker.

Neal Adams' last Batman story appears in Batman 255.

Mike Freidrich issues Star Reach,  an independent black and white comic done mostly by professionals from the Code approved comic industry, but sold only though the Direct Market.

Julius Schwartz takes over the editorial reins of Wonder Woman (212) and begins using guest stars and guest artists to try to rebuild the book's popularity.

Jack Kirby takes over Our Fighting Forces with 151 and brings out a rather different interpretation of the Losers.

Supergirl 10, Lois Lane 137, Secret Origins 7 (Oct) and Weird Worlds 10 appear  6 months late after having been cancelled due to the paper shortage.

Jack Kirby's Omac begins.

DC Comics shrink 1/8 of an inch in width.  Marvel Comics shrank several months earlier.  End of the Silver Age (as far as plastic bag manufacturers are concerned.)

Tex Blaisdell becomes editor of Weird Mystery Tales (15). 

National published 300 books in 1974, a 25% decrease from 1973, part of which can be explained by the giants.

Martin Goodman returns to comics with a new line, Atlas.   He offers higher rates and a percentage of the profits to attract talent from Marvel and DC.

National drops the 100 Page Spectacular line and makes all their books 36 pages again.  This allows them to greatly increase the number of titles they put out, as well as raise a number of bi-monthly titles to monthly.

At the same time, the story page count in the 36 page titles is reduced to 18.

A small number of 52 page $.50 giants are to be interspersed irregularly in the regular runs of some titles.  This month they include Batman, Superboy and the Legion, Weird War Tales and Wonder Woman.

Gerry Conway moves to DC as an editor responsible for a series of new titles, dubbed "Conway's Corner"

Beowulf begins (6 issues-O'Neil, written by Mike Uslan)

First Issue Special begins. Issue 1 features Atlas by Jack Kirby.  Ostensibly a revival of the Showcase concept, in reality it appears to be a way to burn off a lot of test comics that management has already decided aren't going to make it.

Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter begins (O'Neil)

Secrets Of Haunted House begins (5 issues- Orlando, co-narrated by Eve, Cain and Abel)

Sandman #2 is released, written by Michael Fleisher and drawn by Ernie Chan.  Essentially the  same story told in Sandman 1 is retold over and over until the readers get sick of it. (6 issues-Orlando) 

The Joker begins (9 issues-Schwartz), as the Clown Prince of Crime is played strictly for laughs by writer Denny O'Neil.  Seemed like a good idea at the time.

Justice, Inc. begins (4 issues- O'Neil) reviving the 30's pulp hero, the Avenger with a different title, for obvious reasons.

Tales Of Ghost Castle begins (3 issues- Blaisdell). A new horror host, Lucien the Librarian is introduced.

Tor begins (6 issues-Kubert) A revival of his classic creator-owned series of the early 50's.

Korak, Son Of Tarzan revived (#57-Kubert) since Tarzan is no longer a 100 page giant.

DC Special is revived with #16, an all gorilla issue.

Jim Shooter returns to comics with a story in Superboy and the Legion 209.

Kong The Untamed begins (5 issues, Orlando) Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons meet courtesy of Jack Oleck and Alfredo Alcala.

Stalker begins (4 issues, Orlando) Paul Levitz, Steve Ditko and Wally Wood(!) create a sword and sorcery hero who's trying to get his soul back.

Sherlock Holmes begins, cancelled (#1, O'Neil)

Tales Of Ghost Castle cancelled (#3)

"Fabulous" Flo Steinberg, formerly Stan Lee's secretary, publishes Big Apple Comix- an underground comic featuring work by Archie Goodwin, Denny O'Neil, Neal Adams and Wally Wood, among other current comic mainstream talents.

Hercules Unbound begins (12 issues) a future fantasy series written by Gerry Conway.

Super-Team Family begins, features non-Batman team-up stories, mostly reprints. 

Korak, Son Of Tarzan is renamed Tarzan Family (#60) and increased to 68 pages.  Tarzan reprints from the newspaper strip and Gold Key fill out the book.

First Issue Special #8 is the only issue which actually spawns a continuing feature: Warlord by Mike Grell.

DC cancels 7 titles due to poor sales during the winter of 74-75: Phantom Stranger (41), Secrets of Haunted House (5), Weird Mystery Tales (24), Beowulf (6, Feb), Justice, Inc (4), Young Romance (208), and Omac (8). Many other titles are reduced to bi-monthlies.

Shazam 21 switches to all reprinted material.

Joe Simon retires.  Young Love, the only romance comic left,  is now edited by Allen Asherman.

National and Marvel co-publish MGM's Marvelous Wizard of OZ.  This came about when Marvel discovered National had the rights to the movie, while they had the book.

Atlas Comics suspends publication.

Kirby leaves Our Fighting Forces with 162.  Murray Boltinoff becomes the new editor.

12/1/75 Neal Adams appears on Tom Snyder's Tomorrow Show to plead Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's case for adequate compensation for creating Superman.