1971 proved to be an integral year for DC Comics. Editorial director Carmine Infantino was made publisher of DC Comics during a time of declining circulation. To raise revenue, Infantino raised the cover price of a standard comic issue from 15 to 25 cents per copy, simultaneously raising the page count by adding reprints and new backup features. 1971 also saw the return of veteran writer/artist Jack Kirby, who ushered in a new era of science-fiction storytelling with the introduction of his cosmic pantheon colloquially known as the Fourth World. Branching off from Kirby's Fourth World concepts were three ongoing titles, The Forever People, Mister Miracle and the New Gods.

Creators

The following creative talent are known to have been born in 1971:

Alex Maleev · Frank Cho · Frank Hannah · Jason Temujin Minor · John Cassaday · Juan José Ryp · Laura Martin · Michael Turner · Mike S. Miller · Romano Molenaar · Steve Ellis

Titles

The following comic titles debuted with a 1971 cover date:

Batman (Collections) Vol 1 · DC 100-Page Super Spectacular Vol 1 · Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love Vol 1 · Forever People Vol 1 · In The Days of The Mob Vol 1 · Mister Miracle Vol 1 · New Gods Vol 1 · Sinister House of Secret Love Vol 1 · Weird War Tales Vol 1

The following Comic titles were last published with a 1971 cover date:

Adventures of Jerry Lewis Vol 1 · Aquaman Vol 1 · Date With Debbi Vol 1 · Debbi's Dates Vol 1 · Girls' Romances Vol 1 · Hot Wheels Vol 1 · In The Days of The Mob Vol 1 · Secret Hearts Vol 1 · Sugar and Spike Vol 1 · Swing With Scooter Vol 1 · Three Mouseketeers Vol 2

The following One Shots were published with a 1971 cover date:

Batman: From the 30's to the 70's Vol 1 1 · Spirit World Vol 1 1 · Superman: From the 30's to the 70's Vol 1 1

Characters

The following characters debuted with a 1971 cover date:

Alex Olsen (New Earth) · Arthur King (New Earth) · Beautiful Dreamer (New Earth) · Benjamin Gruener (New Earth) · Big Barda (New Earth) · Big Bear (New Earth) · Brola (New Earth) · Bruno Mannheim (New Earth) · Claudia Shane (New Earth) · David Lincoln (New Earth) · DeSaad (New Earth) · Derek Ames (Earth-One) · Doctor Bedlam (New Earth) · Dragorin (New Earth) · Drax (New Earth) · Dubbilex (New Earth) · Edward Deacon (New Earth) · Eric Russell (New Earth) · Esak (New Earth) · Fastbak (New Earth) · Ferlin Nyxly (Earth-One) · Fran Russell (New Earth) · Frederick Nero (Earth-One) · Glorious Godfrey (New Earth) · Gnarrk (New Earth) · Gole (New Earth) · Granny Goodness (New Earth) · Grey Elk (New Earth) · Grey Wolf (New Earth) · Harold Christos (New Earth) · Harpy (Earth-One) · Harvey Lockman (New Earth) · Invisible Invader (Pre-Zero Hour) · Izaya (New Earth) · Jack the Ripper · Jaffar (New Earth) · James Harper Clone (New Earth) · Jay Abrams (New Earth) · Jeffrey Sloane (New Earth) · John Stewart (New Earth) · Johnny Dune (Earth-One) · Kalibak (New Earth) · Kurin (New Earth) · Laura Cynthia Neilsen (New Earth) · Lonar (New Earth) · Mantis (New Earth) · Mark Moonrider (New Earth) · Metron (New Earth) · Mokkari (New Earth) · Oberon (New Earth) · Orion (New Earth) · Ra's al Ghul (New Earth) · Ruby Ryder (Earth-One) · Sand Superman (Earth-One) · Scott Free (New Earth) · Seagrin (New Earth) · Serifan (New Earth) · Shaligo (New Earth) · Simyan (New Earth) · Slig (New Earth) · Solis (New Earth) · Sonny Sumo (New Earth) · Source (New Earth) · Talia al Ghul (New Earth) · Thaddeus Brown (New Earth) · Thomas Fagan (Earth-One) · Thunderer the Horse (New Earth) · Trok (New Earth) · Ubu (New Earth) · Victor Lanza (New Earth) · Virman Vundabar (New Earth) · Vykin the Black (New Earth) · Wandjina (New Earth) · William Walker (New Earth) · Witch Queen (Earth-One)

Teams

The following teams debuted with a 1971 cover date:

Champions of Angor · Dark Circle (Earth-One) · Darkseid's Elite · Deep Six · Dog Cavalry · Forever People · Gravi-Guards · Justifiers · League of Assassins (New Earth) · New Gods (New Earth) · Parademons

Publication notes

• Aquaman was canceled in 1971 but was revived in 1977 continuing its numbering.