http://www.newsarama.com/forums/show...threadid=50900

Official announcement came today that the comic book publisher that put “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” on the map will get a nod from the US Post Office next year, when DC Comics characters get their own postage stamps, this according to a USPS release listing the various stamp designs coming in 2006.

“Our 2006 program commemorates a wide range of diverse American icons with something that will appeal to everyone,'' Postmaster General John E. Potter said in announcing the planned designs. One touch of reality though – the new stamps of 2006 will cost 39 cents, as the postal rate increases on January 8th.

The Post Office’s plans call for a set of 20 stamps featuring DC Comics characters. From the release, the list includes: “Superman, Wonder Woman, Plastic Man, Batman, Green Arrow and many more.”

According to the August issue of Linn's Stamp News, Aquaman, Hawkman, and Supergirl will also be featured. The heroes will reportedly be on two stamps, showcasing different poses. Linn's also reported that the stamps would be released in conjunction with a major comic convention, most likely indicating the San Diego Comic-Con, July 20-23rd (although some sources are claiming they will have stamps in stock on September 1st, 2006). Again, according to Stamp News Marvel heroes will be featured on a series of stamps in 2007.

While the pane of 20 stamps will be the first for nearly all, it will mark Superman's second time on US postage, as the character was featured in 1998, as one in a series of events that occured in the 1930s. Superman was also on a Canadian stamp in 1995, one of a set featuring Canadian comic book heroes (Joe Shuster was born in Canada).

Further clarifying (and see above), as the news has been bubbling through the stamp hobby since this summer, Scott's Stamp Monthly has reported that the 20 stamps will feature only ten heroes, one showing the hero, and the other of the pair, showing a comic book cover featuring the hero. According to Scott Stamp Monthly, the heroes and the comic book covers featured are:

1) Superman - Superman #11, 1941
2) Green Arrow - Green Arrow (Vol. 2) #15, 2001
3) Green Lantern - Green Lantern #4, 1961
4) Wonder Woman - Wonder Woman (second series) #22, 1987
5) Batman - Batman #1, 1940 (with Robin)
6) The Flash - Flash #111, 1960
7) Plastic Man - Plastic Man #4, 1943 (with Woozy Winks)
8) Aquaman - Aquaman (third series) #5, 1989
9) Hawkman - The Brave and The Bold #36, 1961
10) Supergirl - Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #1, 1982

As for the character images - from the Post Office's release:

Batman
Art by Jim Lee & 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 & 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, remains a figure of strength, beauty and courage.

Plastic Man
Art by #### 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 & 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 & 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). (Editor's note: the Silver Age of Comics, from the mid-1950s to the early 1970s, reflected a period of artistic advancement and commercial success in mainstream comic books.)

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 & 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 & 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).

Also in 2006, Disney characters will again make cut, with romance stamps to be issued in April featuring Disney characters such as Mickey and Minnie and Lady and the Tramp.

Other notable personalities/items on 2006’s stamps: Boxer Sugar Ray Robinson, a set recalling baseball sluggers Roy Campanella, Hank Greenberg, Mickey Mantle and Mel Ott; Judy Garland, a set featuring children’s book animals such as the Very Hungry Caterpillar, Curious George and Fox in Socks; Benjamin Franklin, explorer Samuel de Champlain (jointly with Canada Post), and others.

Marvel doesn't have postage stamps because Hulk can't read, Reed Richards probably uses e-mail, & Prof. X uses telepathy.

That's pretty sweet. I don't collect stamps, but I may get some of these.

Willie Lumpkin am cry.

I hate to burst your bubble (no I don't), but Marvel is getting the same stamp treatment in 2007...

The only ones you can say are easily recognizable by the American public would be:

Superman
Batman

on a slightly lesser level:

Wonderwoman
Flash

Most Americans have no clue who any of the rest are, even if as comic nerds we think of them as more mainstream types.