What are DC Archives?
The DC Archive Series is a collection of books providing, for the first time in comics history, high quality Archives of serial DC Comics. That is, they collect, in order, tales from DC's most popular characters over it's more than 60 years of publishing. In addition, DC controls the rights to reprint specific material from the Quality and Fawcett groups of the 1940's allowing the production of Plastic Man, Blackhawk and Shazam! Archives.
When did they start?
The first edition was the Superman Archives #1, released in 1989. This was followed by a rapid fire release of several other editions through ~1993. In the mid-1990's, the comics market entered a period of recession and many efforts with less than optimal circulations were pared back. Legion Archives, fueled by the dogged fandom of the Legion of Super-Heroes, was sustained through the slow period. In ~1997, comics again began to show sufficient vigor to sustain a few more Archives and DC tested the water with a few new releases, ultimately reviving the line to it's current 12 editions/year strength.
Who makes them?
DC Archives are published by DC Comics, Inc. which holds all copyright to their contents. Currently, they are printed in Hong Kong but were previously printed in Canada.
How are they made?
It depends on the material. Material for Golden Age Archives are made by scanning older material into a computer and then "re-touching" it. The final image is then colored and printed on a high quality paper. Silver Age and more recent material requires less "touching up" and can be reprinted more easily (and cheaper!) for DC. Hence, DC publishes a balance of material not just to appease it's varied fandom but to produce the material in a cost-effective manner.
Do they destroy old comics to make Archives?
No. Historically, a process was used that dissected older books and basically bleached the color out. This process was developed by long-time fan Greg Theakston and was referred to as "Theakstonization". Since reconstruction is now largely done via computer, few if any comics are harmed in the processing of restoring the art for DC Archives.
Who decides what gets Archived?
The absolute decision is made by the Archives and TPB committee at DC Comics. This committee is mainly centered around DC editors and executives and a select group of retail and industry insiders. Known members (past and present) include DC EIC Paul Levitz, Retail VP Bob Wayne and Archives Editor Dale Crain.
How is this decision made?
DC weighs a number of factors in determinig what can and cannot be produced. Factors which weigh against production include rarity of material (more costly to reproduce) and lack of broad character appeal (i.e. Zatara). Given the difficulty of securing older Zatara material (he started in Action #1!!) and the small fanbase for the character, it would cost a lot and would not sell as many copies. Zatara, therefore, gets a lower priority. Factors which favor publication are "hot" series (i.e. Starman, Black Canary), traditional favorites (JLA, Legion, Batman), and series that have appeal above and beyond traditional fandom (Plastic Man, Blackhawk).
Where do the Spirit and Tor Archives fit?
The Spirit Archives and Tor Archives are part of DC Library series (the Will Eisner and Joe Kubert Libraries, respectively) and are not part of the same decision making process as the DC Archives. Hence, when DC decides which Archives to produce (such as more Flash, JLA or Legion) it is a separate decision from the number of Spirit Archives they produce.