Every week we spotlight the various characters, phrases, objects or events that eventually became notable parts of comic lore. Not major stuff like "the first appearance of Superman," but rather, "the first time someone said, 'Avengers Assemble!'" or "the first appearance of Batman's giant penny" or "the first appearance of Alfred Pennyworth" or "the first time Spider-Man's face was shown half-Spidey/half-Peter." Stuff like that. Here is an archive of all the When We First Met features so far! Check 'em out!

After last week's look at the introduction of three notable Marvel European countries, today we look at the introduction of four notable DC Comics European countries - Modora, Vlatava, Zandia and Markovia.

Modora was first seen in 1962's Green Lantern #14 (by John Broome, Gil Kane and Joe Giella), under unusual circumstances, as Hal Jordan is looking for a stamp for his friend...



While there, he discovers that a Modorian citizen has come to America to fight crime. By the time, Hal returns, the citizen has already started...



I include the following just to show how impressive Sonar's debut was...





Dude knocked out Green Lantern in their first fight! Impressive.

Next up is Vlatava, the home of Count Vertigo. The Count mentioned his home country a few times but it was not until 1981's World's Finest Comics #272, in a story by Bob Haney with art by Trevor von Eeden and Brent Breeding, that we see the country, after the Count seemingly dies...





The young vigilante traveling with Green Arrow is no one you need to know.

Of course, the Count was faking his death...



Next is Zandia, introduced in 1981's New Teen Titans #14 by Marv Wolfman, George Perez and Romeo Tanghal, as Madame Rouge (who Changeling rightly blames for the death of his adopted mother, Elasti-Girl) tries to conquer the tiny island nation...







Later on, when Zandia becomes the home of Brother Blood, it popped up in the Mediterranean rather than the Baltic Sea. I dunno where it is considered to be now.

Finally, in 1983's Batman and the Outsiders #1, by Mike W. Barr and Jim Aparo, we meet Markovia. Lucius Fox is kidnapped there...



and after the Justice League won't help him break into the country, Batman quits and heads off to the country, which we are helpfully shown on a map...



Here is the Markovian castle where we first see Geo-Force in his royal attire...



Okay, that's it for this week! If you have any other comic book firsts you'd like to see me feature, drop me a line at bcronin@comicbookresources.com