Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27, published by DC in 1939. That places it in the Gold Age.
Why this issue matters
Bruce Wayne's first appearance as the Batman, a wealthy vigilante driven by the murder of his parents, arriving just a year after Superman proved the genre had an audience.
Key facts
Detective Comics #27
- Character: Batman
- Publisher: DC
- Cover year: 1939
- Era: Gold Age
Before you buy or sell one
- Check it is a first print, not a facsimile or reprint. Newsstand and direct editions are priced differently too.
- Condition decides most of the value. Whether grading is worth it depends on the copy.
Go deeper
- Batman reading order
- Batman of Two Worlds: Fraction and Snyder, Two Gothams Batman of Two W
- How Much Is Batman: The Killing Joke Worth? UK Guide How much is Batma
- Fraction's Batman vs Absolute Batman
- A Lifetime of Neal Adams Batman: Richard's Collection A lifetime of Ba
Other first appearances from 1939
- Namor the Sub-Mariner Marvel Comics #1, 1939
- Human Torch (original android) Marvel Comics #1, 1939
More DC firsts from the Gold Age
- Hawkman (Carter Hall) Flash Comics #1, 1940
- Black Canary Flash Comics #86, 1947
- Scarecrow World's Finest Comics #3, 1941
- Lex Luthor Action Comics #23, 1940
- Clayface (Karlo) Detective Comics #40, 1940
- Solomon Grundy All-American Comics #61, 1944
- Superman Action Comics #1, 1938
- Wonder Woman All Star Comics #8, 1941
Got a copy?
I buy key issues and whole collections across the UK, and I will tell you honestly whether what you have is the real first or a later printing. Send me photos of the cover and the indicia and I will come back with a straight answer, and a proper valuation if you want one.