Joker first appeared in Batman #1, published by DC in 1940. That places it in the Gold Age.
Why this issue matters
The Joker debuted in the same issue as Catwoman, an anarchic killer clown who quickly became, and remains, Batman's single most iconic adversary.
Batman #1 is also the first appearance of Catwoman, which is part of why the book carries the weight it does.
Key facts
Batman #1
- Character: Joker
- Publisher: DC
- Cover year: 1940
- 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
Other first appearances from 1940
- Hawkman (Carter Hall) Flash Comics #1, 1940
- Lex Luthor Action Comics #23, 1940
- Clayface (Karlo) Detective Comics #40, 1940
- Green Lantern (Alan Scott) All-American Comics #16, 1940
- Flash (Jay Garrick) Flash Comics #1, 1940
- Dick Grayson (Robin) Detective Comics #38, 1940
More DC firsts from the Gold Age
- Black Canary Flash Comics #86, 1947
- Scarecrow World's Finest Comics #3, 1941
- Solomon Grundy All-American Comics #61, 1944
- Superman Action Comics #1, 1938
- Batman Detective Comics #27, 1939
- Wonder Woman All Star Comics #8, 1941
- Aquaman More Fun Comics #73, 1941
- Green Arrow More Fun Comics #73, 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.