Rorschach first appeared in Watchmen #1, published by DC in 1986. That places it in the Copper Age.
Why this issue matters
Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' uncompromising vigilante debuted in one of the most acclaimed comics ever made, a black-and-white moral absolutist who became the breakout figure of a series that reshaped how the medium was taken seriously.
Watchmen #1 is also the first appearance of Ozymandias, which is part of why the book carries the weight it does.
Key facts
Watchmen #1
- Character: Rorschach
- Publisher: DC
- Cover year: 1986
- Era: Copper 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.
Other first appearances from 1986
- Booster Gold Booster Gold #1, 1986
- Apocalypse X-Factor #5, 1986
More DC firsts from the Copper Age
- Jason Todd (Robin II) Batman #357, 1983
- Tim Drake (Robin III) Batman #436, 1989
- Harley Quinn Batman Adventures #12, 1993
- Bane Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1, 1992
- Azrael Batman: Sword of Azrael #1, 1992
- Lobo Omega Men #3, 1983
- Jason Todd Robin Death Batman #428, 1988
- Azrael as Batman Batman #500, 1993
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.