Batman #1 [Cover Number with Period]
(Spring 1940)

DC, 1940 Series
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Price
0.10 USD
Pages
68
Indicia Frequency
quarterly
On-sale Date
1940-04-24
Indicia / Colophon Publisher
Detective Comics Inc.
Brand
A DC Publication
Editing
Whitney Ellsworth (uncredited)

Issue Notes

The on-sale date is the publication date reported in the U. S. Copyright Office filing found at the Catalog of Copyright Entries, Part 2, Periodicals, New Series, Volume 35, 1940, Number 2. Class B periodical. Copyright number B 455005. On-sale of April 25th per a promotional house advertisement in Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #39 (May 1940).

Indicia: Batman No. 1 * Spring 1940 Issue
Published quarterly by DETECTIVE COMICS, INC. 480 Lexington Avenue, New York, N. Y.
This issue has variants:

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents)

Batman and Robin / cover / 1 page (report information)

Pencils
Bob Kane (signed)
Inks
Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson (sourced) (backgrounds)
Colors
Strauss Engraving Company
Letters
Jerry Robinson (sourced) (logo design, see notes); typeset

First Line of Dialogue or Text
All brand new adventures of The Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder!
Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]
Reprints

Indexer Notes

According to Klein, Robinson was also probably responsible for the revisions to the logo over the next several issues.

Boys! G-Man Outfit (Table of Contents: 1) (Expand) /

The Crowell-Collier Publishing Co. / advertisement / 1 page (report information)

The Legend of the Batman--Who He Is and How He Came to Be! (Table of Contents: 2)

Batman / comic story / 2 pages (report information)

Script
Bill Finger
Pencils
Bob Kane (signed)
Inks
Bob Kane (signed); Sheldon Moldoff (sourced) (backgrounds)
Colors
Strauss Engraving Company
Letters
Sheldon Moldoff (sourced)

First Line of Dialogue or Text
One night some fifteen years ago, Thomas Wayne, his wife and his son were walking home from a movie...
Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne] (origin); Thomas Wayne (Bruce's father, death, flashback); Martha Wayne (Bruce's mother, death, flashback); Joe Chill (villain, un-named)
Synopsis
Bruce Wayne's parents are murdered by a cheap crook, and young Bruce vows to avenge their deaths by warring on all criminals.
Reprints
Keywords
Crime Alley; pearl necklace; Wayne Manor

[The Joker] (Table of Contents: 3)

Batman and Robin / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script
Bill Finger
Pencils
Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson (sourced) (see notes)
Inks
Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson (sourced) (backgrounds)
Colors
Strauss Engraving Company
Letters
Jerry Robinson (sourced)

First Line of Dialogue or Text
Once again a master criminal stalks the city streets -- a criminal weaving a web of death about him...
Feature Logo
Batman with Robin - The Boy Wonder [30's face]
Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; The Joker (villain) (introduction); Robin [Dick Grayson]; Henry (radio listener); Henry Claridge (millionaire, death); Mrs. Claridge (Henry's wife); un-named Police Chief; Jay Wilde (death); Judge Drake (death); Otto Drexel (mention only); Brute Nelson (villain, death)
Synopsis
Batman faces a new criminal who succeeds in killing famous men and stealing their prized possessions, leaving them all with a smile on their face.
Reprints
Keywords
Claridge Diamond; Cleopatra Necklace; Daily Star; Gotham City; infra-red lamp; Joker venom; Ronkers Ruby; Wayne Manor

Indexer Notes

There is an earlier chronological appearance (and origin) of the Joker in Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #168 (February 1951).

Robinson verified with Gary Watson in July 2009 that he did some penciling (including the Joker's card on the splash page specifically), in addition to the background inks and lettering he already confirmed.

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 4)

Major Bigsbe an' Botts / comic story / 2 pages (report information)

Script
Paul Gustavson (signed) (sourced)
Pencils
Paul Gustavson (signed) (sourced)
Inks
Paul Gustavson (signed) (sourced)
Colors
Strauss Engraving Company
Letters
Paul Gustavson (signed) (sourced)

First Line of Dialogue or Text
Yippe-e!" "Hey-cut that out!" "Waho-o-o!
Genre
humor; western-frontier
Characters
Major Bigsbe; Botts; unnamed Sheriff
Synopsis
Having bought the Bar Q Ranch, Major Bigsbe decides to celebrate by shootin' off his pistols and lands in jail.
Reprints

[The Giants of Hugo Strange] (Table of Contents: 5)

Batman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script
Bill Finger
Pencils
Bob Kane (signed)
Inks
Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson (sourced) (backgrounds)
Colors
Strauss Engraving Company
Letters
Jerry Robinson (sourced)

First Line of Dialogue or Text
While an innocent metropolis sleeps little does it realize that huge, terrifying man-monsters shall soon stalk the streets and bring to them havoc and destruction.
Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Professor Hugo Strange (villain); Monster Men (villains, all die)
Synopsis
The Batman faces an arch criminal who has invented a serum to create a race of giant monsters and nearly becomes one of them himself.
Reprints
Keywords
The Batplane; utility belt; Utility Belt; Utility belt

Indexer Notes

This story was originally prepared for Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #38 (April 1940), but with the introduction of Robin in that issue, the story (sans Robin) was published here.

Oddity: Machine guns are mounted on the Batplane, which are used to kill.

The closing scenes of Batman battling one of the monsters look as if they were taken directly from 1933's film, "King Kong."

Strictly Publicity (Table of Contents: 6)

text story / 1 page (report information)

Script
Guy Monroe (credited) (house name)
Letters
typeset

First Line of Dialogue or Text
'It just isn't possible!' The Chief was saying.
Genre
crime
Characters
The Chief; Terry Gallant
Synopsis
Detective Terry Gallant proves to his Chief that the late Barton Barlow had killed himself with a gun in a most mysterious way.
Reprints

Meet the Artist! (Table of Contents: 7)

text article / 1 page (report information)

Script
Whitney Ellsworth (signed as The Editor)
Pencils
? (photograph)
Inks
? (photograph)
Colors
? (photograph shaded in magenta)
Letters
typeset

First Line of Dialogue or Text
Readers, meet Bob Kane, creator of The Batman!
Genre
biography
Characters
Bob Kane (photograph)
Synopsis
Biography of Batman creator, Bob Kane.
Reprints

[The Cat] (Table of Contents: 8)

Batman and Robin / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script
Bill Finger
Pencils
Bob Kane (signed)
Inks
Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson (sourced) (backgrounds)
Colors
Strauss Engraving Company
Letters
Jerry Robinson (sourced)

First Line of Dialogue or Text
Among the guests walks a young steward... Dick Grayson who is in reality... Robin the Boy Wonder!
Feature Logo
Batman with Robin - The Boy Wonder [30's face]
Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; The Cat (villain) (disguised as Miss Peggs, introduction, see notes); Robin [Dick Grayson]; John Travers; Martha Travers; Dr. Wallace; un-named ship steward; un-named Captain (of "The Dolphin"); Denny (villain)
Synopsis
Batman and Robin take a trip aboard an exclusive yacht in order to prevent the theft of the Travers necklace at the hands of the Cat.
Reprints
Keywords
Atlantic Ocean; batrope; breaking the fourth wall; Traver's Necklace

Indexer Notes

The Cat was later renamed Cat-Woman or Catwoman in the next issue.

An earlier chronological appearance was in Batman (DC, 1940 series) #52 (April-May 1949) and in The Brave and the Bold (DC, 1955 series) #197 (April 1983).

The "Big Six" Comics Magazines Still Lead the Field! (Table of Contents: 9) (Expand) /

promo (ad from the publisher) / 1 page (report information)

Two Aces (Table of Contents: 10)

text story / 2 pages (report information)

Script
George Shute (credited)
Pencils
Raymond Perry
Inks
Raymond Perry
Colors
Raymond Perry
Letters
typeset

First Line of Dialogue or Text
Visibility excellent; ceiling unlimited.
Genre
adventure
Characters
Lieutenant Bill Wayne; Doctor Synce; Von Berket (villain, death)
Synopsis
Inventor Doctor Synce gets Navy flier Wayne to fly secret plans from Pensacola, Florida to the coast, when the pilot runs up against an old adversary and ace from years before.
Reprints

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 11)

Ginger Snap / comic story / 2 pages (report information)

Script
Bob Kane (signed as Ted Raye)
Pencils
Bob Kane (signed as Ted Raye)
Inks
Bob Kane (signed as Ted Raye)
Colors
Strauss Engraving Company
Letters
Bob Kane ?

First Line of Dialogue or Text
Gosh! And only ten cents!
Genre
humor; children
Characters
Ginger Snap; Uncle Zep; un-named soda jerk
Synopsis
Uncle Zep takes Ginger to the soda shop for a soda, but ends up drinking way too many himself!
Reprints

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 12)

Fantastic Facts / cartoon / 1 page (report information)

Script
George Papp (signed as Geo. Papp)
Pencils
George Papp (signed as Geo. Papp)
Inks
George Papp (signed as Geo. Papp)
Colors
Strauss Engraving Company
Letters
?

First Line of Dialogue or Text
In Egypt they say 'How are you sweating?' instead of 'How is your health?'
Genre
non-fiction
Characters
Jack Dempsey
Synopsis
Contains facts about boxer Jack Dempsey, kangaroos, and "greetings and salutations."
Reprints

The Joker Returns (Table of Contents: 13)

Batman and Robin / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script
Bill Finger
Pencils
Bob Kane (signed)
Inks
Bob Kane (signed); Jerry Robinson (sourced) (backgrounds)
Colors
Strauss Engraving Company
Letters
Jerry Robinson (sourced)

First Line of Dialogue or Text
Once again that harlequin of hate..the Joker..brings grinning death to a terrified people...
Feature Logo
Batman with Robin - The Boy Wonder [30's face]
Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Commissioner James Gordon; Joker (villain); Robin [Dick Grayson]; Chief of Police Chalmers (death); Edgar Martin (a political reformer, death)
Synopsis
The Joker escapes from prison to continue his rampage of death and to steal the famed Cleopatra necklace and Fire Ruby.
Reprints
Keywords
Cleopatra Necklace; Fire Ruby; Gotham City Police Headquarters; Joker venom; Joker Venom

Indexer Notes

As recounted in various sources, the Joker was supposed to die of his stab wound at the end of the story, but the editors decided this villain was too good to kill off, so the last panels were re-drawn to show him surviving.

The last panel of the story, titled "Golden Rules for Robin's Regulars", introduces readers to "Robin's Code" of conduct. The code (ROBIN): Readiness, Obedience, Brotherhood, Industriousness, Nationalism.

This story was apparently intended for Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #40 (June 1940). The cover of that issue (shown in a promotional house advertisement in this issue) shows Robin trapped on a flagpole about to be chopped down, which occurs here. The villain also appears to be a recolored Joker.

Detective Comics! (Table of Contents: 14) (Expand) /

Batman / promo (ad from the publisher) / 1 page (report information)

Charlie Barnet Uses Home Recordo! (Table of Contents: 15) (Expand) /

Home Recording Co. / advertisement / 1 page (report information)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 16)

Batman and Robin / illustration / 1 page (report information)

Pencils
Bob Kane (signed as Bob Kane)
Inks
Bob Kane (signed as Bob Kane)
Colors
Strauss Engraving Company
Letters
?

First Line of Dialogue or Text
Yours for bigger and better thrills, Batman
Genre
superhero
Characters
Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]
Reprints

Indexer Notes

Pin-up of Batman and Robin, found on the back cover, made to cut out and frame.

Editing
Related Scans
Series Information
Table of Contents
  1. 0. ["All brand new adventures of The Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder!"]
    Batman and Robin
  2. 1. Boys! G-Man Outfit
    The Crowell-Collier Publishing Co.
  3. 2. The Legend of the Batman--Who He Is and How He Came to Be!
    Batman
  4. 3. [The Joker]
    Batman and Robin
  5. 4. ["Yippe-e!" "Hey-cut that out!" "Waho-o-o!"]
    Major Bigsbe an' Botts
  6. 5. [The Giants of Hugo Strange]
    Batman
  7. 6. Strictly Publicity
  8. 7. Meet the Artist!
  9. 8. [The Cat]
    Batman and Robin
  10. 9. The "Big Six" Comics Magazines Still Lead the Field!
  11. 10. Two Aces
  12. 11. ["Gosh! And only ten cents!"]
    Ginger Snap
  13. 12. ["In Egypt they say 'How are you sweating?' instead of 'How is your health?'"]
    Fantastic Facts
  14. 13. The Joker Returns
    Batman and Robin
  15. 14. Detective Comics!
    Batman
  16. 15. Charlie Barnet Uses Home Recordo!
    Home Recording Co.
  17. 16. ["Yours for bigger and better thrills, Batman"]
    Batman and Robin
This issue was modified by, among others
  • Katie
  • Ray Bottorff Jr
  • Peter Croome
  • Craig Delich
  • Lionel English
  • Gregory Fischer
  • Jochen G.
  • Del Gruber
  • Merlin Haas
  • Matthew Head
  • Jerry Hillegas (R.I.P.)
  • Lee Lines
  • R. S. Martin
  • Mike Nielsen
  • Antonio Pontes Junior
  • Tony R. Rose
  • Allen Ross
  • Ramon Schenk
  • J.D. Sebastian
  • John P. Selegue
  • Jim Van Dore