First appearance

Batman's first appearance: Detective Comics #27

Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27, cover dated May 1939, published by DC (then National Comics) and created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger.

Why it matters

The Bat-Man's first story, "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate", launched one of the most famous characters in the world. Commissioner Gordon also debuts. Very few copies survive, which makes it one of the rarest and most valuable comics in existence.

Related key issues

• Batman #1 (Spring 1940), first appearances of the Joker and Catwoman.
• Detective Comics #38 (April 1940), first appearance of Robin.

Before you buy or sell, check

• The 1970s oversized "Famous First Edition" reprint is the classic false alarm. A genuine copy is standard comic size, not tabloid size.
• Later reprints, including DC's Millennium Edition (2000) and facsimiles, are clearly marked inside.

Then look up what copies in similar condition actually sold for. Prices for keys like this move with grade and with news about the character, so a recent sale tells you far more than a printed guide. Our guides on the grading scale and spotting reprints help you compare like with like.

More first appearances

• The Joker: Batman #1 (Spring 1940)
• Harley Quinn: The Batman Adventures #12 (September 1993)
• Superman: Action Comics #1 (June 1938)
• Wonder Woman: All Star Comics #8 (December 1941 to January 1942)

Questions