ow pages; page 22 only (1st Catwoman out of disguise - PAPA SPANK!)
1st appearance of the Joker; 1st app Catwoman; Batman's first solo comic and one of the most iconic covers of the Golden Age! (Spring 1940); Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
Batman #1 would be one of the most important comics of the Golden Age simply as the Caped Crusader’s debut in a solo title — with
Batman accompanied by Robin the Boy Wonder on one of the most iconic covers in comics history. In this case, however, the creative team of
Bob Kane, Bill Finger, and Jerry Robinson were inspired to launch Batman’s solo turn with the first appearances of both
The Joker and the Cat (who, of course, would later be dubbed
Catwoman). The Joker is even showcased in two stories here, with both classic tales serving as source material for 2008’s big-screen
The Dark Knight. There’s also the introduction of the Batplane and the return of Dr. Hugo Strange in a dark tale that inspired a strict “No Killing” policy for Batman.
With Robin joining Batman from the pages of
Detective Comics, this book is yet another vital early milestone (and timeless investment) in the Dynamic Duo's rise to worldwide stardom. There have easily been over a hundred titles devoted to Batman over the years — more than
Superman and
Spider-Man combined. Batman has also been featured in several serials and animated series, plus TV shows, movies, video games, novelizations, record albums, and virtually every other medium. With (at least) seven Batman-related film and television projects in development at the start of 2025, copies of
Batman #1 are set to maintain their value as a comic collectible and pop-culture artifact.
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