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Characters & first appearances

What is the first appearance of Batman?

Published Sep 14, 2026 · Updated Sep 14, 2026 · 1 min read

Short answerBatman first appeared in Detective Comics #27, cover-dated May 1939, in a six-page story titled “The Case of the Chemical Syndicate”, created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger and published by Detective Comics, Inc. (DC). Finger, who wrote the story and shaped the costume, was officially credited by DC as co-creator from 2015. A CGC 8.0 copy sold for 1.5 million dollars at Heritage Auctions in January 2022.

The issue

Detective Comics had been running as a crime anthology since March 1937. Issue #27 introduced "the Bat-Man", a caped detective in a story that already has Commissioner Gordon and Bruce Wayne. Kane drew the cover of Batman swinging across a rooftop with a criminal under his arm. There is no Robin, no Joker and no Batmobile yet.

The keys that follow

  • Detective Comics #29–#31 — early covers and the first Batarang and Batgyro (#31, September 1939).
  • Detective Comics #33 (November 1939) — Batman's origin told for the first time.
  • Detective Comics #38 (April 1940) — first appearance of Robin.
  • Batman #1 (Spring 1940) — first appearances of the Joker and Catwoman; a CGC 9.4 copy sold for 2.22 million dollars in January 2021.

Collecting Detective Comics #27

It is the second most important Golden Age key after Action Comics #1 and, like it, survives mostly in low grade. Copies in any complete condition trade for six figures and above. Reprints exist, including a 1974 Famous First Edition and later facsimiles; grade or authenticate any copy offered as original.

Why Bill Finger's credit matters to collectors

For decades the byline read "Batman created by Bob Kane". After a campaign by Finger's family and historians, DC changed the credit to "Bob Kane with Bill Finger" in 2015, beginning with the Batman television and film credits that autumn. Labels and listings now generally name both.

The Batman character page collects Batman books currently in the store, including Modern Age keys such as Batman Adventures #12.

Written by the Rare Comics Collectors grading team. Spotted an error or have a question this guide does not answer? Tell us.

In the vault right now

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Key issueLast copy

DC Comics · Golden Age

Batman #1

CGC 4.5 · Universal Blue

First appearances of the Joker and Catwoman

(3)
$195,000
Key issueLast copy

DC Comics · Golden Age

Detective Comics #27

CGC 2.0 · Universal Blue

First appearance of Batman (Bruce Wayne)

(2)
$750,000
Key issueLast copy

DC Comics · Modern Age

Batman Adventures #12

CGC 9.8 · Universal Blue

First comic-book appearance of Harley Quinn

(0)
$2,500
Key issueLast copy

DC Comics · Modern Age

Detective Comics (2011) #20

CGC 9.8 · Signature Series

We Can Be Heroes variant, signed and sketched by Frank Miller

(0)
$999

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