CATALOG RECORD

Batman #1

DC · Series began 1940 · Spring 1940

first Joker and Catwoman

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WHY COLLECTORS WANT IT

first Joker and Catwoman

Joker (secret identity unknown, Batman villain) — introduction
The Cat (Selina Kyle) — disguised as Miss Peggs, introduction, see notes

Dates

Cover date: Spring 1940
On sale: April 25, 1940
Pages: 68

Editions and covers (2)

Copies of #1 are not all the same book. Here is how to tell each one apart.

Cover Number with Period
Source ↗
Cover Number without Period
This edition’s page

Facsimile reprints exist

Batman 1 (Facsimile Edition) (2023), Batman 1 (Facsimile Edition) (2025). A facsimile reproduces this issue with a modern cover price and barcode; check before buying.

Creators

pencils: Bob Kane, Jerry Robinson, Paul Gustavson, Raymond Perry, George Pappinks: Jerry Robinson, Bob Kane, Sheldon Moldoff, Paul Gustavson, Raymond Perry, George Pappcolors: Strauss Engraving Company, Raymond Perryletters: Jerry Robinson, Sheldon Moldoff, Paul Gustavsonscript: Bill Finger, Paul Gustavson, Guy Monroe, Whitney Ellsworth, George Shute, Bob Kane, George Papp

Stories

The Legend of the Batman--Who He Is and How He Came to Be! · 2 pages
Bruce Wayne's parents are murdered by a cheap crook, and young Bruce vows to avenge their deaths by warring on all criminals.
The Joker · 13 pages
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.
Major Bigsbe an' Botts · 2 pages
Having bought the Bar Q Ranch, Major Bigsbe decides to celebrate by shootin' off his pistols and lands in jail.
The Giants of Hugo Strange · 12 pages
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.
Strictly Publicity · 1 pages
Detective Terry Gallant proves to his Chief that the late Barton Barlow had killed himself with a gun in a most mysterious way.
Meet the Artist! · 1 pages
Biography of Batman creator, Bob Kane.
The Cat · 13 pages
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.
Two Aces · 2 pages
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.
Untitled · 2 pages
Uncle Zep takes Ginger to the soda shop for a soda, but ends up drinking way too many himself!
The Joker Returns · 13 pages
The Joker escapes from prison to continue his rampage of death and to steal the famed Cleopatra necklace and Fire Ruby.

Characters

Bruce WayneBatmanDick GraysonRobinJokerCommissioner James GordonThomas WayneMartha WayneHugo StrangeJoe ChillThe Cat

Reprinted in

Millennium Edition: Batman No. 1 (2001), Famous First Edition (1974), Batman 1 (Facsimile Edition) (2023), Batman 1 (Facsimile Edition) (2025), Batman: The Dark Knight Archives (1992), The Batman Chronicles (2005), Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus (2015), Batman: The Golden Age (2016), The Great Comic Book Heroes (1965), Batman from the 30s to the 70s (1971), The Great Comic Book Heroes (1977), Caped Crusader Classics! (1988), The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told (1989), The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told (1989), The Joker: 80 Years of the Clown Prince of Crime: The Deluxe Edition (2020), DC Comics: The Golden Age (1938-1956) (2023), Batman (1966), Batman (1966), Secret Origins of the Super DC Heroes (1976), Secret Origins of the Super DC Heroes (1976)