CATALOG RECORD

Detective Comics #38

DC · Series began 1937 · April 1940

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Dates

Cover date: April 1940
On sale: March 6, 1940
Pages: 68

Editions and covers

Original edition
Source ↗

Facsimile reprints exist

Detective Comics 38 (Facsimile Edition) (2020). A facsimile reproduces this issue with a modern cover price and barcode; check before buying.

Creators

pencils: Bob Kane, Maurice Kashuba, Ken Ernst, Jack Lehti, Fred Guardineer, Don Lynch, Chad Grothkopf, Dennis Nevilleinks: Jerry Robinson, Maurice Kashuba, Ken Ernst, Jack Lehti, Fred Guardineer, Don Lynch, Chad Grothkopf, Dennis Nevillescript: Bill Finger, Jerry Siegel, Jack Lehti, Gardner Fox, Chad Grothkopf, Richard Martinletters: Jerry Robinson, Fred Guardineer, Chad Grothkopf

Stories

Robin the Boy Wonder · 12 pages
Dick Grayson watches his parents die and overhears the killers confessing the point, and he decides to tip off the Police. However, the Batman intervenes to save the boy's life, and trains him to become his partner, Robin the Boy Wonder. Then the duo head out to gather evidence needed to put the criminals behind bars.
Phono-Post Stamps; New Values Needed · 1 pages
The Electrical Assassin · 6 pages
Bart nearly loses his life when he investigates a scientist's invention that produces lightning, which can be directed to any target the scientist desires, and with which he plans to terrorize the nation and eventually control it.
Dr. Hydkil · 6 pages
Red becomes involved in a murder mystery that has all the earmarks of a vampire killer. Instead he runs smack dab into a crazed medical genius bent on becoming another Frankenstein!
Phoney Jewel Robbery · 6 pages
The Crimson investigates and puts to an end an insideous plan in which wealthy people pay to have their jewels stolen, then get them returned after having collected the insurance on them.
No. 1 - Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson · 0.75 pages
The Kidnaped Singer · 6 pages
Speed uncovers a plot by the supposed fiancee of singer Lora de Thiess, who had gotten himself into debt by gambling, then put the touch on Lora's theater to ransom her back from a kidnapping.
The Gambler's Protector · 6 pages
Steve makes the discovery that the city's criminal rackets are being financed by the Police Commissioner.
At the Arctic Circle · 6 pages
Having to bail out of their plane over the arctic regions, Cliff and Dr. Broussard are shocked to find African natives living in the arctic with little clothing on. They are brought before the Chief of the Sabu Kingdom and informed about a serum the natives drink that permits them to live in the coldest of weather without clothing!
The Case of the Vanishing Train · 1.34 pages
The Big Fire · 10 pages
Slam and Shorty help rescue people from a burning apartment building.

Characters

Bruce WayneBatmanDick GraysonRobin

Reprinted in

Detective Comics 38 (Facsimile Edition) (2020), Millennium Edition: Detective Comics 38 (2000), Batman from the 30s to the 70s (1971), Secret Origins (1973), Batman Album (1976), Batman Archives (1990), Detective Comics Special Reprint (1995), Detective Comics Special Reprint [Toys 'R' Us Special Replica Edition] (1997), Batman in the Forties (2004), The Batman Chronicles (2005), Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus (2015), Robin, The Boy Wonder: A Celebration of 75 Years (2015), Batman: The Golden Age (2016), Detective Comics: 80 Years of Batman (2019), Detective Comics: Batman 80th Anniversary Giant (2019), Robin: 80 Years of the Boy Wonder: The Deluxe Edition (2020)