CATALOG RECORD

Detective Comics #40

DC · Series began 1937 · June 1940

first appearance of Clayface

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WHY COLLECTORS WANT IT

Clayface (Basil Karlo, from Batman) — introduction

Dates

Cover date: June 1940
On sale: May 3, 1940
Pages: 68

Values

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Editions and covers

Original edition
Source ↗

Facsimile reprints exist

Detective Comics 40 (Facsimile Edition) (2025). 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, Howard Sherman, Fred Harmaninks: Bob Kane, Jerry Robinson, Maurice Kashuba, Ken Ernst, Jack Lehti, Fred Guardineer, Don Lynch, Chad Grothkopf, Howard Sherman, Fred Harmanscript: Bill Finger, Jack Lehti, Gardner Fox, Chad Grothkopf, Jerry Siegelletters: Jerry Robinson, Fred Guardineer, Chad Grothkopf, Howard Sherman

Stories

The Murders of Clayface · 12 pages
Learning that Julie has become a movie actress, Bruce and Dick head over to the studio to meet with her. However, a series of events leads Bruce to believe something bad is going to happen, which it does, and the Batman must lend a hand to stop a killer known as Clayface.
The Forgarian Ball · 6 pages
An American Reporter in London · 6 pages
The Mysterious Rays · 6 pages
The Jewel Robbers · 6 pages
Theft at the Fair [Part 1] · 1.2 pages
The Prodigy · 6 pages
New Air Mails; Stamp Oddities · 0.25 pages
The New Plane · 6 pages
The Murder of Slugger Carmen · 8 pages

Publisher’s description

When things go awry on set, Batman must save the day!

Characters

Bruce WayneBatmanDick GraysonRobinBasil KarloClayfaceThe Crimson AvengerLee TravisWingWing HowSlam BradleySpeed SaundersShorty MorganBart ReganJulie MadisonSteve MaloneCliff CrosbyRed Logan

Reprinted in

Detective Comics 40 (Facsimile Edition) (2025), Batman from the 30s to the 70s (1971), Batman Archives (1990), The Batman Chronicles (2005), Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus (2015), Batman: The Golden Age (2016), Batman Arkham: Clayface (2017)