Data courtesy of the Grand Comics Database under Creative Commons license.

Issue Details

Issue #1
Published 1989
Cover Price 0 Free
Pages 36
Editing ?
Notes Promotional giveaway for DC trade paperbacks. The word FREE is superimposed on 1.00 USD and 1.25 CAD cover prices.

Cover Details

Characters Batman; Justice League [Guy Gardner; Martian Manhunter; Batman]; King Arthur; Teen Titans [Cyborg; Nightwing; Starfire]
Genre superhero; fantasy
Pencils David Mazzucchelli; Brian Bolland; Kevin Maguire; George Perez
Inks David Mazzucchelli; Bruce Patterson; Kevin Maguire; George Perez
Notes Promotional giveaway for DC trade paperbacks. The word FREE is superimposed on 1.00 USD and 1.25 CAD cover prices.
Reprinted from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #? [only Batman art, from the Year One storyline]

1 page text article "The New Age of Comics!"

Script The Editors (introduction); ? (promo)
Letters typeset
Notes Inside front cover. Introduction, promo for the Collected Editions of the excerpts printed in this issue and indicia.

13 page Batman story "The Origin of the Batman!"

Characters Batman; "Feets" Borgam; Commissioner James Gordon; Joe Chill; Martha Wayne (flashback); Monty Julep; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Thomas Wayne (flashback)
Genre superhero
Script Bill Finger
Pencils Bob Kane (signed)
Inks Charles Paris
Letters Ira Schnapp
Editing Whitney Ellsworth (original editor)
Notes Story credited to Bob Kane and Lou Schwartz. Excerpt from The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told.
Reprinted from Batman (DC, 1940 series) #47 (June-July 1948)

7 page Camelot 3000 story "The Past and Future King!"

Characters Guinevere [Joan Acton]; King Arthur; Merlin; Morgan Le Fay; Sir Lancelot [Jules Futrelle]
Synopsis Jules Futrelle becomes Sir Lancelot and Morgan Le Fay plots New Camelot's destruction.
Genre science fiction; fantasy
Script Mike W. Barr
Pencils Brian Bolland
Inks Bruce Patterson
Colors Tatjana Wood
Letters John Costanza
Editing Len Wein (original editor)
Notes Excerpt from the Camelot 3000 trade paperback.
Reprinted from Camelot 3000 (DC, 1982 series) #1 (December 1982) [pages 19-25]

3 page Justice League story "Gray Life, Gray Dreams"

Characters Justice League [Batman; Black Canary; Blue Beetle; Booster Gold; Captain Marvel [Billy Batson]; Martian Manhunter; Mister Miracle]
Synopsis Guy Gardner unsuccessfully challenges Batman's leadership of the Justice League.
Genre superhero; humor
Script Keith Giffen (plot); J.M. DeMatteis (script)
Pencils Keith Giffen (breakdowns); Kevin Maguire
Inks Al Gordon
Colors Gene D'Angelo
Letters Bob Lappan
Editing Andrew Helfer (original editor)
Notes Excerpt from Justice League: A New Beginning.
Reprinted from Justice League (DC, 1987 series) #5 (September 1987) [pages 12-14]

4 page Teen Titans story "Crossroads"

Characters Batman (in a reflecton); Deathstroke; Teen Titans [Changeling; Cyborg; Raven; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Starfire; Terra; Wonder Girl]; Wintergreen
Synopsis Robin retires while Deathstroke watches.
Genre superhero
Script Marv Wolfman (plot, script); George Perez (plot)
Pencils George Perez
Inks Romeo Tanghal
Colors Adrienne Roy
Letters Ben Oda
Editing Len Wein (original editor)
Notes Excerpt from The New Teen Titans: The Judas Contract.
Reprinted from New Teen Titans, The (DC, 1980 series) #39 (February 1984) [pages 19-22]

4 page text article "A Guide To Comics Collecting"

Script Don Thompson; Maggie Thompson
Pencils various (cover reprints)
Inks various (cover reprints)
Letters typeset
Notes Includes miniature black & white cover reprints of Famous Funnies #1, Action Comics #1, Marvel Comics #1 and Showcase #4. Chapter titles: Comic Buyer's Guide Introduction to Comics Collecting; Comics History; Comics Collecting Then; Comics Collecting Now; Before You Collect; Condition Guide; Definitions.

1 page advertisement "Even Super-Heroes Take Time Off For Their Weekly Comics Buyer's Guide"

Characters Superman (caricature with slightly different costume and color scheme, illo)
Pencils Joe Staton (illo, signed)
Inks Joe Staton (illo, signed)
Notes Comic Buyer's Guide subscription advertisement.