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  • Item #50947200
    Actual item pictured; not a generic image.
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    Actual item pictured; not a generic image.
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    Published Apr 1940 by DC.

    Batman (1940) 1 CGC 4.0

    1st app. the Joker, the Cat (Catwoman)

    Paper: Off white

    Signed note on back cover: "To my friend Sid - with the complements of Batman and Robin. With the best wishes of the creator, Sincerely, Bob"

    Batman #1 exists in two versions: the more common version has a dot before the "1" in "No 1". The other, considerably rarer version, is missing the dot, likely due to an initial printing error that was then corrected. This copy is the rarer "no dot" version.

    CGC Grader Notes:
    heavy subscription crease front cover breaks color
    lower spine of cover weak
    small, multiple piece out cover
    tear bottom of back cover
    wear spine breaks color

    Label #2014162001

    Ended May 7 2020
    Winning Bid $110,100

    Cover by Bob Kane. Reprints the origin of Batman from Detective Comics #33 with splash page from #34 by Bob Kane. "The Legend of the Batman - Who He Is and How He Came to Be!", script by Bill Finger, pencils by Bob Kane, inks by Bob Kane and Sheldon Moldoff (backgrounds); Bruce Wayne's parents are murdered by a cheap crook, and young Bruce vows to avenge their deaths by warring on all criminals. First appearance of the Joker in "The Joker," script by Bill Finger, art by Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson; 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! "The Giants of Hugo Strange," script by Bill Finger, pencils by Bob Kane, inks by Bob Kane (signed) and Jerry Robinson (backgrounds); 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" text story by Guy Monroe. Biography of Batman creator Bob Kane, with photo. First appearance of the Cat (destined to become Catwoman), the first villainess in comic books, in "The Cat," script by Bill Finger, art by Bob Kane; 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" text story by George Shute, art by Raymond Perry. Ginger Snap two-page story by Bob Kane (as Ted Raye). "The Joker Returns," script by Bill Finger, pencils by Bob Kane, inks by Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson (backgrounds); The Joker escapes from prison to continue his rampage of death and to steal the famed Cleopatra necklace and Fire Ruby. Detective Comics ad. First Batman and Robin pin-up on the back cover. All stories in this issue consist of reprint material drawn from previous issues of Detective Comics. 68 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10. Grade: CGC 4.0 explanation of grade Condition: Used (collectible)