Detective Comics (1937 1st Series) comic books 1970-1985

Detective Comics (1937 1st Series) 400 GD/VG 3.0

Cover detached at one staple.

Cover by Neal Adams. Milestone issue featuring 1st appearance of Man-Bat in "Challenge of the Man-Bat!", script by Frank Robbins, pencils by Neal Adams, inks by Dick Giordano; Zoologist Kirk Langstrom is working late at the Gotham Natural History Museum putting together a bat habitat; he aims to perfect a serum that can endow people with enhanced auditory abilities via a specialized bat gland extract; Elsewhere in the city, a group of thieves known as the Blackout Gang break into a vault; Back at the museum, Kirk Langstrom is pleased with his progress and decides to test his new formula upon himself; he mutates into Man-Bat. "A Burial for Batgirl!," script by Denny O'Neil, pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Vince Colletta; Barbara Gordon has come to Hudson University to help with a Edgar Allen Poe festival; She discovers a murder and captures Hank Osher, who appears to be the murderer; Batgirl begins to believe that Hank has been framed and investigates further, which leads to her being captured and bricked into a wall. Letter to the editor from writer Alan Brennert. 36 pgs., full color. $0.15. Cover price $0.15.

Detective Comics (1937 1st Series) 402 VG+ 4.5

Cover by Neal Adams. "Man or Bat?," script by Frank Robbins, pencils by Neal Adams, inks by Dick Giordano; Kirk Langstrom appears again as the Man-Bat, this time he is forced to become the Batman's enemy; After stealing a vial from a chemical company's safe, much to Batman's chagrin, Kirk returns to his lab above the Gotham Museum of Natural History; He believes he has finally found a mixture that can cure his transformation, until Batman bursts through the door in pursuit, causing him enough surprise to drop the compound onto the floor; With a screech of rage, Kirk fights off the Batman and leaps out the window; During his escape, he starts to evolve a leathery pair of wings that allow him to fly. "My Place In The Sun!," script by Mike Friedrich, pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Vince Colletta; Speedy visits Robin at Hudson University; Robin begins to question if he should continue to be Robin. Letter from comics writer Martin Pasko. 36 pgs., full color. $0.15. Cover price $0.15.

Detective Comics (1937 1st Series) 407 VG+ 4.5

Cover by Neal Adams. "Marriage: Impossible," script by Frank Robbins, pencils by Neal Adams, inks by Dick Giordano; When Batman learns about the pending marriage between Kirk Langstrom and Francine Lee, he races down to the cathedral to stop the wedding; Interrupting the ceremony, he pulls a mask off Langstrom's head, revealing the face of the Man-Bat. "One of Our Landmarks Is Missing!," script by Frank Robbins, pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Vince Colletta; Continuing from last issue... Batgirl had stumbled upon the fact that the leader of the group Peaceful Protest has begun resorting to bombings to get the groups message across, this revelation however has gotten her trapped in a room where if she to step off a circle of floor in the middle of the room the entire place will explode. Letters to the editor from writers Alan Brennert and Arlen Schumer. 36 pgs., full color. $0.15. Cover price $0.15.

Detective Comics (1937 1st Series) 408 VG+ 4.5

Cover by Neal Adams. "The House That Haunted Batman!," script by Len Wein and Marv Wolfman, pencils by Neal Adams, inks by Dick Giordano; Robin goes missing and Batman finds a house that wasn't there yesterday; Strange things happen around Batman until he meets the owner of the house; Cameos by Superman, Flash, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, and Hawkman. "Batgirl vs. the Phantom Bullfighter!," script by Frank Robbins, pencils by Don Heck, inks by Dick Giordano; In order to aquire the manuscript "Of Fighting Bulls and Men" for the Gotham Library, Barbara Gordon must travel to Madrid, Spain. There she is the guest of Don Alvarado, owner of the manuscript, who takes her to see its subject: a bull fighter named El Grandos. Science in Crime Detection article. 1971 Batman calendar (also works for the years 2010, 2021, 2027, 2038, 2049, and others). Letter to the editor from comics writer Martin Pasko. 36 pgs., full color. $0.15. Cover price $0.15.

Detective Comics (1937 1st Series) 410 VG 4.0

Cover pencils by Neal Adams, inks by Dick Giordano. "A Vow from the Grave!," script by Denny O'Neil, pencils by Neal Adams, inks by Dick Giordano; Batman captures Kano Wiggins and also helps solve the murder of a circus side-show performer. "Battle of the Three M's," script by Frank Robbins, pencils by Don Heck, inks by Dick Giordano; When a popular fashion model Mamie Acheson is injured and has to select one of three models (Maxi, Midi or Midi) to act as her replacement while her leg heals, it causes quite a stir in the fashion world; Batgirl soon finds herself involved after a suspicious visit from a member of a fashion company to her library seeking to get certain books. Letter to the editor from comics writer Martin Pasko. 36 pgs., full color. $0.15. Cover price $0.15.

Detective Comics (1937 1st Series) 439 VG 4.0

Water damage.

Cover pencils by Neal Adams, inks by Dick Giordano. "Night of the Stalker!", story by Vin Amendola, Sal Amendola (plot), and Steve Englehart (script), pencils by Sal Amendola, inks by Dick Giordano; When Batman witnesses a couple being shot down in front of their child, this causes him to flashback to a similar incident which inspired him to become the costumed hero he is today. "The Riddle of the Clown" starring Hawkman and Hawkgirl, script by Bob Kanigher, art by Joe Kubert, reprinted from Flash Comics #92. "The Gold Hunters of '49!" starring The Atom, script by Gardner Fox, pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Sid Greene, reprinted from The Atom #12. Untitled Dr. Fate story, script by Gardner Fox, art by Howard Sherman, reprinted from More Fun Comics #66. "Batman's Bewitched Nightmare!" script by Gardner Fox, pencils by Sheldon Moldoff (ghosting for Bob Kane), inks by Joe Giella, reprinted from Detective Comics #336; Batman and Robin confront a witch and some bank robbers. "The Tantalizing Troubles of the Tripod Thieves!", script by Gardner Fox, art by Carmine Infantino, reprinted from Detective Comics #355. "The Evil That Men Do Lives After Them," art by Pete Riss, reprinted from Kid Eternity #3. "Chapter 3: The Resurrection of Paul Kirk" starring Manhunter, script by Archie Goodwin, art by Walter Simonson. 100 pgs., full color. $0.50. Cover price $0.50.

Detective Comics (1937 1st Series) 503 CGC 9.6

Paper: White

Label #4341741004

Cover art by Jim Starlin. "The 6 Days of the Scarecrow," script by Gerry Conway, pencils by Don Newton, inks by Dan Adkins; As the electoral campaign starts in Gotham City, Batman goes out on patrol and is shot with a dart; He takes the sample of the dart to the Batcave to analyze it, but is unable to find anything wrong with the dart; The next day, Bruce realizes that his mere presence causes fright on the people nearby and he deduces there must be a connection between the dart and the strange events; Alfred, knowing Bruce's problem, contacts Dick Grayson and tells him about the situation; Robin enlists Batgirl's help and they get in touch with Batman, who provides them the instructions necessary to crack the case; In the meantime, the person behind it all, Scarecrow, is planning to strike at Gotham. Gold Mine Rescue Hostess snack cakes ad with Superman. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.50.

Detective Comics (1937 1st Series) 504 CGC 9.6

Paper: White

Label #4341741009

Cover art by Jim Starlin. "The Joker's Rumpus Room Revenge!", script by Gerry Conway, pencils by Don Newton, inks by Dan Adkins; After escaping from Arkham Asylum, Joker murders an elder toymaker, who designed several deadly toys under Joker's instructions; When the Gotham City Police Department find the dead man, Commissioner Gordon summons Batman to assist on the investigation, but the Dark Knight's presence is not welcome by Mayoral Candidate, Arthur Reeves, who is supported by the new upstart reporter in town Olivia Ortega; Batman disregards any comments from Reeves and Ortega and takes evidence that will help his investigation later; The next day, Bruce Wayne attends a famous exhibition of a very expensive train model and he is forced to switch to his Batman gear when Joker shows up and steals the model. Gold for Dessert Hostess snack cakes ad with Plastic Man. "A Day in the Life of a Cop," script by Paul Kupperberg, pencils by Jose Delbo, inks by Joe Giella; During a planned raid on a drug laboratory, Commissioner Gordon, in this solo tale, is unable to find the required evidence; He suspects that Lt. Larsen has allied himself with the criminals and warned them about the raid. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.50.

Detective Comics (1937 1st Series) 526 CBCS 9.8

Paper: White

Direct Edition

Label #19-2A91623-053

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This special 68-page square-bound giant edition commemorates Batman's 500th appearance in Detective Comics. The lead story for this issue, "All My Enemies Against Me!" kicks off with an impressive two-page splash featuring a rogue's gallery of Batman's greatest foes--17 of Gotham's worst villains. The Joker isn't depicted only because he arrives late to the council of criminals. It's one wild, book-length saga as Batman, Robin and Batgirl mix it up with the 17, plus the Joker, Catwoman and Killer Crock. This enjoyable story is written by Gerry Conway with impresive art by Don Newton and skilled inking from Alfredo Alcala. Cover price $1.50.

Detective Comics (1937 1st Series) 526 CBCS 6.5

Paper: White

Label #23-0ACD457-003

This special 68-page square-bound giant edition commemorates Batman's 500th appearance in Detective Comics. The lead story for this issue, "All My Enemies Against Me!" kicks off with an impressive two-page splash featuring a rogue's gallery of Batman's greatest foes--17 of Gotham's worst villains. The Joker isn't depicted only because he arrives late to the council of criminals. It's one wild, book-length saga as Batman, Robin and Batgirl mix it up with the 17, plus the Joker, Catwoman and Killer Crock. This enjoyable story is written by Gerry Conway with impresive art by Don Newton and skilled inking from Alfredo Alcala. Cover price $1.50.