Batman (1940) comic books 1980-1989

Batman (1940) 321 FN+ 6.5

Cover by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez. "Dreadful Birthday, Dear Joker...!", script by Len Wein, pencils by Walt Simonson, inks by Dick Giordano; The Joker celebrates his birthday by rounding up his enemies from all around town, including Robin, James Gordon, Selina Kyle, and Alfred Pennyworth; The Joker, after his plan is foiled, escapes on a speed boat. Hostess snack cakes ad starring Hawkman. Answer Man DC questions and answers by Bob Rozakis. Man-Bat parody strip by Fred Hembeck. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.40.

Batman (1940) 329N FN 6.0

Newsstand Edition. Cover art by Jim Aparo. "Twice Dies the Batman!", script by Marv Wolfman, pencils by Irv Novick, inks by Frank McLaughlin; The labyrinthine mystery of "Carl Ternion" twists and turns to a stunning conclusion as Gilda Stevens' new beau is revealed to be her ex-husband: Harvey Dent, AKA Two-Face!; But why did Dent take on the new identity, and what's the real reason he avenged her husband's murder at the hands of the mysterious Anton Karoselle? Two-Face, Batman, and Gilda's paths all meet inside the old Gotham Courthouse for an emotionally-charged, heart wrenching finale. Hostess snack cakes ad with Hawkman. "The Case of the Hijacked Heart!", script by Mike Barr, pencils by Rich Buckler, inks by Frank McLaughlin; Gotham gang lord "Razor" Reynolds checks into Gotham Hospital for a heart transplant; Batman and Robin fend off rival crooks who want to kill him. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.50.

Batman (1940) 359 VF+ 8.5

Cover pencils by Ed Hannigan, inks by Dick Giordano. Jason Todd becomes a continuing character in "Hunt" starring Batman, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, James Gordon, Vicki Vale, Alfred Pennyworth, Waldo Flynn, Trina Todd, Joe Todd, and Killer Croc, script by Gerry Conway, pencils by Dan Jurgens, inks by Dick Giordano; Featuring the origin of Killer Croc!; Batman searches for the whereabouts of Killer Croc while Croc himself breaks into Gotham City Jail to take care of the last obstacle in his path toward ruling the Gotham Underground. 1st comic book work by Dan Jurgens. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.60.

Batman (1940) 368 CGC 9.6

Paper: White

Label #4403190001

Cover pencils by Ed Hannigan, inks by Dick Giordano. In this key issue, Jason Todd begins as the new Robin (with a new costume) in a book-length story titled "A Revenge of Rainbows" starring Batman, Robin, Crazy-Quilt, Dick Grayson, Vicki Vale, Joker (flashback), Two-Face (flashback), Scarecrow (flashback), and Penguin (flashback), script by Doug Moench, pencils by Don Newton, inks by Alfredo Alcala; Dick Grayson officially passes along the mantle of Robin to Jason Todd, who accompanies Batman on a "shakedown cruise" around Gotham. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.75.

Batman (1940) 386D VF- 7.5

Direct Edition. Cover by Tom Mandrake. "Black Mask: Losing Face" starring Batman, Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock, Black Mask (1st appearance and origin), and Lucius Fox, script: Doug Moench, art by Tom Mandrake; Roman Sionis loses his family's company, Janus Cosmetics, and turns to a life of crime as Black Mask. Part 1 of 3, continued in Detective Comics (1937) #553. Missive by letter hack T.M. Maple. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.75.

Batman (1940) 399 CBCS 9.8

Paper: White

Direct Edition

Label #16-3717D5B-058

Cover art by Tom Mandrake. "Strike Two!", script by Doug Moench, art by Tom Mandrake; Batman and Catwoman continue to try to get the goods on Roy Spivey, who has shrunk the head of his decapitated victim; The dead lady's head is mailed to her roommate's boyfriend; Batman stakes out and bugged the suspect's apartment; The surprises mount and an era comes to an end in this issue. Part 2 of 2, continued from Detective Comics (1937) #565. NOTE: Most issues from 397-432 were reprinted in 1989 and sold in multipacks. These 2nd and 3rd prints have back cover ads dated 1989. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.75.

Batman (1940) 405 VF+ 8.5

Batman Year One, Chapter Two: "War Is Declared". Part 2 of 4, continued from the previous issue. Story continues next issue. Bruce Wayne dons the cape and cowl for the first time to take the fight to the criminal element, while James Gordon stirs up trouble within his own department. Script by Frank Miller, art by David Mazzucchelli. Harvent Dent appears as Assistant District Attorney. Mazzucchelli cover. 1st printing. NOTE: Most issues from 397-432 were reprinted in 1989 and sold in multipacks. These 2nd and 3rd prints have back cover ads dated 1989. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.75.

Batman (1940) 405 VF- 7.5

Batman Year One, Chapter Two: "War Is Declared". Part 2 of 4, continued from the previous issue. Story continues next issue. Bruce Wayne dons the cape and cowl for the first time to take the fight to the criminal element, while James Gordon stirs up trouble within his own department. Script by Frank Miller, art by David Mazzucchelli. Harvent Dent appears as Assistant District Attorney. Mazzucchelli cover. 1st printing. NOTE: Most issues from 397-432 were reprinted in 1989 and sold in multipacks. These 2nd and 3rd prints have back cover ads dated 1989. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.75.

Batman (1940) 410REP CBCS 9.4

Paper: White

Third Printing.

Label #19-2A91623-023

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2nd or later printing. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.75.

Batman (1940) 411REP CBCS 9.8

Paper: White

Second Printing.

Label #19-2A91623-024

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2nd or later printing. In "Second Chance", Jason Todd's connection to Two-Face causes Todd to lose control. Part 2 of 2, continued from the previous issue. Script by Max Allan Collins, pencils by Dave Cockrum, inks by Don Heck. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.75.

Batman (1940) 423REP CGC 9.4 Reprint

Paper: White

Second Printing.

Label #4366232011

Second or later printing with TurboGrafx ad on back cover. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.75.

Batman (1940) 427 VF 8.0

1st printing. Cover art by Mike Mignola. "A Death in the Family" part 2 of 4, script by Jim Starlin, pencils by Jim Aparo, inks by Mike DeCarlo; Jason meets his real mother, Sheila Haywood, but she turns out to be working for the Joker and allows her son to fall into his deadly hands inside of a warehouse; Joker beats Robin with a crowbar and leaves him for dead as a badly beaten Robin attempts to save his mom and himself from the dynamite left behind by the Joker as he leaves them both to a horrible fate; Batman watches in horror as the warehouse containing Jason and Sheila blows up, too late to stop the Joker. Infamous Phone Poll on death or life for Robin (Jason Todd). The Direct Sales copies of this comic, released first, contained a 1-800 phone number to either vote "for" or "against" the death of Jason Todd on the inside back cover. The newsstand copies, released 3 weeks later did not contain the 1-800 number. NOTE: Most issues from 397-432 were reprinted in 1989 and sold in multipacks. These 2nd and 3rd prints have back cover ads dated 1989. 52 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $1.50.

Batman (1940) 428 VF- 7.5

1st printing. Cover art by Mike Mignola. "A Death in the Family" part 3 of 4, script by Jim Starlin, pencils by Jim Aparo, inks by Mike DeCarlo; Death of Sheila Haywood; Burial of Sheila Haywood and Jason Todd; The Joker becomes the Iranian Ambassador to the U.N. Results of Phone Poll as to whether Robin dies this issue or not. NOTE: Most issues from 397-432 were reprinted in 1989 and sold in multipacks. These 2nd and 3rd prints have back cover ads dated 1989. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.75.

Batman (1940) 429D VF 8.0

First printing. Direct Edition. Cover art by Mike Mignola. "A Death in the Family" part 4 of 4, script by Jim Starlin, pencils by Jim Aparo, inks by Mike DeCarlo; Batman and Superman talk to CIA agent Ralph Bundy about the Joker's diplomatic status; The agent tries to get Batman to leave the Joker alone; Batman goes to the Joker's hotel room; The Joker confirms that he killed Jason; The Joker pulls a gun, but Batman is already gone; At the UN the Joker tries to poison the audience; Fortunately, Superman sucks up all the poison and flies out of the room to release it; The Joker activates bombs; Batman pursues him. NOTE: Most issues from 397-432 were reprinted in 1989 and sold in multipacks. These 2nd and 3rd prints have back cover ads dated 1989. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.75.

Batman (1940) 429D VF 8.0

First printing. Direct Edition. Cover art by Mike Mignola. "A Death in the Family" part 4 of 4, script by Jim Starlin, pencils by Jim Aparo, inks by Mike DeCarlo; Batman and Superman talk to CIA agent Ralph Bundy about the Joker's diplomatic status; The agent tries to get Batman to leave the Joker alone; Batman goes to the Joker's hotel room; The Joker confirms that he killed Jason; The Joker pulls a gun, but Batman is already gone; At the UN the Joker tries to poison the audience; Fortunately, Superman sucks up all the poison and flies out of the room to release it; The Joker activates bombs; Batman pursues him. NOTE: Most issues from 397-432 were reprinted in 1989 and sold in multipacks. These 2nd and 3rd prints have back cover ads dated 1989. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.75.