1940 Batman #1 CGC G- 1.8

The first issue of Batman's own title and the first appearance of both the Joker and Catwoman, Batman #1 is one of the cornerstone books of the Golden Age, offered here in an unrestored copy.

Batman #1 is dated Spring 1940, about a year after Batman's debut in Detective Comics #27. The issue introduced the Joker and the Cat, who later became known as Catwoman.

The stories are by Bill Finger, with art by Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson. The cover, by Kane and Robinson, shows Batman and Robin swinging over the city. Robin had first appeared only weeks before in Detective Comics #38. The issue opens with a retelling of Batman’s origin and also brings back the scientist Hugo Strange.

The Joker appears in two of the issue’s four stories. He was meant to die at the end of the second story, but late in production a panel was added showing that he had survived. His look was drawn partly from Conrad Veidt’s performance in the 1928 film The Man Who Laughs, and credit for creating him has long been debated among Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson.

The Cat, who would later be named Selina Kyle, appears here as a jewel thief who, disguised as an elderly woman aboard a yacht, tries to steal a necklace. She has no costume yet, and her familiar look came in later issues. Unlike Batman’s other villains, the Cat was created as both his opponent and his romantic interest. At the end of the story Batman appears to let her escape, the start of a complicated romance and rivalry that has lasted more than eighty years.

All three characters went on to a long life on screen. Batman has been played by Adam West, Michael Keaton, Christian Bale and Robert Pattinson. The Joker has been played by Cesar Romero, Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix, and both Ledger and Phoenix won Academy Awards for the role. Catwoman has been played by Julie Newmar, Michelle Pfeiffer, Anne Hathaway and Zoë Kravitz.

Fifteen unrestored examples have achieved Good- 1.8 at CGC, with ninety-one graded higher.

Population report accurate at the time of listing and subject to change.