DETECTIVE COMICS COVER GALLERY - PART ONE...

Images copyright DC COMICS

The BAT-MAN (as he was referred to inside the actual comic,

although his name was rendered un-hyphenated on the cover) first

appeared in DETECTIVE COMICS #27, cover-dated May 1939,

(which means it probably went on sale in February) and almost im-

mediately became one of the top two 'long-underwear' characters

of the 20th century.  (And he shows no sign of relinquishing his

superstar status anytime soon in the 21st.)

Like SUPERMAN in ACTION COMICS, Batman didn't

feature on the cover of every issue in his first few appearances,

but this was an oversight that was soon corrected when his popu-

larity with readers was recognized.  ROBIN The BOY WONDER

was added in issue #38, and thus began the long tradition of boy

sidekicks so that the main hero wasn't talking to himself all

the time.  (Personally, I hate sidekicks - ban 'em all!)

Anyway, here are 11 covers of Detective Comics for

you to gaze at in wide-eyed wonder at how it all began!

    

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