1940s DC Key Issues

DC COMICS: 1938 KEY ISSUE CATALOG

ISSUE TITLE & NUMBER CREATORS WHY IT IS A KEY COVER DATE
Action Comics #1 Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster Origin and 1st appearance of Superman (Clark Kent), Lois Lane, and Zatara. The start of the Golden Age. Jun 1938
Action Comics #7 Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster 2nd Superman cover appearance; Clark Kent joins the Daily Star (later Daily Planet). Dec 1938
Detective Comics #13 Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster 1st appearance of the "Spy" (Bart Regan); Early Slam Bradley story by Superman creators. Mar 1938
Detective Comics #20 Jim Chambers 1st appearance of the Crimson Avenger (Lee Travis), DC's first masked vigilante hero. Oct 1938
Action Comics #3 Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster 3rd appearance of Superman; features first mention of the "Man of Steel" moniker. Aug 1938
Detective Comics #15 Bill Finger Early script work by Bill Finger (pre-Batman). May 1938
Adventure Comics #32 Gardner Fox, Bert Christman 1st appearance of "The Sandman" (Wesley Dodds) in an ad; Full appearance follows in #40. Nov 1938
Action Comics #6 Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster 1st appearance of Jimmy Olsen (unnamed) as a "copy boy." Nov 1938
More Fun Comics #31 Jerry Siegel, Bernard Baily 1st appearance of the Spectre's precursor concepts/creators working together. May 1938
Action Comics #2 Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster 2nd appearance of Superman and Lois Lane. Highly sought after early rarity. Jul 1938

DC COMICS: 1939 KEY ISSUE CATALOG

ISSUE TITLE & NUMBER CREATORS WHY IT IS A KEY COVER DATE
Detective Comics #27 Bob Kane, Bill Finger 1st appearance of Batman (Bruce Wayne) and Commissioner James Gordon. May 1939
Detective Comics #29 Gardner Fox, Bob Kane 1st appearance of Doctor Death; 1st use of Batman's Utility Belt. July 1939
Detective Comics #31 Gardner Fox, Bob Kane 1st appearance of the Batplane and the Batarang; 1st appearance of Julie Madison. Sept 1939
Detective Comics #33 Gardner Fox, Bob Kane The Origin of Batman (2-page sequence detailing the death of his parents). Nov 1939
Adventure Comics #40 Gardner Fox, Bert Christman 1st appearance of the Sandman (Wesley Dodds). July 1939
Movie Comics #1 Various Debut of DC's movie adaptation anthology series. Apr 1939
Superman #1 Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster 1st solo self-titled series for Superman; expanded origin story. Summer 1939
Action Comics #13 Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster 1st appearance of the Ultra-Humanite (Superman's first recurring super-villain). June 1939
Action Comics #7 Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster 2nd Superman cover appearance; Clark Kent first joins the circus. Dec 1938/Jan 1939
Detective Comics #34 Gardner Fox, Bob Kane 1st appearance of the Duc d'Orterre. Dec 1939

DC COMICS: 1940 KEY ISSUE CATALOG

ISSUE TITLE & NUMBER CREATORS WHY IT IS A KEY COVER DATE
Batman #1 Bob Kane, Bill Finger 1st appearance of the Joker and Catwoman (as "The Cat"). 1st solo Batman title. Spring 1940
Detective Comics #38 Bob Kane, Bill Finger Origin and 1st appearance of Robin (Dick Grayson). The first "sidekick" in comics. Apr 1940
All-Star Comics #3 Gardner Fox, Everett E. Hibbard 1st appearance of the Justice Society of America (JSA), the first superhero team. Winter 1940
Flash Comics #1 Gardner Fox, Harry Lampert Origin and 1st appearance of the Flash (Jay Garrick) and Hawkman (Carter Hall). Jan 1940
Action Comics #23 Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster 1st appearance of Lex Luthor and Daily Planet Editor Perry White. Apr 1940
Whiz Comics #2 (#1) Bill Parker, C.C. Beck 1st appearance of Captain Marvel (Shazam). (Note: Published by Fawcett, later acquired by DC). Feb 1940
More Fun Comics #52 Jerry Siegel, Bernard Baily Origin and 1st appearance of The Spectre (Jim Corrigan). Feb 1940
Adventure Comics #48 Gardner Fox, Howard Sherman Origin and 1st appearance of Hourman (Rex Tyler). Mar 1940
More Fun Comics #55 Gardner Fox, Howard Sherman Origin and 1st appearance of Doctor Fate (Kent Nelson). May 1940
All-American Comics #16 Bill Finger, Martin Nodell Origin and 1st appearance of Green Lantern (Alan Scott). July 1940

DC COMICS: 1941 KEY ISSUE CATALOG

Issue Creators Why It Is A Key Cover Date
Action Comics #32 Gardner Fox & Wayne Boring 1st appearance of the Prankster (Oswald Loomis). Jan
Action Comics #36 Jerry Siegel & Leo Nowak First time Superman is referred to as the "Man of Steel". May
All-American Comics #25 Bill Finger & Martin Nodell Origin of the Green Lantern (Alan Scott) retold. Apr
All-Flash Quarterly #1 Gardner Fox & E.E. Hibbard 1st issue of the first comic book dedicated to a single speedster character. Sum
All-Star Comics #3 Gardner Fox & Everett E. Hibbard 1st appearance and formation of the Justice Society of America (JSA), the first superhero team. Win
All-Star Comics #4 Gardner Fox & Sheldon Moldoff 1st appearance of Shiera Sanders Hall as Hawkgirl. Mar
All-Star Comics #8 Gardner Fox, William Moulton Marston, H.G. Peter 1st appearance (cameo) of Wonder Woman. Starman and Dr. Mid-Nite join the JSA. Dec
Batman #4 Bill Finger & Bob Kane 1st appearance of Tony Zucco, the man who murdered Dick Grayson's parents. Win
Batman #5 Bill Finger & Bob Kane 1st appearance of the Batmobile with the iconic bat-head hood ornament. 1st appearance of The Penguin's signature trick umbrellas. Spr
Batman #7 Bill Finger & Bob Kane 1st appearance of The Scarecrow (Jonathan Crane). Oct
Captain Marvel Adventures #1 Ed Herron & Mac Raboy Ongoing solo series begins. 1st appearance of Captain Marvel Jr. (Freddie Freeman) in a preview. Mar
Detective Comics #47 Bill Finger & Bob Kane 1st appearance of the Bat-Signal. Jan
Detective Comics #58 Bill Finger & Bob Kane 1st appearance of The Penguin (Oswald Cobblepot). Classic cover. Dec
Green Lantern #1 Bill Finger & Martin Nodell 1st issue of Green Lantern's solo series. Origin retold. Fal
Leading Comics #1 Mort Weisinger & George Papp 1st appearance of the Seven Soldiers of Victory (Vigilante, Crimson Avenger, Green Arrow, Speedy, Shining Knight, Star-Spangled Kid, Stripesy). Win
Military Comics #1 Will Eisner & Chuck Cuidera 1st appearance of Blackhawk and the Blackhawk Squadron. (Quality Comics) Aug
More Fun Comics #73 Mort Weisinger & Paul Norris 1st appearance of Aquaman (Arthur Curry) and Green Arrow (Oliver Queen). 1st appearance of Speedy (Roy Harper). Nov
Star Spangled Comics #1 Jerry Siegel & Hal Sherman 1st appearance of The Star-Spangled Kid (Sylvester Pemberton) and Stripesy (Pat Dugan). Oct
Whiz Comics #25 Ed Herron & Mac Raboy 1st full appearance and origin of Captain Marvel Jr. (Freddie Freeman). (Fawcett) Dec
World's Best Comics #1 Various Premiere issue of the series that would be retitled World's Finest Comics. Superman and Batman appear in separate stories. Spr

DC COMICS: 1942 KEY ISSUE CATALOG

ISSUE TITLE & NUMBERCREATORSWHY IT IS A KEYCOVER DATE
Sensation Comics #1William Moulton Marston, H.G. PeterFirst solo title for Wonder Woman; Origin of Wonder Woman retold.Jan 1942
Detective Comics #59Bill Finger, Bob KaneFirst appearance of the Penguin (as a backup feature).Jan 1942
Green Lantern #1Bill Finger, Martin NodellFirst issue of Green Lantern's solo title.Jan 1942
Action Comics #47Jerry Siegel, Joe ShusterClassic patriotic cover by Fred Ray.Apr 1942
Detective Comics #66Bill Finger, Bob KaneFirst appearance of Two-Face (Harvey Kent, later Harvey Dent).Aug 1942
Wonder Woman #1William Moulton Marston, H.G. PeterFirst issue of Wonder Woman's solo title.Sum 1942
Batman #12Bill Finger, Bob KaneClassic bond-selling cover by Jerry Robinson.Aug 1942
Leading Comics #1Mort Weisinger, George PappFirst appearance of the Seven Soldiers of Victory.Win 1942
Boy Commandos #1Joe Simon, Jack KirbyFirst issue of the Boy Commandos title by Simon and Kirby.Win 1942
Star Spangled Comics #7Joe Simon, Jack KirbyFirst appearance of The Guardian (Jim Harper).Apr 1942
All-Flash #5Gardner Fox, E.E. HibbardFirst appearance of Winky, Blinky, and Noddy.Sum 1942
World's Finest Comics #6Jerry Siegel, Leo NowakClassic Superman, Batman, and Robin patriotic cover.Sum 1942
Superman #17Jerry Siegel, Joe ShusterIconic 'Superman says YOU can slap a Jap' cover.Jul 1942

DC COMICS: 1943 KEY ISSUE CATALOG

Issue Creators Why It Is A Key Cover Date
Action Comics #58 Jerry Siegel & John Sikela 1st appearance of the Toyman (Winslow Schott). Mar 1943
Action Comics #59 Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster 1st appearance of the Prankster. Apr 1943
Action Comics #60 Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster Origin of the Prankster. May 1943
All-American Comics #46 Paul Reinman Classic Solomon Grundy cover. Jan 1943
All-Flash #8 Gardner Fox & E.E. Hibbard 1st appearance of The Thinker (Clifford DeVoe). Jan 1943
All-Star Comics #15 Gardner Fox & Jack Burnley 1st appearance of the Brain Wave. Mar 1943
Batman #15 Bill Finger & Bob Kane 1st appearance of the Tweedledee and Tweedledum. Mar 1943
Batman #16 Don Cameron & Jerry Robinson 1st appearance of Alfred Pennyworth (as Alfred Beagle). His appearance is later changed in Detective Comics #83. May 1943
Detective Comics #71 Jerry Robinson Classic Joker cover. Jan 1943
Detective Comics #73 Don Cameron & Bob Kane 1st use of Scarecrow's fear toxin. Mar 1943
Flash Comics #43 Gardner Fox & Lou Ferstadt 1st appearance of The Rag Doll (Peter Merkel). Jul 1943
Leading Comics #4 Mort Weisinger & Mort Meskin 1st appearance of the Vigilante (Greg Saunders). Fall 1943
More Fun Comics #89 Otto Binder & Louis Cazeneuve 1st appearance of The Fisherman. Mar 1943
Sensation Comics #13 Charles Reizenstein & Hal Sharp 1st appearance of Mister Terrific (Terry Sloane). Jan 1943
Superman #20 Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster 1st appearance of the Toyman's deadly yo-yo weapon. Feb 1943
Wonder Woman #4 William Moulton Marston & Harry G. Peter 1st appearance of Giganta. Apr 1943
Wonder Woman #5 William Moulton Marston & Harry G. Peter 1st appearance of Villainy Inc. (Eviless, Queen Clea, Giganta, Hypnota, Zara, Cheetah, Doctor Poison, and Blue Snowman). Jul 1943
World's Finest Comics #8 Jack Burnley 1st time Superman, Batman, and Robin appear on the cover together. Winter 1943

DC COMICS: 1944 KEY ISSUE CATALOG

Issue Creators Why It Is A Key Cover Date
Action Comics #68 Joe Samachson, Joe Shuster 1st appearance of The Prankster (Oswald Loomis). Jan 1944
Detective Comics #83 Don Cameron, Jack Kirby 1st modern appearance of Alfred Pennyworth (current look). Jan 1944
Sensation Comics #25 William Moulton Marston, H.G. Peter Classic World War II cover art by H.G. Peter. Jan 1944
Batman #21 Don Cameron, Bob Kane 1st appearance of The Cavalier (Mortimer Drake). Feb 1944
All-American Comics #57 Alfred Bester, Paul Reinman Green Lantern vs Solomon Grundy battle. Mar 1944
Flash Comics #51 Gardner Fox, Lou Ferstadt 1st appearance of The Thorn (Rose Canton). Mar 1944
Wonder Woman #7 William Moulton Marston, H.G. Peter 1st appearance of Cheetah (Priscilla Rich). 1st appearance of Giganta. Mar 1944
Batman #22 Bill Finger, Bob Kane Classic Alfred-centric cover art by Dick Sprang. Apr 1944
All-Star Comics #20 Gardner Fox, Martin Nodell Classic Justice Society of America cover art by Frank Harry. Jun 1944
Batman #23 Alvin Schwartz, Dick Sprang 1st Joker cover on the Batman title. Jun 1944
Superman #28 Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster Classic WWII cover with Superman selling war bonds. Jun 1944
Detective Comics #88 Bill Finger, Bob Kane 1st appearance of The Tweed Brothers (Tweedledum & Tweedledee). Jun 1944
All-Flash #15 Gardner Fox, Martin Naydel Origin of Winky, Blinky, and Noddy. Jul 1944
All-American Comics #61 Alfred Bester, Paul Reinman 1st appearance of Solomon Grundy. Jul 1944
Green Lantern #12 Bill Finger, Martin Nodell Iconic cover featuring Alan Scott and Doiby Dickles. Jul 1944
Batman #24 Bill Finger, Dick Sprang 1st appearance of Buttons, a criminal mastermind butler. Aug 1944
Superman #30 Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster 1st appearance of Mr. Mxyzptlk (spelled Mxyztplk). Sep 1944
Adventure Comics #92 Mort Weisinger, George Papp Green Arrow joins the Seven Soldiers of Victory. Oct 1944
Batman #25 Bill Finger, Dick Sprang Classic Joker and Penguin cover. 1st appearance of Penguin's trick umbrellas. Oct 1944
More Fun Comics #101 Various 1st appearance of Superboy (Clark Kent as a boy). Final appearances of Dr. Fate and The Spectre in the Golden Age. Dec 1944
Detective Comics #94 Bill Finger, Dick Sprang Classic Joker cover art by Dick Sprang. Dec 1944

DC COMICS: 1945 KEY ISSUE CATALOG

ISSUE TITLE & NUMBER CREATORS WHY IT IS A KEY COVER DATE
More Fun Comics #101 Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster First appearance of Superboy (Clark Kent as a boy). Jan-Feb
Batman #26 Bill Finger & Dick Sprang First team-up of The Joker and The Penguin. Jan-Feb
World's Finest Comics #17 Jack Burnley Classic World War II cover featuring Superman, Batman, and Robin. Spring
All-American Comics #61 Paul Reinman Iconic cover featuring Green Lantern vs. Solomon Grundy. March
Flash Comics #59 Gardner Fox & Martin Naydel First appearance of Rose and Thorn (Rose Canton). March
Wonder Woman #12 William Moulton Marston & H.G. Peter First appearance of the Duke of Deception. Spring
All Star Comics #24 Gardner Fox & Martin Naydel First appearance of Brain Wave, a major Injustice Society villain. Apr-May
Batman #28 Bill Finger & Dick Sprang First time the Bat-Signal is shown on a comic cover. Apr-May
Real Fact Comics #1 Various New educational comic series begins. March
Detective Comics #99 Win Mortimer Classic Joker cover. May
Green Lantern #16 Alfred Bester & Paul Reinman First appearance of Vandal Savage in a Green Lantern comic. June
Batman #30 Joe Samachson & Dick Sprang First appearance of the Batmobile on a comic cover. Aug-Sep
Funny Stuff #1 Otto Feuer First issue of the series; First appearance of Dodo and the Frog. Summer
Detective Comics #102 Bill Finger & Dick Sprang Catwoman's second Golden Age appearance; referred to as 'The Cat-Woman'. Aug
Wonder Woman #15 William Moulton Marston & H.G. Peter Iconic bondage cover, a recurring theme in the Golden Age series. Winter
More Fun Comics #106 Otto Binder & Louis Cazeneuve First appearance of Aquaman's recurring villain, The Fisherman. Nov-Dec
Superman #36 Wayne Boring Classic cover featuring Superman racing a locomotive. Nov-Dec
Real Screen Comics #1 Various First issue; features early funny animal stories. Spring
Captain Marvel Adventures #46 Otto Binder & C.C. Beck First appearance of Mister Mind's Monster Society of Evil in the title. June

DC COMICS: 1946 KEY ISSUE CATALOG

Issue Creators Why It Is A Key Cover Date
Adventure Comics #102 Gardner Fox, Mort Meskin Final issue of the original Sandman series. Dec
Adventure Comics #103 Joe Samachson, Jon Small First appearance of Superboy (Clark Kent as a boy). Jan
All-American Comics #73 Joe Kubert First professional comic book work by legendary artist Joe Kubert. Apr
All-Flash #22 Gardner Fox, Martin Naydel First appearance of the Thinker's Thinking Cap. Apr
All-Star Comics #32 Gardner Fox, Paul Reinman First appearance of Brain Wave's son, Henry King Jr., who later becomes Brainwave. Oct
Animal Antics #1 Chad Grothkopf (Cover) #1 issue. Start of a new series. Jun
Batman #35 Bill Finger, Dick Sprang Classic Joker cover art. Jun
Big All-American Comic Book #1 Sheldon Moldoff (Cover) #1 issue. Features a collection of popular characters. N/A
Buzzy #7 Alvin Schwartz First appearance of Scribbly the Boy Cartoonist. Aug
Comic Cavalcade #14 E.E. Hibbard (Cover) First appearance of the Justice Society of America in this title. Mar
Detective Comics #118 Don Cameron, Win Mortimer First appearance of the Bat-Signal. Dec
Flash Comics #79 Gardner Fox, Martin Naydel First appearance of the Rival (Dr. Edward Clariss), the original Reverse-Flash. Jan
Funny Folks #1 Rube Grossman (Cover) #1 issue. Start of a new humor series. Apr
Green Lantern #24 Alfred Bester, Paul Reinman First appearance of Streak the Wonder Dog. Jun
Leading Comics #1 Creig Flessel (Cover) First appearance of the Seven Soldiers of Victory. Dec

DC COMICS: 1947 KEY ISSUE CATALOG

Issue Creators Why It Is A Key Cover Date
Adventure Comics #112 Joe Samachson, George Papp 1st appearance of Shining Knight's winged horse, Victory. Jan 1947
All-American Comics #82 Henry Kuttner, Irwin Hasen 1st appearance of the Gambler (Steven Sharpe III). Feb 1947
All-Flash #28 Robert Kanigher, Lee Elias 1st appearance of Star-Tsar. Apr-May 1947
All-Star Comics #33 Gardner Fox, Irwin Hasen 1st appearance of the Wizard (William Zard). Last Gardner Fox story for this title. Feb-Mar 1947
Batman #38 Bill Finger, Bob Kane, Lew Sayre Schwartz 1st appearance of the Red Hood (pre-Joker identity). Apr-May 1947
Batman #40 Bill Finger, Bob Kane Origin of the Scarecrow. Apr-May 1947
Batman #42 Bill Finger, Bob Kane 1st appearance of the Puppeteer. Aug-Sep 1947
Comic Cavalcade #18 Robert Kanigher, Harry G. Peter 1st appearance of the Fiddler (Isaac Bowin). Dec-Jan 1947
Dale Evans Comics #1 N/A 1st issue in the series. Sep-Oct 1947
Detective Comics #122 Bill Finger, Bob Kane 1st appearance of Catwoman's iconic purple and green costume. Apr 1947
Detective Comics #124 Bill Finger, Dick Sprang 1st appearance of the Mad Hatter (Jervis Tetch). Jun 1947
Detective Comics #130 Bill Finger, Dick Sprang 1st appearance of The Clock. Dec 1947
Flash Comics #86 Robert Kanigher, Carmine Infantino 1st appearance and origin of Black Canary (Dinah Drake). Aug 1947
Funny Folks #1 N/A 1st issue from DC Comics. Apr-May 1947
Gang Busters #1 N/A 1st issue of the series based on the popular radio show. Dec-Jan 1947

DC COMICS: 1948 KEY ISSUE CATALOG

Issue Title & NumberCreatorsWhy It Is A KeyCover Date
Action Comics #118Wayne Boring (Cover)Classic Lois Lane cover.Mar
Action Comics #123Wayne Boring (Cover)Origin of Superman retold.Aug
Adventure Comics #124John Sikela, George PappFirst appearance of Lana Lang's father, Professor Lang.Jan
Adventure Comics #128George PappFirst appearance of the Super-Steed, Comet (as a centaur).May
All-American Comics #95Irwin Hasen (Cover)Classic Green Lantern cover art.Mar
All-Star Comics #39Gardner Fox, Irwin HasenFirst appearance of the Wizard. Justice Society story.Feb
All-Star Comics #41Gardner Fox, Alex TothFirst appearance of the Injustice Society.Jun
Batman #47Bill Finger, Bob KaneOrigin of Batman retold. Features the first detailed origin of the Bat-Signal. Classic Catwoman cover.Jun
Batman #48Win Mortimer (Cover)Classic Joker cover.Aug
Batman #49Bill Finger, Bob KaneFirst appearance of the Mad Hatter (Jervis Tetch) and Vicki Vale.Oct

DC COMICS: 1949 KEY ISSUE CATALOG

ISSUE TITLE & NUMBER CREATORS WHY IT IS A KEY COVER DATE
Action Comics #133 Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster (characters); Al Plastino (art); others Features Superman and Lois Lane. Significant Golden Age issue. June 1949
Adventure Comics #141 Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster (Superboy); Mort Weisinger, George Papp (Green Arrow) Key Golden Age appearances of Superboy and Green Arrow. June 1949
Batman #52 Bob Kane (Batman concept); Bill Finger (Batman); Sheldon Moldoff (art); others Important Golden Age issue featuring Batman, Robin, and Catwoman. April/May 1949
Detective Comics #147 Bob Kane (Batman concept); Bill Finger (Batman); Win Mortimer (art); others Another strong Golden Age appearance for Batman and Robin. May 1949
Flash Comics #104 Gardner Fox, Harry Lampert (Flash); Dennis Neville, Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson (Hawkman) Final issue of the series. Last Golden Age appearances of Flash and Hawkman until revival. Highly collectible. Feb 1949
Sensation Comics #93 William Moulton Marston (Wonder Woman); H.G. Peter (art); others Key Golden Age Wonder Woman issue. June 1949
Superman #58 Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster (Superman); Wayne Boring (art); others Significant Golden Age Superman story. May 1949
World's Finest Comics #40 Various Features Superman, Batman, Robin, Green Arrow, and Aquaman. Iconic Golden Age ensemble. May/June 1949