Price: 0.10 USD
Pages: 68
On-sale Date: 1939-03-30
Editing: Vin Sullivan (credited as Vincent A. Sullivan) (editor)
Cover Thumbnail for Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #27 Edit Cover
Cover Gallery 

[no title indexed]
(Table of Contents)

Batman / cover / 1 page

Pencils:
Bob Kane (signed)
Inks:
Bob Kane (signed)
Colors:
?
Letters:
typeset
  • Genre:superhero
  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:Starting this issue: The amazing and unique adventures of the Batman!
  • Keywords:bat rope; revolvers
Characters:
Reprints (31)

Indexer Notes

Arlen Schumer has identified panel 5 of the January 17, 1937 Flash Gordon Sunday page by Alex Raymond as the source of Batman's pose.

Issue Data

Indexer Notes

The on-sale date is the publication date reported in the U. S. Copyright Office filing.

Indicia:
DETECTIVE COMICS, published monthly by DETECTIVE COMICS, INC., 480 Lexington Ave., New York, N. Y. Entered as second class matter at Post-Office, New York, N. Y., under the Act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates: 12 issues by mail in the United States and its possessions, $1.20; elsewhere $2.20 The Publisher accepts no responsibility for unsolicited material. Entire contents copyright 1939, by Detective Comics, Inc. For advertising rates, address Combined Publications, Inc., 125 East 46th Street, New York City. Western Office: Harley L. Ward, Inc., 360 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Ill.

[no title indexed]
(Table of Contents: 1)

Crime Never Pays / cartoon / 1 page

Script:
?
Pencils:
?
Inks:
?
Letters:
?
  • Genre:non-fiction; crime
Characters:
Helen Blixt; Luke May
Reprints (5)

Indexer Notes

On the inside front cover. Seven separate panels.

The Case of the Chemical Syndicate
(Table of Contents: 2)

Batman / comic story / 6 pages

Script:
Pencils:
Bob Kane (credited as Rob't Kane) (signed as Rob't Kane)
Inks:
Bob Kane (credited as Rob't Kane) (signed as Rob't Kane)
Colors:
?
Letters:
Bob Kane (signed as Rob't Kane)
  • Genre:superhero
Characters:
Mr. Lambert (introduction, death); Mel Lambert (introduction); Lambert's son (unnamed in this story); unnamed Police Sergeant (introduction); Steven Crane (introduction, death); Crane's butler (introduction); Paul Rogers (introduction); Alfred Stryker (villain, introduction, death); Jennings (villain, introduction, Stryker's assistant)
Synopsis:
The Bat-Man investigates the murder of a chemical tycoon, discovering that one of his partners murdered him to steal the secret contracts that would leave him as the sole owner of the Apex Chemical Corporation.
Reprints (34)

Indexer Notes

Named "The Bat-Man" in the story.

According to Will Murray and Anthony Tollin, the November 1, 1936, Shadow novel Partners in Peril, written by Theodore Tinsley, was Bill Finger's inspiration for this story.

According to DSK of the Vallely Archives blog, and Robby Reed of the Dial H for Blog, the art in this issue is inspired by Henry Vallely's Gang Busters in Action (Big Little Book 1451) and Tom Lovell's art in Partners in Peril.

The Bat-Man's home city is not identified until Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #33, in which it is named New York City. Only in Batman (DC, 1940 series) #4, the name "Gotham City" was adopted.

This story has been revised and rebooted several times and it is retroactively said to be part of the universe Earth-Two.
- In Secret Origins (DC, 1986 series) #6, Roy Thomas wrote an expanded version of the story, tying it into the rest of Bruce Wayne's origins.
- In Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #387, Mike Friedrich wrote an Earth-One version of the story.
- In Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series) #627, Marv Wolfman and Alan Grant wrote two different Post-Crisis versions of the story.
- In Detective Comics (DC, 2011 series) #27, Brad Meltzer wrote a version that takes place in New 52 continuity.

[no title indexed]
(Expand) / (Table of Contents: 3)

Action Comics / promo (ad from the publisher) / 0.05 page

[no title indexed]
(Table of Contents: 4)

Tenderfoot / comic story / 0.7 page

Script:
Pencils:
Inks:
Colors:
?
Letters:
?
  • Genre:humor; children
  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:Good-night, boys - now don't forget your good deeds!
Synopsis:
A young boy scout discovers a lost youngster, attempts to help him find his way home, but gets lost in the process himself!
Reprints (5)

[no title indexed]
(Expand) / (Table of Contents: 5)

Rosati Accordions / comics-form advertising / 0.25 page

The Killers of Kurdistan
(Table of Contents: 6)

Speed Saunders / comic story / 6 pages

Script:
Pencils:
Fred Guardineer (credited)
Inks:
Fred Guardineer (credited)
Colors:
?
Letters:
  • Genre:detective-mystery
Characters:
Tom (Trelawney's friend, death); Trelawney (death); Trelawney's maid; The Veiled Prophetress of the Killers of Kurdistan (villain); Killers of Kurdistan (villains, one dies)
Synopsis:
Speed investigates the murder of two men, on one of whom the killers left the symbol of a red crescent. This is the symbol of the Kurdistan Killers, a sect that both men belonged to but refused to kill for.
Reprints (5)

Indexer Notes

Script credit from Martin O'Hearn.

Bullet Bluff
(Table of Contents: 7)

Buck Marshall / comic story / 6 pages

Script:
Pencils:
Inks:
Colors:
? (red tones)
Letters:
?
  • Genre:adventure; western-frontier
Characters:
The Sheriff; Matt Doyle (Box K Ranch worker); Jerry Kane (Box K Ranch owner, death); Pepper (Buck's horse); The Terror [Jack Stark] (villain)
Synopsis:
Buck investigates the death of a ranch owner, in which a black empty cartridge is left behind as a clue to the killer.
Reprints (5)

Indexer Notes

Story printed in red, white and black only.

[The Mysterious Murders]
(Table of Contents: 8)

Spy / comic story / 6 pages

Script:
Jerry Siegel (credited)
Pencils:
Inks:
Colors:
?
Letters:
?
  • Genre:adventure; spy; detective-mystery
Characters:
Congressman Sneed (death); Congressman Little (death); Congressman Booker; Congressman Stoker; unnamed spy (villain, death)
Synopsis:
Bart investigates the deaths of members of a Committee on un-American activities that were killed by an explosive capsule hidden in their bananas.
Reprints (5)

[Murder on the Oceanic Line Docks]
(Table of Contents: 9)

The Crimson Avenger / comic story / 6 pages

Script:
Pencils:
Jim Chambers (credited)
Inks:
Jim Chambers (credited)
Colors:
?
Letters:
?
  • Genre:superhero
  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:Feared by the underworld and hunted by the police, the Crimson carries on the work of befriending the helpless.
  • Universe:DC : mainstream
Characters:
Abe Gold (night club owner, death); unnamed hospital nurse (death); Frank (villain); Mike Moran (villain); Mac; unnamed police chief
Synopsis:
The Crimson Avenger tracks down a killer who murdered Abe Gold for welshing on a $100,000 bet.
Reprints (5)

Death on the Airwaves
(Table of Contents: 10)

text story / 1.75 pages

Script:
Gardner Fox (credited as Paul Dean)
Pencils:
Inks:
Colors:
?
Letters:
typeset
  • Genre:crime
  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:The large and spacious Studio A, of the Federal Broadcasting System, was filled with an appreciative audience.
  • Keywords:Federal Broadcasting Company
Characters:
Richard Drew (death); President Benson; Captain Richard Byrne; Brian DeAngelo (villain); Elaine Rutland; Eddie Dorson
Synopsis:
Captain Byrne tracks down a revengeful killer who was once spurned in regards to a radio audition.
Reprints (5)

Indexer Notes

Artist credits by Craig Delich. There are two illustrated advertisements found on the two pages.

Be an Expert Marxman!
(Expand) / (Table of Contents: 11)

Daisy Air Rifles / Daisy B-B Guns / advertisement / 0.05 page

Boys Earn Money and Big Prizes
(Expand) / (Table of Contents: 12)

Crowell / Crowell-Collier Publishing Company Magazines / advertisement / 0.2 page

[The New Orleans Mardi Gras Murder, Part 1]
(Table of Contents: 13)

Bruce Nelson / comic story / 6 pages

Script:
Tom Hickey (credited) (signed as TH)
Pencils:
Tom Hickey (credited) (signed as TH)
Inks:
Tom Hickey (credited) (signed as TH)
Colors:
?
Letters:
?
  • Genre:adventure; detective-mystery
Characters:
Ed Lane (a detective); Lili Grauet (death)
Synopsis:
Bruce begins his investigation of the death of a young woman due to black magic.
Reprints (5)

Indexer Notes

Hickey also signed the story as "TH."

[The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu, Part 11]
(Table of Contents: 14)

Fu Manchu / comic story / 4 pages

Script:
Sax Rohmer (credited) (original author)
Pencils:
Inks:
Colors:
?
Letters:
typeset
  • Genre:adventure; crime
Characters:
Rev. J. D. Eltham; Greba Eltham; Sir Dennis Nayland Smith; Vernon Denby; Dr. Petrie; Dr. Fu Manchu (villain); Caesar (dog)
Synopsis:
Fu Manchu attempts to kill Greba Eltham, all in an attempt to keep Rev. Eltham from going back to China.
Reprints (5)

Indexer Notes

Artist credits from Craig Delich.

The strip appeared in newspapers in 1930 and 1931.

[no title indexed]
(Table of Contents: 15)

Flatfoot Flannigan / comic story / 1 page

Script:
Pencils:
Inks:
Colors:
?
Letters:
  • Genre:humor
  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:Calling all cars -- calling all cars -- bank robbery on Main and Center Streets!
Characters:
Flannigan
Synopsis:
Flannigan is sent out on a bank robbery, but stops for a red light so he won't get a ticket!
Reprints (5)

Indexer Notes

All Gustavson credits verified and courtesy of Terry Gustafson, Paul Gustavson's son.

Danzig Marks Anniversary; Nicaraguan Issue
(Table of Contents: 16)

Stamp Collectors' Corner / Stamp Detective / Detective Stamp Page / text article / 0.6 page

Script:
?
Colors:
?
Letters:
typeset
  • Genre:non-fiction
  • Feature Logo:Stamp Collectors' Corner
  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:The Free City of Danzig, located about 250 miles from Berlin, has been a most important commercial city of central Europe for centuries, but at the moment its political importance is overshadowing all others claims of distinction.
  • Keywords:Nicaragua; Prussia
Characters:
Stephen Bathory
Reprints (4)

Indexer Notes

Page includes several small ads from stamps dealers.

[no title indexed]
(Expand) / (Table of Contents: 17)

Abell Stamps; Brownie Stamps; Capital Stamps; Crowder Stamps; Eureka Stamps; Floral City Stamps; Kent Stamps; Midwood Stamps; Mortimer Ellis Stamps; Roberts Stamps; Wright Stamps / advertisement / 0.4 page

[Illegal Aliens]
(Table of Contents: 18)

Cosmo, the Phantom of Disguise / comic story / 6 pages

Script:
Pencils:
Sven Elven (credited as Sven Elvén) (illustrated by)
Inks:
Sven Elven (credited as Sven Elvén) (illustrated by)
Colors:
? (red tones)
Letters:
  • Genre:adventure; crime
Characters:
  • Cosmo
    (disguised as Fo Lee)
Carg (Immigration HQ official); Mike Donovan (Policeman); Yen Lo (villain); Kwan Joy Lo (villain)
Synopsis:
Cosmo is placed on a case involving the illegal smuggling of Chinese into America.
Reprints (5)

Indexer Notes

Story printed in red, white and black only.

The only credit on the story is "Illustrated by Sven Elvén". Letterer credit for Elven added by Craig Delich. Per writer identification expert Martin O'Hearn, the unknown writer of this story only wrote for stories with art by Sven Elven, so it's likely the writer was Elven himself, but it's not certain.

Plain Clothes Pete
(Table of Contents: 19)

comic story / 4 pages

Script:
Russell Cole (credited as Alger)
Pencils:
Russell Cole (credited as Alger)
Inks:
Russell Cole (credited as Alger)
Colors:
?
Letters:
  • Genre:humor; detective-mystery
  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:Pete, Louie th' Louse is operatin' 'round here again!
Characters:
Pete; Joe; Louie th' Louse (villain)
Synopsis:
Pete and Joe try to discover the whereabouts of the hideout of notorious criminal Louie th' Louse.
Reprints (5)

Indexer Notes

Letterer credit from Craig Delich.

[The Murderer on Vacation]
(Table of Contents: 20)

Slam Bradley / comic story / 9 pages

Script:
Jerry Siegel (credited)
Pencils:
Joe Shuster (credited)
Inks:
Joe Shuster (credited)
Colors:
?
Letters:
?
  • Genre:detective-mystery
  • First Line of Dialogue or Text:Out joy-riding, to relax from the tension of manhunting, Slam Bradley, tough private detective, and his partner pal, Shorty Morgan, find the ride no pleasure when a hurtling sedan forces them off the road, as it whizzes by at a terrific rate of speed!
  • Keywords:skiing; Switzerland; toboggan
    • Universe:DC : mainstream
Characters:
Dick Kelly (death); Gale Dennis (villain); "Black Jack" Benson (villain); Nicky (villain); Helger Wetjen (villain)
Synopsis:
Shorty and Slam help to find out the whereabouts of a Federal agent who disappeared after trailing an escaped felon to Switzerland.
Reprints (6)

Indexer Notes

According to Alter Ego #112 (August 2012), Paul Cassidy did some art on this story.

[no title indexed]
(Expand) / (Table of Contents: 21)

All-American Comics; Movie Comics / promo (ad from the publisher) / 1 page

[no title indexed]
(Expand) / (Table of Contents: 22)

Johnson Smith & Co. Catalog / advertisement / 1 page

Editing
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Tracked in 40 collections.
Issue at my.comics.org
View Change History
Table of Contents ToC
    Table of Contents
  1. ["Starting this issue: The amazing and unique adventures of the Batman!"]
    Batman
  2. ["Bullets betray no less than fingerprints..."]
    Crime Never Pays
  3. The Case of the Chemical Syndicate
    Batman
  4. ["The thrilling adventures of Superman appear each and every month in Action Comics!"]
    Action Comics
  5. ["Good-night, boys - now don't forget your good deeds!"]
    Tenderfoot
  6. ["John, Mildred and Frank are excused for orchestra reherseal."]
    Rosati Accordions
  7. The Killers of Kurdistan
    Speed Saunders
  8. Bullet Bluff
    Buck Marshall
  9. [The Mysterious Murders]
    Spy
  10. [Murder on the Oceanic Line Docks]
    The Crimson Avenger
  11. Death on the Airwaves
  12. Be an Expert Marxman!
    Daisy Air Rifles / Daisy B-B Guns
  13. Boys Earn Money and Big Prizes
    Crowell / Crowell-Collier Publishing Company Magazines
  14. [The New Orleans Mardi Gras Murder, Part 1]
    Bruce Nelson
  15. [The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu, Part 11]
    Fu Manchu
  16. ["Calling all cars -- calling all cars -- bank robbery on Main and Center Streets!"]
    Flatfoot Flannigan
  17. Danzig Marks Anniversary; Nicaraguan Issue
    Stamp Collectors' Corner / Stamp Detective / Detective Stamp Page
  18. [no title indexed]
    Abell Stamps; Brownie Stamps; Capital Stamps; Crowder Stamps; Eureka Stamps; Floral City Stamps; Kent Stamps; Midwood Stamps; Mortimer Ellis Stamps; Roberts Stamps; Wright Stamps
  19. [Illegal Aliens]
    Cosmo, the Phantom of Disguise
  20. Plain Clothes Pete
  21. [The Murderer on Vacation]
    Slam Bradley
  22. ["Thanks, boys and girls of America..."]
    All-American Comics; Movie Comics
  23. [no title indexed]
    Johnson Smith & Co. Catalog
Related Links
Issue was modified by, among others
  • Darci
  • Katie
  • Henry Andrews
  • Keith Chandler
  • Shad Z. Daly
  • Gordon Davie
  • Craig Delich
  • Lionel English
  • Gregory Fischer
  • Jochen G.
  • Del Gruber
  • Merlin Haas
  • Matthew Head
  • Jerry Hillegas (R.I.P.)
  • Bob Hughes
  • Jerzy Kiekrz
  • Edgar Loftin
  • R. S. Martin
  • Mike Nielsen
  • Matthew Peets
  • Antonio Pontes Junior
  • Mark Q
  • Tony R. Rose
  • Steven Samuels
  • Per Sandell
  • Jim Van Dore
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