- "Criminals are a superstitious cowardly lot, so my disguise must be able to strike terror into their hearts. I must be a creature of the night, black, terrible.. a.. a.. a bat! That's it! It's an omen.. I shall become a bat!"
- ―Bruce Wayne
| "The Legend of Batman" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Batman | |
| Title: | "The Legend of Batman" |
| Volume: | 1 |
| Number: | 1 |
| Cover price: | .10 |
| Cover date: | Spring, 1940 |
| Publisher: | DC Comics |
| Credits | |
| Ex. Ed: | Whitney Ellsworth |
| Writers: | Bill Finger |
| Pencilers: | Bob Kane |
| Inkers: | Jerry Robinson |
| Cover artists: | Bob Kane |
| Cover inker: | Jerry Robinson |
| Letterers: | Jerry Robinson |
| Editors: | Whitney Ellsworth |
| Navigation | |
| Previous: | — |
| Next: | Batman #2 |
"The Legend of Batman - Who He Is and How He Came to Be!" is the title of the first vignette in the first issue of the first Batman ongoing comic book series published by National Periodical Publications. There are five Batman stories published in this issue. All stories were written by Bill Finger with artwork by Bob Kane and inks by Jerry Robinson. The issue was edited by Whitney Ellsworth. This issue shipped to retailers in the Spring of 1940 and carries a cover price of .10 cents per copy.
"The Legend of Batman"[]
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Villains:
Other Characters:
Animals:
Races:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Organizations:
Miscellaneous:
"The Joker"[]
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Featured Characters: Supporting Characters: Villains: Other Characters:
Animals: Races: Locations: |
Items:
Vehicles: Organizations: Miscellaneous: |
"The Giants of Hugo Strange"[]
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Featured Characters: Supporting Characters: Villains: Other Characters: Animals: Races: |
Locations: Items: Vehicles: Organizations: Miscellaneous: |
"The Cat"[]
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Featured Characters: Supporting Characters: Villains: Other Characters:
Animals: Races: |
Locations: Items: Vehicles: Organizations: Miscellaneous: |
"The Joker Returns"[]
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Featured Characters: Supporting Characters: Villains: Other Characters:
Races: Locations: |
Items: Organizations: Miscellaneous: |
Notes & Trivia[]
- Batman was created by comic book writer Bill Finger and graphic artist Bob Kane. He first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in May, 1939. He received his first ongoing series, Batman, in the Spring, 1940 beginning with Batman #1.
- This issue shipped to retailers on April 24th, 1940.
- This issue was released the same month as Detective Comics #38, which was the introduction of Robin.
- The first story in this issue features a brief two-page recap of Batman's origin.
- This is the first appearance of the Joker. The Joker will go on to become Batman's arch-nemesis, and prove to be one of the most enduring and popular pop culture villains of all time.
- This is the first appearance of The Cat. Later stories will identify her as Catwoman. Her real name is Selina Kyle, which won't be revealed for many years to come, and becomes one of the most intriguing and popular members of Batman's rogues gallery.
- This is the first appearance of the Monster Men.
- At the time of publication, Batman did not have the same moral barometer that becomes a foundation for the character in later years. Traditionally, Batman has a very strict code against killing, and maintains a strong anti-gun belief structure. In this story however, Batman wantonly kills the Monster Men using machine guns on the Batplane. Batman does not adopt his code against killing until the fourth story in Batman #4.
- This is the first and only appearance to date of Henry Claridge; dies in this issue. He is the Joker's first victim.
- This is the first and only appearance to date of Jay Wilde; dies in this issue. He is the Joker's second victim.