Detective Comics

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Detective Comics
Detective Comics 27 (May 1939).png
Detective Comics #27 (May 1939), art by Bob Kane
Publication information
Publisher Detective Comics, Inc.: #1–119
National Comics Publications: #120–296
National Periodical Publications: #297–467
DC Comics: #468–current
Schedule
List
  • Monthly:
    #1–434, #446–466, #489–811
    Eight times a year:
    #469–474
    Bimonthly:
    #435–445, #467–468, #475–488
    Twice-monthly
    #934–current
    Weekly
    #1047–1058
Format Ongoing series
Publication date
List
  • (vol. 1)
    March 1937 – October 2011
    (vol. 2)
    November 2011 – July 2016
    (vol. 1 cont.)
    August 2016–present
No. of issues
List
  • (vol. 1): 883 (#1–881, plus issues numbered #0 and #1,000,000) and 12 Annuals
    (vol. 2): 57 (#1–52, plus issues numbered #0 and #23.1 through 23.4) and 3 Annuals
    (vol. 1 cont.): 142 (#934–1075) and 5 Annuals (as of December 2023 cover date)
Main character(s)
List
Creative team
Written by
Penciller(s)
Inker(s)
Colorist(s)

Detective Comics (later retitled as Batman Detective Comics) is an American comic book series published by Detective Comics, later shortened to DC Comics. The first volume, published from 1937 to 2011 (and later continued in 2016), is best known for introducing the superhero Batman in Detective Comics #27 (cover-dated May 1939).

Contents

A second series of the same title was launched in September 2011, but in 2016, reverted to the original volume numbering. The series is the source of its publishing company's name, and—along with Action Comics , the series that launched with the debut of Superman—one of the medium's signature series. Between 1937 and 2011, there were 881 issues of the series. It is the longest-running comic book series in the United States. [1] [Note 1]

Publication history

Detective Comics #1 (March 1937). Art by Vin Sullivan. DetectiveComics1.jpg
Detective Comics #1 (March 1937). Art by Vin Sullivan.

Detective Comics was the final publication of the entrepreneur Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson, whose comics company, National Allied Publications, would evolve into DC Comics, one of the world's two largest comic book publishers, though long after its founder had left it. Wheeler-Nicholson's first two titles were the landmark New Fun: The Big Comic-Magazine #1 (cover-dated Feb. 1935), colloquially called New Fun Comics #1 and the first such early comic book to contain all-original content, rather than a mix of newspaper comic strips and comic-strip-style new material. His second effort, New Comics #1, would be retitled twice to become Adventure Comics , another seminal series that ran for decades until issue #503 in 1983, and was later revived in 2009.

The third and final title published under his aegis would be Detective Comics, advertised with a cover illustration dated December 1936, but eventually premiering three months later, with a March 1937 cover date. Wheeler-Nicholson was in debt to printing-plant owner and magazine distributor Harry Donenfeld, who was, as well, a pulp-magazine publisher and a principal in the magazine distributorship Independent News. Wheeler-Nicholson took Donenfeld on as a partner in order to publish Detective Comics #1 through the newly formed Detective Comics, Inc., with Wheeler-Nicholson and Jack S. Liebowitz, Donenfeld's accountant, listed as owners. [2] Wheeler-Nicholson was forced out a year later.

Originally an anthology comic, in the manner of the times, Detective Comics #1 (March 1937) featured stories in the "hard-boiled detective" genre, with such stars as Ching Lung (a Fu Manchu-style "Yellow Peril" villain); Slam Bradley (created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster before their character Superman saw print two years later); and Speed Saunders, among others. Its first editor, Vin Sullivan, also drew the debut issue's cover. The Crimson Avenger debuted in issue #20 (October 1938). [3]

Early issues of the series have been criticized for their racism and xenophobia. [4] [5] [6] [7]

Batman / Bruce Wayne

Cover of Detective Comics #140 (October 1948), the first appearance of the Riddler. Art by Win Mortimer. Detective140.JPG
Cover of Detective Comics #140 (October 1948), the first appearance of the Riddler. Art by Win Mortimer.

Detective Comics #27 (March 1939 with a printed date of May 1939) marked the first appearance of Batman. [8] This superhero would eventually become the star of the title, the cover logo of which is often written as "Detective Comics featuring Batman". Because of its significance, issue #27 is widely considered one of the most valuable comic books in existence, with one copy selling for $1,075,000 in a February 2010 auction. [9]

Batman's origin is first revealed in a two-page story in issue #33 (Nov. 1939). [10] Batman became the main cover feature of the title beginning with issue #35 (Jan. 1940). [11] Issue #38 (April 1940) introduced Batman's sidekick Robin, billed as "The Sensational Character Find of 1940" on the cover and the first of several characters that would make up the "Batman Family." [12] Robin's appearance and the subsequent increase in sales of the book soon led to the trend of superheroes and young sidekicks that characterize the era that fans and historians call the "Golden Age of Comic Books." Several of Batman's best known villains debuted in the pages of Detective Comics during this era, including the Penguin in issue #58, [13] Two-Face in issue #66, [14] and the Riddler in issue #140. [15]

Batwoman first appeared in Detective Comics #233 (July 1956). [16] Since the family formula had proven very successful for the Superman franchise, editor Jack Schiff suggested to Batman co-creator Bob Kane that he create one for the Batman. A female was chosen first, to offset the charges made by Fredric Wertham that Batman and Robin were homosexual. [17] Writer Bill Finger and artist Sheldon Moldoff introduced Bat-Mite in issue #267 (May 1959) [18] and Clayface in #298 (Dec. 1961). [19]

In 1964, Julius Schwartz was made responsible for reviving the fading Batman titles. [20] Writer John Broome and artist Carmine Infantino jettisoned the sillier aspects that had crept into the franchise, such as Ace the Bathound and Bat-Mite and gave the character a "New Look" that premiered in Detective Comics #327 (May 1964). [21] Schwartz, Gardner Fox, and Infantino introduced, from the William Dozier produced TV series, Barbara Gordon as a new version of Batgirl in a story titled "The Million Dollar Debut of Batgirl!" in issue #359 (Jan. 1967). [22] Mike Friedrich wrote the 30th anniversary Batman story in Detective Comics #387 (May 1969) which was drawn by Bob Brown. [23]

Writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Neal Adams had their first collaboration on Batman on the story "The Secret of the Waiting Graves" in issue #395 (Jan. 1970). [24] The duo, under the direction of Schwartz, [25] would revitalize the character with a series of noteworthy stories reestablishing Batman's dark, brooding nature and taking the books away from the campy look and feel of the 1966–68 ABC TV series. [26] Comics historian Les Daniels observed that "O'Neil's interpretation of Batman as a vengeful obsessive-compulsive, which he modestly describes as a return to the roots, was actually an act of creative imagination that has influenced every subsequent version of the Dark Knight." [27] Adams introduced the Man-Bat with writer Frank Robbins in Detective Comics #400 (June 1970). [28] O'Neil and artist Bob Brown crafted Batman's first encounter with the League of Assassins in Detective Comics #405 (Nov. 1970) [29] and created Talia al Ghul in issue #411 (May 1971). [30]

After publishing on a monthly schedule throughout its run, Detective Comics became a bi-monthly book from issues #435 (June–July 1973) to #445 (Feb.-March 1975). Issues #438 (Dec. 1973-Jan. 1974) to #445 (Feb.–March 1975) of the series were in the 100 Page Super Spectacular format. [31] O'Neil and artist Dick Giordano created the Batman supporting character Leslie Thompkins in the story "There Is No Hope in Crime Alley" appearing in issue #457 (March 1976). [32] Writer Steve Englehart and artist Marshall Rogers produced an acclaimed run of Batman stories in Detective Comics #471–476 (Aug. 1977 – April 1978), [33] and provided one of the definitive interpretations that influenced the 1989 Batman film and would be adapted for the 1990s animated series. [34] The Englehart and Rogers pairing, was described in 2009 by comics writer and historian Robert Greenberger as "one of the greatest" creative teams to work on the Batman character. [35] In their story "The Laughing Fish", the Joker is brazen enough to disfigure fish with a rictus grin, then expects to be granted a federal trademark on them, only to start killing the bureaucrats who try to explain to him that obtaining such a claim on a natural resource is legally impossible. [36] Writer Len Wein and Rogers co-created the third version of the supervillain Clayface in Detective Comics #478 (July–Aug. 1978). [37] From issue #481 (Dec. 1978 – Jan. 1979) through #495 (Oct. 1980), the magazine adopted the expanded Dollar Comics format used by the canceled Batman Family , [38] adding solo features including "Robin: the Teen Wonder", "Batgirl", the "Human Target" and the anthology "Tales of Gotham City", which featured stories of the city's ordinary people. Julius Schwartz, who had edited the title for most of its run since 1964, left the series as of issue #484 (June–July 1979) [20] The original Katherine Kane also known as "Batwoman" was killed in the lead story in issue #485 (Aug.–Sept. 1979) by the League of Assassins. [39]

The title's 500th issue (March 1981) featured stories by several well-known creators including television writer Alan Brennert and Walter B. Gibson best known for his work on the pulp fiction character The Shadow . [40] [41] Also used during the 1980s was the use of serialization of the main Batman story, with stories from Detective Comics and Batman directly flowing from one book to another, with cliffhangers at the end of each book's monthly story that would be resolved in the other title of that month. A single writer handled both books during that time beginning with Gerry Conway and followed up by Doug Moench. The supervillain Killer Croc made a shadowy cameo in issue #523 (Feb. 1983). [42] Noted author Harlan Ellison wrote the Batman story in issue #567. [43]

Writer Mike W. Barr and artists Alan Davis and Todd McFarlane crafted the "Batman: Year Two" storyline in Detective Comics #575–578 which followed up on Frank Miller's "Batman: Year One". [44] Writer Alan Grant and artist Norm Breyfogle introduced the Ventriloquist in their first Batman story together [45] and the Ratcatcher in their third (#585). [46] Sam Hamm, who wrote the screenplay for Tim Burton's Batman , wrote the "Blind Justice" story in Detective Comics issues #598–600. [47] Chuck Dixon became the writer of the series with issue #644 (May 1992). [48] He and Tom Lyle co-created the Electrocutioner in Detective Comics #644 (May 1992) [49] and Stephanie Brown in Detective Comics #647 (August 1992). [50]

The "Batman: Legacy" storyline began in issue #700 (August 1996). [51] The "No Man's Land" storyline crossed over into Detective Comics in issues #730–741. Writer Greg Rucka and artist Shawn Martinbrough became the creative team as of issue #742 (March 2000) [52] and created the Sasha Bordeaux character in issue #751 (Dec. 2000). [53] Issue #800 (Jan. 2005) was written by Andersen Gabrych and drawn by Pete Woods. [54] Paul Dini became the writer of the series as of issue #821 (Sept. 2006) [55] and created a new version of the Ventriloquist in #827 (March 2007). [56] Scott Snyder became the writer of Detective Comics with issue #871 (Jan. 2011). [57]

Back-up features

In addition to the Batman stories, the title has had numerous back-up strips. The Boy Commandos by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby debuted in Detective Comics #64 (June 1942) and were then soon spun off into their own title. [58] The character Roy Raymond first appeared in issue #153 (Nov. 1949). [59] The Martian Manhunter was created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa in the back-up story "The Strange Experiment of Dr. Erdel" in Detective Comics #225 (Nov. 1955). [60] After issue #326 (April 1964), the Martian Manhunter was moved to House of Mystery and in issue #327 the Elongated Man and his wife, now remodeled after Dashiell Hammett's Nick and Nora Charles, took over. The characters crossed over with Batman three times. The Elongated Man run lasted until issue #383 (Jan. 1969) and his feature returned sporadically 15 times until issue #572, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the title by teaming him up with Batman, Robin, Slam Bradley and Sherlock Holmes against Edgar Moriarty, the great-grandnephew of Professor Moriarty. After the Elongated Man back-up feature ended, Batgirl held the role until issue #424. She returned from issues 481–519 after being moved to Batman Family. Jason Bard appeared as the backup feature in the odd-numbered issues of Detective from #425–435. [61] The Manhunter was resurrected in a story by Archie Goodwin and Walt Simonson in issue #437 (Oct.-Nov. 1973). [62] [63] With the last episode of the series, Manhunter moved to the front of the book in a full-length team-up with Batman. The Green Arrow became the back-up feature starting with issue #521 (Dec. 1982) [64] and running until #567 (Oct. 1986). [65] The Black Canary received a new costume in the back-up story in issue #554 (Sept. 1985). [66] DC Comics Bonus Book s were included in issues #589 (August 1988) [67] and 595 (Jan. 1989). [68]

After a lengthy absence, the backup features returned for issues #746–810. These were more closed-ended stories featuring new and established characters in the Batman mythos. The first was "The Jacobian" in issues #746–757, followed by a one-issue Batman story in #758. The following issues, #759–762, featured Slam Bradley and were a lead-in to the 2002 Catwoman series. Issues #763–772 featured Josephine "Josie Mac" MacDonald, a Gotham police detective. Issues #773–775 were titled "Tales of Gotham" and feature Detectives Crispus Allen and Renee Montoya. Batman starred in "Spore" from issues #776–780. #781 featured a special Elseworlds tale, while #782 featured a Batman solo tale. Issue #783 featured a prelude to the "Death and the Maidens" miniseries, and issue #784 featured a Josie Mac tale. The "Tales of Gotham" stories resumed in issues #785–788 with "The Dogcatcher", and #789–794 featured "The Tailor". "Polished Stone", featuring the Green Arrow and Onyx, ran in issues #795–796. "Low", featuring the Riddler and Poison Ivy, ran from issues #797–799. Under the title "Tales of Gotham," Detective Comics #800 had a short Batman back-up story. A four-issue (#801–805) story featuring the Barker entitled "When You're Strange" was next and "Mud" in issue #805. The last back-up was a three-issue (#808–810) story about Killer Croc. It came after a two-issue (#806–807) story about Alfred.

The "Manhunter" series that ran as a backup in Detective Comics from 1973 to 1974 won the Shazam Award for "Best Individual Short Story (Dramatic)" in 1974 for the story "Cathedral Perilous" in issue #441, written by Archie Goodwin and Walt Simonson.

Batwoman

In 2009, as part of a planned reorganization of the Batman universe due to the events shown in Batman R.I.P. and Final Crisis , Detective Comics went on hiatus for three months while DC Comics published the Battle for the Cowl miniseries. Upon its return, the series featured the newly reintroduced (in 52 ) Batwoman as the new star of the book, as well as a 10-page back-up feature starring Renee Montoya as the new Question. [69] The series returned Batman to a starring role in early 2010.

The New 52

DC Comics relaunched Detective Comics with issue #1 in September 2011, as part of an initiative called The New 52. [70] The series was written and drawn by Tony Daniel until the 12th issue, with the team of John Layman and Jason Fabok beginning with issue #13. [71] [72]

The first issue of the relaunched Detective Comics has received six printings, second only to the relaunched Justice League which had seven printings. [73] The series' 7th issue was also DC Comic's 6th highest selling digital comic, ranking above many other series in the Batman category. [74] Scott West of Sciencefiction.com gave the series' third arc a positive review, stating that "After last month's disappointing 'Night of the Owls' tie-in issue, it's nice to see 'Detective Comics' getting back to where it should be...good detective stories." [75] The relaunched Detective Comics received the award for "Best Series" at the 2012 Stan Lee Awards. [76] The series' first collected edition would reach the number 1 spot on The New York Times Best Seller list in the category of "Hardcover Graphic Books". [77]

Daniel wrote and penciled the series until the Night of the Owls crossover, at which point Ed Benes, Julio Ferreira, and Eduardo Pansica began drawing the series for a three-issue arc. [78] [79] The price of Detective Comics was increased due to the addition of a backup feature starring Batman villain Two-Face, which was written by Daniel and illustrated by Syzmon Kudranski, this followed a similar backup featuring Professor Hugo Strange. [80] Daniel left the series with issue #12 being his last as writer and the "0" issue his last as penciller. [81]

DC celebrated the first anniversary of The New 52 in September 2012 by publishing a number "0" of each original New 52 title which act as prequels to the series and reveal previously unexplained plot elements. [82] Gregg Hurwitz wrote the "0" issue. [83] Hurwitz was approached by Daniel to write the "0" issue due to Daniel's busy schedule. [84] [85] To follow up on the Night of the Owls elements in Detective Comics, Daniel wrote Detective Comics Annual #1, which was pencilled by Romano Molenaar and inked by Sandu Florea. [86]

Following Daniel's tenure on the series, John Layman became the new writer and Jason Fabok the new artist [87] with James Tynion IV writing the backup features and Syzmon Kudranski remaining as artist for Tynion's first feature. With issue #19 of Detective Comics vol. 2, released on April 3, 2013, the series reached 900 issues as combined with the first volume of the series, and was a special oversized celebratory issue. Under Layman, the series featured its first crossover, Gothtopia after which Layman and Fabok moved to the Batman Eternal series and Detective Comics was taken over by Brain Buccalleto and Francis Manapul. [88]

In commemoration of the second anniversary of The New 52, DC Comics announced "Villains Month" with Detective Comics getting four issues. The issues starred Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, the Scarecrow, and the Man-Bat, and, respectively, being numbered #23.1, #23.2, #23.3, and #23.4, by an ensemble of writers and artists. [89]

For the 75th anniversary of Batman, issue #27 was a larger-sized issue featuring new stories by Brad Meltzer and Bryan Hitch, [90] Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy, Peter Tomasi and Ian Bertram, John Layman and Jason Fabok, Gregg Hurwitz and Neal Adams, Mike W. Barr and Guillem March, and one written and drawn by Francesco Francavilla. In addition, variant covers to the issue were by Greg Capullo, Frank Miller, Chris Burnham, Jim Lee, Jason Fabok, and Tony Daniel. Single page artwork included work by Kelley Jones, Mike Allred, Patrick Gleason, and Jock.

2016–present

Writer Peter Tomasi at a 2019 signing for the series' 1,000th issue at Midtown Comics in Manhattan 3.27.19PeterTomasiByLuigiNovi25.jpg
Writer Peter Tomasi at a 2019 signing for the series' 1,000th issue at Midtown Comics in Manhattan

In February 2016, DC Comics announced that as part of the company's continuity relaunch called DC Rebirth, Detective Comics would resume its original numbering system with June 2016's issue #934. The 52 issues of Detective Comics volume 2 (2011–2016) were added to the original count of 881 issues from Detective Comics volume 1 (1937–2011), making Detective Comics #934 the premier issue following the end of the DC Rebirth initiative. The series was published twice-monthly. [91]

The creative team beginning with issue #934 included writer James Tynion IV and artists Eddy Barrows and Alvaro Martinez. [92] The series featured a team led by Batman and Batwoman (Kate Kane), operating out of a secondary base in the heart of Gotham known as the Belfry. Team members initially included Red Robin (Tim Drake), Spoiler (Stephanie Brown), Orphan (Cassandra Cain) and Clayface (Basil Karlo), with Batwing (Luke Fox) and Azrael (Jean-Paul Valley) later recruited as new members. [93] Zatanna also briefly joins the team as a guest star in several issues. This status quo ended with the conclusion of Tynion's run on the series in issue #981, published May 2018. During the interim period without a permanent writer, Bryan Edward Hill wrote the story arc "On the Outside" starring Batman, Orphan, Signal, Katana and Black Lightning over issues #983–987 as a prelude to his ongoing series Batman and the Outsiders . The next regular writer, Peter Tomasi, began on the series with issue #994, published December 2018. Tomasi's run as writer continued for two years until issue #1033, published December 2020.

On March 27, 2019, DC Comics released the series' 1,000th issue, [94] marking the second American comic book in history to reach that milestone after Action Comics in 2018. [95] [96] [97] The issue, which coincided with Batman's 80th anniversary, [98] is an anthology featuring several stories from a variety of different creative teams. [94]

Writer Mariko Tamaki began on the series with issue #1034 as part of the Infinite Frontier line-wide relaunch. [99] In April 2022, it was announced that Ram V and Rafael Albuquerque would serve as the new creative team starting with issue #1062. [100]

Significant issues

First appearances

CharacterIssuePublication
Slam Bradley and Speed Saunders #1March 1937
The Crimson Avenger and Wing How#20October 1938
Batman (Bruce Wayne) and Commissioner Gordon #27May 1939
Doctor Death #29July 1939
The Monk, Julie Madison #31Sept. 1939
Dala#32Oct. 1939
Joe Chill, Thomas Wayne, Martha Wayne #33Nov. 1939
Professor Hugo Strange #36Feb. 1940
Robin #38April 1940
Clayface I (Basil Karlo)#40June 1940
The Penguin #58December 1941
Air Wave#60February 1942
Mister Baffle#63May 1942
The Boy Commandos #64June 1942
Two-Face #66Aug. 1942
Tweedledum and Tweedledee #74April 1943
The Cavalier #81Nov. 1943
The Riddler #140October 1948
Pow Wow Smith #151Sept. 1949
Roy Raymond #153Nov. 1949
The Red Hood #168Feb. 1951
The Firefly #184June 1952
Mysto #203January 1954
Mirror Man#213Nov. 1954
The Batmen of All Nations #215Jan. 1955
The Martian Manhunter #225Nov. 1955
The Impostor Mad Hatter #230April 1956
Batwoman (Kathy Kane) #233July 1956
Diane Meade#246Aug. 1957
The Terrible Trio #253March 1958
The Calendar Man #259Sept. 1958
Doctor Double X #261Nov. 1958
Bat-Mite #267May 1959
Clayface II (Matt Hagen)#298Dec. 1961
The Catman, Zook #311Jan. 1963
The Idol Head of Diabolu#326April 1964
The Outsider #334Dec. 1964
The Blockbuster I#345Nov. 1965
The Cluemaster #351May 1966
Batgirl (Barbara Gordon)#359Jan. 1967
Jason Bard #392Oct. 1969
The Man-Bat #400June 1970
Talia al Ghul #411May 1971
Harvey Bullock #441July 1974
Leslie Thompkins #457March 1976
The Calculator #463Sept. 1976
Doctor Phosphorus, "Boss" Rupert Thorne #469May 1977
Silver St. Cloud #470June 1977
Clayface III (Preston Payne)#478July 1978
Maxie Zeus #483May 1979
The Odd Man #487December 1979
The Swashbuckler#493March 1980
Killer Croc #523 [Note 2] Feb. 1983
Onyx #546Jan. 1985
The Ventriloquist I (Arnold Wesker)#583Feb. 1988
The Ratcatcher #585April 1988
Anarky I (Lonnie Machin)#608Nov. 1989
Renee Montoya #642March 1992
Stephanie Brown #647Jun. 1992
Cypher #657March 1993
Crispus Allen #742March 2000
Sasha Bordeaux #751Dec. 2000
Nyssa Raatko #783Aug. 2003
The Ventriloquist II (Peyton Riley)#827March 2007
The Dollmaker (vol. 2) #1Sept. 2011
Dollhouse, Mister Toxic(vol. 2) #2Oct. 2011
Eli Strange(vol. 2) #5March 2012
Emperor Blackgate(vol. 2) #13Nov. 2012
The Merrymaker(vol. 2) #17Feb. 2013
Anarky IV (Sam Young)(vol. 2) #37Feb. 2015
The Arkham Knight #1000May 2019
The Silver Ghost#1027November 2020

Notes

  1. Action Comics amassed more individual issues, 904 in total, despite launching a year after Detective due to 42 issues (#601–642) in 1988–89 that were published weekly, and because of Detective Comics' bimonthly run from 1973 to 1975. The American record-holder for most issues published is Dell Comics' Four Color series, which amassed more than 1,300 issues over a 23-year run.
  2. There was a shadowy cameo in Detective Comics #523 (Feb. 1983) [42] and his first full appearance is credited to Batman #357 (March 1983)

Collected editions

Volume 1 (1937–2011)

The Detective Comics series has been collected into a number of trade paperbacks and hardback collections.

Batman Archive editions

All DC Archive Editions are hardback only and printed on high quality archival paper.

TitleMaterial collectedPublication dateISBN
Batman Archives Vol. 1Stories from Detective Comics #27–50November 1997HC: 978-0930289607
Batman Archives Vol. 2Stories from Detective Comics #51–70November 1997HC: 978-1563890000
Batman Archives Vol. 3Stories from Detective Comics #71–86November 1997HC: 978-1563890994
Batman Archives Vol. 4Stories from Detective Comics #87–102December 1998HC: 978-1563894145
Batman Archives Vol. 5Stories from Detective Comics #103–119April 2001HC: 978-1563897252
Batman Archives Vol. 6Stories from Detective Comics #120–135August 2005HC: 978-1401204099
Batman Archives Vol. 7Stories from Detective Comics #136–154November 2007HC: 978-1401214937
Batman Archives Vol. 8Stories from Detective Comics #155–170July 2012HC: 978-1401233761
Batman: The Dynamic Duo Archives Vol. 1Batman #164–166; Detective Comics #327–333March 2003HC: 978-1563899324
Batman: The Dynamic Duo Archives Vol. 2Batman #168–171; Detective Comics #334–339June 2006HC: 978-1401207724

Batman Chronicles

The Batman Chronicles series plans to reprint every Batman adventure in color, in chronological order, in affordable trade paperbacks. It is not to be confused with the now-finished series of the same name.

TitleMaterial collectedPublication dateISBN
Batman Chronicles Vol. 1Detective Comics #27–38; Batman #1April 2005SC: 978-1401204457
Batman Chronicles Vol. 2Detective Comics #39–45; Batman #2–3; New York World's Fair Comics #2September 2006SC: 978-1401207908
Batman Chronicles Vol. 3Detective Comics #46–50; Batman #4–5; World's Best Comics #1May 2007SC: 978-1401213473
Batman Chronicles Vol. 4Detective Comics #51–56; World's Finest Comics #2–3; Batman #6–7October 2007SC: 978-1401214623
Batman Chronicles Vol. 5Detective Comics #57–61; World's Finest Comics #4; Batman #8–9April 2008SC: 978-1401216825
Batman Chronicles Vol. 6Detective Comics #62–66; World's Finest Comics #5–6; Batman #10–11October 2008SC: 978-1401219611
Batman Chronicles Vol. 7Detective Comics #67–70; World's Finest Comics #7; Batman #12–13March 2009SC: 978-1401221348
Batman Chronicles Vol. 8Detective Comics #71–74; World's Finest Comics #8–9; Batman #14–15October 2009SC: 978-1401224844
Batman Chronicles Vol. 9Detective Comics #75–77; World's Finest Comics #10; Batman #16–17March 2010SC: 978-1401226459
Batman Chronicles Vol. 10Detective Comics #78–81; World's Finest Comics #11; Batman #18–19December 2010SC: 978-1401228958
Batman Chronicles Vol. 11Detective Comics #82–85; World's Finest Comics #12; Batman #20–21January 2013SC: 978-1401237394

Showcase Presents

All Showcase Presents collections are large (over 500 pages), softcover, black and white only reprints.

TitleMaterial collectedPublication dateISBN
Showcase Presents: Batman Vol. 1Detective Comics #327–342; Batman #164–174August 2006SC: 978-1401210861
Showcase Presents: Batman Vol. 2Detective Comics #343–358; Batman #175, #177–181, #183–184, #188June 2007SC: 978-1401213626
Showcase Presents: Batman Vol. 3Detective Comics #359–375; Batman #189–192, #194–197, #199–201July 2008SC: 978-1401217198
Showcase Presents: Batman Vol. 4Detective Comics #376–390; Batman #202–215July 2009SC: 978-1401223144
Showcase Presents: Batman Vol. 5Detective Comics #391–404; Batman #216–228December 2011SC: 978-1401232368
Showcase Presents: Batman Vol. 6Detective Comics #408–426; Batman #229–244January 2016SC: 978-1401251536
Showcase Presents: Martian Manhunter Vol. 1Detective Comics #225–304July 2007SC: 978-1401213688
Showcase Presents: Martian Manhunter Vol. 2Detective Comics #305–326May 2009SC: 978-1401222567
Showcase Presents: Robin the Boy Wonder Vol. 1Robin stories from Detective Comics #386, 390, 394–395, 398–403, 445, 447, 450–451January 2008SC: 978-1401216764
Showcase Presents: Batgirl Vol. 1Batgirl stories from Detective Comics #359, 363, 369, 371, 384–385, 388–389, 392–393, 396–397, 400–401, 404–424July 2007SC: 978-1401213671
Showcase Presents: Enemy Ace Vol. 1includes Enemy Ace story from Detective Comics #404February 2008SC: 978-1401217211

Celebration hardcovers

Starting in 2014, DC began releasing character retrospective anthologies, several of which feature issues of Detective Comics

TitleMaterial collectedPublication dateISBN
Batman: A Celebration of 75 YearsDetective Comics #27, 83, 211, 216, 327, 359, 395, 442, 474, 574, 633, 711, 757, 821;
Batman #1, 49, 181, 497 Batman (vol. 2) #2, World's Finest Comics #94, DC Special Series #21, Batman Special #1
July 2014978-1401247584
Robin the Boy Wonder: A Celebration of 75 YearsDetective Comics #38, 342; Batman #20, 107, 156, 408, 428, 442, 657; Star-Spangled Comics #82, 86, 103;
Batman Family #1; Nightwing #25, 101; Superman/Batman #7, 77; Robin (vol. 4) #46, 126; Batman & Robin Annual #1; Justice League of America #55; DC One Million 80-Page Giant #1,000,000
May 2015978-1401255367
The Joker: A Celebration of 75 YearsBatman #1, 5, 25, 32, 85, 163, 251, 427, Batman (vol. 2) #15, Detective Comics #64, 168, 180, 475, 476, 726, 741, 826,
Detective Comics (vol. 2) #1, World's Finest Comics #61, Superman (vol. 2) #9, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #66
July 2014978-1401247591
Two-Face: A Celebration of 75 YearsDetective Comics #66, 68, 80, 739; Batman #50, 81, 234, 410–411, 572, Annual #14; The Brave and the Bold #106; The Joker #1; Secret Origins #1; Batman: Black and White #1; Gotham Central #10; Joker's Asylum: Two-Face #1; Batman and Robin #23November 2017978-1-4012-7438-2
Green Arrow: A Celebration of 75 YearsMore Fun Comics #73, 89; Leading Comics #1; Adventure Comics #256; Justice League of America #4; The Brave and the Bold #85;
Green Lantern/Green Arrow #85, 86, 90; Detective Comics #549–550; 559; Green Arrow (vol. 2) #24, 100–101; Green Arrow (vol. 3) #4, 18; Green Arrow Year One #2;
Green Arrow and Black Canary Wedding Special #1; Justice League #8; Green Arrow (vol. 4) #24
July 2016978-1401263867

Tales of The Batman/Legends of the Dark Knight

These hardcover books reprint issues by particular creators and contain many issues of Detective Comics, as well as other Batman titles.

TitleMaterial collectedPublication dateISBN
Tales of the Batman: Carmine Infantino Detective Comics #327–347, 349, 351–371, 500, Batman #166–175, 181, 183–184, 188–192, 194–199, The Brave and the Bold #172, 183, 190, 194, DC Comics Presents: Batman #1.June 20149781401247553
Tales of the Batman: Len Wein Detective Comics #408, 444–448, 466, 478–479, 500, 514, Batman #307–310, 312–319, 321–324, 326–327,
World's Finest Comics #207, DC Retroactive Batman – The 70s, Untold Legends of the Batman #1–3, Batman Black and White #5
December 2014978-1401251543
Tales of the Batman: Archie Goodwin Batman stories from Detective Comics #437–438 and #440–442, the Manhunter stories from #437–442,
and the Batman/Manhunter team-up from #443; Detective Comics Annual #3; Showcase '95 #11; Batman Black and White #1 and 4;
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #132–136; the Batman: Night Cries graphic novel
July 2013978-1401238292
Legends of the Dark Knight: Jim Aparo Volume 3Detective Comics #444–446, Batman Family #17, The Brave and the Bold #152, 154, 155, 157–162, 168–170, 173–178, 180–182,
The Untold Legend of the Batman #1–3
September 2017978-1401271619
Legends of the Dark Knight: Michael Golden Batman Family #15–20, Batman #295, 303, DC Special Series #15, Detective Comics #482, Batman Special #1, Batman: Gotham Knights #22
Covers from Detective Comics #625–626, 628–631, 633, 644–646, Batman #484–485, Showcase '93,
Nightwing #66–77 & #129–130 and the Man-Bat entry from Who's Who in the DC Universe #12
June 2019978-1401289614
Legends of the Dark Knight: Marshall Rogers Detective Comics #468, 471–476, 478–479, 481; DC Special Series #15; Secret Origins #6;
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #132–136; Batman: Dark Detective #1–6
November 2011978-1401232276
Tales of the Batman: Don Newton Detective Comics #480, 483–497; Batman #305–306, 328; The Brave and the Bold #153, 156 and 165December 2011978-1401232948
Tales of the Batman: Alan Brennert The Brave and the Bold #178, 181, 182 and 197, Detective Comics #500, Batman: Holy TerrorJuly 2016978-1401263492
Tales of the Batman: Gerry Conway Volume 1Detective Comics #463, 464, 497–499, 501–504, The Brave And The Bold #158, 161, 171–174, Batman #295, 305, 306,
Batman Family #17, Man-Bat #1, World's Finest Comics #250, #269
July 2017978-1401272555
Tales of the Batman: Gerry Conway Volume 2Detective Comics #505–513, Batman #337–346, 348; World's Finest Comics #270August 2018978-1401281632
Tales of the Batman: Gerry Conway Volume 3Detective Comics #515–526, Batman #349–359September 2019978-1401292737
Tales of the Batman: Gene Colan Volume OneDetective Comics #517, 520, 523, 528–529 and Batman #340, 343–345, 348–351August 2011978-1401231019
Tales of the Batman: Gene Colan Volume TwoBatman #373, Detective Comics #530–538 and #540–544, World's Finest Comics #297 and #299March 2018978-1401277697
Legends of the Dark Knight: Alan Davis Detective Comics #569–575, Batman: Full Circle, Batman: Gotham Knights #25February 2013978-1401236816
Legends of the Dark Knight: Norm Breyfogle Volume OneDetective Comics #579, 582–594, 601–607, stories from Batman Annual #11–12July 2015978-1401258986
Legends of the Dark Knight: Norm Breyfogle Volume TwoDetective Comics #608–621 and Batman #455–459November 2018978-1401285128
Tales of the Batman: J.H. WilliamsBatman #526,550, 667–669, Batman Annual #21, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #86–88, 192–196, Chase #7–8, Detective Comics #821July 2014978-1401247621
Batman by Brian K. VaughnBatman #588-590, Detective Comics #787, Wonder Woman #160-161, and Batman: Gotham City Secret Files #1December 2016978-1401265373
Legends of the Dark Knight: Matt Wagner Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #28–30; Batman: Riddler—the Riddle Factory; Batman Black and White #3;
Batman: the Monster Men #1–6; Batman: The Mad Monk #1–6; Batman #54, Robin II #1, Robin III #5, Detective Comics #647–649, Batman #626–641
June 2020978-1779502599

Other editions

Many of these other editions are anthologies containing comics from titles other than Detective Comics. Titles here are presented as close to chronologically as possible.

TitleMaterial collectedPublication dateISBN
Batgirl: The Bronze Age Omnibus Volume 1Detective Comics #359, 363, 369, 371, 384–386, 388–389, 392–393, 396–397, 400–401, 404–424, 481–499, 501–502, 505–506, 508–510, 512–519,
Batman #197 and Batman Family #1, 3–7 and 9–20.
December 2017978-1401276409
Manhunter: The Special EditionManhunter backup stories from #437–442 and the Batman/Manhunter crossover in #443,
Manhunter #1, and Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #100
June 1999978-1-56389-374-2
Batman: Strange ApparitionsDetective Comics #469–476, #478–479December 1999978-1-56389-500-5
DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore Includes Night Olympics featuring the Green Arrow and the Black Canary from Detective Comics #549–550January 2006978-1-4012-0927-8
Batman: Year Two Detective Comics #575–578
(later printing includes Batman: Full Circle)
January 1990
December 2002
978-0-930289-49-2
978-1563899676
Batman: Year Two 30th Anniversary Deluxe EditionDetective Comics #575–578; Batman: Full CircleNovember 2017978-1401274566
Batman: The Dark Knight Detective Volume 1Detective Comics #568–574; 579–582April 2018978-1401271084
Batman: The Dark Knight Detective Volume 2Detective Comics #583–591, Annual #1October 2018978-1401284688
Batman: The Dark Knight Detective Volume 3Detective Comics #592–600February 2020978-1779501011
Batman: Blind JusticeDetective Comics #598–600May 2005978-1-56389-047-5
Batman: Anarky Detective Comics #608–609, Batman Chronicles #1, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #40–41, and Anarky #1–4February 1999978-1-56389-437-4
Batman: Knightfall Volume 1Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1, Batman #491–500, Detective Comics #659–666,
Showcase '93 #7–8 Batman: Shadow of the Bat #16–18
May 2012978-1401233792
Batman: Knightfall Volume 2: KnightquestDetective Comics #667–675, Shadow of the Bat #19–20, 24–28, Batman #501–508, Catwoman #6–7 Robin #7May 2012978-1401235369
Batman: Knightfall Volume 3: KnightsEndBatman #509–510, 512–514, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #29–30, 32–34, Detective Comics #676–677, 679–681,
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #62–63, Robin #8–9, 11–13, Catwoman #12–13
September 2012978-1401237219
Batman: Prelude to KnightfallBatman: Vengeance of Bane #1, Batman #484–491, Detective Comics #654–658September 2018978-1401284220
Batman: Knightfall Vol. 1Batman #492–497, Detective Comics #659–663September 2018978-1401284299
Batman: Knightfall Vol. 2Batman #498–500, Detective Comics #664–666, Showcase '93 #7–8, Shadow of the Bat #16–18September 2018978-1401284398
Batman: Knightquest: The Crusade Vol. 1Detective Comics #667–670, Robin #1–2, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #19–20, Batman #501–504, Catwoman #6–7October 2018978-1401284503
Batman: Knightquest: The Crusade Vol. 2Detective Comics #671–675, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #24–28, Batman #505–508, Showcase '94 #7October 2018978-1401284589
Batman: KnightsEndBatman #509–510, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #29–30, Detective Comics #676–677, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #62–63, Robin #8–9, Catwoman #12–13, Showcase '94 #10December 2018978-1401285180
Batman: Zero Hour Batman #0, #511; Batman: Shadow of the Bat #0, 31; Detective Comics #0, 678; Catwoman #0, 14;
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #0; Robin #0, 10.
June 2017978-1401272586
Batman: ProdigalBatman #512–514, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #32–34, Detective Comics #679–681 and Robin #0 and #11–13January 2019978-1401285609
Batman: TroikaBatman #515, Batman: Shadow of The Bat #35, Detective Comics #682, Robin #14, Nightwing: Alfred Returns and Batman: Vengeance of Bane IIFebruary 2019978-1401285876
Robin Vol. 5: War of the DragonsRobin #14–22, Robin Annual #3 and Detective Comics #685–686January 2018978-1401275129
Batman: ContagionCollects Azrael #15–16, Batman #529, Batman Chronicles #4, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #48–49,
Catwoman #31–35, Detective Comics #695–696, Robin #27–30
March 2016978-1401260682
Batman: Legacy Volume 1Batman #533, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #53, Catwoman #33–35, Detective Comics #697–700 and Robin #31.April 2017978-1401272029
Batman: Legacy Volume 2Batman #534, Batman: Bane #1, Batman: Bane of the Demon #1–4, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #54,
Detective Comics #701–702, Robin #32–33
February 2018978-1401277611
Batman: CataclysmBatman #553–554, Detective Comics #719–721, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #73–74, Nightwing #19–20,
Catwoman #56–57, Robin #52–53, Azrael #40, Batman Chronicles #12, Batman: Blackgate #1,
Batman: Huntress/Spoiler: Blunt Trauma #1, and Batman: Arkham Asylum – Tales of Madness #1
June 2015978-1401255152
Batman: Road to No Man's Land Volume 1Detective Comics #722, 724–726, Batman #555–559, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #75–79, Robin #54, and Batman Chronicles #14October 2015978-1401258276
Batman: Road to No Man's Land Volume 2Detective Comics #727–729, Batman #560–562, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #80–82,
Batman Chronicles #15, Azrael #47–50, and Batman: No Man's Land Secret Files & Origins #1
July 2016978-1401260637
Batman: No Man's Land Volume 1Batman: No Man's Land #1, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #83–86, Batman #563–566, Detective Comics #730–733,
Azrael: Agent of the Bat #51–55, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #117–118, Batman Chronicles #16
December 2011978-1401232283
Batman: No Man's Land Volume 2Batman #567–568, Detective Comics #734–735, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #119–121,
Batman: Shadow of the Bat #87–88, Batman Chronicles #17, Robin #67, Nightwing #35–37, Catwoman #72–74,
Azrael: Agent of the Bat #56–57, Young Justice: No Man's Land #1
April 2012978-1401233808
Batman: No Man's Land Volume 3Batman #569-71, Detective Comics #736–738, Azrael: Agent of the Bat #58, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #122–124,
Batman: Shadow of the Bat #89–92, Robin #68–72, and Batman: No Man's Land Secret Files and Origins #1
August 2012978-1401234560
Batman: No Man's Land Volume 4Batman Chronicles #18, Batman #572–574, Detective Comics #739–741, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #125–126,
Robin #73, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #93–94, Azrael: Agent of the Bat #59–61, Catwoman #75–77, Nightwing #38–39 and Batman: No Man's Land #0
December 2012978-1401235642
Batman: EvolutionDetective Comics #743–750August 2001978-1-56389-726-9
Batman: New Gotham Volume 1Detective Comics #742–753May 2017978-1401263676
Batman: Officer DownBatman #587, Robin #86, Birds of Prey #27, Catwoman #90, Nightwing #53, Detective Comics #754, Batman: Gotham Knights #13August 2001978-1-56389-787-0
Batman: New Gotham Volume 2Detective Comics #755–765March 2018978-1401277949
Batman: Bruce Wayne – Murderer?Batgirl #24, 27, Batman #599–602, Batman: Gotham Knights #25–28, Batman: The 10-Cent Adventure #1,
Birds Of Prey #39–41, 43, Detective Comics #766–767, Nightwing #65–66, 68–69 and Robin #98–99
March 2014978-1401246839
Batman: Bruce Wayne – FugitiveBatman #603–607, Detective Comics #768–775, Batman: Gotham Knights #29–32 and Batgirl #29, 33July 2014978-1401246822
Batman: The Man Who Laughs Detective Comics #784–786 and Batman: The Man Who LaughsJanuary 2008 (hardcover)
February 2009(softcover)
978-1-4012-1622-1
978-1-4012-1626-9
Batman: False FacesBatman #588-590, Detective Comics #787, Wonder Woman #160-161, and Batman: Gotham City Secret Files #1February 2008978-1-4012-1640-5
Batman: War DrumsDetective Comics #790–796 and Robin (vol. 2) #126–128October 2004978-1-4012-0341-2
Batman: War Games Act One – OutbreakBatman: The 12-Cent Adventure, Detective Comics #797, Batman #631, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #182,
Nightwing #96, Batman: Gotham Knights #56, Robin #129, Batgirl #55, Catwoman #34
February 2006978-1401204297
Batman: War Games Act Two – TidesDetective Comics #798, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #183, Nightwing #97,
Batman: Gotham Knights #57, Robin #130, Batgirl #56, Catwoman #35, Batman #632
June 2005978-1401204303
Batman: War Games Act Three – EndgameBatgirl #57, Batman #633, Batman: Gotham Knights #58, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #184,
Catwoman #36, Detective Comics #799, Nightwing #98, Robin 131
October 2005978-1401204310
Batman: City of Crime Detective Comics #800–808, 811–814July 2006978-1-4012-0897-4
Batman: War CrimesBatman #643–644, Detective Comics #809–810February 2006978-1-4012-0903-2
Batman Arkham: Victor ZsaszBatman: Shadow of the Bat #1–4, a story from Batman Chronicles #3, Batman: Batgirl (1998) #1, Detective Comics #815–816,
Batman: Streets of Gotham #10–11; a story from Detective Comics v2 #18
and the never-before-published story "Draining," originally intended for Gotham Knights #12.
February 2020978-1401298975
Batman: Face the Face Detective Comics #817–820, Batman #651–654September 2006978-1-4012-0910-0
Batman: DetectiveDetective Comics #821–826April 2007978-1-4012-1239-1
Batman: Death and the CityDetective Comics #827–834November 2007978-1-4012-1575-0
Batman: Harley QuinnBatman: Harley Quinn, Batman: Gotham Knights # 14, 30, Detective Comics #831, 837. Joker's Asylum: Harley Quinn #1, Batman Black and White #1, 3, Legends of the Dark Knight 100-Page Super Spectacular #1, Detective Comics (2011) #23.2July 2015978-1401255176
Batman: The Resurrection of Ra's Al GhulBatman #670–671, Robin #168–169, Detective Comics #838–839, Nightwing #138–139, Batman Annual #26 and Robin Annual #7May 2009978-1401220327
Batman: Private CasebookDetective Comics #840–845 and DC Infinite Halloween SpecialDecember 2008 (hardcover)
November 2009 (softcover)
978-1-4012-2009-9
978-1-4012-2015-0
Batman: Heart of HushDetective Comics #846–850April 2009 (hardcover)
March 2010 (softcover)
978-1-4012-2123-2
978-1-4012-2124-9
Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?Batman #686, Detective Comics #853, Batman Black and White #2, Secret Origins (Volume 2) #36, Secret Origins Special (Volume 2) #1July 2009978-1-4012-2303-8
Batwoman: Elegy Detective Comics #854–860July 2010 (hardcover)
June 2011 (softcover)
978-1-4012-2692-3
978-1-4012-3146-0
Batwoman by Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams IIIDetective Comics #854–863June 2017978-1401274139
Batman: Arkham RebornBattle for the Cowl: Arkham Asylum #1, Arkham Reborn #1–3, Detective Comics 864–865August 2010978-1401227081
Batman: ImpostorsDetective Comics #867–870August 2011978-1-4012-3144-6
Batman: The Black MirrorDetective Comics #871–881November 2011978-1-4012-3206-1

The New 52

The New 52 saw every DC Comics series collected in its entirety in trade paperback form. Notably, collected volumes of Detective Comics vol. 2 were published in hardcover editions first, with paperback editions being delayed until the release of the next hardcover volume.

#TitleMaterial CollectedPublication dateISBN
1Faces of DeathDetective Comics vol. 2 #1–7HC: June 2012
SC: April 2013
HC: 978-1401234669
SC: 978-1401234676
2Scare TacticsDetective Comics vol. 2 #8–12, #0, Detective Comics Annual vol. 2 #1HC: April 2013
SC: November 2013
HC: 978-1401238408
SC: 978-1401242657
3Emperor PenguinDetective Comics vol. 2 #13–18HC: November 2013
SC: July 2014
HC: 978-1401242664
SC: 978-1401246346
4The WrathDetective Comics vol. 2 #19–24, Detective Comics Annual vol. 2 #2HC: July 2014
SC: November 2014
HC: 978-1401246334
SC: 978-1401249977
5GothtopiaDetective Comics vol. 2 #25–29HC: November 2014
SC: May 2015
HC: 978-1401249984
SC: 978-1401254667
6IcarusDetective Comics vol. 2 #30–34, Detective Comics Annual vol. 2 #3HC: May 2015
SC: January 2016
HC: 978-1401254421
SC: 978-1401258023
7AnarkyDetective Comics vol. 2 #35–40, Detective Comics: Endgame #1, Detective Comics: Futures End #1HC: January 2016
SC: August 2016
HC: 978-1401257491
SC: 978-1401263546
8Blood of HeroesDetective Comics vol. 2 #41–46HC: August 2016
SC: December 2016
HC: 978-1401263553
SC: 978-1401269241
9Gordon at WarDetective Comics vol. 2 #47–52HC: December 2016
SC: June 2017
HC: 978-1401269234
SC: 978-1401274115

Material from Detective Comics vol. 2 was also included in several collections of crossover events, each printed in both hardcover and softcover. In each case, the material consisted of tie-ins to the main event.

TitleMaterial CollectedPublication dateISBN
Batman: Night of the Owls All-Star Western vol. 3 #9; Batman vol. 2 #8–9; Batman Annual vol. 2 #1; Batman: The Dark Knight vol. 2 #9; Detective Comics vol. 2 #9; Batgirl vol. 4 #9; Batwing #9; Birds of Prey vol. 3 #9; Nightwing vol. 3 #8–9; Batman and Robin vol. 2 #9; Catwoman vol. 4 #9; Red Hood and the Outlaws #9HC: February 2013
SC: November 2013
HC: 978-1401237738
SC: 978-1401242527
The Joker: Death of the Family Catwoman vol. 4 #13–14; Batgirl vol. 4 #13–16; Suicide Squad vol. 4 #14–15; Batman and Robin vol. 2 #15–16; Nightwing vol. 3 #15–16; Detective Comics vol. 2 #15–16; Red Hood and the Outlaws #15–16; Teen Titans vol. 4 #15–16HC: October 2013
SC: April 2014
HC: 978-1401242343
SC: 978-1401246464
DC Comics: Zero Year Action Comics vol. 2 #25; Batgirl vol. 4 #25; Batman vol. 2 #24–25; Batwing #25; Batwoman #25; Birds of Prey vol. 3 #25; Catwoman vol. 4 #25; Detective Comics vol. 2 #25; Green Arrow vol. 6 #25; Green Lantern Corps vol. 3 #25; Nightwing vol. 3 #25; Red Hood and The Outlaws #25; The Flash vol. 4 #25HC: November 2014
SC: April 2015
HC: 978-1401249373
SC: 978-1401253370
The Joker: Endgame Batman vol. 2 #35–40; Batman Annual vol. 2 #3; Gotham Academy: Endgame #1; Batgirl: Endgame #1; Detective Comics: Endgame #1; Arkham Manor: Endgame #1HC: September 2015
SC: May 2016
HC: 978-1401258771
SC: 978-1401261658

DC Rebirth to present

Volumes 1–5 were published with DC Rebirth trade dress on the cover. This was dropped from volume 6 onwards, coinciding with the end of "DC Rebirth" branding on the series from issue #970 onwards.

Numbering on the collected editions was restarted from volume 1 with the start of Peter Tomasi's run as writer in issue #994. The first three volumes were published in hardcover editions first, before being reprinted in paperback.

#TitleMaterial collectedPagesCoverDate PublishedISBN
Original printings
1Rise of the BatmenDetective Comics #934–940176 TPB February 1, 2017 978-1401267995
Batman: Night of the Monster MenBatman vol. 3 #7–8; Detective Comics #941–942; Nightwing vol. 4 #5–6144February 22, 2017 978-1401270674
2The Victim SyndicateDetective Comics #943–949168May 10, 2017 978-1401268916
3League of ShadowsDetective Comics #950–956184October 4, 2017 978-1401276096
4Deus Ex MachinaDetective Comics #957–962144December 13, 2017 978-1401274979
5A Lonely Place of LivingDetective Comics #963–968April 4, 2018 978-1401278229
6Fall of the BatmenDetective Comics #969–974 and Annual #1184June 20, 2018 978-1401281458
7Batmen EternalDetective Comics #975–981176September 5, 2018 978-1401284213
8On The OutsideDetective Comics #982–987144December 5, 2018 978-1401285289
9Deface The FaceDetective Comics #988–993168April 3, 2019 978-1401290641
1MythologyDetective Comics #994–999144HCSeptember 10, 2019 978-1779501622
TPBFebruary 20, 2020 978-1779501721
2Arkham KnightDetective Comics #1001–1005144HCDecember 17, 2019 978-1779501646
TPBSeptember 8, 2020 978-1779502513
3Greetings From GothamDetective Comics #1006–1011144HCApril 8, 2020 978-1401288617
TPBSeptember 29, 2020 978-1779505545
4Cold VengeanceDetective Comics #1012–1019192TPBDecember 29, 2020 978-1779504555
5The Joker War Detective Comics #1020–1027 and Annual #3; Batman: Pennyworth R.I.P256HCMarch 23, 2021 978-1779509222
TPBAugust 22, 2023 978-1779521125
6The Road to RuinDetective Comics #1028–1033144HCOctober 5, 2021 978-1779512703
1The NeighborhoodDetective Comics #1034–1039203HCFebruary 8, 2022 978-1779514226
TPBFebruary 21, 2023 978-1779519863
2 Fear State Detective Comics #1040–1045, backup stories from #1040–1043 and Batman Secret Files: Huntress #1240HCJuly 5, 2022 978-1779515551
TPBJune 27, 2023 978-1779520180
3Arkham RisingDetective Comics #1046, backup stories from #1044–1046 and Annual 2021128HCSeptember 13, 2022 978-1779518057
TPBJanuary 23, 2024 978-1779520012
Shadows of the Bat: House of GothamDetective Comics backup stories from #1047–1058144HCDecember 22, 2022 978-1779517012
TPBJanuary 9, 2024 978-1779520821
Shadows of the Bat: The TowerDetective Comics #1047–1058296HCDecember 27, 2022 978-1779517005
TPBJanuary 9, 2024 978-1779520838
4Riddle Me ThisDetective Comics #1059–1061112HCApril 11, 2023 978-1779520678
TPBApril 9, 2024 978-1779524867
1Gotham Nocturne: OvertureDetective Comics #1062–1065152HCAugust 15, 2023 978-1779520944
TPBJuly 30, 2024 978-1779525567
2Gotham Nocturne: Act IDetective Comics #1066–1070 and Annual 2022232HCFebruary 13, 2024 978-1779524621
3Gotham Nocturne: Act IIDetective Comics #1071–1075184HCSeptember 17, 2024 978-1779527424
Deluxe hardcovers
Book 1Detective Comics #934–949388OHCNovember 7, 2017 978-1401276089
Book 2Detective Comics #950–962320May 15, 2018 978-1401278571
Book 3Detective Comics #963–973 and Annual #1320October 30, 2018 978-1401284817
Book 4Detective Comics #974–982296April 23, 2019 978-1401289102
Issue #1000Detective Comics #1000160June 18, 2019 978-1401294199

Millennium Editions

In 2000 and 2001, DC reprinted several of its most notable issues in the Millennium Edition series. Seven issues of Detective Comics were reprinted in this format. [101]

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Gregory Rucka is an American writer known for the series of novels starring his character Atticus Kodiak, the creator-owned comic book series Whiteout, Queen & Country, Stumptown and Lazarus, as well as lengthy runs on such titles as Detective Comics, Wonder Woman and Gotham Central for DC Comics, and Elektra, Wolverine and The Punisher for Marvel. He has written a substantial amount of supplemental material for a number of DC Comics' line-wide and inter-title crossovers, including "No Man's Land", "Infinite Crisis" and "New Krypton".

<i>Worlds Finest Comics</i> Comic book series by DC Comics

World's Finest Comics is an American comic book series published by DC Comics from 1941 to 1986. The series was initially titled World's Best Comics for its first issue; issue #2 switched to the more familiar name. Michael E. Uslan has speculated that this was because DC received a cease and desist letter from Better Publications, Inc., who had been publishing a comic book entitled Best Comics since November 1939. Virtually every issue featured DC's two leading superheroes, Superman and Batman, with the earliest issues also featuring Batman's sidekick, Robin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis O'Neil</span> American comics writer (1939–2020)

Dennis Joseph O'Neil was an American comic book writer and editor, principally for Marvel Comics and DC Comics from the 1960s through the 1990s, and Group Editor for the Batman family of titles until his retirement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Archie Goodwin (comics)</span> American writer (1937–1998)

Archie Goodwin was an American comic book writer, editor, and artist. He worked on a number of comic strips in addition to comic books, and is known for his Warren and Marvel Comics work. For Warren he was chief writer and editor of landmark horror anthology titles Creepy and Eerie between 1964 and 1967. At Marvel, he served as the company's editor-in-chief from 1976 to the end of 1977. In the 1980s, he edited the publisher's anthology magazine Epic Illustrated and its Epic Comics imprint. He is also known for his work on Star Wars in both comic books and newspaper strips. He is regularly cited as the "best-loved comic book editor, ever."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irv Novick</span> American comics artist

Irving Novick was an American comics artist who worked almost continuously from 1939 until the 1990s.

Earth-One is a name given to two fictional universes that have appeared in American comic book stories published by DC Comics. The first Earth-One was given its name in Justice League of America #21, after The Flash #123 explained how Golden Age (Earth-Two) versions of characters such as the Flash could appear in stories with their Silver Age counterparts. This Earth-One continuity included the DC Silver Age heroes, including the Justice League of America.

<i>Showcase</i> (comics) Title of several comic anthology series published by DC Comics

Showcase is a comic anthology series published by DC Comics. The general theme of the series was to feature new and minor characters as a way to gauge reader interest in them, without the difficulty and risk of featuring untested characters in their own ongoing titles. Showcase is regarded as the most successful of such tryout series, having been published continuously for more than 14 years, launching numerous popular titles, and maintaining a considerable readership of its own. The series ran from March–April 1956 to September 1970, suspending publication with issue #93, and then was revived for eleven issues from August 1977 to September 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slam Bradley</span> Fictional comic book character

Samuel Emerson "Slam" Bradley is a fictional character that has appeared in various comic book series published by DC Comics. He is a private detective who exists in DC's main shared universe. The character concept was created by DC Comics founder Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson and developed by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, who both later became more well known as the co-creators of Superman. As one of the first ever DC characters, the character first appears in the Golden Age of Comic Books in the anthology title Detective Comics, being introduced in the first issue. He later commonly was associated with Batman and other spinoff Batman characters when revived.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carmine Infantino</span> American comic book artist (1925–2013)

Carmine Infantino was an American comics artist and editor, primarily for DC Comics, during the late 1950s and early 1960s period known as the Silver Age of Comic Books. Among his character creations are the Black Canary and the Silver Age version of DC superhero the Flash with writer Robert Kanigher, the stretching Elongated Man with John Broome, Barbara Gordon the second Batgirl with writer Gardner Fox, Deadman with writer Arnold Drake, and Christopher Chance, the second iteration of the Human Target with Len Wein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Newton</span> American comics artist

Don Newton was an American comics artist. During his career, he worked for a number of comic book publishers including Charlton Comics, DC Comics, and Marvel Comics. He is best known for his work on The Phantom, Aquaman, and Batman. Newton also drew several Captain Marvel/Marvel Family stories and was a fan of the character having studied under Captain Marvel co-creator C. C. Beck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marshall Rogers</span> American artist

William Marshall Rogers III, known professionally as Marshall Rogers, was an American comics artist best known for his work at Marvel and DC Comics in the 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Robbins</span> American cartoonist, 1917–1994

Franklin Robbins was an American comic book and comic strip artist and writer, as well as a prominent painter whose work appeared in museums including the Whitney Museum of American Art, where one of his paintings was featured in the 1955 Whitney Annual Exhibition of American Painting.

<i>Batman</i> (comic book) American comic book series

Batman is an ongoing American comic book series featuring the DC Comics superhero Batman as its main protagonist. The character, created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, first appeared in Detective Comics #27. Batman proved to be so popular that a self-titled ongoing comic book series began publication with a cover date of spring 1940. It was first advertised in early April 1940, one month after the first appearance of his new sidekick, Robin the Boy Wonder. Batman comics have proven to be popular since the 1940s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheldon Moldoff</span> American cartoonist

Sheldon "Shelly" Moldoff was an American comics artist best known for his early work on the DC Comics characters Hawkman and Hawkgirl, and as one of Bob Kane's primary "ghost artists" on the superhero Batman. He co-created the Batman supervillains Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze, the second Clayface, and Bat-Mite, as well as the original heroes Bat-Girl, Batwoman, and Ace the Bat-Hound. Moldoff is the sole creator of the Black Pirate. Moldoff is not to be confused with fellow Golden Age comics professional Sheldon Mayer.

<i>Batman Family</i>

Batman Family is an American comic book anthology series published by DC Comics which ran from 1975 to 1978, primarily featuring stories starring supporting characters to the superhero Batman. An eight-issue miniseries called Batman: Family was published from December 2002 to February 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Rozakis</span> Writer

Robert "Bob" Rozakis is an American comic book writer and editor known mainly for his work in the 1970s and 1980s at DC Comics, as the writer of 'Mazing Man and in his capacity as DC's "Answer Man".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">José Delbo</span> Argentine comics artist (1933–2024)

José Delbo was an Argentine comics artist. He was best known for his work on Wonder Woman for DC Comics and The Transformers for Marvel Comics.

References

  1. "Detective Comics recognized by Guinness World Records as longest-running comic book periodical". DC Comics. July 25, 2009. Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved April 22, 2012. DC Comics President and Publisher Paul Levitz accepted an award on behalf of DC from the Guinness World Records, recognizing Detective Comics as the longest-running comic book periodical in the United States of America.
  2. Wallace, Daniel; Dolan, Hannah, ed. (2010). "1930s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 17. ISBN   978-0-7566-6742-9. The launch of Detective Comics defined [Malcolm] Wheeler-Nicholson's young comics company and set it on an ascendant path within the industry...His smart business decision to partner with businessmen Harry Donenfeld and Jack Liebowitz on Detective Comics guaranteed that his company's third title would at least be solvent.{{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. Wallace "1930s" in Dolan, p. 21: "Alongside more typical fare...came the debut of the Crimson Avenger, the first masked crime fighter in comics."
  4. Cronin, Brian (June 13, 2016). "The 25 Most Important "Detective Comics" Issues Ever Published". CBR. Released over two years before Batman's debut, this issue (marred by its grotesquely racist cover) [...]
  5. Funk, Matthew (March 2, 2017). "Before Batman: looking back at Detective Comics #1 80 years later". SYFY WIRE. Archived from the original on January 6, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2019. Hindsight is 20/20, [...] and being published in 1937, there's a fair bit of racism and xenophobia as is clearly shown by the cover.
  6. Dong, Lan (2011). "Reimagining the Monkey King in Comics: Gene Luen Yang's American Born Chinese". The Oxford handbook of children's literature. Oxford University Press. pp. 241 & 248. ISBN   978-0-19-537978-5.
  7. McCool, Ben (August 19, 2015). "Exploring The Forgotten Back-Up Stories In Batman, Superman And Spider-Man's First Appearances". Tech Times. Prior to Batman's arrival, stars of the book included [...] Ching Lung (a "yellow peril" villain...and yes, it's every bit as racist/cringeworthy as it sounds)
  8. Wallace "1930s" in Dolan, p. 24: "DC's second superstar debuted in the lead story of this issue, written by Bill Finger and drawn by Bob Kane, though the character was missing many of the elements that would make him a legend."
  9. Cavna, Michael (February 27, 2010). "Batman, Superman comic books set records for sale price". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on November 12, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  10. Wallace "1930s" in Dolan, p. 25: "In November's Detective Comics #33, a two-page story titled 'The Batman and How He Came to Be' recounted the Dark Knight's tragic and driven origin."
  11. Desris, Joe (1994). "Cops, Crooks, and Creeps". The Golden Age of Batman The Greatest Covers of Detective Comics From the '30s to the '50s. New York, New York: Artabras. p. 11. ISBN   0896600467. Gotham City's most famous detective ultimately usurped the coveted cover position with issue 35.
  12. Wallace "1940s" in Dolan, p. 31: "Writer Bill Finger and artist Bob Kane justified any hyperbole in this issue, for with the introduction of Robin, Batman's world changed forever."
  13. Wallace "1940s" in Dolan, p. 37: "One of Batman's most peculiar foes first appeared in this issue, and naturally he brought his trademark umbrella with him. The Penguin was a squat dandy with a beaked nose and a tuxedo."
  14. Wallace "1940s" in Dolan, p. 41: "The nightmarish Two-Face debuted as Batman's antagonist in this story by writer Bill Finger and artist Bob Kane."
  15. Wallace, Daniel "1940s" in Dolan, p. 59: "The Riddler debuted as a perplexing foe of Batman in a story by writer Bill Finger and artist Dick Sprang."
  16. Irvine, Alex "1950s" in Dolan, p. 80: "In the story 'The Batwoman' by writer Edmond Hamilton and penciller Sheldon Moldoff (as Bob Kane), Bruce Wayne took notice of a young admirer who...was fighting crime while wearing a bat-costume."
  17. Daniels, Les (2004). Batman: The Complete History. San Francisco, California: Chronicle Books. ISBN   0-8118-4232-0.
  18. Irvine "1950s" in Dolan, p. 94: "The impish Bat-Mite made his first appearance in Detective Comics #267, care of writer Bill Finger and artist Sheldon Moldoff."
  19. McAvennie, Michael "1960s" in Dolan, p. 103: "Scribe Bill Finger and artist Sheldon Moldoff reshaped the face of evil with the second – and perhaps most recognized – Clayface ever to challenge the Dark Knight."
  20. 1 2 "Julius Schwartz' run on Detective Comics". Grand Comics Database.
  21. McAvennie "1960s" in Dolan, p. 110: "The Dark Knight received a much-needed facelift from new Batman editor Julius Schwartz, writer John Broome, and artist Carmine Infantino. With sales at an all-time low and threatening the cancelation of one of DC's flagship titles, their overhaul was a lifesaving success for DC and its beloved Batman."
  22. McAvennie "1960s" in Dolan, p. 122 "Nine months before making her debut on Batman, a new Batgirl appeared in the pages of Detective Comics...Yet the idea for the debut of Barbara Gordon, according to editor Julius Schwartz, was attributed to the television series executives' desire to have a character that would appeal to a female audience and for this character to originate in the comics. Hence, writer Gardner Fox and artist Carmine Infantino collaborated on 'The Million Dollar Debut of Batgirl!'"
  23. Forbeck, Matt; Dougall, Alastair (2014). "1960s". Batman: A Visual History. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 101. ISBN   978-1465424563. The main story, written by Mike Friedrich and drawn by Bob Brown, celebrated Batman's 30th anniversary by updating the first Batman story [from Detective Comics #27].
  24. McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 143: "Artist Neal Adams and writer Denny O'Neil rescued Batman from the cozy, campy cul-de-sac he had been consigned to in the 1960s and returned the Dark Knight to his roots as a haunted crime fighter. The cover of their first collaboration, "The Secret of the Waiting Graves", was typical of Adams' edgy, spooky style."
  25. Greenberger, Robert; Manning, Matthew K. (2009). The Batman Vault: A Museum-in-a-Book with Rare Collectibles from the Batcave. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Running Press. p. 26. ISBN   978-0-7624-3663-7. Editor Julius Schwartz had decided to darken the character's world to further distance him from the camp environment created by the 1966 ABC show. Bringing in the talented O'Neil as well as the innovative Frank Robbins and showcasing the art of rising star Neal Adams...Schwartz pointed Batman in a new and darker direction, a path the character still continues on to this day.
  26. Goulart, Ron, Ron Goulart's Great History of Comic Books (Contemporary Books, Chicago, 1986) ISBN   978-0-8092-5045-5, p. 297
  27. Daniels, Les (1995). "Revamping the Classics The Old Guard Gets a New Look". DC Comics: Sixty Years of the World's Favorite Comic Book Heroes. New York, New York: Bulfinch Press. p. 157. ISBN   0821220764.
  28. Greenberger and Manning, p. 177 "Adams helped darken Gotham City in the 1970s [and] the scene was set for a new host of major villains. One of the first was Man-Bat, who debuted in the pages of 1970's Detective Comics #400."
  29. Manning, Matthew K. "1970s" in Dougall, p. 109: "Batman had his first brush with the mysterious League of Assassins in this issue written by Dennis O'Neil and illustrated by Bob Brown."
  30. McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 145 "Before Batman first encountered one of his greatest adversaries, Ra's al Ghul, he met his daughter, the lovely but lethal Talia [in a story by] writer Denny O'Neil and artist Bob Brown."
  31. Eury, Michael (July 2015). "A Look at DC's Super Specs". Back Issue! (#81). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 23–24.
  32. Greenberger and Manning, p. 30: "It was Dick Giordano who, among many other similar feats, drew the March 1976 fan-favorite issue #457 of Detective Comics to illustrate the fabled Denny O'Neil yarn 'There is No Hope in Crime Alley'."
  33. McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 174: "...first-time collaborators Steve Englehart and artist Marshall Rogers firmly entrenched Batman in his dark, pulp roots."
  34. "Batman Artist Rogers is Dead". SciFi Wire, Syfy.com. March 28, 2007. Archived from the original on July 9, 2007. Even though their Batman run was only six issues, the three laid the foundation for later Batman comics. Their stories include the classic 'Laughing Fish' (in which the Joker's face appeared on fish); they were adapted for Batman: The Animated Series in the 1990s. Earlier drafts of the 1989 Batman movie with Michael Keaton as the Dark Knight were based heavily on their work.
  35. Greenberger and Manning, p. 27: "Batman was now a true creature of the night, and every artist and writer team worth their creative salt wanted a piece of him. One of the greatest of such pairs consisted of writer Steve Englehart and artist Marshall Rogers...when Rogers joined Englehart in Detective Comics issue #471 (August 1977), their styles meshed with such ease that the result gave the impression of years' worth of collaboration."
  36. Greenberger and Manning, p. 163: "In this fondly remembered tale that was later adapted into an episode of the 1990s cartoon Batman: The Animated Series, the Joker poisoned the harbors of Gotham so that the fish would all bear his signature grin, a look the Joker then tried to trademark in order to collect royalties."
  37. McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 179: "Writer Len Wein and artist Marshall Rogers vividly depicted Batman's battle with a third Clayface."
  38. Romero, Max (July 2012). "I'll Buy That For a Dollar! DC Comics' Dollar Comics". Back Issue! (#57). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 39–41.
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  40. Manning, Matthew K. "1980s" in Dolan, p. 193: "The comic responsible for DC's name reached its 500th issue with the help of a variety of talented comic book icons...In a dimension-spanning story by writer Alan Brennert and fan-favorite artist Dick Giordano, Batman traveled to an alternate Earth to save the parents of a young Bruce Wayne...Writer of pulp icon the Shadow, Walter Gibson, spun a prose story of the Dark Knight, illustrated by Tom Yeates."
  41. Greenberger, Robert (December 2013). "Memories of Detective Comics #500". Back Issue! (#69). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 54–57.
  42. 1 2 Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 200: "Killer Croc made his mysterious debut in the pages of Detective Comics #523, written by Gerry Conway, with art by Gene Colan...Croc would soon become a major player in Gotham's underworld."
  43. Ellison, Harlan  ( w ), Colan, Gene  ( p ), Smith, Bob  ( i )."The Night of Thanks, But No Thanks!"Detective Comics,no. 567(October 1986).
  44. Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 229: "In 'Year Two', a four-part sequel [to "Batman: Year One"] set in Batman's second year as a crime fighter, writer Mike W. Barr and artists Alan Davis and Todd McFarlane challenged the Caped Crusader with the threat of the Reaper."
  45. Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 235: "In February [1988], the Batman crossed paths with Scarface and the Ventriloquist in Detective Comics #583 by writer John Wagner and Alan Grant and artist Norm Breyfogle."
  46. Manning "1980s" in Dougall, p. 171: "Writers John Wagner and Alan Grant and artist Norm Breyfogle introduced the Ratcatcher in this two-part story."
  47. Greenberger and Manning, p. 41: "In the pages of Detective Comics, Batman screenwriter Sam Hamm took advantage of that year's ongoing writers' strike to write a three-issue story entitled "Blind Justice", which culminated in that title's 600th issue."
  48. Manning "1990s" in Dougall, p. 195: "Chuck Dixon became the new writer on Detective Comics, starting with this issue with the help of the pencils of Tom Lyle and the inks of Scott Hanna."
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  52. Manning "2000s" in Dougall, p. 246: "Greg Rucka was handed the reins of Detective Comics, alongside artist Shawn Martinbrough...To visually distinguish the title from other Batman books, Martinbrough employed a minimal color palette, using shades of only one or two colors per issue."
  53. Manning "2000s" in Dougall, p. 252: "Greg Rucka and artist Shawn Martinbrough debuted a major new character and love interest into the life of Batman: Sasha Bordeaux."
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Further reading