EXCLUSIVE: The first filled-out Batman origin story! Oh, we’ve been waiting for this one…
Batman’s origin was first told as a two-pager in 1939’s Detective Comics #33 and reprinted (with rejiggered art) in 1940’s Batman #1.
But it wasn’t until 1948’s Batman #47 that we got the first filled-out version of the story, complete with the identity of Thomas and Martha Wayne’s killer, Joe Chill.
It’s a great noir tale, with a surprising level of pathos for the Golden Age — and now the issue is going to be re-released as a Facsimile Edition, ads and all.
Dig this solicitation, which will be released officially by DC later Friday.
BATMAN #47 FACSIMILE EDITION
Written by BILL FINGER, TED ROSEN, and HENRY BOLTINOFF
Art by BOB KANE, RAYMOND PERRY, and HENRY BOLTINOFF
Cover by BOB KANE
Foil variant cover by BOB KANE ($7.99 US)
Blank sketch cover ($5.99)
$4.99 US | 52 pages
ON SALE 11/19/25
The Caped Crusader takes on a crooked prison warden, matches wits once more with the villainous Catwoman, and at long last learns the name of his parents’ killer! What will happen when Bruce Wayne finally stands face-to-face with Joe Chill? Be there as Batman closes the book on his most personal case ever!
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A few thoughts:
— It’s quality over quantity this month for DC’s Facsimiles. There are only two — the other one can be found here — but they’re biggies. Both made our 13 FACSIMILE EDITIONS WE’RE SURPRISED DC COMICS HASN’T PUBLISHED YET — RANKED list.
— The Origin of the Batman! is the selling point, but there’s a cool Catwoman story too. I don’t think I knew that. (Plus a third tale, too.)
— Obligatory Price Comparison: An original, unslabbed original copy of Batman #47 in OK shape recently sold on eBay for an even $1,000.
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MORE
— Landmark JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #121 to Be Re-Released as Facsimile Edition. Click here.
— The ULTIMATE GUIDE to What Defines Treasury, Tabloid, Facsimile, Deluxe, Artist’s Editions — and MORE. Click here.
