EXCLUSIVE! 1966’s Detective Comics #359 is returning to print…
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Batgirl — the Barbara Gordon version, that is — didn’t show up until Yvonne Craig put on her spangly purple tights in the fall of 1967, when the Batman TV show entered its third and final season.
There seems to be this weird Mandela Effect about it, but in actually, she first appeared 10 months earlier to much ballyhoo in November 1966’s Detective Comics #359. To be fair, however, Batman TV producer William Dozier did have a hand in her creation, along with editor Julius Schwartz, writer Gardner Fox, and artist Carmine Infantino.
In any event, Detective Comics #359 — “The Million Dollar Debut of Batgirl!” — will in June be getting its second Facsimile Edition, in advance of the Dominoed Daredoll’s 60th anniversary.
Dig the solicitation info, to be officially released by DC later Friday:
DETECTIVE COMICS #359 FACSIMILE EDITION
Written by GARDNER FOX
Art by CARMINE INFANTINO and MURPHY ANDERSON
Cover by CARMINE INFANTINO
Foil variant cover by CARMINE INFANTINO ($6.99 US)
Blank sketch cover ($4.99 US)
Killer Moth has decided to enter the protection racket, shaking down all the very wealthiest citizens of Gotham City. When he and his gang of Moth Men target millionaire Bruce Wayne, only a certain caped crusader can save the day—but it isn’t who you think! Thrill to the fantastic first appearance of Barbara Gordon—Batgirl!
$3.99 US | 32 pages
ON SALE 6/17/26
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Buncha thoughts:
— The first ‘Tec #359 Facsimile Edition was released in January 2020. This edition is an improvement in that DC now puts its anachronistic UPC symbols on the back, giving the cover that extra retro feel. This will also have the foil and sketch logo variants, the latter in all likelihood to feature Go-Go Checks.
— Depending on your source, Dozier’s reasoning in adding Batgirl was either to attract more female viewers — or ramp up the show’s sex appeal. I’m going with the latter.
— DC has three other Facsimile Editions — and two Super Powers covers — coming in June. Links below!
— Obligatory Price Comparisons: An unslabbed, original Detective Comics #359 listed in VG condition recently sold on eBay for about $4,500. (Looks like a higher grade in the pic, though.) A NM copy of the 2020 Facsimile Edition can run you up to $30, but you can find them for less.
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MORE
— DC Has FOUR Facsimile Editions in June — Including a Rare ADAM HUGHES SUPERGIRL Cover. Click here.
— Dig DC’s Two Latest SUPER POWERS Variant Covers. Click here.
