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.
March 20, 2026
At first I was surprised to see this re-release of Detective Comics #359, but upon reading this is the 60th Anniversary of the book’s release it does make sense.
What does not make sense is that DC has not released Action Comics #286 which featured the revelation of Supergirl’s existence to the world.
One might think DC would want to have this available to coincide with the release of the new Supergirl movie to entice younger readers, or parents/grandparents that want to share a beloved book from the past.
I suspect the movie’s source material, ‘Supergirl,:Woman of Tomorrow’ might be a bit too mature for young readers.
I’d still love to see more Silver Age books released.
I do hope the classic Silver Age Superman Red and Superman Blue will be released next year to coincide with the latest Superman film.
Right now my biggest decision will be whether to buy 50 or 100 copies for future trick or treaters this Halloween.
March 20, 2026
“The million dollar debut of Batgirl!”
Cover price $6.99; eBay value $4500.
March 20, 2026
Excellent choice. The first facsimile is going for $30 or so on ebay (around that, the last time I checked).
I missed it the first time (it was early in the facsimile project), balked at the aftermarket prices, and now get another shot at retail.
I wish Marvel would do this for Amazing Fantasy 15…
March 20, 2026
Yep, I also missed the first facsimile of Bat-Girl, so glad I get a second chance (like with The Brave and the Bold, first Justice League).
Funny, in another forum, I saw the new Spider-Man movie trailer and hoped that there would be another Amazing Fantasy facsimile, since there’s a shot that pays homage to the cover.
March 20, 2026
If anyone here frequents Comics by Perch on Youtube, he’s got a discussion today on the comics aftermarket and how the facsimile program ties into it. And it’s a good channel.
March 20, 2026
Batman 227. Why is DC reprinting a facsimile of a facsimile? Sea Devils. Challengers Of The Unknown. Metal Men. New Wonder Woman. Adventure Comics Starring Supergirl. Print those instead
March 20, 2026
They’re doing a *new print* of a Facsimile to get it to the readers who didn’t get it the first time. There’s something to be said for keeping a book in circulation.
Literally, someone in Perch’s comments today remarked that he missed this facsimile the first time and now it goes for $30 on eBay and he’s grateful to get another shot.
March 20, 2026
Back when eBay first got started, you could really score some deals on auctions that ended at weird times. I scored my Detective 359 for about $13. Of course, it is a poor condition readers copy, but it is still the pride and joy of my collection. Since I was about 11, Batgirl was always my “comic book crush.”
March 21, 2026
Love the Batgirl character and Nightwing character as a pairing and couple.
March 21, 2026
All in for the foil!
March 22, 2026
If only the television writers gave her the fighting skills she had in the comics. After the 3-part adventure in London she just kept getting captured over and over again.
March 28, 2026
For me the introverted, shy Babs Gordon becoming the extroverted Batgirl was my favorite concept for the character. Unfortunately DC abandoned the potential of the approach by the time her backup solo strip appeared. In my opinion the Million Dollar Debut of Batgirl is the best single story ever produced for the character.