EXCLUSIVE: Robin’s first appearance signals another expansion of DC’s Facsimile Edition line…
DC will be expanding its Facsimile Edition line again, upping February’s planned two-edition output to three in March — of course featuring original ads, back-up features, letters and whatnot.
The biggest issue in the bunch? Detective Comics #38, featuring the debut of Robin and marking the Boy Wonder’s 80th anniversary.
(UPDATED: But wait there’s more! DC on Friday announced the one-shot Robin 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1, featuring an all-star line-up of creators. Click here for details.)
Dig the official ‘Tec #38 solicitation info, which will be officially released by DC on Friday:
DETECTIVE COMICS #38 FACSIMILE EDITION
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Written by BILL FINGER, JERRY SIEGEL, and others
Art by BOB KANE, JERRY ROBINSON, and others
Cover by BOB KANE and JERRY ROBINSON
Find out why Batman’s partner in crimefighting was billed as “the sensational character find of 1940” in this special reprint issue that features the first appearance of Robin, the Boy Wonder! Also in this issue: “Spy,” and “Slam Bradley,” both written by Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel; plus the Crimson Avenger, Speed Saunders, and other detective features!
ON SALE 03.11.20
$3.99 US | 64 PAGES | FC | DC
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A few thoughts
— This issue marks DC’s first foray into the Golden Age in the Facsimile Edition line. (So far, it’s been all Silver and Bronze Ages.) That’s especially cool because Golden Age ads can really be a hoot.
— You’ll notice that the issue comes out March 11, 2020. The original Detective Comics #38 came out March 6, 1940, according to the Grand Comics Database.
— Naturally, Robin’s first story is one of the most reprinted tales in all of comics. But, as I always say, the beauty of the Facsimile Edition is you get the entire issue, with all the extra material included. It’s a $3.99 time machine. So how much would an original run you? Well, The Overstreet Price Guide to Batman (click here) pegs a Near Mint copy at $152,000. (And it wouldn’t surprise me if it went even higher at auction these days.)
— Detective Comics #38 was ranked #12 by a blue-ribbon panel for our 80th Anniversary TOP 13 BATMAN STORIES EVER countdown earlier this year. Click here.
— Don’t forget this is only one of three Facsimile Editions coming from DC in March. One of them features the debut of a certain superteam. (Click here.) The other is rather strange. (Click here.)
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MORE
— DC to Release ROBIN 80th ANNIVERSARY 100-PAGE SUPER SPECTACULAR. Click here.
— ROBIN: THE BRONZE AGE OMNIBUS Coming From DC. Click here.
December 12, 2019
I hope the cover is color true as possible. I have always wondered in it’s natural state what the background color looked like when new. Maybe then o will be better to identify what the color is. Thanks Dan
December 13, 2019
Robin is so memorable, and I’m happy that this fascimile edition of his introduction is doing him justice. ^_^
December 15, 2019
It’s nice that they can hold the cover price to $3.99, despite this facsimile having twice as many pages as a Silver Age or later comic book — but will the facsimile of Detective Comics #38 actually be the same size as a Golden Age comic book? If they could go that extra mile, then I could see myself buying a lot of DC facsimile reprints of its Golden Age comic books.