The Comic Book Trivia Game

Repeat after me...The first appearance of the Earth-1 Batman is NOT Detective Comics #327!

Got it? If not, try again. Detective #327 has been erroneously identified as the first Earth-1 Batman appearance for nearly 40 years now. But c'mon, he had been appearing as a member of the Earth-1 Justice League for four years before Detective #327. The little yellow oval on Batman's chest is not relevant. Batman #183 even explains that the Earth-1 Batman's costume did not always include the oval.

Why has this flawed theory lasted so long? Here's my theory: I think most Batman fans would like to disown the sci-fi and giant monster stories that immediately preceded Detective #327. Even DC themselves want nothing to do with that era of Batman's past.

Fans don't like to think that the "Creature of the Night" Batman is the same one who wore the Zebra outfit in Detective #275. By subscribing to the Detective #327 theory, all the "silly" stories from the late 50s and early 60s can be placed on Earth-2 or forgetten entirely.

But even without the Justice League appearances, the Detective #327 theory is terribly flawed. Fans should just accept that Bat-Mite, Ace the Bat-Hound, and the rest of the silliness existed on Earth-1 even though it is drastically different in theme and style from the later stories they prefer.

Now I'll attempt to explain where the logical dividing line is.

Detective Comics #27 in May 1939 was the first appearance of Batman. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, Batman was a masked hero who battled crime using keen detective skills and amazing physical prowess. Like Superman before him, Batman was a smashing success.

Batman's origin was given in a two-page sequence in Detective Comics #33. Young Bruce Wayne was orphaned when his parents were shot during a robbery. Vowing to avenge them, Bruce trained his body and mind to their peak. When a bat crashed through his window, he decided to use it as a motif to scare and intimidate criminals. Thus was his career as Batman born.

Batman's early adventures were dark and violent, until the inclusion of his partner Robin in Detective #38. The introduction of a kid sidekick helped lighten the tone, it gave Batman someone to talk to, and it allowed young readers to identify with Robin.

Batman was soon awarded his own title in 1940. Then in 1941 he and Superman shared the covers of World's Finest Comics. Like the Man of Steel, Batman was also an honorary member of the newly formed JSA, but he took part in only one full adventure in All-Star Comics #36.

The Joker debuted in Batman #1 and became Batman's deadliest foe. Joker's lethal antics were eventually toned down, but he made frequent appearances. Batman also faced Penguin, Catwoman, and Two-Face during the 1940s.

A rotund Alfred was introduced to Batman's supporting cast in Batman #16. Before long, he was slimmed down and briefly had a solo series of his own in most issues of Batman. Alfred's last name was given as Beagle in Detective #96.

In Batman #216, the Earth-1 Alfred's name was given as Pennyworth.

As the 1940s ended, super-heroes were losing popularity. Batman survived, appearing in Detective, World's Finest, and his own title throughout the 1950s and into the 1960s. Robin even received a solo series in Star Spangled Comics which lasted from 1947-1952.

Batman's adventures in the 1940s must have occurred on Earth-2 since he was part of the JSA, which existed only on that Earth. However by 1960, he was in the JLA, which existed on Earth-1. As with other characters who continued publication during the 1950s, no mention of multiple Earths or versions was present in the comics. It was always considered to be the same character.

Later stories have given indication that there were differences between the two Batmans. My goal is to place the 1950s stories on the most logical Earth. I avoid placing individual stories on both Earths or neither, though some stories may fit better using that intrepretation.

When the concept of multiple Earths was introduced and built upon in the 1960s, the Earth-2 Batman did not appear right away.

An adult Robin from Earth-2 was used in JLA #55, and the Earth-2 Batman was said to have retired. On occasion he returned to activity beginning in JLA #82, but he was not as active as the other JSA members. He never met his Earth-1 counterpart.

The Earth-2 Batman eventually died in Adventure Comics #462.

From the introduction of parallel versions of Batman in the 1960s, similarities between Earth-1 and Earth-2 became apparent. Both were Bruce Wayne and had wards named Dick Grayson. Many villains existed on both Earths including Joker, Penguin, Scarecrow, Two-Face, and Catwoman. Several differences existed too, including as previously mentioned, Alfred's last name.

Superman Family #211 demonstrated an important difference between Earth-1 and Earth-2. The Bruce Wayne of Earth-2 married Selina "Catwoman" Kyle in the 1950s. The marriage produced their daughter, Helena, who would later become the Huntress.

Superman Family #211 also revealed two other subtle differences between Earth-2 and Earth-1. The first is that the Catwoman of Earth-2 never returned to crime after she reformed in Batman #62. All later criminal Catwoman stories must take place on Earth-1.

After Batman #62, Catwoman returned in Batman #65 and #69. Both times she helps Batman and stays reformed. In #69, she brings her brother Karl to justice. Karl is mentioned in a later flashback, so both Batman #65 and #69 must take place on Earth-2.

In Detective Comics #203 however, Selina finally does return to crime. She then returns in Batman #84 and Detective #211 before vanishing as a regular Batman foe until Lois Lane #70, years later. Since the Earth-2 Catwoman stayed reformed these 3 stories must be on Earth-1.

The other important detail in Superman Family #211 was the presence of Harvey Kent at the wedding. On Earth-2, Two-Face was Harvey Kent, not "Dent" as on Earth-1. Kent received plastic surgery in the 50s to repair his damaged face. After which he successfully reformed.

Batman #81 shows that Two-Face's surgery is undone and he returns to crime. Since the later story establishes these events are not part of Earth-2 history, the Two-Face in Batman #81 must be the Earth-1 version. This story appeared in February 1954.

Detective #203 which featured the Earth-1 Catwoman was published in January 1954. We also know from analyzing Superman that all the World's Finest team-ups with Superman beginning in July 1954 took place on Earth-1. Another link to Earth-1 from this time is World's Finest #68 which features a minor villain called the Crimesmith. This character appears one more time in Batman #101, which is set on Earth-1, since it includes Superman.

"This evidence supports that the Earth-1 adventures of Batman began in January 1954 with the appearance of the Earth-1 Catwoman in Detective #203."

While Detective #203 is a good starting point for the Earth-1 adventures, examination of earlier stories reveals three additional stories that should be considered Earth-1. The first is Superman #76 which is referenced in the World's Finest team-ups with Superman.

The second story that must be Earth-1 is "The Gorilla Boss of Gotham City" from Batman #75, published in February 1953. The story's sequel in World's Finest Comics #251 features the Batman from Earth-1, so this story must also be on Earth-1.

The final story that can be linked to Earth-1 is from Batman #62. It features "The Batman from England" and introduces the Knight and Squire.

The Knight and Squire appear again in Detective #215, "The Batmen of All Nations". A sequel in World's Finest #89 was their final appearance. The third story is clearly on Earth-1. It is possible that an Earth-2 Knight and Squire exist, but I place them on Earth-1.

Detective #220 on the other hand is an Earth-2 story. It includes flashbacks to 3 time-travel stories from Batman #24, 38, and 52.

A final exception is a story in Detective #216, which is the sequel to Batman #67. Both feature Brane Taylor the Batman of the Future. I consider both stories to occur on Earth-2 though there is insufficient evidence to place this on either Earth.

Here's how I break down Batman's appearances:

Detective Comics
Earth-2: #1-202,216,220
Earth-1: #203-215,217-219,221-up

Batman
Earth-2: #1-80
Earth-1: #62,75,81-up
Note: This title had 2 or 3 stories per issue. If an issue is listed as both Earth-1 and Earth-2, at least 1 story from that issue occured on each Earth.

World's Finest Comics
Earth-2: #2-67
Earth-1: #68-up (plus Superman #76)

Star Spangled Comics
Earth-2: 65-130 (Robin stories)
Earth-1: None

Based on this, the first Earth-1 appearance of Batman is Batman #62.

NOTES: Brave and the Bold #197 establishes an Earth-2 Batwoman. Her 1950s appearances reference each other and have appearances by the Earth-1 Superman, so I consider all her 1950s appearances to take place on Earth-1.

Several Batman team-ups in Brave and the Bold have Batman meeting characters that shouldn't exist on Earth-1.