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Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Captain Marvel, later renamed Shazam
1st appearance of the Wizard Shazam
1st appearance of Dr. Sivana, a scientific genius and the archenemy of Captain Marvel
1st appearance of Ibis the Invincible and Spy Smasher
1st team appearance of the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man, later renamed the Seven Deadly Sins
While not a precise swipe of Action Comics #1 artwork, this cover and other aspects of Captain Marvel led to DC (formerly National) filing a lawsuit against Fawcett for Captain Marvel too closely resembling Superman
Premiere issue of the series though the copyright notes read issue #2
There exists a scarce Ashcan edition of this issue
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Captain Marvel, later renamed Shazam
1st appearance of the Wizard Shazam
1st appearance of Dr. Sivana, a scientific genius and the archenemy of Captain Marvel
1st appearance of Ibis the Invincible and Spy Smasher
1st team appearance of the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man, later renamed the Seven Deadly Sins
While not a precise swipe of Action Comics #1 artwork, this cover and other aspects of Captain Marvel led to DC (formerly National) filing a lawsuit against Fawcett for Captain Marvel too closely resembling Superman
Premiere issue of the series though the copyright notes read issue #2
There exists a scarce Ashcan edition of this issue
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Black Adam, an Egyptian prince named Teth-Adam who was first granted powers by the wizard Shazam though it corrupted him
Origin of The Marvel Family: Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Junior, Mary Marvel and Uncle Marvel
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Black Adam, an Egyptian prince named Teth-Adam who was first granted powers by the wizard Shazam though it corrupted him
Origin of The Marvel Family: Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Junior, Mary Marvel and Uncle Marvel
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Joker
1st appearance of the Cat, Selina Kyle, later becomes Catwoman
Debut of the first Batplane which has multiple designs from one issue to the next including Batman #3 and Batman #4
💰 Batman #1 sold for over one million dollars 4x with a record-high in 9.4 for $6,000,000
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Joker
1st appearance of the Cat, Selina Kyle, later becomes Catwoman
Debut of the first Batplane which has multiple designs from one issue to the next including Batman #3 and Batman #4
💰 Batman #1 sold for over one million dollars 4x with a record-high in 9.4 for $6,000,000
Key Facts
1st appearance, cover and origin of Bane
📖 Knightfall Reading Order: next Batman #484
[September 2024 - James Gunn’s DCU is developing a Bane and Deathstroke super-villain team-up film based on a script by Matthew Orton]
Key Facts
1st appearance, cover and origin of Bane
📖 Knightfall Reading Order: next Batman #484
[September 2024 - James Gunn’s DCU is developing a Bane and Deathstroke super-villain team-up film based on a script by Matthew Orton]
Key Facts
1st appearance of Nekron, the Lord of the Unliving, capable of raising the dead
Key Facts
1st appearance of Nekron, the Lord of the Unliving, capable of raising the dead
Key Facts
1st appearance of Deathstroke the Terminator
1st appearance and death of Ravager, son of Deathstroke - appears in issue #1, not in costume
1st appearance of Wintergreen, Deathstroke's mentor
1st cameo appearance of Trigon, as demonic eyes
🔮 DC Possibilities: Yet another character who could hold his own as an anti-hero in a standalone project and a few extra years on Joe Manganiello would do well for Deathstroke
[September 2024 - James Gunn’s DCU is developing a Bane and Deathstroke super-villain team-up film based on a script by Matthew Orton]
Key Facts
1st appearance of Deathstroke the Terminator
1st appearance and death of Ravager, son of Deathstroke - appears in issue #1, not in costume
1st appearance of Wintergreen, Deathstroke's mentor
1st cameo appearance of Trigon, as demonic eyes
🔮 DC Possibilities: Yet another character who could hold his own as an anti-hero in a standalone project and a few extra years on Joe Manganiello would do well for Deathstroke
[September 2024 - James Gunn’s DCU is developing a Bane and Deathstroke super-villain team-up film based on a script by Matthew Orton]
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Scarecrow
Key Facts
1st appearance of Hunter Zolomon, later becomes Zoom, the third Reverse-Flash
Key Facts
1st appearance of Hunter Zolomon, later becomes Zoom, the third Reverse-Flash
Key Facts
1st appearance of Lobo, an intergalactic bounty hunter
[January 2023 - Jason Momoa speculated to play Lobo in James Gunn's DC films / December 2024 - confirmed]
Key Facts
1st appearance of Lobo, an intergalactic bounty hunter
[January 2023 - Jason Momoa speculated to play Lobo in James Gunn's DC films / December 2024 - confirmed]
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Dr. Destiny, a genius inventor
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Dr. Destiny, a genius inventor
Key Facts
1st appearance of Lady Shiva, mother of Cassandra Cain and mentor of Tim Drake
Key Facts
1st appearance of Lady Shiva, mother of Cassandra Cain and mentor of Tim Drake
Key Facts
1st appearance of Dr. Psycho
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Sinestro, known as the greatest of all Green Lanterns until it was discovered he used the power ring to enslave the sector he was charged to protect
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Sinestro, known as the greatest of all Green Lanterns until it was discovered he used the power ring to enslave the sector he was charged to protect
Key Facts
2nd appearance of the Flash, Barry Allen
Key Facts
1st appearance of Vandal Savage, an immortal caveman warrior
[July 2025 - James Gunn has hinted that the Superman movie will show Vandal Savage in a mural]
Key Facts
1st appearance of Vandal Savage, an immortal caveman warrior
[July 2025 - James Gunn has hinted that the Superman movie will show Vandal Savage in a mural]
Key Facts
1st appearance of Harley Quinn in a standard comic
Key Facts
1st appearance of Harley Quinn in a standard comic
Key Facts
1st full appearance of Doomsday, mostly obscured by a containment suit with one arm bound behind his back as he wreaks havoc across the countryside
Key Facts
1st full appearance of Doomsday, mostly obscured by a containment suit with one arm bound behind his back as he wreaks havoc across the countryside
Key Facts
1st full appearance of the Scarred Guardian, a Guardian of the Universe
1st cameo appearance of Atrocitus and the Red Lantern Corps
1st cameo appearance of Larfleeze and the Orange Lantern Corps
1st cameo team appearance of the Blue Lantern Corps
1st cameo appearance of Munk and the Indigo Lantern Corps
1st cameo team appearance of the Black Lantern Corps
Death of Anti-Monitor
Cameo appearance in background of an Alien Xenomorph, Predator and the Pale Man from Pan's Labyrinth as various Lanterns
[April 2025 - Paul Ben-Victor casting as Antaan has caused speculation that it might be Atrocitus]
Key Facts
1st full appearance of the Scarred Guardian, a Guardian of the Universe
1st cameo appearance of Atrocitus and the Red Lantern Corps
1st cameo appearance of Larfleeze and the Orange Lantern Corps
1st cameo team appearance of the Blue Lantern Corps
1st cameo appearance of Munk and the Indigo Lantern Corps
1st cameo team appearance of the Black Lantern Corps
Death of Anti-Monitor
Cameo appearance in background of an Alien Xenomorph, Predator and the Pale Man from Pan's Labyrinth as various Lanterns
[April 2025 - Paul Ben-Victor casting as Antaan has caused speculation that it might be Atrocitus]
Key Facts
1st appearance of Mongul, an alien warlord
Key Facts
1st appearance of Black Hand, utilizes technology to drain and repurpose the power of a Lantern Ring
[September 2025 - Garret Dillahunt is speculated to play Black Hand in HBO’s Lanterns series after reposting a fan theory linking him to the role, which also suggests Paul Ben-Victor could portray Atrocitus]
Key Facts
1st appearance of Black Hand, utilizes technology to drain and repurpose the power of a Lantern Ring
[September 2025 - Garret Dillahunt is speculated to play Black Hand in HBO’s Lanterns series after reposting a fan theory linking him to the role, which also suggests Paul Ben-Victor could portray Atrocitus]
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Mr. Mxyzptlk
First time Superman references his ability to "fly", previously he was known to leap
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Mr. Mxyzptlk
First time Superman references his ability to "fly", previously he was known to leap
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Wizard, William Zand
Key Facts
1st appearance of Per Degaton, a time-traveling enemy of the Justice Society
Key Facts
1st appearance of Per Degaton, a time-traveling enemy of the Justice Society
Key Facts
1st appearance of Black Manta
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Hugo Strange
Debut of Batman's finned gloves
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Hugo Strange
Debut of Batman's finned gloves
Key Facts
1st appearance of Krona, a major antagonist in the Brightest Day story arc
Origin of the Guardians of the Universe and Infinite Earths concept
Key Facts
1st appearance of Krona, a major antagonist in the Brightest Day story arc
Origin of the Guardians of the Universe and Infinite Earths concept
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Mad Hatter, Jervis Tetch
1st appearance of Vicki Vale
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Mad Hatter, Jervis Tetch
1st appearance of Vicki Vale
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Penguin
[March 2022 - Colin Farrell will reprise the Penguin in an HBO Max spin-off]
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Penguin
[March 2022 - Colin Farrell will reprise the Penguin in an HBO Max spin-off]
Key Facts
1st appearance of Deadshot, a mercenary
Key Facts
1st appearance of Eclipso, who was at one time God's Spirit of Wrath
Key Facts
1st appearance of Eclipso, who was at one time God's Spirit of Wrath
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Two-Face, Harvey Dent, a district attorney disfigured by acid
[January 2026 - there is speculation on social media that Sebastian Stan will be cast as Two-Face for the Matt Reeves Batman sequel]
1st appearance of Gilda Dent, the wife of Harvey Dent
1st appearance of Salvatore Maroni, the mob boss who disfigured Harvey Dent
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Two-Face, Harvey Dent, a district attorney disfigured by acid
[January 2026 - there is speculation on social media that Sebastian Stan will be cast as Two-Face for the Matt Reeves Batman sequel]
1st appearance of Gilda Dent, the wife of Harvey Dent
1st appearance of Salvatore Maroni, the mob boss who disfigured Harvey Dent
Key Facts
1st appearance of Gentleman Ghost
3rd appearance of Black Canary
Key Facts
1st appearance of Gentleman Ghost
3rd appearance of Black Canary
Key Facts
1st appearance of Merlyn
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Mirror Master
Barry Allen appears for the first time in the Flash title
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Mirror Master
Barry Allen appears for the first time in the Flash title
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Gorilla Grodd, an ape with genius intellect and telepathic abilities
1st appearance of the Pied Piper, uses sound to manipulate others
1st appearance of Solovar, former ruler of Gorilla City
[November 2024 - Grodd rumored to have a big role in the upcoming DC Universe of movies and TV / July 2025 - Grodd rumored to be introduced in a TV series featuring Jimmy Olsen hosting an anthology of stories about DC villains / October 2025 - Grodd confirmed for the live-action HBO Max series DC Crime featuring Jimmy Olsen]
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Gorilla Grodd, an ape with genius intellect and telepathic abilities
1st appearance of the Pied Piper, uses sound to manipulate others
1st appearance of Solovar, former ruler of Gorilla City
[November 2024 - Grodd rumored to have a big role in the upcoming DC Universe of movies and TV / July 2025 - Grodd rumored to be introduced in a TV series featuring Jimmy Olsen hosting an anthology of stories about DC villains / October 2025 - Grodd confirmed for the live-action HBO Max series DC Crime featuring Jimmy Olsen]
Key Facts
1st appearance of Kid Flash, Wally West
1st appearance of Weather Wizard
Key Facts
1st appearance of Kid Flash, Wally West
1st appearance of Weather Wizard
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Captain Boomerang
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Mr. Freeze, initially named Mr. Zero, later renamed Mr. Freeze in Detective Comics #373
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Mr. Freeze, initially named Mr. Zero, later renamed Mr. Freeze in Detective Comics #373
Key Facts
1st appearance of Abra Kadabra, a time traveling magician from the 64th century
Key Facts
1st appearance of Abra Kadabra, a time traveling magician from the 64th century
Key Facts
1st cameo appearance of Nero
Key Facts
1st cameo appearance of Darkseid, the ruler of Apokolips
Key Facts
1st cameo appearance of Darkseid, the ruler of Apokolips
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Professor Zoom, Eobard Thawne aka Reverse-Flash
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Professor Zoom, Eobard Thawne aka Reverse-Flash
Key Facts
1st appearance of Heat Wave
Key Facts
1st appearance of Poison Ivy, Pamela Isley
Interior pin-up poster of Batman and Robin included
Key Facts
1st appearance of Poison Ivy, Pamela Isley
Interior pin-up poster of Batman and Robin included
Key Facts
1st appearance of Firefly, Garfield Lynns
Key Facts
1st appearance of Ra's al Ghul
2nd appearance of Talia al Ghul
Key Facts
1st appearance of Ra's al Ghul
2nd appearance of Talia al Ghul
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Brainiac
1st appearance of the Bottle City of Kandor, the capital city of Krypton
[December 2025 - James Gunn posted an Instagram confirming Lars Edinger will portray Brainiac]
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Brainiac
1st appearance of the Bottle City of Kandor, the capital city of Krypton
[December 2025 - James Gunn posted an Instagram confirming Lars Edinger will portray Brainiac]
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Count Vertigo
Key Facts
1st appearance of Supergirl
1st appearance of Metallo
1st appearance of Zor-El, the father of Supergirl
1st appearance of Allura In-Ze, the mother of Supergirl
Key Facts
1st appearance of Supergirl
1st appearance of Metallo
1st appearance of Zor-El, the father of Supergirl
1st appearance of Allura In-Ze, the mother of Supergirl
Key Facts
Death of Hank Henshaw, later his awareness manifests inside of a machine as Cyborg Superman
Key Facts
Death of Hank Henshaw, later his awareness manifests inside of a machine as Cyborg Superman
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