XOW Logo
  • Location
    • Home
    • Issue Detail, List Content Items
in for
   
by
Facebook Logo
Report a Bug Ask for Support Review Site Apply to be an Editor
Issue: Detective Comics #38
Publication Date: April 1940
Previous Base Issue Previous Issue Variant Next Issue Variant Next Base Issue
 
Disclose Detail
Issues: #38 of 883 Issues (1409 Printings)
Title:
Variant: unnamed
Rating: [no rating]
Publisher: FlagDC
Brand: A DC PublicationView Brand Images2
Indicia Publisher: Detective Comics Inc.
On Sale Date: 03/06/1940
Volume: none
Pages: 68
ISBN: none
UPC/EAN: none
Price: $0.10 USD
Indicia Frequency:
Content Items: 23 (10 stories, 1 cover)
Editor(s):  
Disclose Notes: The on-sale date is the publication date reported in the U. S. Copyright Office filing found at the Catalog of Copyright Entries, Part 2, Periodicals, New Series, Volume 35, 1940, Number 2. Class B periodical. Copyright number B 449539.
  Does this data need corrections? Become an editor.
Disclose Format
Publication Type: Comic Book
Color: color cover; color interior
Dimensions: standard Golden Age US; standard Silver Age US; standard Modern Age US
Paper Stock: newsprint; glossy
Binding: saddle-stitched; squarebound
Publishing Format: was ongoing series
Format Notes:  
Disclose Reprinted In27
Disclose Reprinted From0
There is currently no data for this Issue being reprinted from anywhere.
Disclose Images2
Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 
Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 
Assets1
Indicia
 
 
spacer
Disclose Content Items (23 total)
Disclose Issue Images
Robin - The Boy Wonder

Illustration  on  Cover, Front
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Character(s): Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]
First Line: The sensational character-find of 1940...
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagBatman from the 30s to the 70s #[nn] [unnamed variant] published January 1971
as Detective Comics No. 38 [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagLäderlappen #4/1975 published January 1975
as [untitled] [Illustration on Cover, Front]
In Content Item: FlagLäderlappen #12/1975 published January 1975
as [untitled] [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagLynvingen #4/1975 published April 1975
as Legenden om Lynvingen og Robin [Illustration on Cover, Front]
In Content Item: FlagThe Untold Legend of the Batman [Batman Cereal Edition] #3 published January 1989
as Detective Comics #38 [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagThe Untold Legend of the Batman [MPI Audio Edition] #3 published June 1989
as Detective Comics #38 [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagBatman Archives #1 [First Printing] published July 1990
as Cover - Detective Comics #38 [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagThe Batman Gallery #1 published August 1992
as Detective Comics 38 [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagMillennium Edition: Detective Comics 38 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published April 2000
as The First Appearance of Robin [Illustration on Cover, Front]
In Content Item: FlagThe Batman Chronicles #1 [First Printing] published May 2005
as Detective Comics #38 [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
[untitled]

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Inside front cover.
Disclose
Robin the Boy Wonder

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Character(s): Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson] (introduction, origin); John Grayson (introduction, Dick's father, death); Mary Grayson (introduction, Dick's mother, death); C. C. Haly [as Mr. Haly] (Haly Circus owner); Boss Zucco [Anthony Zucco] (villain, introduction); Blade (villain, death)
First Line: The Batman. That amazing, weird figure of night, at last takes under his protecting mantle an ally in his relentless fight against crime...
Synopsis: Dick Grayson watches his parents die and overhears the killers confessing the point, and he decides to tip off the Police. However, the Batman intervenes to save the boy's life, and trains him to become his partner, Robin the Boy Wonder. Then the duo head out to gather evidence needed to put the criminals behind bars.
Reprinting
In Issue: FlagDetective Comics Special Reprint #38 published January 1995
In Content Item: FlagBatman from the 30s to the 70s #[nn] [unnamed variant] published January 1971
as Robin the Boy Wonder [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagSecret Origins #7 published October 1974
as Robin the Boy Wonder [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagLäderlappen #4/1975 published January 1975
as Legenden om Läderlappen och Robin [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagLynvingen #4/1975 published April 1975
as Lynvingen finner Robin [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagBatman Album #37 published October 1979
as Robin the Boy Wonder [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagBatman Archives #1 [First Printing] published July 1990
as Robin the Boy Wonder [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagMillennium Edition: Detective Comics 38 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published April 2000
as Robin the Boy Wonder [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagBatman in the Forties #[nn] published May 2004
as Robin the Boy Wonder [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagThe Batman Chronicles #1 [First Printing] published May 2005
as Robin the Boy Wonder [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 12
Disclose Notes: The splash page replicates the cover.
Disclose
Phono-Post Stamps

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Feature(s): Detective Stamp Page
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Page includes many small ads from stamps dealers.
Disclose
The Electrical Assassin

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure, espionage
Feature(s): Spy
Character(s): Bart Regan; Chick Cavanaugh (Secret Service agent, death); Nell Johnson (villain, death); Carter (villain, a scientist, death)
First Line: Early evening... great tentacles of electricity splotch the sky above Washington, D.C. to the accompaniment of ominous rumbles of thunder...
Synopsis: Bart nearly loses his life when he investigates a scientist's invention that produces lightning, which can be directed to any target the scientist desires, and with which he plans to terrorize the nation and eventually control it.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMillennium Edition: Detective Comics 38 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published April 2000
as The Electrical Assassin [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 6
Disclose
Dr. Hydkil

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Red Logan
Character(s): Red Logan; Ivan; Inspector Enright; Simpson (Policeman); Mitchell (Policeman); Archie (Times Courier employee); Dr. Hydkil (villain); Gluko (villain, Hydkil's assistant)
First Line: Red Logan, ace reporter of the Times Courier, and his friend Ivan take an evening stroll through one of London's side streets.
Synopsis: Red becomes involved in a murder mystery that has all the earmarks of a vampire killer. Instead he runs smack dab into a crazed medical genius bent on becoming another Frankenstein!
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMillennium Edition: Detective Comics 38 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published April 2000
as Dr. Hydkil [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 6
Disclose
Phoney Jewel Robbery

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): The Crimson Avenger
Character(s): The Crimson Avenger [Lee Travis]; Wing; Mrs. Duprey; Mac (Globe-Leader reporter); Mike (Policeman); Mr. Duprey (villain); "Gimpy" Malone (villain); Joe Scalponi (villain)
First Line: It is the opening night of the opera, all society is present, including the wealthy Mr. and Mrs. Duprey...
Synopsis: The Crimson investigates and puts to an end an insideous plan in which wealthy people pay to have their jewels stolen, then get them returned after having collected the insurance on them.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMillennium Edition: Detective Comics 38 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published April 2000
as Phoney Jewel Robbery [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 6
Disclose
No. 1 - Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson

Text Article  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: informational
Feature(s): Detective Comics Monthly Book Review
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.75
Disclose
Boys! I'll Help You Get a Daisy Air Rifle for Your Birthday

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Feature(s): Daisy Air Rifles
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.25
Disclose
Amazing New Printing Press

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Feature(s): Peck Brothers
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): Uncle Otto
First Line: Ahchoo!
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.17
Disclose
Boys Build This Cape Cod Cottage

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Feature(s): Miniature Homes Co.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.33
Disclose
The Kidnaped Singer

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: mystery
Feature(s): Speed Saunders, Ace Investigator
Character(s): Speed Saunders; Lora de Thiessi (Torch singer); Jim (backstage employee); Marie (Thiessi's maid-servant); un-named Police Captain; Jim (airport pilot); un-named fiancee of Lora de Thiessi (villain)
First Line: Speed enjoys a night at the Social Theater...
Synopsis: Speed uncovers a plot by the supposed fiancee of singer Lora de Thiess, who had gotten himself into debt by gambling, then put the touch on Lora's theater to ransom her back from a kidnapping.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMillennium Edition: Detective Comics 38 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published April 2000
as The Kidnaped Singer [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 6
Disclose Notes: Millennium Edition: Detective Comics #38 (2000 series) lists the writer as being Fred Guardineer erroneously.
Disclose
The Gambler's Protector

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: mystery
Feature(s): Steve Malone, District Attorney
Character(s): Steve Malone; Chief of Police Runyan; Happy (Malone's secretary); Butch Smaltz (villain); un-named Police Commissioner (villain); Butch (villain)
First Line: Hello, Chief. Hear you're having trouble cleaning up the gambling and policy rackets.
Synopsis: Steve makes the discovery that the city's criminal rackets are being financed by the Police Commissioner.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMillennium Edition: Detective Comics 38 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published April 2000
as The Gambler's Protector [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 6
Disclose
At the Arctic Circle

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Cliff Crosby
Character(s): Cliff Crosby; Dr. Broussard; Aga (Kingdom Chief); Sabu (villain, phony Kingdom Chief); Sengi (villain)
First Line: Cliff Crosby and Dr. Broussard, famous explorers, are now at the Arctic Circle.
Synopsis: Having to bail out of their plane over the arctic regions, Cliff and Dr. Broussard are shocked to find African natives living in the arctic with little clothing on. They are brought before the Chief of the Sabu Kingdom and informed about a serum the natives drink that permits them to live in the coldest of weather without clothing!
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMillennium Edition: Detective Comics 38 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published April 2000
as At the Arctic Circle [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 6
Disclose
The Case of the Vanishing Train

Text Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: mystery
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1.34
Disclose
G-Boy Repeating Toy Cap Pistol

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Editor(s): ?
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.08
Disclose Notes: Sold by St. Louis Pistols & Caps, Inc.
Disclose
Earn Big Money!

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Feature(s): Wehman Laugh League
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.08
Disclose
Boys Earn Money and Big Prizes

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Feature(s): The Crowell-Collier Publishing Co.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose
The Big Fire

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: mystery
Character(s): Slam Bradley; Shorty Morgan; Tommy Crane (crippled boy); un-named apartment building janitor (villain)
First Line: Hurry up, Shorty, or we'll be late.
Synopsis: Slam and Shorty help rescue people from a burning apartment building.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMillennium Edition: Detective Comics 38 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published April 2000
as The Big Fire [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 10
Disclose
Six Big Headline Features for the "Big Six" Comic Magazines!

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Character(s): Superman [Clark Kent]; Sandman [Wesley Dodds]; Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Ultra-Man; The Spectre; The Flash [Jay Garrick]
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Promo for the "Big Six" comic magazines: Action Comics featuring Superman, Detective Comics featuring The Batman, Adventure Comics featuring The Sandman, All-American Comics featuring Ultra-Man, More Fun Comics featuring The Spectre, and Flash Comics featuring The Flash.
Disclose
Pick Your Prize

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Feature(s): Lancaster County Seed Co.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Inside back cover.
Disclose
A Sensational Offer to Readers of Detective Comics

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Feature(s): Book Coupon Exchange
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Ad for the Complete Works of Shakespeare and other volumes by other famous authors.

Back cover.

Site designed and hosted by XOWTech, Inc..
Any questions or problems with this site should be directed to REMOVE-webmaestro-THESE@xowcomics.com.

XOW, XOWComics.com, XOWTech and XOWTech.com are registered trademarks of XOWTech, Inc.
© XOWTech, Inc., 2010 - 2025. All rights reserved.

Some data courtesy of the Grand Comics Database under a Creative Commons Attribution license.