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Batman: The Golden Age #1 cover
Cover: Michael Cho

Batman: The Golden Age #1

Oct 2016 · DC · 24.99 USD; 29.99 CAD
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About this Collection

This 2023 edition of Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 1 collects the earliest adventures of the Dark Knight, reprinting his debut from Detective Comics #27 and his first solo series, Batman #1, along with other seminal Golden Age stories from the late 1930s and early 1940s. Featuring the original work of creators Bob Kane and Bill Finger, this volume showcases the birth of Batman, Robin, and key villains like the Joker and Catwoman in their classic, pulp-inspired form. It's an essential archive for fans tracing the character's foundational years at DC Comics.

In "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate," a 24.99 USD 2016 release from DC, the Golden Age Batman—created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, with art by Kane and Jerry Robinson—races to save a man screaming from an old house, only to uncover a web of betrayal and murder. When the dying crook, Joey, reveals his boss is a major smuggler, the Caped Crusader moves swiftly to bring him to justice, all drawn in the classic style of the era’s foundational creators. The cover, by Michael Cho, captures the noir intensity of the story’s opening scene.

Contains 33 stories
The Case of the Chemical Syndicate
6 pp · Superhero
The Bat-Man [Bruce Wayne] (introduction)Commissioner James Gordon (introduction)Mr. Lambert (introduction, death)Lambert (introduction, Mr. Lambert's son)un-named Police Sergeant (introduction)Steven Crane (introduction, death)Crane's butler (introduction)Paul Rogers (introduction)Alfred Stryker (villain, introduction, death)Jennings (villain, introduction, Stryker's assistant)
Frenchy Blake's Jewel Gang
6 pp · Superhero
The Bat-Man [Bruce Wayne]Commissioner James GordonGimpy (Police stool pigeon)Kelly (Policeman)Frenchy Blake (villain)Blake's gang [Slickothers un-named] (villains)jewel thieves (villains)
The Batman Meets Doctor Death
10 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]John P. van SmithDoctor Death (villain, introduction)Jabah (villain, Death's assistant, introduction, death)Dr. Death's gang (villains, introduction for all)
The Return of Doctor Death
10 pp · Superhero
The Batman [Bruce Wayne]Mrs. JonesMrs. Jone's maidDoctor Death [as Ivan Herd] (villain)Mikhail (villain, Dr. Death's assistant, death)

When the world believed Dr. Death perished in a fire, he vanished—only to resurface with a new mission. Now desperate for resources, he targets a priceless diamond collection belonging to a woman named Mrs. Jones, setting a dangerous game in motion.

Batman vs. the Vampire, Part 1
10 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Julie Madison (Bruce's fiancée, introduction)Dr. Trentthe Monk (villain, introduction)

In "Batman vs. the Vampire, Part 1," Batman races to uncover the truth behind Julie’s strange trance, following a doctor’s urgent advice to seek answers in Hungary. There, he confronts a terrifying vampire with a deadly agenda—both determined to destroy the Dark Knight and use Julie as bait for his pack of werewolves.

Batman vs. the Vampire, Part 2
10 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Julie Madisonthe Monk (villain, death)Dala (villain, vampire, introduction, death)

In "Batman vs. the Vampire, Part 2," Batman—traveling with Julie—faces a new vampire in Hungary, one who offers a chilling proposition: reveal the location of the Monk’s hideout, and Batman will end the vampire’s threat. The tension builds as the Dark Knight weighs the cost of a deal that could lead him to his enemy—or to something far darker.

The Batman Wars against the Dirigible of Doom
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne] (origin)Thomas Wayne (Bruce's father, death)Martha Wayne (Bruce's mother, death)Joe Chill (villain, un-named)Professor/Dr. Carl Kruger (villain, death)The Scarlet Horde (villains, all scientists, all die)Mr. Bixley (villain, death)Napoleon Bonaparte (villain, image only)
Peril in Paris
10 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Charles Maire (Karel's brother)Karel MaireDuc D'orterre (villain, master of the Apaches, introduction, death)some Apaches (villains)
The Case of the Ruby Idol
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Commissioner James GordonWeldon (curio collector)JoeMikeWongSin Fang [Sheldon Lenox] (villain, explorer, introduction, death)followers of Kila (villains)
Professor Hugo Strange
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Commissioner James GordonJohn Davis (G-Man, death)Henry Jenkins (electrical engineer)Clancy (Policeman)Professor Hugo Strange (villain, introduction)Strange's gang (villains)

In "Professor Hugo Strange," the Batman confronts a chilling threat when a mysterious fog, engineered by the enigmatic Hugo Strange, begins to spread through Gotham—masking crimes and concealing a killer. With only a cryptic clue from the death of a G-Man to guide him, Batman must navigate the disorienting haze, where danger hides in plain sight.

The Spies
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Joey (death)Al (villain, grocery store owner)Elias Turg [aka "The Head"] [also as Count Grutt] (villain, death)Carl (villain)

In "The Spies," Batman investigates a cry for help from an abandoned house, only to find a desperate man being tortured by thugs—only to learn the man, Jo, was a double agent betraying his smuggling boss. As Jo lies dying, he reveals the boss’s criminal empire before the Dark Knight sets his sights on bringing the real mastermind to justice.

Introducing Robin, the Boy Wonder
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson] (introduction, origin)John Grayson (introduction, Dick's father, death)Mary Grayson (introduction, Dick's mother, death)Mr. Haly (Haly Circus owner)Boss Zucco [Anthony Zucco] (villain, introduction)Blade (villain, death)

In "Introducing Robin, the Boy Wonder," young Dick Grayson witnesses the tragic death of his parents and hears the killers' confession, prompting him to seek justice by alerting the authorities. When the Batman saves him from danger, Dick makes a bold choice—joining the Dark Knight as his protégé, Robin the Boy Wonder. Together, they set out to gather the evidence needed to bring the criminals to justice.

The Legend of the Batman--Who He Is and How He Came to Be!
2 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne] (origin)Thomas Wayne (Bruce's father, death, flashback)Martha Wayne (Bruce's mother, death, flashback)Joe Chill (villain, un-named)
The Joker
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Henry (radio listener)Henry Claridge (millionaire, death)Mrs. Claridge (Henry's wife)un-named Police ChiefJay Wilde (death)Judge Drake (death)Otto Drexel (mention only)The Joker (villain, introduction)Brute Nelson (villain, death)

In "The Joker" from Batman: The Golden Age #1, Batman confronts a chilling new villain who targets prominent men, murdering them and stealing their most treasured possessions—leaving each corpse with a twisted grin. The mystery deepens as the killer’s signature smile becomes a haunting clue in a case that tests the Dark Knight’s resolve like never before.

Professor Hugo Strange and the Monsters
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Professor Hugo Strange (villain)un-named monsters (villains, all die)
The Cat
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]John TraversMartha TraversDr. Wallaceun-named ship stewardun-named Captain (of "The Dolphin")The Cat [Selina Kyle] [as Miss Peggs] (villain, introduction)Denny (villain)
The Joker Returns
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Commissioner James GordonChief of Police Chalmers (death)Edgar Martin (a political reformer, death)The Joker (villain)
The Horde of the Green Dragon!
12 pp · Superhero
The Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Julie Madison (cameo)Henry Crandall (millionaire)John Cobb (millionaire)Cobb's chauffeur (death)Wong (unofficial Mayor of Chinatown, death)The Green Dragon (villains)

In "The Horde of the Green Dragon!" from Batman: The Golden Age #1, Batman ventures into Chinatown after the kidnapping of two millionaires and the brutal murder of a chauffeur with a hatchet, uncovering a dangerous opium ring led by the mysterious Green Dragon. The story unfolds with sharp tension and period detail, blending noir mystery with the shadowy underworld of 1940s Gotham.

Beware of Clayface
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Julie MadisonKenneth Todd [as "The Terror"] (movie star)Mr. Bentley (movie director)Ned Norton (former movie actor)Lorna Dane (movie star, death)Fred Walker (Lorna's old sweetheart, death)Clayface [Basil Karlo] (villain, introduction)Roxy Brenner (villain)

When Bruce and Dick visit Julie at the movie studio, their reunion takes a dark turn as eerie events unfold. With danger looming and a mysterious figure known as Clayface on the prowl, Batman must step in before tragedy strikes.

A Master Murderer
12 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Ted Spencer (student at a boy's school)Principal Blake (Principal of a boy's school, death)Mr. Greer (former school teacher)Mr. Hodges (History teacher)escaped maniac (villain)Mr. Graves [aka The Masked Man] (villain, Art teacher)

In "A Master Murderer," Batman enlists Dick Grayson to infiltrate a prestigious boys' school after a student is kidnapped and the headmaster is murdered, turning the campus into a high-stakes puzzle where every clue could be a trap. The story unfolds with tense precision, blending classic detective work with the shadowy presence of Gotham’s Dark Knight.

Joker Meets the Cat-Woman
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Commissioner James GordonE. S. Arthur (wealthy gem collector, death)Johnny (newsboy)Catwoman [Selina Kyle] (villain)the Crime Syndicate, Inc. [The JokerWeaselMugfaceCircus Charlie (poses as Batman, death)others unnamed] (villains, introduction for all)

When the Joker is hospitalized, the Crime Syndicate moves to extract him and restore his leadership—only for the Joker to have his own plans, turning the rescue into a trap. The sudden arrival of Cat-Woman throws the entire operation into chaos, blurring lines between ally and enemy.

Wolf, the Crime Master
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Cyrus Craig (museum owner)Adam Lamb [aka Wolf] (villain, Craig's museum custodian, introduction, death)the Wolf's gang (villains, introduction for all)

When Adam Lamb’s life takes a sudden turn at midnight, he’s torn between two selves—one a timid man by day, the other a cunning criminal by night. As the line between identity and obsession blurs, he must navigate the shadows of his own mind before the darkness takes full control.

The Case of the Clubfoot Murders
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Commissioner James GordonHarley Storme (millionaire, death)Portia (Harley Storme's niece)Abel Storme (Harley's brother, death)Carl Storme (Harley's brother)Roger Storme (Harley's son, death)Clubfoot (introduction)Ward [as Clubfoot] (villain, the Storme family lawyer)Varrick (villain, gambler, introduction)Tommy (villain, Varrick's partner)
The Case of the Missing Link
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Professor Drake (death)Goliath (prehistoric man, death)pygmies (villains, some die)Hackett (villain, circus owner, introduction)Snead (villain, circus owner, introduction)Grimes (villain, introduction, death)

In "The Case of the Missing Link," Professor Drake returns from Africa with a mysterious figure he believes is the missing link in human evolution, convinced he can uplift him into civilization. But when Batman and Robin investigate, they find that the line between man and beast may be thinner than anyone expected.

Batman and Robin Visit the 1940 New York World's Fair
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Commissioner James GordonMr. Travers (President of Travers Engineers)Ann (Vreekill's niece)Dr. Hugo Vreekill (villain, introduction, death)Joey (villain)Limpy (villain)
The Case of the Prophetic Pictures
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Commissioner James GordonJimAntal Ryder (an artist)Mikoff (an artist)Mr. Drake (socialite)Carmen Largo (opera singer, death)Mr. Vangild (death)Mr. Warren (death)Mr. TaversMr. Bleek (Wiley's agent and manager)Mr. Wiley (villain, painting collector)

In "The Case of the Prophetic Pictures," a desperate businessman turns to a dangerous scheme after acquiring a series of mysterious portraits at a bargain, only to find himself entangled in a web of murder and deception. As Batman investigates the strange killings linked to the artwork, he must unravel a chilling connection between the paintings and their subjects—before the next victim is chosen.

The Case of the City of Terror
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]RyderCarterMayor Harliss Greer (villain, former City Council President)"Bugs" Norton (villain)Norton's gang [Blackieothers un-named] (villains)

In "The Case of the City of Terror," Bruce and Dick trade Gotham’s shadows for a quiet cross-country getaway—only to find that peace is a farce in a small town where the mayor’s grip is built on corruption and the local police turn a blind eye to the rackets thriving under his protection.

The Land behind the Light!
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Dr. Marko (inventor)Gorl (villain, official hunter to the King)un-named King (villain)

In "The Land behind the Light!", Batman and Robin are pulled into a mysterious fourth-dimensional realm by Dr. Marco’s strange machine, where they encounter a world of towering giants and tiny midgets. Trapped and soon realizing the giants’ king plans to invade Earth, the Dynamic Duo must navigate this surreal landscape before it’s too late.

The Strange Case of the Diabolical Puppet Master
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Dr. Craig (scientist)The Puppet Master [Dmitri] (villain, introduction)Dmitri's assistants (villains, introduction for all)
The Ugliest Man in the World
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Commissioner James GordonDetective McGonigleHarvey Dodge (Wayne's friend, victim of ugly condition)Carter (victim of ugly condition)Dr. EkhartJohn TylerMrs. TylerCarlson [as Larry Larrimore] (villain, leader of the Ugly Horde, introduction, death)the Ugly Horde (villains, introduction for all)

In "The Ugliest Man in the World," Batman faces a man whose life has been shaped by the cruelty of a world that judges by appearance. Haunted by the constant rejection he's endured, he turns his pain into a plan to make society feel the isolation he's known all his life.

The Crime School for Boys!!
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Tommy (reformed villain)Eddie (reformed villain)Big Boy Daniels (villain, introduction)Daniel's mob (villains, introduction for all)"Pockets" (villain, crime school instructor, introduction, death)

In "The Crime School for Boys!!", Batman confronts a chilling threat: a secret institution where young boys are trained in the arts of crime, turning innocence into a dangerous new generation of villains. With no time to spare, the Dark Knight must unravel the school’s sinister purpose before its lessons take root.

The Batman Vs. the Cat-Woman!
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]Commissioner James GordonDetective McGonigleJerryThe Diamond Syndicate [D. Calvert (Syndicate Secretary, death)Mr. DarrMr. BlakeMr. HofferMr. Darrel]The Cat-Woman [aka The Cat] [Selina Kyle] (villain)Hoffer (villain)Blake (villain)Mr. Darrel (villain)
The Case of the Laughing Death!
13 pp · Superhero
Batman [Bruce Wayne]Robin [Dick Grayson]museum caretakerDistrict Attorney Carter (death)The Joker [also as A. Rekoj] (villain)Joker's gang (villains)

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THE GOLDEN AGE BATMAN COVER QUALITY ORIGINAL COMIC COLOR ART ON CARD STOCK $299.99
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Full credits

artist, inker Bob Kane
artist, letterer Jerry Robinson
cover pencils, inks Michael Cho

Reprints

↩ Reprints Detective Comics #27 (1939), Detective Comics #28 (1939), Detective Comics #29 (1939), Detective Comics #30 (1939), Detective Comics #31 (1939), Detective Comics #32 (1939), Detective Comics #33 (1939), Detective Comics #34 (1939), Detective Comics #35 (1940), Detective Comics #36 (1940), Detective Comics #37 (1940), Batman #1 (1940), Detective Comics #38 (1940), Detective Comics #39 (1940), Detective Comics #40 (1940), Batman #2 (1940), Detective Comics #41 (1940), Detective Comics #42 (1940), New York World's Fair Comics #[2] (1940), Detective Comics #43 (1940), Batman #3 (1940), Detective Comics #44 (1940), Detective Comics #45 (1940)

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