Cover: Fred Guardineer

Detective Comics #30

Aug 1939 · DC · 0.10 USD

📊 ~56,149 copies sold its debut month

☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join free

“The Return of Doctor Death”

In "The Return of Doctor Death," the seemingly deceased criminal mastermind resurfaces with a new scheme, targeting a wealthy widow’s diamond collection after a mysterious fire left him presumed dead. Written by Gardner Fox and brought to life by Bob Kane’s sharp, atmospheric art, this early Detective Comics tale blends classic pulp intrigue with the emerging noir sensibility of the Golden Age. The cover by Fred Guardineer captures the menace and mystery of the story in bold, striking detail.

writer Gardner Fox · artist, inker Bob Kane · letterer Sheldon Moldoff · cover Fred Guardineer

Find on ebay

Search eBay for Detective Comics #30 ▸

No confirmed live listings for this exact issue right now — this opens an eBay search.

Sell my copy

Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.

We Buy Collections ▸

Fast, fair offers · we handle grading & shipping

Cast · 12 characters

Bart Regan Batman Bruce Nelson Buck Marshall Cosmo Doctor Death Dr. Karl Hellfern Larry Steele Shorty Slam Bradley Speed Saunders The Batman

Full credits

writer Gardner Fox

artist, inker Bob Kane

letterer Sheldon Moldoff

cover pencils, inks Fred Guardineer

Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers

▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers

Thought dead in a fire in his home, Dr. Death has survived, but is in need of funds to re-establish himself, so he sets his sights on diamonds owned by a Mrs. Jones.

Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).