Cover: Jim Aparo

Detective Comics #501

Apr 1981 · DC · 0.50 USD

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★ 1st appearance — Julia Pennyworth

About this Issue

Detective Comics #501 holds a firm place in Batman supporting-character history as the first appearance of Julia Remarque — later known as Julia Pennyworth — the previously unknown daughter of Alfred Pennyworth and World War II resistance fighter Mademoiselle Marie. By giving Alfred a secret past rooted in wartime Europe and a daughter who arrives believing him to be a murderer, writer Gerry Conway meaningfully deepened the butler's biography beyond his familiar manservant role, a rare creative spotlight for a character whose inner life had largely gone unexplored. The character proved durable enough to be reinvented for the New 52 era and to appear in live-action television, anchoring the issue's lasting relevance. As a dual-feature Bronze Age package, it also continued the tradition of Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) holding her own in a separate back-up narrative, reflecting DC's editorial commitment in this period to showcasing her as an independent heroine.

In "The Man Who Killed Mlle. Marie!", Batman tracks Alfred and Lucius to Paris after their sudden disappearance, plunging into a shadowy mystery tied to the wartime death of the French resistance fighter Mlle. Marie. Written by Gerry Conway and illustrated by Don Newton with inks by Dan Adkins, this 1981 tale unfolds with a cold, atmospheric tension, the colors by Adrienne Roy and letters by Ben Oda adding depth to a story that keeps its secrets close. The cover by Jim Aparo captures the noir edge of the hunt, a stark silhouette against a Parisian skyline.

Contains 2 stories

The Man Who Killed Mlle. Marie!

17 pp · Superhero

BatmanLucius FoxInspector DupreJulia RemarqueMlle. Marie (flashback)

In "The Man Who Killed Mlle. Marie!", Batman tracks Alfred and Lucius to Paris, where the sudden disappearance of two trusted allies pulls him into a haunting mystery surrounding the death of the legendary French resistance fighter Mlle. Marie. With shadows from the past closing in, the Dark Knight must unravel a web of secrets that stretches from wartime resistance to a present-day conspiracy, all while questioning who he can truly trust.

The Five-Fold Revenge of Dr. Voodoo

8 pp · Superhero

Commissioner James GordonJeff CottonDoreen Gray

In "The Five-Fold Revenge of Dr. Voodoo," Dr. Voodoo, frustrated by his inability to control Batgirl, strikes back by undermining her will, eliminating her mechanic, and unleashing a sinister drug during a violent confrontation. The story unfolds with tense psychological warfare and escalating danger, as Batgirl faces a foe who turns her own strength against her.

ComicBooks.com Value

Our Model is In Beta

Raw (Fine) $6

CGC 9.8 · 19 in census $113

CGC 9.6 · 13 in census $33*

CGC 9.4 · 6 in census $20*

CGC 9.2 · 5 in census $20*

CGC 9.0 · 5 in census $20*

CGC 8.5 · 2 in census $20*

Show all 13 grades ▾

CGC 8.0 · 2 in census $20*

CGC 7.5 · 2 in census $20*

CGC 7.0 none in existence

CGC 6.5 none in existence

CGC 6.0 · 1 in census $20*

CGC 5.5 none in existence

CGC 5.0 · 2 in census $20*

* estimate — limited direct-sales data at this grade

Our model’s value — refined as new sales data arrives · CGC census counts shown where available

More listings for this title

VF $3.89 VF/NM $9.74 Newsstand $12 FN $12 VF · Newsstand $14.75 Newsstand $14.95 NM $14.97 VF/NM $16.95

Related listings we couldn't confirm as this exact issue · 39 total · seen 27 days ago

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History

The issue was written by Gerry Conway with interior art on the Batman lead by Don Newton (pencils) and Dan Adkins (inks), and edited by Paul Levitz — a tight creative unit that steered Detective Comics through the early 1980s Bronze Age. The cover was provided by Jim Aparo, who was the defining visual voice for the title at the time. The Batgirl back-up, 'The Five-Fold Revenge of Dr. Voodoo!' Part 1, was scripted by Cary Burkett with art by Jose Delbo and Joe Giella, continuing the anthology structure that Detective Comics had maintained throughout this era. No extraordinary production circumstances have been documented online beyond the standard direct-edition and newsstand releases, along with a Mark Jeweler insert variant and a UK pence-price edition.

Trivia · 8 facts

First appearance of Julia Remarque (a.k.a. Julia Pennyworth), the secret daughter of Alfred Pennyworth and French resistance heroine Mademoiselle Marie — created by Gerry Conway and Don Newton.
Lead story titled 'The Man Who Killed Mlle. Marie!' (Part 1 of 2); the story continues and concludes in Detective Comics #502.
Plot centers on Alfred being summoned to Paris under suspicion of murdering Mademoiselle Marie, connecting his wartime history in the French Resistance to the present-day Batman cast including Lucius Fox.
Back-up story: 'The Five-Fold Revenge of Dr. Voodoo!' Part 1 of 2, starring Batgirl (Barbara Gordon), written by Cary Burkett with art by Jose Delbo and Joe Giella.
Cover art by Jim Aparo; interior Batman lead art by Don Newton (pencils) and Dan Adkins (inks); edited by Paul Levitz.
Published April 1981, part of Detective Comics Vol. 1 (the series that began in 1937); issued in standard US direct edition, newsstand, a Mark Jeweler insert variant, and a UK pence-price edition.
The Batman lead story ('The Man Who Killed Mlle. Marie!') was reprinted in the 2020 DC trade paperback Batman Allies: Alfred Pennyworth (alongside Detective Comics #502), selected as one of the definitive Alfred stories across the character's 75-year history.
The Batgirl back-up was reprinted in Batgirl: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 2 (published 2019), which collects her Detective Comics back-up strips from this era.