Publishers / DC / DC Comics Presents (1978) / #52
52December 1982
$0.60; 0.20 GBP; 0.75 CAD

DC Comics Presents #52

DC · December 1982 · on sale 1982-08-10

First appearance: Judge DreddFirst appearance: Joe DreddFirst appearance: Ambush Bug2 variants
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How to read this file
  • Every claim on this page traces to a public bibliographic record; the sources are listed at the bottom of the file.
  • A first-appearance badge means this is the earliest non-flashback appearance on record in this database.
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Identification plate

Series
DC Comics Presents (DC, 1978 series)
Issue
#52
Publication date
December 1982
Key date
1982-12-00
On-sale date
1982-08-10
Indicia publisher
DC Comics Inc.
Price
$0.60; 0.20 GBP; 0.75 CAD
Pages
36
Rating
Approved by the Comics Code Authority

Match the book in your hand against this plate before paying an edition-specific price.

Why this issue matters

First appearance of Judge Dredd - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Joe Dredd - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Ambush Bug - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Irwin Schwab - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of The Dead Man - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

The evidence

Claims here come from the story records for this issue, listed under Sources at the bottom of the file. Character hubs with full evidence tables are coming to this site.

Contents

SeqStoryTypePagesCreditsCharacters
0-cover1pencils: Keith Giffen; inks: Dick GiordanoArani Caulder, Celsius, Joshua Clay, Clark Kent, Negative Woman, Robotman, Cliff Steele, Superman, Tempest, Valentina Vostock
1Negative Woman Goes Berserk!comic story23script: Paul Kupperberg; pencils: Keith Giffen; inks: Sal Trapani; colors: Gene D'Angelo; letters: Ben OdaAmbush Bug First, Arani Caulder, Celsius, Joshua Clay, The Dead Man First, Joe Dredd First, Judge Dredd First, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Negative Woman, Jimmy Olsen, Robotman, Irwin Schwab First, Skywise
2-letters page1script: Tamsyn O'Flynn

Printings and variants

EditionHow to tell
Newsstandprice 0.60 USD; barcode 709893121612
Canadianprice 0.75 CAD; barcode 709893121612

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Showcase Presents Ambush Bug #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-4012-2180-5		2009On eBay ›
The Doom Patrol: The Bronze Age Omnibus #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-4012-9883-8		2020On eBay ›

Reading the story costs a fraction of owning the issue. Both routes are on every file.

Before you buy

  • Check the price box: Marvel ran 30-cent and 35-cent test-market price variants in 1976-77.
  • Canadian and Whitman editions exist for many bronze books; match the barcode area to the plate.
  • Look for Mark Jewelers inserts and date stamps - they affect collector preference, not authenticity.

Series context

‹ #5152 of 97#53 ›

Sources

  • Grand Comics Database, issue record (CC BY-SA 4.0)
  • Wikidata, Q460125 (Ambush Bug), first-appearance property (CC0)

Found an error in this file? corrections@comicrecord.com