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Publishers / DC / Detective Comics (1937) / #142
142December 1948
$0.10

Detective Comics #142

DC · December 1948 · on sale October 20, 1948

First appearance (cover): Edward NigmaFirst appearance (cover): Riddler
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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
Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series)
Issue
#142
Publication date
December 1948
Key date
December 1948
On-sale date
October 20, 1948
Indicia publisher
National Comics Publications Inc.
Price
$0.10
Pages
52

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

Why this issue matters

First appearance (cover) of Edward Nigma - the earliest appearance on record is a cover, not an interior story.

First appearance (cover) of Riddler - the earliest appearance on record is a cover, not an interior story.

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
0The Riddler's Puzzle Contestcover1pencils: Dick Sprang; inks: Charles Paris; letters: Ira SchnappBatman, Dick Grayson, Edward Nigma First, Riddler First, Robin, Bruce Wayne
2Crime's Puzzle Contest!comic story12pencils: Dick Sprang; inks: Charles ParisBatman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; The Riddler [Edward Nigma] (villain)
4The Farmer in the Till!comic story7pencils: Howard Sherman; inks: Howard ShermanSlam Bradley; Shorty Morgan; Mugs Mulligan; Mugs Mulligan's gang
8The Robot Bandit!comic story6script: Otto Binder; pencils: Jimmy Thompson; inks: Jimmy ThompsonRobotman [Robert Crane; aka Paul Dennis]; Joshua Lloyd; robot servants numbers 1-9; Smithers; Doc Sparks
10Cold Feet, Courtesy of Petecomic story0.5script: Henry Boltinoff; pencils: Henry Boltinoff; inks: Henry Boltinoff; letters: Henry BoltinoffJerry the Jitterbug; Pete
12When You Close Your Mindtext article2script: William Morrison; pencils: Raymond Perry; inks: Raymond Perry; colors: Raymond Perry
14Editorial Advisory Boardpromo (ad from the publisher)0.5letters: typeset
16The Mystery of Secret Xcomic story12pencils: Curt Swan; inks: Steve BrodieThe Boy Commandos [Captain Rip Carter; Tex; Andre Chavard; Brooklyn [Dan Turpin]]; Professor Vanners; Killer Arnie Benet; Big Jack Bellaire; prison warden; police chief
18For Thrills! For Action!promo (ad from the publisher)1pencils: Al Plastino, Harry Peter, Al Wenzel; inks: Al Plastino, Harry Peter, Al WenzelSuperman [Clark Kent]; Ralph Edwards (TV show host); Wonder Woman [Diana Prince]; Superboy [Clark Kent]

Plus 10 pages of advertisements and other matter across 12 sequences, as published.

Where to read it

CollectionYear
The Batman Gallery #11992On eBay ›
Batman Archives #7
ISBN 978-1-4012-1493-7		2008On eBay ›
Batman Arkham: The Riddler #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-4012-5513-8		2015On eBay ›
Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus #6
ISBN 978-1-4012-8438-1		2019On eBay ›
Hero Illustrated Special Edition #11993On eBay ›

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

Before you buy

  • Golden-age paper is brittle. Ask about page suppleness and check edges for chips in the photos.
  • Check for trimmed edges, married covers, and clipped coupons - all common on books this old.
  • Confirm the indicia matches this plate; many golden-age titles changed names mid-run.

Series context

‹ #141142 of 883#143 ›

Sources

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