Publishers / DC / Detective Comics (1937) / #500
500March 1981
$1.50

Detective Comics #500

DC · March 1981

First appearance: MystoFirst appearance: Rick Carter1 variant
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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
#500
Publication date
March 1981
Key date
1981-03-00
Indicia publisher
DC Comics Inc.
Price
$1.50
Pages
84
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 Mysto - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Rick Carter - 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-cover2pencils: Dick Giordano, Joe Kubert, Carmine Infantino, Walter Simonson, Tom Yeates, José Luis García-López; inks: Dick Giordano, Joe Kubert, Walter Simonson, Tom Yeates, José Luis García-López, Bob Smith; colors: Jack Adler, Anthony Tollin; letters: Gaspar SaladinoJason Bard, Batman, Slam Bradley, Boston Brand, Rick Carter First, Christopher Chance, Captain Compass, Deadman, Ralph Dibny, The Elongated Man, Commissioner James Gordon, Dick Grayson, Hawkgirl, Hawkman
1Detective Comicstable of contents1pencils: Jim Aparo; inks: Jim Aparo; colors: Anthony Tollin, Adrienne RoyBatman, Dick Grayson, Robin, Bruce Wayne
2To Kill a Legendcomic story19script: Alan Brennert; pencils: Dick Giordano; inks: Dick Giordano; colors: Adrienne Roy; letters: John CostanzaBatman, Batman, Joe Chill, Dick Grayson, The Phantom Stranger, Robin, Bruce Wayne, Bruce Wayne, Martha Wayne, Thomas Wayne
3The "Too Many Cooks..." Caper!comic story13script: Len Wein; pencils: Jim Aparo; inks: Jim Aparo; colors: Tatjana Wood; letters: Jim AparoJason Bard, Slam Bradley, Rick Carter First, Christopher Chance, Captain Compass, The Human Target, Mysto First, Roy Raymond, Pow-Wow Smith
4Once Upon a Time...comic story2script: Len Wein, Charles Schulz; pencils: Walt Simonson; inks: Walt Simonson; colors: Walter SimonsonBatman, Bruce Wayne
5The Final Mystery of Edgar Allan Poe!comic story8script: Mike W. Barr; pencils: José Luis García-López; inks: José Luis García-López; colors: Tatjana Wood; letters: John CostanzaRalph Dibny, Sue Dearbon Dibny, The Elongated Man
6The Batman Encounters - Gray Facetext story8script: Walter Gibson; pencils: Tom Yeates; inks: Tom YeatesBatman, Commissioner James Gordon, Bruce Wayne
7The Strange Death of Doctor Erdelcomic story8script: Paul Levitz; pencils: Joe Kubert; inks: Joe Kubert; colors: Tatjana Wood; letters: Adam Kubert; editing: Len WeinHawkgirl, Hawkman, Katar Hol, J'Onn J'Onzz, Martian Manhunter, Shayera Thal
8What Happens When a Batman Dies?comic story22script: Cary Bates; pencils: Carmine Infantino; inks: Bob Smith; colors: Adrienne Roy; letters: John CostanzaBatman, Boston Brand, Deadman, Commissioner James Gordon, Dick Grayson, Robin, Bruce Wayne
9The Guest Listtext article1script: Paul Levitz; pencils: Dick Giordano, Joe Kubert, Carmine Infantino, Walt Simonson, Tom Yeates, José Luis García-López; inks: Dick Giordano, Joe Kubert, Walt Simonson, Tom Yeates, José Luis García-López, Bob Smith

Printings and variants

EditionHow to tell
Newsstandbarcode 0709893046503

Where to read it

CollectionYear
The Best of DC #231982On eBay ›
The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told #[nn]
ISBN 0930-289-35-8		1988On eBay ›
Batman in the Eighties #[nn]
ISBN 1-4012-0241-1		2004On eBay ›
Batman: Cover to Cover #[nn]
ISBN 1-4012-0659-X		2005On eBay ›
The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told #[1]
ISBN 0930289-39-0; 978-0930289393		1989On eBay ›
The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told #[nn]
ISBN 0-446-39123-9; 0-446-39124-7		1989On 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

‹ #499500 of 883#501 ›

Sources

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