Publishers / Fawcett / Whiz Comics (1940) / #2
2February 1940
$0.10

Whiz Comics #2

Fawcett · February 1940 · on sale 1939-12

First appearance: Billy BatsonFirst appearance: Captain MarvelFirst appearance: Spy SmasherOrigin: Billy BatsonDeath of Shazam
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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.
  • Buy links are eBay affiliate links. They never change what the record says.

Identification plate

Series
Whiz Comics (Fawcett, 1940 series)
Issue
#2
Publication date
February 1940
Key date
1940-02-00
On-sale date
1939-12
Indicia publisher
Fawcett Publications Inc.
Price
$0.10
Pages
68

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

Why this issue matters

First appearance of Billy Batson - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Captain Marvel - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Spy Smasher - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Alan Armstrong - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

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

First appearance of Golden Arrow - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Roger Parsons - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Prince Amentep - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Lance O'Casey - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

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

First appearance of Princess Taia - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Eve Corby - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Admiral Corby - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

Origin story on record for: Billy Batson, Captain Marvel, Golden Arrow, Roger Parsons.

Death on record for: Shazam.

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
0Gangway for Captain Marvel!cover1pencils: C. C. Beck; inks: C. C. BeckBilly Batson First, Captain Marvel First
1Extra Whiz Comics Extracredits, title page1letters: typeset
2Introducing Captain Marvelcomic story13script: Bill Parker; pencils: C. C. Beck; inks: C. C. Beck; colors: Bill ParkerBilly Batson First, Ebenezer Batson, Captain Marvel First, Sterling Morris, Shazam Death, Dr. Sivana
3Ibis Lives Againcomic story8script: Bill Parker; pencils: C. C. Beck; inks: C. C. Beck; colors: Bill ParkerIbis First, Prince Amentep First, Princess Taia First
4Origin of Golden Arrowcomic story10script: Bill Parker; pencils: Pete Costanza; inks: Pete Costanza; colors: Bill ParkerGolden Arrow First, Roger Parsons First
5The Coming of Spy Smashercomic story8script: Bill Parker; pencils: C. C. Beck; inks: C. C. Beck; colors: Bill ParkerAlan Armstrong First, Admiral Corby First, Eve Corby First, The Mask First, Spy Smasher First
6The Radium Theft of Dr. Deathcomic story8script: Bill Parker; pencils: Gregor Duncan; inks: Gregor Duncan; colors: Bill ParkerScoop Smith (introduction); Dr. John Galt (introduction, hospital President); Blimp Black (introduction, cameraman); Bruce Lane (introduction, newspaper editor); Dr. Death [Dr. James Kirk] (villain, introduction)
7Incident At Maloanacomic story8script: Bill Parker; pencils: Bob Kingett; inks: Bob Kingett; colors: Bill ParkerLance O'Casey First
8Seals of Doomcomic story8script: Bill Parker; pencils: Gregor Duncan; inks: Gregor Duncan; colors: Bill ParkerDan Dare (introduction); Carol Clews (introduction); unnamed Police Chief; Seminole Sam (death); Carlos Peseta (villain); Manuel (villain, Peseta's servant); Portugese Pete (villain)
9Lucky Seven Cash Contestactivity1letters: typesetAlan Armstrong First, Billy Batson First, Captain Marvel First, Golden Arrow First, Ibis First, Lance O'Casey First, Roger Parsons First, Prince Amentep First, Spy Smasher First

Plus 2 pages of advertisements and other matter across 2 sequences, as published.

Where to read it

CollectionYear
The Great Comic Book Heroes #[nn]1965On eBay ›
Shazam from the Forties to the Seventies #[nn]
ISBN 0517531275		1977On eBay ›
The Shazam! Archives #1
ISBN 1-56389-053-4		1992On eBay ›
Comic Reprints #[2]1973On eBay ›
Millennium Edition: Whiz Comics 2 #[nn]2000On eBay ›
Secret Origins of the Super DC Heroes #[nn]1976On eBay ›
Famous First Edition #F-41974On eBay ›
Shazam! The Greatest Stories Ever Told #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-4012-1674-0		2008On eBay ›
Shazam!: A Celebration of 75 Years #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-4012-5538-1		2015On 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

1 of 155#3 ›

Sources

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