Publishers / DC / Adventure Comics (1938) / #61
61April 1941
$0.10

Adventure Comics #61

DC · April 1941 · on sale 1941-03-05

First appearance: Major Gruen
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
Adventure Comics (DC, 1938 series)
Issue
#61
Publication date
April 1941
Key date
1941-04-00
On-sale date
1941-03-05
Indicia publisher
Detective Comics 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 Major Gruen - 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: Jack Burnley; inks: Jack BurnleyThe Starman [Ted Knight]; the Sandman [Wesley Dodds] (inset)
1The "Big Six" Comic Magazines Still Lead the Field!promo (ad from the publisher)1letters: typeset
2The Amazing Starmancomic story9script: Jack Burnley, Gardner Fox; pencils: Jack Burnley; inks: Jack Burnley, Ray Burnley; colors: Raymond Perry; letters: Betty BentleyStarman [Ted Knight](introduction, origin); Doris Lee (niece of FBI Chief, Woodley Allen, introduction); Woodley Allen (FBI trouble-shooter, introduction); Professor Davis; Dr. Doog (villain, introduction, death); Nelson (villain, death)
3-cartoon0.5
4All-Star Comicspromo (ad from the publisher)0.5
5Lishak the Gladiatorcomic story6script: Howard Purcell; pencils: Howard Purcell; inks: Howard PurcellMark Lansing; Kit; King Talon; Costa (villain); Lishak (villain, death)
6Factscartoon0.5script: Henry Boltinoff; pencils: Henry Boltinoff; inks: Henry Boltinoff; letters: Henry Boltinoff
8The Ghost Planecomic story4script: Jerry Siegel; pencils: Chad-; inks: Chad-; letters: Chad GrothkopfSteve Carson, Major Gruen First
9Treachery Off Singaporecomic story6script: Jack Lehti; pencils: Jack Lehti; inks: Jack LehtiSteve Conrad; Chang; Sparky Watts (death); Blubber Bolsom (villain); Slippy (villain)
10Peter and His Pupcomic story1script: Ray McGill; pencils: Ray McGill; inks: Ray McGill; letters: Ray McGillPeter; Whiskers (his dog)
11The Quiz Pagecartoon1script: Henry Boltinoff; pencils: Henry Boltinoff; inks: Henry Boltinoff; letters: Henry Boltinoff
12The Runaway Dinosaurscomic story8script: Ken Fitch; pencils: Bernard Baily; inks: Bernard Baily; letters: Bernard BailyHourman [Rex Tyler]; Mr. Bannerman; un-named Professor; Jimmy Martin; Thorndyke Tompkins; Minute Men of America; Mr. Whistle (villain)
14Too Many Suspectscomic story6script: Ed Moore; pencils: Ed Moore; inks: Ed Moore; letters: Ed MoorePaul Kirk; Police Chief Holden; Andrew Kallan [as Bushy] (villain)
15The Flying Carpet by Richard Halliburtontext article0.67letters: typeset
17Defender of Barlundacomic story6script: Jack Lehti; pencils: Jack Lehti; inks: Jack LehtiCotton Carver; Princess Deela; King Marl; Nardak; Orko (villain, death)
18Case of the Black Cattext story1.5script: T. C. O'Neill; pencils: Fred Ray; inks: Fred RayJimmy Owen; Minerva (a cat); Hilda
20The Menace of the Metal Gun!comic story10pencils: Creig Flessel; inks: Creig FlesselThe Sandman [Wesley Dodds]; Dian Belmont; D.A. Belmont; Ivan Borloff (villain)
21Colossal! Terrific! Stupendous!promo (ad from the publisher)1letters: typeset

Plus 4.33 pages of advertisements and other matter across 6 sequences, as published.

Where to read it

CollectionYear
The Brave and the Bold #611965On eBay ›
Justice League of America #941971On eBay ›
Millennium Edition: Adventure Comics 61 #[nn]2000On eBay ›
Golden Age Starman Archives #1
ISBN 1-56389-622-2
2000On eBay ›

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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

Sources

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