Publishers / DC / Detective Comics (1937) / #439
439February-March 1974
$0.50

Detective Comics #439

DC · February-March 1974 · on sale 1973-11-29

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Identification plate

Series
Detective Comics (DC, 1937 series)
Issue
#439
Publication date
February-March 1974
Key date
1974-02-00
On-sale date
1973-11-29
Indicia publisher
National Periodical Publications Inc.
Price
$0.50
Pages
100
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

Origin story on record for: Manhunter, Paul Kirk.

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
0Night of the Stalkercover1pencils: Neal Adams; inks: Dick Giordano; colors: Tatjana Wood; letters: Gaspar SaladinoBatman [Bruce Wayne]; The Atom [Ray Palmer] (head shot); Hawkman [Carter Hall] (head shot); Manhunter [Paul Kirk] (head shot); Doctor Fate [Kent Nelson] (head shot); Kid Eternity (head shot)
2Night of the Stalker!comic story14script: Vin Amendola, Sal Amendola, Steve Englehart; pencils: Sal Amendola; inks: Dick Giordano, Sal Amendola; colors: Jerry Serpe; letters: Morris WaldingerBatman [Bruce Wayne] (4-page origin); Thomas Wayne; Martha Wayne; Joe Chill; Cannon; Rick
3Riddle of the Clowncomic story8script: Robert Kanigher; pencils: Joe Kubert; inks: Joe Kubert; letters: Gaspar SaladinoGentleman Ghost; Hawkman [Carter Hall]; Hawkgirl [Shiera Hall]
4The Gold Hunters of '49!comic story11.67script: Gardner Fox; pencils: Gil Kane; inks: Sid Greene; letters: Gaspar SaladinoThe Atom [Ray Palmer]; Professor Alpheus V. Hyatt; Edgar Allan Poe
6-promo (ad from the publisher)0.33
8-comic story6script: Gardner Fox; pencils: Howard Sherman; inks: Howard Sherman; letters: Howard ShermanDr. Fate [Kent Nelson]; Inza Kramer; Leopard Girl [Helen]; Ray Knight; Sarkiss (villain)
93 Sensational Blockbusterspromo (ad from the publisher)1letters: typeset
11Batman's Bewitched Nightmare!comic story14.34script: Gardner Fox; pencils: Sheldon Moldoff; inks: Joe Giella; letters: Gaspar Saladino; editing: Julius SchwartzOutsider; Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]
12DC's Blazing Combat Storiespromo (ad from the publisher)0.33
14-promo (ad from the publisher)0.33
15The Tantalizing Troubles of the Tripod Thieves!comic story9.67script: Gardner Fox; pencils: Carmine Infantino; inks: Carmine Infantino; letters: Gaspar Saladino; editing: Julius SchwartzZatanna; Elongated Man [Ralph Dibny]; Sue Dibny
18-promo (ad from the publisher)0.33
20-comic story11script: Joe Millard; pencils: Pete RissKid Eternity; Mr. Keeper; Thomas Edison; Achilles; Cagliostro; Resolute Mulgrew; Sylvia Mulgrew; Eric Mulgrew; Sampson; Jason Mulgrew (villain, introduction, death)
21The Line of DC Super-Starspromo (ad from the publisher)1letters: typeset
22-letters page2script: Archie Goodwin
23Chapter 3: The Resurrection of Paul Kirkcomic story8script: Archie Goodwin; pencils: Simonson; inks: Simonson; letters: Joe Letterese, Walter SimonsonJohn F. Kennedy, Paul Kirk Origin, Manhunter Origin, Dr. Anatol Mykros, Asano Nitobe, Damon Nostrand, Christine St. Clair

Plus 11 pages of advertisements and other matter across 11 sequences, as published.

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Manhunter #11984On eBay ›
Manhunter: The Special Edition #[nn]
ISBN 1-56389-374-6
1999On eBay ›
Batman Illustrated by Neal Adams #3
ISBN 1-4012-0407-4
2006On eBay ›
Batman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told #1
ISBN 1-4012-0444-9
2005On 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

Sources

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