Publishers / DC / Watchmen (1986) / #1
1September 1986
$1.50; 2.10 CAD

Watchmen #1

DC · September 1986 · on sale 1986-05-13

First appearance: Edward BlakeFirst appearance: Walter KovacsFirst appearance: RorschachDeath of Edward Blake
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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
Watchmen (DC, 1986 series)
Issue
#1
Publication date
September 1986
Key date
1986-09-00
On-sale date
1986-05-13
Indicia publisher
DC Comics Inc.
Price
$1.50; 2.10 CAD
Pages
36

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

Why this issue matters

From the editorial file The opening chapter of Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons and John Higgins' twelve issue series, September 1986. The most decorated superhero comic ever published and a fixture of every list of the medium's essential works.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Death on record for: Edward Blake.

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: Dave Gibbons; inks: Dave Gibbons; colors: John Higgins
1Indiciacredits, title page1letters: typeset
2At Midnight, All the Agents...comic story26script: Alan Moore; pencils: Dave Gibbons; inks: Dave Gibbons; colors: John Higgins; letters: Dave GibbonsEdward Blake First, William Brady First, Captain Metropolis First, Doctor Manhattan First, Dollar Bill First, Daniel Dreiberg First, Nelson Gardner First, Hooded Justice First, Laurie Juspeczyk First, Walter Kovacs First, Byron Lewis First, Hollis Mason First, Mothman First, Richard Nixon
3Under the Hood, Chapters 1 and 2text story6script: Alan Moore; pencils: Dave Gibbons; inks: Dave GibbonsHooded Justice First, Hollis Mason First, Nite Owl First, Superman
4Creditscredits, title page1letters: typeset
5Back Coverillustration1pencils: Dave Gibbons; inks: Dave Gibbons; colors: John Higgins

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Watchmen #[nn]
ISBN 0-930289-23-4		1987On eBay ›
Millennium Edition: Watchmen #1 #[nn]2000On eBay ›
Absolute Watchmen #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-4012-0713-7; 1-4012-0713-8		2005On eBay ›
Watchmen #[nn]1988On eBay ›

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

Before you buy

  • Multiple printings and international editions exist. For a first printing, check the indicia rather than the cover.
  • Confirm the UPC box: a publisher mark instead of a barcode means direct edition, a barcode means newsstand.
  • Glossy covers of this era show edge chipping easily. Check black edges closely in the photos.
  • Check the staples and centerfold; heavily read anniversary and key issues loosen there first.

Series context

1 of 13#1 [2nd Printing] ›

Sources

  • Grand Comics Database, issue record (CC BY-SA 4.0)
  • Wikidata, Q2519257 (Doctor Manhattan), first-appearance property (CC0)
  • Wikidata, Q3771747 (Hooded Justice), first-appearance property (CC0)
  • Wikidata, Q3656931 (Captain Metropolis), first-appearance property (CC0)

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