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Issue: Detective Comics #438
Publication Date: December 1973
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Disclose Detail
Issues: #438 of 883 Issues (1409 Printings)
Title:
Variant: unnamed
Rating: Approved by the Comics Code Authority
Publisher: FlagDC
Brand: DC [block]View Brand Images
Indicia Publisher: National Periodical Publications Inc.
On Sale Date: 09/27/1973
Volume: 37
Pages: 100
ISBN:
UPC/EAN: none
Price: $0.50 USD
Indicia Frequency: Approved by the Comics Code Authority
Content Items: 33 (6 stories, 1 cover)
Editor(s):  
Disclose Notes: On-sale date from Comic Reader #100.
  Does this data need corrections? Become an editor.
Disclose Format
Publication Type: Comic Book
Color: color cover; color interior
Dimensions: standard Golden Age US; standard Silver Age US; standard Modern Age US
Paper Stock: newsprint; glossy
Binding: saddle-stitched; squarebound
Publishing Format: was ongoing series
Format Notes:  
Disclose Reprinted In8
Disclose Reprinted From4
Disclose Images1
Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 
Assets1
Indicia
 
 
spacer
Disclose Content Items (33 total)
Disclose Issue Images
A Monster Walks Wayne Manor

Illustration  on  Cover, Front
Credits
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Character(s): Ubu
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagLäderlappen #12/1974 published January 1974
as [untitled] [Illustration on Cover, Front]
In Content Item: FlagLynvingen #11/1974 published November 1974
as Slipper Lynvingen fra monsteret? [Illustration on Cover, Front]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Job Number: L-248
Disclose
Don't Be Half a Man!

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ? (photo)
Inker(s): ? (photo)
Letterer(s): ?; typeset
Editor(s): ? (ad agency)
Subject Matter
Character(s): beach bully
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Inside front cover ad for Charles Atlas, Dept. 81M, 115 E 23 St., N.Y., N.Y. 10010. Features the mini-comic story "The Insult That Made a Man Out of Mac".
Disclose
A Monster Walks Wayne Manor!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Character(s): Ubu (also flashback, death); Dr. Varnov (also as Dr. Strang, first appearance); Liverpool (thug, first appearance, death); Kolb (first appearance, flashback, death); Patch (first appearance, bartender)
Synopsis: At the unused Wayne Manor, Batman goes up against an obsessed Swiss scientist who desperately needs to study Ra's al Ghul's demented henchman Ubu, to mine the secrets of a Lazarus Pit.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagLäderlappen #12/1974 published January 1974
as Frukta för monstrets hämnd [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagSuperman #9/1974 published April 1974
as Ein Ungeheuer im Landhaus Wayne [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagLynvingen #11/1974 published November 1974
as Monsteret [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 12
Disclose
World of the Magic Atom!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Character(s): Timor (a dragon); Biff Barker (first appearance, gang boss)
Synopsis: Atom helps Zatanna search for her father in a sub-atomic world ruled by the Druid.
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagThe Atom #19 published June 1965
was World of the Magic Atom! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 23.84
Job Number: N-754
Disclose Notes: Story across 25 pages in three parts of 11.67, 5.67, and 6.5 pages in length.

This is the first chapter of Zatanna's search for her father, which is reprinted in various DC Super Spectaculars in this period. Reprint info correction from Robert Gee.
Disclose
Superman the Man of Steel - World's Greatest Comics Hero Appears in…

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (promo copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.33
Disclose Notes: House ad for various DC comics in which Superman appears.
At the bottom of page 12 of "World of the Magic Atom".
Disclose
[untitled]

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (promo copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
First Line: Hey, fright fans… feast your blood-shot eyes on ghoulish goings-on…
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.33
Disclose Notes: House ad for various DC mystery comics.
At bottom of page 13 of "World of the Magic Atom".
Disclose
Smash-Up Derby

Advertisement (Comic Format)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (ad copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Editor(s): ?
Subject Matter
First Line: Gotcha, Tough Tom!
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Ad for gyro-powered cars that flew apart when crashed together, from the SSP line of Kenner Toys.
On first page after page 20 of "World of the Magic Atom!" Set includes fly apart racers Tough Tom and Bugg-Em, and other accessories.
Disclose
Free 100 Decals

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (ad copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset; ?
Editor(s): ?
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: An advertisement for decals from Super Values of New York, New York.
On top of second page after page 20 of "World of the Magic Atom!"
Disclose
Scary, Life Size Monster Ghost

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?; ? (photos)
Inker(s): ?; ? (photos)
Letterer(s): typeset
Editor(s): ?
Subject Matter
First Line: Obeys Your Commands!
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.25
Disclose Notes: Ad for 7 foot polyethylene ghost for $1.00 from Melton Co., with free "Peeping Skeleton Hands" for each order.
On bottom of second page after page 20 of "World of the Magic Atom!"
Disclose
Vampire Bat

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (ad copy)
Penciller(s): ? (photo)
Inker(s): ? (photo)
Colorist(s): ? (backgrounds only)
Letterer(s): typeset
Editor(s): ?
Subject Matter
First Line: It's life size.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.25
Disclose Notes: Advertisement for a vampire bat toy from Guarantee Co. of Chicago, Ill.
On bottom of second page after page 20 of "World of the Magic Atom!"
Disclose
Zatanna Gets the Help of Green Lantern

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (promo copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: House ad for Superman (DC, 1939 series) #272 (February 1974).
At bottom of page 25 of "World of the Magic Atom!"
Disclose
For a Fun-Filled Halloween from--

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: House ad for the Limited Collectors' Edition (DC, 1972 series) #C-23 (Winter 1973) featuring House of Mystery.
Disclose
The Men Who Moved the World!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Character(s): Khrem (villain); Setph (villain)
Synopsis: The Hawks fight three aliens who are trying to move the Earth out of its orbit
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagThe Brave and the Bold #44 published October 1962
was The Men Who Moved the World! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 12.67
Job Number: N-755
Disclose
Pirates Strike Again!

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (ad copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Editor(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure, historical
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 2
Disclose Notes: Heavily illustrated ad for MPC model kits featuring Walt Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean.
Between pages 3-4 of "The Men Who Moved the World!"
Disclose
Just Put an X Next to the Comics You Want!

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (promo copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: DC subscription ad.
At top of third page between pages 3-4 of "The Men Who Moved the World!"
Disclose
The Masked Manhunter… the World's Greatest Detective Appears in…

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (promo copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: House ad for comic books that Batman appears in.
At bottom of third page between pages 3-4 of "The Men Who Moved the World!"
Disclose
Erupting into 3-Dimension

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (promo copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?; typeset
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.33
Disclose Notes: House ad for DC's "Table-top Diorama Series" in DC's battle mags.
At bottom of page 13 of "The Men Who Moved the World!"
Disclose
Free Patches

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (ad copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?; typeset
Editor(s): ?
Subject Matter
First Line: Wow 6 different patches free.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: Send for a free assortment of iron-on patches and receive a free product catalog from Super Values of New York, NY.
Disclose
These 3 Big Drafting Kits Given To You!

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (ad copy)
Penciller(s): ? (photographs)
Inker(s): ? (photographs)
Letterer(s): typeset
Editor(s): ?
Subject Matter
First Line: Coast-to-coast shortage of trained draftsmen…
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: Advertisement for a career in drafting from North America School of Drafting of Newport Beach, CA.
Disclose
Make Excellent Extra Cash...

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (ad copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Editor(s): ?
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: Ad for sales people for engraved metal social security plates from Engravaplates of Jacksonville, FL.
Disclose
[untitled]

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (ad copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Editor(s): ?
Subject Matter
First Line: Jack Pot Bank
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: Ad for novelty items from Honor House Prod. Corp. of Lynbrook, NY.
Disclose
Gotham Gang Line-Up!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Character(s): Tri-State Gang [Paul Pardee (villain); Hippo (villain); Duke (villain); Mike (villain); Joe (villain)]
Synopsis: Alfred is apparently killed when rescuing Batman and Robin. Dick's aunt, Aunt Harriet, arrives to take care of the two "helpless boys".
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagDetective Comics #328 published June 1964
was Gotham Gang Line-Up! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 14.34
Job Number: N-753
Disclose Notes: Story in two parts of 6.67 and 7.67 pages.

Death of Alfred, which leads into the Outsider serial.

Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder
Disclose
Super-Hero Stick-Ons!

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (ad copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Editor(s): ?
Subject Matter
Character(s): Hawkman; Green Lantern; Superman; Flash; Batman; Robin; Green Arrow; Aquaman; Supergirl
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Send for fourteen DC super-hero stick-ons for $2.50 from Family Bazaar Inc. of Chicago, IL.
Between pages 5-6 of "Gotham Gang Line-Up!"
Disclose
The New American Revolution

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (promo copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.33
Disclose Notes: House ad for Prez (DC, 1973 series) #3 (December 1973 - January 1974) with cover reproduction.
Bottom of page between page 7-8 of "Gotham Gang Line-Up!"
Disclose
Alfred… Dead?

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (promo copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.33
Disclose Notes: DC promo for Batman-related 100 page super-spectacular comics.
At bottom of page 15 of "Gotham Gang Line-Up!"
Disclose
1972 Shazam Awards

In-house Column  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?; typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: informational
Character(s): Julie Schwartz (caricature)
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
The House That Fought Green Lantern!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Synopsis: Green Lantern pursues a fleeing criminal to a deserted house which has been rigged to seem haunted.
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagGreen Lantern #28 published April 1964
was The House That Fought Green Lantern! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 10
Job Number: N-756
Disclose
Chapter Two: The Manhunter File

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Character(s): Raoul Salazano (flashback)
Synopsis: Christine St. Clair shows her current file on Manhunter to her boss, Damon Nostrand. She fills him in on the fact that some of the bodies of the men that Paul Kirk has eliminated have his face and fingerprints, and all end up being stolen from the morgues by unknown parties. Christine learns that Kirk is a master of an ancient Japanese fighting discipline called Ninjutsu, and that Kirk must also have some kind of rapid healing abilities. After Christine leaves Nostrand's office, he burns up the files.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagManhunter #1 published May 1984
as The Manhunter File [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagManhunter: The Special Edition #[nn] published September 1999
as The Manhunter File [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagSuperman Presents Wonder Comic Monthly #119 published ?
as A Death Trap [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 8
Job Number: L-244
Disclose Notes: Part 2 of 6. Story ends in Detective Comics #443.
Disclose
[untitled]

Letters Page  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
First Line: What you're holding...
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 2
Job Number: L-255
Disclose Notes: Includes an editorial explaining the switch to the 100 page format. Letters of comment from Mike Shoemaker, Greg Thornhill, David Mollett, and Bob Rozakis.
Disclose
Karate Judo-Savate

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (ad copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Editor(s): ?
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: Top of page ad for mail order Karate course.
At top of last interior page.
Disclose
Surprise Coin Packet

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (ad copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Character(s): Boy; girl
First Line: Collect coins... the hobby road to riches
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: Ad, with order coupon, from Hobby Coin Co.
At bottom of last interior page.
Disclose
This Can Be Your "Big Break"...

Advertisement (Comic Format)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (ad copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?; typeset
Editor(s): ?
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Inside back cover ad in comic strip form for Cleveland Institute of Electronics.
Disclose
[untitled]

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ? (ad copy)
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Editor(s): ?
Subject Matter
First Line: Peter Revson drives this car.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Sold by Aurora Plastics Corp. of West Hempstead, NY.
On back cover.

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