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Issue: Detective Comics #438
Disclose Detail
Title:
Variant: unnamed
Rating: Approved by the Comics Code Authority
Publisher: FlagDC
Brand: DC [block]View Brand Images
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 Images1
Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 
Assets1
 
 
Disclose Issue Images
A Monster Walks Wayne Manor

Illustration  on  Cover, Front
Credits
typeset
Subject Matter
superhero
Ubu
Reprinting
FlagLäderlappen #12/1974 published January 1974
as [untitled] [Illustration on Cover, Front]
FlagLynvingen #11/1974 published November 1974
as Slipper Lynvingen fra monsteret? [Illustration on Cover, Front]
 
Miscellaneous
1
L-248
Disclose
Don't Be Half a Man!

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
? (photo)
? (photo)
?; typeset
? (ad agency)
Subject Matter
beach bully
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
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
?
Subject Matter
superhero
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)
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
FlagLäderlappen #12/1974 published January 1974
as Frukta för monstrets hämnd [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperman #9/1974 published April 1974
as Ein Ungeheuer im Landhaus Wayne [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagLynvingen #11/1974 published November 1974
as Monsteret [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
12
Disclose
World of the Magic Atom!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Timor (a dragon); Biff Barker (first appearance, gang boss)
Atom helps Zatanna search for her father in a sub-atomic world ruled by the Druid.
Reprinting
FlagThe Atom #19 published June 1965
was World of the Magic Atom! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
23.84
N-754
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
? (promo copy)
?
?
?
typeset
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0.33
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
? (promo copy)
?
?
?
?
Subject Matter
Hey, fright fans… feast your blood-shot eyes on ghoulish goings-on…
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0.33
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
? (ad copy)
?
?
?
?
?
Subject Matter
Gotcha, Tough Tom!
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
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.
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Free 100 Decals

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
? (ad copy)
?
?
?
typeset; ?
?
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0.5
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
?
?; ? (photos)
?; ? (photos)
typeset
?
Subject Matter
Obeys Your Commands!
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0.25
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
? (ad copy)
? (photo)
? (photo)
? (backgrounds only)
typeset
?
Subject Matter
It's life size.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0.25
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
? (promo copy)
?
?
?
?
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0.5
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
?
?
?
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
House ad for the Limited Collectors' Edition (DC, 1972 series) #C-23 (Winter 1973) featuring House of Mystery.
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The Men Who Moved the World!

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

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
? (ad copy)
?
?
?
?
?
Subject Matter
adventure, historical
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
2
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
? (promo copy)
?
?
?
typeset
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0.5
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
? (promo copy)
?
?
?
typeset
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0.5
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
? (promo copy)
?
?
?
?; typeset
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0.33
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
? (ad copy)
?
?
?
?; typeset
?
Subject Matter
Wow 6 different patches free.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0.5
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
? (ad copy)
? (photographs)
? (photographs)
typeset
?
Subject Matter
Coast-to-coast shortage of trained draftsmen…
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0.5
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
? (ad copy)
?
?
typeset
?
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0.5
Ad for sales people for engraved metal social security plates from Engravaplates of Jacksonville, FL.
Disclose
[untitled]

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
? (ad copy)
?
?
?
?
?
Subject Matter
Jack Pot Bank
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0.5
Ad for novelty items from Honor House Prod. Corp. of Lynbrook, NY.
Disclose
Gotham Gang Line-Up!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Tri-State Gang [Paul Pardee (villain); Hippo (villain); Duke (villain); Mike (villain); Joe (villain)]
Alfred is apparently killed when rescuing Batman and Robin. Dick's aunt, Aunt Harriet, arrives to take care of the two "helpless boys".
Reprinting
FlagDetective Comics #328 published June 1964
was Gotham Gang Line-Up! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
14.34
N-753
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
? (ad copy)
?
?
?
typeset
?
Subject Matter
Hawkman; Green Lantern; Superman; Flash; Batman; Robin; Green Arrow; Aquaman; Supergirl
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
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
? (promo copy)
?
?
?
typeset
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0.33
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
? (promo copy)
?
?
?
?
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0.33
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
?
?
?
?; typeset
Subject Matter
informational
Julie Schwartz (caricature)
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Disclose
The House That Fought Green Lantern!

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

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Raoul Salazano (flashback)
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
FlagManhunter #1 published May 1984
as The Manhunter File [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagManhunter: The Special Edition #[nn] published September 1999
as The Manhunter File [Story on Interior Page(s)]
FlagSuperman Presents Wonder Comic Monthly #119 published ?
as A Death Trap [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
8
L-244
Part 2 of 6. Story ends in Detective Comics #443.
Disclose
[untitled]

Letters Page  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
typeset
Subject Matter
superhero
What you're holding...
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
2
L-255
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
? (ad copy)
?
?
typeset
?
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0.5
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
? (ad copy)
?
?
typeset
Subject Matter
Boy; girl
Collect coins... the hobby road to riches
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0.5
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
? (ad copy)
?
?
?; typeset
?
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Inside back cover ad in comic strip form for Cleveland Institute of Electronics.
Disclose
[untitled]

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
? (ad copy)
?
?
?
typeset
?
Subject Matter
Peter Revson drives this car.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Sold by Aurora Plastics Corp. of West Hempstead, NY.
On back cover.

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