As fans across the globe celebrate Batman’s 80th birthday Saturday, March 30, the comic book series that first launched the crime fighting adventures of the world’s most popular super hero reached a milestone this week with the release of DC’s Detective Comics #1000. Pre-orders for the 96-page oversize collector’s edition have passed 600, 000. The issue features star writers and artists paying tribute to an iconic pop culture character, honoring Batman’s first appearance in Detective Comics #27 on March 30, 1939.
The 1,000th issue of Detective Comics, the title from which the DC brand itself was born, celebrates Batman through a series of seven-to-nine-page standalone short stories. A highlight of the issue is an original story revealing a never-before-seen iteration of the Arkham Knight, written by New York Times best-selling author Peter J. Tomasi (Batman and Robin, Detective Comics, Batman: Arkham Knight) with artwork by Doug Mahnke (Batman: The Man Who Laughs, Blackest Night).
“Detective Comics #1000 is a remarkable milestone in Batman’s publishing history and he’s had a seismic cultural impact on fans for eight decades,” said DC publisher Dan DiDio. “As one of DC’s most iconic Super Heroes, Batman has inspired every writer and artist who contributed to this book, and we can’t wait for fans to connect with these new stories that celebrate the entire Bat-universe.”
This must-have collector’s item also features an all-star array of top writers and artists in Batman’s recent history, including Tom King, Tony S. Daniel, Joëlle Jones, Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, Brian Michael Bendis, Alex Maleev, Warren Ellis, Becky Cloonan and more. Detective Comics #1000 is available now at comics retailers and digitally for $9.99.
The release of Detective Comics #1000 follows the spectacular oversize hardcover Detective Comics: 80 Years of Batman The Deluxe Edition, also available now. From guest editor Paul Levitz, the hardcover volume is packed with classic reprints of the Caped Crusader’s most memorable adventures. Featuring an all-new cover by Jim Lee, several unpublished treasures and a foreword from Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy, the celebratory book includes essays looking at Batman from extraordinary perspectives, including Cory Doctorow, Neil Gaiman, Glen David Gold, Denny O’Neil, former San Diego police chief Shelley Zimmerman and pulp historian Anthony Tollin.
This weekend, fans across the globe can celebrate Batman’s 80th birthday on Saturday, March 30 with the following festivities:
For those attending WonderCon in Anaheim, CA, there is a can’t-miss opportunity to join a collection of stars who have contributed to Batman’s legacy at a special “Happy Birthday Batman!” panel event at 3:30 p.m. at the Anaheim Convention Center (Room: North 200B). Featuring DC Publisher, Chief Creative Officer and Batman: Hush artist Jim Lee, as well as David Mazouz (Gotham), Lee Meriwether (Batman), Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series, Batman: Arkham Asylum), Roger Craig Smith (Batman: Arkham Origins, Batman: Ninja), Diedrich Bader (Batman: The Brave and the Bold) and Grace Randolph (Beyond the Trailer), the ultimate celebration of Batman will honor the Super Hero’s legacy along with a slice of Bat-cake.
DC Universe will open its digital doors to Batman fans for a day of free live action and animated films, TV series and comics beginning at midnight EDT Saturday, March 30 until 11:59 p.m. EDT. From the Caped Crusader’s origin in Frank Miller’s landmark Batman: Year One to Tim Burton’s 1989 movie blockbuster to the epic Batman: The Animated Series, users will able to binge hundreds of the greatest superhero stories of all time, featuring the most iconic character in pop culture history. Plus, the first month of DC Universe will cost only $0.80 cents for new members who sign up between March 29, 2019, 12:01 EDT and April 4, 2019 11:59 p.m. EDT. The special offer is available in the U.S. at www.dcuniverse.com. After the first month at $0.80 the monthly subscription price will renew at the standard rate of $7.99 a month.
Bat-fans across the globe are welcome to join the stars of Gotham, Supergirl, Pennyworth and more to post special birthday shout-outs this Saturday to Batman with the hashtag #LongLiveTheBat.
A word of warning to would-be comics investors: this is not the one that will make you wealthy. The more copies that are printed, and the more people who keep it in pristine condition as a collector’s item, the less its value will increase.
