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Every first appearance here links to the page that says so

A short list, checked by hand. Each row was read from the cited page on the date shown. The list carries no prices or values, because those move and need a different kind of source.

CharacterFirst appearanceCover datePublisherSource
Superman Action Comics #1 1938 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: ACTION COMICS #1 (1938)
Batman Detective Comics #27 1939 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: DETECTIVE COMICS #27 (1939)
Hawkman Flash Comics #1 1940 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: FLASH COMICS #1 (1940)
The Flash
DC's profile covers every Flash under one name (it lists Barry Allen, Jay Garrick and Wally West). The issue shown is the one DC gives as the debut of the name.
Flash Comics #1 1940 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: FLASH COMICS #1 (1940)
Green Lantern
DC's profile covers the name, not one holder (it lists Hal Jordan as the alias). Check which Green Lantern a given issue introduces before you buy on it.
All-American Comics #16 1940 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: ALL-AMERICAN COMICS #16 (1940)
Joker Batman #1 1940 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: BATMAN #1 (1940)
Catwoman Batman #1 1940 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: BATMAN #1 (1940)
Robin
DC's profile lists four people who used the name. The issue shown is the first appearance DC gives for the name.
Detective Comics #38 1940 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: DETECTIVE COMICS #38 (1940)
Lex Luthor Action Comics #23 1940 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: ACTION COMICS #23 (1940)
Shazam Whiz Comics #2 1940 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: WHIZ COMICS #2 (1940)
Wonder Woman All-Star Comics #8 1941 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: ALL-STAR COMICS #8 (1941)
Aquaman More Fun Comics #73 1941 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: MORE FUN COMICS #73 (1941)
Green Arrow More Fun Comics #73 1941 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: MORE FUN COMICS #73 (1941)
Black Canary Flash Comics #86 1947 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: FLASH COMICS #86 (1947)
Martian Manhunter Detective Comics #225 1955 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: DETECTIVE COMICS #225 (1955)
Supergirl Action Comics #252 1959 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: ACTION COMICS #252 (1959)
Spider-Man
The Library of Congress page gives the issue and the August 1962 date, and says it holds Steve Ditko's 24 original drawings for the issue.
Amazing Fantasy #15 August 1962 Marvel Comics Library of Congress, Treasures Gallery: Spider-Man's Origin Story
read 2026-11-01. Page says: Spider-Man makes his debut in Amazing Fantasy No. 15. ... In this August 1962 issue
Zatanna Hawkman #4 1964 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: HAWKMAN #4 (1964)
Poison Ivy Batman #181 1966 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: BATMAN #181 (1966)
Swamp Thing House of Secrets #92 1971 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: HOUSE OF SECRETS #92 (1971)
Cyborg DC Comics Presents #26 1980 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: DC COMICS PRESENTS #26 (1980)
Raven DC Comics Presents #26 1980 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: DC COMICS PRESENTS #26 (1980)
Deathstroke The New Teen Titans #2 1980 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: THE NEW TEEN TITANS #2 (1980)
Nightwing
This row follows DC's profile, which gives #43. Wikipedia's Nightwing article, read the same day, gives #44 as the issue where Dick Grayson takes the name, so check which one a listing means.
Tales of the Teen Titans #43 1984 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS #43 (1984)
Bane Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1 1993 DC Comics DC official character profile
read 2026-11-01. Page says: BATMAN: VENGEANCE OF BANE #1 (1993)

Cover date is given as precisely as the source gives it. DC's profiles state a year only. A character's first appearance is a fact about a story, and some names have had several holders, so the notes call that out where the source does.

First appearances as stated by the cited page. Cover date is given at the precision the source gives it (DC's profiles state a year only). No prices or values.