Key Issue Comics:
Detective Comics 400, 1st Appearance of Man-Bat

Why Detective Comics 400 is a Key Issue Comic

400 issues in – that’s quite a milestone for Detective Comics, which was started way back in 1937.

For this monumental issue, Batman gets a new foe – Man-Bat!

Dr. Kirk Langstrom was a scientist who developed a serum that could give humans bat senses.

Hoping to cure his progressive deafness, Dr. Langstrom tests it on himself, but is turned into a ravaging Man-Bat.

Later, Batman and Man-Bat team up to fight off the Blackout Gang (first appearance), but their partnership is short-lived and Man-Bat mysteriously disappears.

He shows up later in DC #402 where he and Batman face off as enemies.

The cover of Detective Comics #400 is unique in that it features Batman, Robin, and Batgirl, where previous issues left out Batgirl.

Guide to Detective Comics #400 Values

• 9.8 $43,200
• 9.6 $3,360
• 9.4 $1,530
• 9.2 $1,390
• 9.0 $800
• 8.5 $850
• 8.0 $850
• 7.5 $800
• 7.0 $650
• 6.5 $450
• 6.0 $450
• 5.5 $310
• 5.0 $280
• 4.5 $290
• 4.0 $300
• 3.5 $280
• 2.5 $280

Man-Bat may not be as memorable as The Joker or Bane, but he has become a lasting DC villain who still makes appearances today.

During the 1970s, Man-Bat was popular enough to get his own two issue series, illustrated by Steve Ditko.

Depending on the grade, DC #400 could be worth anywhere from $100 to over $3,000. The highest recent sale for DC #400 was $3,700 in 2013, which had a CGC grade of 9.8 (the highest grade for this comic).

Values of non-certified issues:

• VG: $20
• FN: $80
• VF: $150
• VF/NM: $200
• NM or better: contact us

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Other Batman-Related Price Guides on SMCB

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