Weekly auctions at Goldin: something for every comic book collector from just $5 opening bid! Click to see the lineup

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

Key Issue Comics: Detective Comics 400, 1st Appearance of Man-Bat. Click to buy at Goldin

Click here to buy your copy of this book today!

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 $3,015
9.4 $1,650
9.2 $1,075
9.0 $825
8.5 $665
8.0 $555
7.5 $355
7.0 $510
6.5 $350
6.0 $290
5.5 $300
5.0 $280
4.5 $200

Man-Bat may not be as memorable as The Joker or Bane, but he has become a lasting Batman 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 $43,200 in 2021, which had a CGC grade of 9.8 (the highest grade for this comic).

Have this book? Click to appraise its value or Consign Yours for Auction!