1940 in comics

Updated on Apr 25, 2026

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Notable events of 1940 in comics. See also List of years in comics.

Year overall

Another boom year for the burgeoning American comic book industry, as Ace Comics, Columbia Comics, Farrell Publications, Holyoke Publishing, Novelty Press, and Street & Smith Comics all begin publishing.

January

Ace Comics (1937 series) #34 - David McKay Publications

Action Comics (1938 series) #20 - DC Comics

Adventure Comics (1938 series) #46 - DC Comics

All-American Comics (1939 series) #10 - DC Comics

Amazing Mystery Funnies (1938 series) #17 - Centaur Publications

Daring Mystery Comics (1940 series) #1 - Timely Comics

Detective Comics (1937 series) #35 - DC Comics

Double Action Comics (1939 series) #2 - National Periodical Publications, consisting entirely of black and white reprints from early issues of More Fun Comics.

Feature Comics (1939 series) #28 - Quality Comics

Flash Comics (1940 series) #1 - National Periodical Publications

Marvel Mystery Comics (1939 series) #3 - Timely Comics

More Fun Comics (1936 series) #51 - National Periodical Publications

Mystery Men Comics (1939 series) #6 - Fox Feature Syndicate

Smash Comics (1939 series) #6 - Quality Comics

Teen-Age Romances (1940 series) #1 - St. John Publications debuts January 14

February

Ace Comics (1937 series) #35 - David McKay Publications

Action Comics (1938 series) #21 - DC Comics

Adventure Comics (1938 series) #47 - DC Comics

All-American Comics (1939 series) #11 - DC Comics

Daring Mystery Comics (1940 series) #2 - Timely Comics

Detective Comics (1937 series) #36 - DC Comics

Feature Comics (1939 series) #29 - Quality Comics

Flash Comics (1940 series) #2 - National Periodical Publications

Marvel Mystery Comics (1939 series) #4 - Timely Comics

More Fun Comics (1936 series) #52 - National Periodical Publications

Mystery Men Comics (1939 series) #7 - Fox Feature Syndicate

Smash Comics (1939 series) #7 - Quality Comics

Whiz Comics #2, the first appearance of Captain Marvel — Fawcett (This is actually #1 due to Whiz Comics #1 doesn't exist)

March

Ace Comics (1937 series) #36 - David McKay Publications

Action Comics (1938 series) #22 - DC Comics

Adventure Comics (1938 series) #48 - DC Comics

All-American Comics (1939 series) #12 - DC Comics

Amazing Mystery Funnies (1938 series) #18 - Centaur Publications

Detective Comics (1937 series) #37 - DC Comics

Feature Comics (1939 series) #30 - Quality Comics

Flash Comics (1940 series) #3 - National Periodical Publications

Marvel Mystery Comics (1939 series) #5 - Timely Comics

Master Comics (1940 series) #1 - Fawcett Publications

More Fun Comics (1936 series) #53 - National Periodical Publications

Mystery Men Comics (1939 series) #8 - Fox Feature Syndicate

Mystic Comics (1940 series) #1 - Timely Comics

Silver Streak Comics (1939 series) #3 — title acquired by Lev Gleason Publications

Slam-Bang Comics (1940 series) #1 - Fawcett Comics

Smash Comics (1939 series) #8 - Quality Comics

Whiz Comics #3 - Fawcett Comics (This is actually #2 do to #1 not being published)

April

Ace Comics (1937 series) #37 - David McKay Publications

Action Comics (1938 series) #23 - DC Comics

Adventure Comics (1938 series) #49 - DC Comics

All-American Comics (1939 series) #13 - DC Comics

Amazing Mystery Funnies (1938 series) #19 - Centaur Publications

Batman (1940 series) #1 - DC Comics (Batman originated in Detective Comics #27)

Blue Beetle (1939 series) #2 - Fox Feature Syndicate

Daring Mystery Comics (1940 series) #3 - Timely Comics

Detective Comics (1937 series) #38 - DC Comics

Feature Comics (1939 series) #31 - Quality Comics

Flash Comics (1940 series) #4 - National Periodical Publications

Marvel Mystery Comics (1939 series) #6 - Timely Comics

Master Comics (1940 series) #2 - Fawcett Publications

More Fun Comics (1936 series) #54 - National Periodical Publications

Mystery Men Comics (1939 series) #9 - Fox Feature Syndicate

Mystic Comics (1940 series) #2 - Timely Comics

Slam-Bang Comics (1940 series) #2 - Fawcett Comics

Smash Comics (1939 series) #9 - Quality Comics

Superman (1939 series) #4 - DC Comics

Whiz Comics (1940 series) #3 - Fawcett Comics (Numbering will be correct from here on)

May

Ace Comics (1937 series) #38 - David McKay Publications

Action Comics (1938 series) #24 - DC Comics

Adventure Comics (1938 series) #50 - DC Comics

All-American Comics (1939 series) #14 - DC Comics

Amazing Mystery Funnies (1938 series) #20 - Centaur Publications

Crack Comics (1940 series) #1 - Quality Comics (First appearance of Alias the Spider, Madame Fatal, Red Torpedo, and Black Condor)

Daring Mystery Comics (1940 series) #4 - Timely Comics

Detective Comics (1937 series) #39 - DC Comics

Doc Savage Comics (1940 series) #1 - Street & Smith Publications

Feature Comics (1939 series) #32 - Quality Comics

Flash Comics (1940 series) #5 - National Periodical Publications

Marvel Mystery Comics (1939 series) #7 - Timely Comics

Master Comics (1940 series) #3 - Fawcett Comics

More Fun Comics (1936 series) #55 - National Periodical Publications

Mystery Men Comics (1939 series) #10 - Fox Feature Syndicate

Nickel Comics (1940 series) #1 - Fawcett Comics (First appearance of Bulletman)

Nickel Comics (1940 series) #2 - Fawcett Comics

Slam-Bang Comics (1940 series) #3 - Fawcett Comics

Smash Comics (1939 series) #10 - Quality Comics

Whiz Comics (1940 series) #4 - Fawcett Comics

June

June 2: first publication of Will Eisner's "The Spirit Section", featuring debuts of the series The Spirit, Lady Luck and Mr. Mystic.

Ace Comics (1937 series) #39 - David McKay Publications

Action Comics (1938 series) #25 - DC Comics

Adventure Comics (1938 series) #51 - DC Comics

All-American Comics (1939 series) #15 - DC Comics

Amazing Mystery Funnies (1938 series) #21 - Centaur Publications

Crack Comics (1940 series) #2 - Quality Comics

Daring Mystery Comics (1940 series) #5 - Timely Comics

Detective Comics (1937 series) #40 - DC Comics

Feature Comics (1939 series) #33 - Quality Comics

Flash Comics (1940 series) #6 - National Periodical Publications

Marvel Mystery Comics (1939 series) #8 - Timely Comics

More Fun Comics (1936 series) #56 - National Periodical Publications

Mystery Men Comics (1939 series) #11 - Fox Feature Syndicate

Mystic Comics (1940 series) #3 - Timely Comics

Nickel Comics (1940 series) #3 - Fawcett Comics

Nickel Comics (1940 series) #4 - Fawcett Comics

Slam-Bang Comics (1940 series) #4 - Fawcett Comics

Smash Comics (1939 series) #11 - Quality Comics

Whiz Comics (1940 series) #5 - Fawcett Comics

July

Ace Comics (1937 series) #40 - David McKay Publications

Action Comics (1938 series) #26 - DC Comics

Adventure Comics (1938 series) #52 - DC Comics

All-American Comics (1939 series) #16 - DC Comics

All-Star Comics (1940 series) #1 - DC Comics

Amazing Mystery Funnies (1938 series) #22 - Centaur Publications

Batman (1940 series) #2 - DC Comics

Blue Beetle (1939 series) #3 - Fox Feature Syndicate

Crack Comics (1940 series) #3 - Quality Comics

Detective Comics (1937 series) #41 - DC Comics

Doc Savage Comics (1940 series) #2 - Street & Smith Publications

Feature Comics (1939 series) #34 - Quality Comics

Flash Comics (1940 series) #7 - National Periodical Publications

Hit Comics (1940 series) #1 - Quality Comics

Marvel Mystery Comics (1939 series) #9 - Timely Comics

Master Comics (1940 series) #4 - Fawcett Publications

More Fun Comics (1936 series) #57 - National Periodical Publications

Mystery Men Comics (1939 series) #12 - Fox Feature Syndicate

Nickel Comics (1940 series) #5 - Fawcett Comics

Nickel Comics (1940 series) #6 - Fawcett Comics

Slam-Bang Comics (1940 series) #5 - Fawcett Comics

Smash Comics (1939 series) #12 - Quality Comics

Superman (1939 series) #5 - DC Comics

Whiz Comics (1940 series) #6 - Fawcett Comics

August

Ace Comics (1937 series) #41 - David McKay Publications

Action Comics (1938 series) #27 - DC Comics

Adventure Comics (1938 series) #53 - DC Comics

All-American Comics (1939 series) #17 - DC Comics

Amazing Mystery Funnies (1938 series) #23 - Centaur Publications

Crack Comics (1940 series) #4 - Quality Comics

Detective Comics (1937 series) #42 - DC Comics

Feature Comics (1939 series) #35 - Quality Comics

Flash Comics (1940 series) #8 - National Periodical Publications

Hit Comics (1940 series) #2 - Quality Comics

Marvel Mystery Comics (1939 series) #10 - Timely Comics

Master Comics (1940 series) #5 - Fawcett Publications

More Fun Comics (1936 series) #58 - National Periodical Publications

Mystery Men Comics (1939 series) #13 - Fox Feature Syndicate

Mystic Comics (1940 series) #4 - Timely Comics

Nickel Comics (1940 series) #7 - Fawcett Comics

Nickel Comics (1940 series) #8 - Fawcett Comics

Slam-Bang Comics (1940 series) #6 - Fawcett Comics

Red Raven Comics (1940 series) #1 - Timely Comics

Smash Comics (1939 series) #13 - Quality Comics

Whiz Comics (1940 series) #7 - Fawcett Comics

September

Ace Comics (1937 series) #42 - David McKay Publications

Action Comics (1938 series) #28 - DC Comics

Adventure Comics (1938 series) #54 - DC Comics

All-American Comics (1939 series) #18 - DC Comics

All-Star Comics (1940 series) #2 - DC Comics

Amazing Mystery Funnies (1938 series) #24, last issue - Centaur Publications

Batman (1940 series) #3 - DC Comics

Blue Beetle (1939 series) #4 - Fox Feature Syndicate

Crack Comics (1940 series) #5 - Quality Comics

Daring Mystery Comics (1940 series) #6 - Timely Comics

Detective Comics (1937 series) #43 - DC Comics

Feature Comics (1939 series) #36 - Quality Comics

Flash Comics (1940 series) #9 - National Periodical Publications

Hit Comics (1940 series) #3

Human Torch Comics (1940 series) #2 - Timely Comics (Human Torch Comics took over for Red Raven Comics

Marvel Mystery Comics (1939 series) #11 - Timely Comics

Master Comics (1940 series) #6 - Fawcett Publications

More Fun Comics (1936 series) #59 - National Periodical Publications

Mystery Men Comics (1939 series) #14 - Fox Feature Syndicate

Slam-Bang Comics (1940 series) #7 - Fawcett Comics

Smash Comics (1939 series) #14 - Quality Comics

Whiz Comics (1940 series) #8 - Fawcett Comics

October

Ace Comics (1937 series) #43 - David McKay Publications

Action Comics (1938 series) #29 - DC Comics

Adventure Comics (1938 series) #55 - DC Comics

All-American Comics (1939 series) #19 - DC Comics

Crack Comics (1940 series) #6 - Quality Comics

Detective Comics (1937 series) #44 - DC Comics

Feature Comics (1939 series) #37 - Quality Comics

Flash Comics (1940 series) #10 - National Periodical Publications

Hit Comics (1940 series) #4 - Quality Comics

Marvel Mystery Comics (1939 series) #12 - Timely Comics

Master Comics (1940 series) #7 - Fawcett Publications

More Fun Comics (1936 series) #60 - National Periodical Publications

Mystery Men Comics (1939 series) #15 - Fox Feature Syndicate

Smash Comics (1939 series) #15 - Quality Comics

Superman (1939 series) #6 - DC Comics

Whiz Comics (1940 series) #9 - Fawcett Comics

November

Ace Comics (1937 series) #44 - David McKay Publications

Action Comics (1938 series) #30 - DC Comics

Adventure Comics (1938 series) #56 - DC Comics

All-American Comics (1939 series) #20 - DC Comics

All-Star Comics (1940 series) #3 - DC Comics

Batman (1940 series) #4 - DC Comics

Blue Beetle (1939 series) #5 - Fox Feature Syndicate

Crack Comics (1940 series) #7 - Quality Comics

Detective Comics (1937 series) #45 - DC Comics

Feature Comics (1939 series) #38 - Quality Comics

Flash Comics (1940 series) #11 - National Periodical Publications

Hit Comics (1940 series) #5 - Quality Comics

Human Torch Comics (1940 series) #3 - Timely Comics

Marvel Mystery Comics (1939 series) #13 - Timely Comics

Master Comics (1940 series) #8 - Fawcett Publications

More Fun Comics (1936 series) #61 - National Periodical Publications

Mystery Men Comics (1939 series) #16 - Fox Feature Syndicate

Smash Comics (1939 series) #16 - Quality Comics

Whiz Comics (1940 series) #10 - Fawcett Comics

Wow Comics (1940 series) #1 - Fawcett Comics (First appearance of Mister Scarlet)

December

Ace Comics (1937 series) #45 - David McKay Publications

Action Comics (1938 series) #31 - DC Comics

Adventure Comics (1938 series) #57 - DC Comics

All-American Comics (1939 series) #21 - DC Comics

Crack Comics (1940 series) #8 - Quality Comics

Detective Comics (1937 series) #46 - DC Comics

Feature Comics (1939 series) #39 - Quality Comics

Flash Comics (1940 series) #12 - National Periodical Publications

Hit Comics (1940 series) #6 - Quality Comics

Marvel Mystery Comics (1939 series) #14 - Timely Comics

Master Comics (1940 series) #9 - Fawcett Publications

More Fun Comics (1936 series) #62 - National Periodical Publications

Mystery Men Comics (1939 series) #17 - Fox Feature Syndicate

Smash Comics (1939 series) #17 - Quality Comics

Superman (1939 series) #7 - DC Comics

Whiz Comics (1940 series) #11 - Fawcett Comics

Specials

Mutt & Jeff (1939 series) #2 - All-American Comics

New York World's Fair Comics (1939 series) #2 - National Periodical Publications

First issues by title

All Star Comics, cover-dated Summer, published by All-American Publications.

Batman, cover-dated Spring, published by DC Comics.

Big Shot Comics, cover-dated May, published by Columbia Comics.

Crack Comics, cover-dated May, published by Quality Comics

Daring Mystery Comics, cover-dated January, published by Timely Comics.

Doc Savage Comics published by Street & Smith Publications.

Flash Comics cover dated January, published by National Periodical Publications.

Green Hornet, cover-dated December, published by Helnit.

Jackpot Comics, cover-dated Spring, published by MLJ Magazines, Inc.

Master Comics, cover-dated March, published by Fawcett Publications.

Red Raven Comics, cover-dated August, published by Timely Comics.

Shield-Wizard Comics, cover-dated Summer, published by MLJ Magazines, Inc.

Walt Disney's Comics and Stories, cover-dated October, published by Dell Comics.

Wow Comics, cover-dated Winter, published by Fawcett Comics.

Zip Comics, cover-dated June, published by MLJ Magazines, Inc.

Initial appearances by character name

Atom (Al Pratt) in All-American Comics #19 (October), created by Ben Flinton and Bill O'Connor, published by National Periodical Publications

Black Condor in Crack Comics #1 (May), created by Will Eisner and Lou Fine, published by Quality Comics

Bulletman in Nickel Comics #1 (May), created by Bill Parker and Jon Smalle, published by Fawcett Comics

Bulletgirl in Nickel Comics #1 (May), created by Bill Parker and Jon Smalle, published by Fawcett Comics

Captain Marvel (DC Comics) in Whiz Comics #2 (February), created by C. C. Beck and Bill Parker, published by Fawcett Comics.

Catwoman in Batman #1 (Spring), created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, published by DC Comics.

Clayface (Basil Karlo) in Detective Comics #40 (June), created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane. published by DC Comics.

Cyclotron (comics) in Action Comics #21 (February), created by Jerry Siegel and joe Shuster, published by DC Comics.

Doctor Fate (Kent Nelson) in More Fun Comics #55 (May), created by Gardner Fox and artist Howard Sherman, published by National periodical Publications.

Doctor Hormone in Popular Comics #54 (August), published by Dell Comics.

Doctor Sivana in Whiz Comics #2 (February), created by Bill Parker and C. C. Beck, published by Fawcett Comics

Flash (Jay Garrick) in Flash Comics #1 (January), created by Gardner Fox and Harry Lampert, published by National Periodical Publications.

Green Lantern (Alan Scott) in All-American Comics #16 (July), created by Martin Nodell, published by National Periodical Publications.

Hawkgirl (Shiera Sanders) in Flash Comics #1 (January), Created by Gardner Fox and Denis Neville, published by National Periodical Publications.

Hawkman (Carter Hall) in Flash Comics #1 (January), created by Gardner Fox and Dennis Neville, published by National Periodical Publications.

Hourman (Rex Tyler) in Adventure Comics #48 (March), created by Ken Fitch and Bernard Baily, published by DC Comics.

Hugo Strange in Detective Comics #36 (February), created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, published by DC Comics

Inza Nelson in More Fun Comics #55 (May), created by Gardner Fox, published by DC Comics.

Jim Corrigan in More Fun Comics #52 (February), created by Jerry Siegel and Bernard Baily, published by National Periodical Publications.

Johnny Thunder in Flash Comics #1 (January), created by John Wentworth and Stan Aschmeier, published by DC Comics.

Joker (comics) in Batman #1 (Spring), created by Jerry Robinson (concept), Bill Finger, and Bob Kane, published by DC Comics.

Justice Society of America in All Star Comics #3 (Winter), created by Sheldon Mayer and Gardner Fox, published by DC Comics.

King Standish in Flash Comics #3 (March), created by Gardner Fox, published by DC Comics.

Kulak (DC Comics) in All Star Comics #2 (September), created by Gardner Fox, published by DC Comics.

Lex Luthor in Action Comics #23 (April), created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, published by DC Comics.

Max Mercury in National Comics #5 (November), created by Jack Cole and Chuck Mazoujian, published by Quality Comics.

Perry White in Superman #7 (November), created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, published by DC Comics

Ray (comics) in Smash Comics #14 (September), created by Lou Fine, published by Quality Comics

Red Bee (comics) in Hit Comics #1 (July), created by Tony Blum and Charles Nicholas, published by Quality Comics

Red Tornado (Ma Hunkel) in All-American Comics #20 (November), created by Sheldon Mayer, published by DC Comics.

Red Torpedo in Crack Comics #1 (May), created by Will Eisner, published by Quality Comics

Robin (Dick Grayson) in Detective Comics #40 (June), created by Jerry Robinson (concept), Bill Finger, and Bob Kane, published by DC Comics.

Shazam (wizard) in Whiz Comics #2 (February), created by C. C. Beck and Bill Parker, published by Fawcett Comics.

Silver Streak in Silver Streak Comics #3 (March), created by Joe Simon, published by Lev Gleason Publications.

Spider (DC Comics) in Crack Comics #1 (May), created by Paul Gustavson, published by Quality Comics

Spirit (comics) in Register and Tribune Syndicate (June), created by Will Eisner, published by Eisner & Iger.

Spy Smasher in Whiz Comics #2 (February), created by C.C. Beck and Bill Parker, published by Fawcett Comics

The Spectre in More Fun Comics #52 (February), created by Jerry Siegel and Bernard Baily, published by National Periodical Publications.

Uncle Sam (comics) in National Comics #1 (July), created by Will Eisner, published by Quality Comics

Wotan (comics) in More Fun Comics #55 (May), created by Gardiner Fox, Published by DC Comics.

Zachary Zor in More Fun Comics #55 (May), created by Jerry Siegel, published by DC Comics.

References

1940 in comics Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA

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