1940 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.