1940 in comics
| Years in comics |
|---|
 |
| 19th century |
| 1900s |
| 1910s |
| 1920s |
| 1930s |
| 1930 · 1931 · 1932 · 1933 · 1934 · 1935 · 1936 · 1937 · 1938 · 1939 |
| 1940s |
| 1940 · 1941 · 1942 · 1943 · 1944 · 1945 · 1946 · 1947 · 1948 · 1949 |
| 1950s |
| 1950 · 1951 · 1952 · 1953 · 1954 · 1955 · 1956 · 1957 · 1958 · 1959 |
| 1960s |
| 1960 · 1961 · 1962 · 1963 · 1964 · 1965 · 1966 · 1967 · 1968 · 1969 |
| 1970s |
| 1970 · 1971 · 1972 · 1973 · 1974 · 1975 · 1976 · 1977 · 1978 · 1979 |
| 1980s |
| 1980 · 1981 · 1982 · 1983 · 1984 · 1985 · 1986 · 1987 · 1988 · 1989 |
| 1990s |
| 1990 · 1991 · 1992 · 1993 · 1994 · 1995 · 1996 · 1997 · 1998 · 1999 |
| 2000s |
| 2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 |
| 2010s |
| 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 |
| 2020s |
| 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · 2027 · 2028 · 2029 |
Notable events of 1940 in comics. See also List of years in comics.
Events and publications
This literature-related list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.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.[1]
- 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.[2]
- 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),[2] 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),[2] 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
- ↑ Markstein, Don. "Lady Luck". Archived from the original on 2011-10-25.
- 1 2 3 Wallace, Daniel; Dolan, Hannah, ed. (2010). "1940s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. Dorling Kindersley. p. 31. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9.
The first issue of Batman's self-titled comic written by Bill Finger and drawn by Bob Kane, represented a milestone in more ways than one. With Robin now a partner to the Caped Crusader, villains needed to rise to the challenge, and this issue introduced two future legends: the Joker and Catwoman.
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