1938 to 1955 · The birth of the superhero
Golden Age
first appearances
Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Captain America. Action Comics #1 invents the superhero as a genre and almost every foundational character who still headlines Marvel and DC arrives in this era.
Marvel
All Marvel debuts →
Alfred Pennyworth
Batman #16 (1943)
Aquaman
More Fun Comics #73 (1941)
Batman
Detective Comics #27 (1939)
Catwoman
Batman #1 (1940)
Commissioner Gordon
Detective Comics #27 (1939)
Deadshot
Batman #59 (1950)
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Green Lantern (Alan Scott)
Green Lantern (Alan Scott)
All-American Comics #16 (1940)
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Hawkman
Hawkman
Flash Comics #1 (1940)
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Johnny Thunder
Johnny Thunder
Flash Comics #1 (1940)
Joker
Batman #1 (1940)
Lex Luthor
Action Comics #23 (1940)
Lois Lane
Action Comics #1 (1938)
Mister Mxyzptlk
Superman #30 (1944)
Penguin
Detective Comics #58 (1941)
Riddler
Detective Comics #140 (1948)
Robin
Detective Comics #38 (1940)
Scarecrow
World's Finest Comics #3 (1941)
Shazam
Whiz Comics #2 (1940)
Superman
Action Comics #1 (1938)
Two-Face
Detective Comics #66 (1942)
Wonder Woman
All Star Comics #8 (1941)
