Detective Comics #402 Value Guide

Published in August 1970, Detective Comics #402 is a pivotal Bronze Age issue featuring the second appearance of the tragic villain Man-Bat. This Frank Robbins and Neal Adams collaboration represents the era's shift toward darker, more complex storytelling within the Batman mythos.

What Is Detective Comics #402 Worth?

The typical price range for Detective Comics #402 is $75 - $85 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The physical condition of the spine, specifically looking for color breaks or stress lines.
• The presence of any 'foxing' or yellowing on the interior pages and back cover.
• The centering of the cover wrap and the sharpness of the corners.
• The current market demand for early Man-Bat appearances and Neal Adams Bronze Age artwork.

How to Identify Detective Comics #402?

• Verify the cover date of August 1970 and the original 15-cent cover price.
• Check for the Neal Adams cover art depicting Batman battling the Man-Bat.
• Confirm the presence of the 'Man-Bat' story title on the splash page by Frank Robbins.
• Ensure the interior paper quality matches the standard newsprint used by DC in the early 1970s.

History of Detective Comics #402

Detective Comics #402, published in August 1970, is a significant issue in the Batman mythos, featuring the second appearance of Man-Bat. Created by Frank Robbins and Neal Adams, Man-Bat is a tragic villain and occasional ally, Dr. Kirk Langstrom, who transforms into a bat-like creature after an experiment. This issue continued to explore his complex character and added to the rich tapestry of Batman's rogues' gallery during the Bronze Age of comic books, a period known for its darker themes and more complex storytelling.