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Batman is celebrating his 85th birthday with all of New York City (while supplies last, at least)

Hey, NYC locals: want to get a replica of the Dark Knight's very first appearance? We'll tell you where to be this Saturday

NYC Batsignal — Image credit: Original NYC Photo: sara.lauderdale, Batsignal: Warner Bros. Pictures

News by Graeme McMillan, Editor

Published on Wed Mar 27 2024

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When it comes to Batman’s 85th birthday, there’s really only one place to be: New York City.

Yes, really. Sorry, Gotham City — but that’s what you get for being a fictional locale in the first place. (Admittedly, one inspired by NYC, which really just underscores why New York gets the title in this particular contest.)

Batman 85 Years Key Art — Image credit: DC

Warner Bros. Discovery and DC are celebrating the 85th anniversary of Batman’s first appearance in 1939’s Detective Comics #27 with a number of comic book giveaways across New York City on March 30, centering around a pop-up at SoHo News International (186 Prince St, New York, NY 10012) transforming it into a classic newsstand to give out facsimile copies of that seminal issue of Detective while supplies last.

(It’s not a completely faithful facsimile; the giveaway will also include Brad Meltzer and Bryan Hitch’s retelling of ‘The Case of the Chemical Syndicate,’ the story that introduce Batman to the world, which originally appeared in 2014’s Detective Comics Vol. 2 #27.)

The SoHo News location isn’t the only place fans can find a copy of the special giveaway in the city; copies of the anniversary edition can also be found at the following locations while supplies last, starting March 30:

Action City Comics
Alex's MVP Cards & Comics
Bulletproof Comics and Games
Forbidden Planet NYC
St. Mark's Comics
Midtown Comics Times Square
Midtown Comics Grand Central
Midtown Comics Downtown

This giveaway is just the start of the 85th anniversary celebrations for DC’s Dark Knight; still to come this fall is the annual Batman Day, which this year falls on September 21. Look for more information on what DC has in store to celebrate Batman’s birthday here on Popverse as news is announced. And everyone in NYC… enjoy your special gifts for being part of the city that helped inspire the Caped Crusader. We’re only slightly jealous. (Okay, very.)

Get into the vibrant world of comics with our guide to buying digital comics, how to make the most out of comic shops, our comprehensive guide to the upcoming comics, manga, and graphic novels you should be looking for, and everything you need to know about Free Comic Book Day and Local Comic Shop Day.

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Graeme McMillan: Popverse Editor Graeme McMillan (he/him) has been writing about comics, culture, and comics culture on the internet for close to two decades at this point, which is terrifying to admit. He completely understands if you have problems understanding his accent.