You could argue that Detective Comics #359 (1967) isn’t the true first appearance of Batgirl, as there was a Bat-Girl (Bette Kane) who first appeared in Batman #139 (1961).
However, Bat-Girl was short lived and disappeared from the series after 1964.
Later, Bette Kane’s Bat-Girl was completely abolished and she became Flamebird.
Looking to strengthen viewership of the live-action Batman show, DC developed a new Batgirl, who was Barbara Gordon, Commissioner Gordon’s daughter.
The “true” Batgirl made her first appearance in Detective Comics #359, helping gain new interest in the comic series and the TV show.
Batgirl was so popular, she almost got her own TV series!
Barbara Gordon and Batgirl’s first appearance in Detective Comics #359 lit a new spark in what some people considered a tired and old series.
Batgirl helped gain a new female audience and boost the ratings of the TV show.
Depending on the grade, DC #359 could be worth anywhere from less than $100 to over $10,000. Who knows – you could be holding onto a high grade DC #359 and not even know it!
By 1967, large impacting first appearances in Batman were rare. Many characters came and went, but Barbara Gordon’s Batgirl remains a legacy today.
Record sale is a CGC 9.8 (one of only four known) for $132,000!
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Detective Comics Price Guide #1-100
Detective #359 on the 100 Hot Comics list
Detective Comics #140 (1st Riddler) on the 100 Hot Comics list
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