Who came first in comics: Superman or Batman?

While they are often presented as equals in the pantheon of DC Comics, one of these iconic heroes set the stage for the other. The character who created the entire superhero archetype was the Man of Steel, who made his groundbreaking debut in Action Comics #1 in June of 1938. Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, this powerful alien from Krypton was an instant sensation, launching the Golden Age of Comic Books.

The incredible success of this new kind of hero prompted the publisher, National Allied Publications (the future DC Comics), to seek out more. In response, artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger created a very different type of champion. The "Bat-Man," a dark and mysterious human detective, first appeared almost a full year later in Detective Comics #27 in May of 1939.

So although they now stand side-by-side as the world's finest heroes, the bright, hopeful champion from another world arrived first. He single-handedly created the superhero craze that the dark detective of Gotham City would soon join.