Batman #1 is CGC’s Featured Comic of the Month for September

Heritage Auctions sold a CGC 9.2 Batman #1 in August 2013 for $567,625. CGC has graded two hundred and sixty five copies of this book. Click images to enlarge (Images courtesy of Heritage Auctions)

Name of comic: Batman #1

Comic publisher: D.C. Comics

Date: Spring 1940

Variants: N/A

What makes it special? This book features the first appearance of The Joker and The Cat (Catwoman). The Joker is introduced as a psychopathic criminal mastermind with a warped, sadistic sense of humor. The character became a goofy prankster in the late 1950s in response to regulation by the Comics Code Authority, then returned to his darker roots during the early 1970s. As Batman's nemesis, the Joker has been part of the superhero's defining stories.

Why is it interesting now? “Joker” arrives in theaters this October and features the origin of the iconic villain.

Did you know? The Joker was originally planned to be killed off during his initial appearance. He was later spared by editorial intervention, allowing the character to endure as Batman’s archnemesis.

Total graded by CGC: As of August 28, CGC has graded only 265 copies. The vast majority of these are restored books, 118 are Universal Blue, and 3 are Signature Series.

CGC median grade: The median grade is Very Good + 4.5.

CGC highest graded: The 7 highest graded copies by CGC are Near Mint - 9.2. Of the 7 copies, 6 are restored books.

Sales highlights: Heritage Auctions sold the only CGC 9.2 Universal Blue Label Batman #1 in 2013 for $567,625.

CGC Comics Registry Champion: A collection called “Joker’s Wild”, currently ranks #1 in the “Batman #1-#100” category. All books in this set are mid to high grade. Explore this and other collections in the CGC Comics Registry.

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