BATMAN (1940-2011) #4
CGC VG+: 4.5
(Stock Image)
SOLD ON: Sunday, 06/08/2025 7:53 PM
$4,490.75
Sold For
27
Bids
PUBLISHER: DC
COMMENTS: A 15% BUYER'S PREMIUM WILL BE ADDED TO THIS ITEM AT CONCLUSION OF THE AUCTION
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Fourth appearance of the Joker; 1st mention of Gotham City; Bob Kane/Jerry Robinson cvr/art
Read Description ▼
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Fourth appearance of the Joker; 1st mention of Gotham City; Bob Kane/Jerry Robinson cvr/art
DESCRIPTION
A 15% BUYER'S PREMIUM WILL BE ADDED TO THIS ITEM AT CONCLUSION OF THE AUCTION
ow/white pages
Fourth appearance of the Joker; 1st mention of Gotham City; Bob Kane/Jerry Robinson cvr/art
Batman #4 is an enduring Golden Age classic, and a vital part of the Caped Crusader's mythology. For starters, this is the first time we learn that Batman operates out of Gotham City. (All the earlier references had been to New York City.) This means readers see their first copy of the Gotham City Gazette. There's also our first look into Batman's personal philosophy. After some earlier cold-blooded incidents, we're now informed that Batman refuses to use a gun and doesn't believe in killing criminals. He can't help it if the Joker seemingly plummets to his death at the end of "The Case of the Joker's Crime Circus."
That classic story will mark the fourth appearance of the Joker in comics, and the first reference to his various hideouts as the Ha-Hacienda. "Touchdown for Justice" is the first time that a criminal deduces that Batman is really Bruce Wayne. Fortunately, that's resolved by Batman and Bruce Wayne being seen "together" for the first time. The previously-seen Batplane is also modified to occasionally serve as the Bat-Boat, setting a precedent for "Bat-" vehicles. (The Joker also gets his own vehicle in this issue, but it's not the Jokermobile.)
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Batman’s self-titled book was intentionally designed to be geared towards younger readers in contrast to the darker and more adult-themed Detective Comics. The grinning, almost gleeful Dynamic Duo on the cover of Batman #4 can attest to this shift in tone, one which would eventually lead up to the campy Batman TV series of the 1960s. That being said, these classic early Batman issues are highly collectible rarities, which typically sell for impressive amounts. This VG+ example features a bright color palette that has retained its punch all these years later. With only 324 copies listed on the census, this is a hard-to-find book with lots of investment potential, especially with a new Batman film in production, and the highly anticipated premiere of Batman in the James Gunn DCU waiting in the wings.
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us 24 hours in advance of the item closing at 212.895.3999 or support@comicconnect.com so that we may approve your account for bidding. (This policy was instituted to protect consignors and bidders against bids from fraudulent accounts, and to ensure the integrity of the bidding process.) Once approved, please log out of your account and then log in for the approval to take effect.
_______________________________________________
Looking to make a purchase? Learn more about how to buy Batman #4 from ComicConnect!
_______________________________________________
ow/white pages
Fourth appearance of the Joker; 1st mention of Gotham City; Bob Kane/Jerry Robinson cvr/art
Batman #4 is an enduring Golden Age classic, and a vital part of the Caped Crusader's mythology. For starters, this is the first time we learn that Batman operates out of Gotham City. (All the earlier references had been to New York City.) This means readers see their first copy of the Gotham City Gazette. There's also our first look into Batman's personal philosophy. After some earlier cold-blooded incidents, we're now informed that Batman refuses to use a gun and doesn't believe in killing criminals. He can't help it if the Joker seemingly plummets to his death at the end of "The Case of the Joker's Crime Circus."
That classic story will mark the fourth appearance of the Joker in comics, and the first reference to his various hideouts as the Ha-Hacienda. "Touchdown for Justice" is the first time that a criminal deduces that Batman is really Bruce Wayne. Fortunately, that's resolved by Batman and Bruce Wayne being seen "together" for the first time. The previously-seen Batplane is also modified to occasionally serve as the Bat-Boat, setting a precedent for "Bat-" vehicles. (The Joker also gets his own vehicle in this issue, but it's not the Jokermobile.)
_________________________________________________
Batman’s self-titled book was intentionally designed to be geared towards younger readers in contrast to the darker and more adult-themed Detective Comics. The grinning, almost gleeful Dynamic Duo on the cover of Batman #4 can attest to this shift in tone, one which would eventually lead up to the campy Batman TV series of the 1960s. That being said, these classic early Batman issues are highly collectible rarities, which typically sell for impressive amounts. This VG+ example features a bright color palette that has retained its punch all these years later. With only 324 copies listed on the census, this is a hard-to-find book with lots of investment potential, especially with a new Batman film in production, and the highly anticipated premiere of Batman in the James Gunn DCU waiting in the wings.
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us 24 hours in advance of the item closing at 212.895.3999 or support@comicconnect.com so that we may approve your account for bidding. (This policy was instituted to protect consignors and bidders against bids from fraudulent accounts, and to ensure the integrity of the bidding process.) Once approved, please log out of your account and then log in for the approval to take effect.
_______________________________________________
Looking to make a purchase? Learn more about how to buy Batman #4 from ComicConnect!
_______________________________________________