BATMAN (1940-2011) #1
CGC F/VF: 7.0
(Stock Image)
SOLD ON: Tuesday, 06/03/2014 12:18 PM
$16,900
Sold For
16
Bids
PUBLISHER: DC
COMIC BOOK IMPACT: rating of 10 (CBI)
COMMENTS: ow/white pgs; Mod(P) ct, pieces added, tr sls, cvr clnd, reinf (bttm edge trimmed)
1st appearance of the Joker; 1st app Catwoman; Batman's first solo comic and one of the most iconic covers of the Golden Age! (Spring 1940); Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
John Wise Collection
Read Description ▼
1st appearance of the Joker; 1st app Catwoman; Batman's first solo comic and one of the most iconic covers of the Golden Age! (Spring 1940); Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
John Wise Collection
DESCRIPTION
ow/white pgs; Mod(P) ct, pieces added, tr sls, cvr clnd, reinf (bttm edge trimmed)
1st appearance of the Joker; 1st app Catwoman; Batman's first solo comic and one of the most iconic covers of the Golden Age! (Spring 1940); Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
John Wise Collection
Batman #1 would be one of the most important comics of the Golden Age simply as the first appearance of Batman in a solo title — accompanied by Robin the Boy Wonder on one of the most iconic covers in comics history. In this case, however, the creative team of Bob Kane, Bill Finger, and Jerry Robinson were inspired to launch Batman’s solo turn with the first appearances of both The Joker and the Cat (who, of course, would later be dubbed Catwoman). The Joker is even showcased in two stories here, with both classic tales serving as source material for 2008’s big-screen The Dark Knight. There’s also the introduction of the Batplane and the return of Dr. Hugo Strange in a dark tale that inspired a strict “No Killing” policy for Batman.
With Robin joining Batman from the pages of Detective Comics, this book is yet another vital early milestone (and timeless investment) in the Dynamic Duo's rise to worldwide stardom. There have easily been over a hundred titles devoted to Batman over the years — more than Superman and Spider-Man combined. Batman has also been featured in several serials and animated series, plus TV shows, movies, video games, novelizations, record albums, and virtually every other medium. With (at least) seven Batman-related film and television projects in development at the start of 2025, copies of Batman #1 are set to maintain their value as a comic collectible and pop-culture artifact.
______________________________________________
Every serious comic collector looks for certain points of interest when shopping for key issues: books with historical significance, origin stories, first issues, popular characters, and story lines. This particular issue hits all of these targets dead on, and a few others to boot. Batman 1 is one of the most important comics ever published. Included within its pages are the origin of Batman, the first appearance of the Joker and The Cat (later to become Catwoman) and five tales of heroic adventure. This issue marks the dawn of the sociopathic character, whose disturbing and haunting image influences and informs comic baddies to this day. Volumes have been written about the impact and importance of this historic issue, which sparked the Batman franchise to fire on all cylinders.
Much has been said about this milestone issue, but in reality, all that needs to be said is that no collection would be complete without one. The iconic cover, rendered in vibrant reds and yellows, is also the first to display the now instantly recognizable Batman logo, which looms over the action with a sense of power and foreboding. This is a classic key book that should see a lot of bidding action in the upcoming auction, and is presented here in vivid, professionally restored 7.0 grade, making it both accessible to many buyers and desirable to serious investment collectors.
Overstreet Guide 2013 F/VF (7.0) value = $96,000.
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us 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.).
We realize many of you would like to bid on this auction lot, so for this listing, ComicConnect.com offers a 6 month, interest free, time payment plan with a 20% non-refundable deposit. Time Payments invoices can only be paid by cash, check, money order or wire transfer. LEARN MORE
Artists Information
A celebrity comic artist of the Golden Age, co-created Batman and Robin with Bill Finger, as his brainchild became more in demand he hired an army of ghost artists to illustrate the dearth of Batman features on the market, but all were credited to Kane. His other achievements include the creation of Catwoman, Two-Face and cartoon character Courageous Cat. Kane was the object of some controversy for taking credit for the art and inspiration of others, but he was also undoubtedly an important figure in the history of comics. He published an updated version of his autobiography "Batman and Me: The Saga Continues" shortly before his death in 1998. He got his start at the Eisner/Iger studio and was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame.
Sherrill David Robinson known as Jerry Robinson, was an American comic book artist known for his work on DC Comics' Batman line of comics during the 1940s. He is best known as the co-creator of Robin and the Joker and for his work on behalf of creators' rights. He was inducted into the Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2004.
1st appearance of the Joker; 1st app Catwoman; Batman's first solo comic and one of the most iconic covers of the Golden Age! (Spring 1940); Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
John Wise Collection
Batman #1 would be one of the most important comics of the Golden Age simply as the first appearance of Batman in a solo title — accompanied by Robin the Boy Wonder on one of the most iconic covers in comics history. In this case, however, the creative team of Bob Kane, Bill Finger, and Jerry Robinson were inspired to launch Batman’s solo turn with the first appearances of both The Joker and the Cat (who, of course, would later be dubbed Catwoman). The Joker is even showcased in two stories here, with both classic tales serving as source material for 2008’s big-screen The Dark Knight. There’s also the introduction of the Batplane and the return of Dr. Hugo Strange in a dark tale that inspired a strict “No Killing” policy for Batman.
With Robin joining Batman from the pages of Detective Comics, this book is yet another vital early milestone (and timeless investment) in the Dynamic Duo's rise to worldwide stardom. There have easily been over a hundred titles devoted to Batman over the years — more than Superman and Spider-Man combined. Batman has also been featured in several serials and animated series, plus TV shows, movies, video games, novelizations, record albums, and virtually every other medium. With (at least) seven Batman-related film and television projects in development at the start of 2025, copies of Batman #1 are set to maintain their value as a comic collectible and pop-culture artifact.
______________________________________________
Every serious comic collector looks for certain points of interest when shopping for key issues: books with historical significance, origin stories, first issues, popular characters, and story lines. This particular issue hits all of these targets dead on, and a few others to boot. Batman 1 is one of the most important comics ever published. Included within its pages are the origin of Batman, the first appearance of the Joker and The Cat (later to become Catwoman) and five tales of heroic adventure. This issue marks the dawn of the sociopathic character, whose disturbing and haunting image influences and informs comic baddies to this day. Volumes have been written about the impact and importance of this historic issue, which sparked the Batman franchise to fire on all cylinders.
Much has been said about this milestone issue, but in reality, all that needs to be said is that no collection would be complete without one. The iconic cover, rendered in vibrant reds and yellows, is also the first to display the now instantly recognizable Batman logo, which looms over the action with a sense of power and foreboding. This is a classic key book that should see a lot of bidding action in the upcoming auction, and is presented here in vivid, professionally restored 7.0 grade, making it both accessible to many buyers and desirable to serious investment collectors.
Overstreet Guide 2013 F/VF (7.0) value = $96,000.
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us 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.).
We realize many of you would like to bid on this auction lot, so for this listing, ComicConnect.com offers a 6 month, interest free, time payment plan with a 20% non-refundable deposit. Time Payments invoices can only be paid by cash, check, money order or wire transfer. LEARN MORE
Artists Information
A celebrity comic artist of the Golden Age, co-created Batman and Robin with Bill Finger, as his brainchild became more in demand he hired an army of ghost artists to illustrate the dearth of Batman features on the market, but all were credited to Kane. His other achievements include the creation of Catwoman, Two-Face and cartoon character Courageous Cat. Kane was the object of some controversy for taking credit for the art and inspiration of others, but he was also undoubtedly an important figure in the history of comics. He published an updated version of his autobiography "Batman and Me: The Saga Continues" shortly before his death in 1998. He got his start at the Eisner/Iger studio and was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame.
Sherrill David Robinson known as Jerry Robinson, was an American comic book artist known for his work on DC Comics' Batman line of comics during the 1940s. He is best known as the co-creator of Robin and the Joker and for his work on behalf of creators' rights. He was inducted into the Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2004.