*DC: It’s time in the Midas Collection for a classic Joker cover, and what better than Dick Sprang’s cover illustration for Batman #73, featuring ‘The Joker’s Utility Belt’? Sprang also illustrates two of the interior stories (including the cover feature) with the third drawn by Bob Kane and Lew Sayre Schwartz. I fondly remember the Joker’s Utility Belt story from the iconic Adam West TV series in the 60s, where, as here, the Joker gets fed up with Batman using his utility belt to get out of traps and decides to design his own. Other stories feature the Renter, who rents guns to crooks and Vicki Vale, Batman’s Lois Lane. This copy has a mostly unspoilt cover image with strong colour and a vivid yellow background. The lower spine is split up to (but not including) the lower staple, with a small tear on the back cover. The front cover has pulled at the staples, with small tears at top and bottom staples, which are still pretty firmly attached. Minor wear at top, bottom and right edges, a little more at spine where a reading crease breaks colour between the staples. There is a tiny chip out right centre edge. Staples are firm at centre and page quality is good, a supple off-white. All in all, not too bad a copy.
PICTURED: BATMAN #73 GD+ £475