American Update: Batmania Gold! Batman #2-5 & #7!!!
*DC: We’ve had many rare and distinctive items through our hands in our 25 years’ trading, but this selection is probably our most significant, comprising some of the earliest adventures of arguably the most popular comics character of all. We have acquired issues #2, #3, #4, #5 and #7 of the Batman’s original series from 1940 and 1941, including early appearances by the Dynamic Duo’s greatest nemeses.
Batman #2 presents not only the second-ever appearances of the Joker and the Catwoman, but features both of them in the same story, thereby becoming DC’s first in-universe villain cross-over. This is also the first use of the Catwoman (or as they style it here, ‘Cat-Woman’) as Selina Kyle’s alias, whereas in her previous appearance, she was simply called ‘The Cat’. The central two centrefolds are off staple, but present; some weakness and stress at cover staple area, minor corner & edge wear. The page condition is decent, light tanning at margins, but no brittleness. There are small ‘puncture’ marks on the front cover. These do not actually impinge upon the cover scene, but do leave marks throughout most of the first half of the book, which diminish towards the centre pages. There is erased pencil residue on the cover, around Batman’s lower torso and legs. Graded GD-, this historic item is on sale for £3000.
Batman #3 features the third Catwoman appearance, and her first in costume – previously she was just a slinky jewel thief in couture clothing, but this, although not her classic ‘look’, was the premiere of her succession of outfits. This has a trimmed right edge, which does not impinge upon the story pages. Staples firm at centrefold, coming loose at lower cover. One small corner off the final page margin, again not affecting any story content. Otherwise, no significant flaws other than general wear owing to its vintage. App. GD+ (because of the edge trim) on sale at £1350.
Batman #4 is the fourth appearance of the Joker, and the first recorded use of the Gotham City name. The centrefold is missing, with 2 pages of one Batman story gone as a result. The other three Batman stories are intact, including the Joker tale. The cover is off the lower staple. Two small corners are off the lower cover edge, not impeding the cover scene. One small corner is off the final interior ad page. App. GD/VG owing to the missing centrefold; on sale at £1000.
Batman #5, with an eye-catching ‘Scales of Justice’ cover, features another Joker story, and is the first appearance of the ‘classic’ Batmobile with the bat head/shield design. (Previously, Batman had driven a succession of cars referred to as ‘the Bat-Mobile’, but they lacked this distinctive configuration). The staples are firm at cover and centrefold, and the interior page quality excellent. A 5mm tear is throughout the lower level of the book, radiating in from the spine. (Approximately at level of Batman’s right bicep on cover image) This does not encroach upon the interior stories. This remains an extremely attractive copy, which would, without the last flaw described, grade significantly higher. VG+ at £1500.
Batman #7 features the Joker again, and a classic ‘bullseye’ cover. This is an extremely attractive copy, with flexible off-white interiors, staples firm at cover and centrefold, and a light dustshadow at the right cover edge. VG+ at £1500.
More description than we normally try your patience with, but we’re sure you’ll appreciate that with items of this importance and rarity, the extra verbiage is justified. Shown below are cover images of all five in sequence left to right. Our catalogue listing also has images for the back covers and splash pages; high resolution images are available on request. Truly historical items, and ones we’re proud to have in our possession. NB We do not keep these issues on our premises; viewing is STRICTLY by appointment only.
BATMAN #2 & #7 NOW SOLD