A rare, high-grade copy of Batman #1 (spring 1940) sold Thursday, Jan. 14 for the record-breaking price of $2.22 million.
The comic features the debut of the Joker and Catwoman (then called the Cat) in stories by Batman creators Bob Kane and Bill Finger. This particular copy was graded 9.4 — the highest grade ever for a Batman #1 from the Certified Guaranty Company.
"We knew when the book came in that it was beyond special, that it was a once-in-a-lifetime offering – from appearance, its blindingly bright cover to its white pages, to provenance. As I like to say, this is just a breathtaking book in so many ways. So we are not at all surprised that this has become a record-setting issue. But we are extraordinarily proud and honored to have brought it to market, to have done justice to its owner and to have found it a new home," said Ed Jaster, senior vice president of Heritage Auctions.
Heritage said interest in the book has been high since the sale was announced in November 2020, with bidding hitting $1.53 million last week, topping the $1.5 million sale price for Detective Comics #27 that month. Bids for the Batman #1 were at $1.95 million when the auction opened at noon CST Thursday.
Heritage, which auctions collectibles in locations around the world, also sold a near mint/mint copy — graded 9.8 — of Detective Comics #359 (January 1967), which introduces Batgirl, for $132,000.
Source: Heritage Auctions