Nightwing #70, which is slated to go on sale from DC Comics this coming Wednesday, is already being listed for exceptionally high prices on Ebay. While this isn't uncommon for issues containing first major character appearances and the like, it seems the latest issue of Nightwing has been mistakenly looped into this phenomenon.
Nightwing #70 has already been sent back for a second printing, with copies from the first printing reportedly being sold out. These first print copies -- which have a cover price of $3.99 -- are now listed on Ebay at a significant markup. Most copies are selling for around $30 to $40 (nearing the $50 mark when you factor in shipping costs). Moreover, bundles containing both the book's main cover and variant cover are going for as high as $75. (The second printing of the comic is set for release on April 1, with copies carrying the second printing variant cover selling for cover price on Ebay.)
Notably, Batman #89 and Year of the Villian: Hell Arisen #3 have both been sent back for third printings, with first print copies going for similarly high asking prices on Ebay. The reason for this is that these books contain the first appearances of Punchline, the Joker's new girlfriend. While Nightwing #70 is the first prologue to the upcoming "Joker War" event, there's no real indication that the book actually features Punchline. However, the word "punchline" is used in its synopsis, leading to the high Ebay prices for first print copies.
The synopsis for Nightwing #70 reads as follows,
How many Nightwings does it take for one Joker to strike to get to the real one? Four Nightwings. And that’s not even the punchline—how will Ric interact with the Joker when he’s not quite sure which one of his two memories is the real one…and exactly how dangerous this clown standing before him is?
Written by Dan Jurgens and illustrated by Ronan Cliquet and Travis Moore, Nightwing #70 goes on sale March 18 from DC Comics. The second printing variant edition will be available on April 1.