DETECTIVE COMICS (1937-2011; 2016-) #31
CGC VF-: 7.5
(Stock Image)
SOLD ON: Wednesday, 09/21/2022 8:22 PM
$45,998.85
Sold For
29
Bids
PUBLISHER: DC
COMMENTS: A 15% BUYER'S PREMIUM WILL BE ADDED TO THIS ITEM AT CONCLUSION OF THE AUCTION
ow/white pgs; Mod(P) ct, pcs added, tr seals, cleaned, reinf.
classic Batman over castle cover by Bob Kane! 1st Batplane and Batarang! (9/39)
Read Description ▼
ow/white pgs; Mod(P) ct, pcs added, tr seals, cleaned, reinf.
classic Batman over castle cover by Bob Kane! 1st Batplane and Batarang! (9/39)
DESCRIPTION
A 15% BUYER'S PREMIUM WILL BE ADDED TO THIS ITEM AT CONCLUSION OF THE AUCTION
ow/white pgs; Mod(P) ct, pcs added, tr seals, cleaned, reinf.
classic Batman over castle cover by Bob Kane! 1st Batplane and Batarang! (9/39)
Detective Comics #27 and #38 are vital keys for the introduction of, respectively, Batman and Robin. It's no secret that top collectors also chase after the pre-Robin run of Detective #28-37 as some of the moodiest and most compelling Batman stories ever published. There are several reasons that Detective #31 is probably the most famous (and difficult) issue to obtain, starting with the cover's iconic imagery of the brooding Caped Crusader in what's only his third cover appearance.
"Batman Versus the Vampire" is also considered by many fans to be the first true classic Batman story. Comics legend Gardner Fox had to write Batman's first two-part tale to cover the global menace of The Monk — making history as the second super-villain to ever take on the Dark Knight. (Fox had brought in Doctor Death as the first.) The Monk's supernatural origins as both vampire and werewolf soon had him sidelined when Robin came along to lighten Batman's stories. Gerry Conway would finally revive the Monk in the '80s. Matt Wagner revisited the story for the Batman and the Mad Monk limited series in 2006,, leading to a Mad Monk cameo in 2016's Batman #14. Bob Kane's classic cover has also been regularly reworked in tribute over the years, most famously by Neal Adams for Batman #227 .
For further firsts, this issue has the Bat-Gyro debuting as a precursor to the Batplane, plus the introduction of the famous Batarang — as still brandished by the Caped Crusader. Julie Madison also makes her first appearance as Bruce Wayne's earliest girlfriend. Gardner Fox adds Batman leaving New York City for the first time, following Julie to Paris. (References to Gotham City were at least a year away.) No serious DC Golden Age collection is complete without this masterpiece, which explains the frenzied bidding that ensues on the rare instances when copies make it to market.
_______________________________________________
This collectible copy of Detective Comics #31 has withstood the passage of many decades while still maintaining the punch of the dramatic cover art, which was inspired by Japanese woodblock prints. There are not many Batman covers that would qualify to be as iconic as this early, definitive, and powerful design. The illustration has been referenced and paid homage countless times, for good reason, and this restored copy combines the weathered presentation of an 83-year-old comic and the sturdiness of a recently printed issue. With fewer than 100 copies recorded on the census, this book is always a star attraction when it appears for auction, and record prices are recorded regularly.
Overstreet Guide 2022 VF- (7.5) value = $207,675
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us 24 hours in advance of the item closing 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.) Once approved, please log out of your account and then log in, for the approval to take effect.
ow/white pgs; Mod(P) ct, pcs added, tr seals, cleaned, reinf.
classic Batman over castle cover by Bob Kane! 1st Batplane and Batarang! (9/39)
Detective Comics #27 and #38 are vital keys for the introduction of, respectively, Batman and Robin. It's no secret that top collectors also chase after the pre-Robin run of Detective #28-37 as some of the moodiest and most compelling Batman stories ever published. There are several reasons that Detective #31 is probably the most famous (and difficult) issue to obtain, starting with the cover's iconic imagery of the brooding Caped Crusader in what's only his third cover appearance.
"Batman Versus the Vampire" is also considered by many fans to be the first true classic Batman story. Comics legend Gardner Fox had to write Batman's first two-part tale to cover the global menace of The Monk — making history as the second super-villain to ever take on the Dark Knight. (Fox had brought in Doctor Death as the first.) The Monk's supernatural origins as both vampire and werewolf soon had him sidelined when Robin came along to lighten Batman's stories. Gerry Conway would finally revive the Monk in the '80s. Matt Wagner revisited the story for the Batman and the Mad Monk limited series in 2006,, leading to a Mad Monk cameo in 2016's Batman #14. Bob Kane's classic cover has also been regularly reworked in tribute over the years, most famously by Neal Adams for Batman #227 .
For further firsts, this issue has the Bat-Gyro debuting as a precursor to the Batplane, plus the introduction of the famous Batarang — as still brandished by the Caped Crusader. Julie Madison also makes her first appearance as Bruce Wayne's earliest girlfriend. Gardner Fox adds Batman leaving New York City for the first time, following Julie to Paris. (References to Gotham City were at least a year away.) No serious DC Golden Age collection is complete without this masterpiece, which explains the frenzied bidding that ensues on the rare instances when copies make it to market.
_______________________________________________
This collectible copy of Detective Comics #31 has withstood the passage of many decades while still maintaining the punch of the dramatic cover art, which was inspired by Japanese woodblock prints. There are not many Batman covers that would qualify to be as iconic as this early, definitive, and powerful design. The illustration has been referenced and paid homage countless times, for good reason, and this restored copy combines the weathered presentation of an 83-year-old comic and the sturdiness of a recently printed issue. With fewer than 100 copies recorded on the census, this book is always a star attraction when it appears for auction, and record prices are recorded regularly.
Overstreet Guide 2022 VF- (7.5) value = $207,675
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us 24 hours in advance of the item closing 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.) Once approved, please log out of your account and then log in, for the approval to take effect.