Dallas-based Heritage Auctions' upcoming sale of Comics and Comic Art (August 1–3) features a true Dynamic Duo: Frank Miller’s original cover art for “Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #2," (DC, 1986), and "Batman #1" (DC 1940), each of which are expected to fetch $500,000 or more.
The Dark Knight comic art is described by Heritage specialists as “the only cover from the four-issue series to be rendered in pen and ink completely by Miller, with no significant painted elements or overlays.” Miller’s Dark Knight signaled a shift in the direction of comics with its prestige mini-series format as well the fact that it was one of the first mainstream features “to put a gritty noir patina on the squeaky-clean Silver Age hero mythos previously exemplified by DC,” according to the Heritage catalogue.
"Batman #1," with eye-catching cover art by Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson, is the highest-graded copy on Certified Guaranty Company’s census of one of the top books in the hobby. The issue also marked the first appearances of both the Joker and Catwoman characters.
“Whenever you offer the highest-graded copy of one of the top comics in the hobby you can bank on fierce bidding,” said Barry Sandoval, director of comics operations for Heritage. “This auction is an ideal hunting ground for elite collectors and the 9.2 grade example of "Batman #1" represents the quality offered throughout the entire event.”