The top-selling comic last month was Batman 423. But why has it become popular among collectors and those who like to sell comic books now? Maybe it’s because of its iconic cover? Or something else?
The Batman comic series
The main Batman run, created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, started back in 1940. It’s the long-running title that made almost everything people know about Batman today. The tone changed a lot over the decades. It started with early crime stories, then darker detective work, then the grittier style that took over in the 70s and 80s.
A lot of big names worked on this series. Neal Adams and Dennis O’Neil helped turn Batman into a serious, brooding character, and later artists like Todd McFarlane added drama and a shadow-heavy style. The series also featured major arcs like A Death in the Family and Knightfall, often showing character moments that other event books didn’t.
And it all started with Batman #1, which introduced both the Joker and Catwoman. Pretty wild considering how important they became.
More about Batman #423
Batman 423 became famous primarily because of its cover. Todd McFarlane drew this huge, dramatic version of Batman with a cape that’s basically alive, and that image took on a life of its own.
The story inside Batman #423 is smaller and more grounded. Batman tries to protect a woman whose ex won’t leave her alone, and things get messy. There are no supervillains in this issue. It’s really just Batman trying to stop real danger that some people actually face in real life.
Unlike most comics of the era, Batman issue 423 was way more grounded and even relatable for some people. Together with an iconic cover, it made it popular.
How much is The Batman 423
Raw copies usually cost around $150+, while graded ones cost much more. Just like with most comic books, the better the condition, the higher the Batman 423 value. Here’s a quick overview of Batman 423 value:
- Ungraded: about $150+
- 4.0 (VG): around $70
- 6.0 (Fine): roughly $155
- 8.0 (VF): around $158
- 9.2 (NM-): about $250
- 9.8: often $1,600+
