Detective Comics #140 - 1st Apperance of The Riddler

One of my favorite DC comics villians has always been The Riddler. Throughout the years I have enjoyed how the character has developed into one of Batman main antagonists.

As a result of the Riddler being my favorite villian his first appearance in Detective Comics #140 has always been a highly sought after issue. As you may know it is not easy to find. And when one comes up for sale it is usually of low quality. Only two copies have been graded over 8.0. So my search will continue.


About Detective Comics #140

Release in October 1948 Detective Comics #140 features the first apperance of The Riddler, written by the legendary Bill Finger with interior art Dick Sprang and Curt Swan, The memorable covet was done by Win Mortimer.
In the story "The Riddler" Edward Nigma is a cheating puzzle expert who becomes a costumed criminal identity for himself, the Riddler. He uses puzzles as clues for the Caped Crusader, which Batman is able to solve.  Riddler eventually leads Batman into a glass maze with a bomb inside. The bomb explodes, the  Riddler falls off a pier, leaving only a question mark behind. Batman is left wondering if his newest foe the Riddler survived.

Value

A copy of Detective Comics #140 can be obtained in lower CGC grade for less then $1,000. Ungraded can cost a couple of hundred. The highest graded copies so far have been graded 9.4, 2 copies currently exist. One sold at auction for over $19,000. This issue is very scarce only about 40 copies have been graded.

If you have a story about Detective Comics #140 or any other comic book hunting stories email us at Farleyclan003@yahoo.com

Batman #1 - Bob Kane File Copy

If you have been reading Comic Book Hunters & Gatherers you know that we have spent a lot of space looking at the big three comics, Action Comics #1, Detective Comics #27 , and Amazing Fantasy #15. Outside this trinity of most valuable, sought after comic book is up for debate. It could be Captain America Comics #1 or possible Superman #1 or the issue we look at in this post Batman #1. You can interject your opinion below in our comments. Today it's all about Batman #1.

Back cover of Batman #1

Published in April of 1940 less then a year after Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27, Batman was given his own title because of his increasing popularity. Now fans could read about his adventures twice a month. Like Detective Comics, Batman was led by the creative team of Bob Kane and Bill Finger.  The significance of Batman #1 is it is the first appearance of not one but two of Batmans most important villians. Batman #1 is the first appearance of the Joker and Catwoman. The main reason I put it at number four own the list.

Catwomans first appearance 

The monumental issue usually sells for big money, a mint copy is valued at $125,000. Two years ago a CGC graded 9.2 sold for over $800,000. Many believe it could be the next comic to break a million bucks.

The Jokers first appearance

The Bob Kane/DC Comics File Copy
Currently ComicConnect, the worlds best online comic auction house, has the copy if Batman #1 used for reference by Bob Kane and DC comics. The low grade given to the issue is a result of it being included in a bound volume at DC offices.

This issue comes from Batman creator Bob Kanes personal collection. Mr. Kane later gifted his bound volumes to DC comics which they used as their file copy. So what does this bound file copy all mean? Basically this is the specific copy of Batman #1 used first by Bob Kane as a reference pointnfor future work and then held in the DC files as a reference for all later Batman creators. it also means that because it was in a bound volume for so many years it retained much of its color. This copy is all sorts of cool, it was used by Bob Kane the creator and then possible by everyone who worked on Batman for many years after Mr. Kane. It is a one of a kind copy.

This unique copy is up at auction till the end of August, if you have a couple of extra thousand dollars it can be yours. Bidding can by done at ComicConnect Batman # 1 Bob Kane Copy.

If you win it let us know we will do a piece on you, we can be reached at Farleyclan003@yahoo.com

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

Batman #2 - Golden Age Variant Covers

Today variant covers are common place, each week numerous covers are released for each title. I happen to be a fan of this phenomenon, I like the idea of two or more artists designing a cover.

Back in the Golden Age if comics variants were not done to help sell additional comics, publishers didn't need any gimmicks as they were selling so well on their merit. The existence of a Golden Age cover variant is externally rare.

Batman #2 is a highly sought after comic, the variant versions of the issue is nearly impossible to find, so here is the story.

Released in the summer of 1940, Batman #2 written by Bill Finger with art by Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson. The issue contains four separate Batman stories which includes the second appearance  of the Joker and Catwoman.

There are three different covers for this issue:

DC Logo/10 cent
The most common, if you can call a Golden Age issue of a comic common, has the DC logo on it and  price is 10 cents, this issue sells today for over $35,000 in CGC grade 9.8 less for lower grades (obviously). A CGC 3.5 is currently up or auction at Comic Connect, your chance to own a copy.

No DC Logo/ 10 cents
The first variant is also a .10 cover price but is missing the DC logo is the left corner. We did not find any copies of this version graded or for sale.

DC Logo/15 cent
This is the rarest of the three covers, we are not sure why this cover was priced at 15 cents, 10 cent covers would be the norm in comics until 1963 when the price went up to 12 cents. This issue is nearly impossible to find, we did not find any for sale. Most likely it is a Canadian version but this has not been confirmed.
If you have or see a copy of this issue send us some more information about it farleyclan003@yahoo.com

 

So now you can start hunting or these issues and sell your car to pay for them. If you would like to add to this story please share in the comments section below.

 

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

#jointhehunt