Batman: The Dark Knight Returns ##2
DC Comics • The Dark Knight Returns (4-Issue Limited Series)
Writer
Frank Miller
Interior Artist
Klaus Janson
Cover Artist
Frank Miller
Publication Date
April 1986
Cover Variant
Regular
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
Titled 'Dark Knight Triumphant'. In this issue, Batman faces off against the leader of the Mutants in a brutal mud pit fight. It features the death of the Mutant Leader and the recruitment of the new Robin, Carrie Kelley.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Fine/Near Mint (CGC 9.0)
Condition Details
Minor spine stress visible along the left edge. Slight blunting on the bottom right corner. Very faint surface scuffing on the flat black areas of the cover. Appears well-preserved in a protective bag.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $30 - $50; Graded (9.0+): $80 - $120
Recent Sales
Recent ungraded copies in similar condition sold for $35-$45. CGC 9.8 copies typically reach $350-$450, while mid-to-high grades (9.0-9.4) stay in the $80-$130 range.
Grading Recommendation
Worth grading only if a 9.6 or higher is expected. As a 9.0 candidate, the cost of grading may outweigh the value increase. A professional press could potentially bump this to a 9.2 or 9.4.
Notable Features
Second issue of Frank Miller's seminal 1986 limited series. Iconic cover of a battered Batman. Prestige format (square bound). Features the brutal defeat of the Mutant Leader.
Authentication Notes
First printing indicated by the $2.95 price point without subsequent printing notation inside. Paper stock and ink density are consistent with mid-80s DC Prestige format books.