Batman ##251
DC Comics • Batman Vol. 1
Writer
Denny O'Neil
Interior Artist
Neal Adams
Cover Artist
Neal Adams
Publication Date
September 1973
Cover Variant
Regular/A Cover
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
Features the story 'The Joker's Five-Way Revenge!' which marks the return of the Joker to his homicidal roots after years of being portrayed as a harmless prankster. Key Bronze Age issue with a classic Neal Adams cover.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Good (CGC 4.0)
Condition Details
Moderate spine wear with visible stress lines, heavy blunting or rounding of the leftmost edge, visible tanning or yellowing of the interior pages along the left edge, and general cover soiling; overall moderate surface wear consistent with mid-grade age.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $350 - $450; Graded (CGC 4.0): $550 - $650
Recent Sales
Recent CGC 4.0 copies have sold between $500 and $600 USD; higher grades such as 9.0+ command several thousand dollars due to the iconic nature of the cover.
Grading Recommendation
Yes, it is worth grading even in mid-grade condition because this is a key Bronze Age issue. Professional cleaning and pressing may help remove some surface soiling and improve the spine flatnerss, potentially bumping the grade to a 4.5 or 5.0.
Notable Features
Iconic 'Joker with Ace Card' cover; first appearance of the Joker in the Bronze Age after a four-year hiatus; pivotal Denny O'Neil/Neal Adams collaboration.
Authentication Notes
The 20-cent price point, specific DC bullet logo style, and aging patterns of the newsprint are consistent with a genuine 1973 original printing; no visible indicators of modern reprints or counterfeiting.