The Batman Adventures ##12
DC Comics • The Batman Adventures (Vol. 1)
Writer
Kelley Puckett
Interior Artist
Mike Parobeck
Cover Artist
Mike Parobeck
Publication Date
September 1993
Cover Variant
Regular (Direct Edition)
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
In this story titled 'Batgirl: Day One', Barbara Gordon (Batgirl) faces off against Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy. While Batgirl tries to stop Ivy from stealing a shipment of rare plants, she encounters Harley Quinn who has a score to settle. This issue is famous for being the first comic book appearance of Harley Quinn.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Fine (CGC 8.0)
Condition Details
Notable color-breaking spine stresses along the spine; light blunting on the top-right and bottom-right corners; surface scuffing visible on the dark areas of the cover art over Harley Quinn's costume; general shelf wear around the edges.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $400 - $600 | Graded (CGC 8.0): $650 - $800 | Potential High Grade (CGC 9.8): $2,500 - $3,500
Recent Sales
CGC 9.8 copies have recently sold for between $2,800 and $3,600; raw copies in mid-to-high grade typically fetch $500+. Trend is stable but high for this specific key comic.
Grading Recommendation
Highly recommended. This is a massive 'key' issue. Although this specific copy shows spine wear that likely limits it to the 7.5 - 8.5 range, its significance and high demand make professional grading (CGC/CBCS) and a professional 'press and clean' worthwhile to maximize the final grade and protect the investment.
Notable Features
First comic book appearance of Harley Quinn (Dr. Harleen Quinzel), who was originally created for Batman: The Animated Series. This is one of the most sought-after Modern Age key issues. Covers features Batgirl, Harley Quinn, and Poison Ivy.
Authentication Notes
The book appears authentic. It features the standard matte/gloss hybrid cover stock characteristic of 1993 DC Direct Edition releases. Color saturation on the character Harley Quinn matches official printings, and the 'Win Original Batman Art' banner is correctly aligned.