Batman: The Dark Knight Returns ##1 (Book One)
DC Comics • Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Writer
Frank Miller
Interior Artist
Frank Miller and Klaus Janson
Cover Artist
Frank Miller and Lynn Varley
Publication Date
March 1986
Cover Variant
Regular
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
A seminal masterpiece by Frank Miller featuring an aged, retired Bruce Wayne who returns to crime-fighting in a dystopian Gotham City. Introduces Carrie Kelley as the new Robin and features the return of Two-Face.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Near Mint- (CGC 9.2)
Condition Details
The cover appears highly glossy with deep ink saturation. Slight blunting on the bottom right corner and very minor spine stress visible under the bag. The alignment of the wrap looks sharp, but white edges indicate slight shelf wear. Interior cannot be verified through the bag.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $150-$200; Graded (9.0-9.4): $250-$450; Graded (9.8): $1,200+
Recent Sales
CGC 9.8 copies have recently sold for $1,200-$1,500. Raw copies in high grade consistently fetch $175 on auction sites.
Grading Recommendation
Highly recommended for professional grading if it appears to be a 9.6 or higher. A clean and press could elevate this copy significantly. Even at a 9.0+ grade, the authentication and preservation add significant liquidity to this key Copper Age book.
Notable Features
First appearance of Carrie Kelley (Robin). First appearance of the Mutants gang. Iconic lightning bolt cover art. This is a prestige format square-bound book. First printings are distinguished by the lack of a 'Second Printing' notice on the interior indicia and the $2.95 price point.
Authentication Notes
The high-gloss finish and cardstock cover are consistent with 1986 prestige format editions. The 'DC' logo and font spacing for the 'Book One' text match authentic first-run copies. No signs of reproduction or counterfeiting are visible.