World's Finest Comics ##156
DC Comics • World's Finest Comics Vol. 1
Writer
Edmond Hamilton
Interior Artist
Curt Swan (pencils), George Klein (inks)
Cover Artist
Curt Swan (pencils), George Klein (inks)
Publication Date
March 1966
Cover Variant
Regular/Direct Edition (12c cover price)
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
A silver age key featuring the first appearance of Bizarro-Batman. The Joker tricks Bizarro-Superman into helping him escape prison, leading to the creation of a Bizarro-Joker and Bizarro-Batman. Joker briefly forms 'The F.B.I.' (Federation of Bizarro Idiots).
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Good- (CGC 3.5)
Condition Details
Moderate spine wear with heavy stress lines and small tears along the spine. Noticeable corner blunting (top left and bottom right). Significant vertical creasing along the right side of the cover. Minor edge wear and slight color chipping. General surface wear and visible soil/tanning on the white border areas.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $30 - $50 | Graded (CGC 3.5): $80 - $110
Recent Sales
Grades in the 3.0-4.0 range have recently sold for $35 to $60 on platforms like eBay. Higher grade copies (VF/NM) can exceed $350 due to the silver age key status.
Grading Recommendation
Not highly recommended in this condition. The cost of grading ($30-$50 plus shipping) roughly equals the market value of a raw copy in this grade. Grading is usually reserved for copies reaching 6.5 or higher to maximize ROI for this specific issue.
Notable Features
First appearance of Bizarro-Batman. Iconic Curt Swan cover art. Features Silver Age 'checkered' top border. 12 cent cover price variant.
Authentication Notes
Authentic Silver Age DC copy. Paper stock shows correct oxidation for the mid-1960s. Standard staple placement and 'National Comics' logo present. Ben-Day dots are visible in the coloring process.