BATVARK ##1
Aardvark-Vanaheim • Batvark
Writer
Dave Sim
Interior Artist
Dave Sim and Gustave Dore (reprints)
Cover Artist
Dave Sim
Publication Date
August 2014
Cover Variant
Regular cover (Aardvark-Vanaheim Logo variant)
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
A satirical one-shot featuring Batvark, a Cerebus the Aardvark parody of Batman. The issue includes brand new short stories and several reprints of Batvark-related material from other Aardvark-Vanaheim titles. It explores Dave Sim's later-career themes and experimental narrative styles while parodying superhero tropes.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Fine/Near Mint (CGC 9.0)
Condition Details
Visible spine stress marks and slight corner blunting at the top right and bottom left. Minor edge wear. The presence of the blue circular sticker on the polybag suggests retail handling, but the cover underneath appears mostly flat and bright with high gloss. No major color-breaking creases are evident from the photo.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $3 - $10; Graded: $30 - $50 (Note: high shipping costs often outweigh the value of this specific modern independent title).
Recent Sales
Recent sales index between $1.00 and $5.00 for raw copies on platforms like eBay. Graded copies (9.8) have sporadically sold for approximately $45.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading. The cost of CGC/CBCS submission (approx. $30-$50) exceeds the market value of the book. It is best kept as a reader copy or for personal collection in a bag and board.
Notable Features
Parody of Batman; first solo Batvark titled series; includes UPC barcode; features the 'comics' most notorious homophobe' self-satire tagline.
Authentication Notes
Authentic original printing. Features standard 2014 Aardvark-Vanaheim production quality, including heavy digital dot-screen (halftone) effects on internal Batvark figures and characteristic Dave Sim lettering and layouts.