PBA Galleries – PBA Comics: The DC Universe Collection Part I: Batman
November 9, 2023
605 Addison Street: Berkeley, CA 94710
www.pbagalleries.com

BERKELEY, CALIF. — PBA Galleries will conduct an auction of comic books: The DC Universe Collection, Part I: The Batman, on November 9. The sale comprises more than 300 lots, featuring every issue of Batman and Detective Comics from 1939 to 2014, alongside a smattering of other Batman comic books and culminates with a rare copy of the Flash Comics #1 ashcan, a true holy grail of comic collecting.

Sale highlights include Detective Comics #27, the very first appearance of the Bat-Man; Detective Comics #31, featuring an early iteration of the BatPlane in the form of the BatGyro; Detective Comics #33, featuring the famous origins of Batman, the deaths of Thomas and Martha Wayne; Detective Comics #38, the debut issue of Robin, the Boy Wonder; Detective Comics #40, the Joker’s first cover appearance; Detective Comics #58, the premiere of the Penguin; and Detective Comics #66, featuring the first appearance and origin of villain Two-Face.

Other lots worth mentioning are Batman #1, Batman’s solo debut, featuring first-time appearances from the Joker and Catwoman; Batman #16, the introduction of bat-butler Alfred; Batman #20, the cover debut of the Batmobile, with its Golden Age sharklike tail fin design; Batman #47, expanding the origin of Batman and killing off Joe Chill; Batman #92, establishing the Bat-Hound in the Batman universe; and Batman #121, featuring an early iteration of the Mr Freeze character, complete with his cover appearance.

The Flash Comics ashcan is only one of six graded copies. Ashcans were an internal tool for publishers to secure trademarks on desirable titles before actual publication. They were made in very limited numbers and are highly coveted. The Flash ashcan was produced in slightly larger numbers, to be kept by employees and visitors. This rarity is offered in the Batman sale as a preview of all the upcoming oddities and obscurities within the DC Universe collection.

The Batman auction is the first in a series of themed sales of the DC Universe Collection. The collection comprises every DC comic book published for retail sale from 1934 to 2014, more than 40,000 comic books, including Action Comics #1, Superman #1, Sensation #1, All-American #16, Wonder Woman #1, and all the rest. PBA Comics will offer the collection into 2024 and beyond.

PBA is open by appointment only. Live auction participation is limited to online or phone bidding. For information, 415-989-2665 or www.pbagalleries.com.

The auction features over 300 lots, including the entire runs of BATMAN and DETECTIVE COMICS from 1939 to 2014; concluding with the rare Flash Comics #1 ashcan, a true holy grail of comic collecting. Most of the books are CGC-graded, with “DC Universe Collection” provenance stated on the label. This is the debut sale of The DC Universe Collection, which encompasses over 40,000 comic books, including a copy of every DC comic published for retail sale between 1934 and 2014. It’s the greatest single comic book collection offered at auction.
Detective Comics #27 1st appearance of BATMAN
BATMAN No. 1 The Joker and Catwoman 1st appearances
Detective Comics #31 1st appearance of the Batplane
Detective Comics #33 Batman’s origin
Detective Comics #29 The debut of Dr. Death
Detective Comics #66 Origin & 1st appearance of Two-Face
Detective Comics #69 Classic Joker cover
Flash Comics #1 Rare Ashcan Edition
SPECIALISTS IN EXCEPTIONAL BOOKS & PRIVATE LIBRARIES AT AUCTION BOOKS – MANUSCRIPTS – MAPS – PHOTOGRAPHS – WORKS ON PAPER
605 Addison Street : Berkeley, CA : 94710
415.989.2665 pba@pbagalleries.com
www.pbagalleries.com