Artwork Details
|
DescriptionGot this piece at SDCC in 1988. It was Sunday and con was winding down. A friend of mine and I were in the main lobby of the old convention center when we noticed a small crowd of people gathered around someone sitting at a table: it was Bob Kane. I was pretty shocked because I had no idea he was going to be at con, and I always made it a point to meet the golden age guys and the legends. (Please go easy on me. I was in my teens at the time, so I didn’t really know all about Bill Finger yet). It didn’t seem like he was there in any official capacity. It looked as though people had just started talking to him as he was wandering around, and that turned into him informally signing autographs. Someone, maybe Kane himself, had a sketchpad and he started doing Batman and Robin sketches and handing them out. As I watched people getting stuff signed, I wondered how long it would take me to find an affordable golden age mid grade Detective or Batman in the dealer’s room, buy it, and get back before he left (this was the pre-CGC era, so I routinely had books signed by creators I loved). I figured I had maybe ten minutes at most, so I bolted. I hadn’t gotten that far, I was maybe halfway down the first formal row of tables in the dealer’s room, and I screeched to a halt Scooby Doo style because in front of a table full of OA - no portfolios and no organization, just piles roughly eight inches tall of loose pages - a guy was standing there holding this cover, looking intently at it. I could not believe I was face to face with this piece. I was a huge Jim Aparo fan and this was one of the first comics I’d ever read (I was just old enough to be in that post-Neal age and I literally grew up with Aparo as the/my Batman artist). I asked the dealer how much. He wanted $95. I told the guy with it in his hand, “If you’re not going to buy that, I will buy it right now.” The guy gave me an annoyed look, and he hesitated for a second - I really thought he was going to buy it - but he handed it to me. I paid the dealer and I ran back to the table. Fortunately everyone was still there and I asked Kane to sign it. I remember he told he really thought the cover was terrific and he raved about the art. He told me he was really impressed with the Batman statue on the gravestone. He asked me who the artist was and I don’t think he really knew who Jim Aparo was when I told him. I know all about Bill Finger now, of course, but I’ve still nevertheless always been impressed about how cool Bob Kane was. He honestly was one of the nicest comic people I ever remember meeting, he loved talking to his fans and he was extremely cool with me. He even loved Aparo (even if he might not have known who he was)! Doesn’t make it anything right, but I do have fond memories of the guy and that day at SDCC.This cover was voted as the 34th (of 75) greatest Batman cover of all time in a CBR readers poll: https://www.cbr.com/75-greatest-batman-covers-of-all-time-master-list/ Screenrant.com selected it as number 10 of their 15 greatest Batman covers of all time: https://screenrant.com/greatest-batman-comic-book-covers/ Social/Sharing |
About the Owner
|
 |
Contact the OwnerUse can use a contact form to send an email to this gallery owner,
|
Comments on this Artwork
You must be logged in to make comments.
Anthony Meunier
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 10/26/2019
A very good story for the acquisition of this mythic cover!
Comic Art Channel 
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 10/26/2019
Wonderful memory and story, Sam. Thanks for sharing it and this amazing Aparo cover!
Brian Norton
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 10/26/2019
one of the most classic covers. a real grail piece.
Marc W
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 10/26/2019
Many thanks for sharing your wonderful Story and this BOMBASTIC Cover with us!
Will K
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 10/26/2019
W o w !!! One of Aparo's greatest Batman covers !!!
kent mansley
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 10/26/2019
The cover to Batman 291 and also 293 rocked my world when I saw them as a kid. They were both drawn so well and they both told a story about heroes defeated, which got me excited to see how Batman would come through. Thanks for sharing your story and this cover!
West Stephan
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 10/27/2019
GRAIL ALERT!!! That's what the header should say, incredible!!!
Michael Kenyon
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 10/27/2019
That's a great cover and better story. 30 years ago and $95.
Mike Gav
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 10/27/2019
WOW, it is just amazing on so many levels. Thank you so much for sharing.
J. Sid
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 10/28/2019
Very fun cover. Mondo selected it for their recent "80 Years of Batman" show as well.
Vik V
Member Since 2016
1 - Posted on 10/28/2019
This cover IS the best Batman cover of all times! Thanks for sharing, and congrats!
Timothy Finney
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 10/28/2019
The "Where Were You on the Night Batman Was Killed" storyline was one of the most memorable from this era and this cover was particularly irresistible and remains quite memorable.
Dietmar Krueger
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 10/31/2019
I don't know what else you're getting out of your warehouse. But I am more and more impressed from time to time!!!
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 10/31/2019
Loved your story, because I was in a similar situation. Except in my scenario, I was the guy holding the art and everyone else was behind me waiting for me to put it down (which I didn't do, haha). The only part of the story that really made me cry was the $95 price tag. LOL
Xavier .
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 11/14/2019
This has always been one of my favorite Batman covers! Congratulations on another masterpiece in your collection of iconic pieces! I wonder what is behind the paste-up on the grave?
J L
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 11/24/2019
Great story behind your purchase. I wish I would have known about comic art collecting back in 1988. Congrats!!!! 8)
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 3/23/2020
OMG! This is an AMAZING cover! What a great concept! What a great drawing! Aparo outdid himself here! Congrats!
Jordan Joanou
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 4/30/2021
Aloha Sam, Please let me know if you decide to sell this. It is in my list of Top 10 favorite covers and would love to be the caretaker for this art. Mahalo, Jordan
Latest Updates
All |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Auctions ADVERTISEMENT
 |
Auctions
| George Olesen and Keith Williams The Phantom Daily |
Auctions
 |
MIKE DRINGENBERG SANDMAN #8 PAGE 7 (1989, 1ST DEATH) SOLD FOR $100,500! |
Auctions
 |
Dave Cockrum - X-Men #150 Cover |
Hakes Auctions
 |
STAR WARS #5 COMIC BOOK PAGE ORIGINAL ART BY HOWARD CHAYKIN. |
Subscribe to the YouTube Channel.. FREE!
Modern Mythology Comic Art
1 Accepting Commissions
Commission an Artist
For Sale Updates
Classified Updates |
|
Rene Dorenbos9/6/2025 5:20:00 AM |
|
Monty B9/5/2025 3:53:00 PM |
|
Saxa Luna Galianan9/5/2025 1:01:00 PM |
|
Will Gabri-El9/5/2025 12:25:00 PM |
|
Michele M9/5/2025 12:05:00 PM |
|
Keith Veronese9/5/2025 11:09:00 AM |
|
Dealer Updates |
|
Coollines Artwork9/5/2025 9:24:00 PM |
|
Koch Comic Art9/5/2025 7:54:00 PM |
|
Anthony's Comicbook Art9/5/2025 6:43:00 PM |
|
Will's Comic Art Page9/5/2025 12:25:00 PM |
|
Essential Sequential9/5/2025 12:15:00 PM |
|
Achetez de l'Art9/5/2025 12:15:00 PM |
|
|
Become a Premium CAF Gallery Owner & you'll be supporting CAF and also gain access to many services and features not available to standard members.
|