Batman Shadow Of The Bat #4

Wow! Still a bit in shock that I was the last bidder standing on this one. There are very few comics in my collection that I’m fairly confident I remember what store I bought them from. I’m pretty sure I bought this issue off the stand at a pharmacy in the Crosscreek Mall in Greenwood, SC when I was 12. I’m also pretty sure I got it signed by Dick and Brian at my very first Heroes Con in 1993.

When I saw this coming to auction, I went rifling through my comics. I was unsure if that comic was among the hundreds I sold a couple years ago to clear out my daughter’s bedroom closet. Luckily, I kept a couple boxes of Spidey, Batman and X-Men to give away when kids came to visit. So it was still here. I love the sequential storytelling that happens with these four Last Arkham covers. From struggling with the Arkham orderlies on #1, to the Issue #2 image of Batman in chains, to #3 where Batman struggles to free himself and finally Issue #4 where we see him break the chains.

I know I bought this issue before I bought the polybagged first issue and don’t think I got another from the series until I started collecting all the books connected to the Knightfall event.
Brian only did 49 SOTB covers and they almost never come up for auction. I have often wondered where they all are. I lost out on one to Pat L that he nabbed on eBay back in 2021. Looks like 2015 is the last time HA had one. So unless they start hitting the market like the Preacher covers, I knew this could be my last chance for some time. Didn’t even realize it was used as the TPB cover until the auction was over.


HA description:
Brian Stelfreeze Batman: Shadow of the Bat #4 Cover Original Art (DC, 1992). Batman busts out of his chains in this powerful cover painting created in mixed media on heavyweight illustration board with an image area of 11.5" x 17". Signed by Stelfreeze in the lower right image area and bottom margin. Bottom left corner ding and top layer tear on the top edge; otherwise, in Excellent condition.