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Bob Kane UNITED STATES
Member Since January 2005
284 Artworks | Watched by 66

"Batman #423" cover art by Todd McFarlane (SEPTEMBER 1988)

Location: Todd McFarlane
Artist: Todd McFarlane (All)

3077  Views  -  37  Comments  -  10  Likes

Artwork Details
Location: Todd McFarlane
Title: "Batman #423" cover art by Todd McFarlane (SEPTEMBER 1988)*
Artist:  Todd McFarlane (All)
Media Type: Pen and Ink
Art Type: Cover
For Sale Status:
Views: 3077
Likes on CAF: 10
Favorited on CAF: 4
Comments: 37
Added to Site: 12/7/2012

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Description
First & foremost, this example "IS NOT" the bogus copy that was $old for $15,100.00 USD on November 24, 2012 by the crooked "eBay" $eller: "christianhoward3991" from Brough, United Kingdom. In fact, "christianhoward3991" is continuing to auction off "FAKE" prints of the Todd McFarlane #423" original cover art so please be warned to stay away from this scam artist at all costs. Anyway, this "Batman #423" original cover art "IS THE REAL DEAL"!!!

I very vividly recall how burned-out & depressed I was when the "bubble burst" on the "Independent" comics craze of the Early to Mid 1980's:-( I was so frustrated that I honestly never thought that I'd ever desire to read another comic book not to mention actually be drawn to buy one chiefly because of its cover. During the Summer of 1988 when "word" was buzzing about Hollywood about the "BATMAN" movie that was being released in Summer of 1989, it seemed that my heart got jumpstarted for comic books once again because of the anxious excitement I felt about the "BATMAN" movie being filmed by Tim Burton:-)

When I first decided to visit my local comic shop to see exactly what was being $old since I had actually hoped to find some reading material relating to the new "BATMAN" film, I surprisingly found a small cache of comics that interested me but the one that truly knocked my socks off was when I saw the cover to "BATMAN #423" by Todd McFarlane!!!:-)

Even though many people know that I am the biggest fan of "CAPTAIN MARVEL, JR." there is, most people are not that aware that I am equally as big a "BATMAN" fan to "CMJ" as well. In fact, I adored Batman long before I even knew who Captain Marvel, Jr. was; thanks to watching the 1966 "Batman" TV series in syndication starting in the Early 1970's:-)

Since "BATMAN #423" is the comic book that I give a bunch of credit to for resuscitating my interest in reading comic books again, this specific example truly holds a very special place in my heart since I've been searching for it for the past 20-years. Ironically enough, even though I am relinquishing a decent portion of my original art collection as I write this description this very moment, the fact that the "BATMAN #423" cover is the "ONE & ONLY TIME THAT TODD McFARLANE WOULD EVER PENCIL & INK A BATMAN COVER" means that this cover "IS NOT" going anywhere for a long, long time. Heck, one can even see at this early stage that McFarlane may already be experimenting with the idea of Spawn.

In closing, I specifically remember something quite heartfelt that Todd McFarlane shared with me when I met him for the second time during The 1993 Chicago Comic-Con when I told him how much I especially loved his brief stint of work on "Batman: Year 2" in "Detective Comics #'s 576, 577, & 578". He said: "...that his mom feels the very same way because she always tells me how much she wishes I drew more Batman stories because she always felt in awe by the way that I could make Batman's cape come alive." :-)

About The Owner
Bob Kane
Member Since: January 2005
Last Login: December 2024
Ebay Id: daredevil7
Country: UNITED STATES
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Comments on this Artwork

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Jeff Singh Member Since 2004
Posted On 12/7/2012

Great piece. Batman Year 2 is easily my favorite Batman art and my favorite McFarlane art. As a budding artist in high school I studied these pages for hours and redrew some of those panels with capes a dozen times. I agree that you got a keeper there. Congratulations,
Ibzan Monteagudo Member Since 2005
Posted On 12/7/2012

Classic cover, congrats!
frank x townsondecker Member Since 2006
Posted On 12/7/2012

AWESOME!
Kenn Y Member Since 2009
Posted On 12/7/2012

Landmark piece for sure. Foreshadows Spawn's aesthetic too.
Eurion Kemish Member Since 2012
Posted On 12/7/2012

Great piece, and also a cool story to go with it. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Dietmar Krueger Member Since 2010
Posted On 12/7/2012

McFarlane knows how to draw a web AND a cape! Congrats!
Eelco V Member Since 2004
Posted On 12/7/2012

Excellent! Early, but typical McFarlane!
daveofapocalypse (daveofapocalypse) Member Since 2004
Posted On 12/7/2012

Nice.
Rabid Ferret Member Since 2005
Posted On 12/7/2012

Oh very cool! I remember buying copies of this book whenever I saw it in back issues, just in case I lost my original:) Awesome cover!
Ron S Member Since 2007
Posted On 12/7/2012

Congrats! Terrific cover!
Raymond Bryan Member Since 2011
Posted On 12/7/2012

Congratulations!!!! Always great to get a cover that meant so much!! You chose a great one!!
Patrick  Brooks Member Since 2008
Posted On 12/7/2012

I know that I'm in the minority here but I have never been a fan of McFarlane's work in general. (EXCEPT for his Batman work!!) This is beautiful piece and show's off Todd's strengths perfectly. Congrats and thanks for sharing.
George 1 Member Since 2011
Posted On 12/7/2012

I love this so much. McFarlane at his best.
COMIC PARADISE Member Since 2005
Posted On 12/7/2012

people should really read the fine print before bidding. i have to warn few friends of mine to retract their bids. but wow congrats on this great piece.
George H Member Since 2009
Posted On 12/7/2012

Simply stunning!!!
Cyril Domzal Member Since 2010
Posted On 12/7/2012

Awesome! Congrats
eewwnuk 1 Member Since 2008
Posted On 12/7/2012

absolute grail!! a masterpiece. congrats!
larry clay Member Since 2006
Posted On 12/7/2012

I am sad to say that not ever being much of a Batman fan, I have never seen this cover before....boy have I been missing out! This is a wonder to behold! Great story as well. Congrats!
LEN  CALLO Member Since 2004
Posted On 12/7/2012

TOTAL Spawn precursor! But my favorite part is the Bat-Logo signature. :)
J. Sid Member Since 2004
Posted On 12/7/2012

Nice!
Greg  C. Member Since 2008
Posted On 12/7/2012

Absolutely one of my favourite McCovers!!!!! How awesome this must look in real life!!!!!!!
Richard Oh Member Since 2007
Posted On 12/7/2012

Congrats on a masterpiece!
Thomas V Member Since 2008
Posted On 12/8/2012

Always thought this cover was an extreme example of everything that made Mcfarlane so popular a couple years later. I love how Todd abstracted things graphically using symbols, mixing semi-realism into a cartoon style rather than going for the naturalistic approach because it really let my imagination run wild. Not sure if it was intentional or if Todd just thought it looked cool but it worked for him. Congratulations on picking up a cover that meant so much to you Keif. In my opinion this is a truly great Mcfarlane cover
Ben Bressel Member Since 2003
Posted On 12/8/2012

incredible keif! congrats and thanks for the story!!
Enrico Niederberger Member Since 2005
Posted On 12/9/2012

this one seeing in real must be so awesome. Im reeeeally jeleaus !
Vincent Pioli Member Since 2009
Posted On 12/11/2012

simply a grail cover !
Dimitrios Z Member Since 2011
Posted On 12/11/2012

To say that this is an Amazing Cover is an understatment. Great write-up and Congrats!!!
Jason Weitzner Member Since 2004
Posted On 12/20/2012

Great piece and really enjoy your last paragraph in the description - Todd was BORN to draw capes on heroes and villains alike!!!
J. Hollon Member Since 2006
Posted On 12/27/2012

I bought this comic just for the cover!
Lionel C Member Since 2013
Posted On 2/14/2013

a dream piece to own. congratulation
A Arntfield Member Since 2010
Posted On 10/20/2013

A wonderful piece of comic history, and a remarkable piece of comic art. Congratulations, Keif, and thanks for your note. If you ever decide to sell it, Corporal Beevers would probably be interested. ;)
George Patouhas Member Since 2017
Posted On 5/3/2019

This piece is beyond words, congratulations

 Amir E Member Since 2020
Posted On 11/28/2021

Such a memorable and iconic cover. This image doesn't do it justice compared to seeing it in person. Incredible!

 Paperchaser 1968 Member Since 2005
Posted On 11/28/2021

...now that is something!

 Nick Katradis Member Since 2005
Posted On 11/28/2021

Keif, a true masterpiece! Historic, iconic, and dare I say, a very glorious cover!

 Suleyman Sipahi Member Since 2006
Posted On 3/14/2023

Keif, you weren't joking, this is serious s, wow kudos

 T Shen Member Since 2009
Posted On 5/8/2023

Beautiful write up, especially your interaction with Todd. And that explains why he goes on to create Spawn's design :)

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