The Batman is the title of the newest edition of a long and storied career for one of comics most iconic characters. The new scheduled release date, which has been changed once, is set for March 4, 2022. This is a big deal to the comic community of collectors because of both a new cast playing familiar rolls and the first appearance of The Riddler. Historically, movies of comic book characters can drive comic book prices higher.

For starters Robert Pattinson will be taking over the roll of the Batman character. The so-called “Dark Knight” has endured many actors coming and going, all with their own twist of how Batman’s persona is displayed. Robert Patterson may have his work cut out for him to not be associated with the role of a sensitive vampire behind the Batman mask. That said, this will not be the first Batman movie with a dark and gritty filming theme to it.

Collectors Dashboard reviewed recent sales of Batman comics in order to have a base price to understand the potential change as buildup to the new film. Here are prices paid for the October 1948 issue of Detective Comics #140. Detective Comics #140 is the first appearance of the character The Riddler created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang. (Image below by Heritage Auctions)

The Comic book leader for tracing prices paid and conditions available is Go Collect which lists the value of a CGC 9.8 at $925,000.00. No sales are known to exist with one in CGC 9.8 condition, however Heritage Auctions sold the highest graded example 9.6 for $490,000.00 on June 19, 2021 after 56 bids.

The highest population according to gocollect.com is for CGC grade 4.5 with 21 examples. Here are other recent sales by Heritage Auctions:

• Detective Comics #140 (DC, 1948) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white to white pages sold for $40,900.00 on July 9, 2020 after 24 bids.
• Detective Comics #140 (DC, 1948) CGC VF- 7.5 Cream to off-white pages sold for $40,800.00 on April 1, 2021 after 31 bids.
• Detective Comics #140 (DC, 1948) CGC VF 8.0 White pages sold for $38,400.0 on November 19, 2020 after 27 bids.
• Detective Comics #140 (DC, 1948) CGC GD/VG 3.0 Cream to off-white pages sold for $4,800.00 on November 23, 2019 after 16 bids.
• Detective Comics #140 (DC, 1948) CGC VG- 3.5 Off-white to white pages sold for $4,800.00 on August 25, 2019 after 26 bids.

Collectors Dashboard evaluates high-end collectibles as an alternative asset class. The same capital that could have been invested into stocks or bonds is being used to buy high-end collectibles. True comic collectors and hobbyists have a passion to own certain issues or memorabilia for quite a long time. The investor class in collectibles is solely buying an asset to sell at a later date for a profit. This keeps collectors and investors in a constant battle for who can win in auctions.

One issue which has been brought up recently is the flood of Batman comics which were scheduled for the second half of 2021. The new comic books are not likely to impact golden age or silver age comic book prices, but the supply could create some fatigue among Batman fans. That is an issue which will not be known yet.

As the new Batman movie approaches notice the prices realized from 2019 to 2021. Subtle changes in a price paid is noticeable before the release of the movie. Pattinson brings vampire experience to the Batman character. Fans will either love or hate the new changes. Either way, one certainty is that the iconic bat in the night will live to fight crime another day on the streets of Gotham.