BATMAN #251 (1973) 6.0 FN Neal Adams! An Evil JOKER Returns after 4 years!

Item Specifics

Series Name

BATMAN

Issue Number

#251

Publisher

DC Comics

Main Character

Batman

Genre

Superhero

Grade

6.0 FN

Certification

Uncertified

Signed

No

Item Description

BATMAN #251 from the early Fall of 1973 is a standout issue of the Dark Knight's continuing enmity with the villainous JOKER . . who is returned by Denny O'Neil to his early Silver Age EVIL roots after an absence of 4 years, since 1969!

After having been portrayed as a violent mass murderer during the early years of the Golden Age, JOKER was reduced to being an annoying prankster on the late years of the Golden Age and on his scarce appearances during the Silver Age. With this story, many elements of the JOKER's original portrayal were updated and remain to the present day, a constant feature in the development of the character.

This story also makes relevant the fact that criminals like theJOKER are held in an unnamed mental hospital for the criminally insane. While some Golden Age stories also mentioned mental hospitals for the JOKER and other villains, the idea had been largely forgotten during the entire Silver Age and the concept is first revisited in this issue. ARKHAM ASYLUM would make its first official appearance only seven issues after this one.

In "The Joker's Five-Way Revenge", the JOKER has set himself free from the Mental Hospital for the Criminally Insane and is out for blood. Before he was sent away, knowing that one member of his previous gang had ratted him out to the police, he had vowed to murder all five of them - and only BATMAN is capable of stopping him.

Despite the DARK KNIGHT's best efforts, the JOKER is able to finish off nearly all of his hit list.

A terrifically tense story by Denny O'Neil with incredible artwork by the one and only Neal Adams!

This is a great copy of BATMAN #251, with supple pages and clean printing, and a strong, perfectly straight spine! It does have a few stress lines near the spine, and a faint subscription crease through the center. There are some tiny knicks in the right cover edge, but no tears or pieces missing.

We're calling this key issue a 6.0 FN, to which the Overstreet Guide assigns a value of $177 . . . but we're making it an affordable treasure for fans of BATMAN and NEAL ADAMS at just $145 . . and it comes with FREE SHIPPING!

Don't miss out on this landmark NEAL ADAMS issue as BATMAN's oldest foe brings new fear and violence to Gotham after a long DC absence!

Seller Information

Seller

bennettoons (899)

Registered Since

05/07/2005

Feedback

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Store

Benny's Comics Corner

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Item Location

California, United States

Ships To

United States

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Returns Accepted

Yes

Returns Policy

We will happily send you a refund if you are not completely satisfied with your purchase -- just let us know the reason why, send it back to us in the same condition it was sold, and we'll refund your purchase price.

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