DC Special Series #27 Batman vs. the Incredible Hulk

In 1975, DC and Marvel both attempted to gain the rights to publish a comic adaptation of the Wizard of Oz, eventually deciding to co-publish the project. The result was the tabloid-sized "MGM's Marvelous Wizard of Oz". DC and Marvel quickly agreed to another co-publishing venture, and in early 1976 "Superman vs. Spider-Man" was released as a one-shot tabloid. Five years later DC and Marvel revisited the Superman and Spider-Man team-up in Marvel Treasury Edition #28, and later that same year DC took their turn at an inter-company crossover in the final issue of DC Special Series. DC Special Series was an umbrella title for one-shots and special issues published by DC Comics since 1977. Each issue featured a different character and varied in format, published as either Dollar Comics, 48 page giants, digests, or treasury editions. 

DC Special Series #27, released September 24, 1981, is a comic book of 64 tabloid-sized pages (25 cm x 33 cm), with a cover price of $2.50. Neither the umbrella title nor the numbering system appear on the cover, the title "DC Special Series" appearing only in the indicia, with the cover banner reading “DC and Marvel Present: Batman vs. the Incredible Hulk”. DC Special Series #27 features cover and interior artwork by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez & Dick Giordano (Inker), with a story, “The Monster and the Madman", by the legendary Len Wein. When a story features Bruce Banner working at a division of Wayne Research, assisting in the development of a gamma-gun designed to cure diseases, and the Joker is intent on stealing that selfsame gamma-gun, well, you know serious mayhem is going to follow! This epic tale was the last tabloid-sized comic published by DC for almost twenty years.

Conversion of Assets V

With the recent popularity of the Avengers movie and the Iron Man films, there is a growing nostalgia for the Silver Age and Bronze Age Iron Man! With that in mind, the panelology department set their sights on acquiring a nice copy of ‘Iron Man #47’. But in order to acquire the necessary funds the following books were sold: first, ‘Batman #251’, published by DC Comics September, 1973. This issue is the bronze-age debut of the Joker, profoundly revised by writer Denny O'Neil and artist Neal Adams. Graded around F (6.0), the cover gloss on this issue still has moderate reflectivity, although there is some minor cover wear, with some minor to moderate creasing; second, ‘Batman #386’, published by DC Comics August, 1985. This issue contains the first appearance of the villain Black Mask. Graded around VF/NM (9.0), this is a sharp copy with no creases, and still has outstanding eye appeal. Issue #251 was sold for $49.96 CAD and issue #386 for $45.79 CAD - a total of $95.75.

These funds were then used to purchase a CGC graded 9.0 (VF/NM) copy of ‘Iron Man #47’ for a total of $92.64 CAD. Published by Marvel Comics in June, 1972, this issue retells the origin of Iron Man, written by Roy Thomas with art by the incomparable Barry Windsor Smith. This is the first detailed retelling of the golden Avenger’s origin since his debut in ‘Tales of Suspense #39’, a decade earlier. The cover itself, an iconic Iron Man image if ever there was one, is by the legendary Gil Kane. As the Iron man movie franchise has grossed over one-billion dollars worldwide, there will be lots of fans for generations to come that will be interested in key issues of his eponymous comic book series!

Graphitti Designs Superman Statue

Produced in 1993 by Graffiti Designs, this Superman statue was based on a Sculpt by Randy Bowen, who worked from a sketch by noted Superman artist Dan Jurgens. Made of cold cast porcelain and individually hand painted, this statuette stands approximately 26.5 cm tall. Limited to a run of 6,100 peices, each is individually numbered. This particular statuette is #4,254. The factory original box was not intended for retail display, or made of durable design, and was used as the shipping box in many cases. Consequently, most, including this box, have dings, scuffs, tape marks, and general shelf wear.

Graphitti Designs, founded in 1982, is one of the leading producers of pop culture related merchandise, focusing on everything from apparel to deluxe limited edition hardcovers. As an added claim to pop culture fame for the company, this Superman statue was also seen on the hit show Seinfeld, where it proudly resided for many episodes on Jerry Seinfeld's bookshelf! Although the list price on these scarce statuettes was originally $215.00 CDN, this one was scooped up a number of years ago for a bargain $132 CDN!

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm Promotional Theater Cup

 

On the original theatrical release of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm in 1993, this theater cup was included as part of a promotional “Combo” that could be purchased from the theater concession. The cup itself has a beautiful full color image depicting Batman and his adversary, with the name of the theatre chain on the reverse side. The cup lid is a jet black, 3D plastic sculpt of the Batman's cowl, which has a hole in the top to allow for a straw. The total height of the cup and lid is 26.5cm.

 

 

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is a 1993 American animated superhero mystery film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman, and is a spin-off of the Emmy Award-winning TV series Batman: The Animated Series. Although critically acclaimed (Empire cited it as the best animated film of 1993), the film only went on to gross slightly more than $5.6 million in total domestic box office intake. The filmmakers blamed Warner Bros. for an unsuccessful marketing campaign. Needless to say, with a poor initial box-office run, these promotional cups are exceedingly scarce.

Conversion of assets

A lesson was learned a long time ago about the empty feeling that lingers after a collectible is sold for cold cash. The money is alright at first, but quickly that high fades away. Trading, or converting, however, is a different prospect altogether! Just recently, one such "conversion of assets" was made: a NM copy of ‘Batman: Vengeance of Bane’ was sold for a total of $58 CAD, and the cash used to purchase a CGC graded 9.0 (VF/NM) copy of ‘Marvel Team-up #3’.

‘Marvel Team-up #3’, published by Marvel Comics Group dated July 1972, features an early appearance by Morbius, the Living Vampire. The CGC grading is a guarantee of quality when purchasing books sight-unseen, and allows for easier conversion at a later date. ‘Batman: Vengeance of Bane’ was published by DC Comics dated January 1993, and features the origin & first appearance of Batman's adversary Bane. Interest in this book has spiked recently due to the character's appearance in the upcoming Batman movie.