Holy Batmania! Original Batman Cover Art to be Auctioned in Baltimore by Heritage and Diamond International Galleries!

DALLAS, TEXAS: By the mid-1960s, Batman was in trouble.

Since his introduction in 1939 in the pages of Detective Comics #27, Batman had withstood countless attacks by such bizarre villains as the Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler, Clayface, the Scarecrow, and the Catwoman, but there was one nefarious nemesis that even the Caped Crusader of Gotham City couldn't overcome.

Low sales.

Originally a grim vigilante cast in the mold of pulp heroes like the Shadow and the Spider, Batman took on a lighter, more cheerful tone as the years went on. By the time fledgling Marvel Comics and their stable of "hip" characters such as Spider-Man, the Hulk and the Fantastic Four, made their bid to challenge monolithic DC Comics, Batman's publisher, in the early 1960s, the formerly Darknight Detective had been saddled with such lame supporting characters as Batwoman, Bat-Mite (an imp from another dimension), and even Ace, the Bat-Hound. Increasingly seen as silly by fans that had grown tired of Batman's outlandish antics, DC was actually planning to cancel the books that featured their second-oldest hero.

"Rather than just axe the books outright, DC executives wisely decided to give Batman one last chance," said Ed Jaster, Vice-President for Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries, "and handed him over to Julius Schwartz, the editorial genius who had successfully revamped such seemingly forgotten characters as the Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, and the Atom. Schwartz, along with writer John Broome and artist Carmine Infantino, introduced their 'New Look' Batman in the pages of Detective Comics #327, cover-dated May 1964. Still, even with this slick new approach, it's unclear whether or not Batman would have survived the turbulent 1960s. Except for one thing."

Enter William Dozier, a TV producer who had been the genius behind such small-screen successes as "Dennis the Menace" and "Bewitched." Thumbing through an issue of Batman during a plane flight, he saw the potential for a live-action series within those four-color pages, and with that, Batmania was born.

The show, "Batman," which aired from 1966 through 1968, was an instant hit. Starring Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman and Robin, and featuring some of the biggest names in Hollywood as guest villains, the show revitalized Batman's flagging career. Gone were the lame, science-fictionish plots and weak supporting characters. Batman, and comics in general, received the shot in the arm they needed, becoming an integral part of the pop culture landscape.

"Because of its important place in the history of this iconic character, and its association with a well-beloved TV show, 'New Look' original artwork is extremely desirable to collectors," Jaster said. "Also, because it was created at a time in which original art was still seen as relatively valueless, comparatively little survives. We are extremely pleased to be able to offer a classic 'New Look' cover by the artistic team supreme of penciller Carmine Infantino and inker Murphy Anderson, the cover to Batman #196. A large art cover such as this, by such an exceptional team at the zenith of their artistic careers, and featuring such incredible images of both Batman and Robin rarely comes to market, and is sure to be hotly contested during the auction. This is a piece that no Bat-fan will want to miss out on!"

Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson - Batman #196 Cover Original Art (DC, 1967).
ESTIMATE: $35,000 & up

Heritage Auction Galleries will offer the Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson Batman #196 Cover Original Art (DC, 1967), in its upcoming Comics Signature Auction, held in association with Diamond International Galleries, on September 8-9, 2006 at the Baltimore Convention Center, One West Pratt Street, Third Floor, Baltimore, MD, 21201. For more information, please visit www.HA.com/Comics.

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.

Heritage specializes in rare, high-grade comic books, as well as vintage comic and animation art, illustration art, classic toys, movie posters and comics-related collectibles.

Prospective consignors and sellers of top-end comics material, toys, and original art are invited to call Ed Jaster at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 288 or Lon Allen at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 261 to discuss their rare comics and original illustration and comic art. Or visit www.HA.com and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Ed Jaster at EdJ@HA.com or Lon Allen at LonA@HA.com.

Music and Hollywood memorabilia collectors should contact Doug Norwine at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 452 or email DougN@HA.com.

Movie poster consignors please call Grey Smith at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 367 or email GreySm@HA.com.

To reserve your copy of a catalog for any upcoming Heritage auction, please contact Nicole Jewell, c/o Heritage Auction Galleries, 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219, or call 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272.

About Diamond International Galleries

Since its opening in 1995, Diamond International Galleries has regularly been at the heart of many significant opportunities to preserve, promote and present historical comic character collectibles, and enjoys its position as the preeminent display house of such items. Alongside original classic comic books, movie posters, premiums and other toys, original works by such artists as Carl Barks, Gustav Tengren, Alex Ross, Murphy Anderson, Joe Shuster, Joe Simon and Charles Schulz, among others, are on display. Since its inception, Diamond International Galleries has also booked numerous record sales of individual collectibles.