100 Hot Comics #12: Batman 251
Classic Neal Adams Joker Cover

100 Hot Comics: Batman 251, Classic Neal Adams Joker Cover. Click to buy a copy from Goldin

Click here to buy your copy of this book today!

CLICK TO SEE THE NEXT HOT COMIC BOOK!

Why Batman 251 is a Hot Comic

2024 MARKET UPDATE: A CRAZY 9.8 SALE IS THE HEADLINE

The previous sale of a CGC 9.8 was $11K, and this sale of triple the price is remarkable in any market.

With just 27 copies in that grade in the census, it's rare to have a chance to acquire one. Lower grades mostly dropped, but there are enough sparks to keep it high on the list this year. You should smile if you own one.

2023 MARKET UPDATE: SAD LOSS OF NEAL ADAMS DRIVES INTEREST IN KEYS

In general, DC Comics key issues have done better on this year's hot list.

Books which Neal Adams is famous for have bucked the general downward trend in the market.

This is one of them.

2022 MARKET UPDATE: SMILE, AND THE BANK SMILES WITH YOU

Steady gains on this classic Joker issue. It's been a year since a 9.8 sale, and the last was reported in my previous year. The next sale will certainly beat $11K because the last 9.6 was $5,340, an increase of 50 percent.

Some grades have doubled since last year. Others are in the 30-60 percent range.

A solid book for Batman fans.

Recent sales:

9.6 $5,340
9.4 $2,675
9.2 $1,875
9.0 $1,895
8.5 $1,090
8.0 $1,100
7.5 $725
7.0 $685
6.5 $600
6.0 $490
5.5 $600(!)
5.0 $495
4.5 $450
4.0 $485
3.5 $315
3.0 $315
2.5 $255
2.0 $200

2021 MARKET UPDATE: SOMETHING TO LAUGH ABOUT IN ALMOST EVERY GRADE

Of all the Neal Adams issues to own this year, Batman #251 is probably the pick.

CGC 9.8 broke $11K, and the good news cascaded down the tier. Our lowly 8.0 returned 12 percent.

Recent sales:

9.8 $11,100
9.6 $3,720
9.4 $2,640
9.2 $1,170
9.0 $975
8.5 $800
8.0 $677
7.5 $575
7.0 $425
6.5 $465(!)
6.0 $425
5.5 $325
5.0 $280
4.5 $220

IF YOU BOUGHT MY RECOMMENDED GRADE LAST YEAR:

Here's the bottom line.

CGC 8.0 2020 $603
LAST SALE $677
PERCENT CHANGE +12%

2020 MARKET UPDATE: JOKER WARMING UP IN A VARIETY OF GRADES

Of course I managed to pick a losing grade last year, but it was the exception that proves the rule.

There are tons of positive sales, and no sign of this book losing favor with collectors and speculators.

We declared this a tie for 78th place with Bone #1!

If you did get in at 7.5 last year, then don't panic. Hold this book. If you're looking to buy now, then I'd still recommend a VF range or nicer if you can afford it.

Recent sales:

9.8 $6,000
9.6 $2,800
9.4 $1,999
9.2 $830
9.0 $750
8.5 $736
8.0 $520
7.5 $490
7.0 $331
6.5 $323
6.0 $401(!!)
5.5 $255
5.0 $253
4.5 $245
4.0 $198
3.5 $190
3.0 $150

2019 MARKET UPDATE: NEW ON THE 100 HOT COMICS LIST!

One of the hardest jobs when putting together each year's 100 Hot Comics list is deciding what to cut from the previous year, and what to add.

When it came time to update the page for Showcase #4, I simply couldn't keep it on the list. It's never been very active -- there simply aren't many sales of that book -- but this year it's just not deserving of a place.

Instead, here's a Neal Adams classic from the Bronze Age. While some Batman issues have taken a beating (notably Batman #181, 1st Poison Ivy), this one is lighting up the board with great prices in all kinds of grades.

It's joined by another Adams new entry, Batman #232, the first Ra's al Ghul.

Adams art has been hot for years, and really it's a question of which comics to exclude. #227 (the cover homage to the classic Detective #31) is also a popular issue, but prices of #251 are more consistently higher.