Posted By Dan Greenfield on Mar 2, 2024 | 5 comments

More auction fun!

We’ve found some groovy art up for auction over the last week or so — and here’s one more for ya: a Joker pin-up by the great Dave Gibbons, which was published in 1990’s Batman 3D graphic novel, by John Byrne.

Dig this piece — which is being sold through Heritage Auctions — along with the official description:

Dave Gibbons Batman 3-D Page 57 Joker Pin-Up Illustration Original Art (DC, 1990). The Joker leaps in, armed with his dangerous toys… From Page 57 of the 1990 3D Batman book whose main story was written and illustrated by John Byrne. Ink and Zipatone on Bristol board with an image area of 11″ x 14.5″. Minor marginal production spot staining. Light handling wear. Signed. In Excellent condition.

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The illustration is included in Heritage’s March 9-10 International Original Art Signature Auction, and, as of this writing, the bidding is at $718.75, including buyer’s premium. You can follow along here.

Now, of course the second I saw this, I wanted to see it in color. Enter our pal Lee “The Batfan” Johnson, who is well known around online Batman circles. He came up with two versions, one with a cleaner approach and one with a more weathered look befitting Gibbons’ Sprang-esque take on the Clown Prince of Crime:

Plus, Lee sent over the pin-up as it appeared in the book. (I don’t have a copy anymore but he says it’s actually Page 58, not Page 57.)

Oh, Joker. You are a card.

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MORE

— NEAL GAIMAN Is Auctioning Off the WATCHMEN Page Given to Him by MOORE and GIBBONS. Click here.

— Groovy MARSHALL ROGERS BATMAN Original Comic Strip Art Up for Auction. Click here.