Posted By Dan Greenfield on Sep 29, 2019 | 1 comment

JOKER WEEK EXCLUSIVE: The latest in DC’s outstanding line of classic-issue replicas…

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It’s JOKER WEEK! We’re celebrating comics’ greatest villain since there’s a big ol’ major motion picture coming out this week. For the complete index of features, click here. — Dan

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So, we’re not the only ones celebrating classic Joker stories this week. The latest in DC Comics’ new line of gorgeous full-on replica comics is out Oct. 2 and it just happens to reproduce one of the greatest single issues of all time.

I’m talking about the Batman #251 Facsimile Edition, which reprints 1973’s classic story by Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams in all its glory — complete with the original ads, letter column and whatnot.

Check out this EXCLUSIVE INSIDE LOOK:

But that’s just the first few story pages.

Dig the lettercol (which I’ve blown up for you for greater legibility) and some of the ads — including a classic Charles Atlas joint:

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Some thoughts:

— Now, as part of JOKER WEEK, we’ve ranked the TOP 13 JOKER STORIES EVER. Yep, went out on a limb and ranked them. Guess where Batman #251 came in: Click here to find out.

— Earlier this year, as part of BATMAN WEEK, we ranked the TOP 13 BATMAN STORIES EVER. Guess where Batman #251 came in: Click here to find out.

— We’re also going to be ranking the TOP 13 JOKER COVERS EVER. Guess where Adams’ Batman #251 comes in: You’ll have to wait to find out — but keep checking back.

— Is that the greatest introductory splash page in comics history? I say yes.

— Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams discuss Batman #251 here.

— This is DC’s second O’Neil-Adams Facsimile Edition. The first was the recent Batman #232 replica. (Click here.) Happily, both utilize the original coloring. Purists rejoice!

— Did you ever order the Charles Atlas book? Or the $1.98 Raquel Welch pillow? Or Tank Trap? Let us know below!

— The Batman #251 Facsimile Edition lists for $3.99. That’s an amazing bargain. I don’t care that the story itself has been reprinted a gajillion different ways. There is nothing like reading a comic like this in its original context — especially since DC has come pretty darn close to the original printing materials. And if you want to get an original one, mid-to-high-grade unslabbed copies are going in the $375 range on eBay.

— I don’t know about you, but I absolutely cannot wait to go to Midtown Comics on Wednesday, walk in and see stacks of these on the shelf.

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MORE

— The Complete JOKER’S WEEK Index of Features. Click here.

— The TOP 13 JOKER STORIES EVER — RANKED. Click here.