Posted By Dan Greenfield on Nov 5, 2021 | 2 comments

Hey, if you got the moolah, it could be yours…

Hey, all credit to Matt Scullin of the “art of Marshall Rogers” Facebook group, who this week posted a beauty that’s up for sale at Heritage Auctions: Rogers’ original color painting that was used as the rare bonus plate from 1981’s The Batman Portfolio #1.

Dig this:

My, my, my. That is ridiculously gorgeous.

Here’s the official description: “Marshall Rogers The Batman Portfolio #1 Batman and Robin Limited Edition Plate Illustration Original Art (S. Q. Productions, 1981). The Dynamic Duo is looking plenty moody on this piece created by Marshall Rogers. Used as a bonus plate for the limited edition portfolio featuring the Dark Knight. Ink and color marker over graphite on illustration board with an image area of 16″ x 20″. Unsigned and in Excellent condition.”

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A few thoughts:

— I’m proud to own The Batman Portfolio #1, which features four frameable plates of Batman in action. (I’ve got the one just above hanging in my personal Batcave.) It’s beautiful work and my only regret is that I don’t have the limited edition, which, as noted, includes the Batman and Robin image as a bonus.

— The Batman and Robin illustration is very similar to one of Rogers’ greatest panels, from Detective Comics #473:

— If you want to see what writer Steve Englehart has to say about this panel, click here. (In 2020, we ran a weekly series with Englehart’s commentary on each Detective issue. Click here for the issue-by-issue index.)

— The auction ends Nov. 18 and as I write this, the bidding is at $2,300. It’s certain to go up: Another original painting from the portfolio went for $18,000, including buyer’s premium, in January 2021.\\

— UPDATED: Eagle-eyed reader and fellow Bat-expert Michael Kronenberg pointed out on Twitter: “Little known fact: Marshall Rogers penciled and inked this plate and the portfolio, but it was Lynn Varley who painted the colors over Marshall’s drawings.” Thanks, Michael!

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MORE

— INSIDE THE BATMAN: The STEVE ENGLEHART INTERVIEWS. Click here.

— 13 GORGEOUS ILLUSTRATIONS: Create Your Own Virtual ARTIST’S EDITION. Click here.