Batman continues to be a cultural phenomenon in every shape and way. The Batman was released in 2022 to be a worldwide hit and now the director has reportedly made plans to make spin-off films about the masked vigilante's rogue's gallery. Batman and his related ecosystem are huge wellsprings of money.

Beyond the films and games, the comic books themselves can often fetch high prices at auction or sale. Batman was originally introduced in the late 1930s as a part of the "Detective Comics" series and has continued in publication to this day. Rare comics in near-mint or mint condition are some of the most valuable in comics.

Batman #5 (1941)

$49,200

batman 5 comic cover batman holding a scale with tiny villains on it robin in the background

According to gocollect.com, "Batman #5" can go for up to $49,200 if sold in near-perfect condition. This is a particularly special issue, not just because it has the return of the Joker but because it is also the first appearance of the Batmobile which has yet to be named by that point in the story.

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There are four stories in the issue, all very different in their scope and content. One has Batman and Robin thwarting the Joker and his new crew, another has the dynamic duo traveling to a fairytale world, the third is Batman helping out a down-on-his-luck thief, and the final story involves the duo getting involved in mob-family drama.

Batman #2 (1940)

$63,000

batman 2 comic cover batman table-topping a robber over robin

In this Batman issue, there are some very important continuing developments in the arcs of the characters. It's Joker's second appearance and Catwoman's second appearance, but it's the first time she's named. An issue with the early appearance of the main characters makes it a valuable issue worth $63,000 on gocollect.com.

The four stories in the issue include the Joker meeting Catwoman, a Jekyll and Hyde-like story about a werewolf, a detective story about a gang known as "The Clubfoot Murderers", and finally another detective story about a missing link or Bigfoot creature. It's a great mix of mysteries and an early look into Batman's stacked rogue's gallery.

Detective Comics #38 (1940)

$64,000

Detective Comics 38 cover robin jumping through a screen with batman

The "Detective Comics" were a series of superhero and detective comics that while not solely about Batman, introduced him to the world. "Detective Comics #38 " is particularly valuable as it is the first appearance of Dick Grayson, or Robin, the Boy Wonder and gocollect.com has it valued at $64,000.

In this issue, Robin's backstory is told. He and the Grayson family were famous trapeze artists who were killed by a bunch of thugs. Batman takes Robin under his wing and helps the young boy capture the criminals, and at the same create a bond between the two. Robin bursting out of the cover alongside Batman is a signal that the kid was here to stay.

Detective Comics #36 (1940)

$65,555

detective comics 36 cover batman swinging on a pipe and kicking a swordsman

Gocollect.com has this issue of "Detective Comics" at an FMV of $65,555 not least because of the action-packed cover that shows the detective kicking two criminals. This issue is also the first appearance of Dr. Hugo Strange, one of the earliest Batman villains still around today, who would later become a major adversary for the Bat.

The story dedicated to Batman in the collection finds Doctor Strange kidnapping a scientist to create a machine to create fog, so his men can commit crimes secretly. Batman eventually gets wise and defeats the villain and sends him to jail, Strange's last words are him vowing to get revenge on the hero.

Detective Comics #28 (1939)

$66,000

detective comics 28 policemen pointing guns at two robbers

This is only the second appearance of Batman which is why the cover is of a more popular story in the series. Little did the makers of the comic know that Batman would be the lasting thing they created. Gocollect.com has the issue at an FMV of $66,000.

Like many of the first Batman comics, the storyline is a bit convoluted as the writers try to combine a superhero story with a detective story. In this one, Batman poses as a thief, and possibly kills some street-level villains, in order to get the police away from his real target, so he can apprehend the man when his guard is down. Not exactly superhero material but still a fascinating read.

Detective Comics #32 (1939)

$71,700

detective comics 32 a policeman holds a gangster in a chokehold

This is the part two and the final part of a series known as "Batman Versus the Vampire" and gocollect.com has it valued at $71,700. Beyond the original Batman story contained inside, the magnified comic art of a policeman and robber struggling is striking and emblematic of "The Detective Comics" series.

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In this story, Batman goes into Hungary, chasing a vampiric villain known as the Monk, and discovers that his companion is a vampire herself. It is an early look into the globe-trotting and mystical storylines that Batman would be up against in later years.

Detective Comics #31 (1939)

$93,000

Detective comics 31 cover batman stands behind a foggy mountain looking down at a masked man abducting a woman

This "Detective Comics" issue contains the first part of the "Batman Versus the Vampire" series. Gocollect.com has its FMV at $93,000, a high price but worth it for the creepy artwork on the front as well as a story that introduces Bruce Wayne's fiancée, Julie Madison, who would later be written away.

The story sees Batman fighting a new villain known as the Monk, a hypnotist vampire who puts his fiancée in mortal danger. Batman sets out to Hungary to chase after the villain, to get vengeance. A theme that remains a big part of the character today.

Detective Comics #33 (1939)

$341,234

detective comics 33 cover batman flying over a car filled with criminals

Comic book characters are rarely fully formed when they are first created. They are more often inserted into stories as an interesting idea and their backstories are filled in if the character gains any traction. The same can be said for Batman whose origin story was not told until this issue of "Detective Comics" which gocollect.com has priced at $341,234.

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This comic marks the first appearance of Joe Chill, a figure historic in Batman's backstory as the man who killed his parents and the story focuses mainly on Batman's origin. Bruce Wayne's parents are one of the few characters in comic book history that have stayed dead so owning the original comic would be significant.

Batman #1 (1940)

$567,625

batman 1 cover batman and robin swinging through the sky

As important a character like Batman is, his arch-enemy may be as significant. The Joker makes his first appearance in "Batman #1" alongside Hugo Strange and a yet unnamed Catwoman before she goes from rival to lover, here only referred to as "the Cat". And it's for the monumental nature of the first issue why gocollect.com has the comic's FMV set at $567,625.

The comic book contains four timeless stories are a recap of the Wayne family murders, two Joker stories, and the introduction of Catwoman. Every story is quintessential Batman and as the first comic in his own series, it's high on the list of any collector's wish list.

Detective Comics #27 (1939)

$1,075,500

detective comics 27 cover batman swinging through the air with a man in a chokehold while two other men look on

Any first-appearance comic will always be the most valuable in the series, so it's no wonder that the first appearance of Batman fetches a price almost double the next most valuable comic. "Detective Comics #27" which debuted Batman, Bruce Wayne, and Jim Gordon was last purchased for $1,075,000 according to gocollect.com.

The comic must have been a surprise for readers in the 1930s. In it, Commissioner Gordon chats with Bruce Wayne about a case he was working on and the appearance of "the Bat-Man", the evening ends and Bruce goes home, only for the final panel to reveal that he is in fact the Batman.

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