To say that Absolute Batman #1 is a hit for DC Comics would be a bit of an understatement. Following recent news that the publisher has ordered a third printing, it has been revealed that Nick Dragotta’s original art for the book is the highest-grossing of all time for a modern artist.

Felix Comic Art revealed on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the Absolute Batman #1 cover sold for a whopping $70,000. For context, covers typically sell for $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the artist. Exact sales figures for Dragotta’s entire art for the issue are not yet privy to the public, but it is estimated to be a lot. Critics and fans have praised Dragotta and Scott Snyder’s work on Absolute Batman #1, with many embracing its reinvention of the Dark Knight, his stable of supporting characters, and the city of Gotham.

Absolute Batman #1’s second printing sold out before its October 30 release, with DC heading back to the press for a third time. The third printing features the main and variant cover art of Dragotta and series colorist Martin, a “Bats Are Crazy” variant cover based on Dragotta and Martin’s art, and a variant cover featuring original art by Jerome Opeña. The third printing of Absolute Batman #1 is now available for preorder and arrives on November 27.

Part of CBR’s review of Absolute Batman #1 reads, “All in all, Absolute Batman #1 is a strong first entry into the Absolute Universe and its iteration of the Caped Crusader. The comic succeeds at setting up its tone and its core cast of characters without sacrificing pacing and organic storytelling. Both Snyder and Dragotta work in perfect harmony with each other, with Snyder writing a solid first script and Dragotta successfully bringing this new world to life with the assistance of Frank Martin’s colors.”

In an interview with CBR alongside series scribe Scott Snyder, Dragotta discussed the Caped Crusader’s design for Absolute Batman and the inspiration behind his iteration. “In terms of my thought about creating a newer, different Batman, I’m really beholden to the nostalgia and the shape,” he said. “I think you don’t mess with the silhouette of Batman. You want it to be instantly recognizable to readers. I thought about him more, how he would be new in function, and how he would operate. So the costume, rather than a utility belt, it’s like a utility cowl. It’s a utility suit.,” he added.

Dragotta continued, “Scott’s major thing was, ‘Make him big.’ So, my first initial drawing of him was he was a big Batman, and Scott saw it and was like, ‘Bigger,’ and I’m like, ‘We’re getting in the Hulk proportions if we go any bigger,’ and I think that’s what also sets him apart is going big.” The artist revealed that Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns and David Mazzucchelli’s Batman: Year One influenced his work on Absolute Batman.

DC Comics’ third printing of Absolute Batman #1 will arrive in comic book shops on November 27, 2024.

Source: X