John Dodge is an MTV Writer for CBR who specializes in movies, television, comics, and pop culture. He has a deep knowledge of franchises like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Marvel, and DC Comics, along with a passion for indie and horror titles. An expert on obscure productions from the ’80s and ’90s, John is known for his encyclopedic recall of cult classics like Beetleborgs.
The following contains major spoilers for Absolute Batman #15, on sale now from DC Comics.
Absolute Batman #15 is quickly becoming one of the hottest books of the year thanks to rising prices online. One of the best modern Batman stories, Absolute Batman is rightfully in high demand.
Per Bleeding Cool, the recently released Absolute Batman #15 (by Scott Snyder, Jock, Frank Martin, and Clayton Cowles) is making major waves on the secondary market just days after arriving in stores. Currently, the issue's main cover by Nick Dragotta is fetching around $15 on sites like eBay, despite carrying a retail price of only $4.99.
Variant covers for the issue, which marks the debut of the Absolute Joker's monstrous true form, have already climbed upwards of $100 for select copies. Among the most notable of these high-price variants is the 1:50 retail incentive cover by Jock, which is currently selling for well over $50, while retailer exclusive variants such as those by artists Dave Wilkins, Tyler Kirkham, and Clay Mann command similar and occasionally higher prices of their own.
While the price jump itself was somewhat expected considering the spectacularly frightening nature of the issue and all the hype leading up to its release, the sheer rate at which the price has climbed is plenty notable. That, coupled with the fact that there are currently around 300,000 copies of Absolute Batman #15 in circulation, makes the jump in the title's secondary market price even more extraordinary.
Absolute Batman #15 Is A Big Deal
Image via DC ComicsThe official solicit synopsis for Absolute Batman #15 from DC Comics reads, "SCOTT SNYDER REUNITES WITH LEGENDARY ARTIST JOCK! Alfred reveals to Bruce the story of the man he’s been chasing for years. Enter: Joker! Scott Snyder and Jock reunite for an epic tale in the Absolute Universe!"
Although the Absolute Unvierse's version of the Joker has been seen slinking in the shadows since the release of Absolute Batman #1 last year, fans have only recently gotten the chance to take in his terrifying true form. Previously, the Joker was only ever seen as an enigmatic, seemingly humorless billionaire clad in a white suit. With the release of Absolute Batman #15, however, readers have seen just what this Joker is truly capable of, not to mention what he is really made of in the first place.
From what readers have gleaned so far, the Absolute Joker is a more than century old figure who has posed as his own familial successor over the ages. In that time, the Joker has amassed untold wealth and even more unfathomable power, so much so that he is able to hide his enemies away on remote, privately owned islands until he decides it is time to go hunt for his next meal.
Leading up to this startling reintroduction of the Absolute Joker, Absolute Batman writer Scott Snyder clued fans in to one especially unsettling aspect of the character. "For future [reference] — the red lines over his eyes are actually still his mouth," Snyder wrote on social media, referring to what seems like the Joker's makeup as seen in Glenn Fabry's retailer exclusive variant for Absolute Batman #15. "There are teeth in there," Snyder added.
Absolute Batman #15 is on sale now from DC Comics.
Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane
First Film Batman: The Movie
Upcoming Films The Batman – Part II
English (US) · 