Premiere issue of an ongoing series in the Absolute Universe, a dimension built on Darkseid energy
Introduction of Alfred Pennyworth, an M16 agent
Introduction of Black Mask
Introduction of Waylon Jones, Killer Crock in the mainstream universe
Introduction of Martha Wayne, Commissioner Gordon, Barbara Gordon, Harvey Bullock
Introduction of Selina Kyle, Oswald Cobblepot, Edward Nygma, Harvey Dent - as children in a photograph
Introduction of Matches Malone
Introduction of Joker, first cameo appearance
Introduction of Julia Pennyworth, cameo appearance
Introduction and death of Thomas Wayne
1st team appearance of the Party Animals, led by Black Mask
Absolute Batman #1 preceded by a 16-page black and white ashcan preview
🏅#1 on the Hot 10
33 copies in 9.8 outsold the $137 average with a high sale this week of $370
For the Hot 10, we typically examine weekly sales against the twelve-month average because the issues that qualify are often much older and supported by a strong data set
Absolute Batman #1 is an anomaly in the Modern Era in that it has a higher print run, yet the secondary market premium suggests demand exceeds available inventory
This week, we examine the average sale amount for a 9.8 over the past 12 weeks to pinpoint when demand surged
Week of December 8 – 14: $340 average (36 sales)
December 1 – 7: $338 average (28 sales)
November 24 – 30: $331 average (15 sales)
November 17 – 23: $280 average (16 sales)
November 10 – 16: $233 average (17 sales)
November 3 – 9: $197 average (24 sales)
Oct. 27 – Nov. 2: $180 average (25 sales)
October 20 – 26: $200 average (7 sales)
October 13 – 19: $188 average (10 sales)
October 6 – 12: $155 average (11 sales)
Sept. 29 – October 5: $130 average (5 sales)
September 22 – 28: $137 average (17 sales)
It is evident that the past twelve weeks have been a boon to the value of Absolute Batman #1, with averages ranging from $130 to $340 during that span
While a premium was already being paid 12 weeks ago, with 9.8s selling for $137, multiple factors contributed to the nearly 2x increase in value seen in recent weeks
Absolute Batman Annual received widespread coverage for a story that pitted Batman against white supremacists, sparking controversy and conversation across social media
DC also began promoting the introduction of a bold new version of the Joker in issue #15, generating interest in the entire series, which has featured multiple cameos of the character throughout its run
Readers and collectors are invested in a story that weaves connectivity across all issues, with villains featured in their own arcs that form strands of a larger narrative web created by writer Scott Snyder
The accessibility of this universe to new readers has ultimately pushed the series from a simmer to a boil
To gauge the strength of secondary market activity for Absolute Batman #1, we can compare it to similar releases
Matt Fraction’s Batman #1 (2025) average sale: $60
Absolute Wonder Woman #1 average 9.8 sale: $90
Absolute Superman #1 average 9.8 sale: $105
Absolute Martian Manhunter #1 average 9.8 sale: $76
Ultimate Spider-Man #1 average 9.8 sale: $185
Ultimate Spider-Man #1’s long-standing premium on the secondary market, combined with the popularity of the Absolute line, signals to publishers that universe reboots can thrive when the core elements of character and mythology remain intact
This marks the 6th week in 2025 that Absolute Batman #1 has ranked on the Key Collector Comics Hot 10 and its 4th appearance in the top spot
