About the item:

This copy of Batman '66 #23 is the blank sketch cover variant- and is signed by hand by Adam West and Burt Ward and also features an original sketch of both actors in their iconic roles of Batman and Robin.  The original, hand-drawn sketch itself is by one of the greatest comic artists of all time, Neal Adams, who began working on the Dark Knight Detective during the Television series’ original run and whose comic work is still most closely associated with the character. 

Batman ’66 is the first comic book series to be based on the TV show itself. Of note, this issue is not personalized by West (a great rarity as West virtually never autographs any item without also including a personalization of "To" so and so in addition to his signature).   Professionally graded by CGC, it is part of their special Signature Series. With Signature Series books a certified witness, employed by CGC, actually observes the signing/sketching of the comic and then immediately takes possession of the book so there is no possibility of the real autograph and artwork being switched out with another. The CGC case is scratch and defect free and will be shipped with the utmost care.

About the TV Series:

One of the biggest phenomenons in television history, the 1960’s Batman TV series influenced an entire generation of fans and possibly even helped save the Batman comics themselves from cancellation.  Debuting in 1966, it changed Batman from a reasonably successful DC comic character into a true global icon.  The series also created a merchandising bonanza exceeded only by Star Wars a decade later, turned the Batmobile into the most recognized fictional car of all time (surpassing all others contenders, before or since, including such icons as KITT, the General Lee, and James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5), and forever added it’s own catch phrases into the pop-culture lexicon- such as Robin’s famous “Holy…” whatever quips and “Same Bat-Time, same Bat-Channel.” 

In significant ways the TV series also made lasting contributions to the comic book continuity; the creation of Batgirl - a character specifically introduced into the comics for inclusion in the Television series - and, perhaps most importantly, returning to prominence the four classic villains of the Joker, Catwoman, the Riddler, and the Penguin (all of which were shelved for years due to the impact of Fredric Wertham’s anti-comics exposé Seduction of the Innocent).  

About the artist: 

Neal Adams is the definitive Batman artist of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s and, according to Atlas’ Top 100 List, is the greatest living comics artist of all time (only Jack Kirby at #1 and Will Eisner at #2 rank higher). Having changed the look of comics forever, a generation of imitators followed in his wake, dividing comics into essentially two categories; what came before (the Jack Kirby Era) and what came after (the Neal Adams era). His first published work on Batman - as the inker - appeared on the cover of Detective Comics #370 (December, 1967) and his first pencils and inks on Batman appeared just two months later in issue #372.  His first Batman cover, issue #200 which he also penciled and inked, appeared the month after that. Soon, he was doing many covers and interior stories for the Dark Knight Detective, slowly transitioning the Batman comics from the campy influence of the TV series back to his darker roots. Indeed, Adams is one of the last living Batman artists who worked on the Dynamic Duo during the television series’ original run (from January 1966 until March 1968). 

REGARDING CGC CASES: CGC is an independent, third-party grading service that grades and then encapsulates comic books.  This encapsulation process has potential inherent results.  These include, but are not limited to, either the left, right, or both sides of the outer case not being sealed completely, an appearance of waviness, or the existence of Newton’s Rings (an interference pattern created by the reflection of light between two surfaces) that can appear and are frequently mistaken for moisture or oil inside the case (in actuality, this effect is between the inner softer plastic shell and the outer, hard plastic shell and are not on the book itself).  These and other results can occur during the encapsulation process.  These effects, however, do not in any way affect the book itself or its designated grade. These inherent features of CGC cases can be difficult if not impossible to see in a photo or scan of the book and, as the seller does not regard them as relevant concerning his own collection of CGC graded books, does not look for or make special note of them in the auction description. 

Additionally, but not limited to, there can also occur, during shipping, small pieces of loose plastic left over from the encapsulation process to jar loose and rattle around inside the case.  It is even possible for the inner soft plastic case that holds the book to become somewhat loose during the shipping process and slightly move inside the outer, hard plastic case.  As the CGC book is tightly encapsulated inside the soft plastic case, this will not result in damage to the book. Any such encapsulation issue is part and parcel to comics graded by CGC and the seller is not responsible in any way for such issues as the buyer is purchasing the comic book itself in the designated grade and the buyer shall agree that the case exists to protect the book, guaranteeing the integrity and validity of its assigned grade and that no guarantee as to the esthetics of the case itself exists. Again, as the seller does not regard any of these issues as relevant concerning his own collection, he does not look for or make special note of them in the auction description. 

Obviously, if the CGC case is damaged during shipping - such as the case itself arriving cracked - an insurance claim with USPS will be filed for funds sufficient to ship the book to CGC for re-encapsulation and return shipping to the buyer.  If the book is actually damaged, the insurance claim will cover the full value of the book. Once the claim is processed and paid, these funds will then be sent to the buyer.  If you are sensitive to any of the above outlined issues regarding CGC cases (poorly sealed sides, Newton’s Rings, general imperfections in the plastic case, slight movement of the interior soft-plastic case inside the outer shell, etc.) please contact me before bidding/buying.

Terms, International Bidder Information & Provenance Guarantee:

~ Terms: 

~ We are happy to combine shipping on domestic or international shipments. Please inquire for full details. 

~ If you purchase more than one item, please wait for the combined invoice before making payment. 

~ We package items extremely securely. 

~ Once an item is won and the auction is over, the purchase cannot be cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.   

~ If you are and international bidder:

All international packages ship vie Priority (if less than $250, including shipping) or Express (if more than $250, including shipping). I cannot falsify customs forms by declaring a lower value than the final bid price realized. Also, please be aware per eBay policy you are responsible for any such fees, duties, taxes, etc. your government may impose upon you before they will release the package to you. It is the responsibility of the bidder to determine what their customs fees, duties, or taxes may be.  Please be aware that with international packages, USPS may sometimes release the package to a local carrier for the final delivery of the item to the buyer.  If that is the case it is the responsibility of the buyer to, if necessary, make arrangements for the delivery of the package, for it to be signed for upon delivery, provide instructions to the carrier where to leave the package, etc.