The auction ended yesterday at the Heritage Auction on June 27th, 2025. At auction, Jock’s Detective Comics #880 Joker Cover Original Art (DC, 2011) sold for $288,000. This would usually cause celebrations, but Jock posted it on social media. He had previously sold his work to buyers who had held OA for a while, so he couldn’t get a cut in sales.
“The original cover art for Detective Comics #880 will be auctioned tomorrow at @heritageAuctions. It’s probably the most relevant piece I’ve been involved in. I sold the original right after it was released. He posted it on a thread.
See the full post below:
When asked if it was a percentage of the money he earned, Jock added, “What it is, yeah… I’ve settled with Johnny. Everything is good.” (Editor’s note: This work was sold to a buyer who is likely to be resold correctly. The proceeds to go to the jock are not contractual liability, but rather in good faith.)
See the comments below:
Poverty and comics don’t mix (unless you’re a creator or a manga journalist)
Being a comic book fan is becoming more and more expensive.
Just looking at the SDCC Committee list and exclusive rights makes my wallet look like a hole. You would think this price increase would lead to artists increasing their profit share, but it doesn’t seem to be the case. Even the auction house was able to tack 20% “buyer premium” so there’s plenty of money to go around. You need to find a way to get to the right person and place.
From the Heritage Auction Site:
Jock Detective Comic #880 Joker Cover Original Art (DC, 2011). There’s no doubt that you’ll put a smile on your face! This cover comes from Jock, one of the most iconic things in modern comics and one of the most famous bat artists of the era. As quickly as possible, this image helped the completed problem be sold consistently in the three digits of the collectors market. Many times alongside author Scott Snyder, Jock, known for his atmospheric stylized work on Batman titles, has become a pillar of modern Batman fandom, creating some of the most impressive images ever associated with the Bat Family. This cover is no exception, offering one of the most memorable renderings of Joker in recent memory.
Clown Prince of Crime is a bit extraordinary, but what really elevates this piece is the incredible design. Hundreds of tiny bats swirl to form the contours of the Joker’s maniacal face. Rather than Heart Eye, Joker has a Bat Eye, reinforcing an obsessive and singular focus on the Dark Knight. Even his nose is cleverly shaped like a bat.
It is made in ink on Bristol board graphite with a 10-inch x 15.5-inch image area. This piece presents the board with highlights of white paint, splatter effects, minor stains and light distortions. It also includes a copy of the published comic signed and engraved by Jock. The comic has a crease and folding drawing in the lower right corner, affecting the cover and the first few pages, with small pieces missing from the same area of the cover. The original art is signed and in excellent condition.
This post was edited by Associate Admin Editor Ollie Kaplan.
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