CGC Featured Comic of the Month: Batman #423

Posted on 11/3/2025

Often most remembered for his work on Spider-Man and Spawn, Todd McFarlane also left his classic mark on the Dark Knight.


Click images to enlarge.

Name of comic: Batman #423

Comic publisher: DC Comics

Date: September 1988

Variants: Direct Edition (Batman in corner box), Newsstand Edition (UPC corner box), Canadian Price Variant $1.00 Newsstand, Second Printing and Third Printing (“DC Comics Aren’t Just For Kids” in corner box), 2022 Virgin Variant, 2022 MegaCon Foil, 2022 MegaCon Non-Foil Error, 2022 Spectral Comics B&W Edition, 2022 Spectral Comics B&W Virgin Edition, 2022 Fan Expo Gold Foil, 2022 Fan Expo Silver Variant, 2022 Fan Expo Blank Red, 2022 Fan Expo Blank Yellow and 2023 MegaCon Chrome Foil.

What makes it special? Batman #423 is one of the most iconic Batman images ever printed, showing the Dark Knight shrouded in an impossibly flowing cape as he protects a frightened woman. As McFarlane’s final Batman work before creating Spawn, and a piece that foreshadowed his stylistic dominance of 1990s comics, this comic has become a collector favorite.

Why is it interesting now? This month, CGC is celebrating all things Todd McFarlane, in honor of his major upcoming private signing and exclusive new labels with CGC Signature Series.

Did you know? This iconic cover has been homaged by many artists throughout the years, including Barry Kitson (Batman #1 variant), Marat Mychaels (Lady Death: Echoes #1), Mark Spears (Mark Spears Monsters #2) and even revisited by McFarlane himself as the cover of Spawn #230.

Total graded by CGC: As of October 31, 2025, there are 6,314 total copies of Batman #423 (first print) listed in the CGC Population Report.

CGC highest graded: There are 396 recorded Universal examples graded CGC 9.8, as well as 92 graded CGC Signature Series 9.8.

CGC median grade: CGC 9.2

Sales highlights: A CGC Signature Series 9.8 example signed by Todd McFarlane, Dave Cockrum and Jim Starlin realized $7,800 through a Heritage Auctions sale in February 2022.

CGC Comics Registry Champion: CGC Registry member naits has an entire collection of CGC Signature Series Batman comics in their set, Batman #401-500 Signature Series - naits, including a Batman #423 graded CGC 9.8 signed and sketched by Jim Starlin and Todd McFarlane. This comic, along with many others, helped earn this set the Best in Set Type from 2015 to 2018 and again from 2022 to 2025.

Previous Featured Comics of the Month:

Don’t like this month’s pick? Follow @CGCcomics on Instagram to vote for your favorite book to be next month's CGC Featured Comic!

About CGC

Since revolutionizing comic book grading in 2000, CGC has grown to include certification services for a vast variety of pop culture collectibles. These divisions include CGC Cards, CGC Video Games and CGC Home Video. CGC Cards provides expert card grading for sports cards, TCGs and non-sports cards. CGC Video Games is dedicated to video game grading for the most popular consoles, including Nintendo, Sega, Atari, PlayStation and more. CGC Home Video provides expert VHS grading in addition to other types of videocassettes, DVD, Blu-ray and more. CGC also offers seamless solutions for autograph collectors with CGC Signature Series and JSA Authentic Autograph services.

Articles List

CGC Featured Comic of the Month: Batman #423

About CGC

Stay Informed

Thanks!