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Title: BATMAN No. 27
Publisher:DC [Indicia: Detective Comics, Inc.]
Date Published: February-March, 1945
Description: CGC certified: Poor (0.5). Off-white to white pages. Grader notes: "Staple(s) added after manufacturing whole book; tape cover; tape spine; cover tanning; pieces out to cover; tears to cover." Provenance: The DC UNIVERSE COLLECTION.
 
CGC Census: 253 graded copies (223 Universal, 7 Qualified, 1 Signature Series, 22 Restored).
 
GPAnalysis: A 0.5 (back cover missing, incomplete) sold for $230 in 10/22.
 
Credits: Cover: Jack Burnley. Scripts: Don C. Cameron, Joe Samachson. Art: Jack Burnley (signed as Bob Kane), Jerry Robinson (signed as Bob Kane). Overstreet: "Classic Burnley Christmas cover; Penguin app."Bat-cyclopedia: "In February-March 1945 Batman and Robin battle the PENGUIN; locate the hidden fortune of JOHN SVENSON; and apprehend HAPPY HOGGSBY." — Michael L. Fleisher, The Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes Vol. 1: Batman. Macmillan: 1976, p. 118.
 
Details: The Penguin, perhaps inspired by the Dynamic Duo's partnership, picks up a teen sidekick of his own. The teen is more interested in the literary life than a life of crime, however, and he pores over the Penguin's files not to familiarize himself with his mentor's methods, but so that he can write a book about the Penguin's crime career. Hijinks ensue, and when the dust has settled, the Penguin is once again behind bars; the apprentice's book has been published; and Batman himself has provided an introduction for the book, stating that despite the Penguin's belief in his own criminal genius, he invariably ends up in the slammer. * Meanwhile, gang leader Happy Hoggsby corners the market on Christmas trees and jacks up prices to several times their usual level, using strongarm tactics to intimidate anyone who dares sell Christmas trees for less, until Batman and Robin clobber the crook and restore the Christmas spirit to Gotham City.The DC UNIVERSE COLLECTION comprises over 40,000 comic books, including a copy of every single DC comic published for retail sale from 1934 to 2014. The collection was amassed by British music producer Ian Levine over the course of several decades, and it's been hailed as the single greatest collecting accomplishment in comic book history. This collection served as the basis for former DC Comics president Paul Levitz's monumental book 75 Years of DC Comics: The Art of Modern Mythmaking, published by Taschen in 2017. PBA is proud to present this epic collection in a series of themed sales over the next two years. To join the DC Universe Collection notifications list, contact pba@pbagalleries.com.
Enjoying PBA's Batman sale? A very small number of softcover and limited edition hardcover auction catalogues are available for purchase. The catalogues are fully illustrated, thoroughly researched, and make excellent reference works for Batman fans. To order a copy, or to inquire about consignment opportunities, contact Ivan Briggs, PBA's Director of Comics: ivan@pbagalleries.com.