Heading:
Title: BATMAN No. 83
Publisher:DC [Indicia: National Comics Publications, Inc.]
Date Published: April, 1954
Description: CGC certified: VG/Fine (5.0). White pages. Grader notes: "Tape interior spine; light spine stress lines to cover; light writing on cover; medium stain center of spine; moderate creasing to cover." Provenance: The DC UNIVERSE COLLECTION.
 
CGC Census: 84 graded copies (81 Universal, 1 Qualified, 2 Restored).
 
GPAnalysis: A 5.0 sold for $405 in 8/23.
 
Credits: Cover: Dick Sprang and Charles Paris (inks). Scripts: John Broome (?), Al Schwartz, and Edmond Hamilton. Art: Sheldon Moldoff, Bill Elder (?) (inks), Dick Sprang, and Charles Paris (inks).Bat-cyclopedia: "In April 1954 Batman and Robin battle the "FISH" FRYE gang; apprehend the opposing factionsof a major counterfeit ring and recover a large store of stolen government currency paper; and match wits with the rackets boss "HATCHET" MARLEY." — Michael L. Fleisher, The Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes Vol. 1: Batman. Macmillan: 1976, p. 125.
 
Details: After intercepting a distress call from the Batplane, "Fish" Frye blackmails ex-convict and Batman look-alike Harry Larson into impersonating Batman so his gang can loot Gotham unimpeded. When Larson develops amnesia after a blow to the head, however, he's found by Robin and Alfred who assume him to be the real deal. Larson, under the impression that he is the real Batman, attempts to apprehend the Frye gang. When Batman returns and Larson regains his memory, however, he ends up sacrificing himself to save the real Batman from death at the hands of the Frye gang. * Marley Hatchet, along with the other leaders of Gotham City's underground, capture Batman and Robin and force them to undergo a series of endurance challenges. As the Dynamic Duo complete the challenges, Batman notices a pattern: the challenges all mirror tasks that a group of criminals might face during a heist. By forcing Batman and Robin to undergo these trials, they hope to steal their ideas and techniques during a real robbery. Batman and Robin manage to escape the trials, and apprehend the crooks before they have a chance to try out the tactics they've learned.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.