BATMAN #158

Graded at 1.0 (FR) on 2026-10-22, from new photos taken out of the sleeve: front, back, interior page and spine. Large piece torn from the upper-left front, the first page showing through. Yellowed tape along the spine on front and back. Heavy colour-breaking creases across the front. Soiled, stained back with chipped edges. Tan pages, torn and stained inner cover.

Batman #158 is a representative mid-1960s entry in DC's flagship Batman title, published during the transitional period before the New Look era formally launched under Julius Schwartz. The issue reflects the house style of the time, with contributions typical of the Bob Kane studio's uncredited pencilers such as Sheldon Moldoff, inked in the period's characteristic clean line, alongside scripting from the regular Batman writing pool of the early 1960s. It is not associated with any first appearance, origin story, or landmark creative milestone, and carries no recognized key status among major price guides.

Market data shows a broad certified population of 134 Universal copies across 139 total graded, with steady but modest sales activity concentrated in the mid grades. Pricing climbs gradually through the 4.0-7.5 range before accelerating sharply above 9.0, a pattern consistent with a common, well-preserved Silver Age title where high-grade survivors are scarce relative to demand from Batman run-builders. The single 9.8 census slot, with no recorded sale, signals genuine rarity at the top of the pop report even though the book itself is not difficult to find in mid grade.

This issue trades primarily as a building block for collectors assembling complete Silver Age Batman runs rather than as a standalone target. Low- and mid-grade raw copies see routine turnover in general back-issue channels at modest prices, while high-grade certified examples command outsized premiums driven by census scarcity rather than narrative importance. Demand is steady rather than speculative, and buyers should expect the book to track the broader Silver Age Batman market rather than move independently.