Detective Comics #476 Value Guide

Detective Comics #476 is a landmark 1978 issue that concludes the legendary 'Laughing Fish' storyline by Steve Englehart and Marshall Rogers. It is highly collectible for its role in revitalizing the Joker as a dark, homicidal threat and for its definitive Bronze Age artistic style.

What Is Detective Comics #476 Worth?

The typical price range for Detective Comics #476 is $25 - $50 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Professional grading by CGC or CBCS significantly impacts the $25-$50 price range.
• Page quality, specifically looking for white to off-white paper versus tanning or brittleness.
• Structural integrity of the spine, including the presence of color breaks or stress lines.
• Completeness of the book, ensuring no coupons or 'Value Stamps' have been clipped from the interior.

How to Identify Detective Comics #476?

• Verify the April 1978 publication date and the 35-cent original cover price.
• Check for the iconic Marshall Rogers cover art featuring Batman and the Joker's face in the smoke.
• Confirm the presence of the 'The Sign of the Joker!' story title on the splash page.
• Ensure the interior art matches the detailed, architectural style characteristic of Marshall Rogers and Terry Austin.

History of Detective Comics #476

Detective Comics #476, published in April 1978, is a highly sought-after issue from the 'Laughing Fish' storyline. This issue, along with #475, is part of a celebrated run by writer Steve Englehart and artist Marshall Rogers, known for revitalizing Batman's detective roots and re-establishing the Joker as a truly menacing villain. These stories are considered some of the best Batman tales ever written, influencing subsequent comics and adaptations.