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BATMAN #576 PAGE 5 ORIGINAL PUBLISHED ART – SCOTT McDANIEL / KARL STORY – DC COMICS
This is the original published artwork for Page 5 of Batman #576, published by DC Comics in 2000.
The page is from the story “In the Dark Places,” written by Larry Hama, pencilled by Scott McDaniel and inked by Karl Story.
This is not a print, reproduction, recreation or convention sketch.
This is the actual original production artwork created for and used in the published issue of Batman.
The original DC Comics art board is clearly hand-marked:
BATMAN 576
PAGE 5
For Batman collectors, Scott McDaniel fans or anyone interested in original published comic art, there is a lot more history here than simply being an interior Batman page.
SCOTT McDANIEL COMES TO BATMAN
One of the things that makes this page particularly interesting is where it falls in Scott McDaniel's Batman career.
McDaniel had already developed a distinctive visual identity through his acclaimed work on Nightwing, where his dynamic compositions, exaggerated perspective, heavy blacks and incredible sense of movement made his artwork immediately recognizable.
McDaniel and inker Karl Story then brought that visual language over to DC's flagship Batman title.
Their run began with Batman #575, making Batman #576 only the second issue of this new period of Batman artwork.
That makes this an early piece of Scott McDaniel Batman artwork from essentially the beginning of his run on the title.
McDaniel also drew the cover to Batman #576.
“IN THE DARK PLACES”
Batman #576 features the story “In the Dark Places,” written by Larry Hama, with pencils by Scott McDaniel, inks by Karl Story, colors by Roberta Tewes, lettering by John Costanza and editing by legendary Batman editor Dennis O'Neil.
The story revolves around the kidnapping of Prince Ali, the young son of Sheik Al Qatar, by an international terrorist known as Cipher.
Batman and the recently promoted Lt. Harvey Bullock pursue the kidnappers through Gotham as the situation escalates into exactly the kind of wonderfully over-the-top Batman action you want from a comic of this era.
There is gunfire.
There is a helicopter.
There is the Batmobile.
Batman puts the Batmobile on autopilot and uses his grapple to board the kidnappers' helicopter. Prince Ali fights back against his captors before ultimately falling into Gotham's waterways, sending Batman into the city's storm-drain system after him while Cipher's men continue the pursuit.
The story also develops an interesting Bruce Wayne connection when the technology being used to track the prince is discovered to have been manufactured by Wayne Industries.
It's a proper Batman adventure.
ABOUT THIS PAGE
Page 5 comes from the action sequence during the story, and it's a great example of why McDaniel's style worked so well in the Batman universe.
Instead of treating a comic page like a collection of static boxes, McDaniel's work was built around movement, perspective, dramatic angles and visual momentum.
You can see that here.
The gunfire, bullets, heavy blacks, unusual panel compositions and aggressive perspective push your eye through the page.
That's very Scott McDaniel.
And that's also one of the reasons I love original comic artwork.
You're seeing McDaniel and Story's artwork before the coloring and printing process transformed it into the finished comic.
You can see the actual line work, ink, production markings and physical evidence of how a Batman comic was created at DC around the turn of the millennium.
This wasn't manufactured as a collectible.
It was manufactured to make Batman.
ORIGINAL PUBLISHED BATMAN ART IS FINITE
There are millions of Batman comics.
There are essentially unlimited Batman prints and posters.
There are thousands of commissions, sketches and recreations.
But there is only:
ONE original Page 5 from Batman #576.
This is it.
This physical piece of artwork was created by Scott McDaniel and Karl Story, went through the DC Comics production process and became part of the published history of Batman.
That's what makes original published comic art such a different thing to collect.
You're not buying a representation of the comic.
You're buying one of the physical objects from which the comic was made.
AND NOW FOR THE BONUS STUFF...
Because apparently I am incapable of simply listing something on without turning the sale into a small variety show, I'm including some bonus material from my own strange little corner of comic-book history.
The winning buyer will also receive:
A MINT SIGNED COPY OF ECLIPSE & VEGA #1
Eclipse & Vega was an independent comic I created and published through SSS Comics in the early 2000s, with cover artwork by acclaimed comic artist Greg Horn.
The characters had a wonderfully weird life beyond the comic itself, including appearances connected to television shows including Yes, Dear and Entourage.
Someone currently has a signed copy listed on for around $50.
I admire their optimism.
Even members of my own family wouldn't pay me $50 for one.
Fortunately, you don't have to.
I'm throwing one in.
ADDITIONAL ECLIPSE & VEGA COMICS
I'll also include a few additional issues from the series.
So you'll get a small assortment from my brief and somewhat inexplicable career as an independent comic-book publisher.
SIGNED SAUL COLT “INTERNET ALL STARS” BASEBALL CARD
Yes.
I have my own baseball card.
No, you did not somehow miss my major-league career.
After my adventures in comics, I went on to become a marketing executive, entrepreneur and speaker, eventually founding The Idea Integration Co. and working with brands including Nike, , FreshBooks, Xero and others.
I've spoken at hundreds of events around the world and built a career doing unconventional marketing and word-of-mouth campaigns.
Somehow there was a baseball card involved along the way.
You're getting one.
Signed.
Consider it either a bonus collectible or documentary evidence that career paths occasionally make absolutely no sense.
WANT THE BONUSES PERSONALIZED?
Absolutely.
I'm happy to sign and personalize any of the bonus material however you'd like.
Want your name on the comic?
Done.
Want an inscription on the baseball card?
Absolutely.
Want me to write something funny, ridiculous or strangely inspirational?
I'll do my best.
Obviously, I will NOT sign, write on or otherwise alter the original Batman artwork.
That stays exactly as it is.
CONDITION
This is original working production comic art and should be expected to exhibit characteristics associated with artwork that actually went through the comic-production process.
That may include production markings, editorial notation, lettering elements, pencil or blue-line marks, corrections, paste-ups, handling and other signs of the original production process.
To me, those aren't things that detract from original comic art.
They're part of what makes it cool.
This wasn't created to sit in a plastic case.
It was created as part of the process of publishing an issue of Batman.
The original board is visibly marked:
BATMAN 576
PAGE 5
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the description and show the condition of the actual artwork being offered.
The artwork has been stored protected and will be packed very carefully for shipping.
WHY AM I SELLING IT?
I've collected original comic art, comics, baseball memorabilia and assorted pieces of pop-culture insanity for a very long time.
I'm finally attempting something collectors traditionally struggle with:
Actually selling a few things.
I'm thinning parts of my collection to make room and generate some funds for new pieces that better fit where my collection is going today.
This is exactly the kind of piece I'd rather see go to another collector who will appreciate it than have it spend another decade protected inside one of my portfolios.
If you're a Batman collector, Scott McDaniel collector, DC Comics collector or someone looking for an accessible entry into original published comic art, this is a genuinely cool piece of Batman history.
It's original.
It's published.
It's from the very beginning of Scott McDaniel and Karl Story's Batman run.
And there is only one of it.
Batman #576. Page 5. Original published artwork.
Thanks for looking, and please feel free to contact me with any questions.
