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Jock's Most Famous Batman/Joker Cover Artwork Sells For $288,000

Jock's most famous Batman/Joker cover artwork sells for $288,000... and Jock won't see a cent of it.

Published Sat, 28 Jun 2025 13:57:04 -0500

Article Summary

Jock's iconic Detective Comics #880 Joker cover art just sold at auction for an incredible $288,000.
This striking artwork is considered one of the most recognizable Batman/Joker images of the modern era.
Despite the high sale, Jock won't receive any proceeds from this record-breaking auction result.
The cover's haunting design features hundreds of bats forming the Joker's face, symbolizing his obsession.

Jock's cover artwork for Detective Comics #880 by Scott Snyder and Jock from 2011 has just been auctioned on Heritage Auctions. And it has sold for $288,000. Jock originally posted to social media, "Probably the piece I'm most associated with, I sold the original just after it was published and now the buyer is finally putting it back up for sale. Estimates are pretty high, and although I don't get a cut, I'm intrigued… how much do you think it will go for?" Well, he didn't expect it to go for quite that much, posting after the sale to say "So the Joker auction came to an end… errrrrr". Sadly he won't be getting a cent of that. Though he does also say "it is what it is, eh… i've made peace with it… all good."

: Detective Comics #880 original art cover by Jock

Jock Detective Comics #880 Joker Cover Original Art (DC, 2011). A piece that's sure to put a smile on your face! This cover, easily one of the most iconic from the Modern Age of comics, comes from one of the era's most celebrated Bat-artists: Jock. Instantly recognizable, this image has helped the finished issue consistently sell for triple digits on the collector's market. Known for his atmospheric, stylized work on Batman titles, often alongside writer Scott Snyder, Jock has become a pillar of modern Batman fandom, crafting some of the most striking imagery ever associated with the Bat-family. This cover is no exception, delivering one of the most unforgettable renderings of the Joker in recent memory.
It's no secret the Clown Prince of Crime is a little batty, but what elevates this piece is the brilliant design: hundreds of tiny bats swirling to form the contours of the Joker's maniacal face — a haunting suggestion that Batman is always on his mind. Rather than heart-eyes, Joker has bat-eyes, reinforcing his obsessive, singular focus on the Dark Knight. Even his nose, cleverly, is shaped like a bat.
Crafted in ink over graphite on Bristol board with an image area of 10" x 15.5". The piece presents with white paint highlights, splatter effect, minor smudging, and light warping to the board. Also included is a copy of the published comic, signed and inscribed by Jock. The comic presents with creasing and folding in the lower right corner, affecting the cover and first few pages, along with a small piece missing from the same area of the cover. The original art is signed and in Excellent condition.