The Hero Initiative and Heritage Auctions partnered to sell Batman 100 project covers in an auction on Saturday, September 19, 2020, as part of Batman Day. Heritage sold 110 original Batman #75 covers for $98,535 with participation from over 340 online bidders. They were illustrated by some of the comics industry’s best talents, including DC Comics Creative Officer and Publisher Jim Lee, Eisner Award winner Arthur Adams and The Dark Knight Returns’ creator Frank Miller.

The money that was raised will go to writers and artists who might otherwise be unable to pay for rent or food or cover medical bills.

The Hero Initiative began selling these original covers in 2007, starting with The Spider-Man 100 Project. In previous years, they were sold during comic conventions and through retailers, but because of the global pandemic, Hero made the Batman 100 Project covers available exclusively through Heritage.

“It was Heritage’s honor to be associated with The Hero Initiative this year,” Heritage’s Vice President Barry Sandoval said. “It’s always rewarding to see an auction do so well, but it’s doubly so when the money raised goes to benefit such a good cause.”

Including the buyer’s premium, the auction totaled $118,242. Heritage donated the seller’s commission to the event and each issue was graded and slabbed by CGC before the auction.

The auction’s high seller was Adams’ wraparound cover of Batman, Robin, and the original Batwoman against the Joker, which hammered for $4,560. Lee’s square-jawed Batman sketch went for $4,080. Alan Davis’ wraparound of Batman and his rogues gallery rounded out the top three, selling for $3,820.

When the auction ended, over 20 covers sold for more than $1,800, featuring the art of Chrissie Zullo, Philip Tan, Bill Sienkiewicz, José Luis García-López, Tim Sale, George Pérez, Frank Quitely, Adam Kubert, and Miller.

“Artists began working on the Batman 100 Project last year, which feels like a very, very long time ago now,” Hero’s co-founder Jim McLauchlin said. “It’s always nice when a task reaches its endpoint, and we’ve completed this mission. But the ongoing mission of The Hero Initiative goes on. It’s a 24/7 job. And today I am grateful to the artists, DC, the bidders and Heritage Auctions for doing their part in helping us continue our mission.”

Complete results from The Batman 100 Project are available on Heritage’s website.