Jock OA sells for $288K at auction; artist won’t see any money from the sale

An auction concluded yesterday, June 27, 2025, at Heritage Auction. At the auction, Jock‘s Detective Comics #880 Joker Cover Original Art (DC, 2011) was sold for $288,000. While this would typically be a cause for celebration, Jock posted on social media that he likely won’t get a cut of the sale, as he had previously sold the work to a buyer who held onto the OA for a while.

“The original cover art for DETECTIVE COMICS #880 goes up for auction tomorrow at @heritageauctions … 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?” he posted on Threads.

See the full post below:

When asked if he would be a percentage of the money earned, Jock added, “it is what it is, eh… I’ve made peace with it johnny. all good.” (Editor’s note: the piece was sold to a buyer who presumably has the resale right, any proceeds that would go to Jock would be an act of good faith, not a contractual responsibility.) 

See the comment below:

Poverty and comics don’t mix (unless you’re a creator or comics journalist)

Being a comic book fan is becoming increasingly expensive.

Just looking at the SDCC commissions list and exclusives has put a hole in my wallet. You would think that this increase in prices would lead to artists receiving a greater share of the profits, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Even the auction house was able to tack on a 20% “buyer’s premium,” so there is plenty of money to go around. It just needs to find a way to get to the right people and places. 

From the Heritage Auction site:

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 white paint highlights, splatter effects, 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.

This post was edited by Deputy Managing Editor Ollie Kaplan.