Batman #197

Published by DC Comics in December 1967, Batman #197 arrived during the height of the 'Batmania' phenomenon fueled by the 1966 television series. The issue features a cover by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson, embodying the vibrant, pop-art sensibilities that defined the 'New Look' era of Batman comics under editor Julius Schwartz. This period focused on injecting a more modern, detective-oriented tone into the character while maintaining the high-energy spectacle expected by younger readers of the late sixties.

The interior stories, including the main feature written by Gardner Fox and illustrated by Sheldon Moldoff, showcase the era's transition from campy absurdity toward more traditional superhero narratives. The book remains a quintessential example of the Silver Age aesthetic, prized by collectors for its representative cover art and the specific production values—such as newsprint stock and classic four-color printing techniques—that characterized mainstream DC titles during the final years of the decade.