FIRST LOOK: Skybound & Act 4 Publishing Unveil 'Jim Aparo’s DC Classics Artist’s Edition'

 Aparo’s Runs Featuring Batman and The Spectre Get the Artist Edition Treatment This September  

Today Skybound and Image Comics, in partnership with Scott Dunbier’s Act 4 Publishing, revealed an extended preview of art from Jim Aparo’s DC Classics Artist’s Edition, available everywhere books are sold in September 2025. 

With over 200 pages of original art in Jim Aparo’s DC Classics Artist’s Edition, fans can fully immerse themselves in Aparo’s legendary runs featuring Batman (Brave and the Bold, Detective Comics) and The Spectre (Adventure Comics). 

Truly honoring one of DC’s most prolific artists through the 1970s and 1980s, this gorgeous hardcover presents classic Aparo art from what is regarded as his peak period and features nine stories, including four complete The Brave and the Bold stories, five complete Adventure Comics issues featuring The Spectre, as well as a selection of classic covers and pages. 

“Jim Aparo’s ability to convey both action and mood set a tone that numerous artists and storytellers draw from to this day,” said Nachie Marsham, Senior Editor at Skybound. “It’s fantastic to see so many stunning examples of his storytelling prowess across many of DC’s most iconic characters.” 

Although appearing to be in black and white, all the art is scanned in color, enabling the reader to see the work as close to the original as possible – ink gradients, blue pencil, and all the unique nuances that make original art so special – are all clearly visible and printed at the same size as drawn. 

The Artist’s Edition of Jim Aparo’s work is an art book disguised as a comic collection. The only better way to see these pages is by looking over Aparo’s shoulder at his drawing board! 

“Jim Aparo was a mainstay of DC Comics for decades. His work, especially on The Spectre, rocked my young brain,” said Scott Dunbier. “I’m honored to curate this Artist’s Edition, and for it to be the first in a wave of new releases that will hopefully captivate aficionados of the artform, and maybe even some young brains uncovering comics history today.”  

Jim Aparo’s DC Classics Artist’s Edition is the first book in the publishing partnership between Skybound and Act 4 Publishing, with Darwyn Cooke’s The Complete Spirit Connoisseur Edition quickly following in October 2025. 

Future releases within the publishing partnership include J. Scott Campbell’s Danger Girl Artist Edition, Dave Stevens’ Covers and Stories’ Connoisseur Edition, Jason Pearson’s Body Bags Artist’s Edition, Paul Smith’s Leave It to Chance Artist’s Edition, and EC Comics Artist’s Editions. Publishing details for these books will be announced in the coming months. 

Jim Aparo’s DC Classics Artist’s Edition (978-1-5343-3487-8 | SRP $150.00) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, and at booksellers on Tuesday,y September 30, 2025. 

For updates and to join the mailing list, please visit https://www.skybound.com/act-4-skybound-entertainment.