Not at all as conspicuous as a gorilla on the cover or a bondage cover (that some people collect), the Silver Age DC ‘checkered flag’ or ‘racing go-go stripe’ on the very top of the cover lasted for a period of about a year and a half.

Sometimes called the ‘checkerboard stripe,’ it was printed on the very top of all DC covers dated from February 1966 to August of 1967, the purpose of this alteration was fairly straightforward.

In an age when almost all comics were sold either at newsstands or on spinning racks in variety stories, it was usually the very top third of the comic or magazine that stuck out, thus allowing the buyer to see the title. The rest of the book and cover was usually buried behind the cover of the next magazine lower down on the shelf or rack.

In order to catch the eye of readers, and so that they could have their books stand out from the crowd, DC decided that they would adorn all the covers of their most popular comics with a checkered flag about an inch deep that would run across the whole top of the comic.

This was a very minor adornment and most readers probably didn’t even notice it, however if you are on constantly on the lookout for Silver Age comics, seeing this variation automatically lets you know that you’re in the presence of a latter day DC Silver Age title.

Some very valuable comics were published with this cover adornment. In the following post I’m going to list what I think are the top five checkerboard variant covers.

To sum up: these are all Silver Age books published by DC and cover dated from February 1966 to August of 1967. Let’s get started.

First, some preliminary ‘honorable mentions’, just to give an idea of the value of even some non-top tier checkerboard comics.

The following are also all worth mentioning and adding to your collection. Starting with Adventure Comics #346 (from July of 1966), this comic features the first appearances of a bunch of new Legionaires, including: Karate Kid, Ferro Lad and Nemesis Kid. That makes this issue of Adventure Comics also an important Legion of Super-heroes key. Not enough data on the upper-reaches of value for this comic, but in 9.4 grade it has sold for over $600.00. Next, Plastic Man #1 (November 1966) is the second appearance of Plastic Man in the Silver Age – first was House of Mystery #160 (also a checkerboard cover), but it is Plas #1 that, as his first solo title, is more valuable having a 9.8. graded value of $1,150.00. I’m keeping my eye on this one, since given the new fun direction DC is taking, a Plastic Man movie could happen which will push its value way up. And last but not least, honorable mention goes to Action Comic #340 (August 1966)– which is the first appearance of the Parasite, with 9.8 graded value of $2,050.00. If a movie with the Parasite ever happens (and it could) you’ll want this in your collection.

Now, without further ado, the main attraction, here are the top five Silver Age checkerboard covers:

(5) Batman #189 (February 1967) – First Silver Age Scarecrow

Coming in at number 5, it’s the Batman/Scarecrow goes to the races cover. A 9.8 graded copy of this comic has the value of $5,250.00. Scary! Returns are also strong on higher grades of this, signifying that this is still a comic people want in their collections.

(4) Aquaman #29 (October 1966) – First Appearance of Ocean Master

Aquaman is currently hot. His movie is up and coming and his keys have been moving. This is the highest valued checkerboard cover in the Silver Age Aquaman run. With 9.8 graded value of $5, 500.00, it’s an under-rated (under-water) key.

(3) Superman’s Girlfriend, Lois Lane #70 (November 1966) – First Silver Age Catwoman

If a Gotham City Sirens movie happens, this comic will probably jump in value. Not that it’s doing all that badly at the moment. A 9.8 graded copy of this Lois Lane key has a fair market value of $7,250.00.

(2) Batman #181 (June 1966) – First appearance of Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy has been increasing in popularity mainly due to her connection to Harley Quinn. But while there are no Harley Quinn racing stripe covered books (that I know of), the debut of Poison Ivy is such a book and it comes in at number 2 of the top 5. This comic has a 9.8 graded value of $13,000.00.

(1) Detective Comics #359 (January 1967) – First appearance of Barbara Gordon as Batgirl

As in the case of the Silver Age Catwoman and Poison Ivy, comics with female heroes (and villains apparently) are seeing an increase in prices. In the case of Tec #359 this is the first appearance of a major Batman related character. The second Batgirl, Barbara Gordon, first appears here (and it has a Killer Moth appearance as well), making this comic a major key with a 9.8 graded value of no less than $19,000.00. Even in low grade this one is valuable, and it is the number one DC checkerboard cover to have.