Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Mr Brainwash Print Index
The Joker - Comic Book Cover #1
Summary
The Joker - Comic Book Cover #1 (First Edition) is a 2019 hand-finished screen print by Mr. Brainwash, measuring 46 x 34 inches in an edition of 25. As the opening entry in the Joker comic-book cover set, each impression is individually hand finished, establishing the mock-cover format the series follows.
Why It Matters
As Cover #1, this print launches the numbered sequence and often carries the appeal of a series' first installment. Hand finishing makes every one of the 25 impressions unique, and the large format combined with the artist's embellishment places it among the more exclusive works in the Joker cycle.
Collector Perspective
The number 1 designation gives this print anchor status for collectors building the four-cover run, and first entries often attract added demand. Hand finishing ensures each impression differs, while the 46 x 34 inch scale delivers commanding presence. The edition of 25 keeps it tightly limited.
Historical Context
Opening Brainwash's 2019 comic-book cover series, Cover #1 sets the vintage-cover template applied across the sequence and spotlights the Joker during a peak of cultural attention. The hand-finished method reflects the artist's habit of layering embellishment over screen-printed imagery.
FAQ
Is Cover #1 the first in the series?
Yes, it opens the four-print Joker comic-book cover sequence.
Is each print unique?
Hand finishing makes every impression in the edition of 25 individually distinct.
What is the size and edition?
It measures 46 x 34 inches in a First Edition of 25.
Why might Cover #1 be desirable?
As the opening entry it anchors the numbered set, and first installments often draw extra collector interest.
About the Artist
Mr. Brainwash is the pseudonym of Thierry Guetta, a French-born, Los Angeles-based street artist who rose to prominence through Banksy's 2010 documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop. Originally a videographer who filmed street artists including Shepard Fairey and Banksy, Guetta reinvented himself as an artist, staging his ambitious 2008 debut show "Life Is Beautiful" in Los Angeles. His work draws heavily on pop-art appropriation, remixing icons such as Warhol, Einstein, Charlie Chaplin, and spray-paint splatters. He has produced album art and large-scale exhibitions across the U.S. and Europe.
Collecting Mr Brainwash at Gauntlet Gallery
What Mr. Brainwash prints should I buy first?
Start with hand-finished screenprints and stencil works from his named exhibitions, where each impression is signed, numbered, and often uniquely embellished with spray-paint or stamps. Smaller editions and show-related pieces from "Life Is Beautiful" and later gallery runs are the most recognizable entry points. At Gauntlet Gallery we prioritize pieces with clean condition and complete signing.
How is authenticity documented?
Gauntlet Gallery sells Mr. Brainwash works with documented studio provenance and the artist's own signature, numbering, and thumbprint or stamp where present. We photograph the exact piece you receive, including signature and edition details, so what you verify is what ships.
What drives value?
Value is driven by edition size, whether the piece is hand-embellished versus a flat print, subject popularity, condition, and provenance tied to a documented exhibition. Signed, low-numbered, and uniquely finished impressions command the strongest premiums.