Shohei Ohtani has been transformed from a Los Angeles Dodgers superstar into one of comic books’ most imposing heroes.
Artist David Choe customized a card from the Topps 50/50 Shohei Ohtani collection by repainting the three-time MVP in the style of DC Comics’ Absolute Batman. The one-of-a-kind artwork depicts Ohtani carrying the oversized battleaxe associated with the darker and more physically imposing version of Batman.
The original Topps set was created around Ohtani’s historic 2024 season, when he became the first player in MLB history to record at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same year. Choe used one of those cards as the foundation for the crossover, adding the Batman-inspired design by hand with marker and pencil.
The finished piece immediately attracted attention across the collecting community.
Professional Sports Authenticator shared the card online and highlighted how Choe had turned Ohtani into a vigilante figure while preserving the basic design of the original Topps release. The altered card also carries Choe’s signature, further separating it from standard copies in the 50/50 collection.
The crossover fits Ohtani’s growing presence beyond baseball.
His combination of power, speed and pitching ability has already made him one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. The Batman treatment presents those qualities through a comic-book lens, portraying him as a player capable of dominating games in ways that often appear unrealistic.
The custom card has also been connected to an exclusive Absolute Batman No. 1 bundle prepared for San Diego Comic-Con. That set reportedly includes a foil variant of the first issue alongside the Ohtani collectible, bringing together sports cards and comic-book memorabilia in one release.
Ohtani cards have already become some of the most desirable items in the modern hobby. His Dodgers collectibles have attracted enormous prices, especially pieces connected to his 50/50 season and Most Valuable Player awards.
Choe’s creation adds something different.
It is not valuable only because Ohtani appears on it. The hand-painted design turns an established baseball card into an original piece of comic-inspired artwork.
Ohtani has been described as baseball’s closest version of a superhero for years.
This card finally gives him the costume.
