Walt Disney Co. will purchase the comic book company behind X-Men and Spider-Man.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The Walt Disney Co. announced Monday that it has agreed to purchase comic book and action hero company Marvel Entertainment for about $4 billion.

If Marvel shareholders approve the deal, they would receive $30 per share in cash and 0.745 shares of Disney for each share of Marvel that they hold. The deal is valued at $50 per Marvel share, more than a 29% premium, based on Friday's closing price.

"We believe that adding Marvel to Disney's unique portfolio of brands provides significant opportunities for long-term growth and value creation," said Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger, in a statement.

 Read the entire article here or here

Desert Wind Comics is honored and privileged to announce a special signing with Joe Simon in New York. You can get your books signed by the legendary comic book writer/artist and graded and authenticated by Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) with the prestigious Signature Series label.

Desert Wind Comics has had the privilege of several previous signings with Joe during the year and looks forward to once again offering comic fans another opportunity to get their prized possessions signed by the legend that co-created the American icon Captain America. Joe’s career officially started in 1932 working for Rochester Journal American before going on to work for both Marvel and DC. Joe teamed up with another legend, Jack Kirby, and the two superstars of comics were soon at the top of the comic industry. Joe has worked on every genre of comics ranging from superheroes, crime, western and horror stories.

Joe, enjoying his retirement from the comic industry, does not travel much, and rarely makes a con appearance. So don’t miss this opportunity. We have a limited number of spots open for this exclusive signing, so get your submissions in now! The deadline for submitting the books to our office is Monday, October 5th. Complete submission details are listed in our Exclusive Signings section on our website at www.desertwindcomics.com. Submissions will be accepted at the Pittsburgh Comicon, Long Beach Comic-Con and the Baltimore Comic-Con as well.

NOW FOR THE REALLY FUN NEWS. Desert Wind Comics will be celebrating with Joe his 96th birthday. We will be delivering gifts, birthday cards and well wishes from Joe’s fans. So we encourage everyone to submit a signed birthday card for us to take to Joe. Everyone who sends a signed birthday card along with their submission of a book(s) will be eligible for the Joe Simon Memorabilia Drawing. Each qualified book submitted is given a special number and each number will go into a barrel. Joe himself will draw the winning ticket during the signing. The winner will receive a one of a kind piece of signed memorabilia from Joe. Complete rules will be posted on our website.

Desert Wind Comics has built its reputation on providing a professional and friendly service to both comic book fans and collectors. Desert Wind Comics has had an opportunity to work with many top creators within the last year including Stan Lee, John Romita Sr, Joe Simon, Mark Millar, John Romita Jr, Herb Trimpe, Joe Rubinstein and many, many more. While attending numerous comic-cons throughout the year, Desert Wind Comics will also be scheduling several special signings with different creators as well, so make sure to visit our website for updates and new announcements. Desert Wind Comics is proud to be a member of the CGC Signature Series Witness community.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MAIL IN SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS MONDAY, OCTOBER 5th.
Please go to Desertwindcomics.com for additional information.

Desert Wind Comics is excited and privileged to once again announce a special signing with the living legend Stan “The Man” Lee. You can get your books signed by this comic book giant and graded and authenticated by Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) with the prestigious Signature Series label.

Stan is confirmed at the upcoming Pittsburgh Comicon taking place September 11th-13th. Desert Wind Comics will be at this event with Stan to get books signed at our special signing.

Desert Wind Comics has had the privilege of having several signings with Stan Lee this year as well as hosting the Meet & Greet with Stan held recently in San Diego. We once again look forward to offering comic fans another opportunity to get their prized possessions signed by the legend that created the iconic names such as Spider-Man, The Fantastic Four, The X-Men, The Incredible Hulk, The Avengers and many, many more. The deadline for submitting the books to our office for the Pittsburgh Comicon signing is Monday, September 7th. Complete submission details are listed on our website.

NOW FOR THE REALLY EXCITING NEWS. Desert Wind Comics has made arrangements to have a VERY special drawing. Every book that is submitted to Desert Wind Comics to be signed by Stan Lee will be eligible for the Stan Lee Meet & Greet Drawing. Each book submitted is given a special number and each number will go into a barrel. The day after the submission deadline (September 7th) for the Pittsburgh Comicon, we will randomly draw three names. Each of those three names will then win a spot at the Stan Lee Meet & Greet taking place at the Pittsburgh Comicon. Each winner will be able to get one item signed by Stan in person and will also get a photograph taken with Stan. If a winner is unable to attend the event, the winner can still get their one item signed by Stan for free. Complete rules will be posted on our website.

Desert Wind Comics has built its reputation on providing a professional and friendly service to both comic book fans and collectors. Desert Wind Comics has had an opportunity to work with many top creators within the last year including Stan Lee, John Romita Sr, Joe Simon, Mark Millar, John Romita Jr, Herb Trimpe, Joe Rubinstein and many, many more. While attending numerous comic-cons throughout the year, Desert Wind Comics will also be scheduling several special signings with different creators as well, so make sure to visit our website for updates and new announcements. Desert Wind Comics is proud to be a member of the CGC Signature Series Witness community.

PLEASE NOTE THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE OF SEPTEMBER 7th FOR THIS EVENT.

Please go to Desertwindcomics.com for additional information.

In 1974, the face of comic books was changed forever when readers thrilled to the adventures of Hulk as he battled a new foe, The Wolverine, in the character’s first full appearance in Incredible Hulk #181.  The feisty little mutant, created by Len Wein and Herb Trimpe, would go on to join the X-Men and become one of the most popular superheroes of all time, continually captivating new generations of fans and raking in millions at the box office.

ComicConnect.com is pleased to announce that two copies of this issue will be offered in their September Event Auction… a CGC 9.8 Mint / Near Mint graded copy, and a CGC 9.6 Mint Plus copy.  Bidding starts at noon on Thursday, September 10th!

But that’s not all.  ComicConnect is also happy to unveil the consignment of another key issue from earlier in ’74, the debut of none other than the most famous vigilante of them all, The Punisher.  Otherwise known as Frank Castle, this character appeared as a villain in Amazing Spiderman #129.  The historic issue coming up for auction is graded CGC 9.8 Mint / Near Mint with white pages.  There are no copies graded higher on the CGC census, making this a truly desirable “grail piece” for the collection of whoever is the lucky winner!

These are but a few of the many exciting comics to be featured in the SEPTEMBER COMICCONNECT EVENT AUCTION!  Already, over 1,000 lots appear on the site and are available now for preview, and the start date is only a few weeks away!  Titles include Action Comics #1 CGC4.5 ER, Tales of Suspense #39 CGC 9.2, Batman #1 CGC 3.5, Detective Comics #1 CGC 3.0, and many more.

Now is the time to consign your comics.  Simply upload your comics on ComicConnect.com, and their staff will start promoting your listings and telling prospective buyers to bid on your items! 
LISTING DEADLINE:
Monday, September 7th, 10 PM EST

START DATE:
All Lots: Thursday, September 10th, 12 PM EST

ComicConnect.com is the online marketplace for comic buyers and sellers, focusing on comic books published between 1930 - 1975.  Membership is free, and members may list their comics for sale or auction for free.  ComicConnect.com brokers transactions, and accepts a low 10% commission only after comics are sold through the site.  Best of all, ComicConnect.com never charges Buyer's Premiums. For a personal consultation for representation in the sale of your comics or collection, call 212-895-3999 (international 001-212-895-3999) or email support@comicconnect.com.

With the launch of www.HA.com/Connect Heritage Auction Galleries has now placed its bidder-members and followers right in the middle of the world Social Media boom.

The recent additions of a Heritage Auction Galleries page on Facebook, where all the latest press releases and pertinent announcements from the company are posted, complimented with frequent updates from Heritage on Twitter.com and daily postings on The Heritage Blog, make it easy for Heritage users to follow the day-to-day media happenings at Heritage Auction Galleries. You can view a compete archive of Heritage press releases at www.HA.com/PR.

Besides updates regarding the latest press releases, prices realized and special lots, visitors to the Heritage Social Media page will also be able to follow Halperin via his Twitter account, receiving updates and insight from one of Heritage's co-founders.

"The increasing power of social media is impossible to ignore in this day and age," said Jim Halperin, Heritage Co-Founder. "Heritage has always been in the forefront of technological innovation, and we intend to continue leading the way among major auction houses with our social media initiatives."

Heritage Auction Galleries is the world’s third largest auction house, and by far the largest auctioneer of rare collectibles, with annual sales more than $700 million, and 450,000+ registered online bidder members. For more information about Heritage's auctions, and to join and gain access to a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.

Few things please the staff of ComicConnect more than to hear from satisfied comic sellers who call up ComicConnect to give them their repeat business.  Last week, ComicConnect received a call from one such customer who recently got some very excited news – some of the comics he just got back from the 3rd party grading service, CGC, are “census toppers” – meaning his comic books are among highest ranked, and in some cases, the sole highest ranked, examples of key issues ever graded by CGC.  The following comics were consigned by this seller for ComicConnect’s September Event Auction at $1 start and no reserve – and boy oh boy – is ComicConnect excited to feature these lots!

Who can forget the famous 1986 cover image of Wolverine slashing downward at Captain America’s iconic shield in their famous face off in Captain America Annual #8?  Razor sharp claws and razor sharp edges adorn this pristine, one-of-a-kind, 9.9 MINT copy!  Bidding starts at noon on Thursday, September 10th.

Remember the old days, when Wolverine’s meteoric rise to popularity was in its early years, and Logan didn’t make cameo appearances in half a dozen Marvel comics every month?  Taking it back to the days of Claremont X-Men stories and the first full appearance of The Marauders, the memorable cover of Uncanny X-Men #211 showcased an “up close and personal” headshot of the determined and battle-battered Wolverine with his claws raised.  This is one of only two copies in 9.9 MINT condition, with none graded higher!

Fast-forward to 1987when the artwork of Marc Silvestri graced the tales of our favorite mutants, and we see Wolverine getting blow-away by Havoc on the cover of Uncanny X-Men #221.  This cornerstone issue also contained the first appearance of the X-Men villain, Mr. Sinister, with only two copies in 9.9 MINT condition on the census with none graded higher.

Not to be outdone by Wolverine, his fellow X-Men and their Canadian equivalent, Alpha Flight, are also making a showing in the September ComicConnect Event Auction with a copy of Uncanny X-Men #121 in CGC 9.8 NM/MT condition.  This is the highest grade on the census for this issue, and the comic features the very first appearance of Alpha Flight.

Other mutant milestones in the auction include New Mutants #87 CGC 9.8 (1st appearance of Cable, and 2nd highest grade on the census with only one higher) and New Mutants #98 CGC 9.8 (1st appearance of Deadpool, and 2nd highest grade on the census with only one higher).

Other highly ranked copies from the same consignment include Amazing Spiderman #59 CGC 9.6 (white pages, 2nd highest grade on the census and 1st Mary Jane cover), Amazing Spiderman #81 CGC 9.6 (white pages, 2nd highest grade on the census, with only three graded higher), Daredevil #13 CGC 9.4 (2nd highest grade on the census with only five higher) and Fantastic Four #59 CGC 9.6 (Inhumans issue. 2nd highest grade on the census with only five higher).

To see all the seller’s comics in the auction, click here to see all the listings from his consignment.

These are but a few of the many exciting comics to be featured in the SEPTEMBER COMICCONNECT EVENT AUCTION!  Already, over 1000 lots appear on the site and are available now for preview, and the start date is only a few weeks away!  Titles include Action Comics #1 CGC4.5 ER, Tales of Suspense #39 CGC 9.2, Batman #1 CGC 3.5, Detective Comics #1 CGC 3.0, and many more.

Now is the time to consign your comics.  Simply upload your comics on ComicConnect.com, and their staff will start promoting your listings and telling prospective buyers to bid on your items! 

LISTING DEADLINE:
Monday, September 7th, 10 PM EST

START DATE:
All Lots: Thursday, September 10th, 12 PM EST

ComicConnect.com is the online marketplace for comic buyers and sellers, focusing on comic books published between 1930 - 1975.  Membership is free, and members may list their comics for sale or auction for free.  ComicConnect.com brokers transactions, and accepts a low 10% commission only after comics are sold through the site.  Best of all, ComicConnect.com never charges Buyer's Premiums. For a personal consultation for representation in the sale of your comics or collection, call 212-895-3999 (international 001-212-895-3999) or email support@comicconnect.com.

 

by Hendrix, Gordon and Nelsen
Dime Store Distribution

Faction #0,originally produced for Small Press Idol, is certainly what I would call a "hidden gem." Written by Erik Hendrix, Faction is set in the year 2025, in a time where the governments of the world are solely focused on eliminating world terrorism.

Enter Acker Kinnery, a medic with US Special Ops, who is near-fatally wounded in a roadside bombing. Upon waking up in a military hospital, Kinney's life begins to take hard left, as he is attached by a demonic being intent upon ending his life. Kinney is rescued by the mysterious Society of the Enlightened and is set upon a path that will lead him to fulfillment of his unknown destiny.

Upon reading Faction #0, I found that from the very first page, the narrative dialog flows and complements the half-tone artwork. The art, by Arnie Gordon and Michael Nelsen, brings a sense of military realism to a world of spiritual fantasy. The 12-page story keeps the story moving forward, without the sense of being rushed and provides just enough to whet the appetites of reader and bring them back for more. In addition, the bonus material, which includes character bios, concept artwork and character style guides, makes the cover price well worth it ($2.00 for digital download and $3.50 for print copies).

Interested fans can purchase the book through Dime Store Distributors (www.dimestoredisro.com) and retailers can order the book through Haven Distributors (www.havendistro.com) through August 31, 2009.

 

Review by Brandon G. DeStefano

CPG has just been informed by Pedigree Comics' Doug Schmell, the on-line based company's CEO and President, that there has been an incredible, last-minute flurry of ultra high grade Silver and Bronze Age Marvels and DC's for the August Grand Auction, which ends beginning on Monday evening, August 24th, at approximately 6:00 p.m. EST. Due to the recent surge in consignments for the auction (around 100 books since the auction commencement on Friday, August 14th), exactly half of the over 700 lots will end Monday evening with the second portion ending on Tuesday evening, August 25th, similarly at approximately 6:00 p.m. EST.

The highlight of the new auction books is an incredible 9.6 (Near-Mint+), white-paged copy of the ever-popular Avengers #4, which features the first Silver Age appearance of Captain America. Cover dated March, 1964, the issue not only contains the 4th ever appearance of "Earth's Mightiest Super-Heroes", it marks the very first Captain America sighting since the early 1950's. Penciled by Jack Kirby (cover and story) with inks by George Roussos and written by Stan Lee, the issue is an all-time Marvel classic and one of the hottest comic books in the world at the moment. Pedigree recently sold a 9.4 copy (in July) for $25,000 after selling another Near-Mint example (in February) for a then-record $13,000. The book has been skyrocketing in all high CGC grades due to the upcoming Avengers and Captain America motion pictures and will undoubtedly set a record when the Grand Auction ends. As of this article, the current high bid on the 9.6 copy is over $50,000. Adding to this particular copy's lure is the fact that it is the best existing example (9.6 with white pages, and one of only 5 in this grade) plus it is amazingly bright and newsstand fresh. According to Mr. Schmell, it is easily the nicest copy in existence, obviously never read or handled ("Just purchased off the newsstand and tucked away for the past 45 years").

There were many additional outstanding, last minute additions to the auction. Here are the other highlights: 

Amazing Spider-Man #1 8.5
Amazing Spider-Man #2 9.0
Amazing Spider-Man #4 9.0
Amazing Spider-Man #14 9.4
Amazing Spider-Man #18 9.4 (White Mountain)
Amazing Spider-Man #37 9.4
Amazing Spider-Man #73 9.8
Amazing Spider-Man #100 9.8
Amazing Spider-Man #194 9.9
Avengers #2 9.4 (Mass. copy)
Avengers #66 9.8 (Pacific Coast)
Avengers #88 9.8 (Pacific Coast)
Batman #139 9.4Batman #144 9.6
Batman #148 9.6Batman #227 9.6
Captain America #114 9.8 (Rocky Mountain)
Fantastic Four #9 9.6
Fantastic Four #10 9.6
Fantastic four #17 9.4 (Northland)
Fantastic Four #20 9.4
Incredible Hulk #1 7.0
Iron Man #66 9.8
Tales of Suspense #41 9.2
Tales of Suspense #42 9.4
Tales of Suspense #43 9.2
Tales of Suspense #45 9.2
Tales of Suspense #47 9.4
Tales of Suspense #57 9.4
Tales of Suspense #59 9.6
Tales of Suspense #74 9.8
Tales of Suspense #98 9.8
Tales to Astonish #48 9.4 (Northland)
Tales to Astonish #68 9.6
Tomb of Dracula #10 9.6
Tomb of Dracula #16 9.8
Uncle Scrooge #14 9.8
Uncle Scrooge #15 9.4
Werewolf By Night #32 9.6
X-Men #96 9.8
X-Men #103 9.8
X-Men #108 9.8
X-Men #111 9.8
X-Men #119 9.8
X-Men #124 9.8
X-Men #126 9.8
X-Men #128 9.8

Remember, the Grand Auction ends beginning on Monday evening August 24th on the Pedigree Comics Web site (www.PedigreeComics.com), starting with the initial alphabetically listed lots at approximately 6:00 p.m. The first half of lots ends Monday night at 12:00 a.m. The second half of lots begins to end on the following evening, Tuesday, August 25th, similarly at around 6:00 p.m. The last book in the auction (X-Men #130 in 9.8) ends Tuesday night at 12:00 a.m.

Please contact Mr. Schmell at 561-422-1120 or 561-596-9111 or email him at DougSchmell@pedigreecomics.com for any questions, comments or information about the Grand Auction. Financial related concerns and questions regarding consignor payments can be made to Pedigree's CFO Lisa Shapiro at Lisa@pedigreecomics.com and all technical related questions and issues should be addressed to the Pedigree Comics, Inc.’s Web Master at WebDesigner@pedigreecomics.com.
 

Two rare comic books featuring the Silver Age's most popular costumed hero, the one and only Spider-Man, brought more than $135,000 total at Heritage's Vintage Comics and Comic Art Auction on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 14-15, at the company's Uptown Dallas headquarters. The auction brought more than $2.1 million in total with a more than 90% sell-through rate by lots sold. All prices include 19.5% Buyer's Premium. 

"We knew the quality was there," said Ed Jaster, Vice President of Heritage, "and so did our bidders. There was some very smart buying going on for investment-grade comics and comic art. Many of these pieces will not see the market again for quite some time, if ever." 

The superb copy of The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (Marvel, 1963), CGC NM 9.4, proved that Spider-Man is every bit as popular as his Golden Age DC Comics counterparts, as it brought $83,650 and fueled speculation as to if, and when, a higher grade copy of this same issue might overtake Showcase #4 as the most popular Silver Age comic book. The other part of the Spider-Man equation at the top of the auction was an Amazing Fantasy #15 (Marvel, 1962), CGC VF- 7.5, the first comic introducing America to Peter Parker and his alter-ego, along with his Uncle Ben and Aunt May, realized $52,280. 

In the almost 10 years since the death of Charles Schulz, original examples of artwork from his half a century run of Peanuts have proven to be cottage market in and of themselves, with prime examples regularly commanding prices high into the five figure range. A Schulz trove in this auction would happily prove no exception to that rule, realizing more than $250,000 in total and placing three superb lots in the auction's top 10, accounting for more than $140,000 of that total: 

"There has never been another comic strip that can rival the popularity, and market acumen, of Peanuts," said Jaster. "The prices we regularly see for original Schulz artwork show that Americans regard him not only as a master of Pop Culture but also as a great American illustrator." A Charles Schulz Peanuts Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 10-23-88 (United Feature Syndicate, 1988), featuring the evergreen theme of Lucy pulling the football away from Charlie Brown just as he is about to kick it led all Peanuts offerings as it brought $50,787. Original Sunday art for a strip dated 8-10-80 (United Feature Syndicate, 1980), this one a gem featuring a baseball theme – one of Schulz's favorite devices – brought $44,812, while a much earlier Sunday original from Schulz, dated 11-4-56 (United Feature Syndicate, 1956), this one with Schroeder and Lucy, also garnered a $44,812 total.  

Prices for original comic illustrations were strong across all areas, as a superb and epic original Alex Raymond Flash Gordon Sunday Comic Strip, dated 4-28-35 (King Features Syndicate, 1935) from The Bob Cowan Collection proved its desirability – stemming as it does from the brief and highly sought-after period in which the strip was drawn at a full page, its largest – realized $50,787, while an electrifying Jack Davis Tales From the Crypt #40 "Pearly to Dead" Original Cover Art (EC, 1954), featuring one of the most gruesome ghouls ever put down on paper, realized $47,800. 

Further highlights from the auction include, but are not limited to: Superman #1 (DC, 1939) CGC GD/VG 3.0 Off-white pages:

The nicest copy of this Golden Age blockbuster that Heritage has offered in more than two years. In its highest grade this comic is ranked fourth on Overstreet's Top 100 Golden Age Books List. The creative team of writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster built on their success with this new title, leaving no doubt about which superhero is the world's greatest, then and still. Realized: $40,331 

Marvel Mystery Comics #2 Larson pedigree (Timely, 1939) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Off-white to white pages: The second issue of the series that started it all for Timely/Atlas/Marvel is "rare" according to Overstreet, scarcer than the more famous Marvel Comics #1. This comic is tied with one other with the highest grade yet certified by CGC, and up close it makes an argument for an even higher grading. Realized: $38,837 

Archie Comics #1 (Archie, 1942) CGC FN/VF 7.0 Off-white pages:This is the highest-graded copy of one of Overstreet's top 50 Golden Age comics, and was the subject of much pre-auction publicity due to the owner of this comic, Dave Luebke of Dave's Comics in Richmond, VA, selling the comic in protest of Archie #600, where everyone's favorite carrot-top proposes to socialite Veronica instead of blonde girl-next-door Betty. The price that this comic book was bound to, and ultimately did realize, probably also played a large role in the decision. Realized: $38,837

Heritage Auction Galleries is the world’s third largest auction house, and by far the largest auctioneer of rare collectibles, with annual sales more than $700 million, and 450,000+ registered online bidder members. For more information about Heritage's auctions, and to join and gain access to a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.

The eagerly anticipated August Featured Auction, featuring the best in Vintage Comic Books and Original Comic Art, has begun. Bidding has commenced on Friday, August 14th at 8:00PM. Auction lots will close over four evenings at the end of August, from Tuesday, August 25th thru Friday, August 28th between 8:00 PM EST and 12:00 AM EST. ComicLink has declared this as their best auction ever. The highlights are impressive, and there are many -- too many, in fact, to itemize and list on this page. With that disclaimer, we will mention a few below...

ComicLink is still accepting consignments for the September Focused Auction (starting September 10th), the October Focused Auction, and we are also starting to take consignments for the November Featured Auction. If you would like to reserve auction slots and gain maximum preview exposure (both are strongly recommended), simply send them your prospective auction list as soon as possible. E-mail buysell@comiclink.com for a prompt reply or call Josh Nathanson or Douglas Gillock at 718-246-0300. Of course, registered sellers may also list items for sale on the Comic Book Exchange and the Comic Art Exchange at any time.

And now for some highlights -- mentioned below are some of the biggest and most impressive pieces in the entire auction for both the Vintage Comic Books and the Original Comic Art. Please keep in mind that although this page seems large, it is scant relative to how many great books and original art items are in this auction. Many, many more High-Grade and Key Golden Age, Silver Age, and Bronze Age comic books are in this auction. Likewise, many, many more exciting Original Art highlights are in the auction. You simply must review all lots to see the incredible material within it. That said, here is a list of a few items that we consider to be the best of the best:The #1 Registry Set for Avengers!

This incredible set includes Avengers #1 CGC 9.4, Avengers #3 CGC 9.6 and Avengers #4 CGC 9.4, just to name a few.

Tales to Astonish #93 "Silver Surfer vs. Hulk" Original Art
9 out of 10 incredible battle action pages to this historic 1st Silver Surfer vs. Hulk battle issue.

More Fun comics #52 CGC 9.2 Larson pedigree (1st Spectre, Highest Graded and 1 of 2) This Larson pedigree example, at CGC's Near Mint 9.2 tier, is tied only with the Mile High pedigree example as the highest graded by CGC for this Classic Key issue introducing the Spectre, which ranks #9 on Overstreet's Top 100 Golden Age Books

Batman #11 Batman vs. Joker page
Are you kiddin' me? We can hardly believe we have this in the auction. Batman literally punches out the Joker on this incredible page to the first Batman issue on which the Joker stars on the cover.

Sensation Comics #1 CGC 9.4 (1st Wonder Woman cover, Single Highest Graded)
The offered item is the single highest CGC graded example of this important 1st ever cover appearance of Wonder Woman.

Captain America #117 Cover (1st Falcon)
The iconic original art to one of the of the most important Silver Captain America covers of all-time.

Captain America Comics #1 CGC 8.5 Windy City pedigree (1st Captain America, one of the best examples) One of the best existing examples of one of the most important comic books of all-time.

Strange Tales Annual #2 Jack Kirby/Steve Ditko
The earliest Spider-Man art on the market! This issue came out the same month as Amazing Spider-Man #3 (7/1963) and two months prior to #4. It is the first Spider-Man crossover issue and a rare Kirby (pencils)/Ditko (inks) collaboration on the Spider-Man and the FF.

Fantastic Four #4 CGC 9.4 (1st Sub-Mariner) and Fantastic Four #12 CGC 9.4 (1st Hulk vs Thing battle) - both with White Pages Both of these books are so tough, and surely two of the best Silver Age books on the planet at CGC 9.4 and with White Pages.

Amazing Spider-Man #37 Prime Ditko Spidey Action page
A great Spidey Action page by Steve Ditko at the peak of his penciling powers.

All-American Comics #16 CGC 5.5
Presented here is the third highest CGC Graded example of one of the most rare and coveted comic books in our hobby -- All-American Comics #16 -- which features the 1st ever appearance of Green Lantern.

Tales to Astonish #85 "GARGANTUS" (one of the best and most important Monster stories in existence) One of the best existing prehero monster splash and story pages -- you have to see this Splash page.

Amazing Fantasy #15 CGC 7.0 and Amazing Spider-Man #1 CGC 9.2
The 1st appearance of Spider-Man and the 1st appearance of Spidey in his own title -- one in an upper, mid-grade condition and the other in a scarce high-grade

1969 Conan Prototype Sketch by Barry Windsor-Smith
The offered item is an exceptionally rare and early Conan prototype drawing by Barry Windsor-Smith. The item is signed and dated 1969 by the artist, dating this piece at least 6 months before the July 1970 newsstand release of Conan #1.

Amazing Spider-Man #17 CGC 9.8 (Highest Graded and 1 of 2)
This incredible rare specimen must be seen to be believed. It is the best existing example of this 2nd Green Goblin cover. This is one of the many Amazing Spider-Man rarities, including such others as Amazing Spider-Man #14 CGC 9.6 (1st Goblin), #15 CGC 9.6 (1st Kraven), #80 CGC 9.8 (1 of 1), and #89 CGC 9.8 (1 of 1)

Fantastic Four #13 Jack Kirby/Steve Ditko
An ultra early, and rare Kirby (pencils)/Ditko (inks) collaboration on the Fantastic Four, from April, 1963.

The Best DC War Collection
A meticulously assembled collection within which 96% of the items are the 1st or 2nd best certified.

Avengers #32 Cover Art
A rare offering of an early twice up Avengers Cover featuring Captain America, Hawkeye, Giant-Man, and the Wasp from 1966

Special Edition Comics #1 CGC 9.8 Allentown pedigree (1st comic devoted to Captain Marvel/Shazam!, Single Highest Graded)
Take a look and you'll see why Allentown’s rarely surface. This unbelievably high-grade example of the first comic book devoted to Captain Marvel has certified at the pristine CGC Near Mint/Mint 9.8 level. Of course, it is the single highest graded example of this key issue.

Tales to Astonish #77 Splash Page Art
A great full page Hulk Splash from 1966

Detective Comics #35 CGC 6.5 Rockford pedigree (Classic early Batman cover, 2nd Highest)
This is a near impossible book to find in the offered condition. This Rockford is the 2nd highest graded example of this Classic key issue, and the only 6.5 graded to date

Batman #1 CGC 9.2 Moderate P (Highest Restored Grade)
This book is a beauty.  For those that don't want to spend over $200K to get a comparable looking unrestored example.

Early high-grade Silver Age DC Keys such as: Brave and the Bold #28 CGC 9.0 (1st JLA), Showcase #4 CGC 8.0 (1st Flash/1st DC Silver Age comic), Showcase #34 CGC 9.4 (1st Atom) and Flash #110 CGC 9.0 (1st Wally West/"Kid Flash")

Marvel Comics #1 CGC 9.0 (Moderate Restoration)
The 1st Marvel comic and the 1st Human Torch appearance in the 2nd highest restored grade.

Many, many more High-Grade and Key Golden Age, Silver Age, and Bronze Age comic books are in this auction. Many, many more exciting Original Art highlights are in the auction as well. You simply must review all lots to see the incredible material within.

You will see Golden Age Highlights such as Action Comics #17 CGC 6.0 & #87 CGC 9.6, Batman #17 &19 in CGC 9.4 (and 26 in CGC 9.6!), Clue Comics #7 CGC 9.6 (Mile High), Detective #110 CGC 9.6, Superman #3 & #4 in CGC 8.5, Walt Disney #46 CGC 9.4

You will see Silver and Bronze Highlights
in 9.4, such as: Amazing Spider-Man #6 & #8, Fantastic Four #28 & #49, Green Lantern #18 & #76, Journey Into Mystery #86 & #109, Showcase #57 & #64, Tales of Suspense #42 & 45, X-men #2 & #6

in 9.6, such as: Amazing Spider-Man #10 & #25, Batman #164 & #222, Detective Comics #312 & #406, Fantastic Four #32 & 48, Green Lantern #8 & #61, Journey Into Mystery #98 & 101, Justice League #18 & #30, & Tales of Suspense #51 & #59, X-men #14 & #35

in 9.8, such as: Amazing Spider-Man #45 & #71, Batman #189 & 232, Detective Comics #377 & #387, Fantastic Four #75 & #77, Giant-Size X-men #1, Ghost Rider #1, Green Lantern #36 & #79, Incredible Hulk #102 & #181, Iron Man #1 & #55, Justice League #38 & #64, Marvel Premiere #15, Tomb of Dracula #1 & #10, Werewolf by Night #1, World's Finest #199, X-men #41 & #59

in 9.9: Brave and the Bold #88, Amazing Spider-Man #362, and New Mutants #87.