Doug Schmell, CEO and President of Pedigree Comics, Inc., reports that he just sold a CGC certified 9.4 copy of Journey Into Mystery #83 for a record price of $222,200. Featuring the origin and first appearance of Thor, Journey Into Mystery #83 is one of the most popular and valuable early Silver Age keys.

According to the most recent CGC sales, it is the 4th most valuable comic book from the Silver Age, bested by only Amazing Fantasy #15, Fantastic Four #1 and Incredible Hulk #1. As many collectors and dealers will tell you, it is also one of the most difficult Silver Age Marvel first appearance issues to locate in high grade. It trails only Tales to Astonish #27 and Incredible Hulk #1 in regards to condition. Journey Into Mystery #83 is one of the most desired books on the market. There have been record sales in each grade being recorded over the past year. A CGC 9.0 copy from the Twin Cities Collection sold in Pedigree’s May, 2011 Grand Auction for a record price of $52,000 and a CGC 9.2 example fetched a record $100,000 last October. The prior highest sale for a CGC 9.4 copy of this scarce comic book was for $43,125 in May, 2005.

According to the CGC census, only one copy out of over 800 submitted to CGC has graded higher than this 9.4 example. Only two other copies exist in 9.4 and only six have even certified at 9.2.  High grade copies of this important comic book rarely change hands and when they do, it is at record prices.

The book is characterized by unbelievable color strike, perfect centering, tight staples, razor sharp corners and phenomenal white pages. It is easily the second nicest existing copy and it comes from the best known run of Journey Into Mystery the “Canadian Original Owner Collection”. Discovered in 2002, this unbelievable run of Journey Into Mystery of 28 books contained many of the highest graded examples of each issue, most of which are in certified 9.4 and higher. Some of the highlights of this run include JIM 84 9.4; 85 9.4; 86 9.8; 87 9.8; 90 9.6; 92 9.6; 93 9.4; 94 9.6; 95 9.8; 96 9.8; #97 9.8; #98 9.8; #100 9.6; and #103 9.8. Amazingly, the original owner did not collect any other titles, just Journey Into Mystery. He kept his prized Thor books in meticulous condition and the cool air of Canada ensured that the pages were all off-white to white or bone white.

“The buyer of the Journey Into Mystery #83 in 9.4 saw the book listed in the Vault section of my website and called me just under two weeks ago to see if I would part with it. I originally told him it wasn’t for sale, but he was persistent. We could not initially come up with a mutually agreeable price partly because of my reluctance to sell it but after numerous telephone calls over one week , the price of $222,200 was confirmed on Monday, January 30th. He is a ultra high grade Silver Age Marvel enthusiast who concentrates on keys and first appearance issues and is extremely happy with the book," said Schmell.

 For more information visit: PedigreeComics.com.

The Billy Wright Collection, is a newly CGC pedigreed collection featuring five of the top six comic books in the hobby, all unrestored and all offered without reserves – leads the way in Heritage’s Feb. 22-24 Vintage Comics and Comic Art Signature® Auction, taking place at the Fletcher-Sinclair Mansion (Ukrainian Institute of America) at 2 East 79^th Street (at 5^th Ave.).

“While a relatively small collection of little more than 300 comic books,” said Lon Allen, Managing Director of Comics Auctions at Heritage. “The Billy Wright Collection represents not only five of the top six comics in the business, but also 45 of the top 100 comics overall, all unrestored.”

Those top comics include Detective Comics #27 (DC, 1939) CGC FN+ 6.5, the first appearance of “The Bat Man” (Estimate: $475,000+); Action Comics #1 (DC, 1938) CGC GD/VG 3.0, the most important comic book ever published (Estimate: $325,000+); All-American Comics #16 (DC, 1940) CGC VF 8.0, the debut of Green Lantern (Estimate: $125,000+); Batman #1 (DC, 1940) CGC VF+ 8.5, a superb copy of the first official Batman comic (Estimate: $125,000) and Marvel Comics #1 (Timely, 1939) CGC VF- 7.5 (Estimate: $125,000+).

In complement to the Billy Wright copy of Detective #27, Heritage will also be offering another copy of the famed comic book, this one in a lesser grade, CGC 2.0, estimated at $80,000+, giving collectors two chances to own one of the greatest comic books of all time.

Collectors will also take special note of the amazing Curator Pedigree run of Fantastic Four comics, led by a superb CGC 9.4 graded copy of Fantastic Four #5, estimated at $55,000+.

“Not much is known about this collection,” said Ed Jaster, Senior Vice President of Heritage Auctions, “but many experts agree that the Curator books are among the best Silver Age Marvel comics available, and many of these FFs are the highest-graded copies in existence.”

One of the most interesting wrinkles in the Feb. 22-24 Heritage Comics event will be the auction of 12 original DC “ashcan” comics, special editions created by DC comics to protect trademark and logos of what would become their most valuable titles, including Action Comics. The top offering of these incredibly rare books is the Action Funnies Ashcan Edition (DC, 1937/38) Condition: VF+, estimated at $20,000+.

“In the early days of comics publishing,” said Jaster, “a print run might have been in the hundreds of thousands, maybe even the millions. Yet only about 100 to 1,000 of a given issue of any comic survived. With these ashcans, only two or three copies were made in the first place, so it’s a miracle that even one of these has made it.”

As is always the case with Heritage Comics auction, original comic art plays an important role in this event, led by John Romita Sr.’s Amazing Spider-Man Annual #3 cover art, a large size cover, by one of the greatest names to ever pick up a pen, featuring superb renderings of almost every top Marvel character. The piece is estimated at $100,000+.

A Dark Knight Returns #1 original double page spread, pages 46-47, a moody sequence featuring classic villain Two-Face, is expected to catch collector attention, as original Dark Knight artwork has recently been commanding great interest in the hobby and superb prices. This piece is expected to bring $50,000+.

The creator of The Dark Knight series, Frank Miller himself, has consigned two pieces of original Dark Knight artwork to the auction, Absolute Dark Knight Book Cover Original Art (DC, 2006) and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (10th Anniversary Edition) Batman and Robin Frontispiece Splash Page Original Art (DC, 1997), a classic take on the famous issue #3, Page 10 splash page art from the original Dark Knight series. Both pieces are estimated at $50,000+.

“These pieces, consigned by the master himself, Frank Miller, represent some of the best original Dark Knight artwork yet to come on the market,” said Todd Hignite, Vice President of Heritage. “To top it off, Miller himself will be making an appearance at the auction preview on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Fletcher-Sinclair Mansion. Fans are more than welcome to come by and say hello in person.”

One of the most special pieces in the auction, and likely one of the event’s sleeper pieces, is the original published Bill Watterson cover art for the Calvin & Hobbes 1989-1990 18-month calendar, the only piece of published Calvin & Hobbes artwork to ever surface for public auction. While estimated at $50,000+, this piece has the potential to go much higher.

“Beyond the Peanuts comic strips of legendary cartoonist Charles Schulz, there is no more popular comic strip and certainly no strip where the original art is more in demand,” said Hignite. “The difference being that original Schulz work can be had at a variety of price points. Original published Calvin and Hobbes artwork simply never comes up for public auction. There’s really no telling how high collectors will be willing to go on this one, seeing as they will also be competing with non-traditional collectors who simply love the comic strip and will be very excited to see a piece of original art on the block.”

One more important original comic art highlight is represent by the original Robert Crumb cover art for The People’s Comix, estimated at $30,000+. This is the artwork from the famous mid-1970s Underground Comic where R. Crumb – bitter over the many difficulties thrown his way by his early success, and his opposition to the Ralph Bakshi Fritz the Cat movie – actually kills off his beloved Fritz, a character he had drawn since childhood.

A CGC Certified 7.5 copy of Green Lantern #1 with off-white pages brought $9,330 after obtaining 23 bids on eBay. This DC Golden key featured the first time Green Lantern appeared in his own comic baring his name. The issue featured the retelling of the origin of Green Lantern, with story by Bill Finger and art by Martin Nodell and cover by Howard Purcell.

According to the the CGC Census there are 70 copies with the highest certified copy being four copies tied in 9.0.

Looking to buy a copy of the ultimate key Golden Age comic? A CGC certified apparent 8.0 (MP) copy of Action Comics #1 has just
been listed on ComicLink.

Fans will agree that the single most important moment in the history of comics is when Action Comics #1 introduced Superman to the world and ushered in a new age of superheroes. The influence of Superman and the wave of heroes he inspired over the next 80 years is so great that this comic transcends the boundaries of any particular hobby and stands as one of the most important cultural icons of the 20th Century. Because of this, examples continue to accelerate in demand and rise in price. Due to the scarcity of Action Comics #1 as well as the fact that it is the most significant comic book of all-time , the opportunity for a collector to acquire any example is an event. It is even more unusual to have a shot at an example with eye appeal as magnificent as this one at a relatively accessible price point. Only 55 examples of Action Comics #1 in any condition, and this is one of the top five restored examples.

The example offered has been professionally restored, at a moderate level. There is no trimming, married pages or bleaching to the interior. According to CGC, the restoration includes color touch, pieces added, tear seals, cover cleaned, reinforced.

For more information visit: ComicLink.

CPG members there are so many exceptional items left to bid on in this ComicLink January Focused Auction. The auction continues to close today, Wednesday, January 25th at 7:30pm EST (remaining lots will close Wednesday thru Friday from 7:30pm EST until approximately 11:30 EST each night). Give yourself enough time to mark your territory and place your bids. This auction features many highlights, which are itemized below according session -- there is a tremendous variety of material ranging from Golden, Silver and Bronze Age keys, to high-grade Moderns as well as original artwork from the 1940s to the present.

This auction is divided into four distinct sessions. Session #1 showcases select key and high-grade Silver and Bronze Age comic books graded by CGC (this session finishes closing today). Session #2 showcases Golden Age, also primarily certified by CGC, ranging from popular and esoteric low-grade examples to highest CGC-graded gems (this session closes Thursday). Session #3 includes post-1975 CGC Graded comic books (this session closes Thursday and Friday). Session #4 is an assortment of comic books that don't quite fit into the other three categories as well as some original artwork (this session closes Friday). A few of the top individual highlights include Avengers #4 CGC 9.6, Amazing Spider-Man #8 CGC 9.8, and Teen-Age Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 CGC 9.8. 

To check out the auction visit: ComicLink.

Here is your chance to be a hero to others! Check out our Capes for Causes charity auctions on eBay that are ending tonight! Some great items from artists including Louis Manna, Norm Breyfogle, Chris Giarrusso, and Fred Hembeck.

Capes for Causes is part of The CPG Foundation. Our goal is to unite Comic Creators, Publishers, Companies, Retailers, Collector's and business's to help those in need. All profits from every auction will go to help Critically Ill Children, Animal Rescues and grass roots charities.

To bid on the Capes for Causes eBay auctions.

For more information on Capes for Causes.

Sign up for the CPG Foundation Facebook page.

Sign up for the CPG Facebook page.

A CGC Certified apparent 5.5 slight professional restored copy of Human Torch #2 (#1) with cream to off-white pages sold for $4,200 after receiving 36 bids. This Timely Golden key featured the origin and first appearance of the Torch's sidekick Toro.

According to the the CGC Census there are 75 copies with the highest certified copy being a single unrestored copy in 9.6.

Following the 2011 world-record sale of the original Issue #3, Page #10 splash page art from Frank Miller's iconic Dark Knight for $448,125, Heritage Auctions is offering two more original pieces of Frank Miller Dark Knight artwork, this time consigned by Miller himself. They will be offered as part of Heritage's Feb. 22-23 Vintage Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction.

 
The first, the Absolute Dark Knight Book Cover Original Art (DC, 2006), is an immensely popular, bone-jarring image that brings together the elements that made Miller's vision of the Batman such a legendary work of industry-changing artistry. It carries a pre-auction estimate of $50,000+.

"It took me years to define, in my own mind, Batman as less a creature of vengeance than of vigor," Miller said of the drawing. "This piece is one of my personal favorites. To me, it sums the man up."

"The savage violence, the unparalleled use of strobe-like high-contrast graphics, the relentless attack of Batman's campaign, all of these elements are perfectly crystallized in this image," said Todd Hignite, Vice President of Heritage Auctions. "This hauntingly iconic cover image is all Miller pencils and inks and represents one of the most striking pieces of his artwork to become available at auction."

On its publication in 1986, Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns changed the landscape of the graphic novel irrevocably. With its dark vision of Batman's future and its stunning artwork, The Dark Knight Returns set the world on fire. 15 years later, Miller's sequel, The Dark Knight Strikes Again, further redefined the boundaries of the superhero genre.

 
The second piece from The Collection of Frank Miller is the Frontispiece Splash Page Original Art from Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (10th Anniversary Edition) Batman and Robin (DC, 1997), from an edition of the comic released a decade after its inception. It also carries a pre-auction estimate of $50,000+.

"Like any hero, Batman is complex," said Miller. "Here we see him as a father figure, instructing one of my favorite creations, dear Carrie Kelly."

For the 10th Anniversary Edition of the ground-breaking series, Miller created this perfect stand-alone image of Batman and Robin (Carrie Kelley, the first female, full-time Robin) in action and in their element, cloaked in the darkness of night.

"This piece is a direct reflection and front-on view of Miller's famous original splash page of the Dynamic Duo, which shattered all existing records for a piece of comic Heritage's May auction last year," said Ed Jaster, Senior Vice President at Heritage Auctions. "Needless to say, we expect great demand in the market for this visionary piece."

The work has been locked away in Frank Miller's own collection since the 10th Anniversary Edition's publication and, unlike many pages from the series — where differences between the original art and the published version are evident, as a result of Miller making changes on paste-overs — no changes were made to this artwork for publication.

"It's a great honor to work directly with Miller on these gems," said Hignite. "Both superb examples of the impact for which he's famous. You can't hope for much more definitive examples of Miller's reinvention of Batman for a new generation."

Miller's Dark Knight art is among the most important and sought after by collectors, and such singular stand-alone images of his Batman and Robin rarely come surface for sale. While Miller worked with Klaus Janson and Lynn Varley on the artwork for the 1986 series, both of these images are rare examples of 100% Frank Miller pencils and inks on his most popular character.

Frank Miller will be making an appearance at the venue for the auction, The Fletcher-Sinclair Mansion (The Ukrainian Institute of America), in New York City, on Tuesday, February 21.

Pedigree Grand Auction ends tonight, Wednesday, January 18th beginning at 8:00 p.m. The auction has 468 high grade CGC certified Marvels and DC's from the Silver and Bronze and there are some incredible books to choose from. There is no Buyers Premium on any of the lots in the auction and most of the books have no reserve. Every book is CGC graded and the minimum bid is only $100.

If you're a high-grade Silver Age Spider-Man collector you won't want to miss the opportunity to acquire the only CGC 9.8 of Amazing Spider-Man #5. The copy is the only 9.8 example out of over 920 copies submitted to CGC.

Collectors looking for Bronze Age keys have many to choose from including Amazing Spider-Man #100 CGC 9.6, Amazing Spider-Man #121 CGC 9.6, Amazing Spider-Man #122 CGC 9.8, Amazing Spider-Man #129 CGC 9.6, Conan the Barbarian #1 CGC 9.6, Ghost Rider #1 CGC 9.6, Giant-Size X-Men #1 CGC 9.8, Giant-Size X-Men #1 CGC 9.6, Incredible Hulk #181 CGC 9.8, Iron Fist #14 CGC 9.6, Marvel Spotlight #5 CGC 9.4, Tomb of Dracula #1 CGC 9.6, Tomb of Dracula #10 CGC 9.8, Werewolf By Night #1 CGC 9.6, X-Men #94 CGC 9.4, X-Men #95 CGC 9.8.

Another area CPG fans should check out is a high grade Silver Age Marvels from the orignal owner and being labeled as the New York State Collection.

This amazing group of books comes from the private collection of an artist who worked for both DC and Marvel. He began as an inker in the early 1980's for DC and then shortly thereafter for Marvel. In the later years he worked for Dark Horse, Valiant and Topps. At DC he was the inker on various mystery titles plus Tomahawk and Challengers of the Unknown (in which George Tuska was the penciler). For Marvel, he worked on Crazy, Defenders, Powerman and Iron Fist and especially G.I. Joe, A Real America Hero, G.I. Joe Special Missions, Vision and the Scarlet Witch, Barbie plus a few issues of Amazing Spider-Man, Spectacular Spider-Man and a Spider-Man Graphic novel. For Dark Horse he inked the first Droids series, Indiana Jones, Young Indiana Jones and Aliens. He also was the inker for Valiant's Zelda/Link adventures and for Topps' Zorro and his career ended in 1997.

He began collecting comics in the early 1960's, concentrating on the Marvel superhero titles. All of the books in his collection were bought first hand in New York State, initially in Scarsdale and later on in New York City. He purchased them from local news stands, read each book carefully and then stored them in his bedroom closet. After a few years they were put into polypropylene bags. He also collected DCs, Warren magazines, Heavy Metal, Atlas, Tower, comic strip collections, etc. This non-Marvel portion of his collection is still in storage and will be consigned to Pedigree Comics in the near future.

The auction contains only the high grade issues from his runs of Marvel titles. The titles include the most popular ones such as Amazing Spider-Man; Avengers; Daredevil; Fantastic Four; Journey Into Mystery; Sgt. Fury; Tales of Suspense; Thor and X-Men. There are strong runs of these titles with many books in the 7.5 to 8.5 range plus many in 9.0 to 9.6. Only the high grade copies will be debuting in the auction as the remaining books from the collection will be available in the New Arrivals and For Sale section of the site. Every book will be listed in the auction without a reserve.

 You can view the auction offerings at www.PedigreeComics.com.

A CGC Certified copy of Fantastic Four #12 with off-white to white pages realized $11,050 on eBay after obtaining 22 bids. This Marvel Silver Age key featured the first meeting of the Fantastic Four and the Incredible Hulk. The issue also featured an apperance of Rick Jones and Thunderbolt Ross.

According to the the CGC Census there are 552 copies with the highest certified copy being three copies tied in 9.6.