The ComicLink Auction lots will close today (Tuesday), Wednesday and Thursday starting at 7:30pm Eastern Time.
Among the top Golden Age highlights is an impressive Superman #1 CGC 4.5, the first issue of the iconic Superman title run and the comic that solidified the importance of the most popular super-hero ever introduced to the world. This significant premiere issue is rarely offered in any unrestored grade, let alone a mid-grade unrestored, making this a very unusual opportunity for the advanced collector. Another major Superman offering within this auction, which we would also dub an incredible find, is the single highest graded example by far of Action Comics #5. The grade of CGC 8.5 does not tell the full story here as this issue has both Mile High quality cover colors and page preservation. It is shocking to look at considering that the highest graded example prior to this was a FN+ CGC 6.5. Also included in the auction is a Batman #1 in unrestored CGC 3.0 condition, a respectable, solid grade for this landmark Golden Age key issue from 1940 which tells the origin of the Batman, and also houses the first appearances of both the Joker and Catwoman. Other Golden Age rarities include Action Comics #34 CGC 9.2 (Highest, 1 of 2), Batman #38 CGC 9.4 (Penguin cover, Highest, 1 of 2), Detective Comics #44 & 46 CGC 8.5 (both top 4 overall), Superman #36 CGC 9.2 (Highest, 1 of 2), and Wonder Woman #22 CGC 9.0 (Single Highest). Timely issues are well represented within this auction including items such as Captain America Comics #46 CGC 7.0 (Classic Cover) and Marvel Mystery #30 CGC 8.0, and there are also some rare Pep Comics and Archie Comics issues within this auction, including an unbelievably scarce Pep Comics #23 (2nd Archie in title) and the 2nd highest graded unrestored Archie Comics #4. Other exciting esoteric examples are also represented such as Black Terror #1 CGC 9.0 (Single Highest), Rangers Comics #26 CGC 9.4 (Highest, Classic cover), Famous Funnies #211 CGC 9.4 (Highest, Frazetta cover), and Crime Does Not Pay #22 CGC 7.0 (1st issue) as are a plethora of strikingly high-grade, impeccably sharp, EC Gaines File copies in the Near Mint to Mint range. The corners and edges are so sharp on these issues that they truly must be seen to be believed! The Gaines File copies are among the nearly 300 examples within this auction from pedigrees and special collections.
One of the major early Silver Age highlights is Daredevil #1 CGC 9.6, the second highest grade for an example of this introduction of Daredevil, 1 of just 10 at this impressive, upper Near Mint tier with just 2 near unfathomable 9.8s having certified higher. Another major Marvel key is Fantastic Four #1 CGC 8.0 - this first appearance of the Fantastic Four (and first Marvel Silver Age super-hero issue) is uncommon in the VF range and higher. The offered Flash #105 CGC 9.2 is the 2nd highest grade ever assigned to an example of this 1st Silver Age Flash title issue, and is a rarity at 1 of only 3 in this condition. With only 2 certified higher, it counts as one of the top 5 certified overall in the entire world. This issue also hails from the #2 Flash CGC Registry set, all of which are housed within the August Featured Auction. Rarities such as the single highest graded examples of Flash #107, #109, and #113 are included in this set, as is the Flash #110 CGC 9.2 (1 of 2 highest graded examples for this key, 1st Kid Flash issue) and many other rare highest graded examples. Other incredible Silver Age issues are represented within this auction, such as X-men #6 CGC 9.8 (1 of 3), Amazing Spider-Man #13 CGC 9.6 (White Pages), Teen Titans #1 CGC 9.8 (Single Highest Graded) and Detective Comics #359 CGC 9.8 (1 of 2). Rarely seen CGC 9.6 Fantastic Four issues are offered within this auction, such as Fantastic Four #26 CGC 9.6 and Fantastic Four #52 CGC 9.6. Avengers is very well represented in this auction with not only a high grade example of the team's first appearance Avengers #1 CGC 8.5 included, but also rarities such as #3 CGC 9.6 sig series (vs Hulk/Subby) (single highest signature series), Avengers #7 CGC 9.6 (vs Thor) (highest, 1 of only 5), and #15 & #18 CGC 9.8 (both 1 of 3) included. Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is also very well represented. Aside from the ASM #13, highlights range from #1 CGC 7.5 to #14 & #15 in CGC 9.4 with White Pages (1st Goblin and Kraven appearances) to a plethora of scarcer 9.6s (such as #'s 18, 25, 26, 30, 35, 37, & 50) to pristine 9.8s (such as #'s 33, 34, 45, 47, 61, 67, 69, 79 and others). Impressive items from the Tales of Suspense and X-men runs are also included, such as Tales of Suspense #39 CGC 9.0 (1st Iron Man) (and a 7.5), #53 CGC 9.6, and #59 CGC 9.8, as well as X-men #4 CGC 9.6 (White Pages), the aforementioned X-men #6 CGC 9.8, #16 CGC 9.8 (Sentinels), #29 CGC 9.8 (1 of 2), and many others. Many Strange Tales issues that you rarely see in the grades represented are included, such as Strange Tales #107 CGC 9.6 (vs Sub-Mariner, 1 of 3) and Strange Tales #135 CGC 9.6 (1st Nick Fury, 1 of 3). There is also an impressive high-grade pre-hero Marvel selection, anchored by the Tales of Suspense #1 CGC 9.0, which is the single highest graded example for this important premiere issue. Many other nice Silver Age keys are also included within this auction in numerous conditions, including examples such as Green Lantern #1 CGC 8.5 (and others) and Journey Into Mystery #83 CGC 7.0, just to name a couple, and other Silver Age esoteric rarities such as Richie Rich #1 CGC 9.2, Vampirella #1 CGC 9.6 (1 of 2), and Phantom #1 CGC 9.6 (Highest, 1 of 2) are also represented.
There are also many later Silver Age and early Bronze Age Marvel and DC highlights that are noteworthy within this auction. Pristine quality later Silver Age Marvel keys include CGC 9.8 examples of Iron Man #1, Iron Man and Sub-Mariner #1, Incredible Hulk #102, Sub-Mariner #1, Silver Surfer #4, Captain America #117 and Nick Fury #1, as well as a CGC 9.6 Silver Surfer #1 and Sub-Mariner #8 (also the Pacific Coast pedigree example). Among the Bronze Age standouts are Green Lantern #76 CGC 9.6 and Witching Hour #1 CGC 9.8 published by DC, and pristine CGC 9.8 Marvel examples of Marvel Feature #1 (1st Defenders, 1 of 5), Ghost Rider #1, Giant-Size X-men #1 (1st "New X-men") and Hero For Hire #1 (1st Luke Cage). From the Copper Age, Gobbledygook #1 and #2 in extremely high grade with publisher and creator provenance are included within this auction -- these are true rarities from this time period.
There are also numerous impressive Original Art items within the August Featured Auction. Two of the most impressive items come from EC's line of comic books, with Jack DavisÂ’ incredible cover art to Tales From the Crypt #33 (the issue which featured the origin of the Crypt-Keeper) up for auction, as well as the impressive Wally Wood cover art to Shock Suspenstories #14. EC covers are among the most coveted comic art in the world and these are two exceptional examples by two of the publisherÂ’s most important contributors. Two noteworthy Steve Ditko Spider-Man original art consignments are pages 15 and 20 from Amazing Spider-Man #18. These Steve Ditko pages have been off the market for decades, so it is very exciting to see them get back out on the market. A Miller Dark Knight Returns Pin-Up including rare full figured images of Batman and Robin is included within this auction. Also offered are 2 striking John Romita/Jim Mooney Amazing Spider-Man splash pages. The title splash and the final page from issue #69 are both included and they are each extraordinary examples in their own right by this fan-favorite team on the Web-Slinger. Another important piece is a Bernie Wrightson Swamp Thing #5 page. This page is significant because it features the first time that Swamp Thing realizes that he can re-grow a limb. It is also a wonderfully drawn piece by Wrightson at the height of his prowess. With Swamp Thing making his return to the DC Universe, it is a great time for this piece to be offered. Additional highlights in the preview include numerous art pages from Jack "the King" Kirby, an important early Justice League page from Brave and the Bold #30 featuring huge images of Green Lantern and Aquaman (this issue houses the 5th Silver Age Green Lantern appearance and the 3rd JLA appearance), a Gil Kane Showcase #35 (2nd S.A. Atom) featuring the cover scene , a rare full 6 page Murphy Anderson Planet Comics #40 story (as well as 2 pages from issue #37 in a separate lot), and some memorable Mike Zeck pages. |
Now that the August Featured Auction is underway, ComicLink is accepting consignments to their September thru November auctions. Up next are the
September Focused and September eBetter Auctions, followed by an October Focused Auction and a November Featured Auction that will be similar in quality to this August Featured Auction. If you would like to sell in any of these upcoming e-mail ComicLink your prospective auction list, or phone Douglas Gillock, Josh Nathanson, Jason Crosby or Sean Goodrich on Monday thru Friday at 617-517-0062 (press option 1) to discuss your selling options and determine your preferences.
Registered sellers may also add items to the Comic Book Exchange and the Comic Art Exchange at any time, and these sections are updated throughout every day. Record sales prices are frequently realized and pricing experts, at your option, can be of assistance in setting prices. If you are not already a registered ComicLink Exchange seller, and would like to be, click here.
