Detective Comics #31 CGC 4.0 All-time Classic Cover 3rd Batman Cover OW/WHITE

Classic Cover indeed. One of the best covers of all time, without question.

Detective Comics #35 CGC 4.0 Classic Hypodermic Needle Bondage Cover Batman DC

What an intense run 27-40 is. Key books everywhere, classic covers everywhere… The best collectible run, in my opinion.

Marvel Mystery Comics 3 CGC 9.0 Highest Graded Larson Copy OW/WHITE Timely

Just to break up the Detectives…

Detective Comics #29 CGC 4.5 2nd Batman Cover 1st Dr. Death DC Golden Age

3rd Batman. No big deal.

Detective Comics #1 CGC 3.0 SCARCE KEY DC Golden Age Schuster & Flessel Art

Who doesn't love this cover?

Tales of Suspense #39 CGC 9.2 1st Iron Man ow/white pages

When going through eBay for this post, the top lots were dominated by books from the saginaw collection. This one will be the top lot and will break into the all time ebay comic sales list.

Journey Into Mystery #89 CGC 9.4 OW/White Origin Thor Classic Cover

Classic cover, indeed. I haven't bought any JIM books in a long time, but whenever I see this I feel like I should reverse that trend.

Human Torch 4 (#3) CGC 8.5 VF+ Rockford Pedigree Timely

Filter has all the eBay gems.

star wars 1 35 cent variant vf/nm

I wonder what the buy it now price was.

GARY FRANK, BATMAN Splash Original Comic Art. Superman

Gary Frank brings the texture.

Twin Cities Books

The Atom #3 Twin Cities pedigree (DC, 1962) CGC NM 9.4

If you've read any of these you know of my affinity for green covers.

Wonder Woman #178 Twin Cities pedigree (DC, 1968) CGC NM+ 9.6

Green psychedelic covers? Where do those sit on my personal scale? Pretty damn high.

The Avengers #57 Twin Cities pedigree (Marvel, 1968) CGC NM/MT 9.8

I'm cool with this book. It's got a lot going for it. The Vision is a cool character (he's one of "my" Avengers,) the Spectre homage is cool and who doesn't love the Avengers?

Batman #200 Twin Cities pedigree (DC, 1968) CGC NM/MT 9.8

This is a dopey cover AND I LOVE IT.

Batman #227 Twin Cities pedigree (DC, 1970) CGC NM/MT 9.8

This is the complete opposite of a dopey cover. CLEARLY.

Silver Age

Action Comics #252 (DC, 1959) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Cream to off-white pages

A fun book to me.

Adventure Comics #247 (DC, 1958) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Off-white to white pages

I want this to be a hot book. I don't know why.

The Amazing Spider-Man #28 (Marvel, 1965) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white pages

What's the value here? We saw $15,000 for Pacific Coast 3-4 years ago. This book boggles my (non-Spider-Man collecting) mind.

The Amazing Spider-Man #50 (Marvel, 1967) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages

Here's a Spider-man book I'd actually want to own although at the price this will get, I'm not sure I'd want to pony up for this one.

Detective Comics #327 (DC, 1964) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages

Look at this thing:

The Flash #105 (DC, 1959) CGC NM 9.4

I don't know why I've never actively collected Flash books. I've always been focusing on something else I guess. Great book.

Showcase #4 The Flash – Bethlehem pedigree (DC, 1956) CGC VF/NM 9.0

There it is, one of my favorite books ever.

Stay tuned, hopefully I'll find time for Part 2 and 3 before this auction goes off.

PHANTOM LADY # 17 CGC 4.5 UNRESTORED(OLD LABEL)

Classic cover!

Superman #14 CGC Graded 5.0 Classic Flag Cover Nice!

The MOST classic cover!!

FANTASTIC FOUR #73 CGC 9.8 HIGHEST GRADED vs AVENGERS

I love this cover, personally. Bone white, by the looks of it. I even like the date stamp. I'm not a date stamp hater, but that one seems almost well placed.

MYSTIC 7 CGC 3.5 (R) Classic Kirby Hitler ! 1st WITNESS

Not a book you see on eBay all that often.

MOPSY COMICS #1 CGC CENTRAL VALLEY PEDIGREE HIGHEST

And now… for something pretty random. That's a neat book.

Frank Miller and Klaus Janson Batman: The Dark Knight #3 Batman and Robin Iconic Splash Page 10 Original Art

You thought I was going to start somewhere else? I don't care what anyone else thinks… To me this page is the best piece of comic art from the 1980s I've ever seen for sale and is one of the best possible pages from the entire decade. Simply amazing.

Twin Cities Books

Strange Tales #135 Twin Cities pedigree (Marvel, 1965) CGC NM+ 9.6

This is an underrated book in my opinion and this copy is just a freakishly nice example.

Fantastic Four #50 Twin Cities pedigree (Marvel, 1966) CGC NM+ 9.6 White

I'm such a fan of the Galactus trilogy it takes every ounce of my willpower not to just post these books every time they're featured in an auction. This is a nice enough copy I feel like I don't need to hide my love for the books this time.

Fantastic Four #73 Twin Cities pedigree (Marvel, 1968) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages

What a phenomenal looking book. I'm a fan of this book because of all the guest stars and the cover, so it's a real pleasure to see a copy this bright and clean.

Fantastic Four #75 Twin Cities pedigree (Marvel, 1968) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages

Another book I'm a big fan of because of the cover. Look at all that red.

Detective Comics #359 Twin Cities pedigree (DC, 1967) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages

This book has been all over the place recently. I see no reason to stop the tide, so I'm featuring it again.

The Avengers #25 Twin Cities pedigree (Marvel, 1966) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages

This was one of the first TC books posted and it served notice that there were some real gems hidden away in the pedigree. While the keys aren't quite the same level as some of the other Silver Age pedigrees, the books after 1963/64 are all in remarkable shape.

The Amazing Spider-Man #4 Twin Cities pedigree (Marvel, 1963) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages

I hear there might be some interest in this book. Spider-man, who knew?

Savannah Books

Strange Adventures #184 Savannah pedigree (DC, 1966) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages

Here's a book I like in ridiculous shape. How's that sound?

House of Mystery #189 Savannah pedigree (DC, 1970) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages

You love this book. You love this cover.

I do, at least.

House of Mystery #174 Savannah pedigree (DC, 1968) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white pages

I love this cover and all it represents. That hand beckoning you into all the awesomeness that was to come as HOM moved back to its horror roots.

Silver Age

Green Lantern #41 Pacific Coast pedigree (DC, 1965) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white pages

There are a lot of PC DCs in this auction. I feel like they're there just to remind people that PC is a pretty sick collection of comic books.

Strange Adventures #190 Pacific Coast pedigree (DC, 1966) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages

I did it again. I loved the Animal Man series from Grant Morrison, so I'm a fan of these books. I can't help myself!

Golden Age

More Fun Comics #67 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1941) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages

Edgar Church + More Fun + 9.6 = yeah, 'll post it for you to enjoy.

Detective Comics #32 (DC, 1939) CGC VF- 7.5 Off-white to white pages

Even though it doesn't feature Batman, I think that's a pretty cool cover. It's also an early Batman appearnace, so there's a lot to like about that book.

Batman #1 (DC, 1940) CGC GD 2.0 Off-white to white pages…. Golden Age (1938-1955): Superhero

If you're in the market for a low grade Batman #1, this is your copy.

Bronze Age

DC 100-Page Super Spectacular #4 Weird Mystery Tales (DC, 1971) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages…. Bronze Age (1970-1979): Horror

For no other reason than I like the book and the cover- I want this to sell for $10,000.

Original Art

Frank Miller and Klaus Janson Batman: The Dark Knight #4 Death of the Joker page 2 Original Art

Normally, this would be a really exciting page to have in an auction. Really, it still is exciting, it's just tough to compete with something as monumental as the splash page.

Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson The Flash #146 Mirror Master Cover Original Art

Such a solid piece of art.

Jaime Hernandez Love and Rockets Short Stories Cover Original Art

Speaking of solid… what a great design and the execution is just as good. Not overly flashy, just "right" in every way.

Jack Kirby and Chic Stone Journey into Mystery #110 Thor Pin-Up Page Original Art

Speaking of "right" in every way- JACK KIRBY!

The biggest news of the year was when the pristine-mint "Mile High" copy of Marvel Comics No. 1 sold for a staggering $35,000! This does not mean that every high grade Marvel No. 1 will sell within this range. In fact, three other high-grade copies changed hands in the $20,000 to $24,000 range. Obviously, possessing the most perfect copy of the most valuable comic book is worth a premium which that collector was willing to pay. We cannot close our 1984 books on "Mile High" just yet. More record prices were set at year's end. The "Mile High" copy of Action #1 sold to a dealer for $20,500 and Action Nos. 2-13 for $29,500. The dealer resold the set to a collector. The cash/trade value received for the No. 1 was set at $25,000. The "Mile High" copy of Batman No. 1 sold for the projected price of double the 1985 guide mint price. The "Mile High" copy of All-American No. 16 sold for triple the guide's mint value.

Based on the guide that year, the Batman #1 sold for something like $11,400 and the All American #16 sold for about $9000.

Was there ever a better year for books changing hands in the history of the hobby? All of those Church books? Even the recent $1,000,000 sales don't really compare because they aren't the legendary level of the books that traded hands all those years ago. Look at the roll call:

• The best Action #1 and the most valuable comic book in the world today. By any realistic measure a $3-5,000,000 comic book.
• The best All American #16 and a potential seven figure book.
• The best Marvel #1 and one of the ten most valuable comic books in the world.
• The best run of early Actions. Many or alll of which are likely worth more than six figures.
• Potentially the best Batman #1. If it is, it would also potentially be a seven figure book.

What a year!

As always, let me know if you've got an info on any of the books and pedigrees listed.

It's that time again. Another killer Heritage auction is queued up for our bidding pleasure.

You know, no matter what the other auctions do the most exciting listings of the year are always Heritage's. That's just the reality.

This auction is no exception.

Let's look at some lots.

Archie Comics #1 (MLJ, 1942) CGC VF+ 8.5 White pages

Clearly the most exciting single comic in the auction for me. Early Archies are tough in high grade. This white paged beauty is about to lighten some lucky bidder's wallet in a big way.

John Byrne and Terry Austin X-Men #116 Cover Original Art

I've always liked this cover. It's a classic "comic book" cover. There's some Schomburg style danger and it's great tease to the story within. This is going to sell for many thousands of dollars.

Detective Comics #31 (DC, 1939) CGC GD+ 2.5 Off-white pages

One of the all-time classic covers.

Frank Miller and Klaus Janson Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #3 page 24 Original Art

Just seeing this page makes me want to read the whole book.

It's really interesting to see the adjustments that were made to the published page.

Frank Miller and Terry Austin Daredevil #191 "Roulette" page 18 Original Art

Anyone have any idea what this might go for? Not that I'm asking for any specific reason.

The Avengers #4 Northland pedigree (Marvel, 1964) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages

That's a really nice copy of a great book.

Jack Kirby and Vince Colletta Fantastic Four #40 Awesome Thing page 14 Original Art (Marvel, 1965)…. Original Comic Art: Panel Pages

Are you kidding me with this page? Does it get any better? I don't think so.

Jim Starlin Warlock #5 Cover Original Art

Any Adam Warlock fans are in for a treat with this auction. It's full of great material. This cover is killer.

Showcase #22 Green Lantern – Savannah pedigree (DC, 1959) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white pages

This'll sell for a couple of bucks. I wonder how much? Where are we on the Green Lantern hype scale? This auction will help gauge that.

The Flash #105 Savannah pedigree (DC, 1959) CGC VF 8.0 Cream to off-white pages

I've never owned a copy of this book. Feel free to buy this one for me and send it to me for my birthday.

Jeff Jones Creepy #29 "Angel of Doom" Splash Page 1 Original Art

Is this in The Studio?

Dale Keown Original, First Ever Pitt Drawing Double-Page Illustration Original Art

That's pretty neat.

Fantastic Four #60 (Marvel, 1967) CGC NM/MT 9.8 Off-white to white pages

My favorite run in all of comics ends with this issue. While FF continued to be great beyond this point, the sweet spot for me was really #39-60.

Fantastic Four #57 (Marvel, 1966) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages

This stuff makes me feel like I'm 11.

Will Eisner The Spirit (Weekly Comic Book) "P'Gell" page 3 Original Art dated 5-25-47

A page from a very memorable character and story. Nothing flashy about it, but Eisner didn't always have to be flashy to make things happen.

Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird Gobbledygook #1 Cover Original Art

Gobbledygook #1 (Mirage Studios, 1984) Condition: VF+

Almost as many people are probably curious about where this little gem will end up. Personally, I'm fascinated by both of these lots. There's just so much unknown about them it makes for great auction theater.

Real Life Comics #3 (Nedor Publications, 1942) Condition: GD/VG

The Hitler cover to end all Hitler covers.

Marvel Mystery Comics #9 (Timely, 1940) CGC GD+ 2.5 Cream to off-white pages

Not bad looking for a 2.5.

Jim Starlin Strange Tales #178 page 27 Original Art

Sadly, mounted. Otherwise… what a great page. Pure Starlin awesomeness.

Strange Adventures #205 Savannah pedigree (DC, 1967) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages

Someone should make a Deadman movie.

The Flash #135 Savannah pedigree (DC, 1963) CGC NM 9.4 Cream to off-white pages

Green Flash covers are a favorite of mine. I'm not sure why.

And there you have it, another killer Heritage Auction. I'm even bidding on something other than Daredevils this time.

I have no real info on the 9.8, other than what everyone else has. I will tell you it's on the $100,000 club list.

Failing a scan of the 9.8, here are scans of the three 9.6s for sale right now so we can all compare and contrast.

ComicLink

For my money, this is the best copy of the bunch. All three are nice, solid copies, but this one just looks like a jaw-dropper. Assuming there's been no slab damage (it is an old holder) this would be the one I'd be going for if I were bidding on one of these babies.

Heritage

The 9.8 is so new, this sentence from the Heritage listing is now wrong:

NM+ 9.6 is as good as it gets. Of the ten main Marvel superhero titles, only a single copy of Amazing Spider-Man #1 and two copies of X-Men #1 have earned grades higher than CGC NM+ 9.6 to date.

The off-white really shows on the edges. Still, it looks every bit a 9.6, even at the super-Heritage zoom.

Pedigree

I know it's sales copy, but Doug's comment about this book being a 9.7 isn't all that out of line. It just looks ridiculous. Still, it doesn't have the same perverse preservation as the Curator.