Heritage, apparently, thinks comics are cool again. This month's signature auction is chock full of incredible comics. There's some art, of course, but the comics selection is out of this world. Doug is a big part of that. He's selling a second block of his comics, including an out-of-control selection of DCs.
Let's geek out!
There are Seven Amazing Fantasy 15s in this auction
They're not kidding about comics in this auction. This is like a big hello to the comics side of the hobby. Thanks Heritage!
All-Negro Comics #1 (All-Negro Comics, 1947) CGC VF- 7.5
Rare book alert. I've never actually seen this book in person.
All Star Comics #8 (DC, 1942) CGC GD 2.0
I wonder what this book will do a few months after this year's Wonder Woman hype-fest.
Also, can I go back in time and buy this in 2008?
The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (Marvel, 1963) CGC NM 9.4
Doug's books are going to be the highlight of the auction for sure. It's not quite the same as the first time he sold the major runs, as that showed the incredible depth of his collecting efforts, but this smaller "greatest hits" collection is still going to net seven figures.
Archie Comics #1 (Archie, 1942) CGC GD/VG 3.0
Note to auction houses, if you list an Archie #1 or Pep #22, I will feature it. Every time.
The Avengers #1 (Marvel, 1963) CBCS NM 9.4
As always, I'll be really curious what the CBCS graded books do in comparison to an equivalently graded CGC copy. I guess it's going to be "buy the book, not the number on a few of these", but I don't always feel like that happens. Maybe the combination of Doug's best-of-the-best reputation and the eyeballs that Heritage provides will make it happen this time.
I haven't, honestly, looked at them in detail yet to see if any are weak for the number on the label. Hopefully I'll have time to do so before the auction.
The Brave and the Bold #28 Justice League of America (DC, 1960)
Brave and the Bold #28 is almost like a Marvel in terms of how plentiful it is in high grade. There are 9 9.0s, 3 9.2s, 1 9.4 and 1 9.8 (!!) Compare that to the stats for something like Showcase 22, which came out the previous year. It has 3 9.0s, and then just one 9.2 (also in this auction.)
Detective Comics #31 (DC, 1939) CGC VG/FN 5.0
This is at $77,675 as of this writing. I'm just going to leave it at that.
Detective Comics #33 (DC, 1939) CGC VF 8.0
What a difference two issues makes. The highest graded #31 is an 8.0, which probably helps to explain why a 5.0 copy is nearly at $80,000 with weeks to go in the auction. #33 has 4 8.0s (several of which have changed hands on Heritage) a 9.0 and a 9.2. This book might still tickle $100,000 but there's already a head of steam behind the #31 where this one has some room to grow.
Fantastic Four #1 (Marvel, 1961) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Off-white to
This book zoomed to $120,000 right out of the gate. Here's hoping it gets to an even $200,000 before the auction is over.
Fantastic Four #5 (Marvel, 1962) CBCS NM+ 9.6 White pages
Of my 50 favorite comics in the entirety of the hobby, probably 15 are from the Kirby/Lee run on Fantastic Four. This one is one of them. I've never owned a copy. I've owned a #1, but not this.
hmmmm….
Journey Into Mystery #83 (Marvel, 1962) CGC NM 9.4 White pages
Ragnarock and roll over here. I hear there's a Thor movie or something?
Showcase #4 The Flash (DC, 1956) CGC VF+ 8.5 White pages
I've always liked this book. It's gone in and out of fashion over the years, but I've always been a fan.
Showcase #22 Green Lantern (DC, 1959) CGC NM- 9.2
Okay, so here's where things get interesting for me. If an 8.5 of this book is a $60,000 book and this is the one of one best copy at 9.2… where do we end up with this one? The basic formula puts this at around $240,000, but who knows where this will go. Popcorn time. That's all I can say.
Showcase #23 Green Lantern (DC, 1959) CGC VF/NM 9.0
If you can't win the Showcase #22, at least you can get this handsome consolation prize.
Tales of Suspense #39 (Marvel, 1963) CBCS NM+ 9.6 White pages
The hits just keep coming.
Again, the CBCS question arises but this is a nice looking copy, for sure. It looks very solid at first pass.
Will Eisner and Lou Fine The Spirit Section Cover Original Art
I remember this image as the cover of one of the Spirit Archives. It's a classic image for me. Just gorgeous.
Dave Gibbons Watchmen #7 Story Page 21 Nite Owl and Silk Spectre
Is there any page from this book that's not classic?
Frank Miller and Klaus Janson Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #2
This one is out of my original art league, but I'm seriously reconsidering what that league should be after seeing this thing come up. To me the top panel is one of the most iconic in the series. Miller's use of silhouette is always great and this is a prime example.
Blue Bolt Weird Tales #115 Spokane Pedigree
Nutty cover! Pedigree!
Pep Comics #23 (MLJ, 1942) CGC VG/FN 5.0 White pages
2nd Archie! I don't think I've ever featured this book before. I've shared Jackpot #4, before, but not Pep #23.
Planet Comics #44 (Fiction House, 1946) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white
I just love this cover.
Planet Comics #48 (Fiction House, 1947) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Cream
This one too! Planets are the best.
X-Men #113 (Marvel, 1978) CGC MT 9.9 and X-Men #137 (Marvel, 1980) CGC MT 9.9 Off-white to white pages
If you're warring over the top Byrne X-men registry set these two books are a must-have.
And there you have it. So many comics! Millions of dollars worth of Silver Age comics! Oh Heritage… Just when we had ceded control of the comics auction market to Comic Connect and ComicLink you show up and do something like this.