Gold Magazine November - December 2013, Issue 32 | Page 96

investing in comic books

Best
of the Best
F
or your perusal: a collection of key sales that have
helped to elevate the comic book industry. Take note
not only of the prices, but
also of the characters and
stories that seem to constantly demand attention.

1. Value: $2.89 million
Action Comics No. 1

It is thought that there
are no more than
100 copies of Action
Comics No. 1 left in
the world, very few
of which have been
awarded a decent
grade. The first appearance of Superman,
coupled with a plethora
of additional well-loved
characters, this issue
has been firmly placed atop the pedestal of
comic book perfection.

2.Value: $2.57 million

Detective Comics No. 27

Batman begins: literally. This issue saw the very first appearance of Batman, Gotham City and
Commissioner Gordon. It was enough
to inspire one buyer to part with $2.57
million.

3.
Value: $715,000

Superman
No. 1

A collection of recycled
content (plus a few new
pages elaborating on
the character’s back
story), Superman No. 1
is nevertheless the Man
of Steel’s first dedicated
comic.

4. $535,000
Value:

Detective Comics
No. 1

Whilst nothing of particular
significance is featured in this

issue, it does mark the beginning of the DC
empire, which went on to give the world some
of the most beloved comic book characters
(Batman, Superman, the Green Lantern…the
list is endless).

5. $499,000
Value:

Marvel Comics
No. 1

Not only is this issue
the genesis of Marvel
Comics, it also features
the debut of the iconic
android, the Human
Torch. Costumed detective The Angel, also takes
his first bow.

6.

All-American
Comics No. 16

Value: $478,000

Meet Alan Scott. An
average man, he miraculously survives a
train crash, and emerges
clutching a mysterious
lantern complete with
green flickering flame
that induces flashbacks
to two millennia past.
Learning to wield the
green flame’s power,
he seeks vengeance for the rail disaster. In
the process, he becomes the famous Green
Lantern.

7.Value: $440,000
Batman No. 1

Whilst this particular
comic does not constitute Batman’s very first
appearance, it is his first
solo comic, comprising
entirely new material.
Throw in the first appearance of Catwoman
and the Joker, and some
industry insiders are left
wondering how the buyer was so lucky to get
it for such a bargain price.

8.Value: $407,000

Amazing Fantasy No. 15

Faced with creating the final issue of an

already ailing adult-oriented anthology, editor
Stan Lee took a risk: he
introduced a timid teenage hero none suspected would one day take
over the world. Yes, the
said teenager morphed
into Spiderman, and the
rest, as they say, is history. Amazing Fantasy
No. 15 enjoyed boosted sales (though it was
still cancelled), and Spiderman received his
very own comic book series, The Amazing
Spiderman.

9. $404,000
Value:

Action Comics
No. 7

Some industry insiders call this particular
sale ‘perplexing’,
considering that there
are no first appearances or major story
arc developments that
may be credited to the
issue. Still, the story
does feature Superman
joining the circus as a star attraction to help
good-natured owner, Mr Jones, fend off
debt-collectors. Is it a sight to see worth
$404,000? For one zealous bidder, it obviously was.

10. Value:
$279,000

Fantastic Four No. 1

The Human Torch,
Invisible Girl, the
monstrous Thing, and
Mr. Fantastic himself:
a formidable team
introduced in a landmark issue, created
by Marvel in response
to Detective Comics’
(DC) Justice League
of America. The story
charts the Fantastic
Four understanding and harnessing their
powers, ready to put them to good use.
Considering the original $0.10 selling price,
its current value is a mighty victory.

96 Gold THE INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT, FINANCE & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES MAGAZINE OF CYPRUS

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07/11/2013 16:00