Topline
Captain America Comics No. 1, a 1941 comedian e-book difficulty that includes the primary look of the titular character, sold for over $3.1 million Thursday, changing into the probably the most costly comedian books ever offered at public sale—the newest testomony to the continued dominance of comedian e-book lore in well-liked tradition.
A replica of the March 1941 first cowl of US comedian “Captain America” by US artist Jack Kirby is … [+]
AFP by way of Getty Photographs
Key Information
An unnamed purchaser bought the problem at auctioneer Heritage Auctions’ comedian and comedian arts occasion for $3.12 million.
The Licensed Warranty Firm, a service that verifies the situation of uncommon comedian books and different collectables, gave the problem a 9.4, which is near-mint situation for the 81-year-old comedian.
There are solely three recognized copies of a 9.4-graded model of the comedian e-book on the earth, in addition to one 9.8-graded model that has by no means been auctioned, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The difficulty, written and drawn by groundbreaking comedian e-book creators Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, additionally options the primary look of the Marvel hero’s ally Bucky, who would go on to develop into the Winter Soldier.
Essential Quote
“Smashing via, Captain America got here head to head with Hitler,” the quilt of the problem reads, alongside an illustration of the soldier-turned-superhero putting the Nazi chief. The difficulty was revealed 9 months earlier than the U.S. entered World Warfare II following the Japanese assault on Pearl Harbor.
Large Quantity
$3.6 million. That’s how a lot a 9.6-graded copy of 1962’s Superb Fantasy No. 15—that includes the primary look of Spider-Man—sold for in September, changing into the most costly comedian e-book ever offered at public sale. The sale beat out the earlier report set in April 2021: $3.25 million for an 8.5-graded issue of 1938’s Motion Comics No. 1, which featured the primary look of Superman. A 9.0-graded model of the identical comedian sold for $3.2 million in 2014, and 6.0-graded model sold for 3.18 million earlier this yr.
Key Background
The rise in worth of classic comedian books parallels the record-breaking success superhero movies have had on the field workplace within the final decade. 4 of the highest 10 highest grossing movies of all time are Marvel superhero movies which have been launched previously decade, in accordance with IMDb.
