The holy grail of comics!!!!! This is one of the best known certified
examples for page quality. Approximately 75-100 copies of this first
appearance of Superman by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegal are still
believed to exist.
If you're looking for an issue of Batman that displays both a cover and
interior art from Mr. Kane, your search is restricted to issues #1
through #5. Between the covers
of this issue you will find the second appearances of the Joker and Catwoman.
Ranked 58th out of 100 Top Golden Age Age book by Overstreet. If you
want to own the highest certified copy, then look no further!!!! It
just does not get better than this beautiful copy!
Green Lantern earned his own book after a
successful run in All-American Comics. This issue's story retells the origin of Alan Scott, the Golden Age
bearer of the ring. The book features a cover by Howard Purcell and
interior art by GL's creator Martin Nodell, with stories by Bill
Finger. The issue is a Gerber "7."
This is the highest graded copy and ranked 16th out of 100 Top Golden Age Age book by Overstreet.
Overstreet 2006 VF/NM 9.0 value = $41,000; NM- 9.2 value = $58,000.
Recent comparable sales: One of the other CGC 9.0 copies, though that one with Cream to Off-White
pages, garnered a $46,000 bid at the August 2005 Heritage auction but didn't meet the
$51,750 reserve.
If you want the perfect book for investment and enjoyment, then look no
further than this fifth ranked most valuable Golden Age book by the
Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide!! Listed as "rare" by Overstreet and
a "7" by Gerber, this is this origin and first appearance of Green
Lantern by Sheldon Moldoff (c/a) and Martin Nodell.
Overstreet 2006 GD 2.0 value = $9,650; VG 4.0 value = $19,300; FN 6.0 vlaue = $28,950
What more can be said of this classic book? This copy is taken from the
publisher Bill Gaines' own files (4/12). Not surprisingly, it is the highest
graded copy. And at CGC 9.8 you can safely bet none higher will ever
appear. Certificate of Authenticity included.
NETWORK OF DISCLOSURE NOTE: In 2003, this copy was previously in an older CGC label and graded a 9.6. CGC regraded it in or around 2004 as a 9.8.
One of the holy grails of the Silver Age, and predominantly responsible
for the revival of Marvel Comics and superheros, this beauty is ranked
third amongst Silver Age titles by Overstreet. Certainly doesn't hurt
that a major motion picture was released last year with sequels to
follow!
Prices vary widely on this book. It is very uncommon, perhaps one
can say scarce, in high grade and it is not often to see one on the
market. During 2004-2005, several issues sold ranging from
$19,000 to $25,000. An identically graded copy currently on Comiclink
is seeking nearly $26,000 (with an existing bid approaching $24,000). A
9.4 copy sold for over $111,000 four years ago (which seemingly makes
my offered #1 appear relatively inexpensive)!!!
But none of the other books, to my knowledge, offer what this copy
does: presumably signed by the FF creator himself, the master Jack
Kirby!!!
Unfortunately, the signing was not done in the presence of CGC so no
verification exists. Of course, there is no guarantee that the
signature is authentic. However, I am aware of the recent history of
this book and spoken with a prior owner who is a well-known comic book
dealer. It was he who had the book certified by CGC. He told me that he
has seen many authentic copies of Kirby's signature and he was of the
opinion this signature is, in fact, authentic. Moreover, I spoke with
CGC and confirmed that had they believed it was not Kirby's signature,
it would not have been noted on the label (which is not the same, of
course, as confirming authenticity).
This copy was actually given away as the Grand prize in a sweepstakes
run by Activision. Luckily the current owner saved the book during the
flooding caused last year by Hurricane Katrina!
This book is going nowhere but up! The next buyer will not be unhappy with this copy!
NETWORK OF DISCLOSURE STATEMENT: This book was previously certified as
a CGC 7.5 and was resubmitted by a prior owner and graded in its
present form of a CGC 8.0. It was not pressed.
Note: This book is on consignment to EsquireComics.com.
Published in the Fall of 1939 this second issue contains reprints of the daily comic strip and an ad for the NY World's Fair. Only one other copy has been graded higher than this beautiful and scarcely seen book. Ranked 70th of the Top 100 Golden Age Age Books by the Overstreet Price Guide.