A Soaring Start to 2024, Three CGC-graded Comics Top $1 Million Each
Posted on 1/15/2024
The new year started off with a bang, as several of the hobby's most iconic comic books were sold for more than $1 million each. The grails, all graded by Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®), led the way in Heritage Auctions’ Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction on January 11, 2024.
The top sale of the auction was a Superman #1 graded CGC 7.0 (lot 91044), which realized a lofty $2,340,000. Published in 1939 by DC Comics, Superman #1 is the first issue of the hero’s solo series and the very first comic book devoted entirely to one hero. The CGC Census contains only 179 examples of this book, and a mere 75 are in the coveted Universal grade; of those, just two can boast a higher grade than this one.
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Another Golden Age grail was an All Star Comics #8 graded CGC 9.4 (lot 91025) that realized $1,500,000. This comic from 1942 features the first appearance of Wonder Woman, which had a profound cultural impact, breaking ground as one of the first major female superheroes. There are only 202 total of this comic in the CGC Census, and this example stands alone with the highest grade.
Also finishing strong was an Amazing Spider-Man #1 with a Curator pedigree graded CGC 9.8 (lot 91026), which realized a record-setting $1,380,000. One of the most desirable comic books of all time, it barely exists in this amazing grade. Of the more than 4,700 graded copies of Amazing Spider-Man #1 in the CGC Census, only two are graded 9.8, with none higher. This sale more than doubled the previous record for this comic, which was $520,380 for a CGC 9.6 sold in July 2023.
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DC’s Silver Age also had an impressive showing with a Showcase #4 graded CGC 9.6 (lot 91042), which quickly set a new record and realized $900,000. Published in 1956 by DC Comics, this book is the first appearance of the Silver Age Flash, Barry Allen. Among more than 500 graded copies in the CGC Census, this is the single-highest-graded copy, and it holds the current sales record for this issue. This sale ran circles around the previous sales record for this comic, which was $179,250 when this same copy was sold in 2009.
"Witnessing the first million-dollar comic book sales this year, along with record-breaking prices for Amazing Spider-Man #1 and Showcase #4, is a testament to the profound connection collectors have with these cultural gems," said CGC President Matt Nelson. "It's clear that collectors place their trust in CGC-graded comics, recognizing not just the value but the enduring legacy and authenticity these graded treasures represent in the world of comic book appreciation."
Other CGC-certified comics in this auction include:
- an Incredible Hulk #1 graded CGC 9.2 (lot 91039), which realized $825,000
- a Brave and the Bold #28 graded CGC 9.6 (lot 91033), which realized $810,000
- a Batman #1 graded CGC 7.0 (lot 91030), which realized $630,000
- a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 graded CGC 9.8 (lot 91045), which realized $132,000
- a Silver Surfer #1 graded CGC 9.8 (lot 91043), which realized $132,000
- an Amazing Spider-Man #9 graded CGC 9.8 (lot 91028), which realized $126,000
- an Avengers #4 graded CGC 9.8 (lot 91029), which realized $108,000
- a Batman #1 graded CGC 2.0 (lot 92010), which realized $102,000
- a Fantastic Four #48 graded CGC 9.8 (lot 91036), which realized $96,000
- an Incredible Hulk #1 graded CGC 7.5 (lot 92113), which realized $84,000
- a House of Secrets #92 graded CGC 9.8 (lot 91038), which realized $84,000
- a Showcase #4 graded CGC 8.0 (lot 92124), which realized $81,000
- a Journey into Mystery #83 graded CGC 9.0 (lot 92120), which realized $80,265
Prices realized include a buyer’s premium.
About CGC
Since revolutionizing comic book grading in 2000, CGC has grown to include certification services for many other types of pop culture collectibles. These divisions include CGC Cards, CGC Video Games and CGC Home Video. CGC Cards provides expert card grading for TCGs, sports cards and non-sports cards. CGC Video Games is dedicated to video game grading for the most popular consoles, including Nintendo, Sega, Atari, PlayStation and more. The newest division of CGC, CGC Home Video, provides expert VHS grading in addition to other types of home media.
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