Featuring Marvel Comics #1, Amazing Fantasy #15, Sensation Comics #1 and MORE…
Heritage Auctions is having one humdinger of a comic-book auction, featuring some of the most sought-after issues ever — including Detective Comics #27.
“Detective Comics #27 (DC, 1939) CGC FN 6.0 Off-white to white pages,” reads the official description. “Not only is it in contention with Action Comics #1 as the most important Golden Age comic of all, it’s just about as hard to find in any grade! We’ve offered just four copies in higher grades in the last 22 years, and just two nicer copies in the past 10 years! But who could blame collectors for hoarding their copies! Herein are the first appearances of Batman (Bruce Wayne) and Commissioner James ‘Jim’ Gordon. The combination of desirability and rarity makes this issue perpetually outperforming its Overstreet value. Look for this to be the most valuable book in our auction! Batman co-creator Bob Kane did the cover and contributed interior story art, along with Joe Shuster and Fred Guardineer. Currently #2 on Overstreet’s list of Top 100 Golden Age Comics. CGC notes, ‘To my friend Bob Crestohl — Bob Kane’ written on page 1 in pen. Overstreet 2022 FN 6.0 value = $816,000. CGC census 3/23: 2 in 6.0, 14 higher.”
The issue is sitting at $612,500, as of this writing, but it’s expected to go for about $1.5 million when the auction wraps at the end of the month, coinciding with the March 30 anniversary of Batman’s 1939 debut.
That’s plenty cool enough, but we picked out a total of 13 comics from the auction to show off to you. If you have a few million sitting around, click here for the auction session these came from and click here for the other sessions, which also look great.
Batman’s first appearance.
Batman’s origin first appears in this issue.
The Riddler’s first appearance.
Wonder Woman’s first feature.
The first Justice Society of America appearance.
Spider-Man’s first appearance.
Captain Marvel’s first appearance.
One of the most (in)famous covers of the Wertham era.
First issue.
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MORE
— 13 COVERS: Dig These Tributes to DETECTIVE COMICS #27. Click here.
— The TOP 13 Most Valuable Comics in 1970 — and What They’re Worth Now. Click here.
March 19, 2023
Heritage Auctions sure doesn’t hold back when it comes to history.
March 19, 2023
Huge, huge Riddler fan. And even Hu-ger Frank Gorshin fan. I was at a comic convention in summer of 2002 at Madison Square Garden. I was there specifically to see Frank Gorshin, Adam West and Yvonne Craig. (In fact, I’m ashamed to say now, I practically stepped over Billy Dee Williams, Warwick Davis and Rutger Hauer to get to them) At any rate, we spoke to Frank a long time – even longer than Frank’s handler wanted us to do (he waved them off)
But to my point, I found a copy of that Detective Comics140, first app. Riddler, there on the floor from a dealer that day. It was water log damaged and even had indications of black mold on it. I thought about it, but passed. I so wanted to buy a good copy and get Frank to sign it. I mean, have you ever come across a collectable like that with Frank’s signature? I haven’t. I think it would be a big item! The money that could bring. I saw Frank three more times after that and wish I’d gotten that book in the mean time for him to sign. Frank remembered me. I felt like I knew him.
It’s funny, I never even brought up the Riddler or Batman the few times I talked to him. Maybe that’s why he shrugged off his handler, let me talk to him so long, remembered me. Maybe it’s just as well I didn’t talk Batman with him. I brought up his voice over work on a Foghorn Leghorn cartoon filling in for Mel Blanc after Mel got sick. He seemed to appreciate that.
Again, maybe it’s just as well. You can’t put a price tag on that.