A CGC universal grade example of the most sought-after golden age comic book Batman #1 from 1940, CFC-Grade 9.2 has been sold for $850,000 in a private transaction through the Heritage Auctions ComicMarket. Last year that was amazing news for all comic book collectors. This time, the same auction house offers them the opportunity to purchase some rare collectibles at its Comic and Comic Art Auction, scheduled for August 1-3.
The highlight of the upcoming auction will certainly be the highest-graded copy of Batman #1, ever certified in 9.2 grade, and Frank Miller’s original cover art for The Dark Knight Returns #2, 1986. For each of them is expected to bring $500,000+.
“For fans of Modern comics, this drawing is where everything really begins,” said Todd Hignite, Vice President at Heritage Auctions. “This moment defines Miller’s Dark Knight, and the modern day perception of Batman, like no other drawing. The only one that comes close, perhaps, is the iconic Splash page from Dark Knight #3, featuring both Batman and Carrie Kelley (Robin), which we sold two years ago for $448,125.”
Other interesting collectibles include a near pristine copy of an increasingly popular comic book, Avengers #1 – in stunning 9.4 grade – is expected to realize $175,000+; a 9.4 grade copy of Tales of Suspense #39, the first appearance of Iron Man, which is expected to bring $100,000+; a rare, 9.0 grade copy of Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #1 may fetch $30,000+ as the finest copy in a remarkable run that also includes a 9.4 grade of issue #2 and a 9.2 grade of issue #3 from the series, both of which are the highest-graded copies.
Also included in this auction are a remarkable movie poster painted by Frank Frazetta for The Night They Raided Minsky’s, expected to bring $150,000+; Robert Crumb’s complete 1968 original art for a five-page story titled “City of the Future,” initially stolen from Crumb and slated for Zap Comix #1, expected to reach $100,000+ and fresh-to-market original cover art from titans Carmine Infantino and Joe Giella from The Flash #117, from 1960, expected to realize $50,000+ in its first appearance at auction.
