Marvel and DC Comics grails graded by Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®) raced to the top of ComicConnect’s Event Auction #53 on March 17, 2023. Examples of the first issues of the Captain America and Batman titles were each sold for six-figure amounts.
Highlighting this auction was a Captain America Comics #1 graded CGC 7.0 that realized $300,150. Published in 1941 by Timely Comics, Captain America Comics #1 by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon features the first appearance of Captain America, Bucky and the Red Skull. The classic cover that shows Captain America punching Adolf Hitler is historically significant, because at that time America was not yet at war with Germany.
Also finishing strong was a Batman #1 graded CGC 2.5 that sold for $215,000. Featuring the first appearance of the Joker and Catwoman, this title was released in 1940 — just one year after Batman made his stunning debut in Detective Comics #27 and just after Robin arrived in Detective Comics #38.
Other CGC-graded comics in this auction included:
a Whiz Comics #2 (#1) graded CGC 5.5 that realized $188,600
an Action Comics #1 certified by CGC as NG Conserved that realized $126,500
a Superman #1 graded CGC 1.0 that realized $101,111
an Amazing Fantasy #15 graded CGC 6.5 that realized $91,355
a Crime SuspenStories #22 graded CGC 9.4 and pedigreed as Gaines File Copy that realized $90,112
a Mad #1 graded CGC 9.8 and pedigreed as Gaines File Copy that realized $81,000
a Superman #1 graded CGC 6.5 Restored that realized $78,775
a Venus #19 graded CGC 8.5 that realized $76,000
an Amazing Fantasy #15 graded CGC 3.5 that realized $31,000
Prices realized include buyer’s premium.