Hake’s has opened Auction #228, their last premier event of 2019, which encompasses a multitude of collecting categories that’ll attract many types of collectors. The comic book section is stacked with over 1,000 issues from the Platinum to Modern Age, including major keys from the Golden and Silver Ages.

Leading the charge is Captain America Comics #1 CGC 4.0 Qualified, one of the most important Golden Age keys. Featuring the origin and first appearance of Captain America, Bucky, and their nemesis Red Skull. The issue depicts a World War II cover of Cap punching Hitler, with stories by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, and art by Simon, Kirby, and Al Liederman.

Another runaway leader in the auction is Showcase #4 CGC 5.0, which contains the origin and first appearance of Barry Allen, the Silver Age Flash. This issue, which also introduces Iris West, is considered to be the book that began the Silver Age of comics. It features story by Robert Kanigher and John Broome, with cover and art by Carmine Infantino and Joe Kubert.

Spider-Man swings into the auction for several key issues. Amazing Spider-Man #1 CGC 6.0 is the first issue in series with the debut of J. Jonah Jameson and the Chameleon. Written by Stan Lee with cover and art by Steve Ditko, it also has a Fantastic Four crossover and tells the origin of Spider-Man. In addition to this copy, Hake’s is offering a CGC 3.5 with a vintage Lee signature from 1970. The copy was signed by Lee during a lunch with the comic’s owner who had visited the Marvel office in hopes of breaking into the comics industry. They are also selling a copy of Amazing Fantasy #15 CGC .5, with the debut of Spider-Man/Peter Parker. With Lee story, Kirby cover, and Ditko art, it has Spider-Man’s first cover and introduced Aunt May and Uncle Ben.

Joker and Catwoman (as the Cat) make their first and second appearances in the Batman #1-2 bound comic volume. Both stories were written by Bill Finger, with cover and art by Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson. The issues have been trimmed on all sides and each is bound into a signature, glued into spine and between boards. Both issues are complete.

Three important team introductions are in the auction, including Avengers #1 CGC 8.0. The popular team houses the first appearance and origin of the Avengers, which included Iron Man, Thor, Incredible Hulk, Wasp, and Ant-Man. This key issue has a story by Lee, cover and art by Kirby and Dick Ayers.

Marvel’s first superhero team debuted in Fantastic Four #1 CGC 3.5. Along with introducing the Fantastic Four, the issue has the origin and first appearance of Mole Man, with a Lee story and Kirby cover and art.

DC’s Justice League of America sees their first appearance as a team in Brave and the Bold #28 CGC 7.0 Restored Slight. The original team included Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter. The issue was written by Gardner Fox, with a cover by Mike Sekowsky and Murphy Anderson.

Some of the Avengers’ most powerful team members are introduced in the auction. Thor, the God of Thunder, has his first appearance and his origin is told in Journey Into Mystery #83 CGC 5.5. This pivotal late Golden Age book was written by Lee, and comes with a Kirby cover and art, as well as additional art by Ditko.

Iron Man/Tony Stark blasts his way into the auction in Tales of Suspense #39. Featuring his first appearance and origin, the book contains Lee and Larry Lieber stories, Kirby and Don Heck cover, with additional art by Ditko and Gene Colan.

Batgirl/Barbara Gordon, one of Batman’s important allies, has her introduction and origin told in Detective Comics #359 CGC 9.2. The issue houses stories by Fox and Broome, with cover and art by Infantino and Anderson.

Detective Comics #140 CGC 6.0, another important issue from that series, introduces the puzzling villain the Riddler/Edward Nigma. This issue also tells his origin in a story by Finger, with cover by Win Mortimer, and art by Dick Sprang and Curt Swan.

Another key not to be missed is Daredevil #1 CGC 8.0, with the first appearance of Daredevil/Matt Murdock, as well as Karen Page and Foggy Nelson. This gem is another issue written by Lee, with a Kirby and Bill Everett cover and Everett art.

These key first appearances are joined by many more comics in Hake’s auction, which are open for bidding now through November 6-7, 2019. The full auction of pop culture and Americana memorabilia can be accessed at hakes.com.