Key comic books populated the list of highest selling items in Hake’s Auctions recently completed $2.1 million sale. Over 1,500 comics were listed in the auction with 300 CGC-certified issues. Among those were first appearances, first in title, and other notable books that had bidders clamoring for the opportunity to buy them.

Comic sales were led by Superman #1 CGC Restored 6.0 that saw the Man of Steel soar to $42,992. This issue was published in the summer of 1939, a year after Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster introduced Superman in Action Comics #1. His origin is told in a story by Siegel with cover and art by Shuster. Ranked No. 3 on Overstreet’s list of Top 100 Golden Age Comics, this book also features a Superman pin-up on the back cover.

Batman #1 CGC Restored 6.0 featuring the introductions of the Joker and Catwoman grabbed $33,633. This major key kicks off Batman’s first titular comic book and comes with a story by Bill Finger and art by Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson. It also has a Hugo Strange appearance and there’s a pinup of Batman and Robin on the back cover.

Tales of Suspense #39 CGC 8.0, containing the origin and first appearance of Iron Man/Tony Stark, shot to $26,609. This important Silver Age key houses stories by Stan Lee and Larry Lieber, with a cover by Jack Kirby and Don Heck, plus additional art by Steve Ditko and Gene Colan.

Human Torch #2 (#1) CGC 7.5, featuring the origin and first appearance of Toro burned through bids on its way to $17,523. This Timely comic also had the last appearance of the Falcon and the Fiery Mask and boasts a cover by Alex Schomburg.

Wonder Woman’s origin and first appearance rounded out the top five comic sales in Hake’s auction was All Star Comics #8 CGC Restored 6.0 that lassoed $13,110. The issue also featured the first appearance of Steve Trevor and a story in which Starman and Dr. Mid-Nite join the Justice Society of America. It has stories by Gardner Fox, Everett E. Hibbard, and William Moulton Marston. The cover and art were done by Hibbard with additional art by Sheldon Moldoff and Harry G. Peter.

The Modern Age represented one of the high sales when Ultimate Fallout #4 CGC 9.8 Signature Series Stan Lee with the first appearance of Miles Morales/Spider-Man climbed to $9,937. It has a Marko Djurdjevic retailer incentive variant cover which Lee signed on November 5, 2011. The issue has stories by Brian Michael Bendis, Jonathan Hickman, and Nick Spencer.

Other comic sale highlights were Incredible Hulk #181 CGC 9.4 (first Wolverine) for $9,481, Sensation Comics #1 CGC Restored 4.5 (first Wonder Woman cover) for $9,280, Journey Into Mystery #83 CGC 5.0 (first Thor) for $9,261, Star Wars #1 35¢ variant (first Star Wars comic) for $7,788, and Wonder Woman #6 CGC 6.0 (first Cheetah) for $7,031.

All prices include the 18% buyer’s premium. All of the top lots from Part I and Part II can be viewed on Hake’s website.