Superheroes and supervillains abound in Hake’s Auction #231, which features over 1,000 comics with more than 300 graded by CGC. The variety of material comprises everything from classic Golden Age covers to sought after Modern titles. Keys, first appearances, origin stories, and number one issues fill the listings.
The friendly neighborhood Spider-Man’s two biggest keys are in the auction, starting with his first appearance in Amazing Fantasy #15 CGC 4.0. This issue, which also introduces Aunt May and Uncle Ben, comes with a Stan Lee story, Jack Kirby cover, and Steve Ditko art. The other key is his first self-titled book, Amazing Spider-Man #1 CGC 2.0, with the debuts of J. Jonah Jameson and Chameleon, a Fantastic Four crossover, and Spider-Man’s origin retold. This issue has a Lee story and Ditko cover and art.
The Avengers assemble in Avengers #1 CGC 4.5 and CGC 3.0. This major key houses the origin and first appearance of the Avengers, consisting of Iron Man, Thor, Incredible Hulk, Wasp, and Ant-Man. With a Lee story, Kirby and Dick Ayers cover and art, this issue also includes appearances by the Fantastic Four, Loki, and Teen Brigade.
Superman flies into the auction with Action Comics #22 CGC 5.0, featuring a classic Golden Age Superman cover by Joe Shuster. It has stories by Jerry Siegel and Gardner Fox with art by Sheldon Moldoff, Fred Guardineer, and Bernard Baily. The Man of Steel also appears in the auction with Action Comics #242 (first Brainiac), Superman #2 CGC 1.0, and Superman #8 CGC 6.5.
The Man without Fear sees his origin and first appearance in Daredevil #1 CGC 4.0. In addition to meeting Daredevil/Matt Murdock, this issue also introduces Karen Page and Foggy Nelson. It comes with a Lee story, Bill Everett art, and cover by Everett and Kirby.
Fantastic Four #1 CGC Restored 3.0 provides the origin and first appearance of the Fantastic Four, Marvel’s first superhero team. With a Lee story, Kirby cover and art, it also introduces Mole Man. The CGC restoration notes state, “Small amount of color touch on cover, pieces added to cover, tear seals to cover, cover reinforced, cover cleaned, staples replaced. Bottom edge trimmed.”
Wolverine gets his first full appearance in Incredible Hulk #181 CGC 4.5. This issue also has an appearance by Wendigo, with a Len Wein story, Herb Trimpe cover and art, and additional art by Jack Abel.
Iron Man #55 CGC 9.6 has a slew of first appearances, that include Thanos, Mentor, Drax the Destroyer, Starfox, Kronos, and the Blood Brothers. It has a Jim Starlin and Mike Friedrich story, Starlin and Joe Sinnott cover, and art by Starlin and Mike Esposito.
The origin and first appearance of the X-Men, including Professor X, Cyclops, Iceman, Angel, Beast, and Marvel Girl are found in X-Men #1 CGC Restored 2.5. This issue also introduces Magneto in a Lee story with Kirby cover and art. The CGC restoration notes state, “Small amount of color touch on cover, cover reinforced, staples replaced.”
A Modern Age key is Batman: Vengeance of Bane Special #1 CGC 9.9 with the origin and first appearance of Bane. It contains a Chuck Dixon story, Glenn Fabry cover, and Graham Nolan and Eduardo Barreto art.
One of the notable lots outside of the big two publishers is Thrilling Comics #67 CGC 9.4 from Better Publications. It has a great Princess Pantha cover by Alex Schomburg, with art by Frank Frazetta, Art Saaf, and Gene Fawcette.
Featuring 2,266 lots of pop culture and Americana collectibles, Hake’s Auction #231 is open for bidding now at hakes.com. It closes next week on Wednesday and Thursday, February 24-25, 2021.
