The comic book section in the current Hake’s Premier Auction #232 is the biggest and best they have ever had. There are over 400 CGC-graded books, including nearly every Marvel Silver Age key from a one owner collection.

David Butler began collecting comics at age 11 when he purchased the first issue of The Fantastic Four in 1961. From there his love affair with comics grew with weekly visits to the comic shop where he purchased what would become some of the most important books in the hobby. Over his lifetime, Butler amassed more than 20,000 comics, with many Marvel first appearances from the Silver and Bronze Ages. For the first time, the David J. Butler Collection is being presented publicly for sale through Hake’s Auction #232.

Leading the charge is X-Men #1 CGC 5.0, containing the origin and first appearance of the X-Men – Professor X, Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Iceman, Angel, and Beast – and longtime nemesis Magneto. This major key saw the team-up of a Stan Lee story and Jack Kirby cover and art.

Jumping forward in the X-Men legacy is Giant-Size X-Men #1 CGC 9.2 with the introductions of Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, and Thunderbird. Wolverine makes his second full appearance in this book written by Len Wein with a cover by Gil Kane and Dave Cockrum.

Spidey gets his first titular book with Amazing Spider-Man #1 CGC 3.5. Spider-Man’s origin is retold, J. Jonah Jameson and the Chameleon see their first appearances, and the Fantastic Four have a crossover in this key that was written by Lee with Steve Ditko cover and art.

Following that important early Spider-Man book is Amazing Spider-Man #129 CGC 9.6 with the first appearance of the Punisher and the Jackal. This Bronze Age key has a story by Gerry Conway, with a cover by Kane and John Romita.

Fantastic Four #1 CGC 3.5 gives us the origin and first appearance of the Fantastic Four, Marvel’s first superhero team. Also containing the origin and first appearance of Mole Man, it has a Lee story and Kirby cover and art.

Dr. Doom, the popular Fantastic Four villain, sees his origin and first appearance in Fantastic Four #5 CGC 4.0. Written by Lee with cover and art by Kirby and Joe Sinnott, a full page ad for Incredible Hulk #1 is also in this issue.

Speaking of the Hulk, Hake’s has Incredible Hulk #181 CGC 8.5, featuring the first full appearance of Wolverine. Wendigo also makes an appearance in this Bronze key that was written by Wein with cover and art by Herb Trimpe.

Some of Marvel’s greatest heroes assemble for Avengers #1 CGC 5.0. Housing the origin and first appearance of the Avengers, the issue stars Iron Man, Thor, Incredible Hulk, Wasp, and Ant-Man. The Fantastic Four, Loki, and Teen Brigade also appear in this comic by Lee with cover and art by Kirby and Dick Ayers.

Additional Marvel Silver and Bronze Age keys from the David J. Butler Collection include Daredevil #1 CGC 6.0 (first Daredevil, Karen Page, and Foggy Nelson), Strange Tales #110 CGC 6.0 (first Doctor Strange, Ancient One, Nightmare, and Wong), Werewolf by Night #32 CGC 9.0 (first Moon Knight), X-Men #4 CGC 6.0 (first Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, Toad, and Brotherhood of Evil Mutants), Amazing Spider-Man #14 CGC 7.0 (first Green Goblin), and Fantastic Four #50 CGC 9.2 (Silver Surfer battles Galactus).

The first appearances keep coming with Amazing Spider-Man #2 CGC 5.5 (first Vulture), #3 CGC 5.0 (first Doctor Octopus), #101 CGC 9.0 (first Morbius), and #300 CGC 9.6 (first Venom), Avengers #4 CGC 5.5 (first Silver Age Captain America), Fantastic Four #2 CGC 5.0 (first Skrulls) and #48 CGC 5.5 (first Silver Surfer and Galactus), Incredible Hulk #2 CGC 4.0 (first Green Hulk), Iron Man #55 CGC 9.2 (first Thanos and Drax the Destroyer), Marvel Spotlight #5 CGC 6.5 (first Ghost Rider), Tales of Suspense #39 CGC 1.8 (first Iron Man), #52 CGC 7.5 (first Black Widow), and #57 (first Hawkeye), and X-Men #12 CGC 7.5 (first Juggernaut).

Hake’s Auction #232 is open for bids now through June 29-30, 2021, at hakes.com.