Hake’s Auctions recently completed their premier Auction #239 on November 14-15, 2023, bringing in a total of $2.4 million. The comic book section was packed with variety from Golden to Modern Age books, first appearances, keys, signed books, and rare variant covers.

The early Copper Age key Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 CGC 9.2 Signature Series with sketch by Kevin Eastman (first printing) took the top auction spot when it sold for $31,152. Not only does this issue introduce the Turtles, Eastman signed the right side of the front cover with a head sketch of one of the Turtles.

A related lot was Gobbledygook #1 CGC 5.5 authenticated by Kevin Eastman that hammered for $16,225. Featuring the first appearance of the Fugitoid, this issue has a back cover ad for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1, and comes with a backing board with a handwritten note from Kevin Eastman.

Spider-Man was a big hit in the comics section, starting with the Amazing Fantasy #15 CGC 2.5 (with the first appearance of Spider-Man, and the debuts of Aunt May and Uncle Ben) that realized $24,254. One of the biggest key first appearances in comics, this issue comes with a story by Stan Lee, cover by Jack Kirby, and interior art by Steve Ditko.

Amazing Spider-Man #667 CBCS 9.8 Verified Signature Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos (with the Gabriele Dell’Otto 1:100 retailer incentive variant cover) totaled $17,853. This key kicks off the Spider-Island storyline, and features appearances by the Avengers and Fantastic Four, among others. It hails from the Duke Caldwell Collection.

Amazing Spider-Man #1 CBCS 4.5 Verified Signature Stan Lee with the first appearances of J. Jonah Jameson and the Chameleon brought $15,705. Also featuring the first Fantastic Four crossover, it is twice signed by Lee and comes from the Duke Caldwell Collection.

Traveling back to the Golden Age, All Select Comics #11 CGC 8.0 with the first appearance of the Blonde Phantom sold for $9,086. The Timely book also contains the debuts of Mark Mason and Signor Kort, with a story by Stan Lee and cover and art by Syd Shores.

Highlights in the comic sales also included Journey Into Mystery #83 CBCS 3.0 Verified Signature Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Dick Ayers, and Joe Sinnott (Thor’s origin and first appearance) for $6,820. Fantastic Four #5 CGC 4.0 with the debut of Dr. Doom cleared $6,805. Showcase #4 CBCS 5.5 Verified Signature Joe Kubert, Carmine Infantino, and Julius Schwartz, Restored Amateur, with the debut of Silver Age Flash Barry Allen sped to $6,623.

More top sales included Super-Mystery Comics Vol. 6 #3 CGC 5.5 with a decapitated head cover by Warren Kremer for $6,490 – besting the $5,000 estimate. Batman #2 CBCS 2.5 with the second appearances of the Joker and the Cat (later Catwoman) realized $6,364. Giant-Size X-Men #1 CBCS 9.4 with the first appearances of Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, and Thunderbird reached $6,296.

All of the top results from Hake’s Auction #239 can be viewed at hakes.com.