Comic Book Original Art - First Appearance Issues

First Appearance Issues

First appearances of popular characters are among the most valuable comic books in existence. In their spring 2002 issue, the editors of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide listed the ten most valuable comic books and seven were first appearances of popular superheroes. (Another, Marvel Comics #1 (October 1939), is the first appearance of the Golden Age Human Torch but it is probably more noteworthy because it was the first comic book published by industry giant Marvel Comics).

By the time a character is well-known; even iconic, many years have passed since his or her first appearance and few copies, and fewer good-conditioned copies, remain. These comic books may be worth thousands of dollars. In 2004, a copy of Flash Comics #1 (January 1940), the first appearance of The Flash, was auctioned for $42,000 and a copy of Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941), the first appearance of Captain America sold for $64,400. In 2010, another copy of Flash Comics #1 sold privately for $450,000.

In February 2010 the first appearance of Superman was auctioned by the creator of the comic book grading system for $1,000,000. It was called the holy grail of comic books as not only was it the first appearance of Superman, it was also one of only two copies known to exist in the 8.0 grade. This issue essentially ushered in the Golden Age of Comic Books and began the superhero genre. Fewer than a hundred copies are known to exist. Within a few days the first appearance of Batman was sold in a Heritage auction for $1,075,000. The previous record for a comic book sale was set in 2009 at $317,000.