Captain America, Superman Lead Comic Sales in Hake’s Auction

Hake’s premier Auction #241 achieved $2.9 million in sales when it closed on July 30-31, 2024. The auction featured a large variety of pop culture and historical memorabilia spread out over 2,120 lots. In the comic section, Hake’s offered a pair of Golden Age keys, a run of Superman #1-100, first appearances, notable issues, bound volumes, and more.

Captain America’s first appearance led the charge when Captain America Comics #1 CGC 5.5 hammered for $172,221. Not only did it introduce the patriotic hero, the major Golden Age key also houses the origin and first appearance of Bucky, and the debut of Red Skull. It has a classic Jack Kirby World War II cover featuring Cap punching Hitler, and has an inset image of Bucky. Joe Simon and Kirby wrote the stories, Ed Herron provided an additional story, and Simon, Kirby, and Al Liederman provided the art.

The Man of Steel flew in with a key sale of his own when Superman #1 CGC 0.5 rose to $84,370. This important Superman book tells his origin story, introduces Ma and Pa Kent, and begins his first self-titled book. Superman’s co-creator Jerry Siegel wrote the story and co-creator Joe Shuster provided the cover and art.

Spider-Man’s first appearance in Amazing Fantasy #15 CGC 4.0 Restored swung to $19,614. One of the biggest keys of the Silver Age, this issue has Spider-Man’s first cover appearance and the debuts of Aunt May and Uncle Ben. It boasts an incredible creative team with a story by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko, and cover by Kirby.

A bound comics volume with Amazing Fantasy #15, Amazing Adult Fantasy #7-14, Journey Into Mystery #83, and two Annuals totaled $18,787. The hardcover volume contains 12 complete issues, with the debuts of Spider-Man and Thor. Creators featured in the book include Lee, Ditko, Kirby, Marie Severin, Don Heck, and Joe Sinnott.

The Fantastic Four #1-20 bound volume, which includes the first appearance of the team, hammered for $17,451. Mole Man, Dr. Doom, and the Skrulls also debut in this volume, as well as the first time the Hulk and the Thing fought. Lee, Kirby, Sinnott, and Dick Ayers are among the creators who worked in these books.

Addition notable sales for single issues were Superman #2 CGC 3.5 (ad for “1939 New York World’s Fair Comics”) for $11,422, Adventure Comics #247 CGC 7.5 (first Legion of Super-Heroes) for $10,787, and Amazing Spider-Man #1 CGC 3.5 (first J. Jonah Jameson and the Chameleon) for $9,737.

All of the top results in Part I and Part II can be viewed on Hake’s website.