Purple Man appearing on A.K.A. Jessica Jones

In one of our recent posts we started our discussion regarding Marvel Comics Netflix series with a look at A.K.A Jessica Jones. In this post we will look at the shows main villain Purple Man.

Purple Man will be played by former Doctor Who, David Tennant. Who happens to be one of my favorite actors and we can't wait to see him as a bad guy.

First Appearance
Created by Stan Lee and Joe Orlando, the Purple Man made his first appearance in Daredevil #4, released in October 1964. This early issue of the Man without Fear will cost you about $3,000, CGC 9.0 plus. An ungraded copy will cost you about $100.
Daredevil battles Purple Man on the streets while Matt Murdock battles Zebediah Killgrave in the courtroom.

About the Purple Man

Dr. Zebediah Killgrave was born in Yugoslavia.  Originally a physician, Killgrave turned into a spy where he was sent on a mission to infiltrate a chemical refinery. On this mission, he was accidentally doused with a chemical that turned his hair and skin purple. He soon realized that the nerve gas had also given him the  superhuman ability to command the wills of other people. Calling himself the Purple Man, Killgrave embarked on a criminal career.

At some point during Jessica Jones career as the superhero Jewel, the Purple Man forced her to do some terrible things using his ability to command others.

On A.K.A. Jessica Jones

Little is known at this time what storyline will be portrayed in the Netflix series but with David Tennant playing the role it is sure to be fantastic. 
We also hope he appears on the new Daredevil series.

David Tennant to portray the Purple Man

The Purple Man has also appeared in the X-Men animated series and in The Avengers animated series.

Purple Man on Avengers Earths Mightiest Heroes 

Some other key issues to pick up

1. Fear Itself: The Home Front #1
2. Heroes for Hire (2010)# 9-10
3. Villains for Hire #1
4. Alias #27
5. Alias #28

Good Luck in Your Purple Hunt!

Pied Piper on the Flash

The Flash #106

The Flash television series continues to introduce the Rogues, in this weeks episode the Flash with battle the Pied Piper. I have a feeling season 2 of the series will see all the Rogues join forces. You can read all about the other Rogues in our Flash Characters Guide

Created in 1963 by John Broome and Carmine Infantino, The Pied Piper made his first appearance in The Flash #106.  This issue is can be found in a CGC high grade for around $5,000. Lower ungraded for about $300. This issue also features the first appearance of Gorilla Grodd and Solivar.

First Appearance
The Pied Piper made his first apperance in The Flash #106 in a story titled " The Pied Piper of Peril".   Throughout Central City a number unsolved crimes occur. Finally the Pied Piper reveals himself and challenges the Flash
When the Flash arrives at one of the crime scenes, he finds Piper. Piper creates a vibratory aura with his flute, freezing the Flash in his tracks. Piper exclaims they have thirty minutes before the Flash will be released as they take off with stolen goods. The Flash vibrates his body and frees himself moments later. Flash catches up with Piper and takes him to jail. 

About the Pied Piper
Hartley Rathaway (alias Thomas Peterson) was born deaf, but he would eventually be cured thanks to research funded by his wealthy father and the work of Doctor Will Magnus. After being cured Rathaway became obsessed with sound and experimented with sonic technology. Rathaway would invent a technique of hypnotism using music and also a way to cause deadly vibrations. He soon turned to a life if crime, often battling the Flash. 

On the Flash

Andy Mientus will play the Pied Piper Hartley Rathaway in the episode "The Sound and the Fury". While working for Dr. Wells, He lost his hearing as a result of the accident with particle accelerator . He develops sonicwave weaponry in order to exact revenge on Wells by targeting The Flash.  

Pied Piper on the Flash

Pied Piper also appeared in an episode of the 1970's television series Wonder Woman. In the episode, a villain by the name of "Hamlin Rule" used a flute to hypnotize and persuade women to do his bidding. He was played by Martin Mull.

Pied Piper on Wonder Woman

Enjoy the Flash this week, but before you do search out some Pied Piper appearances. Spoiler, he actually becomes a hero when Wally West takes over the Flash mantel.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

Heat Wave to appear on The Flash TV Series

This weeks marks the return of the Flash television series from its winter hiatus. They sure are starting off with a bang as it looks like the Rogues are starting to come together. Captain Cold will be joining forces with Heat Wave. We will look at the history of Heat Wave in this post, you can read about Captain Cold in one of our earlier posts.

Created in 1963 by John Broome and Carmine Infantino, Heat Wave made his first appearance in The Flash #140.  This issue is can be found in a CGC high grade for around $2,000. Lower ungraded for about $300. This issue also features the first team-up and battle between of Captain Cold and Heat Wave.

The Flash #140 CGC graded 9.8

First Appearance
In the story titled  "The Heat is on .... for Captain Cold", Captain Cold escapes prison in order to  win the hand of "the Dream Girl". Just as the Flash is about to defeat him he is shot from behind by Central City's newest villain, Heatwave. The Flash is blasted into unconsciousness. The two villians get away and Captain Cold invites Heatwave back to his secret lair. The two makes plans to be partners until Heat Wave also reveals he is after the hand of "Dream Girl".  The two begin to battle and trying to one-up each other until they have to battle the Flash again. 

They join forces again and begin firing their weapons at the Scarlet Speedster. The Flash uses his super speed to turn the duos respected weapons against the other. Again the Flash wins.

About Heat Wave

Mick Rory was born on a farm outside Central City. There he became obsessed with fire and one night he set his family home on fire killing them. He then went to live with his uncle where his pyromania continued, he burned down another home. Rory decided to join the circus as a fire eater. Upon seeing some of the other villains battling the Flash in Central City he decided to become Heat Wave. After battling Captain Cold a couple of times he is invited to join the Rogues.

On the Flash TV series
Heat Wave will be portrayed by Dominic Purcell. He makes his first appearance, although un-seen as Mick Rory in the episode "Going Rogue". He receives a heat gun from Captain Cold, Leonard Snart,  during the final scene of the episode. The two will team up in this weeks episode "Revenge of the Rogues." It is important to note that Captain Cold is played by Wentworth Miller, he and Purcell stared alongside one another in the show Prison Break. 

Heat Wave and Captain Cold

Heat Wave was originally supposed to appear as one of the villains for the greatest carton ever made,  Superfriends series, in a group called the League of Evil. He was replaced by Captain Cold and the group was renamed the Legion of Doom. 

Heat Wave did appear on Justice League Unlimted as a member of Gorilla Grood's Secret Society in the episode "To Another Shore".

Heat Wave on Justice League Unlimited

Enjoy the Flash and ....

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

The Flash #123 - Earth 2 returns or begins or rebegins

With the DC Universe Multiversity series continuing throughout the year and the Flash celebrating his 75th anniversary we thought it would be a good idea to look at the first appearance of the original Multiversity world, that being Earth-2.
Earth-Two was DC comics way of connecting their forgotten Golden Age characters with their new Silver Age characters. It first appeared in The Flash #123, released in 1961.

Prior to this historic issue, Alternative-reality Earths had been used in DC stories, but they usually only appeared in one particular story. Most of these alternative Earths were usually so vastly different that no one would confuse that Earth and its history with the so-called real Earth. All that would change with this Flash issue.

The title of the story was called "Flash of Two Worlds". In the story the Silver Age Flash Barry Allen accidentally vibrating at just the right speed to appear on Earth-Two, where he meets Jay Garrick, his Earth-Two counterpart. Barry Allen claims that Gardner Fox,  the original writer of the Flash, dreams were tuned into Earth-Two. Barry Allen was a comic book fan and took his name from Jay Garrick Flash.

Following this issue many other Golden Age heroes some long forgotten would appear throughout DC comics. The recent Multiversity titles explore other worlds outside of Earth-1.

How Much?
The Flash #123 is a highly sought after early Silver Age issue of the series. It has sold  recently in CGC graded 9.4 for $23,000. An ungraded copy will run you less then $100. This issue happens to be in the top 5 of my wantlist.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

Original cover art from Action Comics #309

The story of Action Comics #309 has been told here before, see "The Sad Story of Action Comics #309", it is just coincidental that the original cover art from the issue recently came up for auction. the original cover art features original pen and ink art by noted Silver Age Superman comic book artist Curt Swan for the Feb., 1964 issue of "Action Comics" #309 published by DC Comics. 

The cover art has been inked by Sheldon Moldoff. The cover features Superman greeting a long line comprised of his alter-ego Clark Kent (w/whom he shakes hands), Lois Lane, Daily Planet newspaper editor (and Clark Kent's boss) Perry White, Supergirl, Batman, Robin, Superman's pal Jimmy Olsen, Clark Kent's ex-flame Lana Lang, Legion of Super-Heroes members Saturn Girl, Element Lad and Chameleon Boy and Police Chief Parker. Clark Kent's former mermaid girlfriend Lori Lemaris is seen in a tank on the line. the issue is important from not only a comic book standpoint but also historical significance because  The issue President John F. Kennedy disguises himself as Clark Kent (as seen on cover), helping Superman retain his secret identity. The the issue hit stands just one week after Kennedy's assassination in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963.  DC was unable to recall the issue, the publication and distribution process was too far along.

Cover includes the "Action Comics" title paste-over as well as "Comics Code Authority" seal. It also contains the issue number paste-overs and word balloon connected to title paste-over, as well as some sign text below title paste-overs.


The original cover art Sold for an unbelievable $112,015. I guess the historical significance was not lost on collectors. This is a historically significant piece of comic book history.

Hunting for original comic art can be both rewarding and expensive. If you have a story regarding hunting comics or comic art please E-Mail us.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

The first appearance of Ant-Man/Henry Pym

With the release of the Ant-man movie this coming year and his participation in the highly anticipated Avengers 2, Henry Pym, a.k.a. Ant-Mans early comic book apperances should become highly sought after comic books.

First Appearance of Hank Pym
The first appearance of Henry Pym occurred in Tales to Astonish #27, cover dated January 1962. Written by Stan Lee with art by Jack Kirby and  Steve Ditko. Yes the fathers of Marvel comics.

In this issue Hank Pym discovers a formula that allows him to shrink or enlarge objects. He then tests the formula on himself and he shrinks to a size that will prevent him from reversing the change. He decideds to hide in an anthill where he almost drowns. He then meets a friendly that helps him get ack to the lab and grow back to regular size. He does not become Ant-man officially at this time.

Tales to Astonigh #27 can be hunted down for about $20,000 for a near mint copy and around $1,200 in a lower grade (CGC 3 or 2). A CGC graded 9.4, the highest existing graded copy sold this past September for $75,000. This values will surely increase as the character grows in popularity.

First Appearance of Ant-Man
Hank Pym returns to Tales to Astonish in issue #35 again written by Stan Lee with art by Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby. Issue is dated September 1962.

Issue #35 contains the first appearance of Hank Pym in his Ant-Man costume. Pym again uses his serum to reduce him to the size of an ant, re-telling of story from Tales to Astonish #27. He also creates a special helmet that allows him to communicate with the ants.   Pym then gets a government assignment to create a special gas which gets the attention of enemy spies who want the formula. Pym uses the shrinking serum and helmet to get help from the ants. 

Tales to Astonish #35 can be found for much less then issue #27, it sells for around $5,000 in mint condition and in the mid-hundreds for lower grades. 

Interesting Copies of Tales to Astonish #27 & 35
Currently on eBay there are copies of both issues up for auction, these two copies are both graded and signed by Stan Lee. Tales to Astonish #27 is CGC graded 8.5 and can be yours for $25,000 while #35  is graded 9.2 with a hefty $35,000 price tag. You can view the eBay auctions for Tales to Astonish #27 and Tales to Astonish #35

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

The Flash #137 Original Cover Art, Infantino

If you have been reading my blog for any time you know I am a big Flash fan. I always hunt on-line and out in the real world for exceptionally rare Flash related items. On a recent lazy afternoon spent Internet hunting, in my defense it was raining I came across a gem of an item.

The original cover art work from Carmine Infantino from The Flash #137. This was the second issue Earth-1 and Earth-2 meet, this time to battle Vandal Savage. The issue was released in April 1963.

The auction for this rare piece, you never see original covet art for Infantino's Flash run, was conducted by Heritage Auctions. It sold for over $167,000. Pretty good for comic art.

Of course I can't afford this high tag at the time but one can dream when they hunt. You can 
view the original auction here The Flash #137 cover.

Hopefully you can find your gems and be able to afford them.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

The Clock King on the Flash

We continue our look at the characters set to appear on the first season of the Flash, see the rest on our Flash TV Series Character Guide page.

The Clock King who already made a guest appearance on Arrow made his first comic book appearance in World Finest Comics #111 which hit newsstands in August 1960. He was created by Lee Elias and France Herron. This issue of World Finest is valued at around $200.


First Appearance
William Tockman, The Clock King, battled Green Arrow and Speedy in his first appearance. The story titled " The Crimes of the Clock King" is about the Clock King being successful in a series of crimes, besting Green Arrow and Speedy, until he traps them in his headquarters, where the archers escape his trap and capture The Clock King.

About the Clock King

Born William Tockman, Clock King spends his early years taking care of his invalid sister until he finds out he himself has only six monts tomlive. Hebdecides that before he dies he is going to,provide for his sister. usingnthe correct timing he robs a local bank but is caught by the Green Arrow. 

While in prison his sister succumbs to her illness and Tockman finds out he is not terminally ill. Angered by all this he seeks revenge on Green Arrow.

As the Clock King, Tockman becomes a member of the Injustice League. A team of SuperVillians that are defeated time and again by the Justice League. Clock King later joins the Suicide Squad.

On the Flash Series
Robert Knepper will reprise his role from Arrow. Best know for his role on Prison Break, Knepper joins former PB co-star Wentworth Miller who will be playing Captain Cold.

You can continue to build your Flash TV series collection by picking up a copy of World Finest #111, along with the various other first appearance and don't forget to watch the Flash.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

Wonder Woman #156 - Wonder Woman reads Comics

With yesterday's release of Multiversity #1 which has a central focus on reading comics, I decided to begin looking at other issues that also had characters within the issue actually reading comics. We start off with Wonder Woman #156, released in 1965.

In the issue, written by Robert Kanigher and art by Ross Andru, Wonder Woman reads a Golden Age comic book story which portrays one of her old adventures, in which she battled the Brain Pirate. The story also mentions how comic books have become high value collectibles. 

This unique issue can be found for less then a hundred dollars. A CGC graded 9.0 or better is valued at around $300. This is is a great addition to any collection,Wonder Woman actually reading her own comic.

Read more about Multiversity #1

If you know of any other comics that characters read comics please email us at Farleyclan003@yahoo.com

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

DC was all about the Monkey Business in the Silver Age

The Flash #172

During the beginning of the Silver Age of comics, publishers were looking for anyway to sell more comics. The most important selling tool was the comic books covers themselves, it was the first thing customers would see. So many different gimmicks were tried to increase sales, at one point DC comics realized that every time a gorilla appeared on a cover there was an increase in sales for that title. It was theorized those in charge that kids loved gorillas so more and more started appearing on the covers of DC's comics.

 A common criticism of the gorilla comic covers, as well as other gimmicks employed during the Silver Age was that the covers would rarely correspond with the actual plotline in the comic book, as they were usually just created to grab the casual comic reader with a snappy cover. Many of the comics with gorilla covers only featured a panel or two with the actual gorilla plotline. 

Later it is believed that DC had an unwritten rule that there could be no more than one gorilla cover per month across all of its titles (except, of course, during the occasional "gorilla month"). The sales continued to increase, many devoted comic collectors would buy is oddball issues as well as the casual reader. The trend lasted well into the 1970's.

During this time many long lasting gorilla based characters were introduced, including Gorilla Grodd, The Ultra Humanite and Congorilla. Gorillas were also turned into everything from baseball players:

The Brave & The Bold #49

to witches,

Strange Adventures #106

and even gangsters.

Strange Adventures #201

I have a number of these issues in my on collection and I am a big fan of Gorilla Grodd. I guess like everyone else I was caught up in the whole monkey business. Many of these issues with gorilla covers are now highly sought after today. One of the highest price is the first appearance of Grodd from The Flash #106 valued by Overstreet at about $3,200 in mint condition.


The Flash #106

We are currently compiling a DC comics gorilla cover checklist and it should be ready shortly. Follow our blog so you don't miss it. If you know of any please send us a photo and a description of the issue, only looking at titles from the Silver Age. We can be reached at farleyclan003@yahoo.com.
So what are you waiting for go hunt some gorilla comics.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

Adam Warlocks Cocoon in Guardians of the Galaxy

The comic book community has been abuzz with some of the clues to future characters found within the Collectors menagerie. One of the big ones is Adam Warlocks cocoon. Seen in the background in a container (see above photo)
The cocoon made its first appearance in Fantastic Four #67, it would later hatch in the issue and Him would emerge. Him would later become Marvel hero Adam Warlock. Confused, you are not alone. We wil make it much clearer in a future post, this one is about the cocoon only.

First Appearance

Alicia is lost in Lock 41, while there she comes face to face with the cocoon of Him, the artificial being asks for her help. The Fantastic Four rescue Alicia before Him full hatches and passes judgment on his creators, which he destroys upon his full emergence from the cocoon.
The issue was released in October 1967, written by Stan Lee with art by Jack Kirby. You can add a high CGC graded copy for about $700 and an ungraded issue in a lesser condition for $30. This issue comes from the Lee/Kirby duos when they were hitting their full stride.

Okay so if you have some time go to a convention this weekend and buy this issue and all the other characters that appear in GOTG, you can find more information in our Guardians of the Galaxy Character Guide

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

#jointhehunt

Amazing Fantasy #15 - Six Copies Up for Auction

Amazing Fantasy #15 is to the Silver Age of comics what Action Comics #1 is to the Golden Age of comics (see more in our "stories of Action Comics #1"). That means a bunch of things in the world of comics. Both are the most sought after issue of their period; both are the most valuable issues of their period; and both contain the first appearance of the most popular character of the era - Superman in the Golden Age and Spider-Man in the Silver Age.

Amazing Fantasy #15 is the first appearance of Spider-Man. In this historical issue, written by Stan Lee with art by Steve Ditko, High School student Peter Parker is bitten by a radioactive spider, he gains great power and becomes Spider-Man.

This month Comicconnect, the premier on-line comic marketplace and auctioneer, has not one copy of Amazing Fantasy #15 up for auction, not two copies, they have six copies, count them SIX copies for auction. ComicConnect is the same auction house that sold a copy of Amazing Fantasy #15 for $1.1 million, Guinness World Record, you can read more about that in our previous post "The Most Important Silver Age Comic".
Lets look at each one of the Super Six up for auction this month, you can bid on them by going to Comicconnect today.

CGC Graded 0.5

Yes this copy is as low a grade as you could get but that makes it affordable. Just owning any copy of Amazing Fantasy #15 legitimizes your collection that much more. You can tell your friends "I own a copy of Spider-Man first appearance, no big deal."

CGC Graded 2.5
Copy has a small piece of the cover missing otherwise it look good for a comic that is over fifty years old. Another example of a lower grade that could be added to your collection for a reasonable price. Won't do to much damage to your bank account.

CGC Graded 3.0

Still a grade that would make a fine addition to any collection with a little something special added. This copy from CGC signature series includes Stan Lees authentic signature. The creator of Spider-Man signed the cover of the first appearance of Spider-Man. This would be the center of most collections.

CGC Graded 4.0

Starting to get into the more pricey grades, 4.0's usually sell for around $8,000. Everyone wants an Amazing Fantasy #15 in their collection and ComicConnect offers a 3-month time payment plan so "You can do it!" 

CGC Graded 4.5

The best part about having six copies of such an important issue up or auction at one time is many collectors will have a chance to own one. Six collectors are better than only one. This copy have been restored which basically means it will be more affordable.

CGC Graded 7.5

This is the big daddy of this auction, you'll need to take a loan or crash your bank account or this one. This one will sell or about $50,000 and will make any collection a memorable one. You need to make some pre-arrangements with ComicConnect to bid on this one because it truly is an awesome copy.

Good luck on this really unique online hunt. Auctions are a great place to get a great deal on a great comic. Especially if it is one of the big three issues (Action Comics #1, Detective Comics #27 and yes, Amazing Fantasy #15). SO what are you waiting for, start bidding, ComicConnect Amazing Fantasy #15.

If you happen  to win any of these and I truly hope that our readers do please send me a photo of you with the issue and we will do a collectors showcase piece on you, email us at Farleyclan003@yahoo.com

Thank you ComicConnect for sending us such clear photos of Super Six copies of Amazing Fantasy #15.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

#jointhehunt

Amazing Fantasy #15 - White Mountain Copy

In a recent post we looked at the most important Silver Age comic, Amazing Fantasy #15 which contains the first appearance of Spider-Man. Much like Action Comics #1 Amazing Fantasy #15 also has some significant copies that have been newsworthy based on either their grade or their pedigree. The most well known of these is the White Mountain copy which is a CGC NM 9.4 The comic is a gem all around, the highest known grade of Amazing Fantasy in existence.
This mint copy of Amazing Fantasy #15 sold at auction for $227,000.

About the White Mountain Collection
Unlike the Action Comics #1 we have looked at in prior posts, the White Mountain collection is not as well known. This is primarily because the White Mountain collection of comic books, originating out of the White Mountains of New Hampshire, is made up of Silver Age comics. many believe It is the greatest Silver Age collections to appear and it includes many diverse publishers and titles, The collection contains approximately 5,000 books, which spanned the years 1948 into the early 1970’s. The collection contains most of the DC science fiction books. Back at this time in comic book history, which started with the reintroduction of the Flash in Showcase #4, science fiction became the driving force in many titles, as shown by the new origin of the Flash (to be detailed in a later post).
The fantastic quality of these comic books, are the result of the comics being kept in metal storage and were never read by the owner. Like the Amazing Fantasy #15 the Comics Guaranty Corporation (CGC) has graded many of the key Silver Age issues contained within the collection as the highest grade known for that particular comic.

Not sure if the pricing on this is affordable to most hunters but just seeing one of these would be an accomplishment to a skilled hunter, so as always, keep your hunting eyes ready.

Good luck hunting one of these down, I you do find one or own one, send us a photo.

Good Luck on your Hunt!
#jointhehunt