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!

Flash Comics #1 - One of the Rarest Comics

We have been discussing in recent posts which comic would be the fourth most important. See those that we have looked at already, Which is Fourth?

Flash Comics #1 is one of the legendary rarest comics in the world. Published in January 1940, Written by Gardner F. Fox, penciled & inked by Harry Lampert, Flash Comics #1 featured the first appearance of the Flash, along with the first appearance of Hawkman. It was printed in a very limited number of copies, and over the years has become sought after by collectors.

Like most comics of the 1940's Flash Comics was an anthology book, it contained an assortment of different stories which contained different characters.

Here are a list of the stories contained in Flash Comics #1

"Origin of the Flash", Written by Gardner F. Fox, penciled & inked by Harry Lampert. This 15 page story sees The Flash face the Faultless Four, who have kidnapped Joan Williams' father. We also see how Jay Garrick becomes the Flash.

Origin of the Flash

"The Disappearing Plane", Written by Gardner F. Fox, penciled & inked by Sheldon Moldoff. This 6 page story stars Cliff Cornwall

"The Origin of Hawkman", Written by Gardner F. Fox, penciled & inked by Dennis Neville. A 12 page story that is the first appearance of Hawkman, in the story weapons collector and research scientist Carter Hall discovers that he is the re-incarnation of an ancient Egyptian. Shires Sanders who would become Hawkgirl also makes her first appearance in this story.

"The Kidnapping of Johnny Thunder" Written by John B. Wentworth, penciled & inked by Stan Aschmeier. 10 page story about Johnny Thunder.

"Warfare in Space, Part 1" a two page text story Written by Gardner F. Fox, penciled & inked by Sheldon Mayer.

"The Demon Dummy, Part 1"  Written, penciled & inked by Ed Wheelan.

"The Origin of the Whip"  Written by John B. Wentworth, penciled & inked by George Storm. 10 page story about the Whip,  Rod Gaynor decides to take on the guise of the Whip a famed adventurer from the past in order to help the poor from unscrupulous viglantes.

On March 12, 2010, a CGC highest graded Flash Comics #1 so far with a Near Mint plus grade (9.6) was sold at an auction for $450,000. Lower grades can be added to your collection for much less, a 5.0 sold for $14,000. 

This issue contains the first appearance of three key DC comic characters, The Golden Age Flash, Hawkman and Hawkgirls secret identity. One of the most important comics in history but is it the fourth most important. You tell us? Leave an opinion below or email us at Farleyclan003@yahoo.com

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
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Superman #1 - Is it Fourth Most Important Comic?

We recently wrote about Batman #1 and how many believe that it is the fourth most valuable comic. The first three are easy,  Action Comics #1, Detective Comics #27 , and Amazing Fantasy #15. Since the Batmen #1 post we have heard from some of our readers about their vote for which comic should be the fourth. ( you can always reach us via email Farleyclan003@yahoo.com.)

Superman #1 came up the most so this addition of "Who's in Fourth?" will be about this iconic Golden Age issue. 

Superman was, as we all know, the first superhero introduced in Action Comics #1. His stories in Action Comics were so popular, regularly selling out a million copies a month, that DC comics, then National Publication, thought it would be a good idea for Superman to have his own title. It is important to note that until Superman #1 hit newsstands no comic title contained the stories of only one character. Titles were basically anthologies of different characters, Superman #1 changed all that.  

Superman #1 appeared on the shelves in the summer of 1939. Superman #1 was written by Robert JerrySiegel   with art by Joe Shuster, the team that created Super for Action Comics.  Superman now became the first superhero to appear in two separate comics each month and both Action Comics and Superman were selling of a million copies a month by 1940. 

It's Value
Superman #1 is valued at $550,000 in mint condition. A CGC 7.0 recently sold for $37,000. This ground breaking issue is highly sought after by collectors and with the comic market increasing steadily its value should continue to increase.

Inside Superman #1

Superman origin as told in Action Comics #1 is retold in Superman #1 with some additional panels not used in Action Comics. There are also stories reprinted from Action Comics #2, one in which Superman saves Lois from gangsters and another in which the two reporters take a trip to South America. There is also a story reprinted from Action Comics #3, Clark Kent disguises himself as a miner to check unsafe working conditions. Action Comics #4 also contributes a story, this one has Superman saving a College Football game.

Along with the five reprinted stories there are also four original stories in Superman #1. Clark Kent looks to get a job at the Daily Star and is turned down until he phones in a story about Superman stopping a lynching. Next, Superman convinces Bea Carroll, Superman first villain, to confess to the murder of Jack Kennedy. The issue also explains Superman's amazing Strength which is attributed to Earth's lighter gravity.

Page from Superman #1

If you have the means this is one of the comics that should be in your collection, if your like me just seeing one would be worth it. But is it worth being the fourth most important comic in history? You tell us, who should be number four and why? Comment below or email us Farleyclan003@yahoo.com

Good Luck in Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

Batman #1 - Bob Kane File Copy

If you have been reading Comic Book Hunters & Gatherers you know that we have spent a lot of space looking at the big three comics, Action Comics #1, Detective Comics #27 , and Amazing Fantasy #15. Outside this trinity of most valuable, sought after comic book is up for debate. It could be Captain America Comics #1 or possible Superman #1 or the issue we look at in this post Batman #1. You can interject your opinion below in our comments. Today it's all about Batman #1.

Back cover of Batman #1

Published in April of 1940 less then a year after Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27, Batman was given his own title because of his increasing popularity. Now fans could read about his adventures twice a month. Like Detective Comics, Batman was led by the creative team of Bob Kane and Bill Finger.  The significance of Batman #1 is it is the first appearance of not one but two of Batmans most important villians. Batman #1 is the first appearance of the Joker and Catwoman. The main reason I put it at number four own the list.

Catwomans first appearance 

The monumental issue usually sells for big money, a mint copy is valued at $125,000. Two years ago a CGC graded 9.2 sold for over $800,000. Many believe it could be the next comic to break a million bucks.

The Jokers first appearance

The Bob Kane/DC Comics File Copy
Currently ComicConnect, the worlds best online comic auction house, has the copy if Batman #1 used for reference by Bob Kane and DC comics. The low grade given to the issue is a result of it being included in a bound volume at DC offices.

This issue comes from Batman creator Bob Kanes personal collection. Mr. Kane later gifted his bound volumes to DC comics which they used as their file copy. So what does this bound file copy all mean? Basically this is the specific copy of Batman #1 used first by Bob Kane as a reference pointnfor future work and then held in the DC files as a reference for all later Batman creators. it also means that because it was in a bound volume for so many years it retained much of its color. This copy is all sorts of cool, it was used by Bob Kane the creator and then possible by everyone who worked on Batman for many years after Mr. Kane. It is a one of a kind copy.

This unique copy is up at auction till the end of August, if you have a couple of extra thousand dollars it can be yours. Bidding can by done at ComicConnect Batman # 1 Bob Kane Copy.

If you win it let us know we will do a piece on you, we can be reached at Farleyclan003@yahoo.com

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
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Ode' to the Spinner Rack

Those of you who have either been collecting for many years, that's me or have visited older comic shops still in business have certainly bought comics from a spinner rack.  When I was young the local drug store by me had one so in my early days as a hunter almost all my comic finds came from spinner racks. Spinner racks helped build generations of comic book collectors, it was hard to resist with so many comics at your finger tips just waiting to be spun around. Plus they have these cool advertisements up top.

This is what the top of the spinner rack in my local store looked like and I used this message to manipulate my parents into buying me comics each week. All I had to say was I'll be reading isn't that a good thing, Boom comics. Loved how there was such a mix of characters three big guns, Superman,  Spider-Man and Archie then throw in Richie Rich. I guess he was there to subliminally make us want to spend more money, good play retailers, good play indeed.

There was also this direct call out to kids. How could you resist.

This one was my favorite as I am a big DC comics fan but it bothered me when I saw a marvel comic on them. DC felt spinner racks were so important that they created the go-go checkered covers to help attract would be buyers to their comics. See an example below.

Why did I spend a whole post on spinner racks and what does it have to do with hunting comics. Wel first it is how many of us older hunters first hunted, second I think everyone, if they have the room should own one. They can be found for about $100, I am still looking for one so they hard to find. They bring back a sort of nostalgia that nothing else can. So go get yourself a spinner rack and display your favorite comics on it, you will not regret it.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

Jointhehunt

Action Comics #1- 50 Year Anniversary Reprint

We continue our indept look at Action Comics #1 you can view previous post in "Stories of Action Comic #1".

 In 1988 the 50th Annivesary of the first appearance of Superman was celebrated with a reprint of Action Comics #1. Like previous reprints this one also only contains the 16 page First appearance of Superman story.

This reprint was sold both on newsstands and comic shops for 50 cents, which is the price listed in a white box in place of the original 10 cent price. The cover also either includes a small box in the left corner with a 50th Anniversay message  (direct market) or a UPC bar code (newsstand). It is important to note that because these small left side boxes appear the sweating man from the original cover has been removed.

The inside cover has a Daily Planet newspaper article describing how Action Comics is going weekly.

The back cover shows Superman on a bright yellow background.

This issue routinely sells for between $25 and $75 ungraded depending on condition. High CGC graded copies can sell for a couple of hundred. The direct market copy is more commonly found.

Hopefully you can find one of these reprints to help continue to build your Action Comics #1 collection. Yes there are a bunch of reprints but what do you expect it is the most important comic ever produced, Full reprint list.

We are starting a new ongoing spotlight post here at CBH&G entitled "Hunting for Action Comics #1" but we need your help, so send us your story of Action Comics #1 via email, Farleyclan003@yahoo.com

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
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Batman #2 - Golden Age Variant Covers

Today variant covers are common place, each week numerous covers are released for each title. I happen to be a fan of this phenomenon, I like the idea of two or more artists designing a cover.

Back in the Golden Age if comics variants were not done to help sell additional comics, publishers didn't need any gimmicks as they were selling so well on their merit. The existence of a Golden Age cover variant is externally rare.

Batman #2 is a highly sought after comic, the variant versions of the issue is nearly impossible to find, so here is the story.

Released in the summer of 1940, Batman #2 written by Bill Finger with art by Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson. The issue contains four separate Batman stories which includes the second appearance  of the Joker and Catwoman.

There are three different covers for this issue:

DC Logo/10 cent
The most common, if you can call a Golden Age issue of a comic common, has the DC logo on it and  price is 10 cents, this issue sells today for over $35,000 in CGC grade 9.8 less for lower grades (obviously). A CGC 3.5 is currently up or auction at Comic Connect, your chance to own a copy.

No DC Logo/ 10 cents
The first variant is also a .10 cover price but is missing the DC logo is the left corner. We did not find any copies of this version graded or for sale.

DC Logo/15 cent
This is the rarest of the three covers, we are not sure why this cover was priced at 15 cents, 10 cent covers would be the norm in comics until 1963 when the price went up to 12 cents. This issue is nearly impossible to find, we did not find any for sale. Most likely it is a Canadian version but this has not been confirmed.
If you have or see a copy of this issue send us some more information about it farleyclan003@yahoo.com

 

So now you can start hunting or these issues and sell your car to pay for them. If you would like to add to this story please share in the comments section below.

 

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

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The Sad Story of Action Comics #309

Strange coincidences happen all the time both when dealing with comics and real life, the story of Action Comics #309 crosses over between the two worlds.

Back in the 1960's many of Supermans issues including Action Comics had covers that, instead of showing fight scenes from the issue,  showed some type of née to solve mystery. The cover of Action Comics #309 showed Superman shaking hands with his alter ego, Clark Kent. Prospective buyer were supposed to see this cover on the newsstand and want to see why.

The Superman story in this issue has Superman being asked by a television show to meet with former/current friends including Clark Kent. In order to pull this off Superman asks for help from a very powerful friend. President John F. Kennedy agrees to help the Man of Steel, so he dresses up as Clark Kent. He agrees to keep Superman's secret identity secret.

The sad part of this story is that this issue hit newsstands days after President Kennedy was assassinated on November 22,1963. In those days comics began shipping throughout the country weeks before they hit newsstands making it to late in the process for DC to recall the issue.

Only about 35 copies of Action Comics #309 have been graded by CGC, the highest being a 9.8. You can add a copy to your collection for less then $10 ungraded and a couple of hundred high grade.

If nothing else this issue would be a fantastic conversation piece. It does have a historical back story.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

Wildcat on Arrow - Who is he?

On Saturday at SDCC it was announced that next season on, everyone's  favorite archer show, Arrow, Justice Society of America member Wildcat would be making an appearance. J.R. Ramirez will play Ted Grant.

About Wildcat
In the comics along with being a member of the Justice Society of America, which consists of other Golden Age, Wildcat is also a former boxer and has trained other heroes such as The Black Canary.

First Appearance
Wildcat made his first appearance in Sensation Comics #1 dated January 1942. Sensation Comics was an anthology comic book, Wildcats story was titled "The Origin of Wildcat", written by Bill Finger with art by Irwin Hasan. In the story Ted Grant a boxer kills the former champion during a boxing match, inspired by the Green Lantern, Grant decides to become Wildcat to clear his name.
This issue is very rare and valuable because it is also Wonder Woman's second appearance, a CGC 7.0 sold for over $12,000 while a 1.8 sold for $3,300.

So why should you even attempt to hunt this comic down, one it is a classic rare Golden Age comic with the second appearance Wonder Woman and two, Wildcat is a really cool character.

On Arrow
The character will be played by J.R. Ramirez and like the comic version he will be a former boxer. from comic con it eas also noted that he would run a gym for underpriveleged children and play a key role in a Laurel Lance's story this season.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

Pep Comics #22 - 1st Appearance Archie

We spend a lot of our postbspace here at Comic Book Hunter and Gatherers spot lighting Superhero related comics and the occassional zombie title. this post will break away from the norm, we will be looking at one of the most popular characters to ever appear in comics, his popularity has stayed strong for almost 70 years, this includes the rough years for comics when Superheroes were be attacked by the US Government. Of course we are talking about the one, the only Archie Andrews. 

We will look at the extremely rare first appearance on Archie, which also included Jughead and Betty, Pep Comics #22. The cover of Pep Comics #22 features the MLJ patriotic hero, the Shield, along with the Hangman as the a giant boot of tyranny from crushing America. This issue actually hit new stands in December of 1941, the same month Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese. 

The key to this issues importance is not the heroes but the first appearance of Archie Andrews. In this issue Archie does not appears as the teenager we have all come to now, he is shown as a young  boy who barely comes up to his father's waist. In the story,  Archie rides a bike and goes to a carnival with Jughead and Betty, both are also young children. Archie and his friends would quickly jump to their teenage years and take over Pep Comics.

It wouldn't take long for Archie to become so succesful that the publisher of Pep Comics, M.L.J. would abandon superhero comics altogether. They would produce comics relating directly to Archie and his friends, these comics would become a reflection of teenage life from the 1940's to today, changing as the times changed. 

It is believed that only a few dozen or so copies of Pep Comics #22 still exist, only 6 have been graded by the CGC. This makes it one if the number one hardest Golden Age issue to find.
The CGC graded 5.0, shown above, sold for $50,000 an amount sure to continue to go up as collectors realize the scarcity of this key issue.

There are very few characters that have been as popular for as long as Archie and his gang. The first appearances of these other characters have realized some astronomical prices, Pep Comics #22 has not yet gotten to that level but it should be ranked with Action Comics #1 and Amazing Fantasy #15.

So if you can find one of these and you have a couple extra thousand dollars laying around buy it, this will be difficult as very few issues come up for sale. Yes it will be a good hunt.

If you have any comics you would like us to spotlight please Email us.
Good luck on your hunt!
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Action Comics #1- The eBay Copy

Nicolas Cage Copy

We continue our "Stories of Action Comics #1" with coverage of an upcoming graded CGC 9.0 that
 will be auctioned on eBay next month. You can view the countdown Here.

The comic is part of a large Pristine Auction consignment with part of the proceeds going to the Christopher Reeves foundation. Christopher Reeve is the actor who played Superman in the late 1970/ early 1980's.

So what does all this mean to us comic hunters? If you sign up to be pre-qualified for the monumental auction and have an extra couple of million bucks sitting around you to can own a mint copy of Superman first appearance in Action Comics #1, the most famous comic ever made.

Experts are predicting that this copy will sell for around $3 million, keep in mind that the Nicolas Cage Copy also a CGC graded 9.0 sold for $2,100,000 in 2012. Since that auction hosted by ComicConnect the Comic market has exploded. Prices being realized for lesser known comics has increased steadily and high graded comics have become long-term investments.

So what are you waiting for sign-up to get Qualified and when you win the Action Comics #1 send us  a picture and we will tell your story, you can Email us. If you have a picture of any key issues send us a picture and we might tell your story.

Read the other "Stories of Action Comics #1" by clicking HERE

Good Luck on your Hunt!
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Detective Comics #27 - The Pinnacle Hill Copy

Over the last couple of weeks we have provided "Stories of Action Comics #1" which focuses on specific copies or reprints of Supermans first appearance. A single copy of Action Comics #1 sold for over $2 million dollars, the highest price for a comic book ever. Right behind the copy of Action Comics #1 is the Pinnacle Hill copy of Detective Comics #27, the first appearance off Batman.  (You can read more about it in our previous post The beauty that is Detective Comics #27)

The Pinnacle Hill copy of Detective Comics #27, which is CGC graded 8.0, sold at auction in February 2010 for $1,075,500. Heritage Auction Galleries sold the copy to anonymous collector.
It is believed that the seller had bought the Batman comic in the late 1960s for $100. That is a pretty good profit. 

Based on the increased auction prices being realized for these higher grade key Golden Age comics we can expect more stories such as this. So keep your eyes pealed for a copy of Detective Comics #27 you really never know where one will turn up,  remember a copy of Actin Comics #1 was found in a wall.

We will be looking at other important copies of Detective Comics #27 in future posts so click follow us on the side panel to,keep up with our reviews.l

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
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Action Comics #1 - McClure File Copy Superman Man of Tomorrow

Before Action Comics #1 contained e first appearance of Superman his creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster pitched the character in a couple of different ways, first as a bald supervillian bent on world domination and second as The Superman a daily comic strip which was submitted to McClure news syndicate. 30 days worth of stripes were created. Back before comics became popular the money for artists and writers was in daily newspaper strips. McClure syndicate liked the strip so they used it to help sell Superman to virus papers across the country. This was all done before Action Comics #1 changed the world.

The story of this strips becomes even more historically importsnt whenyou realize that these strips were actually cut and used by DC to create Action Comics #1. Most collectors are not aware that in fact the story of Superman as told in Action Comics #1 was intended to be a daily newspaper strip.

So what is the MCClure file copy?  Well McClure syndicate created a book that they used to sell Superman to the various newspapers across the USA. All 30 Superman strips or a months worth of publication are contained within this book.

Salesmen would carry this book and show it to the newspaper men thus selling Superman before the comic strip went live, which was scheduled for January 16, 1939.

The strips contain the first origin of Superman. Action #1 had limited space so that origin was reduced to a few panels thus cutting it short. The book which is very rare, only a few in existence also contains Shusters cover art that would be used in Action Comics #7

These book sells for about $60,000 in mint condition when they actually come up for sale, which is rare.
There is currently one up for auction on eBay, check it out HERE, your chance to own a piece of history.

Please let us know how you like the "Stories of Action Comics #1"

Good luck on your hunt.

Action Comics #1 - The Billy Wright Copy

We continue our stories of Action Comics #1 with the Billy Wright Copy.
This copy is CGC graded a 3.0 which obviously is much lower then the recent copies, the Nicolas Cage copy is a 9.0 and the Jack White copy is a 6.0.

What exactly does a 3.0 mean? According to CGC (Comics Guaranty Company) census, there are currently four existing Action Comics #1 copies in '3.0' condition. A grade of 3.0 usually means the comic has some defects that go along with age. this particular copy has no major defects but it does have two splits in its spine: 1" at the top and 3.75" at the bottom and a store stamp on the front. We can only assume this is where Billy Wright purchased his comics. Here is where we begin the story, because BillyWright is as important to this tale as is the Action Comics #1, which by the way, sold at auction in February 2012 for $299,000.

The story of Billy Wrights Collection

Born  in 1927, Billy Wright began collection comic books at the age of nine. He purchased his comics from drugstores and news stands between 1938 and 1941 (a drugstore stamp can be seen on the cover of Action Comics #1). The years Mr. Wright began his collection is considered the Golden Age of comic books which actually begins with Action Comics #1, the introduction of Superman in June 1938.

Wright was an only child and unlike most  mother from that era Mrs. Wright kept the majority of young Billy's childhood possessions including his comic books and games. Billy's comic collecting stopped in the 1940's But he carefully stored his collection and maintained in throughout his adult life. Obviously they had meaning to him. A fact that holds true when you take into account that  Billy passed away in 1994 and his wife Ruby kept comic books stored on the shelves of a basement closet. The collection remained there until the passing of Ruby in 2011. 

Following Ruby's passing the couples great nephew Michael Rorrer was clearing out the former home located  in Martinsville, Virginia. Rorrer discovered the collection neatly stacked in the basement closet. Many believe this to be one of the best collections ever assembled particularly because all the comics were in near mint condition and had been assembled by one person during his childhood. Basically what this means is all the 345 comics in the collection went from the drugstore or newsstand into Mr. Wrights collection where they remained for 70 plus years. When  CGC graded each of the 345 issues they included a special notation, Billy Wrights name thus giving  the comic pedigree.

Along with the copy of Action Comics #1 the collection contains 44 titles on the Overstreet list of the Top 100 Golden Age Books, with nine of these the highest-graded or joint highest-graded copies in existence. An additional 13 copies were amongst the five highest-graded of their kind in existence

The collection also contained 67 #1 issues and 33 #2 issues many of theses are considered key issues from the Golden Age. Among the key issues are Detective Comics #27 the 1st. appearance of Batman,  All-American Comics #16, 1st. appearance of the Green Lantern,  All Star Comics #3, 1st. appearance Justice Society of America, the first ever Marvel comic book Red Raven #1 and the first apperance of the Human Torch and the Sub-mariner, Marvel Comics #1. 

The Billy Wright collection was put up for auction in February 2012 and brought a record result of $8.9 million plus making it the single biggest comic book auction ever held.

All this tells us that there are remarkable comic book treasures out there if you hunt wherever you are, that includes helping family clean their homes. Always be on the look out for buried gold.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

Action Comics #1 - The Nicolas Cage Copy

We started our stories of Action Comics #1 with The One in the Wall, we continue today with the most famous copy of all the 100 or so copies, the Nicolas Cage Copy.

Not only is this copy the most famous copy of Action Comics #1 but it has become the most famous copy of any comic book in the world, so famous that there is a movie being planned to tell the story.
First off the Nicolas Cage copy is the best copy of Action Comics #1 in existence, graded CGC 9.0. CGC ( Comic Grading Company) is the most reputable grading company there is. Because of the 9.0 grade this copy also became  the first comic ever to break the $2 million mark and is the highest price ever paid for a comic $2,161,000.

The book was sold at auction In November 2011 by auction house Comic Connection, which has sold 4 of the 5 comic books to break the million dollar mar. We will look at the previous record holder an 8.5 copy of Action Comics #1 in another stories of Action Comics #1 post. 

The Nicolas Cage copy has an interesting history, it was first sold by Sotheby’s in 1992 for $82,500, then sold to Nicolas Cage in 1997 by Metropolis / Comic Connect’s for $150,000.

After that the story gets intriguing. In 2000 it, along with other rare comics, were stolen from Cage's home. Cage, who took his last name from his favorite comic character Luke Cage, was so saddened by he theft he sold his entire collection through Heritage Auctions.

Fast forward 11 years later, LAPD recovered the Action Comics #1 in a San Fernando Valley storage locker. Cage had already been paid the insurance money for the comic and there has been much debate as to who the seller was, most believe Comicconnect did in fact sell it for Nicolas Cage but that has  never been proven.

The current owner of this highest grade issue of Action Comics #1 is unknown, but I know for a fact it isn't me. If it's you thanks for reading our blog.

It is important to note that some experts believe that this is in fact not the best copy in existence. Some believe that the Edgar Church copy owned by Mile High Comics is he best copy,  not only has it not been grade as of yet but it has not been seen or scanned for close to 30 years.

Next up in our stories of Action Comics #1 is the Jack White copy.

Remember to always keep an eye out for Action Comics #1 you never know where it will turn up, maybe in a Wall, or your uncles closet, at your local flea market or some big auction. They are hiding out there and a good hunter can find it. 
Send us your tales of the hunt and we may write a post about it, Email us.

Good luck on your hunt!
#jointhehunt