All you wanted to know about Agent Carter

You may have seen her in Captain America: The First Avenger or just caught the premier episode of Agent Carter, if you don't you should watch it. Either way you may be wondering about how a Agent Carter got her star in comics.

First Appearance
The woman that would one day become Agent Carter made her first comic book appearance way back in Captain America Comics #1. Yes one of the earliest Marvel comics, the first appearance of Captain America also included Agent 13. The issue hit newsstands in 1941. Created by  Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Many years later, it would be revealed that "Agent 13" is actually  Peggy Carter, Captain America's love interest during the war. 
Captain America Comics #1 is a highly sought after and historically important comic book has sold for as high as $323,000. Even a beat-up copy can sell for $10,000. If you can afford it the is an issue you truly want in your collection.

First Modern Day Appearance Her first modern-day appearance was in Tales of Suspense #64, Jack Kirby again was the artist and Stan Lee wrote it.  In the issue Captain America is fighting nazis and runs into a woman who calls herself Agent 13. She is also fighting a Nazi. Captain America, Bucky, and Agent 13 defeat the Nazis .

This appearance is much more affordable ranging in price from $200 to $20. 

Comic Book Origin

Peggy Carter was a girlfriend of Captain America during World War II. She was an American agent serving with the French Resistance during World War II. Later she was she ordered to protect a secret laboratory, posing as an old store, but actually housing the Super-Soldier Project. Agent Carter was disguised as an old shop-keeper and was there when Steve Rogers became Captain America after he was injected with the Super-Soldier Serum. At this time she was called Agent 13.

In the Movies

Peggy is played by Hayley Atwell. Peggy is a British officer in the American Army and a member of  Strategic Scientific Reserve. She first meets Steve Rogers while working soldiers. Rogers is chosen as the first candidate to take the Super Soldier serum, he becomes Captain America. The two later fall for each other.  
Agent Carter has appeared in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), Marvel One Shot: Agent Carter (2013), Captain America: Winter Soldier (2014), and Agent Carter series (2015). She will also make a brief cameo in Avengers Age of Ultron.

There has yet to be an Agent Carter official action figure released yet but it is just a matter of time. We will keep you posted.

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!

Captain America Comics #3 - Stan Lees First Work at Timely (Marvel)

If there is anything about comic books that almost everyone can agree on, there aren't many things, it is that Stan Lee is the greatest ambassador of comics that has ever lived. Love him or hate him, we love him, he has done nothing but help develop comic books into the entertainment juggernaut it is today, subsequently he created the character the Juggernaut. All of Stan's excelsiors and 'nuff saids started pretty modestly with Captain America Comics #3.

Back in the the early 1940's comic books were experiencing their Golden Age, at this time many publishing houses were popping up. One such publishing company was Timely, they would later become Marvel Comics. Timelys flagship character was the Nazi fighting World War II hero Captain America. He was the second of their characters to get his own title, Red Raven was the first.
Working in the Timely offices was a young man who had the desire to be a famous writer, young Stanley Lieber at first did odd jobs around the Timely offices. Finally he was given the opportunity to write, he made his comic-book debut in Captain America Comics #3 even if it was only the text filler "Captain America Foils the Traitor's Revenge", the issue was released in May of 1941. Stanley used the pseudonym "Stan Lee",which years later he would adopt as his legal name. This story introduced Captain America's trademark ricocheting shield-toss, which immediately became one of the character's signatures.  The rest of the story is history, Stan Lee would go on to create or co-create most of Marvels important characters.

Stan Lee with Chris Evans in deleted scene from Avengers

If you would like to own a copy of this historic comic you will have to open your wallet and possible part of your bank account, a CGC high grade is about $12,000 plus. ComicConnect recently sold a CGC 6.5 for $6,000. This is a great piece of comic book history and if you have the cash it is worth the money. Start your Stan Lee collection with the start of Stan Lee.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
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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!

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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!

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Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy

Since the movie Guardians of the Galaxy premiers tomorrow we decided to cover two characters today, Gamora was first and now soon to everyones favorite tree, Groot. Get ready to hear this a lot the next couple of week "I am Groot." Groot made his first appearance in Tales to Astonish #13. The issue was written by Stan Lee with art by Jack Kirby, released in November, 1960.
A mint graded copy will cot you about $5,000 while an ungraded average copy will be about $300. These early Lee/Kirby monster tales are highly sought after by collectors, value will continue to increase based on the popularity of Groot.

About Groot
Groot was originally the Monarch of Planet X, after being destroyed he was reimagined as the Flora Colossus from Planet X, the capital of the branch worlds. The Flora Colossus are tree-like beings who are highly intelligent but due to their anatomy their language consists of  repeating the phrase "I am Groot". 

First Appearance

After landing on planet Earth Groot the Monarch of Planet X absorbs wood objects into his body, growing larger. He then uses his abilities to control trees to try to take a small town back to Planet X so that it can be studied by scientists. A scientist from the town uses a specially breed colony of termites to defeat Groot, who many believed to be dead after the encounter.

In Guardians of the Galaxy

Groot will be CGI and voiced by Vin Diesel whose only lines will be "I am Groot", he becomes a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy with his partner Rocket Raccoon.

Tales to Astonish #12 like many other issues in this monster themed title are very hard to find and should get harder to find after the Guardians smashes it at the box office. So go and hunt down a copy for your collection, make The Collector proud.

View our Guide to Guardians of the Galaxy to find out information about other characters.

I am Groot

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Ronan the Accuser in Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy is almost here and to celebrate the theatrical event here at CBH&G we are going to be looking at the first appearance of characters in the movie so you can go out and hunt these down.
We start with one of the villians the Guardians will face, Ronan the Accuser made his first appearance in Fantastic Four #65 which can be hunted down for about $250, high grade can cost you about $2,000. Worth it for this super villian created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

About Ronan

Ronan is a member of the alien race called the Kree. he is a member of the Accuser Corps, who are like our military governors.  The Supreme Intelligence appointed him "Supreme Accuser of the Kree Empire," so he took the name "Ronan the Accuser".

First Appearance
In Fantastic Four #65, Ronan the Accuser is sent to investigate the defeat of the robot Sentry-459 by the Fantastic Four. You can guess what happens next, the Fantastic Four wins, so the Kree Empire decides to spy on and assess Earth.

In Guardians of the Galaxy
Lee Pace of  Pushing Daisies fame will play the role of Ronan the Accuser, who will be leading  the hunt for Starlord and the mysterious orb (Infinite Gauntlet Gem) he has stolen. The main villian in the movie. 

So why are you still sitting there reading this post, get out and start hunting for your copy of Fantastic Four #65 along with other Guardians of the Galaxy characters first appearances.

Good Luck on Your GOTG Hunt!
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Amazing Fantasy #15 - Most Important Silver Age Comic

Here at Hunter and Gatherer we have looked at different copies of the most valuable comic book, Action Comics #1, the first appearance of Superman (see Stories of Action Comics #1). This comic comes from the 1930's and is considered to be the start of the Golden Age of comics. Following the Golden Age was the Silver Age. There has been no argument as to the most valuable Silver Age comic, it is Amazing Fantasy #15. This comic published in 1962 is the first appearance of Spider-Man. It is as important as Action Comics #1 in terms of comic history.

"Over the last decade it has become a rather legendary copy because it was in the hands of a collector and no one thought he would sell," Fishler said. "The owner came up with a figure that he didn't think anyone would pay, and it was paid."

 Amazing Fantasy #15 was written by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko, cover art was done by Jack Kirby and Ditko. Original cover price was 12 cents. The main character  Was the Amazing Spider-Man who created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. The funny part about this issue is that the title was canceled with issue #14, issue #15 was a throw away issue, much like Superman was a throw-in in Action Comics #1, Spider-Man wasn't supposed to happen. We are all glad he did.

Since Peter Parker was first but by a radioactive spider and transformed into your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, the character has become a comic book juggernaut. Various titles, movies, toys and almost anything else you could think of. By far the most popular of Marvels 

Based on Spider-Mans popularity Amazing Fantasy #15 has long been prized by collectors, it has been ranked #1 on Overstreet Comics list of Silver Age comics for many years. A mint CGC graded 9.6 recently sold for $1.1 million dollars, pretty good for a comic from 1962. Lower grades sell in the $50,000 range.

So as always get out there and start hunting for one, you never know where one might turn up. And remember with great power also comes great responsibility.

Good Luck in your Hunt!
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Amazing Spider-Man #700 Variant, Death of Spider-Man

Variant covers have become all the rage over the last couple of years. Instead of one cover for a particular issues you get a few different cover, some more limited in distribution then others. So there are rare and there are super rare.

Amazing Spider-Man #700 featured the death of Peter Parker and was the last issue of Amazing Spider-Man. Okay he is alive again but death in comics isn't the same as the real world. This issue had 10 variant covers.

One of the variant covers was by Steve Ditko.You might be thinking, wow that is great Ditko is a legend in comics. But what makes this cover so special is that the it is axtially unused art from the first appearance of Spider-Man in Amazing Fantasy #15. This art had been reprinted previously (Marvel Tales # 137), but it has never been used for a cover and is over 50 years old. There were only about 800 of these covers sold so its rare and sells for about $500. 

The variant of AS #700 is rare but they made a rarer version. the story goes, on Stan Lee's 90th birthday (December 28, 2012) Mr. Lee signed around 99 copies of the Ditko variant cover. thesesigned issues were then graded on the Signature Series program at CGC. The things that makes these graded comics so rare is that CGC decided to give these comics special commemorative label text. If you can find one of the 99 expect to spend upwards of $1,000

So get your hunting boots on and go find yourself a copy of these rare Spidey issues. Keep an eye it for the other 9 variants as well.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
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Not Even London Can Forget Stan Lee Funko Pop!

Last month we blogged about how we had forgotten to include Stan Lee in our list of Funko Pop Vinyl figures, it was titled How could we forget king of comics stan lee

Well there is going to be another exclusive Stan Lee Funko Pop Vinyl Figure, this one will be made available at London Film and Comic Con which takes place July 11-13. It will be Stan Lees last European appearance. So if you can fly to merry old England go get the Funko Stan Lee and ask him to sign it.

Good luck on your hunt. London England consider yourself warned!

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