Action Comics #1 - Sales figures and more

As you know here at Comic Book Hunters and Gatherers we are big fans of the history an overall importance on Action Comics #1, just read all our past blogs in Stories of Action Comics #1.

We haven't posted much recently as our team has been doing some reach into the early history of Action Comics #1. Much has been written in regards to Siegel and Shuster trying to sell their idea and the development of Superman. Not much has been written about the actual original sale of Action Comics #1. Yes we all know it started the superhero comic book genre. We also know it had an initial print run of 202,000 copies. The rest of this blog will contain facts you may not know.

The publishers, Jack Liebowitz and Harry Donenfeld, of Action Comics #1 thought they might have something special on their hands so they printed 20,000 promotional poster to be hung on newsstands, in pharmacies and anywhere else the comic might be sold.

House Ad for Action Comics #1

Liebowitz and Donenfeld also pre-arranged for Action Comics #1 to stay on shelfs for six weeks instead of the standard four weeks.
After the issue went on sale the publishers wanted to get a feel for how the issue was selling so rhey provided retailers with a postcard  where they could record the sales fifteen days and then again at the end of the month. Although this wasn't the mat accurate way it did give a snap shot of the sales figures and the figures were GOOD!

Siegel and Shuster, Liebowitz and Donenfeld were all right they did have a hit on their hands. Of the 220,000 copies that were printed 130,000 copies had sold, that's 64% of the print run. Anything over 50% was considered both a success and made a profit.

Following the success of Action Comics #1 Liebowitz and Donenfeld wanted to verify what they already knew, that being that people were buying Action Comics to read about Superman. So in issue  #4 they put in a short survey asking readers to put their five favorite stories in order. 75% put Superman first (404 of 542) with an additional 11% put him second (59).  

The rest as they have said for many years is history. 

In upcoming blogs we will look at the sales figures of other early issues of Action Comics, you know Superman wasn't on every cover back then.

Hope you enjoyed.

The Mist on the Flash TV Series

If I wanted to I believe I could dedicate an entire blog to the ever expanding Flash TV universe. So many characters have been introduced in this first season that it is taking me some time just to keep up. Case in point, The Mist who appeared earlier this season on the episode "Things You Can't Outrun." You can view all the other characters in ourFlash Character Guide.

Created by Gardner Fox and James Robinson, the Mist made his first apperance in Adventure Comics #67 where he battled Starman in the story "The menace of the invisible raiders." This issue which is rare sells for around $3500.


About the Mist
The orinal Mist's name was Kyle Nimbus. He was a Canadian Army Captain who fought in World War 1. Nimbus was also a scientist. He created a device that turned his body into a gaseous form. He became a supervillain, a fought both the Golden Age Sandman and the Golden Age Starman. He also battled the modern day Starman. The Mist had two children, Nash and Kyle.

On the Flash TV Show
Portrayed by Anthony Carrigan, Kyle Nimbus/The Mist was a mob hit-man, who was charged with murder and placed on death row.  As he was being executed via the gas chamber the S.T.A.R. Labs particle accelerator exploded, giving him his elemental abilities. He then goes on a killing spree to exact revenge on those that put him in prison,  the last attempt was on Joe West, his arresting officer. The Flash defeats The Mist after keeping him in his gas state for an overextended amount of time, weakening him to the point of unconsciousness. The Mist is then locked away in thr metahuman prison.

Anthony Carrigan as The Mist

It is really noise to see the writers of the Flash using both old and new villians in the series. Hopefully we will see the Golden Age Flash at some point.

So if you are continuing to build your Flash first appearance collection this one is both difficult to find and costly so good luck.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

Detective Comics #140 - 1st Apperance of The Riddler

One of my favorite DC comics villians has always been The Riddler. Throughout the years I have enjoyed how the character has developed into one of Batman main antagonists.

As a result of the Riddler being my favorite villian his first appearance in Detective Comics #140 has always been a highly sought after issue. As you may know it is not easy to find. And when one comes up for sale it is usually of low quality. Only two copies have been graded over 8.0. So my search will continue.


About Detective Comics #140

Release in October 1948 Detective Comics #140 features the first apperance of The Riddler, written by the legendary Bill Finger with interior art Dick Sprang and Curt Swan, The memorable covet was done by Win Mortimer.
In the story "The Riddler" Edward Nigma is a cheating puzzle expert who becomes a costumed criminal identity for himself, the Riddler. He uses puzzles as clues for the Caped Crusader, which Batman is able to solve.  Riddler eventually leads Batman into a glass maze with a bomb inside. The bomb explodes, the  Riddler falls off a pier, leaving only a question mark behind. Batman is left wondering if his newest foe the Riddler survived.

Value

A copy of Detective Comics #140 can be obtained in lower CGC grade for less then $1,000. Ungraded can cost a couple of hundred. The highest graded copies so far have been graded 9.4, 2 copies currently exist. One sold at auction for over $19,000. This issue is very scarce only about 40 copies have been graded.

If you have a story about Detective Comics #140 or any other comic book hunting stories email us at Farleyclan003@yahoo.com

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!

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!

Another Action Comics #1 Sells at Auction

As part of their November auction, Heritage Auction House sold another copy of Action Comics #1, the historic first appearance of Superman. This copy was graded CGC GD/VG 3.0, with Cream to off-white pages. 
As we have discussed as part of our "Stories of Action Comics #1", with the increased prices realized through recent auctions more copies of Action Comics #1 are bound to pop up.
Here is a good example, this 3.0 copy sold for $310,700. Lower grades are what most collectors are interested in as they are more affordable then the high grades. Well at least they are now.

If you happen to see any copies drop us an email, we would love hearing from you. Farleyclan003@yahoo.com

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

Earliest known Officially Licensed Batmobile up for Auction

This is your chance to own the earliest known officially . The "'63 Batmobile" is the earliest known car in existence that was sanctioned by a DC Comics licensee. It was built in 1963 by Forrest Robinson and Len Pearlman.

This customs made Batmobile was created based on the 1940's comic book version of the iconic car.  It includes the prominent front-end bat-nose and rear-end single fin.

The "63 Batmobile"  started as a 1956 Oldsmobile 88 frame and the famous 324 Rocket engine. The body was replaced by Robinson with his custom-designed body, measuring 17 feet by 83 inches, sporting the Batmobile's iconic dorsal fin, bat-nose front end and pocket sliding doors. 
Initially Robinson had his car masterpiece painted silver but once Batmania hit the country DC comics license leased it for a promotional campaign. It was then reprinted to mirror the iconic Batmobile, along with official Batman labels. The car then toured the United States.

Forrest, who needed cash to start a fabricating business, sold the car for $200. Within a few years, the car lay abandoned in a New Hampshire field and, for almost fifty years, remained a long-forgotten piece of American Pop Culture.

In 2008, the car was discovered by Bobby Smith of Swanzey, NH. A recent buyer did some research and tracked down the two builders of the car, Robinson and Perham. The pair was reunited with their long forgotten masterpiece.

Now you can own this automotive work of art. You can bid on the "63 Batmobile" at Heritage Auction.

This is a very unique piece of comicbook history so if you have the means to purchase it get on that.

Good luck in all your hunting.

Action Comics #1 on display at NYCC

If you have read this blog before you know that we are fascinated by the mythology of Action Comics #1. You can read all our past post relating to this famous comic at Stories of Action Comics #1.

This past weekend at New York Comic Con the copy of Action Comics #1 was on display in the main area.the comic sold on EBay for over $3 million. You can read about it at eBay copy.
This comic was purchased by Metropolis Comics owners  Vincent Zurzolo and Stephen Fishler. It is the world’s most expensive comic book. They willit with a host of other rare comics at he Comic Connect.

During the convention I actually ran into the owner who sold the copy of Action Comics #1 Pristine Comics’ Darren Adam. He explained how happy he was to sell the comic and how he and his wife celebrated with a nice bottle of wine. What was he doing at Comic Con you might ask, well buying more comics of course. A true hunter and a gentleman.
It was a nice discussion with a true fan and collecting legend,

So many things make NYCC great.

Good luck on your hunt!

Detective Comics #27 - Bob Kane File copy

Recently we chronicled the Bob Kane File copy of Batman #1 being auctioned by ComicConnect (Batman #1 -Bob Kane File Copy). In that same auction ComicConnect also included the Bob Kane file copy of Detective Comics #27 in their current auction.

As you know Detective Comics #27 is one of the rarest, most sought after comic books ever made. It contains the first appearance of Batman. A copy of it sold a couple of years ago for over $1 million.

The Bob Kane/DC File Copy

Currently ComicConnect, the worlds best online comic auction house, has the copy of Detective Comics #27 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. You can see the bounding holes along the side.

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 Detective Comics #27 used first by Bob Kane as a reference point for 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 was up for auction in August, but did not meet the reserve price, I would expect it to come up again or call them an offer some cash for it, ComicConnect Detective Comics #27

You can also call on ComicConnect Batman # 1 Bob Kane Copy, as it to did not meet its reserve. What a dynamic duo that would make to any collection if you could buy both.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

Action Comics #1 eBay Auction Ends

It is the highest amount of money ever realized for a single comic book. eBays auction of Action Comcs #1 sold for $3,207,852.

There bidding was hot and heavy at towards the end of the auction, going up hundreds of thousands of dollars quickly, going up $500,000 plus in the last couple of seconds. Couldn't you just picture a couple of millionaires sitting around the computer bidding up this rare comic book.
Here is a look at the last minute of bidding, viewers can not see full bidders id's:

Winner s**p	US $3,207,852.00	Aug-24-14 17:59:30 PDT
	9***1	US $3,207,752.00	Aug-24-14 17:59:58 PDT
	9***1	US $3,207,752.00	Aug-24-14 17:59:58 PDT
	b***k	US $2,700,000.00	Aug-24-14 17:58:31 PDT
	m***m	US $2,600,000.00	Aug-24-14 17:58:39 PDT

I really just hope that s**p is a real comic book fan.

If you have read this blog before you know we are big fans of Action Comics #1 and you can read all about other popular copies or reprints in our special page "Stories of Action Comics #1"

You can view the auction on eBay.

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

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!
#jointhehunt

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