Topline
Captain America Comics #1, a 1941 comic issue featuring the titular character’s first appearance, sold for more than $3.1 million on Thursday, becoming one of the most expensive comic books ever sold at auction – the latest testament to the comic book lore’s continued dominance in popular culture.
A copy of the March 1941 front cover of American comic strip “Captain America” by American artist Jack Kirby is … [+]
AFP via Getty Images
Highlights
An anonymous buyer purchased the issue at the auctioneer Heritage Auctions comics and comics event for $3.12 million.
The Certified Guaranty Company, a service that verifies the condition of rare comics and other collectibles, gave the issue a 9.4, which is near mint condition for the 81-year-old comic.
There are only three known copies of a 9.4 version of the comic worldwide, as well as a 9.8 version that has never been auctioned, according to to the Hollywood journalist.
The issue, written and drawn by groundbreaking comic book creators Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, also features the first appearance of Marvel hero ally Bucky, who would become the Winter Soldier.
crucial quote
“Smashing through, Captain America came face to face with Hitler,” reads the cover of the issue, alongside an illustration of the soldier-turned-superhero punching the Nazi leader. The issue was published nine months before the United States entered World War II following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Large number
$3.6 million. How much is a 9.6 graded copy of 1962 amazing fantasy No. 15 – featuring the first appearance of Spider-Man –sold for in September, becoming the most expensive comic ever sold at auction. The sale broke the previous record set in April 2021: $3.25 million for a Rated issue 8.5 from 1938 action comics #1, which featured Superman’s first appearance. A 9.0 version of the same comic sold for $3.2 million in 2014 and version 6.0 sold for 3.18 million earlier this year.
Key Context
The rise in popularity of vintage comics parallels the record success of superhero movies at the box office over the past decade. Four of the top 10 grow all-time movies are Marvel superhero movies released within the last decade, according to IMDb.
