Marvel Comics #1 (Timely, 1939) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Cream to off-white pages. Have a look at the best of the best -- the highest grade yet assigned for the most sought-after Marvel comic book. For many years, Marvel Comics #1 was listed as the most valuable comic book by Overstreet, and while it has since ceded that spot to Action Comics #1, for the Marvel fan there's no topping this issue here. Certainly no comic book can claim two first appearances as significant as those of the Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner, who both made their debuts here (the latter had been used in a promotional comic previously, but hadn't appeared in a newsstand publication until this issue). And that made this comic the start of the Marvel Universe, a set of characters that left its mark on American popular culture, selling millions of comic books and starring in TV shows, movies, and more. The publisher that produced the issue used many different company names over the years and is usually referred to as Timely, but it's only fitting that when the publisher finally had one official name years later, it took its name from this very comic. And the fact that both of the issue's stars were more rebellious anti-heroes than do-gooder types set this comic apart and would characterize Marvel in years to come. The range of characters here includes other familiar names besides the Torch and Sub-Mariner. For one, there's the first comic book appearance of pulp hero Ka-Zar, who would go on to star in several comic series of his own in later years and was a fixture of the Marvel Universe in the Silver Age and beyond. For another, there's the first appearance of the original Angel. The cover, showing the Human Torch, is by science fiction pulp illustrator Frank R. Paul. The interior material was the work of the artistic "shop" known as Funnies, Inc., the best-known artists of which are Bill Everett (who created the Sub-Mariner and drew the character's story in this issue) and Carl Burgos (who did the same for the Human Torch). Those fortunate few who ever acquire a copy of this issue usually have to make do with one that's restored or low-grade, or one that's printed a bit askew. None of the above applies to this nicely centered specimen which is tied with only one other copy for the highest grade CGC has assigned. There's no comic book collection that this wouldn't be the centerpiece of! Overstreet 2005 VF/NM 9.0 value = $254,500; NM- 9.2 value = $365,000. CGC census 8/05: 2 in 9.0, none higher.

View large image(s) of this item

Shipping Description: Slabbed Comic (view shipping information)

Sales Tax information | Terms and Conditions

Bidding Guidelines