Suspense Builds for Heritage's Upcoming Comic Auction!

DALLAS, TEXAS: There are certain images that are burned into the minds of comic collectors worldwide. Say "Action #1" to a comic book aficionado, and instantly an image of Superman hoisting a green car above his head appears. "Amazing Fantasy #15" brings with it the sight of Spider-Man swinging high above the rooftops, a panicked burglar tucked effortlessly under his right arm.

But there are few images that carry with them such emotional weight and resonance as the classic cover to Suspense Comics #3, masterfully rendered by the great Alex Schomburg. Once seen, with its bizarre and frightening image of a helpless woman threatened by a scarlet-robed, sword-wielding Grand Inquisitor in a costume eerily reminiscent of the KKK, it is a cover that can never be forgotten.

"This is one of the most hotly-desired comics in the history of our hobby," said Ed Jaster, Vice-President of Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries. "It doesn't feature the origin or the first appearance of a popular character, and most people couldn't identify a single story that appears inside, but it easily makes the list of Overstreet's Top 100 Golden Age Comics by virtue of its unforgettable cover alone."

"This comic came to prominence about 15 years ago, when it was featured as the frontispiece to Ernie Gerber's Photo-Journal Guide to Comic Books," said Jaster. "Suddenly, everyone wanted a copy of this incredible book. Adding to its mystique was its scarceness in the marketplace. Even legendary hoards like the Mile High Collection lacked a copy. One theory holds that the cover image itself may have proved too controversial for wide distribution in 1944, thus keeping it off of many newsstands. Until now, collectors typically had to make do with low-to mid-grade copies of this desirable book, if they could find one at all."

"Now, however, we're proud to offer the finest known copy of this classic comic book to the collecting public," Jaster said. "Hailing from the legendary 'D Copy' collection, this is the single highest-graded copy of this scarce book known to exist, and the only copy to come from a recognized pedigree collection. This is, without a doubt, the book that advanced Golden Age collectors have been hoping to find for many years, and it is sure to fetch a record price once the hammer falls and the new owner is finally determined. Interested parties should bid early and often, as the opportunity to own this stellar specimen may never again be repeated."

Suspense Comics #3 Davis Crippen ('D" Copy) pedigree (Continental Magazines, 1944) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white pages:
Estimate: $25,000 & up

Suspense Comics #3 Davis Crippen ('D" Copy) pedigree (Continental Magazines, 1944) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white pages will be offered in Heritage Auction Galleries' upcoming Comics Signature Auction, to be held August 10 -12, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. For more information, please visit www.HeritageAuctions.com/Comics.

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HeritageAuctions.com.

Heritage specializes in rare, high-grade comic books, as well as vintage comic and animation art, illustration art, classic toys, movie posters and comics-related collectibles.

Prospective consignors and sellers of top-end comics material, toys, and original art are invited to call Ed Jaster at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 288 or Lon Allen at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 261 to discuss their rare comics and original illustration and comic art. Or visit www.HeritageAuctions.com and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Ed Jaster at EdJ@HeritageAuctions.com or Lon Allen at LonA@HeritageAuctions.com.

Music and Hollywood memorabilia collectors should contact Doug Norwine at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 452 or email DougN@HeritageAuctions.com.

Movie poster consignors please call Grey Smith at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 367 or email GreySm@HeritageAuctions.com.

To reserve your copy of a catalog for any upcoming Heritage auction, please contact Nicole Jewell, c/o Heritage Auction Galleries, 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219, or call 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272.