Heritage Auctions sold over $5.1 million this past weekend in Dallas, and while that seems like a really large sum, its surprising how much Suspense Comics #3 sold for.
Suspense Comics #3, CBCS rated at 9.0, sold for $173,275, which makes it the most expensive non-superhero comic sold at auction.
“This copy, the one pictured in Gerber’s Photo-Journal, had been speculated about for years, and those who saw it in person found that the high grade was well-earned,” said Barry Sandoval, Director of Operations for Comics and Comic Art at Heritage. “The consignor, Magik Woo, always sought out the very best, and we’ll be offering more gems from his collection in the future.”
In addition to Suspense Comics, Heritage Auctions also set a record for the highest price ever paid for John Byrne art. Byrne’s splash page for for X-Men #137 sold for $167,300.
“This splash page, for many fans, represents the very heart and soul of what made the X-Men one of the most popular comic books of all time,” said Todd Hignite, Vice President of Heritage Auctions. “It’s got it all: amazing art, incredible creativity and the luster of being the best X-Men story arc ever created.”
Other highlights from the auction include:
- Marvel Comics #1 (Timely, 1939) CGC VG 4.0: Realized $68,713.
- Action Comics #23 (DC, 1940) CGC VF+ 8.5: The first mention of the Clark Kent’s employer for the next 75 years, The Daily Planet. Realized $62,725.
- George Wilson Magnus, Robot Fighter #1 Cover Painting Original Art (Gold Key, 1963): The highest price ever realized at auction for a piece of Gold Key art. Realized $54,970.
- The Incredible Hulk #1 (Marvel, 1962) CGC VF- 7.5: Realized $50,190.
- Jack Kirby and Vince Colletta New Gods #4 Cover Original Art (DC, 1971): A truly great offering from Jack “King” Kirby’s cosmic Fourth World saga. Realized $45,410.
In a time where the graph of the world stock market looks more like a roller coaster than a steady climb up a hill, it’s good to know that people are still willing to part with a lot of money for comic book ephemera.