Set Description:
Synopsis: Despite owning almost 500 of the books in this set, it’s nowhere close to complete, as Jack Kirby was responsible for more than 1,500 covers during his illustrious career. Still, this set is the most valuable in terms of registry points in the entire registry.
Background: We have owned most of these books for many years, but were never familiar with this set. This past year with all the down time from COVID, we took a look at the registry and created a number of additional sets for books we already owned.
In some cases, we created sets with only a couple of entires, here we already owned several hundred. Oddly enough, although we still only have a small fraction of the books, this set garners the most registry points of any set in the registry, which I guess is a testament to the profound effect Jack Kirby had on the industry.
I don’t realistically believe any collector could ever amass high grade copies of every book in this set, and we certainly have no aim to do so. However, we have started targeting a few books we did not otherwise collect for this set. I cannot even imagine what a completed set in high grade might tally.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Adventures (1970) #1 |
| Item: |
Amazing Adventures 1 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0345566004
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Owner Comments
This issue features the Inhumans and Black Widow. Our WP 9.8 comes from the John Fantucchio Collection and is one of 33 topping the census. We acquired the book from the 9/1/2018 CL Auction.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Fantasy (1962) #15 |
| Item: |
Amazing Fantasy 15 A-5 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
3741650001
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Owner Comments
Amazing Fantasy #15 is the Holy Grail for SA comic collectors. For many, this would be the first book they buy. But we have always targeted putting together collections rather than keys, which is why we have settled for many high grade restored keys.
As a collector of antique furniture and rugs, I have always been amazed by how severely the comic book market punishes comic book restorations compared to well-done restorations of other collectibles. Perhaps with the passage of time, well restored examples will rise in value. But for now, at least CGC places a much higher value on these books than the market.
Our book is actually the single highest graded copy ever certified by CGC, but it has been expertly and extensively restored, as it’s A-5 grade confirms. As is, from an appearance standpoint, the book is absolutely perfect. And it costs us a small fraction of what even a 9.0 with a universal label would have set us back. Even then, it was still expensive, at least for what it is. We acquired it in the 12/15/2020 ComicConnect Auction.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #1 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man 1 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1174950001
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Owner Comments
Issue #1 features the first appearances of J. Jonah Jameson & Chameleon, along with the first Fantastic Four crossover. The book also retells the Origin of Spider-Man. It is definitely one of the most valuable books we own. No, it is not highest graded, but it is a clean 9.4 copy of the #1 issue in our favorite run of comics ever and features the Fantastic Four, as Spidey applies for membership, but wants the top salary to join the Fan 4. OK, it was not the best plot ever, but still it is one of the most recognized and coveted covers in comics.
Our 9.4 is tied with nine other copies for third highest graded trailing five 9.6s and a single 9.8, making it one of the top 16 copies out of over 4100 ever certified by CGC. I am also proud to say that, unlike many of our acquisitions, we bought this book well. What we have found is that, with respect to books like this that are very valuable, but not extremely rare, sooner or later you will hit the right auction where many bidders wanting the book do not show up. It still was not cheap, but we could make a nice profit on this one.
We acquired the book from the September 2013 CL auction.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #10 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man 10 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1257455002
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Owner Comments
Issue #10 features the first appearance of the Big Man, Fred Foswell, and the Enforcers (Montana, Ox and Fancy Dan). Our 9.6 is tied for second highest graded trailing nine 9.8s. We acquired the book in the 9/11/2014 CL auction.
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| Slot: |
Avengers (1963) #1 |
| Item: |
Avengers 1 Apparent SP |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0101488001
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Owner Comments
Both Avengers and X-Men made their first appearance in Marvel comics the same month in September 1963. Unfortunately, I am old enough to remember well the excitement I had at finding two new Marvel superhero comics to purchase at the local drugstore. I still have both copies, neither is worth submitting to CGC, as I was not the smartest little kid when it came to preservation.
As for the issue itself, the Avengers, composed then of original members Thor, Iron Man, the Hulk, Ant-Man and the Wasp, face off with Thor’s brother Loki, the God of Mischief. (Why is Ant-Man hyphenated by Marvel and Iron Man not?)
This copy is one of six 9.6s topping the census. It is unfortunately also trimmed. If anyone actually ever reads my descriptions, which are a work in progress and chronicle my experiences as a collector, you will see a recurring theme of first Marvel issues being high grade purple labels. (My DC keys are unrestored, but then they are generally much cheaper.) I personally think that the market punishes such issues too much, they look the same as a universal grade, but cost a tiny fraction as much. That difference has accelerated as time goes by as well.
In this case, our copy is far and away the best restored one available and the only restored copy above 9.2 in the census. I do hope someday to add a nice high grade universal labeled #1 to our collection, finances permitting, but for now this book looks great and I enjoy having the it. The book hails from the Second City Collection and was acquired in the 6/11/2018 ComicConnect auction. It replaced a Stan Lee signed restored 9.2 in our collection.
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| Slot: |
Avengers (1963) #2 |
| Item: |
Avengers 2 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1493865001
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Owner Comments
Issue #2 features the first appearance of the Space Phantom and the exit of the Hulk, who did not play well with others-he obviously lasted much longer in the movie Avengers than the original books. This is one of our favorite Avengers covers-I actually prefer it to #1 just based on the art. We have previously owned a 9.0, a 9.4, a 9.6 and now, finally, after many years of chasing one, we finally landed a 9.8.
Our WP copy comes from the Federal Hill Collection and is one of five highest graded. We acquired it in the 12/1/2020 CL auction.
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| Slot: |
Avengers (1963) #3 |
| Item: |
Avengers 3 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0615707002
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Owner Comments
Issue #3 features the first Sub-Mariner and Hulk team-up. They would later share Tales To Astonish, as Hulk first joins that book, splitting time with Giant-Man, in issue #60-he actually spars with Giant-Man in a TTA #59, reminiscent of TOS #58 with Iron Man and Cap America. Sub-Mariner would later replace Giant-Man in that run in TTA #70.
The issue we own is one of nine, in total, 9.6s with none higher, but it is the sole Signature Series copy and thus probably will hold that distinction forever. It was acquired in the 9/6/2011 CL auction.
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| Slot: |
Avengers (1963) #4 |
| Item: |
Avengers 4 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1050359001
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Owner Comments
Issue #4, “Captain America Lives Again!" is clearly one of the best covers and most important issues within the entire run of Avengers. With the releases of the Avengers movie, newbies to the hobby as well as serious long-time Silver Age comic book collectors, have driven up the prices of high-grade copies. The importance of Avengers #4 cannot be overstated. This key issue introduced Captain America, Steve Rogers, to Silver Age Marvel comic book readers. Captain America, who first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 in 1941, was one of the most popular heroes of the Golden Age but drifted into obscurity by the middle 1950s. He was reintroduced in this issue to the baby boomer generation by one of his creators, Jack Kirby, as he joins the recently formed Avengers as a key member of the team (he would soon become their leader). Captain America soon became a major player in Marvel's Silver Age and was again awarded a series carrying his own name in 1968.
Based on all off the foregoing, Issue #4 is generally regarded as the second most important and expensive issue in this set. We previously owned a very nice 9.6, but traded it when we were short of cash to land a coveted, and much rarer-if arguably less valuable-book in another set. The pictured 9.4 is one we have owned for many years and held after acquiring our 9.6 because of the double signatures of Stan Lee and Joe Simon, which makes it unique. The book also hails from the famous Northland Pedigree Collection and is, and should forever be, the highest graded Signature Series copy. We acquired the book in the 9/10/2013 CL auction.
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| Slot: |
Avengers (1963) #6 |
| Item: |
Avengers 6 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1129570001
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Owner Comments
Avengers #6, in which the Avengers face Baron Zemo and his Masters of Evil s one of the easiest early books to find in high grade, as there are nine 9.8s in the census as of June 2020. We acquired our copy on 4/21/2015 from Pedigree Comics.
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| Slot: |
Avengers (1963) #7 |
| Item: |
Avengers 7 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
2065130001
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Owner Comments
Issue #7 features a great action cover with Thor highlighted along with appearances by Baron Zemo, the Enchantress and the Executioner. It is is the sole 9.8 and single highest graded issue as of June 2020 with just four 9.6s next in line. We acquired it in the 2/22/2018 Heritage auction.
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| Slot: |
Avengers (1963) #8 |
| Item: |
Avengers 8 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0720661006
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Owner Comments
Issue #8 features the first appearance of Kang the Conqueror. This issue is second highest graded, bested by four 9.8s, two of which have come to the market lately, but sold at dear prices. Our WP copy was acquired in the 3/14/2017 CL auction.
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| Slot: |
Avengers (1963) #9 |
| Item: |
Avengers 9 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1290143006
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Owner Comments
Issue #9 features the first appearance of Wonder Man, Simon Williams. It is a tough issue to find in high grade, with only a single copy ever graded higher by CGC. We acquired our WP copy in the 11/20/2014 Heritage auction.
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| Slot: |
Avengers (1963) #10 |
| Item: |
Avengers 10 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0012617016
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Owner Comments
Issue #10 features the first appearance of Immortus, along with appearances by Baron Zemo, the Enchantress and the Executioner. Our WP 9.8 comes from the Pacific Coast Collection and is tied for highest graded. We acquired the book from the Heritage Exchange in November 2022.
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| Slot: |
Avengers (1963) #11 |
| Item: |
Avengers 11 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1493812003
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Owner Comments
Issue #11 features A Spider-Man cross-over and is one of the favorite early Avengers covers. When we acquired this one, it was just the second 9.8 certified by CGC, so we paid a pretty penny. Unfortunately, as of 5/2020, now there are three. Still, our copy emanates from the heralded Northland Pedigree Collection, which does set it apart. We acquired it in the ComicConnect auction of December 21, 2018.
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| Slot: |
Avengers (1963) #12 |
| Item: |
Avengers 12 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
2031649006
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Owner Comments
Issue #12 features Red Ghost and Mole Man appearances. Also, for those GOT fans, of which I am certainly one, although I hated the last season, Issue #12 contains a fan letter from George RR Martin, the author of the GOT series of books. This gem is one of only two 9.8s and was acquired in 2019 from Worldwide Comics.
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