| Slot: |
Avengers 1 |
| Item: |
Avengers #1 Apparent SP |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
0101488001
|
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, with only a slight professional restoration 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 copy. It 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.
|
| Slot: |
Avengers 2 |
| Item: |
Avengers #2 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
1217202004
|
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 and last much longer in the movie Avengers than the original books. This is of my favorite Avengers covers and I would love someday to own a 9.8, but for some reason people keep exceeding my $5,000 bid every time one comes up for auction LOL. I acquired this book many years ago from Worldwide Comic in a trade, which involved cash and the 9.4, which we owned at the time.
|
| Slot: |
Avengers 3 |
| Item: |
Avengers #3 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
0615707002
|
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 4 |
| Item: |
Avengers #4 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
1248310002
|
Owner Comments
Issue #4 is a biggie and a major Marvel key in that it features the Silver Age debut of Captain America-we could of course, argue about Strange Tales #114, but let’s go with it. He basically replaces Hulk in the Avengers and will remain a major Marvel stalwart for many years, both in the books and the movies, where he was played by Chris Evans.
You probably all know the story by now, Steve Rogers was a puny patriotic kid who transforms into a super soldier when injected with an experimental serum and becomes Captain America. He apparently dies at the end of WWII, but his frozen body is retrieved and he is restored to life to join the Silver Age of Marvel heroes.
Unlike many Marvel keys, high graded copies of this issue are readily available, so much so that 9.6s have recently come down in price, while 9.8s remain very pricey and sell for multiples of 9.6s. We actually own two copies of this issue, this blue label 9.6 and a Signature Series 9.4 signed by both Stan Lee and Joe Simon, making it unique. I am really not sure which copy is more valuable, the Signature Series copy is tied for highest graded, while this is one of 24 9.6s, bested by four 9.8s with blue labels. But since CGC scores this one higher, we will go with it for this set.
This book was part of the Second City Collection and was acquired in the 6/11/2018 ComicConnect auction.
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| Slot: |
Avengers 6 |
| Item: |
Avengers #6 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Cert #: |
1129570001
|
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.
Acquired on 4/21/2015 from Pedigree Comics.
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| Slot: |
Avengers 7 |
| Item: |
Avengers #7 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Cert #: |
2065130001
|
Owner Comments
Issue #7 features a great action cover with a Thor highlighted and 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 8 |
| Item: |
Avengers #8 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
0720661006
|
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. This copy was acquired in the 3/14/2017 CL auction.
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| Slot: |
Avengers 9 |
| Item: |
Avengers #9 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
1290143006
|
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. This copy was acquired in the 11/20/2014 Heritage auction.
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| Slot: |
Avengers 10 |
| Item: |
Avengers #10 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
1053738001
|
Owner Comments
Second highest graded trailing six 9.8s. This copy was acquired in the CL auction of 3/1/2015.
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| Slot: |
Avengers 11 |
| Item: |
Avengers #11 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Cert #: |
1493812003
|
Owner Comments
Issue #11 features A Spider-Man cross-over and is one of the favorite early Avengers covers. When was 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. This was does come from the heralded Northland Collection.
Acquired in the ComicConnect auction of December 21, 2018.
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| Slot: |
Avengers 12 |
| Item: |
Avengers #12 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Cert #: |
2031649006
|
Owner Comments
This gem is one of only two 9.8s and was acquired in 2019 from Worldwide Comics.
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| Slot: |
Avengers 13 |
| Item: |
Avengers #13 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
0012617013
|
Owner Comments
Second highest graded Pacific Coast copy, trailing three 9.8s.
Acquired March 2018 from ComicConnect.
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| Slot: |
Avengers 14 |
| Item: |
Avengers #14 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
0743743006
|
Owner Comments
A relatively tough book to find in high grade, this Pacific Coast Pedigree is second highest graded trailing a single 9.8.
Purchaded on the ComicConnect Exchange in December 2019.
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| Slot: |
Avengers 15 |
| Item: |
Avengers #15 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Cert #: |
1197579002
|
Owner Comments
Issue #15 features the death of Baron Zemo and appearances by the Enchantress, the Melter, the Executioner and the Black Knight. Our WP Northland Pedigree copy in one of five highest graded and was acquired on 1/18/2017 from the Metropolis website.
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| Slot: |
Avengers 16 |
| Item: |
Avengers #16 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
0005294004
|
Owner Comments
Key issue as the Avengers undergo their first big line-up change as Hawkeye, Quicksilver and the Scarlett Witch join the Avengers. When I acquired this issue many years ago, there were no 9.8s, now there are two.
|