| Slot: |
Avengers (1963) 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 book. 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.
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| Slot: |
Avengers (1963) 2 |
| Item: |
Avengers #2 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Cert #: |
1493865001
|
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 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 (1963) 4 |
| Item: |
Avengers #4 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.4 |
| Cert #: |
1050359001
|
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 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. 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 9.8 |
| Cert #: |
2065130001
|
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 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. 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 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. 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 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
1053738001
|
Owner Comments
Issue #10 features the first appearance of Immortus, along with appearances by Baron Zemo, the Enchantress and the Executioner. Our 9.6 features white pages and is one of nine in grade, trailing four 9.8s, which top the census. This is one book we hopefully can upgrade sometime in the future. In the meantime, we acquired our current book in the CL auction of 3/1/2015.
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| Slot: |
Avengers (1963) 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 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 9.8 |
| Cert #: |
2031649006
|
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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| Slot: |
Avengers (1963) 13 |
| Item: |
Avengers #13 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
0012617013
|
Owner Comments
Issue #13 features the first appearance of Count Nefaria. Our 9.6 has white pages and hails from our favorite Pacific Coast Pedigree Collection. There are actually three 9.8s in the census, but I have always found it hard to break the back to acquire a 9.8 when we have the PC 9.6. Still, if the opportunity arises and the price is right, we shall see. In the meantime, we acquired our book in the March 2018 ComicConnect auction.
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| Slot: |
Avengers (1963) 14 |
| Item: |
Avengers #14 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
0743743006
|
Owner Comments
Issue #14 features a Watcher appearance. This one is a relatively tough book to find in high grade, with only six 9.6s and a single 9.8 topping the census. I would consider our 9.6 to be the second best anywhere since it hails from the Pacific Coast Collection. We acquired the book off the ComicConnect Exchange in December 2019.
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| Slot: |
Avengers (1963) 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 9.8 comes from the Northland Collection and is one of five highest graded copies. We acquired the book on 1/18/2017 from the Metropolis website.
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| Slot: |
Avengers (1963) 16 |
| Item: |
Avengers #16 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Cert #: |
2093376018
|
Owner Comments
Issue #16 is a key issue as the Avengers undergo their first big line-up change as Hawkeye, Quicksilver and the Scarlett Witch join the Avengers. This WP beauty is the only 9.8 I have ever seen of this seminal issue amd one of two highest graded. We acquired it in the September 10, 2020 Heritage auction.
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