Our customers purchase graded comic books for a variety of reasons. Some bidders are nostalgic for a favorite character or key issue. Some are looking to fill holes in their complete run of a particular title or story arc. Some want anything and everything by their favorite artist or writer. Some collect for investment or resell purposes.
There are other reasons to buy slabbed comic books, but one of the most common we hear about, and one of our favorite reasons, is the display quality and impact of the cover art. In our September 14-17 Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction, we’re offering a bunch of comics with incredible cover art by some of the greatest talents who ever worked in the industry. Dynamic covers that practically forced readers back in the day to pluck the issue off the stands and at least consider a purchase.
These covers remain compelling today, thanks in part to the passage of time and the fact that many have become iconic. Here are five of my favorites from this sale, listed in chronological order:
1. Captain America Comics #1 (Timely, 1941) CGC Conserved VF- 7.5.
Comic books were “relevant” long before Harry Osborn did drugs and Green Lantern and Green Arrow set out to “look for America.” Superman fought for the oppressed from the beginning, and superheroes battled on behalf of the Allied Forces during World War II, to name just two examples. Which leads us to this incredibly satisfying image of Captain America punching Adolph Hitler, the man whose very name is synonymous with evil. When people talk about how Jack Kirby is a dynamic artist, look no further than here to see why. The scene is busy with bullets flying, Cap’s arm in motion, and Hitler forced back in agony from the blow. It’s a still image, of course, but it oozes with life. And it doesn’t hurt that this is a key issue (to put it mildly), introducing Captain America, Bucky, and the Red Skull.
2. Punch Comics #12 Crowley Copy Pedigree (Chesler, 1945) CGC VF 8.0.
Who is Gaspano “Gus” Ignazio Ricca and what is Punch Comics? Unless you’re a big fan of the pulps and vintage comic books, you may not know, but there’s no doubting the universal appeal of Ricca’s cover art for issue #12 of this forgotten series. (Well, universal for those of us who love horror and crime dramas, anyway.) Featuring a huge skull on a black background, the latter of which makes high-graded copies hard to find, there’s a lot going on here. Two men are engaged in a gun battle. One man is already slain and bleeding, probably killed for the money he was holding. One man peaks through the nose of the skeleton while another peers over the top/right side. Is that woman still alive, and how does she play into the scenario? Imaginations run wild! If you’re like us and are already making Halloween plans, there’s no doubting the coolness of this cover.
3. Showcase #4 The Flash (DC, 1956) CGC VG/FN 5.0.
Before he began appearing in certain episodes of the Super Friends, I discovered the Barry Allen Flash—my favorite superhero of all time–through his self-titled comic book series, which began in late 1958 and ran from issues 105 to 350 (numbering continued from the Golden Age run featuring Jay Garrick). It all started in Showcase #4, featuring the first appearance of Allen and what most historians (including me) consider to be the beginning of the Silver Age of comics. The illustration by definitive Flash artist Carmine Infantino (with inks by Joe Kubert) from a design by Robert Kanigher exudes speed, from the slanted logo with wind streaks to the character in motion, appearing to pause briefly for the “photo.” I love the filmstrip idea—it’s the perfect pallet for the Scarlet Speedster and perhaps illustrates that this new character is going to be different and more cinematic than what’s come before.
4. The Silver Surfer #4 (Marvel, 1969) CGC NM+ 9.6.
Along with John Romita Sr., John Buscema is tied for my favorite Marvel artist of any era. These artists drew the characters exactly how they should look and made them “real” for me when I was growing up a huge comic book junkie. Buscema’s runs on The Avengers, Savage Sword of Conan, and The Silver Surfer feature some of the best, most consistent work in the history of the industry. His cover for Silver Surfer #4 is just about perfect, with no need for text or excessive backgrounds to enhance or explain what is happening: two of the most powerful characters in the universe facing off in a dynamic scene that could begin the issue, appear in the middle, or act as a cliffhanger and be equally effective. The rainbow bridge and other tertiary visuals provide just enough of an “arena” to put the two titans in context. Simply stunning.
5. House of Secrets #92 (DC, 1971) CGC NM+ 9.6.
Back in the ’90s when I owned a pair of comic book stores with my brother-in-law, I distinctly remember two things getting stolen from us. One was a David Robinson rookie card at a swap meet-style show at a local outlet mall. The other was a pristine copy of The House of Secrets #92 from our main store. Someone grabbed it off the display wall behind our row of back issues. This was a heartbreaker not only because of the financial hit, and not only because it’s depressing when people do bad things, but also because it is a key issue that I hoped would go to a good home, not a thief. In addition to featuring the first appearance of Swamp Thing, it has gorgeous cover art by horror artist Bernie Wrightson. It’s a classic scene that, if you switched out the characters, could appear in an old monster movie. The moon is full, the girl is beautiful, and the creepy creature walks among us…