Comics! You read them, you love them, you have them on your underwear. But what have you bid on? Comic book auctions get a lot of press when prices rocket into the stratosphere, but they’re a lot more accessible than most people realize. For a few hundred bucks you can put yourself in the running for a first issue, first appearance, or even your first piece of original art. And did we mention comic movie props? Check out some of the more interesting comic-related auctions in the current Hake’s offerings – you may find your dream item, or maybe your first investment!
Hake’s – AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #361 APRIL 1992 CBCS VERIFIED SIGNATURE 9.8 NM/MINT (FIRST CARNAGE).
Sure, Carnage debatably first appeared as a drop of symbiote in close proximity to prisoner Cletus Kasady, but this here is the first appearance of the combined Carnage himself, he of the axe hands and the teeth and the Woody Harrelson. Why not own his true first appearance for a steal, and a minty-fresh copy of it to boot? Current Bid: $300
Hake’s – JUSTICE LEAGUE #4 COMIC BOOK PAGE ORIGINAL ART BY KEVIN MAGUIRE.
Every self-respecting comic book fan loves the artwork of Kevin Maguire, and his collaboration with Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis on 1987’s Justice League book is the stuff of legend. This original page of art shows futuristic egotist Booster Gold fighting the playing card-themed Royal Flush Gang, in a 9-panel layout that’s straight outta Watchmen. Hang it on your wall and you can read it every day! Current Bid: $550
While it’s the squid Batman fights on the cover that inspires the cover blurb (“Suddenly… the Squid!”) that squid is not the only debut in the book. Not only do you get the first full appearance of his amphibious associate Killer Croc, you also get the first appearance of that most complicated of Robins, Jason Todd! At 9.8, there’s none graded higher that the CGC has seen. Current Bid: $300
Longing to know what it feels like to be shunned by a world that hates and fears you? Strap on these screen-used Thing prosthetics from the second Fantastic Four movie and you’ll be shunned and sweaty in no time! Marked as being for stuntperson use, these two props are a steal considering their big-screen pedigree. Opening Bid: $1,000
Hake’s – MISTER MIRACLE #4 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 1971 CGC 9.2 NM- (FIRST BIG BARDA).
Mister Miracle will always be our favorite New God, and there are two big reasons for that: Jack Kirby and Big Barda. The former’s artwork made Miracle’s multi-colored outfit look downright classy, and the latter’s undying love for the escape artist made us love him all the more. This issue features Kirby art and story, and is the first appearance of the Female Fury herself, all in a near-mint package. Opening Bid: $100
Can’t afford the first issue of Captain America? Well, how about its screen-used equivalent? This prop comic was one of the actual copies kids couldn’t get enough of in the First Avenger movie, and aside from some minor cover differences and the fact that all of the pages are blank, it’s a great alternative to a book you will likely never be able to afford. In fact, it might be even cooler! Current Bid: $2,200
Hake’s – KAMANDI, THE LAST BOY ON EARTH #17 COMIC BOOK PAGE ORIGINAL ART BY JACK KIRBY.
There are only two Jack Kirby original pages in the current Hake’s auction, and while we have nothing against the Newsboy Legion, we gotta go with the Last Boy on Earth getting captured by an army of ape-men. Action as only Jack Kirby could deliver! Current Bid: $1,000
Hake’s – INCREDIBLE HULK #181 NOVEMBER 1974 CGC 6.5 FINE+ (FIRST FULL WOLVERINE).
Remember that guy who was just in that big Marvel movie? Wolveream or something like that? Well, this here is his first full appearance, and it’s not in too bad condition. Pick it up for a steal and you can show it off when Hugh Jackman inevitably returns to the role. Current Bid: $1,100
Hake’s – DESTROY!! #1 COMIC BOOK COVER LARGE ORIGINAL ART BY SCOTT McCLOUD.
Everyone knows Scott McCloud’s seminal work Understanding Comics, and perhaps his sci-fi epic Zot!, but you need to be a true comics connoisseur to know about his 1986 superhero one-shot, titled Destroy!! Published at a whopping 11 by 15 inches, this large-scale comic featured large-scale destruction — a scathing commentary on violent comic storylines, or just plain awesome? Buy the original cover artwork here and get a Fine copy of the comic to go with it! Opening Bid: $1,000.