and Batman comes out victorious.
This week comic book sales hit the mainstream news when a copy of Action Comics #1 (April 1938) sold for $1 million dollars. Making it not only the most expensive comic book purchase of all time, but also the first to sell at over half a million. Batman was obviously not going to allow Superman to hold both those titles for too long. Seemingly back-to-back, within the same week a copy of Detective Comics #27 (May 1939) went at a steep $1,075,500. As many of you know these comic books introduced Superman and Batman, respectively.
Shirrel Rhoades, former publisher and executive vice president of Marvel Comics, said high sales for those comics is partly a reflection on the poor economy.
“When the stock market is down, when real estate investments are over the cliff, collectibles offer an alternative that you can invest in that may have some growth potential,” Rhoades said.
He said the 1938 Action Comics #1 is arguably more historic than the first appearance of Batman, but that this week’s sales seem to be following their own logic.
“We’re probably seeing a little bit of a feeding frenzy,” Rhoades said. “With the sale of Action #1 for a million, I think that’s going to keep prices up for awhile.”
Heritage Auction Galleries did not disclose the name of the previous owner or the winning bidder for Detective Comics #27, the first book featuring Batman.
The previous owner is a savvy collector who bought the comic for $100 more than 40 years ago, a figure which at the time seemed a large price, said Heritage Auction Galleries.
ECONOMY DOWN, COMICS UP
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