If comic books were evaluated exactly the same as sports cards, it would be all about the rookies! These rookies are the understanding that both collectors and investors swarm and compete for First Appearances of main characters in comic book series. The iconic Action Comics #1 is the first appearance of Superman, and Amazing Fantasy #15 is the first appearance of Spider-Man. But what about Action Comics #114 and others that collectors don’t hear about as much?

Collectors Dashboard wanted to look into the collectability beyond these key issues of comics. We found many examples of some later comic book sales that are all easily within the prized Golden Age and Silver Age of comic books.

Collectors Dashboard evaluates high-end collectibles as an alternative asset class. This means collectibles are attracting the same capital that could have been invested into stocks or bonds. Many collectibles now cost thousands of dollars (or much more). Collectors with a passion to own a collectible for years frequently have to compete directly against investors whose only desire is to make a profit in the future.

The January 30-31 Sunday & Monday Comic Books Select Auction was covered by Collectors Dashboard because of the multiple issues of key comic books. Also in the auction are exciting Golden Age examples of popular titles that deserve a second look and analysis.

Seeking comic book issues from the Golden Age that aren’t considered Key Issues you begin to notice that any issue is the first appearance of something if you look hard enough. So if the title has a first appearance noted with it we will also note it on here.

Batman #5 (DC, 1941) CGC Apparent FN+ 6.5 Restored. Off-white pages with a current bid of $625.00 after 8 bids. This issue is the first appearance of both the Batmobile and Linda Page. According to the CGC census the population for CGC 6.5 is 15. The 2021 Overstreet Price at CGC 9.2 is $16,500.00. Here are past sales by Heritage Auctions (image below also by Heritage Auctions) and from eBay of this issue:

• Batman #5 CGC 4.5 (DC, 1941) 1st Linda Page, off white pages was sold from a Buy It Now or Best Offer price of $4,250.00 on January 8, 2022. eBay.
• Batman #5 Double Cover (DC, 1941) CBCS FN+ 6.5 cream to off-white pages was sold by Heritage Auctions for $2,270.50 after 19 bids on February 18, 2016.

Action Comics #114 The Promise Collection Pedigree (DC, 1947) CGC VF/NM 9.0 white pages with a current bid of $480.00 after 3 bids. According to the CGC census the population for CGC 9.0 is 1. The 2021 Overstreet Price at CGC 9.0 is $1,093.00. Here are past sales by Heritage Auctions and eBay of this issue:

• Action Comics #114 November 1947 “In Search of an Honest Man” Ungraded, Fair. The issue was sold by eBay on January 12, 2022 for $51.77 after 6 bids.
• Action Comics #114 (DC, 1947) CBCS FN+ 6.5 off-white pages sold by Heritage Auctions on June 9, 2019 for $288.00 after 14 bids.
• Action Comics #114 (DC, 1947) Condition: FN- Ungraded. Sold by Heritage Auctions on February 23, 2020 for $198.00 after 9 bids.
• Action Comics #114 (DC, 1947) Condition: VG- Ungraded. Sold by Heritage Auctions on November 29, 2020 for $171.60 after 11 bids.

The Amazing Spider-Man #10 (Marvel, 1964) CGC VF 8.0 cream to off-white pages with a current bid of $390.00 after 6 bids. According to the CGC census the population for CGC 8.0 is 131. The 2021 Overstreet Price at CGC 8.0 is $800.00. First appearances of The Big Man (Fred Foswell) and the Enforcers (Montana, Ox, and Fancy Dan). Here are past sales by Heritage Auctions and eBay of this issue:

• The Amazing Spider-Man #10 (Marvel, 1964) CGC VF 8.0 white pages sold by Heritage Auctions on December 13, 2020 for $1,530.00 after 18 bids.
• The Amazing Spider-Man #10 (Marvel, 1964) CGC VF 8.0 white pages sold by Heritage Auctions on October 24, 2019 for $780.00 after 9 bids.
• The Amazing Spider-Man #10 (Marvel, 1964) CGC VF 8.0 white pages sold by Heritage Auctions on June 16, 2019 for $840.00 after 10 bids.
• The Amazing Spider-Man #10 (Marvel, 1964) CGC 4.0 Signature Series signed by Stan Lee sold by eBay on January 6, 2022 for $1,081.00 after 23 bids.
• The Amazing Spider-Man #10 (Marvel, 1964) Ungraded sold by eBay on November 28, 2021 for $316.00 after 30 bids.

One issue to consider here is that comic books that are not Key Issues are still collectible. It can be stated that any of these issues noted in a high grade are very desirable to the collector.

Looking beyond rookie cards can be a little more work but can also be rewarding and profitable with a little research. Who else knew that the first appearance of the Batmobile was Batman #5 (DC, 1941)? Just don’t go telling comic buyers you have the Batmobile Rookie!