1962 Spider-Man Comic Sells for $1,000,000+, Some Rare Comic Investments Doubling in Value in Just 2-5 Years
Imagine making an investment that more than doubles in value in five years or less. You’d be hard-pressed to find such an asset on Wall Street, but head four miles north to Metropolis Collectibles — the world’s top vintage comic book dealer — and you’ll see the growing trend.
Most recently, Metropolis (www.MetropolisComics.com) arranged the sale of a 1962 Amazing Fantasy #15 comic, which marks Spider-Man’s first appearance. The 9.4-graded comic, which was purchased in 2016 for $454,000, just sold for $1,050,000.
It marks yet another record-breaking transaction for Metropolis, which already holds six Guinness World Records. It’s their fourth $1,000,000+ sale of 2021.
“Vintage comics have always been great investments, but right now, values are off the charts,” says Vincent Zurzolo, co-owner of Metropolis and its online auction house, www.ComicConnect.com
Just a few months ago, Zurzolo auctioned an exceedingly-rare Action Comics #1 — the legendary 1938 comic that marks Superman’s first appearance — for a historic $3,250,000. He previously sold that same 8.5 graded issue for $1,750,000 in 2017.
Then, ComicConnect sold a highly-coveted 8.0 Batman #1 — the first issue of the Caped Crusader’s decades-long series — for $1,207,500. A nearly-identical 8.0 sold for $498,000 in 2019.
“We’ve been breaking records since the beginning of the year,” says Zurzolo. “We’re seeing elite comics selling for about twice the previous price in just 2-5 years.”
And there’s something significant about the Amazing Fantasy #15. While the Superman and Batman books are both Golden Age comics — those published between 1935-1945 — Spider-Man dates to the industry’s Silver Age, 1956-1970 — an increasingly hot era for investors.
For one thing, while it’s rare for undiscovered Golden Age comics to come to light these days — and even rarely for them to come up for sale — it’s not that uncommon for downsizing Baby Boomers to find a stash of forgotten Silver Age comics tucked away in a basement or attic.
Furthermore, Hollywood has turned its focus to Silver Age characters: The Fantastic Four, X-Men, Black Panther and Aquaman, not to mention Spider-Man. And each time a new superhero movie or TV show is released, related comic book values soar.
In fact, Metropolis has sold 20 copies of Amazing Fantasy #15 in varying conditions over the last 6 weeks.
“Spider-Man is the Superman of the ‘60s,” says Zurzolo. “Amazing Fantasy #15 is the most valuable Silver Age comic, just as Action Comics #1 is for the Golden Age.”
“We’re seeing more excitement around Silver Age investments in general and Spidey in particular.”
So, who plunked down more than million for the Spider-Man comic? The buyer is an east coast financial analyst — i.e., an expert in identifying prime investments.
“Just to be clear: you don’t need $1,000,000 to make a great investment in comics,” says Zurzolo. “Most of our auction items have a $1 starting bid.”
“There are great deals to be had at every level. But the time to invest is now.”
Media Contact
Company Name: Metropolis Collectibles
Contact Person: Vincent Zurzolo
Email: Send Email
Phone: 212-260-4147
Address:36 W. 37th Street
City: New York
State: NY 10018
Country: United States
Website: www.MetropolisComics.com
