Amazing Spider-Man #1, CGC 9.6 NM+ Leads Hakes Pop Culture Auction

More than 300 CGC-certified comic books will feature in Hakes' July 25-26 sale, including examples of nearly all of Marvel’s key Silver Age titles.

Of particular interest is the CGC 9.6 NM+ copy of Amazing Spider-Man #1 (March 1963) with white pages. It is one of only five CGC 9.6 copies known to exist and one of only three at that grade level to reach the auction marketplace in over a decade. The most recently auctioned ASM #1, with off-white pages as opposed to the white pages seen in Hake’s example, sold in 2022 for $336,000. 

“Even the most advanced comic book collectors are expected to go after the one in our sale with a vengeance, because a better copy might not come to auction anytime soon – if ever. This is a very rare opportunity for collectors to get their hands on an incredible, very high-grade example of this key book,”  said Alex Winter, president of Hake’s Auctions.

CGC has graded a total of 4,688 Spider-Man #1 comics. The one consigned to Hake’s, from the collection of John B Goodrich, was graded very recently and is one of the seven best copies documented in two decades of record-keeping, The issue will be displayed at Comic-Con July 19 - 23 in San Diego.

Another significant book from the Marvel universe, Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962) features the first appearance of Spider-Man/Peter Parker and also introduces the agile superhero’s guardians, Aunt May and Uncle Ben. A CGC 7.5 VF copy of the book, also from the John B Goodrich collection, is entered with an auction estimate of $100,000-$200,000.

Also featured is Neal Adams’ original pen-and-ink art for Page 19 of the DC comic book Green Lantern Vol. 2, #80 (October 1970). Inked by Dick Giordano and Mike Peppe, the page is an action-packed depiction from the 'Even An Immortal Can Die!' storyline. Green Lantern’s power ring is in use in all four panels and is viewable in three of them, including a closeup view. The artwork is estimated at $20,000-$35,000.