The first issue of Captain America, which was the first comic to feature the appearance of the star-spangled hero, has just been sold at an auction for an astonishing $3.1 million. In the world of comic collecting, it's not unheard of for certain notable issues to sell for exorbitant amounts of money. The most famous case involves the debut issue of Superman in Action Comics #1, which sold at $3.2 million in 2014 for one issue. Now, Captain America has joined the club and the comic book that was sold is definitely one that's deserving of its high price tag.
The issue in the spotlight right now, Captain America #1 by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, is perhaps the most iconic comic in the hero's 82-year run. Not only does it feature the debut of one of the most iconic heroes in comic history, but the cover art for it also set the tone for who he was. By featuring Captain America punching Adolf Hitler square on the jaw, it sent a message to readers that this hero was All-American and willing to do what's right to take down evil...a full year before the United States even entered World War II! This comic cover has stood the test of time as the iconic art that best describes who Captain America is and has even been referenced in countless media, including the MCU film Captain America: The First Avenger. Now it's in the hands of a lucky buyer who purchased it at an astounding price.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, this Captain America #1, which was in near mint condition, sold for a grand total of $3,120,000 at Heritage Auctions during an event devoted to comics and comic art. Hollywood Reporter confirmed that this does include the buyer's premium, so the final total displayed is a bit higher than what the comic sold for when the gavel struck, confirming the sale. No name for the lucky buyer has been given, but this is surely going to be an amazing comic to display in their collection.
While there have certainly been comics that have been sold at high prices, Captain America #1 has become one of only three comic books to sell at over $3 million. The other two have been the aforementioned Action Comics #1, which features the debut of Superman, and Amazing Fantasy #15, which features the first appearance of Spider-Man. It's pretty easy to see why these issues have sold for so much. They're the first appearances of some of the most iconic characters in comic history, so copies are only going to be rarer and rarer as time goes on.
Only one other piece of comic history has managed to pass the $3 million mark along with these three issues, but it wasn't even a comic book. It was an original page from Secret Wars when Spider-Man first acquired his iconic black suit, selling earlier this year at $3.36 million. It's amazing to see just how much people are willing to spend to own a piece of history that has gone on to influence the canon of these characters decades later.
Seeing the first issue of a hero that's gone on to be so influential in not just comics but popular culture as a whole sell for as much as it did just goes to show how much power comics can have in culture. What could have been a one-off that did well but never showed up again has stood the test of time and has inspired numerous storytellers, leading to his first-ever appearance being incredibly valuable in the eyes of comic collectors and readers alike. Whether it's at $3 million or a bit lower, comics have a strong impact on popular culture, and the $3.1 million value for Captain America #1 just shows how influential this 1940 character has become 82 years later.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter