A 1963 comic book featuring Spider-Man’s first appearance could fetch up to $1-million for a Victoria woman selling the iconic origin story, experts say.
Amazing Fantasy #15 is etched in comic book history as the first time the world is introduced to Peter Parker, who is bit by a radioactive spider that gives him arachnid-like superpowers.
An original printing of that comic, which has gone on to inspire countless cartoons and three separate film series featuring the web-headed superhero, has now been put on the market by the anonymous Victoria seller.
“This is one of the three most iconic comics of all time. First appearance of a major character, it’s got a great cover, it’s got great art, everything about it is just iconic,” said Gareth Gaudin, a co-owner of Legends Comics in Victoria who’s helping facilitate the sale. “When it comes in this pristine of condition, you know you’re holding a holy grail of the comic book world.”
Gaudin places Amazing Fantasy #15 among the most valuable comics in the world along with Action Comics #1, which featured the first appearance of Superman, and Detective Comics #27, which introduced Batman for the first time.
He said the comic was purchased it 30 years ago for $450 – a mere fraction of what it could go for today.
“$500,00 isn’t crazy. There have been copies in this condition or worse that sell for that high,” he said. “$1-million if it’s graded. If we don’t sell it in a few weeks, next year it’ll be twice the price.”
To put it into perspective, $450 worth of gold bought 30 years ago would be worth about $1,200 today – a far cry from a $1-million comic book.
“It’s hugely exciting to hear that a treasure like that has turned up locally, and according to what I’ve heard, in the condition that it’s in,” said Jeffrey Dean, an auctioneer and appraiser. “That’s like a one percentile item. It’s my understanding that the last one found went out of Dallas at $450,000 in 2016, and I understand it was near-mint.”
Dean says the renowned piece of history will go beyond Canada’s borders and soon, global investors will come calling.
“Undoubtedly. When something like that turns up, of that rarity, people are going to come crawling out of the woodwork. They will find you,” he said.
Spider-Man’s webs have snapped up big bucks before, with similar comics selling for more than $1-million.
Gaudin said the next step is to have it graded, which could only increase the value.
“Our next stage will be to get it graded by the CGC (Certified Gauranty Company), the slab people, so once it’s officially graded we’ll take it from there. People are already contacting me with offers,” he said.
Of course, the hefty price tag may mean nothing to a wealthy comic collector who wants bragging rights.
“If you already have a house and your life is going well, just keep it like a nice piece of art on your wall or just an investment in the bank,” said Gaudin. “Comics, who knew?”
For now, the comic is being kept in a secure vault at a bank until the seller can swing a possibly historic deal.
