This stunning copy of the Fantastic Four’s 1961 debut just sold for $1.5 million at auction, marking the first time Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Girl, the Human Torch and the Thing’s comic-book bow has ever crossed the million-dollar mark.
#HERITAGELIVE #WORLDRECORD: #FantasticFour #1 (Marvel, 1961) CGC NM- 9.2 White pages sold for a world-record $1.5 million during a live auction at Heritage Auctions on Thursday, April 7, 2022.
It is also the 2nd most expensive Silver Age #Comic sold! https://t.co/eKwqzLTYb1 pic.twitter.com/yUMKDGiJFY
— Heritage Auctions (@HeritageAuction) April 7, 2022
Graded at 9.2, this coveted issue was the beginning of a remarkable renaissance that saw Marvel catch up and pass DC in the superhero consciousness of comic collectors, a perch it has maintained now for decades.
Without showing off their new group as a guest appearance in another title or in a tryout issue, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby boldly launched the title that by its third issue was already being touted as The Greatest Comic Magazine in the World! Here was the origin and first appearance of the Fantastic Four, Marvel’s first superhero team of Mr. Fantastic, The Thing, Human Torch, and Invisible Girl. Also featured was the origin and first appearance of Mole Man. Jack Kirby was never better than with his cover and interior story art contributions for the title’s first 101 issues. The issue is currently #3 on Overstreet’s list of Top 50 Silver Age Comics.