Wayne-Tec

What would an Action #1 7.0 go for in today’s market?

I don’t disagree about the market not quite being there yet. What is so surprising, IMO, is that collectors/investors might pass on one of the best copies in existence before setting a new precedent. There’s a reason why we don’t see this book surface in this grade. If it sells for under $1M, it could be held onto for a very long time, leaving underbidders to later pay $1M+ for a lower grade copy down the road.

It has been some time since we’ve seen any public sales of Action #1 in any grade. How much would a coverless but otherwise complete copy go for with strong PQ (OW or better), firmly attached at the staples, in a blue Universal CGC holder?

Am I the only one who sees what appears to be Arabic letters here?

Any new blue label Batman #1s coming to the market?

You hit the nail on the head. Us comic book collectors appreciate these grails, for many reasons, but I feel that our hobby has room to expand, and welcome collectors from other hobbies as well. Comic books don’t just connect us to the characters, there is historical significance, there is significance in content (stories)—collecting GA books in particular checks both the rarity and art boxes. I’ll keep saying it, because I feel the future will prove me right—we’ve only begun to scratch the surface. This particular Tec #27 is a very big deal.

I think any reluctance to surpass these arbitrary thresholds is interesting—for both collectors and investors alike. While there are no guarantees in life, Tec #27 has been soaring, consistently, for a long time now. There are not many remaining copies, in any condition, and certainly when you get to 7.0+, you’re entering rarified air—both in terms of grade (number of copies in existence) and content (1st app. of Batman and Commissioner Gordon). Compared to the prices realized for collectibles with far less connection to pop culture and nostalgia, it’s not hyperbole to say that these grail books have only begun to scratch the surface.

There are very few copies of Tec #27 in the world that are equal or superior to this one. We will all have a laugh years down the road about how we questioned whether it should or shouldn’t crack $1M. This is one of the greatest artifacts in our entire hobby.

I get a feeling that there is a bit of a psychological barrier when it comes to crossing over into seven figures. IMO, the book is well worth it. But bidders want precedent. That only happens one way.

If this ends up being the case, it won’t age well, Right along with so many GA comic grail sales from year’s past that seems strong in the moment but a bargain tomorrow—never to be had again.

Let’s face it, owning any parts from Detective Comics #27 is a true pleasure.

A Detective Comics #27 front cover would sell for a lot more than 40K.

Thanks! Curious to hear other collector’s thoughts on the subject.

I’m not sold on Action #1 remaining this far ahead of Tec #27 forever.

One of the good things that the parting out of single-pages has done for our hobby is it has increased the desirability and rarity of complete, and even mostly-complete books. Lets face it, if GA books were as plentiful as BA books, they wouldn’t be nearly as cool or enjoyable to own. Rarity drives desirability in a very big way.

That Zatara splash has to be the most desirable page in the book outside of Superman and the centerfold. Great pickup!

Hi guys, As I was reading a reprint of Whiz Comics #2 (#1) this evening, I was wondering if anyone might know what the symbols and letters mean throughout the Captain Marvel story? Can anyone translate them? Does anyone know what the inspiration was? The first image below looks like the Star of David. That meshes well with the “Wisdom of Solomon” component of the name Shazam, although as far as I know, C.C. Beck and Bill Parker were two of the few early GA creators who were not Jewish. Mac Raboy was, but he didn’t come along until later. I do not know if the symbols from within the train have any meaning. The letters on the throne of the Wizard Shazam appear to be Arabic, with the top line possibly reading “Shazam”? I’d love to get other people’s thoughts.

Hi guys, I spend most of my time on the boards in the GA section, so I couldn’t tell you if my observations here apply to other sections as well. It seems to me as though the GA boards are a lot less active than they were 10 years ago, 5 years ago, etc. Not only that, but the overall level of enthusiasm also appears lower than it was in past years. Not negativity so much as a lack of overall excitement. I realize this is impossible to quantify, just an observation. Does anyone else feel the same way? Any theories as to why? Any ideas as to what we could all do to change it? I really enjoy my time on the boards regardless. But it would be fun bring “the good old days” back.

How long until we see a higher graded copy of Tec #27 come to auction?

The PQ here is simply stunning.

This is incredible.

Tough to say. If given the choice between these 3 books, how are you ranking them?